Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/696

588 588 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF

weep, but he made no further use of it than to wipe away a slight tinge of rum which hung upon his upper lip.

"I saw it in the Advertiser, Mr. Weller,'' continued Pell. " Bless my soul, not more than lifty-two ! dear me — only think."

These indications of a musing spirit were addressed to the mottled- faced man, whose eyes* Mr. Pell had accidentally caught ; upon which the mottled-faced man, whose apprehension of matters in general was of a foggy nature, moved uneasily in his seat, and opined that indeed, so far as that went, there was no saying how things was brought about; which observation involving one of those subtle propositions which it is difficult to encounter in argument, was controverted by nobody.

"I have heard it remarked that she was a very fine woman, Mr. Weller," said Pell in a sympathising manner.

" Yes, Sir, she wos," replied the elder Mr. Weller, not much relish- ing this mode of discussing the subject, and yet thinking that the attorney, from his long intimacy with the late Lord Chancellor, must know best on all matters of polite breeding. " She wos a wery fine 'ooman. Sir, ven I first know'd her. She wos a widder. Sir, at that time."

"Now, it's curious," said Pell, looking round with a sorrowful smile ; " Mrs. Pell was a widow."

" That's very extraordinary," said the mottled-faced man.

" Well, it is a curious coincidence," said Pell.

" Not at all," gruffly remarked the elder Mr. Weller. " More widders is married than single vimin."

" Very good, very good," said Pell, " you're quite right, Mr. Weller. Mrs. Pell was a very elegant and accomplished woman ; her manners were the theme of universal admiration in our neighbourhood. I was proud to see that woman dance ; there was something so firm and dignified and yet natural in her motion. Her cutting, gentlemen, was simplicity itself — Ah ! well, well ! Excuse my asking the question, Mr, Samuel," continued the attorney in a lower voice, " was your mother-in-law tall } "

^"^Not wery," replied Sam.

" Mrs. Pell was a tall figure," said Pell, " a splendid woman, with a noble shape, and a nose, gentlemen, formed to command and be majestic. She was very much attached to me — very much — highly connected, too ; her mother's brother, gentlemen, failed for eight hundred pound as a Law Stationer."

" Veil," said Mr. Weller, who had grown rather restless during this discussion, " vith regard to bis'ness."

The word was music to Pell's ears. He had been revolving in his mind whether any business was to be transacted, or whether he had been merely invited to partake of a glass of brandy and water, or a bowl of punch, or any similar professional compliment, and now the doubt was set at rest without his appearing at all eager for its solution. His eyes glistened as he laid his hat on the table, and said —

" What is the business upon which — um } Either of these gentle-