I
118 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF
" Oh, I am better now," said Mrs. Bardell, faintly.
" Let me lead you down stairs/' said the ever gallant Mr. Tupman.
" Thank you, Sir — thank you ; " exclaimed Mrs. Bardell, hysterically And down stairs she was led accordingly, accompanied by her aifectJonate son.
" I cannot conceive — " said Mr. Pickwick, when his friend returned — " I cannot conceive what has been the matter with that woman. I had merely announced to her my intention of keeping- a man servant, when she fell into the extraordinary paroxysm in which you found her. Very extraordinary thing."
ii Very," said his three friends.
- Placed me in such an extremely awkward situation," continued
Mr. Pickwick.
" Very ; " was the reply of his followers, as they coughed slightly, and looked dubiously at each other.
This behaviour was not lost upon Mr. Pickwick. He remarked their incredulity. They evidently suspected him.
" There is a man in the passage now," said Mr. Tupman.
" It's the man I spoke to you about," said Mr. Pickwick, ^' I sent for him to the Borough this morning. Have the goodness to call him up, Snodgrass."
Mr. Snodgrass did as he was desired ; and Mr. Samuel Weller forth- with presented himself.
- ' Oh — you remember me, I suppose ? " said Mr. Pickwick.
" I should think so," replied Sam, with a patronising wink. " Queer start that *ere, but he was one too many for you, warn't he ? Up to $nuff and a pinch or two over — eh? "
" Never mind that matter now," said Mr. Pickwick hastily, " I want to speak to you about something else. Sit down."
- ' Thank'ee, Sir," said Sam. And down he sat without farther bid-
dmg, having previously deposited his old white hat on the landing outside the door. " Ta'nt a werry good 'un to look at," said Sam, " but it's an astonishin' 'un to wear ; and afore the brim went, it was a wery handsome tile. Hows'ever it's lighter without it, that's one thing, and every hole lets in some air, that's another — wentilation gossamer I calls it." On the delivery of this sentiment, Mr. Weller smiled agreeably upon the assembled Pickwickians.
" Now with regard to the matter on which I, with the concurrence of these gentlemen, sent for you," said Mr. Pickwick.
" That's the pint, Sir," interposed Sam ; " out vith it, as the father said to the child, ven he swallowed a farden."
" We want to know, in the first place," said Mr. Pickwick, "whether you have any reason to be discontented with your present situation."
" Afore I answers that 'ere question, gen'l'm'n," replied Mr. Weller, '• /should Hke to know, in the first place, whether you're a goin' to purwide me vith a better."
A sunbeam of placid benevolence played on Mr. Pickwick's features as he said, " I have half made up my mind to engage you myself."
" Have you, though ? " said Sam.
