‘You are surprised to see me, Mr Clennam,’ he said, taking the seat which Clennam offered him.
‘I must confess to being much surprised.’
‘Not disagreeably, I hope?’
‘By no means.’
‘Thank you. Frankly,’ said the engaging young Barnacle, ‘I have been excessively sorry to hear that you were under the necessity of a temporary retirement here, and I hope (of course as between two private gentlemen) that our place has had nothing to do with it?’
‘Your office?’
‘Our Circumlocution place.’
‘I cannot charge any part of my reverses upon that remarkable establishment.’
‘Upon my life,’ said the vivacious young Barnacle, ‘I am heartily glad to know it. It is quite a relief to me to hear you say it. I should have so exceedingly regretted our place having had anything to do with your difficulties.’
Clennam again assured him that he absolved it of the responsibility.