THE PICKWICK CLUB. 201
Mr. Weller replied by pointing with his thumb over his shoulder and Mr. Pickwick, on looking up, became sensible of the pleasing fact, that all the four clerks, with countenances expressive of the utmost amusement, and their heads thrust over the wooden screen, were minutely inspecting the figure and general appearance of the supposed trifler with female hearts, and disturber of female happiness. On his looking up, the row of heads suddenly disappeared, and the sound of pens travelling at a furious rate over paper, immediately succeeded.
A sudden ring at the bell which hung in the oflBce, summoned Mr. Jackson to the apartment of Fogg, from whence he came back to say that he (Fogg) was ready to see Mr. Pickwick if he would step up stairs.
Up stairs Mr. Pickwick did step accordingly, leaving Sam Weller below. The room door of the one-pair back, bore inscribed in legible characters the imposing words Mr. Fogg;" and, having tapped thereat, and been desired to come in, Jackson ushered Mr. Pickwick into the presence.
" Is Mr. Dodson in ? " inquired Mr. Fogg.
" Just come in, Sir," replied Jackson.
" Ask him to step here."
" Yes, Sir." Exit Jackson.
- ' Take a seat, sir," said Fogg ; " there is the paper? Sir : my partner
will be here directly, and we can converse about this matter, Sir."
Mr. Pickwick took a seat and the paper, but, instead of reading the latter, peeped over the top of it, and took a survey of the man of business, who was an elderly pimply-faced, vegetable-diet sort of man, in a black coat, dark mixture trousers, and small black gaiters ; a kind of being who seemed to be an essential part of the desk at which he was writing, and to have about as much thought or feeling.
After a few minutes' silence, Mr. Dodson, a plump, portly, stern- looking man, with a loud voice, appeared : and the conversation com- menced.
" This is Mr. Pickwick," said Fogg.
" Ah ! You are the defendant. Sir, in Bardell and Pickwick ? " said Podson.
" I am. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick.
" Well, Sir," said Dodson, "and what do you propose?"
"Ahl** said Fogg, thrusting his hands into his trousers' pockets, and throwing himself back in his chair, " what do you propose, Mr. Pickwick?"
" Hush, Fogg," said Dodson, " let me hear what Mr. Pickwick has to say."
" I came, gentlemen," replied Mr. Pickwick, — gazing placidly on the two partners, — " I came here, gentlemen, to express the surprise with which I received your letter of the other day, and to inquire what grounds of action you can have against me."
" Grounds of" — Fogg had ejaculated thus much, when he was stopped by Dodson.
" Mr. Fogg," said Dodson, " I am going to speak."
