"Now,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Dorrit,  turning  round  upon  him  and  seizing
him  by  the  collar  when  they  were  safely  alone.  "What  do  you  mean
by  this?"

The  amazement  and  horror  depicted  in  the  unfortunate  John's  face—
for  he  had  rather  expected  to  be  embraced  next — were  of  that  power-
fully expressive  nature,  that  Mr.  Dorrit  withdrew  his  hand  and
merely  glared  at  him.
"How  dare  you  do  this?"  said  Mr.  Dorrit.  "How  do  you
presume  to  come  here  ?     How  dare  you  insult  me  ?"

"  I  insult  you,  sir  ?  "  cried  Young  John.     "  Oh!"

"  Yes,  sir,"  returned  Mr.  Dorrit.  "Insult  me.  Your  coming
here  is  an  affront,  an  impertinence,  an  audacity.  You  are  not
wanted  here.  Who  sent  you  here?  "What — ha — the  Devil  do  you
do  here?"

"  I  thought,  sir,"  said  Young  John,  with  as  pale  and  shocked  a  face
as  ever  had  been  turned  to  Mr.  Dorrit's  in  his  life — even  in  his  College
life  :  "  I  thought,  sir,  you  mightn't  object  to  have  the  goodness  to
accept  a  bundle "

"  Damn  your  bundle,  sir !  "  cried  Mr.  Dorrit  in  irrepressible  rage.
I — hum — don't  smoke."

"  I  humbly  beg  your  pardon,  sir.     You  used  to."


72/  y0f  yO^?y


LITTLE    DORRIT.  477

"  Tell  me  that  again,"  cried  Mr.  Dorrit,  quite  beside  himself,  "  and
I'll  take  the  poker  to  you  !  "

John  Chivery  backed  to  the  door.
"  Stop,  sir  !  "  cried  Mr.  Dorrit.  "  Stop  !  Sit  down.  Confound  you,
sit  down !"

John  Chivery  dropped  into  the  chair  nearest  the  door,  and  Mr.
