Ay, sir,' he continued, bending eagerly forward, and addressing Nicholas, as he marked the change of his countenance, 'to restore a parent his child; his son, sir; trepanned, waylaid, and guarded at every turn by you, with the base design of robbing him some day of any little wretched pittance of which he might become possessed.' 'In that, you know you lie,' said Nicholas, proudly.
'In this, I know I speak the truth.

I have his father here,' retorted Ralph.
'Here!' sneered Squeers, stepping forward.

'Do you hear that?
Here! Didn't I tell you to be careful that his father didn't turn up and send him back to me?
Why, his father's my friend; he's to come back to me directly, he is.

Now, what do you say--eh!--now--come--what do you say to that--an't you sorry you took so much trouble for nothing?
an't you?
an't you ?' 'You bear upon your body certain marks I gave you,' said Nicholas, looking quietly away, 'and may talk in acknowledgment of them as much as you please.

You'll talk a long time before you rub them out, Mr Squeers.' The estimable gentleman last named cast a hasty look at the table, as if he were prompted by this retort to throw a jug or bottle at the head of Nicholas, but he was interrupted in this design (if such design he had) by Ralph, who, touching him on the elbow, bade him tell the father that he might now appear and claim his son.
This being purely a labour of love, Mr Squeers readily complied, and leaving the room for the purpose, almost immediately returned, supporting a sleek personage with an oily face, who, bursting from him, and giving to view the form and face of Mr Snawley, made straight up to Smike, and tucking that poor fellow's head under his arm in a most uncouth and awkward embrace, elevated his broad-brimmed hat at arm's length in the air as a token of devout thanksgiving, exclaiming, meanwhile, 'How little did I think of this here joyful meeting, when I saw him last! Oh, how little did I think it!' 'Be composed, sir,' said Ralph, with a gruff expression of sympathy, 'you have got him now.' 'Got him! Oh, haven't I got him! Have I got him, though ?' cried Mr Snawley, scarcely able to believe it.