No,' said the girl, with a shake of the head which expressed a more

decided negative than the most copious language could have

conveyed. 'Missis Raddle said you warn't to have none.'

The surprise depicted on the countenances of his guests imparted new

courage to the host.

Bring up the warm water instantly - instantly!' said Mr Bob Sawyer,

with desperate sternness.

No. I can't,' replied the girl; 'Missis Raddle raked out the kitchen fire

afore she went to bed, and locked up the kittle.'

'Oh, never mind; never mind. Pray don't disturb yourself about such a

trifle,' said Mr Pickwick, observing the conflict of Bob Sawyer's

passions, as depicted in his countenance, 'cold water will do very well.'

'Oh, admirably,' said Mr Benjamin Allen.

'My landlady is subject to some slight attacks of mental derangement,'

remarked Bob Sawyer, with a ghastly smile; 'I fear I must give her

warning.'

'No, don't,' said Ben Allen.

'I fear I must,' said Bob, with heroic firmness. 'I'll pay her what I owe

her, and give her warning to-morrow morning.' Poor fellow! how

devoutly he wished he could!

Mr Bob Sawyer's heart-sickening attempts to rally under this last

blow, communicated a dispiriting influence to the company, the

greater part of whom, with the view of raising their spirits, attached

themselves with extra cordiality to the cold brandy-and- water, the

first perceptible effects of which were displayed in a renewal of

hostilities between the scorbutic youth and the gentleman in the shirt.

The belligerents vented their feelings of mutual contempt, for some

time, in a variety of frownings and snortings, until at last the

scorbutic youth felt it necessary to come to a more explicit

understanding on the matter; when the following clear understanding

took place. 'Sawyer,' said the scorbutic youth, in a loud voice.

Well, Noddy,' replied Mr Bob Sawyer.

I should be very sorry, Sawyer,' said Mr Noddy, 'to create any

unpleasantness at any friend's table, and much less at yours, Sawyer

very; but I must take this opportunity of informing Mr Gunter that

he is no gentleman.'

The Pickwick Papers