246 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF
" I do, Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick ; " I object to saying anything- which may compromise that lady, or awaken unpleasant recollections in her breast, without her consent and permission,"
" Miss Witherfield," said Mr. Peter Magnus, " do you know this person ? "
" Know him I" repeated the middle-aged lady, hesitating.
- ' Yes, know him, Ma'am, I said know him," replied Mr. Magnus,
with ferocity.
" I have seen him," replied the middle-aged lady.
" Where?" inquired Mr. Magnus, " where?"
" That," said the middle-aged lady, rising from her seat, and averting her head, '* that I would not reveal for worlds."
" I understand you, Ma'am," said Mr. Pickwick, " and respect your delicacy ; it shall never be revealed by me, depend upon it."
" Upon my word. Ma'am," said Mr. Magnus, " considering the situation in which I am placed with regard to yourself, you carry this matter off with tolerable coolness — tolerable coolness, Ma'am."
" Cruel Mr. Magnus," said the middle-aged lady ; and here she wept very copiously indeed.
" Address your observations to me, Sir," interposed Mr. Pickwick ; " I alone ara to blame, if anybody be."
" Oh ! you alone are to blame, are you. Sir ? " said Mr. Magnus ;
- « I — I — see through this, Sir. You repent of your determination now,
do you ? "
" My determination !" said Mr. Pickwick.
" Your determination. Sir. Oh ! don't stare at me, Sir," said Mr. Magnus ; " I recollect your words last night. Sir. You came down here, Sir, to expose the treachery and falsehood of an individual on whose truth and honour you had placed implicit reliance — eh ? " Here Mr. Peter Magnus indulged in a prolonged sneer ; and taking off his green spectacles — which he probably found superfluous in his fit of jealousy — rolled his little eyes about, in a manner which was frightful to behold.
" Eh?" said Mr. Magnus ; and then he repeated the sneer with in- creased effect. " But you shall answer it, Sir."
"Answer what ?" said Mr. Pickwick.
" Never mind, Sir," replied Mr. Magnus, striding up and down the room — " Never mind."
There must be something very comprehensive in this phrase of "Never mind," for we do not recollect to have ever witnessed a quarrel in the street, at a theatre, public room, or elsewhere, in which it has not been the standard reply to all belligerent inquiries. " Do you call your- self a gentleman. Sir?" — "Never mind, Sir." "Did 1 offer to say anything to the young woman, Sir?" — " Never mind, Sir." " Do you want your head knocked up against that wall, Sir ?" — " Never mind. Sir." It is observable, too, that there would appear to be some hidden taunt in this universal " Never mind," which rouses more indignation in the bosom of the individual addressed, than the most lavish abuse could possibly awaken.
