Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/675

569 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 569

and Fogg were, Mr. Pickwick replied that he would remain where he was, the more especially as Messrs. Dodson and Fogg ought to be ashhmed to look him in the face, instead of his being ashamed to see them ; which latter circumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks of indignation.

" Very well, my dear Sir, very well," replied Perker, " I can only- say, that if you expect either Dodson or Fogg to exhibit any symptom of shame or confusion at having to look you, or anybody else, in the face, you are the most sanguine man in your expectations that / ever met with. Show them in, Mr. Lowten."

Mr. Lowten disappeared with a grin, and immediately returned ushering in the firm, in due form of precedence — Dodson first, and Fogg afterwards.

inclining his pen in the direction where that gentleman was seated.
 * ' You have seen Mr. Pickwick, I believe ? " said Perker to Dodson,


 * How do you do, JMr. Pickwick ? " said Dodson in a loud voice.

"Dear me," cried Fcgg, '' how do you do, Mr. Pickwick.'* 1 hope you are well, Sir. I thought I knew the face," said Fogg, drawing up a chair, and looking round him with a smile.

Mr. Pickwick bent his head very slightly in answer to these salu- tations, and, seeing Fogg pull a bundle of papers from his coat -pocket, rose and walked to the window.

" There's no occasion for Mr. Pickwick to move, Mr. Perker," said Fogg, untying the red tape which encircled the little bundle, and smiling again, more sweetly than before. " Mr. Pickwick is pretty well acquainted with these proceedings, there are no secrets between us I think. He ! he ! he!"

" Not many, I think," said Dodson. " Pla ! ha ! ha ! " Then both the partners laughed together — pleasantly and cheerfully, as men who are going to receive money often do.

" We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping," said Fogg with considerable native humour, as he unfolded his papers. *^The amount of the taxed costs is one hundred and thirty-three, six and fourpence, Mr. Perker."

There was a great comparing of papers and turning over of leaves by Fogg and Perker after this statement of profit and loss, during which Dodson said in an afifable manner to Mr. Pickwick —

"I don't think you are looking quite so stout as when I had the pleasure of seeing you last, Mr. Pickwick."

" Possibly not. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick, who had been flashing forth looks of fierce indignation without producing the smallest effect on either of the sharp practitioners ; " I believe I am not, Sir. I have been persecuted and annoyed by scoundrels of late, Sir."

Perker coughed violently, and asked Mr. Pickwick whether he ■wouldn't like to look at the morning paper, to which enquiry Mr. Pickwick returned a most decided negative.

Fleet ; there are some odd gentry there. Whereabouts were your apartments, Mr. Pickwick ? "
 * ' True," said Dodson, " I dare say you have been annoyed in the