forks, and the progress of the choice morsels from the dishes to the

mouths of the company, with a kind of dark and gloomy joy that was

most impressive.

God bless you, old fellow!' said Mr Pickwick.

Same to you, my boy,' replied Wardle; and they pledged each other,

heartily.

Mrs. Wardle,' said Mr Pickwick, 'we old folks must have a glass of

wine together, in honour of this joyful event.'

The old lady was in a state of great grandeur just then, for she was

sitting at the top of the table in the brocaded gown, with her newly-

married granddaughter on one side, and Mr Pickwick on the other, to

do the carving. Mr Pickwick had not spoken in a very loud tone, but

she understood him at once, and drank off a full glass of wine to his

long life and happiness; after which the worthy old soul launched

forth into a minute and particular account of her own wedding, with a

dissertation on the fashion of wearing high-heeled shoes, and some

particulars concerning the life and adventures of the beautiful Lady

Tollimglower, deceased; at all of which the old lady herself laughed

very heartily indeed, and so did the young ladies too, for they were

wondering among themselves what on earth grandma was talking

about. When they laughed, the old lady laughed ten times more

heartily, and said that these always had been considered capital

stories, which caused them all to laugh again, and put the old lady

into the very best of humours. Then the cake was cut, and passed

through the ring; the young ladies saved pieces to put under their

pillows to dream of their future husbands on; and a great deal of

blushing and merriment was thereby occasioned.

'Mr Miller,' said Mr Pickwick to his old acquaintance, the hard-headed

gentleman, 'a glass of wine?'

With great satisfaction, Mr Pickwick,' replied the hard- headed

gentleman solemnly.

You'll take me in?' said the benevolent old clergyman.

And me,' interposed his wife. 'And me, and me,' said a couple of poor

relations at the bottom of the table, who had eaten and drunk very

heartily, and laughed at everything.

Mr Pickwick expressed his heartfelt delight at every additional

suggestion; and his eyes beamed with hilarity and cheerfulness.

Ladies and gentlemen,' said Mr Pickwick, suddenly rising.

The Pickwick Papers