I have said it, brother Ned has said it, Tim Linkinwater has said
it. We have all said it, and we'll all do it. I have seen the father--if
he is the father--and I suppose he must be. He is a barbarian and a
hypocrite, Mr Nickleby. I told him, "You are a barbarian, sir." I did.
I said, "You're a barbarian, sir." And I'm glad of it, I am VERY glad I
told him he was a barbarian, very glad indeed!'
By this time brother Charles was in such a very warm state of
indignation, that Nicholas thought he might venture to put in a word,
but the moment he essayed to do so, Mr Cheeryble laid his hand softly
upon his arm, and pointed to a chair.
'The subject is at an end for the present,' said the old gentleman,
wiping his face. 'Don't revive it by a single word. I am going to speak
upon another subject, a confidential subject, Mr Nickleby. We must be
cool again, we must be cool.'
After two or three turns across the room he resumed his seat, and
drawing his chair nearer to that on which Nicholas was seated, said:
'I am about to employ you, my dear sir, on a confidential and delicate
mission.'
'You might employ many a more able messenger, sir,' said Nicholas, 'but
a more trustworthy or zealous one, I may be bold to say, you could not
find.
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