To ladies and gentlemen who are not in the habit of devoting

themselves practically to the science of penmanship, writing a letter is

no very easy task; it being always considered necessary in such cases

for the writer to recline his head on his left arm, so as to place his

eyes as nearly as possible on a level with the paper, and, while

glancing sideways at the letters he is constructing, to form with his

tongue imaginary characters to correspond. These motions, although

unquestionably of the greatest assistance to original composition,

retard in some degree the progress of the writer; and Sam had

unconsciously been a full hour and a half writing words in small text,

smearing out wrong letters with his little finger, and putting in new

ones which required going over very often to render them visible

through the old blots, when he was roused by the opening of the door

and the entrance of his parent.

Vell, Sammy,' said the father.

Vell, my Prooshan Blue,' responded the son, laying down his pen.

What's the last bulletin about mother-in-law?'

Mrs. Veller passed a very good night, but is uncommon perwerse, and

unpleasant this mornin'. Signed upon oath, Tony Veller, Esquire.

That's the last vun as was issued, Sammy,' replied Mr Weller, untying

his shawl.

No better yet?' inquired Sam.

All the symptoms aggerawated,' replied Mr Weller, shaking his head.

But wot's that, you're a-doin' of? Pursuit of knowledge under

difficulties, Sammy?'

I've done now,' said Sam, with slight embarrassment; 'I've been a-

writin'.'

'So I see,' replied Mr Weller. 'Not to any young 'ooman, I hope,

Sammy?'

'Why, it's no use a-sayin' it ain't,' replied Sam; 'it's a walentine.'

'A what!' exclaimed Mr Weller, apparently horror-stricken by the word.

'A walentine,' replied Sam. 'Samivel, Samivel,' said Mr Weller, in

reproachful accents, 'I didn't think you'd ha' done it. Arter the warnin'

you've had o' your father's wicious propensities; arter all I've said to

you upon this here wery subject; arter actiwally seein' and bein' in the

company o' your own mother-in-law, vich I should ha' thought wos a

moral lesson as no man could never ha' forgotten to his dyin' day! I

didn't think you'd ha' done it, Sammy, I didn't think you'd ha' done it!'

The Pickwick Papers