Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/395

319 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 319

What's that in English ?' enquired Sam.

" Here's the original," said Jackson, declining the required explana- tion.

"Which?" said Sam.

" This," replied Jackson, shaking the parchment.

" Oh, that's the 'rig'nal, is it ?" said Sam. " Well, I'm wery glad I've seen the 'rig'nal, 'cos it's a gratifyin' sort o' thing, and eases vun's mind so much."

" And here's the shilling," said Jackson. " It's from Dodson and Fogg's."

" And it's uncommon handsome o' Dodson and Fogg, as knows so little of me, to come down vith a present," said Sam. " I feel it as a wery high compliment. Sir; and it's a wery hon'rahle thing to them, as they knows how to reward merit verever they meets it. Besides vich, it's wery aiFectin' to one's feelin's."

As Mr. Weller said this, he inflicted a little friction on his right eye- lid, with the sleeve of his coat, after the most approved manner of actors when they are in domestic pathetics.

Mr. Jackson seemed rather puzzled by Sam's proceedings ; but, as he had served the subpoenas, and had nothing more to say, he made a feint of putting on the one glove which he usually carried in his hand, for the sake of appearances ; and returned to the office to report pro- gress.

Mr. Pickwick slept little that night ; his memory had received a very disagreeable refresher on the subject of Mrs. Bardell's action. He breakfasted betimes next morning ; and, desiring Sam to accompany him, set forth towards Gray's Inn square.

" Sam !" said Mr. Pickwick, looking round, when they got to the end of Cheapside.

" Sir?" said Sam, stepping up to his master.

"Which way?"

" Up Newgate-street."

Mr. Pickwick did not turn round immediately, but looked vacantly in Sam's face for a few seconds, and heaved a deep sigh.

" What's the matter. Sir ? " enquired Sam.

" This action, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, " is expected to come on, on the fourteenth of next month."

'* Remarkable coincidence that 'ere. Sir," replied Sam.


 * Why remarkable, Sam ?" enquired Mr. Pickwick.

"Walentine's day. Sir," responded Sam; " reg'lar good day for a breach o' promise trial."

Mr. Weller's smile awakened no gleam of mirth in his master's coun- tenance. Mr. Pickwick turned abruptly round, and led the way in silence.

They had walked some distance, Mr. Pickwick trotting on before, plunged in profound meditation, and Sam following behind, with a coun- tenance expressive of the most enviable and easy defiance of everything and everybody, when the latter, who was always especially anxious to impart to his master any exclusive information he possessed, quickened