little bundles of papers tied with red tape; and behind it, sat an elderly

clerk, whose sleek appearance and heavy gold watch-chain presented

imposing indications of the extensive and lucrative practice of Mr

Serjeant Snubbin.

'Is the Serjeant in his room, Mr Mallard?' inquired Perker, offering his

box with all imaginable courtesy.

'Yes, he is,' was the reply, 'but he's very busy. Look here; not an

opinion given yet, on any one of these cases; and an expedition fee

paid with all of 'em.' The clerk smiled as he said this, and inhaled the

pinch of snuff with a zest which seemed to be compounded of a

fondness for snuff and a relish for fees.

Something like practice that,' said Perker.

Yes,' said the barrister's clerk, producing his own box, and offering it

with the greatest cordiality; 'and the best of it is, that as nobody alive

except myself can read the serjeant's writing, they are obliged to wait

for the opinions, when he has given them, till I have copied 'em, ha-

ha-ha!'

'Which makes good for we know who, besides the serjeant, and draws

a little more out of the clients, eh?' said Perker; 'ha, ha, ha!' At this

the serjeant's clerk laughed again - not a noisy boisterous laugh, but

a silent, internal chuckle, which Mr Pickwick disliked to hear. When a

man bleeds inwardly, it is a dangerous thing for himself; but when he

laughs inwardly, it bodes no good to other people.

You haven't made me out that little list of the fees that I'm in your

debt, have you?' said Perker.

No, I have not,' replied the clerk.

I wish you would,' said Perker. 'Let me have them, and I'll send you a

cheque. But I suppose you're too busy pocketing the ready money, to

think of the debtors, eh? ha, ha, ha!' This sally seemed to tickle the

clerk amazingly, and he once more enjoyed a little quiet laugh to

himself.

'But, Mr Mallard, my dear friend,' said Perker, suddenly recovering his

gravity, and drawing the great man's great man into a Corner, by the

lappel of his coat; 'you must persuade the Serjeant to see me, and my

client here.'

Come, come,' said the clerk, 'that's not bad either. See the Serjeant!

come, that's too absurd.' Notwithstanding the absurdity of the

proposal, however, the clerk allowed himself to be gently drawn

The Pickwick Papers