I've muddled the whole business up to that extent, Finsbury, that if it were to get out it's my belief we should get lynched.' It was useless to be serious with Mr Wickham.

'Take care,' said Michael.

'I am getting tired of your perpetual scrapes; my reputation is beginning to suffer.' 'Your reputation will be all gone before you finish with me,' replied his companion with a grin.

'Clap it in the bill, my boy.

"For total loss of reputation, six and eightpence." But,' continued Mr Wickham with more seriousness, 'could I be bowled out of the Commission for this little jest?
I know it's small, but I like to be a JP.