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‘WELL, Stephen,' said Bounderby, in his windy manner, ‘what's this I hear? What have these pests of the earth been doing to _you_? Come in, and speak up.'
It was into the drawing-room that he was thus bidden. A tea-table was set out; and Mr. Bounderby's young wife, and her brother, and a great gentleman from London, were present. To whom Stephen made his obeisance, closing the door and standing near it, with his hat in his hand.