Chapter XXVII

Samuel Weller Makes A Pilgrimage To Dorking, And Beholds His

Mother-In-Law

There still remaining an interval of two days before the time agreed

upon for the departure of the Pickwickians to Dingley Dell, Mr Weller

sat himself down in a back room at the George and Vulture, after

eating an early dinner, to muse on the best way of disposing of his

time. It was a remarkably fine day; and he had not turned the matter

over in his mind ten minutes, when he was suddenly stricken filial

and affectionate; and it occurred to him so strongly that he ought to

go down and see his father, and pay his duty to his mother-in-law,

that he was lost in astonishment at his own remissness in never

thinking of this moral obligation before. Anxious to atone for his past

neglect without another hour's delay, he straightway walked upstairs

to Mr Pickwick, and requested leave of absence for this laudable

purpose.

Certainly, Sam, certainly,' said Mr Pickwick, his eyes glistening with

delight at this manifestation of filial feeling on the part of his

attendant; 'certainly, Sam.'

Mr Weller made a grateful bow.

'I am very glad to see that you have so high a sense of your duties as a

son, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick.

I always had, sir,' replied Mr Weller.

That's a very gratifying reflection, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick approvingly.

Wery, Sir,' replied Mr Weller; 'if ever I wanted anythin' o' my father, I

always asked for it in a wery 'spectful and obligin' manner. If he didn't

give it me, I took it, for fear I should be led to do anythin' wrong,

through not havin' it. I saved him a world o' trouble this vay, Sir.'

'That's not precisely what I meant, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, shaking

his head, with a slight smile.

All good feelin', sir - the wery best intentions, as the gen'l'm'n said ven

he run away from his wife 'cos she seemed unhappy with him,' replied

Mr Weller.

'You may go, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick.

The Pickwick Papers