And for that attention, sir,' added Mr Tigg, stroking his moustache, 'I can tell you, that Mark Tapley had better in his infancy have been fed to suffocation by Mrs Tapley, than preserved to this time.' Mr Pinch was not so dismayed by this terrible threat, but that he had voice enough to call to Mark to come in, and upstairs; a summons which he so speedily obeyed, that almost as soon as Tom and Mr Tigg had drawn in their heads and closed the window again, he, the denounced, appeared before them.
'Come here, Mark!' said Mr Pinch.

'Good gracious me! what's the matter between Mrs Lupin and this gentleman ?' 'What gentleman, sir ?' said Mark.

'I don't see no gentleman here sir, excepting you and the new gentleman,' to whom he made a rough kind of bow--'and there's nothing wrong between Mrs Lupin and either of you, Mr Pinch, I am sure.' 'Nonsense, Mark!' cried Tom.

'You see Mr--' 'Tigg,' interposed that gentleman.

'Wait a bit.