"I don't see that. As Pecksniff says, 'if England expects every man to do his duty, she's very sanguine, and will be much disappointed.' They don't intend to do their duty by her, any more than I do; so why should she do her duty by them?"
"Don't intend to do your duty?"
"I'm going out because England's money is necessary to me; and England hires me because my skill is necessary to her. I didn't think of duty when I settled to go, and why should she? I'll get all out of her I can in the way of pay and practice, and she may get all she can out of me in the way of work. As for being ill-used, I never expect to be anything else in this life. I'm sure I don't care; and I'm sure she don't; so live and let live; talk plain truth, and leave Bunkum for right honourables who keep their places thereby. Give me another weed."
"Queer old philosopher you are; but go you shan't!"
"Go I will, sir; don't stop me. I've my reasons, and they're good ones enough."
The conversation was interrupted by the servant;—Lord Minchampstead was waiting at Mr. Armsworth's office.
"Early bird, his lordship, and gets the worm accordingly," says Mark, as he hurries off to attend on his ideal hero. "You come over to the shop in half-an-hour, mind."
"But why?"
"Confound you, sir! you talk of having your reasons: I have mine!"
Mark looked quite cross; so Tom gave way, and went in due time to the bank.