If he ever comes back, I'll poison him,' thought Mr Pott, as he turned

into the little back office where he prepared his thunderbolts.

'If I ever do come back, and mix myself up with these people

again,'thought Mr Winkle, as he wended his way to the Peacock, 'I

shall deserve to be horsewhipped myself - that's all.'

His friends were ready, the coach was nearly so, and in half an hour

they were proceeding on their journey, along the road over which Mr

Pickwick and Sam had so recently travelled, and of which, as we have

already said something, we do not feel called upon to extract Mr

Snodgrass's poetical and beautiful description.

Mr Weller was standing at the door of the Angel, ready to receive

them, and by that gentleman they were ushered to the apartment of

Mr Pickwick, where, to the no small surprise of Mr Winkle and Mr

Snodgrass, and the no small embarrassment of Mr Tupman, they

found old Wardle and Trundle.

How are you?' said the old man, grasping Mr Tupman's hand. 'Don't

hang back, or look sentimental about it; it can't be helped, old fellow.

For her sake, I wish you'd had her; for your own, I'm very glad you

have not. A young fellow like you will do better one of these days, eh?'

With this conclusion, Wardle slapped Mr Tupman on the back, and

laughed heartily.

'Well, and how are you, my fine fellows?' said the old gentleman,

shaking hands with Mr Winkle and Mr Snodgrass at the same time. 'I

have just been telling Pickwick that we must have you all down at

Christmas. We're going to have a wedding - a real wedding this time.'

'A wedding!' exclaimed Mr Snodgrass, turning very pale.

Yes, a wedding. But don't be frightened,' said the good- humoured old

man; 'it's only Trundle there, and Bella.'

Oh, is that all?' said Mr Snodgrass, relieved from a painful doubt

which had fallen heavily on his breast. 'Give you joy, Sir. How is Joe?'

Very well,' replied the old gentleman. 'Sleepy as ever.'

And your mother, and the clergyman, and all of 'em?'

Quite well.'

Where,' said Mr Tupman, with an effort - 'where is - SHE, Sir?' and he

turned away his head, and covered his eyes with his hand. 'SHE!' said

The Pickwick Papers