"I must know, Mr Purkis, sir," cried Tim again, as he took off his hat, put it on, and walked about the shop in his excitement. "I've been to Mr Pellet's, sir, and he won't tell me a word, so I've come to you." "Well, you see, Mr Ruggles," said Purkis, slowly, as if he sold his speech by the yard like shoe-string, after puffing and gasping three or four times like a fat old tench,--"you see--" "Don't say a word, Joseph--don't commit yourself," exclaimed Mrs Purkis, coming forth in a great hurry from the back regions, and busily rolling her arms up in her apron as she came, perhaps to hide their red and chappy state--perhaps from modesty or for comfort. Mr Purkis looked at his wife, and then again at restless Tim, gave a gasp or two, puffed out his cheeks beadle-wise, and then opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came. "Don't say a word--don't say anything about it!" exclaimed Mrs Purkis again in a great state of excitement, but unrolling one arm to place it through her husband's, as if for protection, as she looked defiantly at Tim. "You know what the pleece said to the boy when he took him up for stealing the list-slippers. What you say now 'll be used in evidence agen you! You're mixed up enough with it as it is." "Oh! please don't stop him," cried Tim Ruggles, in agony, as he wrung his hands and looked imploringly from one to the other. "What does it mean?" "Well you see, Mr Ruggles," said Purkis, after another tenchy gasp. "Now, Joseph, don't," cried Mrs Purkis. "Hold your tongue, woman," cried Mr Purkis, majestically--the beadle asserting itself over the husband. "Don't stop him; pray don't stop him, Mrs Purkis, ma'am," cried Tim. "What, does it mean? Mrs Pellet began to tell me, when Mr Pellet stopped her; and now Mr Purkis begins to tell me, and you stop him." Mrs Purkis shook her head fiercely, so that something, probably curl papers--for she was strong in crackers--rattled. "Please tell me," implored Tim. "It's about that robbery at the church; and Mrs Pellet says that you, sir, saw Mrs Ruggles at the boxes, and then Mr Pellet wouldn't let her say another word." "And so I did see her," gasped Mr Purkis, rattling his halfpence as he spoke; "kiss the book and take my Bible oath I did--" "Now, Joseph--now, Joseph," cried Mrs Purkis, interrupting him; "don't say another word, or you'll never forgive yourself." "Hold your tongue, woman!" cried Mr Purkis again, more importantly, but without looking down at her, or taking his hands from where he had deeply thrust them--into his pockets. "Don't speak to me in that rough way before people, Joseph!" cried Mrs Purkis, indignantly, and she gave the arm to which she clung a sharp shake.