And there's nothing I can send in my little box to the washer-

woman's, is there?' said Smangle, turning from Sam to Mr Pickwick,

with an air of some discomfiture.

Nothin' whatever, Sir,' retorted Sam; 'I'm afeered the little box must

be chock full o' your own as it is.'

This speech was accompanied with such a very expressive look at that

particular portion of Mr Smangle's attire, by the appearance of which

the skill of laundresses in getting up gentlemen's linen is generally

tested, that he was fain to turn upon his heel, and, for the present at

any rate, to give up all design on Mr Pickwick's purse and wardrobe.

He accordingly retired in dudgeon to the racket-ground, where he

made a light and whole- some breakfast on a couple of the cigars

which had been purchased on the previous night. Mr Mivins, who was

no smoker, and whose account for small articles of chandlery had also

reached down to the bottom of the slate, and been 'carried over' to the

other side, remained in bed, and, in his own words, 'took it out in

sleep.'

After breakfasting in a small closet attached to the coffee- room, which

bore the imposing title of the Snuggery, the temporary inmate of

which, in consideration of a small additional charge, had the

unspeakable advantage of overhearing all the conversation in the

coffee-room aforesaid; and, after despatching Mr Weller on some

necessary errands, Mr Pickwick repaired to the lodge, to consult Mr

Roker concerning his future accommodation.

Accommodation, eh?' said that gentleman, consulting a large book.

Plenty of that, Mr Pickwick. Your chummage ticket will be on twenty-

seven, in the third.'

Oh,' said Mr Pickwick. 'My what, did you say?'

Your chummage ticket,' replied Mr Roker; 'you're up to that?'

Not quite,' replied Mr Pickwick, with a smile.

Why,' said Mr Roker, 'it's as plain as Salisbury. You'll have a

chummage ticket upon twenty-seven in the third, and them as is in

the room will be your chums.'

Are there many of them?' inquired Mr Pickwick dubiously.

Three,' replied Mr Roker.

Mr Pickwick coughed.

The Pickwick Papers