Wrayburn almost jostled him in the door-way. Consequently Mr Lightwood
said, in his cool manner, 'Let me make you two known to one another,'
and further signified that Mr Wrayburn was counsel learned in the
law, and that, partly in the way of business and partly in the way of
pleasure, he had imparted to Mr Wrayburn some of the interesting facts
of Mr Boffin's biography.

'Delighted,' said Eugene--though he didn't look so--'to know Mr Boffin.'

'Thankee, sir, thankee,' returned that gentleman. 'And how do YOU like
the law?'

'A--not particularly,' returned Eugene.

'Too dry for you, eh? Well, I suppose it wants some years of sticking
to, before you master it. But there's nothing like work. Look at the
bees.'

'I beg your pardon,' returned Eugene, with a reluctant smile, 'but will
you excuse my mentioning that I always protest against being referred to
the bees?'

'Do you!' said Mr Boffin.

'I object on principle,' said Eugene, 'as a biped--'

'As a what?' asked Mr Boffin.

'As a two-footed creature;--I object on principle, as a two-footed
creature, to being constantly referred to insects and four-footed