marks of their late encounter, were introduced to the ladies, and soon

afterwards to their dinner; and Mr Weller, whom the magistrate, with

his peculiar sagacity, had discovered in half an hour to be one of the

finest fellows alive, was consigned to the care and guardianship of Mr

Muzzle, who was specially enjoined to take him below, and make

much of him.

How de do, sir?' said Mr Muzzle, as he conducted Mr Weller down the

kitchen stairs.

'Why, no considerable change has taken place in the state of my

system, since I see you cocked up behind your governor's chair in the

parlour, a little vile ago,' replied Sam.

You will excuse my not taking more notice of you then,' said Mr

Muzzle. 'You see, master hadn't introduced us, then. Lord, how fond

he is of you, Mr Weller, to be sure!'

Ah!' said Sam, 'what a pleasant chap he is!'

Ain't he?'replied Mr Muzzle.

So much humour,' said Sam.

And such a man to speak,' said Mr Muzzle. 'How his ideas flow, don't

they?'

Wonderful,' replied Sam; 'they comes a-pouring out, knocking each

other's heads so fast, that they seems to stun one another; you hardly

know what he's arter, do you?' 'That's the great merit of his style of

speaking,' rejoined Mr Muzzle. 'Take care of the last step, Mr Weller.

Would you like to wash your hands, sir, before we join the ladies'!

Here's a sink, with the water laid on, Sir, and a clean jack towel

behind the door.'

Ah! perhaps I may as well have a rinse,' replied Mr Weller, applying

plenty of yellow soap to the towel, and rubbing away till his face shone

again. 'How many ladies are there?'

'Only two in our kitchen,' said Mr Muzzle; 'cook and 'ouse- maid. We

keep a boy to do the dirty work, and a gal besides, but they dine in the

wash'us.'

Oh, they dines in the wash'us, do they?' said Mr Weller.

Yes,' replied Mr Muzzle, 'we tried 'em at our table when they first

come, but we couldn't keep 'em. The gal's manners is dreadful vulgar;

The Pickwick Papers