Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/487

401 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 401

« Yes, I am," said the man with the cocked hat.

"Wot, and leave three quarters of a bowl of punch behind you !"' said Sam; "nonsense, set down agin."

Mr. Tuckle was not proof against this invitation. He laid aside the cocked hat and stick which he had just taken up, and said he would have one glass just for good fellowship's sake.

As the gentleman in blue went home the same way as Mr. Tuckle. he was prevailed upon to stop too. When the punch was about half gone, Sam ordered in some oysters from the greengrocer's shop ; and the effect of both was so extremely exhilarating, that Mr. Tuckle, dressed out with the cocked hat and stick, danced the frog hornpipe among the shells on the table, while the gentleman in blue played an accompaniment upon an ingenious musical instrument formed of a hair comb and a curl-paper. At last, when the punch was all gone, and the night nearly so, they sallied forth to see each other home. Mr. Tuckle no sooner got into the open air, than he was seized with a sudden de- sire to lie on the curb-stone ; Sam thought it would be a pity to con- tradict him, and so let him have his own way. As the cocked hat would have been spoilt if left there, Sam very considerately flattened it down on the head of the gentleman in blue, and putting the big stick in his hand, propped him up against his own street-door, rang the bell, and walked quietly home.

At a much earlier hour next morning than his usual time of rising, Mr. Pickwick walked down stairs completely dressed, and rang the hell.

" Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, when Mr. Weller appeared in reply to the summons, " shut the door."

Mr. Weller did so.

" There was an unfortunate occurrence here, last night, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, "which gave Mr. Winkle some cause to apprehend violence from Mr. Dowler."

" So I've heerd from the old lady down stairs. Sir," replied Sam.

" And I'm sorry to say, Sam," continued Mr. Pickwick, with a most perplexed countenance, " that in dread of this violence, Mr. Winkle has gone away."

" Gone avay ! " said Sam.

" Left the house early this morning without the slightest previous communication with me," replied Mr. Pickwick. " And is gone, I know not where."

" He should ha' stopped and fought it out. Sir," replied Sam, contemptuously. " It vouldn't take much to settle that 'ere Dowler, Sir."

" Well Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, " I may have my doubts of his great bravery and determination, also. But however that may be, Mr. Winkle is gone. He must be found, Sam — found and brought back to me."

" And s'pose he von't come back. Sir," said Sam.

" He must be made, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick.

" Who's to do it, Sir ?" enquired Sam with a smile.