'Yes, I HAVE seen 'em, sir, and they're a-comin' to-morrow, and wos

wery much surprised to hear they warn't to come to-day,' replied Sam.

'You have brought the things I wanted?'

Mr Weller in reply pointed to various packages which he had

arranged, as neatly as he could, in a corner of the room.

'Very well, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, after a little hesitation; 'listen to

what I am going to say, Sam.'

Cert'nly, Sir,' rejoined Mr Weller; 'fire away, Sir.'

I have felt from the first, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, with much

solemnity, 'that this is not the place to bring a young man to.'

'Nor an old 'un neither, Sir,' observed Mr Weller. 'You're quite right,

Sam,' said Mr Pickwick; 'but old men may come here through their

own heedlessness and unsuspicion, and young men may be brought

here by the selfishness of those they serve. It is better for those young

men, in every point of view, that they should not remain here. Do you

understand me, Sam?'

Vy no, Sir, I do NOT,' replied Mr Weller doggedly.

Try, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick.

Vell, sir,' rejoined Sam, after a short pause, 'I think I see your drift;

and if I do see your drift, it's my 'pinion that you're a- comin' it a great

deal too strong, as the mail-coachman said to the snowstorm, ven it

overtook him.'

'I see you comprehend me, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick. 'Independently of

my wish that you should not be idling about a place like this, for years

to come, I feel that for a debtor in the Fleet to be attended by his

manservant is a monstrous absurdity. Sam,' said Mr Pickwick, 'for a

time you must leave me.'

Oh, for a time, eh, sir?'rejoined Mr Weller. rather sarcastically.

Yes, for the time that I remain here,' said Mr Pickwick. 'Your wages I

shall continue to pay. Any one of my three friends will be happy to

take you, were it only out of respect to me. And if I ever do leave this

place, Sam,' added Mr Pickwick, with assumed cheerfulness - 'if I do, I

pledge you my word that you shall return to me instantly.'

The Pickwick Papers