David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Chapter 36 Page 43

‘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.