Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/290

226 I

226 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

Mr. Pickwick ])Osved again.

red-haired man : " we are positively going together." And the red- haired man, who was an important-looking, sharp-nosed, mysterious- spoken personage, with a bird-like habit of giving his head a jerk every time he said any thing, smiled as if he had made one of the strangest discoveries that ever fell to the lot of human wisdom.
 * Bless my soul, how remarkable — I am going outside, too," said the

" I am happy in the prospect of your company. Sir," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Ah," said the new-comer, " it's a good thing for both of us, isn't it ? Company, you see — company is — is — it's a very different thing from solitude — a'n't it ? "

" There's no denyin' that 'ere," said Mr. Weller, joining in the con- ^ versation, with an affable smile. " That's what I call a self-evident proposition, as the dog's-meat man said, when the house-maid told him he warn't a gentleman."

" Ah," said the red-haired man, surveying Mr. Weller from head to foot, with a supercilious look. " Friend of yours. Sir ? "

'* Not exactly a friend," replied Mr. Pickwick, in a low tone. " The , fact is, he is my servant, but I allow him to take a good many liberties ; for, between ourselves, I flatter myself he is an original, and I am rather , proud of him."

"• Ah," said the red-haired man, " that, you see, is a matter of taste. 1 am not fond of anything original ; I don't like it ; don't see the neces- sity for it. What's your name. Sir ? "

abruptness of the question, and the singular manner of the stranger.
 * ^ Here is my card. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick, much amused by the

^' Ah," said the red-haired man, placing the card in his pocket-book, " Pickwick ; very good. I like to know a man's name, it saves so much trouble. That's ray card. Sir. Magnus, you will perceive. Sir — Mag- nus is my name. It's rather a good name, I think. Sir ? "

'^ A very good name, indeed," said Mr. Pickwick, wholly unable to repress a smile.

" Yes, I think it is," resumed Mr. Magnus. " There's a good name before it, too, you will observe. Permit me. Sir — if you hold the card a little slanting, this way, vou catch the light upon the up-stroke. There — Peter Magnus — sounds well, I think, Sir."

" Very," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Curious circumstance about those initials. Sir," said Mr. Magnus. acquaintance, I sometimes sign myself ' Afternoon.' It amuses i»y ■ friends very much, Mr. Pickwick." f
 * ' You will observe — P. M. — post meridian. In hasty notes to intimate

" It is calculated to afford them the highest gratification, I should conceive," said Mr. Pickwick, rather envying the ease with which Mr. Magnus's friends were entertained.

'* Now, gen'lm'n," said the hostler, " coach is ready, if you please."

" Is all my luggage in ? " inquired Mr. Magnus.

« All right. Sir."