suddenly recollected that he had a most pressing appointment with

the shepherd, and took himself off accordingly.

The tea-things had been scarcely put away, and the hearth swept up,

when the London coach deposited Mr Weller, senior, at the door; his

legs deposited him in the bar; and his eyes showed him his son.

What, Sammy!' exclaimed the father.

What, old Nobs!' ejaculated the son. And they shook hands heartily.

Wery glad to see you, Sammy,' said the elder Mr Weller, 'though how

you've managed to get over your mother-in-law, is a mystery to me. I

only vish you'd write me out the receipt, that's all.'

'Hush!' said Sam, 'she's at home, old feller.' 'She ain't vithin hearin','

replied Mr Weller; 'she always goes and blows up, downstairs, for a

couple of hours arter tea; so we'll just give ourselves a damp, Sammy.'

Saying this, Mr Weller mixed two glasses of spirits-and-water, and

produced a couple of pipes. The father and son sitting down opposite

each other; Sam on one side of the fire, in the high-backed chair, and

Mr Weller, senior, on the other, in an easy ditto, they proceeded to

enjoy themselves with all due gravity.

Anybody been here, Sammy?' asked Mr Weller, senior, dryly, after a

long silence.

Sam nodded an expressive assent.

Red-nosed chap?' inquired Mr Weller.

Sam nodded again.

Amiable man that 'ere, Sammy,' said Mr Weller, smoking violently.

Seems so,' observed Sam.

Good hand at accounts,' said Mr Weller. 'Is he?' said Sam.

Borrows eighteenpence on Monday, and comes on Tuesday for a

shillin' to make it up half-a-crown; calls again on Vensday for another

half-crown to make it five shillin's; and goes on, doubling, till he gets

it up to a five pund note in no time, like them sums in the 'rithmetic

book 'bout the nails in the horse's shoes, Sammy.'

Sam intimated by a nod that he recollected the problem alluded to by

his parent.

The Pickwick Papers