Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/357

287 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 287

" I should rayther think so," replied Sara.

" There, then," said the fat boy, putting the reins in his hand, and pointing up a lane, " It's as straight as you can go ; you can't miss it."

With these words, the fat boy laid himself affectionately down by the side of the cod-fish, and placing an oyster-barrel under his head for a pillow, fell asleep instantaneously.

" Veil," said Sam, " of all the cool boys ever I set my eyes on, this here young gen'lm'n is about the coolest. Come, vake up, young dropsy."

But as young dropsy evinced no symptoms of returning animation. Sam Weller sat himself down in front of the cart, and starting the old horse with a jerk of the rein, jogged steadily on, towards Manor Farm

Meanwhile, Mr. Pickwick and his friends having walked their blood into active circulation, proceeded cheerfully on ; the paths were hard, the grass was crisp and frosty, the air had a fine, dry, bracing coldness, and the rapid approach of the grey twilight (slate-coloured is a better term in frosty weather) made them look forward with pleasant anticipa- tion to the comforts which awaited them at their hospitable entertainer's. It was the sort of afternoon that might induce a couple of elderly gen- tlemen, in a lonely field, to take off their great coats and play at leap- frog in pure lightness of heart and gaiety ; and we firmly believe that had Mr. Tupman at that moment proffered *^ a back," Mr. Pickwick would have accepted his offer with the utmost avidity.

However, Mr. Tupman did not volunteer any such personal accom- modation, and the friends walked on, conversing merrily. As they turned into a lane which they had to cross, the sound of many voices burst upon their ears ; and before they had even had time to form a guess as to whom they belonged, they walked into the very centre of the party who were expecting their arrival — a fact which was fi»st notified to the Pickwickians, by the loud " Hurrah," which burst from old Wardle's lips, when they appeared in sight.

First, there was Wardle himself, looking, if that were possible, more jolly than ever; then there were Bella and her faithful Trundle; and, lastly, there were Emily and some eight or ten young ladies, who had all come down to the wedding which was to take pl.ice next day, and were in as happy^ and important a state as young ladies usually are, on such momentous occasions; and they were, one and all, startling the fields and lanes far and wide with their frolic and laughter.

The ceremony of introduction, under such circumstances, was very soon performed, or we should rather say that the introduction was soon over, without any ceremony at all ; and in two minutes thereafter, Mr. Pickwick was joking with the young ladies who wouldn't come over the stile while he looked, or who, having pretty feet and unexceptionable ankles, preferred standing on the top-rail for five minutes or so, and declaring that they were too frightened to move, with as much ease and absence of reserve or constraint, as if he had known them for life. It is worthy of remark too, that Mr. Snodgrass offered Emily far more assistance than the absolute terrors of the stile (although it was full three feet high, and had only a couple of stepping-stones) would seem to