Newman cast a wistful glance on Mrs Nickleby and said 'No,' most unblushingly.
'You'd have said wrong,' rejoined Newman. 'It's the first time I've been out for three weeks.
Newman was very, very far from having the appearance of a gouty subject, and so Kate could not help thinking; but the conference was cut short by Mrs Nickleby's insisting on having the door shut, lest Mr Noggs should take cold, and further persisting in sending the servant girl for a coach, for fear he should bring on another attack of his disorder.
(that is to say the coach, not the turban) went away again, with the two ladies and their luggage inside; and Newman, despite all Mrs Nickleby's assurances that it would be his death--on the box beside the driver.
The door of this deserted mansion Newman opened with a key which he took out of his hat--in which, by-the-bye, in consequence of the dilapidated state of his pockets, he deposited everything, and would most likely have carried his money if he had had any--and the coach being discharged, he led the way into the interior of the mansion.
Newman appeared not to hear these remarks, but preceded them to a couple of rooms on the first floor, which some kind of attempt had been made to render habitable.
Newman Noggs did not say that he had hunted up the old furniture they saw, from attic and cellar; or that he had taken in the halfpennyworth of milk for tea that stood upon a shelf, or filled the rusty kettle on the hob, or collected the woodchips from the wharf, or begged the coals.
'I think, mama,' said Kate hesitating, and remarking Newman's averted face, 'you would hurt his feelings if you offered it.'
"Successful in copper," said Newman, "only so-so in railroads, and a hopeless fizzle in oil."
"Oh, I suppose I am very well off," said Newman. "Only I am tired of having it thrown up at me.
"Well, I mean to have a good time, whether or no," said Newman. "I am not cultivated, I am not even educated; I know nothing about history, or art, or foreign tongues, or any other learned matters.
"Oh, come," said Newman. "I am not a barbarian, by a good deal.
"I am a highly civilized man," said Newman. "I stick to that.
"Oh," said Newman, "I have a very good opinion of myself."
Newman stood staring and wondering what under the sun he "represented."
