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fourteen, two and nine, and employed it to meet pretended
business charges and deficiencies which were either already
provided for, or had never really existed. He gave this pro-
ceeding, throughout, the appearance of having originated
in Mr. W.’s own dishonest intention, and of having been ac-
complished by Mr. W.’s own dishonest act; and has used it,
ever since, to torture and constrain him.‘‘
‘You shall prove this, you Copperfield!’ said Uriah, with a
threatening shake of the head. ‘All in good time!’
‘Ask - HEEP - Mr. Traddles, who lived in his house after
him,’ said Mr. Micawber, breaking off from the letter; ‘will
you?’
‘The fool himself- and lives there now,’ said Uriah, dis-
dainfully.
‘Ask - HEEP - if he ever kept a pocket-book in that house,’
said Mr. Micawber; ‘will you?’
I saw Uriah’s lank hand stop, involuntarily, in the scrap-
ing of his chin.
‘Or ask him,’ said Mr. Micawber,’if he ever burnt one
there. If he says yes, and asks you where the ashes are, refer
him to Wilkins Micawber, and he will hear of something
not at all to his advantage!’
The triumphant flourish with which Mr. Micawber de-
livered himself of these words, had a powerful effect in
alarming the mother; who cried out, in much agitation:
‘Ury, Ury! Be umble, and make terms, my dear!’
‘Mother!’ he retorted, ‘will you keep quiet? You’re in a
fright, and don’t know what you say or mean. Umble!’ he
repeated, looking at me, with a snarl; ‘I’ve umbled some of

11 0 David Copperfield