takes up their quarters there sometimes; but it's generally the worn-

out, starving, houseless creeturs as roll themselves in the dark

corners o' them lonesome places - poor creeturs as ain't up to the

twopenny rope.'

'And pray, Sam, what is the twopenny rope?' inquired Mr Pickwick.

The twopenny rope, sir,' replied Mr Weller, 'is just a cheap lodgin'

house, where the beds is twopence a night.'

What do they call a bed a rope for?' said Mr Pickwick.

Bless your innocence, sir, that ain't it,' replied Sam. 'Ven the lady and

gen'l'm'n as keeps the hot-el first begun business, they used to make

the beds on the floor; but this wouldn't do at no price, 'cos instead o'

taking a moderate twopenn'orth o' sleep, the lodgers used to lie there

half the day. So now they has two ropes, 'bout six foot apart, and

three from the floor, which goes right down the room; and the beds

are made of slips of coarse sacking, stretched across 'em.'

Well,' said Mr Pickwick.

Well,' said Mr Weller, 'the adwantage o' the plan's hobvious. At six

o'clock every mornin' they let's go the ropes at one end, and down falls

the lodgers. Consequence is, that being thoroughly waked, they get up

wery quietly, and walk away! Beg your pardon, sir,' said Sam,

suddenly breaking off in his loquacious discourse. 'Is this Bury St.

Edmunds?'

It is,' replied Mr Pickwick.

The coach rattled through the well-paved streets of a handsome little

town, of thriving and cleanly appearance, and stopped before a large

inn situated in a wide open street, nearly facing the old abbey.

'And this,' said Mr Pickwick, looking up. 'Is the Angel! We alight here,

Sam. But some caution is necessary. Order a private room, and do not

mention my name. You understand.'

Right as a trivet, sir,' replied Mr Weller, with a wink of intelligence;

and having dragged Mr Pickwick's portmanteau from the hind boot,

into which it had been hastily thrown when they joined the coach at

Eatanswill, Mr Weller disappeared on his errand. A private room was

speedily engaged; and into it Mr Pickwick was ushered without delay.

Now, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, 'the first thing to be done is to - ' 'Order

dinner, Sir,' interposed Mr Weller. 'It's wery late, sir.’

The Pickwick Papers