Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/654

550 550 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

" Do you know me ? " demanded the gentleman.

'' I have not that pleasure. Sir," rejoined the^landlord.


 * ' My name is Slurk/' said the gentleman.

The landlord slightly inclined his head.

" Slurk, Sir," repeated the gentleman, haughtily. " Do you know me now, man ? "

The landlord scratched his head, looked at the ceiling, and at the stranger, and smiled feebly.

" Do you know me, man ? " enquired the stranger, angrily.

The landlord made a strong effort, and at length replied, " Well, Sir, I do not know you.''

"^ Good God!" said the stranger, dashing his clenched fist upon the table. " And this is popularity ! "

The landlord took a step or two towards the door, and the stranger fixing his eyes upon him, resumed.

" This," said the stranger, " this is gratitude for years of labour and study in behalf of the masses. I alight wet and weary ; no enthusiastic crowds press forward to greet their champion, the church -bells are silent ; the very name elicits no responsive feeling in their torpid bosoms. It is enough,'' said the agitated Mr. Slurk, pacing to and fro, " to curdle the ink in one's pen, and induce one to abandon their cause for ever."

" Did you say brandy and water, Sir ? '' said the landlord, venturing a hint.

got a fire anywhere r"
 * 'Rum," said Mr. Slurk, turning fiercely upon him. *■ Have you


 * ' We can light one directly, Sir," said the landlord.

" Which will throw out no heat till it is bed time," interrupted Mr. Slurk. " Is there anybody in the kitchen ? "

Not a soul. There was a beautiful fire. Everybody had gone, and the door was closed for the nischt.

fire." So, gathering up his hat and newspaper, he stalked solemnly behind the landlord to that humble apartment, and throwing himself on a settle by the fireside, resumed his countenance of scorn, and began to read and drink in silent dignity.
 * ^ I will drink my rum. and water," said Mr. Slurk, " by the kitchen

Now some demon of discord, flying over the Saracen's Head at that moment, on casting down his eyes in mere idle curiosity, happened to behold Slurk established comfortably by the kitchen fire, and Pott slightly elevated with ^vine in another room ; upon which the malicious demon darting down into the last-mentioned apartment with inconceivable rapidity, passed at once into the head of Mr. Bob Sawyer, and prompted him for his (the demon's) own evil purposes to speak as follows.

isn't it ? "
 * ' I say, weVc let the tire out. It's uncommonly cold after the rain,

" It really is," replied Mr. Pickwick, shivering.

" It wouldn't be a bad notion to have a cigar by the kitchen fire, would it?" said Bob Saw)^er, still prompted by the demon aforesaid.

" It would be particularly comfortable, / think," replied Mr. Pickwick. " Mr. Pott, what do you say ? "

Mr. Pott yielded a ready assent ; and ail four travellers^ each with his

r.