‘Why, the plain state of the case, Mrs. Micawber,’ said Traddles, mildly breaking the truth to her. ‘I mean the real prosaic fact, you know — ’
‘Just so,’ said Mrs. Micawber, ‘my dear Mr. Traddles, I wish to be as prosaic and literal as possible on a subject of so much importance.’
‘ — Is,’ said Traddles, ‘that this branch of the law, even if Mr. Micawber were a regular solicitor — ’
‘Exactly so,’ returned Mrs. Micawber. (‘Wilkins, you are squinting, and will not be able to get your eyes back.’)
‘ — Has nothing,’ pursued Traddles, ‘to do with that.