Chapter XXXVII

Honourably Accounts For Mr Weller's Absence, By Describing A

Soiree To Which He Was Invited And Went; Also Relates How He

Was Entrusted By Mr Pickwick With A Private Mission Of Delicacy

And Importance

'Mr Weller,' said Mrs. Craddock, upon the morning of this very

eventful day, 'here's a letter for you.'

Wery odd that,' said Sam; 'I'm afeerd there must be somethin' the

matter, for I don't recollect any gen'l'm'n in my circle of acquaintance

as is capable o' writin' one.'

'Perhaps something uncommon has taken place,' observed Mrs.

Craddock.

'It must be somethin' wery uncommon indeed, as could perduce a

letter out o' any friend o' mine,' replied Sam, shaking his head

dubiously; 'nothin' less than a nat'ral conwulsion, as the young

gen'l'm'n observed ven he wos took with fits. It can't be from the

gov'ner,' said Sam, looking at the direction. 'He always prints, I know,

'cos he learnt writin' from the large bills in the booking-offices. It's a

wery strange thing now, where this here letter can ha' come from.'

As Sam said this, he did what a great many people do when they are

uncertain about the writer of a note - looked at the seal, and then at

the front, and then at the back, and then at the sides, and then at the

superscription; and, as a last resource, thought perhaps he might as

well look at the inside, and try to find out from that.

It's wrote on gilt-edged paper,' said Sam, as he unfolded it, 'and

sealed in bronze vax vith the top of a door key. Now for it.' And, with a

very grave face, Mr Weller slowly read as follows -

'A select company of the Bath footmen presents their compliments to

Mr Weller, and requests the pleasure of his company this evening, to a

friendly swarry, consisting of a boiled leg of mutton with the usual

trimmings. The swarry to be on table at half-past nine o'clock

punctually.'

This was inclosed in another note, which ran thus -

'Mr John Smauker, the gentleman who had the pleasure of meeting

Mr Weller at the house of their mutual acquaintance, Mr Bantam, a

few days since, begs to inclose Mr Weller the herewith invitation. If Mr

Weller will call on Mr John Smauker at nine o'clock, Mr John

The Pickwick Papers