What's the t'other name?' said Sam Weller, looking round.

How should I know?' briskly replied the young gentleman below the

hairy cap. 'You're a sharp boy, you are,' said Mr Weller; 'only I

wouldn't show that wery fine edge too much, if I was you, in case

anybody took it off. What do you mean by comin' to a hot-el, and

asking arter Sam, vith as much politeness as a vild Indian?'

'Cos an old gen'l'm'n told me to,' replied the boy.

What old gen'l'm'n?' inquired Sam, with deep disdain.

Him as drives a Ipswich coach, and uses our parlour,' rejoined the

boy. 'He told me yesterday mornin' to come to the George and Wultur

this arternoon, and ask for Sam.'

'It's my father, my dear,' said Mr Weller, turning with an explanatory

air to the young lady in the bar; 'blessed if I think he hardly knows

wot my other name is. Well, young brockiley sprout, wot then?'

Why then,' said the boy, 'you was to come to him at six o'clock to our

ouse, 'cos he wants to see you - Blue Boar, Leaden'all Markit. Shall I

say you're comin'?'

You may wenture on that 'ere statement, Sir,' replied Sam. And thus

empowered, the young gentleman walked away, awakening all the

echoes in George Yard as he did so, with several chaste and extremely

correct imitations of a drover's whistle, delivered in a tone of peculiar

richness and volume.

Mr Weller having obtained leave of absence from Mr Pickwick, who, in

his then state of excitement and worry, was by no means displeased at

being left alone, set forth, long before the appointed hour, and having

plenty of time at his disposal, sauntered down as far as the Mansion

House, where he paused and contemplated, with a face of great

calmness and philosophy, the numerous cads and drivers of short

stages who assemble near that famous place of resort, to the great

terror and confusion of the old-lady population of these realms.

Having loitered here, for half an hour or so, Mr Weller turned, and

began wending his way towards Leadenhall Market, through a variety

of by-streets and courts. As he was sauntering away his spare time,

and stopped to look at almost every object that met his gaze, it is by

no means surprising that Mr Weller should have paused before a

small stationer's and print-seller's window; but without further

explanation it does appear surprising that his eyes should have no

sooner rested on certain pictures which were exposed for sale therein,

than he gave a sudden start, smote his right leg with great

The Pickwick Papers