The people who have been better off, and have paid rates for many years, are the first to sink when they come into the house; and let me tell you, Mr.
Bumble, that three or four inches over one's calculation makes a great hole in one's profits: especially when one has a family to provide for, sir.' As Mr.Sowerberry said this, with the becoming indignation of an ill-used man; and as Mr.Bumble felt that it rather tended to convey a reflection on the honour of the parish; the latter gentleman thought it advisable to change the subject.

Oliver Twist being uppermost in his mind, he made him his theme.
'By the bye,' said Mr.Bumble, 'you don't know anybody who wants a boy, do you?
A porochial 'prentis, who is at present a dead-weight; a millstone, as I may say, round the porochial throat?
Liberal terms, Mr.Sowerberry, liberal terms ?' As Mr.Bumble spoke, he raised his cane to the bill above him, and gave three distinct raps upon the words 'five pounds': which were printed thereon in Roman capitals of gigantic size.
'Gadso!' said the undertaker: taking Mr.Bumble by the gilt-edged lappel of his official coat; 'that's just the very thing I wanted to speak to you about.

You know--dear me, what a very elegant button this is, Mr.Bumble! I never noticed it before.' 'Yes, I think it rather pretty,' said the beadle, glancing proudly downwards at the large brass buttons which embellished his coat.

'The die is the same as the porochial seal--the Good Samaritan healing the sick and bruised man.

The board presented it to me on Newyear's morning, Mr.Sowerberry.