Chivey evidently intended putting the screw on Herbert.
"Look here, guv'nor," said he, as he entered the room; "I ain't much of a reading cove, but I see once a book called Jessop's fables."
"Æsop's fables, I presume you mean, Chivey?"
"It's all the same. But there's a yarn about a monkey what made the cat pull chestnuts out of the fire; and I'm jiggered if I'm going to play the cat."
"I am not aware that anyone wishes you to do so," responded Murray, in his blandest manner.
"Well, you are a-trying it on, at any rate."
"How so?"
"Why, supposing it's found out about our stopping these here letters?"
"Which letters, Chivey?"
"The one I've got in my pocket, and——"