Now, Mr Nickleby,' said the man, with a strange mixture of humility and sense of power, 'what help and assistance will you give me; what bribe, to speak out plainly?
My expectations are not monstrous, but I must live, and to live I must eat and drink.

Money is on your side, and hunger and thirst on mine.

You may drive an easy bargain.' 'Is that all ?' said Ralph, still eyeing his companion with the same steady look, and moving nothing but his lips.
'It depends on you, Mr Nickleby, whether that's all or not,' was the rejoinder.
'Why then, harkye, Mr--, I don't know by what name I am to call you,' said Ralph.
'By my old one, if you like.' 'Why then, harkye, Mr Brooker,' said Ralph, in his harshest accents, 'and don't expect to draw another speech from me.

Harkye, sir.

I know you of old for a ready scoundrel, but you never had a stout heart; and hard work, with (maybe) chains upon those legs of yours, and shorter food than when I "pinched" and "ground" you, has blunted your wits, or you would not come with such a tale as this to me.