Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/704

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transferred to his name, and Wilkins Flasher, Esq., having been paid his commission, dropped the money carelessly into his coat pocket, and lounged back to his office.

Mr. VVeller was at first obstinately determined upon cashing the cheque in nothing but sovereigns ; but on its being represented by the umpires that by so doing he must incur the expense of a small sack to carry them home in, he consented to receive the amount in live-pound notes.

" My son," said Mr. Weller as they came out of the banking-house, '^ my son and me has a wery partickler engagement this arternoon, and I should like to have this here bis'ness settled out of hand, so let's jest go straight avay someveres, vere ve can hordit the accounts."

A quiet room was soon found, and the accounts were produced and audited. Mr. Pell's bill was taxed by Sam, and some charges were disallowed by the umpires ; but, notwithstanding Mr. Pell's declaration, accompanied with many solemn asseverations that they were really too hard upon him, it was by very many degrees the best professional job he had ever had, and one on which he boarded, lodged, and washed, for six months afterwards.

The umpires having partaken of a dram, shook hands and departed, as they had to drive out of town that night. Mr. Solomon Pell, finding that nothing more was going forward either in the eating or drinking way, took a most friendly leave j and Sam and his father were left alone.

" There," said Mr. Weller, thrusting his pocket book in his side pocket, " vith the bills for the lease and that, there's eleven hundred and eighty pound here. Now Samivel, my boy, turn the horse's heads to the George and Wulter."

CHAPTER LV,

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE BETWEEN MR. PICKWICK AND SAMUEL WELLER, AT WHICH HIS PARENT ASSISTS. — AN OLD GENTLEMAN IN A SNUFF-COLOURED SUIT ARRIVES UNEXPECTEDLY.

Mr. Pickwick was sitting alone, musing over many things, and thinking, among other considerations, how he could best provide for the young couple whose present unsettled condition was matter of constant regret and anxiety to him, when Mary stepped lightly into the room, and, advancing to the table, said rather hastily —

'^ Oh, if you please Sir, Samuel is down stairs, and he says may his father see you } "

" Surely," replied Mr. Pickwick.

" Thank you. Sir," said Mary, tripping towards the door again.

" Sam has not been here long, has he ? " enquired Mr. Pickwick.

" Oh no. Sir," replied Mary eagerly. *« He has only just come home. He is not going to ask you for any more leave. Sir, he says."