Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/153

103 I

THK PlCkWlCK CLUB. 103

Mr. Pickwick kissed the youngs ladies — we were going to say, as if they were hiu own daughters, only as he might possihly have infused a little naoro warmth into the salutation, the comparison would not be quito appropriate — hup:ged the old lady with filial cordiality : and pat- ted the rosy cheeks of the female servants in a most patriarchal manner, as he slipped into the hands of each, some more substantial expressions of his approval. The exchange of cordialities with their fine old host and Mr. Trundle, were even more hearty and prolonged ; and it was not until Mr. Snodgrass had been several times called for, and at last emeri^ed from a dark passage followed soon after by Emily (whose bright eyes looked unusually dim) that the three friends were enabled to tear themselves from their friendly entertainers. Many a backward look they gave at the Farm, as they walked slowly away : and many a kiss did Mr. Snodgrass waft in the air, in acknowledgement of something very like a lady's handkerchief, which was waved from one of the upper windows, until a turn of the lane hid the old house from their sight.

At Muggleton they procured a conveyance to Rochester. By the time they reached the last-named place, the violence of their grief had sufficiently abated to admit of their making a very excellent early din- ner ; and having procured the necessary information relative to the road, the three friends set for^vard again in the afternoon to walk to Cobham.

A delightful walk it was : for it was a pleasant afternoon in June, and their way lay through a deep and shady wood, cooled by the light wind which gently rustled the thick foliage, and enlivened by the songs of the birds that perched upon the boughs. The ivy and the moss crept in thick clusters over the old trees, and the soft green turf overspread the ground like a silken mat. They emerged upon an open park, with an ancient hall, displaying the quaint and picturesque architecture of Eliza- beth's time. Long vistas of stately oaks and elm trees appeared on every side : large herds of deer were cropping the fresh grass ; and occa- sionally a startled hare scoured along the ground, with the speed of the shadows thrown by the light clouds which sweep across a sunny land- scape like a passing breath of summer.

" If this," said Mr. Pickwick, looking about him; "if this were the place to which all who are troubled with our friend's complaint came, I fancy their old attachment to this world would very soon return." ' I think so too," said Mr. Winkle.

" And really," added Mr. Pickwick, after half an hour's walking had brought them to the village, " really for a misanthrope's choice, this is one of the prettiest and most desirable places of residence, I ever met with."

In this opinion also, both Mr. Winkle and Mr. Snodgrass expressed their concurrence ; and having been directed to the Leather Bottle, a clean and commodious village ale-house, the three travellers entered, and at once inquired for a gentleman of the name of Tupman.

" Show the gentlemen into the parlour, Tom," said the landlady.

A stout country lad opened a door at the end of the passage, and the three friends entered 2 long, low-roofed room, furnished with a large number of high-backed leather-cushioned chairs, of fantastic shapes,