Here Mr Jackson cast his eye on the parchment; and, resting his

hands on the table, and looking round with a winning and persuasive

smile, said, 'Now, come; don't let's have no words about such a little

matter as this. Which of you gentlemen's name's Snodgrass?'

At this inquiry, Mr Snodgrass gave such a very undisguised and

palpable start, that no further reply was needed.

'Ah! I thought so,' said Mr Jackson, more affably than before. 'I've a

little something to trouble you with, Sir.'

Me!'exclaimed Mr Snodgrass.

It's only a subpoena in Bardell and Pickwick on behalf of the plaintiff,'

replied Jackson, singling out one of the slips of paper, and producing

a shilling from his waistcoat pocket. 'It'll come on, in the settens after

Term: fourteenth of Febooary, we expect; we've marked it a special

jury cause, and it's only ten down the paper. That's yours, Mr

Snodgrass.' As Jackson said this, he presented the parchment before

the eyes of Mr Snodgrass, and slipped the paper and the shilling into

his hand.

Mr Tupman had witnessed this process in silent astonishment, when

Jackson, turning sharply upon him, said -

I think I ain't mistaken when I say your name's Tupman, am I?'

Mr Tupman looked at Mr Pickwick; but, perceiving no encouragement

in that gentleman's widely-opened eyes to deny his name, said -

'Yes, my name is Tupman, Sir.'

'And that other gentleman's Mr Winkle, I think?' said Jackson. Mr

Winkle faltered out a reply in the affirmative; and both gentlemen were

forthwith invested with a slip of paper, and a shilling each, by the

dexterous Mr Jackson.

'Now,' said Jackson, 'I'm afraid you'll think me rather troublesome,

but I want somebody else, if it ain't inconvenient. I have Samuel

Weller's name here, Mr Pickwick.'

'Send my servant here, waiter,' said Mr Pickwick. The waiter retired,

considerably astonished, and Mr Pickwick motioned Jackson to a

seat.

There was a painful pause, which was at length broken by the

innocent defendant. 'I suppose, Sir,' said Mr Pickwick, his indignation

rising while he spoke - 'I suppose, Sir, that it is the intention of your

The Pickwick Papers