“And now, Sir,” said the Major, “you and Dombey have the devil’s own amount of business to talk over.”
“By no means, Major,” observed Mr Dombey.
“Dombey,” said the Major, defiantly, “I know better; a man of your mark—the Colossus of commerce—is not to be interrupted. Your moments are precious. We shall meet at dinner-time. In the interval, old Joseph will be scarce. The dinner-hour is a sharp seven, Mr Carker.”
With that, the Major, greatly swollen as to his face, withdrew; but immediately putting in his head at the door again, said:
“I beg your pardon. Dombey, have you any message to ’em?”
Mr Dombey in some embarrassment, and not without a glance at the courteous keeper of his business confidence, entrusted the Major with his compliments.
“By the Lord, Sir,” said the Major, “you must make it something warmer than that, or old Joe will be far from welcome.”
“Regards then, if you will, Major,” returned Mr Dombey.
“Damme, Sir,” said the Major, shaking his shoulders and his great cheeks jocularly: “make it something warmer than that.”
“What you please, then, Major,” observed Mr Dombey.