every side; large herds of deer were cropping the fresh grass; and

occasionally a startled hare scoured along the ground, with the speed

of the shadows thrown by the light clouds which swept across a

sunny landscape like a passing breath of summer.

'If this,' said Mr Pickwick, looking about him - 'if this were the place to

which all who are troubled with our friend's complaint came, I fancy

their old attachment to this world would very soon return.'

I think so too,' said Mr Winkle.

And really,' added Mr Pickwick, after half an hour's walking had

brought them to the village, 'really, for a misanthrope's choice, this is

one of the prettiest and most desirable places of residence I ever met

with.'

In this opinion also, both Mr Winkle and Mr Snodgrass expressed

their concurrence; and having been directed to the Leather Bottle, a

clean and commodious village ale-house, the three travellers entered,

and at once inquired for a gentleman of the name of Tupman.

'Show the gentlemen into the parlour, Tom,' said the landlady.

A stout country lad opened a door at the end of the passage, and the

three friends entered a long, low-roofed room, furnished with a large

number of high-backed leather-cushioned chairs, of fantastic shapes,

and embellished with a great variety of old portraits and roughly-

coloured prints of some antiquity. At the upper end of the room was a

table, with a white cloth upon it, well covered with a roast fowl, bacon,

ale, and et ceteras; and at the table sat Mr Tupman, looking as unlike

a man who had taken his leave of the world, as possible.

On the entrance of his friends, that gentleman laid down his knife and

fork, and with a mournful air advanced to meet them.

I did not expect to see you here,' he said, as he grasped Mr Pickwick's

hand. 'It's very kind.'

'Ah!' said Mr Pickwick, sitting down, and wiping from his forehead the

perspiration which the walk had engendered. 'Finish your dinner, and

walk out with me. I wish to speak to you alone.'

Mr Tupman did as he was desired; and Mr Pickwick having refreshed

himself with a copious draught of ale, waited his friend's leisure. The

dinner was quickly despatched, and they walked out together.

For half an hour, their forms might have been seen pacing the

churchyard to and fro, while Mr Pickwick was engaged in combating

The Pickwick Papers