Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/455

373 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 373

" DVectly, Sir," replied the waiter.

The gentleman with the whiskers hummed a tune in the same man- ner as before, and pending the arrival of the toast, advanced to the front of the fire, and, taking his coat tails under his arms, looked at his boots and ruminated.

" I wonder whereabouts in Bath this coach puts up," said Mr. Pick- wick, mildly addressing Mr. Winkle.

"Hum — eh — what's that?" said the strange man.

always ready to enter into conversation. "I wondered at what house the Bath coach put up. Perhaps you can inform me."
 * ' I made an observation to my friend. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick,

" Are you going to Bath?" said the strange man.

" I am, Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick.

"And those other gentlemen?"

" They are going also," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Not inside — I'll be damned if you're going inside," said the strange man.

« Not all of us," said Mr. Pickwick.

" No, not all of you," said the strange man emphatically. " Pve taken two places. If they try to squeeze six people into an infernal box that only holds four, I'll take a post-chaise and bring an action. I've paid my fare. It won't do; I told the clerk wh«n I took my places that it wouldn't do. I know these things have been done. I know they are done every day, but I never was done, and I never will be. Those who know me best, best know it ; crush me !" Here the fierce gentleman rang the bell with great violence, and told th(f waiter he'd better bring the toast in five seconds, or he'd know the reason why.

" My dear Sir," said Mr. Pickwick, " you will allow me to observe that this is a very unnecessary display of excitement. I have only taken places inside, for two."

" I am glad to hear it," said the fierce man. " I withdraw my ex- pressions. I tender an apology. There's my card. Give me your acquaintance."

' " With great pleasure. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick. " We are to be fellow travellers, and I hope we shall find each other's society mutually agreeable."

" I hope we shall," said the fierce gentleman. " I know we shall. I like your looks ; t-hey please me. Gentlemen, your hands and names. Know me."

Of course, an interchange of friendly salutations followed this gra- cious speech ; and the fierce gentleman immediately proceeded to inform the friends in the same short abrupt jerking sentences, that his name was Dowler, that he was going to Bath on pleasure, that he was for- merly in the army, that he had now set up in business as a gentleman, that he lived upon the profits, and that the individual for whom the second place was taken, was a personage no less illustrious than Mrs. Powler, his lady wife.

" She's a fine woman," said Mr. Dowler. " I am proud of her. I have reason."

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