I don’t know how he should have had, for it was new enough to me.

I passed that off, and brought Mr. Dick on the carpet.

‘You see,’ said Mr. Dick, wistfully, ‘if I could exert myself, Mr. Traddles — if I could beat a drum — or blow anything!’

Poor fellow! I have little doubt he would have preferred such an employment in his heart to all others. Traddles, who would not have smiled for the world, replied composedly:

‘But you are a very good penman, sir. You told me so, Copperfield?’ ‘Excellent!’ said I.

And indeed he was. He wrote with extraordinary neatness.

‘Don’t you think,’