If you'd sent word you was a-coming, we'd ha' had it repaired;' replied

the imperturbable Sam.

The little man seemed rather baffled by these several repulses, and a

short consultation took place between him and the two plump

gentlemen. At its conclusion, the little man took a pinch of snuff from

an oblong silver box, and was apparently on the point of renewing the

conversation, when one of the plump gentlemen, who in addition to a

benevolent countenance, possessed a pair of spectacles, and a pair of

black gaiters, interfered -

'The fact of the matter is,' said the benevolent gentleman, 'that my

friend here (pointing to the other plump gentleman) will give you half a

guinea, if you'll answer one or two - '

'Now, my dear sir - my dear Sir,' said the little man, 'pray, allow me -

my dear Sir, the very first principle to be observed in these cases, is

this: if you place the matter in the hands of a professional man, you

must in no way interfere in the progress of the business; you must

repose implicit confidence in him. Really, Mr - ' He turned to the other

plump gentleman, and said, 'I forget your friend's name.'

Pickwick,' said Mr Wardle, for it was no other than that jolly

personage.

Ah, Pickwick - really Mr Pickwick, my dear Sir, excuse me - I shall be

happy to receive any private suggestions of yours, as AMICUS

CURIAE, but you must see the impropriety of your interfering with my

conduct in this case, with such an AD CAPTANDUM argument as the

offer of half a guinea. Really, my dear Sir, really;' and the little man

took an argumentative pinch of snuff, and looked very profound.

My only wish, Sir,' said Mr Pickwick, 'was to bring this very

unpleasant matter to as speedy a close as possible.'

Quite right - quite right,' said the little man.

With which view,' continued Mr Pickwick, 'I made use of the argument

which my experience of men has taught me is the most likely to

succeed in any case.'

Ay, ay,' said the little man, 'very good, very good, indeed; but you

should have suggested it to me. My dear sir, I'm quite certain you

cannot be ignorant of the extent of confidence which must be placed

in professional men. If any authority can be necessary on such a

point, my dear sir, let me refer you to the well-known case in Barnwell

and - '

The Pickwick Papers