'And I should be very sorry, Sawyer, to create any disturbance in the

street in which you reside,' said Mr Gunter, 'but I'm afraid I shall be

under the necessity of alarming the neighbours by throwing the

person who has just spoken, out o' window.'

What do you mean by that, sir?' inquired Mr Noddy.

What I say, Sir,' replied Mr Gunter.

I should like to see you do it, Sir,' said Mr Noddy.

You shall FEEL me do it in half a minute, Sir,' replied Mr Gunter.

I request that you'll favour me with your card, Sir,' said Mr Noddy.

I'll do nothing of the kind, Sir,' replied Mr Gunter.

Why not, Sir?' inquired Mr Noddy.

Because you'll stick it up over your chimney-piece, and delude your

visitors into the false belief that a gentleman has been to see you, Sir,'

replied Mr Gunter.

Sir, a friend of mine shall wait on you in the morning,' said Mr Noddy.

Sir, I'm very much obliged to you for the caution, and I'll leave

particular directions with the servant to lock up the spoons,' replied

Mr Gunter.

At this point the remainder of the guests interposed, and

remonstrated with both parties on the impropriety of their conduct; on

which Mr Noddy begged to state that his father was quite as

respectable as Mr Gunter's father; to which Mr Gunter replied that his

father was to the full as respectable as Mr Noddy's father, and that his

father's son was as good a man as Mr Noddy, any day in the week. As

this announcement seemed the prelude to a recommencement of the

dispute, there was another interference on the part of the company;

and a vast quantity of talking and clamouring ensued, in the course of

which Mr Noddy gradually allowed his feelings to overpower him, and

professed that he had ever entertained a devoted personal attachment

towards Mr Gunter. To this Mr Gunter replied that, upon the whole,

he rather preferred Mr Noddy to his own brother; on hearing which

admission, Mr Noddy magnanimously rose from his seat, and

proffered his hand to Mr Gunter. Mr Gunter grasped it with affecting

fervour; and everybody said that the whole dispute had been

conducted in a manner which was highly honourable to both parties

concerned.

The Pickwick Papers