Chapter 26

Chapter 9

IN WHICH THE ORPHAN MAKES HIS WILL

The Secretary, working in the Dismal Swamp betimes next
morning, was informed that a youth waited in the hall who gave
the name of Sloppy. The footman who communicated this
intelligence made a decent pause before uttering the name, to
express that it was forced on his reluctance by the youth in
question, and that if the youth had had the good sense and good
taste to inherit some other name it would have spared the feelings
of him the bearer.

'Mrs Boffin will be very well pleased,' said the Secretary in a
perfectly composed way. 'Show him in.'

Mr Sloppy being introduced, remained close to the door: revealing
in various parts of his form many surprising, confounding, and
incomprehensible buttons.

'I am glad to see you,' said John Rokesmith, in a cheerful tone of
welcome. 'I have been expecting you.'

Sloppy explained that he had meant to come before, but that the
Orphan (of whom he made mention as Our Johnny) had been
ailing, and he had waited to report him well.

'Then he is well now?' said the Secretary.

'No he ain't,' said Sloppy.

Mr Sloppy having shaken his head to a considerable extent,
proceeded to remark that he thought Johnny 'must have took 'em
from the Minders.' Being asked what he meant, he answered,
them that come out upon him and partickler his chest. Being
requested to explain himself, he stated that there was some of 'em
wot you couldn't kiver with a sixpence. Pressed to fall back upon
a nominative case, he opined that they wos about as red as ever
red could be. 'But as long as they strikes out'ards, sir,' continued
Sloppy, 'they ain't so much. It's their striking in'ards that's to be
kep off.'

John Rokesmith hoped the child had had medical attendance? Oh
yes, said Sloppy, he had been took to the doctor's shop once. And
what did the doctor call it? Rokesmith asked him. After some
perplexed reflection, Sloppy answered, brightening, 'He called it
something as wos wery long for spots.' Rokesmith suggested
measles. 'No,' said Sloppy with confidence, 'ever so much longer
than THEM, sir!' (Mr Sloppy was elevated by this fact, and
seemed to consider that it reflected credit on the poor little
patient.)

'Mrs Boffin will be sorry to hear this,' said Rokesmith.

'Mrs Higden said so, sir, when she kep it from her, hoping as Our
Johnny would work round.'

'But I hope he will?' said Rokesmith, with a quick turn upon the
messenger.

'I hope so,' answered Sloppy. 'It all depends on their striking
in'ards.' He then went on to say that whether Johnny had 'took
'em' from the Minders, or whether the Minders had 'took em from
Johnny, the Minders had been