 assistant, and so deserted his
warm corner for a few minutes at this season, lest it should grow too late;
leaving the other two young men together.
    They drank his health in his absence, of course; and John Westlock took that
opportunity of saying, that he had never had even a peevish word with Tom during
the whole term of their residence in Mr. Pecksniff's house. This naturally led
him to dwell upon Tom's character, and to hint that Mr. Pecksniff understood it
pretty well. He only hinted this, and very distantly: knowing that it pained Tom
Pinch to have that gentleman disparaged, and thinking it would be as well to
leave the new pupil to his own discoveries.
    »Yes,« said Martin. »It's impossible to like Pinch better than I do, or to
do greater justice to his good qualities. He is the most willing fellow I ever
saw.«
    »He's rather too willing,« observed John, who was quick in observation.
»It's quite a fault in him.«
    »So it is,« said Martin. »Very true. There was a fellow only a week or so
ago - a Mr. Tigg - who borrowed all the money he had, on a promise to repay it
in a few days. It was but half a sovereign, to be sure; but it's well it was no
more, for he'll never see it again.«
    »Poor fellow!« said John, who had been very attentive to these few words.
»Perhaps you have not had an opportunity of observing that, in his own pecuniary
transactions, Tom's proud.«
    »You don't say so! No, I haven't. What do you mean? Won't he borrow?«
    John Westlock shook his head.
    »That's very odd,« said Martin, setting down his empty glass. »He's a
strange compound, to be sure.«
    »As to receiving money as a gift,« resumed John Westlock; »I think he'd die
first.«
    »He's made up of simplicity,« said Martin. »Help yourself.«
    »You, however,« pursued John, filling his own glass, and looking at his
companion with some curiosity, »who are older than the majority of Mr.
Pecksniff's assistants, and have evidently had much more experience, understand
him, I have no doubt, and see how liable he is to be imposed upon.
