Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/199

145 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 145

hand fell upon the back of the widow's hand, and remained there while he spoke.

'< * My dear ^Nla'am,' said Tom Smart — he had always a great notion of committing the amiable — *' My dear Ma'am, you de:jerve a very excellent husband ; — you do indeed.'

" * Lor, Sir ! ' said the widow — as well she might ; Tom's mode of commencing the conversation being rather unusual, not to say startling, the fact of his never having set eyes upon her before the previous night, being taken into consideration. ' Lor, Sir I '

" ' I scorn to flatter, my dear Ma'am,' said Tom Smart. * You deserve a very admirable husband, and whoever he is, he'll be a very lucky man.' As Tom said this, his eye involuntarily wandered froai the widow's face to the comforts around him.

" The widow looked more puzzled than ever, and made an effort to rise. Tom gently pressed her hand, as if to detain her, and she kept her seat. Widows, gentlemen, are not usually timorous, as my uncle used to say.

" * I am sure I am very much obliged to you. Sir, for your good opinion,' said the buxom landlady, half laughing ; ' and if ever 1 marry again ' —

'' * Ifi' said Tom Smart, looking very shrewdly out at the right-hand corner of his left eye. ' If'-^

" * Well/ said the widow, laughing outright this time. " When I do, I hope I shall have as good a husband as you describe.'

" ' Jinkins to wit,' said Tom.

" * Lor, Sir ! ' exclaimed the widow.

" * Oh, don't tell me,' said Tom, ' I know him.'

" * I am sure nobody who knows him, knows anything bad of him,' said the widow, bridling up at the mysterious air with which Tom had spoken.

" ' Hem,' said Tom Smart.

" The widow began to think it was high time to cry, so she took out her handkerchief, and inquired whether Tom wished to insult her, whether he thought it like a gentleman to take away the character of another gentleman behind his back, why, if he had got anything to pay, he didn't say it to the man, like a man, instead of terrifying a poor weak woman in that way; and so forth.

" * I'll say it to him fast enough,' said Tom, ' only I want you to hear it first.'

" * What is it ? ' inquired the widow, looking intently in Tom's coun- tenance.

" * I'll astonish you,' said Tom, putting his hand in his pocket.

already, and you needn't trouble yourself.'
 * * If it is, that he wants money,' said the widow, * I know that

" ' Pooh, nonsense, that's nothing,' said Tom Smart, ; ' /want money 'Tan't that.

" * Oh deai^ what can it be?' exclaimed the poor widow.

" ' Don't be frightened,' said Tom Smart. He slowly drew fortli the letter, and unfolded it. * You won't scream? ' said Tom, doubtfully.

" * No, no,' replied the widow ; ' let me see it.'

" * You won't go fainting away, or any of that nonsense ? ' said Tom.