 but whose intellectual countenance I never had the
distinguished honour to behold until this day, and whose intellectual
conversation I had never before the improving pleasure to enjoy.«
    Everybody seemed very glad of this, and applauded more than ever.
    »But I hope my Honourable Friend,« said the Gentlemanly member - of course
he added if he will allow me to call him so, and of course Mr. Pecksniff bowed -
»will give me many opportunities of cultivating the knowledge of him; and that I
may have the extraordinary gratification of reflecting in after time that I laid
on this day two first stones, both belonging to structures which shall last my
life!«
    Great cheering again. All this time, Martin was cursing Mr. Pecksniff up
hill and down dale.
    »My friends!« said Mr. Pecksniff, in reply. »My duty is to build, not speak;
to act, not talk; to deal with marble, stone, and brick: not language. I am very
much affected. God bless you!«
    This address, pumped out apparently from Mr. Pecksniff's very heart, brought
the enthusiasm to its highest pitch. The pocket handkerchiefs were waved again;
the charity children were admonished to grow up Pecksniffs, every boy among
them; the Corporation, gentlemen with wands, member for the Gentlemanly
Interest, all cheered for Mr. Pecksniff. Three cheers for Mr. Pecksniff! Three
more for Mr. Pecksniff! Three more for Mr. Pecksniff, gentlemen, if you please!
One more, gentlemen, for Mr. Pecksniff, and let it be a good one to finish with!
    In short, Mr. Pecksniff was supposed to have done a great work, and was very
kindly, courteously, and generously rewarded. When the procession moved away,
and Martin and Mark were left almost alone upon the ground, his merits and a
desire to acknowledge them, formed the common topic. He was only second to the
Gentlemanly member.
    »Compare that fellow's situation to-day with ours!« said Martin, bitterly.
    »Lord bless you, sir!« cried Mark, »what's the use? Some architects are
clever at making foundations, and some architects are clever at building on 'em
when they're made. But it'll all come right in the end, sir; it'll all come
right!«
    »And in the meantime -« began Martin.
    »In the meantime, as you say, sir, we have a deal to do, and far to go. So
sharp's the
