"Well, sir," returns the stationer, shading his communication with his hat, "it falls a little hard upon me. My domestic happiness is very great--at least, it's as great as can be expected, I'm sure--but my little woman is rather given to jealousy. Not to put too fine a point upon it, she is very much given to jealousy. And you see, a foreign female of that genteel appearance coming into the shop, and hovering--I should be the last to make use of a strong expression if I could avoid it, but hovering, sir--in the court--you know it is--now ain't it? I only put it to yourself, sir."
Mr. Snagsby, having said this in a very plaintive manner, throws in a cough of general application to fill up all the blanks.
"Why, what do you mean?" asks Mr. Tulkinghorn.

"Well, sir," returns the stationer, "it falls a little hard upon me. My domestic happiness is very great, but my little woman is rather given to jealousy. And you see, a foreign female of that genteel appearance coming into the shop, and hovering, sir - in the court - you know it is - now ain't it? I only put it to you, sir."
Mr. Snagsby says this in a very plaintive manner.
"Why, what do you mean?" asks Mr. Tulkinghorn.
