friendly tap on the shoulder, the sheriff's officer (for such he was)

threw his card on the counterpane, and pulled a gold toothpick from

his waistcoat pocket.

Namby's the name,' said the sheriff's deputy, as Mr Pickwick took his

spectacles from under the pillow, and put them on, to read the card.

Namby, Bell Alley, Coleman Street.'

At this point, Sam Weller, who had had his eyes fixed hitherto on Mr

Namby's shining beaver, interfered.

Are you a Quaker?' said Sam.

I'll let you know I am, before I've done with you,' replied the indignant

officer. 'I'll teach you manners, my fine fellow, one of these fine

mornings.'

'Thank'ee,' said Sam. 'I'll do the same to you. Take your hat off.' With

this, Mr Weller, in the most dexterous manner, knocked Mr Namby's

hat to the other side of the room, with such violence, that he had very

nearly caused him to swallow the gold toothpick into the bargain.

'Observe this, Mr Pickwick,' said the disconcerted officer, gasping for

breath. 'I've been assaulted in the execution of my dooty by your

servant in your chamber. I'm in bodily fear. I call you to witness this.'

Don't witness nothin', Sir,' interposed Sam. 'Shut your eyes up tight,

Sir. I'd pitch him out o' winder, only he couldn't fall far enough, 'cause

o' the leads outside.'

Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, in an angry voice, as his attendant made

various demonstrations of hostilities, 'if you say another word, or offer

the slightest interference with this person, I discharge you that

instant.'

'But, Sir!' said Sam.

Hold your tongue,' interposed Mr Pickwick. 'Take that hat up again.'

But this Sam flatly and positively refused to do; and, after he had

been severely reprimanded by his master, the officer, being in a hurry,

condescended to pick it up himself, venting a great variety of threats

against Sam meanwhile, which that gentleman received with perfect

composure, merely observing that if Mr Namby would have the

goodness to put his hat on again, he would knock it into the latter end

of next week. Mr Namby, perhaps thinking that such a process might

be productive of inconvenience to himself, declined to offer the

temptation, and, soon after, called up Smouch. Having informed him

The Pickwick Papers