Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/607

507 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 507

hurra'd in divers parts of the building until he had lost his voice, and then quietly relapsed into his usual collected and philosophical condition.

At three o'clock that afternoon, IMr. Pickwick took a last look at his little room, and made his way as well as he could, through the throng of debtors who pressed eagerly forward to shake him by the hand, until he reached the lodge steps. He turned here to look about him, and his eye lightened as he did so. In all the crowd of wan emaciated faces, he saw not one which was not the happier for his sympathy and charity.

him, " this is Mr. Jingle, whom I spoke to you about."
 * ' Perker," said JNIr. Pickwick, beckoning one young man towards

'' You will see me again, young man, to-morrow. I hope you may live to remember deeply what I shall have to communicate. Sir."
 * ' Very good, my dear Sir," replied Perker, looking hard at Jingle.

Jingle bowed respectfully, trembled very much as he took Mr. Pick- wick's proffered hand, and withdrew.

" Job you know, I think?" said Mr. Pickwick, presenting that gen- tleman.

" 1 know the rascal," replied Perker, good-humouredly. " See after your friend, and be in the way to-morrow at one. Do you hear? Now, is there anything more ?"

" Nothing," rejoined Mr. Pickwick. " You have delivered the little parcel I gave you for your old landlord, Sam ? "

" 1 have. Sir," replied Sam. '^ He bust out a cryin', Sir, and said you wos wery gen'rous and thoughtful, and he only wished you could have him innockilated for a gallopin' consumption, for his old friend as had lived here so long wos dead, and he'd noveres to look for another."

" Poor fellow, poor fellow !" said Mr. Pickwick. ** God bless you, my friends !"

As Mr. Pickwick uttered this adieu, the crowd raised a loud shout, and many among them were pressing forward to shake him by the hand again, when he drew his arm through Perker's, and hurried from the prison, far more sad and melancholy, for the moment, than when he had first entered it. Alas ! how many sad and unhappy beings had he left behind ! and how many of them lie caged there, still !

A happy evening was that for at least one party in the George and Vulture, and light and cheerful were two of the hearts that emerged from its hospitable door next morning ; the owners thereof were Mr. Pickvick and Sam Weller, the former of whom was speedily deposited inside a comfortable post coach, with a little dickey behind, in which the latter mounted with great agility.

" Sir," caUed out Mr. Weller, to his master.

" Well, Sam," replied Mr. Pickwick, thrusting his head out of the window.

" 1 wish them horses had been three months and better in the Fleet, Sir."

" Why, Sam?*' inquired Mr. Pickwick.

'* Vy, Sir," exclaimed Mr. Weller, rubbing his hands, " how thej vould go if they had been ! "