
Yes, and asks you where the ashes are, refer him to Wilkins Micawber, and he
will hear of something not at all to his advantage!«
    The triumphant flourish with which Mr. Micawber delivered himself of these
words, had a powerful effect in alarming the mother; who cried out in much
agitation:
    »Ury, Ury! Be umble, and make terms, my dear!«
    »Mother!« he retorted, »will you keep quiet? You're in a fright, and don't
know what you say or mean. Umble!« he repeated, looking at me, with a snarl;
»I've umbled some of 'em for a pretty long time back, umble as I was!«
    Mr. Micawber, genteelly adjusting his chin in his cravat, presently
proceeded with his composition.
    »Second. HEEP has, on several occasions, to the best of my knowledge,
information, and belief -«
    »But that won't do,« muttered Uriah, relieved. »Mother, you keep quiet.«
    »We will endeavour to provide something that WILL do, and do for you
finally, sir, very shortly,« replied Mr. Micawber.
    »Second. HEEP has, on several occasions, to the best of my knowledge,
information, and belief, systematically forged, to various entries, books, and
documents, the signature of Mr. W.; and has distinctly done so in one instance,
capable of proof by me. To wit, in manner following, that is to say:«
    Again, Mr. Micawber had a relish in this formal piling up of words, which,
however ludicrously displayed in his case, was, I must say, not at all peculiar
to him. I have observed it, in the course of my life, in numbers of men. It
seems to me to be a general rule. In the taking of legal oaths, for instance,
deponents seem to enjoy themselves mightily when they come to several good words
in succession, for the expression of one idea; as, that they utterly detest,
abominate, and abjure, or so forth; and the old anathemas were made relishing on
the same principle. We talk about the tyranny of words, but we like to tyrannise
over them too; we are fond of having a large superfluous establishment of words
to wait upon us on great occasions; we think it looks important, and sounds
well. As we are not particular about the meaning of our liveries on state
occasions, if they be but fine and numerous enough,
