 it occurred to me that I had already begun it, in my poor way: but
it occurs to me now, whether or no.
    »You have heard the counting-house mentioned sometimes,« said Mr. Murdstone.
    »The counting-house, sir?« I repeated.
    »Of Murdstone and Grinby, in the wine trade,« he replied.
    I suppose I looked uncertain, for he went on hastily:
    »You have heard the counting-house mentioned, or the business, or the
cellars, or the wharf, or something about it.«
    »I think I have heard the business mentioned, sir,« I said, remembering what
I vaguely knew of his and his sister's resources. »But I don't know when.«
    »It does not matter when,« he returned. »Mr. Quinion manages that business.«
    I glanced at the latter deferentially as he stood looking out of window.
    »Mr. Quinion suggests that it gives employment to some other boys, and that
he sees no reason why it shouldn't, on the same terms, give employment to you.«
    »He having,« Mr. Quinion observed in a low voice, and half turning round,
»no other prospect, Murdstone.«
    Mr. Murdstone, with an impatient, even an angry gesture, resumed, without
noticing what he had said:
    »Those terms are, that you will earn enough for yourself to provide for your
eating and drinking, and pocket-money. Your lodging (which I have arranged for)
will be paid by me. So will your washing.«
    »Which will be kept down to my estimate,« said his sister.
    »Your clothes will be looked after for you, too,« said Mr. Murdstone; »as
you will not be able, yet awhile, to get them for yourself. So you are now going
to London, David, with Mr. Quinion, to begin the world on your own account.«
    »In short, you are provided for,« observed his sister; »and will please to
do your duty.«
    Though I quite understood that the purpose of this announcement was to get
rid of me, I have no distinct remembrance whether it pleased or frightened me.
My impression is, that I was in a state of confusion about it, and, oscillating
between the two points, touched neither. Nor had I much time for the clearing of
my thoughts, as Mr. Quinion was to go upon the morrow.
    Behold me, on the morrow
