after the other, and finally made a motion with his arm, as if he were

working an imaginary pump-handle; thereby intimating that he (Mr

Trotter) considered himself as undergoing the process of being

pumped by Mr Samuel Weller.

No, no,' said Mr Trotter, in conclusion, 'that's not to be told to

everybody. That is a secret - a great secret, Mr Walker.' As the

mulberry man said this, he turned his glass upside down, by way of

reminding his companion that he had nothing left wherewith to slake

his thirst. Sam observed the hint; and feeling the delicate manner in

which it was conveyed, ordered the pewter vessel to be refilled,

whereat the small eyes of the mulberry man glistened.

And so it's a secret?' said Sam.

I should rather suspect it was,' said the mulberry man, sipping his

liquor, with a complacent face.

'i suppose your mas'r's wery rich?' said Sam.

Mr Trotter smiled, and holding his glass in his left hand, gave four

distinct slaps on the pockets of his mulberry indescribables with his

right, as if to intimate that his master might have done the same

without alarming anybody much by the chinking of coin.

Ah,' said Sam, 'that's the game, is it?'

The mulberry man nodded significantly.

Well, and don't you think, old feller,' remonstrated Mr Weller, 'that if

you let your master take in this here young lady, you're a precious

rascal?'

'I know that,' said Job Trotter, turning upon his companion a

countenance of deep contrition, and groaning slightly, 'I know that,

and that's what it is that preys upon my mind. But what am I to do?'

Do!' said Sam; 'di-wulge to the missis, and give up your master.'

Who'd believe me?' replied Job Trotter. 'The young lady's considered

the very picture of innocence and discretion. She'd deny it, and so

would my master. Who'd believe me? I should lose my place, and get

indicted for a conspiracy, or some such thing; that's all I should take

by my motion.'

'There's somethin' in that,' said Sam, ruminating; 'there's somethin' in

that.'

The Pickwick Papers