Gently, Sir,' said Sam, planting his head against the wall, and making

a platform of his back. 'Step atop o' that 'ere flower-pot, Sir. Now then,

up vith you.'

'I'm afraid I shall hurt you, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick.

'Never mind me, Sir,' replied Sam. 'Lend him a hand, Mr Winkle. sir.

Steady, sir, steady! That's the time o' day!'

As Sam spoke, Mr Pickwick, by exertions almost supernatural in a

gentleman of his years and weight, contrived to get upon Sam's back;

and Sam gently raising himself up, and Mr Pickwick holding on fast

by the top of the wall, while Mr Winkle clasped him tight by the legs,

they contrived by these means to bring his spectacles just above the

level of the coping.

'My dear,' said Mr Pickwick, looking over the wall, and catching sight

of Arabella, on the other side, 'don't be frightened, my dear, it's only

me.' 'Oh, pray go away, Mr Pickwick,' said Arabella. 'Tell them all to go

away. I am so dreadfully frightened. Dear, dear Mr Pickwick, don't

stop there. You'll fall down and kill yourself, I know you will.'

'Now, pray don't alarm yourself, my dear,' said Mr Pickwick

soothingly. 'There is not the least cause for fear, I assure you. Stand

firm, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, looking down.

All right, sir,' replied Mr Weller. 'Don't be longer than you can

conweniently help, sir. You're rayther heavy.'

'Only another moment, Sam,' replied Mr Pickwick.

'I merely wished you to know, my dear, that I should not have allowed

my young friend to see you in this clandestine way, if the situation in

which you are placed had left him any alternative; and, lest the

impropriety of this step should cause you any uneasiness, my love, it

may be a satisfaction to you, to know that I am present. That's all, my

dear.'

Indeed, Mr Pickwick, I am very much obliged to you for your kindness

and consideration,' replied Arabella, drying her tears with her

handkerchief. She would probably have said much more, had not Mr

Pickwick's head disappeared with great swiftness, in consequence of a

false step on Sam's shoulder which brought him suddenly to the

ground. He was up again in an instant however; and bidding Mr

Winkle make haste and get the interview over, ran out into the lane to

keep watch, with all the courage and ardour of youth. Mr Winkle

himself, inspired by the occasion, was on the wall in a moment,

merely pausing to request Sam to be careful of his master.

The Pickwick Papers