第64章

"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 snuff 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 further bidding, having previously deposited his old white hat on the landing outside the door."Tan't 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 werry 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, wen 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, " I should like to know, in the first place, whether you're a goin'

to purwide me with 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.

Mr.Pickwick nodded in the affirmative.

"Wages?" inquired Sam "Twelve pounds a year," replied Mr.Pickwick.

"Clothes?"

"Two suits."

"Work?"

"To attend upon me; and travel about with me and these gentlemen here.""Take the bill down," said Sam, emphatically."I'm let to a single gentleman, and the terms is agreed upon.""You accept the situation?" inquired Mr.Pickwick.

"Cert'nly," replied Sam."If the clothes fits me half as well as the place, they'll do.""You can get a character of course?" said Mr.Pickwick.

"Ask the landlady o' the White Hart about that, sir," replied Sam.

"Can you come this evening?"

"I'll get into the clothes this minute, if they're here," said Sam with great alacrity.

"Call at eight this evening," said Mr.Pickwick; "and if the inquiries are satisfactory, they shall be provided."With the single exception of one amiable indiscretion, in which an assistant housemaid had equally participated, the history of Mr.Weller's conduct was so very blameless, that Mr.Pickwick felt fully justified in closing the engagement that very evening.With the promptness and energy which characterised not only the public proceedings, but all the private actions of this extraordinary man, he at once led his new attendant to one of those convenient emporiums where gentlemen's new and second-hand clothes are provided, and the troublesome and inconvenient formality of measurement dispensed with; and before night had closed in, Mr.Weller was furnished with a grey coat with the P.C.button, a black hat with a cockade to it, a pink striped waistcoat, light breeches and gaiters, and a variety of other necessaries, too numerous to recapitulate.

"Well," said that suddenly-transformed individual, as he took his seat on the outside of the Eatanswill coach next morning; "I wonder whether I'm meant to be a footman, or a groom, or a gamekeeper, or a seedsman.

I looks like a sort of compo of every one on 'em.Never mind; there's change of air, plenty to see, and little to do; and all this suits my complaint uncommon; so long life to the Pickvicks, says I!"[Next Chapter] [Table of Contents]The Pickwick Papers: Chapter 13[Previous Chapter] [Table of Contents]