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been a dead-wall on the occasion in question, for any light
it threw upon her thoughts; until she broke silence with her
usual abruptness.
‘Well, Wickfield!’ said my aunt; and he looked up at her
for the first time. ‘I have been telling your daughter how
well I have been disposing of my money for myself, because
I couldn’t trust it to you, as you were growing rusty in busi-
ness matters. We have been taking counsel together, and
getting on very well, all things considered. Agnes is worth
the whole firm, in my opinion.’
‘If I may umbly make the remark,’ said Uriah Heep, with
a writhe, ‘I fully agree with Miss Betsey Trotwood, and
should be only too appy if Miss Agnes was a partner.’
‘You’re a partner yourself, you know,’ returned my aunt,
‘and that’s about enough for you, I expect. How do you find
yourself, sir?’
In acknowledgement of this question, addressed to him
with extraordinary curtness, Mr. Heep, uncomfortably
clutching the blue bag he carried, replied that he was pretty
well, he thanked my aunt, and hoped she was the same.
‘And you, Master - I should say, Mister Copperfield,’
pursued Uriah. ‘I hope I see you well! I am rejoiced to see
you, Mister Copperfield, even under present circumstanc-
es.’ I believed that; for he seemed to relish them very much.
‘Present circumstances is not what your friends would wish
for you, Mister Copperfield, but it isn’t money makes the
man: it’s - I am really unequal with my umble powers to
express what it is,’ said Uriah, with a fawning jerk, ‘but it
isn’t money!’

David Copperfield