Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/559

465 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 465

" Fraps my cruel pa 'uU relent afore that," replied Sara, with a broad grin.

" Not I," said the elder Mr. Weller.

" Do," said Sara.

" Not on no account," replied the inexorable creditor.

"I'll give bills for the amount at sixpence a month," said Sam.

" 1 won't take 'em," said Mr. Weller.

" Ha, ha, ha ! very good, very good," said Mr. Solomon Pell, who was making out his little bill of costs ; " a very amusing incident indeed. Benjamin, copy that," and Mr. Pell smiled again, as he called Mr. Weller's attention to the amount.

" Thank you, thank you," said the professional gentleman, taking up another of the greasy notes as Mr. Weller took it from the pocket-book. "Three ten and one ten is five. Much obliged to you, Mr. Weller. Your son is a most deserving young man, very much so indeed. Sir. It's a very pleasant trait in a young man's character — very much so," added Mr. Pell, smiling smoothly round, as he buttoned up the money.

" Wot a game it is!" said the elder Mr. Weller, with a chuckle. " A reg'lar prodigy son !"


 * ' Prodigal — prodigal son. Sir," suggested Mr. Pell, mildly.

" Never mind, Sir," said Mr. Weller, with dignity. " I know wot's o'clock, Sir. Yen I don't, I'll ask you, Sir."

By the time the ofScer arrived, Sam had made himself so extremely popular, that the congregated gentlemen determined to see hira to pri- son in a body. So off they set ; the plaintiff and defendant walking arm-in-arm, the officer in front, and eight stout coachmen bringing up the rear. At Sergeants' Inn Coffee-house the whole party halted to refresh ; and, the legal arrangements being completed, the procession moved on again.

Some little commotion was occasioned in Fleet Street by the plea- santry of the eight gentlemen in the flank, who persevered in walking four abreast ; and it was also found necessary to leave the mottled-faced gentleman behind, to fight a ticket-porter, it being arranged that his friends should call for him as they came back. Nothing but these little incidents occurred on the way. When they reached the gate of the Fleet, the cavalcade, taking the time from the plaintiff, gave three tremendous cheers for the defendant ; and, after having shaken hands all round, left him.

Sam having been formally delivered into the warden's custody, to the intense astonishment of Roker, and to the evident emotion of even the phlegmatic Neddy, passed at once into the prison, walked straight to his master's room, and knocked at the door.

" Corae in," said Mr. Pickwick.

Sam appeared, pulled off his hat, and smiled.

" Ah, Sam, my good lad," said Mr. Pickwick, evidently delighted to see his humble friend again; "I had no intention of hurting your feelings yesterday, my faithful fellow, by what I said. Put down your hat, Sam, and let me explain my meaning a little more at length."

" Won't presently do. Sir?" inquired Sara.