Mr Weller surveyed the attorney from head to foot with great

admiration, and said emphatically -

And what'll you take, sir?'

Why, really,' replied Mr Pell, 'you're very - Upon my word and

honour, I'm not in the habit of - It's so very early in the morning,

that, actually, I am almost - Well, you may bring me threepenn'orth of

rum, my dear.'

The officiating damsel, who had anticipated the order before it was

given, set the glass of spirits before Pell, and retired.

'Gentlemen,' said Mr Pell, looking round upon the company, 'success

to your friend! I don't like to boast, gentlemen; it's not my way; but I

can't help saying, that, if your friend hadn't been fortunate enough to

fall into hands that - But I won't say what I was going to say.

Gentlemen, my service to you.' Having emptied the glass in a

twinkling, Mr Pell smacked his lips, and looked complacently round

on the assembled coachmen, who evidently regarded him as a species

of divinity.

Let me see,' said the legal authority. 'What was I a-saying,

gentlemen?'

I think you was remarkin' as you wouldn't have no objection to

another o' the same, Sir,' said Mr Weller, with grave facetiousness.

Ha, ha!' laughed Mr Pell. 'Not bad, not bad. A professional man, too!

At this time of the morning, it would be rather too good a - Well, I

don't know, my dear - you may do that again, if you please. Hem!'

This last sound was a solemn and dignified cough, in which Mr Pell,

observing an indecent tendency to mirth in some of his auditors,

considered it due to himself to indulge.

The late Lord Chancellor, gentlemen, was very fond of me,' said Mr

Pell.

And wery creditable in him, too,' interposed Mr Weller.

Hear, hear,' assented Mr Pell's client. 'Why shouldn't he be?

Ah! Why, indeed!' said a very red-faced man, who had said nothing

yet, and who looked extremely unlikely to say anything more. 'Why

shouldn't he?'

A murmur of assent ran through the company.

The Pickwick Papers