As Fogg put himself very temptingly within the reach of Mr Pickwick's

clenched fist, there is little doubt that that gentleman would have

complied with his earnest entreaty, but for the interposition of Sam,

who, hearing the dispute, emerged from the office, mounted the stairs,

and seized his master by the arm.

'You just come away,' said Mr Weller. 'Battledore and shuttlecock's a

wery good game, vhen you ain't the shuttlecock and two lawyers the

battledores, in which case it gets too excitin' to be pleasant. Come

avay, Sir. If you want to ease your mind by blowing up somebody,

come out into the court and blow up me; but it's rayther too expensive

work to be carried on here.'

And without the slightest ceremony, Mr Weller hauled his master

down the stairs, and down the court, and having safely deposited him

in Cornhill, fell behind, prepared to follow whithersoever he should

lead.

Mr Pickwick walked on abstractedly, crossed opposite the Mansion

House, and bent his steps up Cheapside. Sam began to wonder where

they were going, when his master turned round, and said -

'Sam, I will go immediately to Mr Perker's.'

That's just exactly the wery place vere you ought to have gone last

night, Sir,' replied Mr Weller.

I think it is, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick. 'I KNOW it is,' said Mr Weller.

Well, well, Sam,' replied Mr Pickwick, 'we will go there at once; but

first, as I have been rather ruffled, I should like a glass of brandy-and-

water warm, Sam. Where can I have it, Sam?'

Mr Weller's knowledge of London was extensive and peculiar. He

replied, without the slightest consideration -

'Second court on the right hand side - last house but vun on the same

side the vay - take the box as stands in the first fireplace, 'cos there

ain't no leg in the middle o' the table, which all the others has, and it's

wery inconvenient.'

Mr Pickwick observed his valet's directions implicitly, and bidding

Sam follow him, entered the tavern he had pointed out, where the hot

brandy-and-water was speedily placed before him; while Mr Weller,

seated at a respectful distance, though at the same table with his

master, was accommodated with a pint of porter.

The Pickwick Papers