However, there was no time to think more about the matter, for the

fiddles and harp began in real earnest. Away went Mr Pickwick -

hands across - down the middle to the very end of the room, and half-

way up the chimney, back again to the door - poussette everywhere -

loud stamp on the ground - ready for the next couple - off again - all

the figure over once more - another stamp to beat out the time - next

couple, and the next, and the next again - never was such going; at

last, after they had reached the bottom of the dance, and full fourteen

couple after the old lady had retired in an exhausted state, and the

clergyman's wife had been substituted in her stead, did that

gentleman, when there was no demand whatever on his exertions,

keep perpetually dancing in his place, to keep time to the music,

smiling on his partner all the while with a blandness of demeanour

which baffles all description.

Long before Mr Pickwick was weary of dancing, the newly- married

couple had retired from the scene. There was a glorious supper

downstairs, notwithstanding, and a good long sitting after it; and

when Mr Pickwick awoke, late the next morning, he had a confused

recollection of having, severally and confidentially, invited somewhere

about five-and-forty people to dine with him at the George and

Vulture, the very first time they came to London; which Mr Pickwick

rightly considered a pretty certain indication of his having taken

something besides exercise, on the previous night.

'And so your family has games in the kitchen to-night, my dear, has

they?' inquired Sam of Emma.

'Yes, Mr Weller,' replied Emma; 'we always have on Christmas Eve.

Master wouldn't neglect to keep it up on any account.'

'Your master's a wery pretty notion of keeping anythin' up, my dear,'

said Mr Weller; 'I never see such a sensible sort of man as he is, or

such a reg'lar gen'l'm'n.' 'Oh, that he is!' said the fat boy, joining in the

conversation; 'don't he breed nice pork!' The fat youth gave a semi-

cannibalic leer at Mr Weller, as he thought of the roast legs and gravy.

Oh, you've woke up, at last, have you?' said Sam.

The fat boy nodded.

I'll tell you what it is, young boa-constructer,' said Mr Weller

impressively; 'if you don't sleep a little less, and exercise a little more,

wen you comes to be a man you'll lay yourself open to the same sort of

personal inconwenience as was inflicted on the old gen'l'm'n as wore

the pigtail.'

What did they do to him?' inquired the fat boy, in a faltering voice.

The Pickwick Papers