And of any new professional connexion too, for if I was to give a reference to-morrow, it would be mentioned and would sew me up.

Then what's a fellow to do?
I have been keeping out of the way and living cheap down about the market-gardens, but what's the use of living cheap when you have got no money?
You might as well live dear." "Better," Mr.Smallweed thinks.
"Certainly.

It's the fashionable way; and fashion and whiskers have been my weaknesses, and I don't care who knows it," says Mr.Jobling.
"They are great weaknesses--Damme, sir, they are great.

Well," proceeds Mr.Jobling after a defiant visit to his rum-and-water, "what can a fellow do, I ask you, BUT enlist ?" Mr.Guppy comes more fully into the conversation to state what, in his opinion, a fellow can do.

His manner is the gravely impressive manner of a man who has not committed himself in life otherwise than as he has become the victim of a tender sorrow of the heart.
"Jobling," says Mr.Guppy, "myself and our mutual friend Smallweed--" Mr.Smallweed modestly observes, "Gentlemen both!" and drinks.
"-- Have had a little conversation on this matter more than once since you--" "Say, got the sack!" cries Mr.Jobling bitterly.