Is she?' replied Isabella. - 'Hem! aunt, dear!'

Yes, my dear love!'

I'm SO afraid you'll catch cold, aunt - have a silk handkerchief to tie

round your dear old head - you really should take care of yourself -

consider your age!'

However well deserved this piece of retaliation might have been, it was

as vindictive a one as could well have been resorted to. There is no

guessing in what form of reply the aunt's indignation would have

vented itself, had not Mr Wardle unconsciously changed the subject,

by calling emphatically for Joe.

'Damn that boy,' said the old gentleman, 'he's gone to sleep again.'

Very extraordinary boy, that,' said Mr Pickwick; 'does he always sleep

in this way?'

Sleep!' said the old gentleman, 'he's always asleep. Goes on errands

fast asleep, and snores as he waits at table.'

How very odd!' said Mr Pickwick.

Ah! odd indeed,' returned the old gentleman; 'I'm proud of that boy -

wouldn't part with him on any account - he's a natural curiosity!

Here, Joe - Joe - take these things away, and open another bottle -

d'ye hear?'

The fat boy rose, opened his eyes, swallowed the huge piece of pie he

had been in the act of masticating when he last fell asleep, and slowly

obeyed his master's orders - gloating languidly over the remains of the

feast, as he removed the plates, and deposited them in the hamper.

The fresh bottle was produced, and speedily emptied: the hamper was

made fast in its old place - the fat boy once more mounted the box -

the spectacles and pocket- glass were again adjusted - and the

evolutions of the military recommenced. There was a great fizzing and

banging of guns, and starting of ladies - and then a Mine was sprung,

to the gratification of everybody - and when the mine had gone off, the

military and the company followed its example, and went off too.

Now, mind,' said the old gentleman, as he shook hands with Mr

Pickwick at the conclusion of a conversation which had been carried

on at intervals, during the conclusion of the proceedings, ‘we shall see

you all to-morrow.'

'Most certainly,' replied Mr Pickwick.

The Pickwick Papers