Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/569

475 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 475

But if jMr. Winkle's behaviour had been unaccountable in the morn- ing, it became perfectly unearthly and solemn when, under the influ- ence of his feelings and his share of the bottle or six, he prepared to take leave of his friend. He lingered behind, until Mr. Tupman and Mr. Snodgrass had disappeared, and then fervently clenched Mr. Pickwick's hand with an expression of face, in which deep and mighty resolve was fearfully blended with the very concentrated essence of gloom.

" Good night, my dear Sir," said Mr. Winkle between his set teeth.

" Bless you, my dear fellow," replied the warm-hearted Mr. Pick- wick, as he returned the pressure of his young friend's hand.

" Now then/' cried Mr. Tupman from the gallery.


 * ' Yes, yes, directly," replied Mr. Winkle. '' Good night."

" Good night," said Mr. Pickwick.

There was another good night, and another, and half a dozen more after that, and still Mv. Winkle had fast hold of his friend's hand, and was looking into his face with the same strange expression.

" Is anything the matter ? " said Mr. Pickwick at last, when his arm was quite sore with shaking.

" Nothing," said Mr. Winkle.

" Well then, good night," said Mr. Pickwick, attempting to dis- engage his hand.

" My friend, my benefactor, my honoured companion," murmured Mr. Winkle, catching at his wrist. " Do not judge me harshly ; do not, when you hear that driven to extremity by hopeless obstacles, I "

" Now then," said Mr. Tupman, re-appearing at the door. " Are you coming, or are we to be locked in ? "

" Yes, yes, I am ready," replied Mr. Winkle. And with a violent effort he tore himself away.

As Mr. Pickwick was gazing down the passage after them in silent astonishment, Sam Weller appeared at the stair-head, and whispered for one moment in Mr. Winkle's ear.

" Oh certainly, depend upon me," said that gentleman aloud.

" Thankee, Sir. You von't forget, Sir ? " said Sam.

" Of course not,'' replied Mr. Winkle.

" Vish you luck. Sir," said Sam, touching his hat. " I should very much like to ha' joined you, Sir; but the gov'ner o' course is pair- amount."

" It is very much to your credit that you remain here," said Mr. Winkle. With these words they disappeared down the stairs.

'' Very extraordinary," said Mr. Pickwick, going back into his room, and seating himself at the table in a musing attitude. *' What can that young man be going to do ! "

He had sat ruminating about the matter for some time, when the voice of Roker, the turnkey, demanded whether he might come in.

" By all means," said Mr. Pickwick.

" I've brought you a softer pillow, Sir," said Roker, " instead of the temporary one you had last night."