Chapter III

A New Acquaintance - The Stroller's Tale - A Disagreeable

Interruption, And An Unpleasant Encounter

Mr Pickwick had felt some apprehensions in consequence of the

unusual absence of his two friends, which their mysterious behaviour

during the whole morning had by no means tended to diminish. It

was, therefore, with more than ordinary pleasure that he rose to greet

them when they again entered; and with more than ordinary interest

that he inquired what had occurred to detain them from his society. In

reply to his questions on this point, Mr Snodgrass was about to offer

an historical account of the circumstances just now detailed, when he

was suddenly checked by observing that there were present, not only

Mr Tupman and their stage-coach companion of the preceding day,

but another stranger of equally singular appearance. It was a

careworn-looking man, whose sallow face, and deeply-sunken eyes,

were rendered still more striking than Nature had made them, by the

straight black hair which hung in matted disorder half-way down his

face. His eyes were almost unnaturally bright and piercing; his cheek-

bones were high and prominent; and his jaws were so long and lank,

that an observer would have supposed that he was drawing the flesh

of his face in, for a moment, by some contraction of the muscles, if his

half-opened mouth and immovable expression had not announced

that it was his ordinary appearance. Round his neck he wore a green

shawl, with the large ends straggling over his chest, and making their

appearance occasionally beneath the worn button-holes of his old

waistcoat. His upper garment was a long black surtout; and below it

he wore wide drab trousers, and large boots, running rapidly to seed.

It was on this uncouth-looking person that Mr Winkle's eye rested,

and it was towards him that Mr Pickwick extended his hand when he

said, 'A friend of our friend's here. We discovered this morning that

our friend was connected with the theatre in this place, though he is

not desirous to have it generally known, and this gentleman is a

member of the same profession. He was about to favour us with a

little anecdote connected with it, when you entered.'

Lots of anecdote,' said the green-coated stranger of the day before,

advancing to Mr Winkle and speaking in a low and confidential tone.

Rum fellow - does the heavy business - no actor - strange man - all

sorts of miseries - Dismal Jemmy, we call him on the circuit.' Mr

Winkle and Mr Snodgrass politely welcomed the gentleman, elegantly

designated as 'Dismal Jemmy'; and calling for brandy-and-water, in

imitation of the remainder of the company, seated themselves at the

table. 'Now sir,' said Mr Pickwick, 'will you oblige us by proceeding

with what you were going to relate?'

The Pickwick Papers