But he pressed his master's hand, and tried to thank him.
'And Thomas Pinch and I,' said Mr Pecksniff, in a deeper voice, 'will walk it yet, in mutual faithfulness and friendship! And if it comes to pass that either of us be run over in any of those busy crossings which divide the streets of life, the other will convey him to the hospital in Hope, and sit beside his bed in Bounty!' 'Well, well, well!' he added in a happier tone, as he shook Mr Pinch's elbow hard.

'No more of this! Martin, my dear friend, that you may be at home within these walls, let me show you how we live, and where.

Come!' With that he took up a lighted candle, and, attended by his young relative, prepared to leave the room.

At the door, he stopped.
'You'll bear us company, Tom Pinch ?' Aye, cheerfully, though it had been to death, would Tom have followed him; glad to lay down his life for such a man! 'This,' said Mr Pecksniff, opening the door of an opposite parlour, 'is the little room of state, I mentioned to you.

My girls have pride in it, Martin! This,' opening another door, 'is the little chamber in which my works (slight things at best) have been concocted.