Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/177

125 THE PICKWXCK CLUB. 125

two gentlemen and their servant do not object to shifting-, as they best can, at the Peacock/*

After repeated pressings on the part of Mr. Pott, and repeated pro- testations on that of Mr. Pickwick that he could not think of incom- moding or troubling his amiable wife, it was decided that this was the only feasible arrangement that could be made. So it was made ; and after dining together at the Town Arms, the friends separated, Mr. Tupman and Mr. Snodgrass repairing to the Peacock, and Mr. Pick- wick and Mr. Winkle proceeding to the mansion of Mr. Pott ; it having been previously arranged that they should all re-assemble at the Town Arms in the morning, and accompany the honourable Samuel Slumkey's procession to the place of nomination.

Mr. Pott's domestic circle was limited to himself and his wife. All men whom mighty genius has raised to a proud eminence in the world, have usually some little weakness which appears the more conspicuous from the contrast it presents to their general character. If Mr. Pott had a weakness, it was, perhaps, that he was rather too submissive to the somewhat contemptuous controul and sway of his wife. We do not feel justified in laying any particular stress upon the fact, because on the present occasion all Mrs. Pott's most winning ways were brought into requisition to receive the two gentlemen.

" My dear," said Mr. Pott, " Mr. Pickwick— Mr. Pickwick of London."

Mrs. Pott received Mr. Pickwick's paternal grasp of the hand with enchanting sweetness : and Mr. Winkle, who had not been announced at all, slided and bowed, unnoticed, in an obscure corner.

« P. my dear—" said Mrs. Pott.

" My life," said Mr. Pott.

" Pray introduce the other gentleman."

" I beg a thousand pardons," said Mr. Pott. " Permit me^ — Mrs. Pott, Mr. — "

" Winkle," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Winkle," echoed Mr. Pott ; and the ceremony of introduction was complete.

•' We owe you many apologies. Ma'am," said Mr. Pickwick, " for disturbing your domestic arrangements at so short a notice."

" I beg you won't mention it. Sir," replied the feminine Pott, with vivacity. " It is a high treat to me, I assure you, to see any new faces ; living as I do, from day to day, and week to week, in this dull place, and seeing nobody."

" Nobody, my dear I *' exclaimed Mr. Pott, archly.

" Nobody but you" retorted Mrs. Pott, with asperity.

" You see, Mr. Pickwick," said the host in explanation of his wife's lament, " that we are in some measure cut off from many enjoyments and pleasures of which we might otherwise partake. My public station, as editor of the Eatanswiil Gazette, the position which that paper holds in the country, my constant immersion in the vortex of politics — "

" P. my dear — " interposed Mrs. Pott,

" My life—" said the editor.