After a time he rose and rang the bell.
'That Mr Squeers; has he been here ?' said Ralph.
'He was here last night.

I left him here when I went home,' returned Newman.
'I know that, fool, do I not ?' said Ralph, irascibly.

'Has he been here since?
Was he here this morning ?' 'No,' bawled Newman, in a very loud key.
'If he comes while I am out--he is pretty sure to be here by nine tonight--let him wait.

And if there's another man with him, as there will be--perhaps,' said Ralph, checking himself, 'let him wait too.' 'Let 'em both wait ?' said Newman.
'Ay,' replied Ralph, turning upon him with an angry look.

'Help me on with this spencer, and don't repeat after me, like a croaking parrot.' 'I wish I was a parrot,' Newman, sulkily.
'I wish you were,' rejoined Ralph, drawing his spencer on; 'I'd have wrung your neck long ago.' Newman returned no answer to this compliment, but looked over Ralph's shoulder for an instant, (he was adjusting the collar of the spencer behind, just then,) as if he were strongly disposed to tweak him by the nose.