Good man!' replied Perker; 'bless your heart and soul, my dear Sir,

Serjeant Snubbin is at the very top of his profession. Gets treble the

business of any man in court - engaged in every case. You needn't

mention it abroad; but we say - we of the profession - that Serjeant

Snubbin leads the court by the nose.'

The little man took another pinch of snuff as he made this

communication, and nodded mysteriously to Mr Pickwick.

They have subpoenaed my three friends,' said Mr Pickwick.

Ah! of course they would,' replied Perker. 'Important witnesses; saw

you in a delicate situation.'

'But she fainted of her own accord,' said Mr Pickwick. 'She threw

herself into my arms.'

Very likely, my dear Sir,' replied Perker; 'very likely and very natural.

Nothing more so, my dear Sir, nothing. But who's to prove it?'

They have subpoenaed my servant, too,' said Mr Pickwick, quitting

the other point; for there Mr Perker's question had somewhat

staggered him.

Sam?' said Perker.

Mr Pickwick replied in the affirmative.

Of course, my dear Sir; of course. I knew they would. I could have

told you that, a month ago. You know, my dear Sir, if you WILL take

the management of your affairs into your own hands after entrusting

them to your solicitor, you must also take the consequences.' Here Mr

Perker drew himself up with conscious dignity, and brushed some

stray grains of snuff from his shirt frill.

And what do they want him to prove?' asked Mr Pickwick, after two or

three minutes' silence.

That you sent him up to the plaintiff 's to make some offer of a

compromise, I suppose,' replied Perker. 'It don't matter much, though;

I don't think many counsel could get a great deal out of HIM.'

I don't think they could,' said Mr Pickwick, smiling, despite his

vexation, at the idea of Sam's appearance as a witness. 'What course

do we pursue?'

The Pickwick Papers