you down here. How are you gettin' on, and how is the chandlery

bis'ness likely to do? Well, I am so glad to see you. How happy you

look. It's quite a treat to see you; ain't it, Mr Muzzle?'

Quite,' said Mr Muzzle.

So cheerful he is!' said Sam.

In such good spirits!' said Muzzle. 'And so glad to see us - that makes

it so much more comfortable,' said Sam. 'Sit down; sit down.'

Mr Trotter suffered himself to be forced into a chair by the fireside. He

cast his small eyes, first on Mr Weller, and then on Mr Muzzle, but

said nothing.

Well, now,' said Sam, 'afore these here ladies, I should jest like to ask

you, as a sort of curiosity, whether you don't consider yourself as nice

and well-behaved a young gen'l'm'n, as ever used a pink check pocket-

handkerchief, and the number four collection?'

And as was ever a-going to be married to a cook,' said that lady

indignantly. 'The willin!'

And leave off his evil ways, and set up in the chandlery line

arterwards,' said the housemaid.

Now, I'll tell you what it is, young man,' said Mr Muzzle solemnly,

enraged at the last two allusions, 'this here lady (pointing to the cook)

keeps company with me; and when you presume, Sir, to talk of

keeping chandlers' shops with her, you injure me in one of the most

delicatest points in which one man can injure another. Do you

understand that, Sir?'

Here Mr Muzzle, who had a great notion of his eloquence, in which he

imitated his master, paused for a reply.

But Mr Trotter made no reply. So Mr Muzzle proceeded in a solemn

manner -

It's very probable, sir, that you won't be wanted upstairs for several

minutes, Sir, because MY master is at this moment particularly

engaged in settling the hash of YOUR master, Sir; and therefore you'll

have leisure, Sir, for a little private talk with me, Sir. Do you

understand that, Sir?'

Mr Muzzle again paused for a reply; and again Mr Trotter

disappointed him.

The Pickwick Papers