Members of Parliament are not so common about Oxford Street as they are in the neighbourhood of Pall Mall and St.James's Square.
But Mr.Bunce, when he came home to his dinner, did not join as heartily as he should have done in his wife's rejoicing.

Mr.Bunce was in the employment of certain copying law-stationers in Carey Street, and had a strong belief in the law as a profession;--but he had none whatever in the House of Commons.

"And he's given up going into chambers ?" said Mr.Bunce to his wife.
"Given it up altogether for the present," said Mrs.Bunce.
"And he don't mean to have no clerk ?" said Mr.Bunce.
"Not unless it is for his Parliament work." "There ain't no clerks wanted for that, and what's worse, there ain't no fees to pay 'em.

I'll tell you what it is, Jane;--if you don't look sharp there won't be nothing to pay you before long." "And he in Parliament, Jacob!" "There ain't no salary for being in Parliament.

There are scores of them Parliament gents ain't got so much as'll pay their dinners for 'em.