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Updated: May 7, 2025
'You are very good, said Tom, whose countenance was now suffused with pleasure; 'and nothing can be more satisfactory or straightforward. My attendance will be required 'From half-past nine to four o'clock or so, I should say, interrupted Mr Fips. 'About that. 'I did not mean the hours of attendance, retorted Tom, 'which are light and easy, I am sure; but the place. 'Oh, the place!
He closed the door heavily, as Mr Fips had desired him; tried it, found it all safe, and put the key in his pocket. They made a pretty wide circuit in going back to Islington, as they had time to spare, and Tom was never tired of looking about him.
Fips is an eccentric man; has some knowledge of Pecksniff; despises him, of course; has heard or seen enough of you to know that you are the man he wants; and engages you in his own whimsical manner. 'But why in his own whimsical manner? asked Tom. 'Oh! why does any man entertain his own whimsical taste? Why does Mr Fips wear shorts and powder, and Mr Fips's next-door neighbour boots and a wig?
I therefore started for Geneva in the beginning of June. Fips, who was to accompany me into my rural retreat, caused me great anxiety on the journey; I nearly changed my destination, on account of an attempt to dislodge him from my carriage in the train for part of the journey.
They occupied the two chairs, and Mr Fips took the office stool from the stuffing whereof he drew forth a piece of horse-hair of immense length, which he put into his mouth with a great appearance of appetite. He looked at Tom Pinch curiously, but with an entire freedom from any such expression as could be reasonably construed into an unusual display of interest.
'You may consider yourself engaged, by all means, said Mr Fips; 'you couldn't meet me at the Temple Gate in Fleet Street, in an hour from this time, I suppose, could you? Certainly Tom could. 'Good, said Mr Fips, rising. 'Then I will show you the place; and you can begin your attendance to-morrow morning. In an hour, therefore, I shall see you. You too, Mr Westlock? Very good.
'Until Mr repeated Fips; as much as to ask Tom what he was stopping for. 'I forgot that you had not mentioned the gentleman's name, said Tom. 'Oh! cried Mr Fips, pulling on his glove, 'didn't I? No, by-the-bye, I don't think I did. Ah! I dare say he'll be here soon. You will get on very well together, I have no doubt. I wish you success I am sure. You won't forget to shut the door?
I declare I half suspected him to be a supernatural visitor, and not a mortal, until he took out a common-place description of pocket-book, and handed me this card. 'Mr Fips, said Tom, reading it aloud. 'Austin Friars. Austin Friars sounds ghostly, John. 'Fips don't, I think, was John's reply. 'But there he lives, Tom, and there he expects us to call this morning.
Fips, who declared that the notion of it made him feel quite faint, and was obliged to drink a large glass of brandy; and, finally, we agreed that we would go and see the poor fellow's corpse, and witness, if necessary, his burial.
But as Mr Fips said 'Very good, in reply, and nothing more, Tom prompted him: 'Not on any account, repeated Tom. Mr Fips repeated: 'Very good. 'You were going to say' Tom hinted. 'Oh dear no! cried Fips. 'Not at all. However, seeing Tom confused, he added, 'I mean that you needn't mention any particulars about your place of employment, to people generally. You'll find it better not.
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