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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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67 ‘That’s it, exactly,’ rejoined the other. ‘Morals strictly attended to, though.’ ‘Strictly,’ said Squeers. ‘Not too much writing home allowed, I suppose?’ said the father-in-law, hesitating. ‘None, except a circular at Christmas, to say they never were so happy, and hope they may never be sent for,’ rejoined Squeers. ‘Nothing could be better,’ said the father-in-law, rubbing his hands. ‘Then, as we understand each other,’ said Squeers, ‘will you allow me to ask you whether you consider me a highly virtuous, exemplary, and well-conducted man in private life; and whether, as a person whose business it is to take charge of youth, you place the strongest confidence in my unimpeachable integrity, liberality, religious principles, and ability?’ ‘Certainly I do,’ replied the father-in-law, reciprocating the schoolmaster’s grin. ‘Perhaps you won’t object to say that, if I make you a reference?’ ‘Not the least in the world.’ ‘That’s your sort!’ said Squeers, taking up a pen; ‘this is doing business, and that’s what I like.’ Having entered Mr Snawley’s address, the schoolmaster had next to perform the still more agreeable office of entering the receipt of the first quarter’s payment in advance, which he had scarcely completed, when another voice was heard inquiring for Mr Squeers. ‘Here he is,’ replied the schoolmaster; ‘what is it?’ ‘Only a matter of business, sir,’ said Ralph Nickleby, presenting |
