the news?'

Clemency told him the news, which he received very graciously. A
gracious change had come over Benjamin from head to foot. He was
much broader, much redder, much more cheerful, and much jollier in
all respects. It seemed as if his face had been tied up in a knot
before, and was now untwisted and smoothed out.

'There'll be another job for Snitchey and Craggs, I suppose,' he
observed, puffing slowly at his pipe. 'More witnessing for you and
me, perhaps, Clemmy!'

'Lor!' replied his fair companion, with her favourite twist of her
favourite joints. 'I wish it was me, Britain!'

'Wish what was you?'

'A-going to be married,' said Clemency.

Benjamin took his pipe out of his mouth and laughed heartily.
'Yes! you're a likely subject for that!' he said. 'Poor Clem!'
Clemency for her part laughed as heartily as he, and seemed as much
amused by the idea. 'Yes,' she assented, 'I'm a likely subject for
that; an't I?'

'YOU'LL never be married, you know,' said Mr. Britain, resuming his
pipe.

'Don't you think I ever shall though?' said Clemency, in perfect
good faith.