'
The driver instituted, with the palms of his hands, a superficial
perquisition into the state of his skeleton; which seemed to make
him anxious.
'Have I sat upon you?' asked the passenger.
'You have,' said the driver, as if he didn't like it at all.
'Take that card, my friend.'
'I think I won't deprive you on it,' returned the driver, casting
his eyes over it with no great favour, without taking it. 'What's
the good of it to me?'
'Be a Member of that Society,' said the passenger.
'What shall I get by it?' asked the driver.
'Brotherhood,' returned the passenger, in a ferocious voice.
'Thankee,' said the driver, very deliberately, as he got down; 'my
mother was contented with myself, and so am I. I don't want no
brothers.'
'But you must have them,' replied the passenger, also descending,
'whether you like it or not. I am your brother.'
' I say!' expostulated the driver, becoming more chafed in temper,
'not too fur! The worm WILL, when - '
But here, Mr. Crisparkle interposed, remonstrating aside, in a
friendly voice: 'Joe, Joe, Joe! don't forget yourself, Joe, my
good fellow!' and then, when Joe peaceably touched his hat,
accosting the passenger with: 'Mr. Honeythunder?'
'That is my name, sir.'
'My name is Crisparkle.'
'Reverend Mr. Septimus? Glad to see you, sir. Neville and Helena
are inside. Having a little succumbed of late, under the pressure
of my public labours, I thought I would take a mouthful of fresh
air, and come down with them, and return at night.
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