observable, too, that there would appear to be some hidden taunt in

this universal 'Never mind,' which rouses more indignation in the

bosom of the individual addressed, than the most lavish abuse could

possibly awaken.

We do not mean to assert that the application of this brevity to

himself, struck exactly that indignation to Mr Pickwick's soul, which it

would infallibly have roused in a vulgar breast. We merely record the

fact that Mr Pickwick opened the room door, and abruptly called out,

Tupman, come here!'

Mr Tupman immediately presented himself, with a look of very

considerable surprise.

Tupman,' said Mr Pickwick, 'a secret of some delicacy, in which that

lady is concerned, is the cause of a difference which has just arisen

between this gentleman and myself. When I assure him, in your

presence, that it has no relation to himself, and is not in any way

connected with his affairs, I need hardly beg you to take notice that if

he continue to dispute it, he expresses a doubt of my veracity, which I

shall consider extremely insulting.' As Mr Pickwick said this, he

looked encyclopedias at Mr Peter Magnus.

Mr Pickwick's upright and honourable bearing, coupled with that force

and energy of speech which so eminently distinguished him, would

have carried conviction to any reasonable mind; but, unfortunately, at

that particular moment, the mind of Mr Peter Magnus was in anything

but reasonable order. Consequently, instead of receiving Mr Pickwick's

explanation as he ought to have done, he forthwith proceeded to work

himself into a red- hot, scorching, consuming passion, and to talk

about what was due to his own feelings, and all that sort of thing;

adding force to his declamation by striding to and fro, and pulling his

hair - amusements which he would vary occasionally, by shaking his

fist in Mr Pickwick's philanthropic countenance.

Mr Pickwick, in his turn, conscious of his own innocence and

rectitude, and irritated by having unfortunately involved the middle-

aged lady in such an unpleasant affair, was not so quietly disposed as

was his wont. The consequence was, that words ran high, and voices

higher; and at length Mr Magnus told Mr Pickwick he should hear

from him; to which Mr Pickwick replied, with laudable politeness, that

the sooner he heard from him the better; whereupon the middle-aged

lady rushed in terror from the room, out of which Mr Tupman dragged

Mr Pickwick, leaving Mr Peter Magnus to himself and meditation.

If the middle-aged lady had mingled much with the busy world, or had

profited at all by the manners and customs of those who make the

laws and set the fashions, she would have known that this sort of

The Pickwick Papers