There's Winkle,' said Mr Tupman, pulling his friend by the sleeve.

Where!' said Mr Pickwick, putting on his spectacles, which he had

fortunately kept in his pocket hitherto. 'There,' said Mr Tupman, 'on

the top of that house.' And there, sure enough, in the leaden gutter of

a tiled roof, were Mr Winkle and Mrs. Pott, comfortably seated in a

couple of chairs, waving their handkerchiefs in token of recognition - a

compliment which Mr Pickwick returned by kissing his hand to the

lady.

The proceedings had not yet commenced; and as an inactive crowd is

generally disposed to be jocose, this very innocent action was

sufficient to awaken their facetiousness.

Oh, you wicked old rascal,' cried one voice, 'looking arter the girls, are

you?'

Oh, you wenerable sinner,' cried another.

Putting on his spectacles to look at a married 'ooman!' said a third.

I see him a-winkin' at her, with his wicked old eye,' shouted a fourth.

Look arter your wife, Pott,' bellowed a fifth - and then there was a roar

of laughter.

As these taunts were accompanied with invidious comparisons

between Mr Pickwick and an aged ram, and several witticisms of the

like nature; and as they moreover rather tended to convey reflections

upon the honour of an innocent lady, Mr Pickwick's indignation was

excessive; but as silence was proclaimed at the moment, he contented

himself by scorching the mob with a look of pity for their misguided

minds, at which they laughed more boisterously than ever.

Silence!' roared the mayor's attendants.

Whiffin, proclaim silence,' said the mayor, with an air of pomp

befitting his lofty station. In obedience to this command the crier

performed another concerto on the bell, whereupon a gentleman in

the crowd called out 'Muffins'; which occasioned another laugh.

Gentlemen,' said the mayor, at as loud a pitch as he could possibly

force his voice to - 'gentlemen. Brother electors of the borough of

Eatanswill. We are met here to-day for the purpose of choosing a

representative in the room of our late - '

Here the mayor was interrupted by a voice in the crowd.

The Pickwick Papers