Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/567

473 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 473

father. Sir, was to rise before him this minute, he'd ask him for tlie loan of his acceptance on an eighteenpenny stamp."

" Dear me ! " exclaimed Mr. Pickwick.

" Yes," added Mr. Smangle ; " and if he'd the power of raising him again, he would, in two months and three days from this time, to renew the bill!"

" These are very remarkable traits," said Mr. Pickwick ; " but I'm afraid that while we are talking here, my friends may be in a state of great perplexity at not finding me."

day, I won't disturb you while they're here, you know. By-the- bye "
 * ' I'll show 'em the way," said Smangle, making for the door. " Good

As Smangle pronounced the last three words, he stopped suddenly, reclosed the door which he had opened, and, walking softly back to Mr. Pickwick, stepped close up to him on tiptoe, and said in a very soft whisper —

" You couldn't make it convenient to lend me half-a-crown till the latter end of next week, could you ? "

Mr. Pickwick could scarcely forbear smilipg, but managing to pre- serve his gravity, he drew forth the coin, and placed it in ]Mr. Smangle's palm ; upon which that gentleman, with many nods and winks, imply- ing profound mystery, disappeared in quest of the three strangers, with whom he presently returned ; and having coughed thrice, and nodded as many times, as an assurance to Mr. Pickwick that he should not forget to pay, he shook hands all round in an engaging manner, and at length took himself off.

with Mr. Tupman, Mr. Winkle, and ]Mr. Snodgrass, who were the three visiters in question, *'I am delighted to see you."
 * My dear friends," said Mr. Pickwick, shaking hands alternately

The triumvirate were much affected. Mr. Tupman shook his head deploringly ; Mr. Snodgrass drew forth his handkerchief with undis- guised emotion ; and IMr. Winkle retired to the window, and sniffed aloud.

" Mornin', gen'l'm'n," said Sam, entering at the moment with the shoes and gaiters ; *' avay vith melincholly, as the little boy said ven his schoolmissis died. Velcome to the college, gen'l'm'n/'

" This foolish fellow," said Mr. Pickwick, tapping Sam on the head as he knelt down to button up his master's gaiters — " This foolish fellow has got himself arrested, in order to be near me."

"What!" exclaimed the three friends.

"Yes, gen'l'm'n," said Sam, " I'm a — stand steady, Sir, if you please —I'm a pris'ner, gen'l'm'n; con-fined, as the lady said."

"A prisoner !" exclaimed Mr. Winkle, with unaccountable vehe- mence.

" Hallo, Sir ! " responded Sam, looking up. " Wot's the matter. Sir?"

"I had hoped, Sam, that nothing, nothing," said Mr. Winkle,

precipitately.

There was something so very abrupt and unsettled in Mr. Winkle's