There the honest man and the knave are alike; and this being the case, what the devil is public opinion worth ?" "It's worth a great deal if we use it for our own purposes while we're here; otherwise I agree with you that it's valueless in itself." "You're a cursed clever fellow, Val, an able knave, as I said--but I don't like your son; he's a dishonest blockhead, and I needn't tell you that the man who has not brains enough to be dishonest is a most contemptible scoundrel." "Are you not able to get up ?" asked Val, in a very dutiful and affectionate voice.
"Able enough now, but my head swam a while ago at a deuced rate.

I was drunk, as usual, last night, and could do nothing, not even put a tumbler to my mouth, until I took a stiff glass of brandy and water, and that has set me up again.

When shall I write to young Topertoe, the Cumber blade ?" "The sooner the better, now; but I think you ought to rise and take some exercise." "So I shall, immediately, and to-morrow I write then, according to your able instructions, most subtle and sagacious Val.

Are you off ?" "Yes, good-bye, sir, and many thanks." "None of your stuff I say, but be off out of this--" and as he spoke Val disappeared.
So far the first steps for ousting Mr.Hickman were taken by this precious father and his equally valuable son.

Val, however, entertained other speculations quite as ingenious, and far more malignant in their tendency.