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Nicholas cheerfully undertook the errand, and bidding his worthy uncle an affectionate farewell, which that warm-hearted old gentleman acknowledged by a growl, hastened away to execute his commission. He found Golden Square in due course; Mr Noggs, who had stepped out for a minute or so to the public-house, was opening the door with a latch-key, as he reached the steps.
Affected by this example, the proprietor began to clip Miss Kenwigs, the journeyman to scrape the old gentleman, and Newman Noggs to read last Sunday's paper, all three in silence: when Miss Kenwigs uttered a shrill little scream, and Newman, raising his eyes, saw that it had been elicited by the circumstance of the old gentleman turning his head, and disclosing the features of Mr Lillyvick the collector.
'Yes, poor devil! replied Ralph, drawing on his gloves. 'Though Newman Noggs kept his horses and hounds once. 'Ay, ay? said the other carelessly. 'Yes, continued Ralph, 'and not many years ago either; but he squandered his money, invested it anyhow, borrowed at interest, and in short made first a thorough fool of himself, and then a beggar.
"She ain't a very nasty one," quoted Jock from Newman Noggs, and as Janet appeared he received her with- "Moved by Barbara, seconded by Armine, that Miss Ogilvie become bear-leader to lick you all into shape." "What do you think of it, Janet?" said her mother. "It will not make much difference to me," said Janet. "I shall depend on classes and lectures when we go back to London.
'Get me a coach. 'A coach! What, you going to eh? stammered Newman. Into it went Mr Squeers, and Ralph, and the third man, whom Newman Noggs had never seen. Newman stood upon the door-step to see them off, not troubling himself to wonder where or upon what business they were going, until he chanced by mere accident to hear Ralph name the address whither the coachman was to drive.
Why, what a dull blockhead this fellow must be! Dross to, dross! Who's that? 'Me, said Newman Noggs, looking in. 'Your niece. 'What of her? asked Ralph sharply. 'She's here. 'Here! Newman jerked his head towards his little room, to signify that she was waiting there. 'What does she want? asked Ralph. 'I don't know, rejoined Newman. 'Shall I ask? he added quickly. 'No, replied Ralph.
'Mr Noggs, said Nicholas, after a few moments' reflection, 'I must go out at once. 'Go out! cried Newman. 'Yes, said Nicholas, 'to Golden Square. Nobody who knows me would believe this story of the ring; but it may suit the purpose, or gratify the hatred of Mr Ralph Nickleby to feign to attach credence to it.
The first care of Nicholas, next morning, was, to look after some room in which, until better times dawned upon him, he could contrive to exist, without trenching upon the hospitality of Newman Noggs, who would have slept upon the stairs with pleasure, so that his young friend was accommodated.
What need to say that? Noggs! Pray, sir, what man was that, with whom I saw you in the street last night? 'I don't know, replied Newman. 'You had better refresh your memory, sir, said Ralph, with a threatening look. 'I tell you, returned Newman boldly, 'that I don't know. He came here twice, and asked for you. You were out. He came again. You packed him off, yourself.
This laying open of the whole question brought up brother Ned, Tim Linkinwater, and Newman Noggs, all three at once; who, after a vast deal of talking together, and a scene of great confusion, laid before Ralph, in distinct terms, the following statement.
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