Chapter XVIII

Briefly Illustrative Of Two Points; First, The Power Of Hysterics,

And, Secondly, The Force Of Circumstances

For two days after the DEJEUNE at Mrs. Hunter's, the Pickwickians

remained at Eatanswill, anxiously awaiting the arrival of some

intelligence from their revered leader. Mr Tupman and Mr Snodgrass

were once again left to their own means of amusement; for Mr Winkle,

in compliance with a most pressing invitation, continued to reside at

Mr Pott's house, and to devote his time to the companionship of his

amiable lady. Nor was the occasional society of Mr Pott himself

wanting to complete their felicity. Deeply immersed in the intensity of

his speculations for the public weal and the destruction of the

INDEPENDENT, it was not the habit of that great man to descend

from his mental pinnacle to the humble level of ordinary minds. On

this occasion, however, and as if expressly in compliment to any

follower of Mr Pickwick's, he unbent, relaxed, stepped down from his

pedestal, and walked upon the ground, benignly adapting his remarks

to the comprehension of the herd, and seeming in outward form, if not

in spirit, to be one of them.

Such having been the demeanour of this celebrated public character

towards Mr Winkle, it will be readily imagined that considerable

surprise was depicted on the countenance of the latter gentleman,

when, as he was sitting alone in the breakfast- room, the door was

hastily thrown open, and as hastily closed, on the entrance of Mr Pott,

who, stalking majestically towards him, and thrusting aside his

proffered hand, ground his teeth, as if to put a sharper edge on what

he was about to utter, and exclaimed, in a saw-like voice -

Serpent!'

Sir!' exclaimed Mr Winkle, starting from his chair.

Serpent, Sir,' repeated Mr Pott, raising his voice, and then suddenly

depressing it: 'I said, serpent, sir - make the most of it.'

When you have parted with a man at two o'clock in the morning, on

terms of the utmost good-fellowship, and he meets you again, at half-

past nine, and greets you as a serpent, it is not unreasonable to

conclude that something of an unpleasant nature has occurred

meanwhile. So Mr Winkle thought. He returned Mr Pott's gaze of

stone, and in compliance with that gentleman's request, proceeded to

make the most he could of the 'serpent.' The most, however, was

nothing at all; so, after a profound silence of some minutes' duration,

he said, -

The Pickwick Papers