I remember, gentlemen,' said Mr Pell, 'dining with him on one

occasion; there was only us two, but everything as splendid as if

twenty people had been expected - the great seal on a dumb- waiter at

his right hand, and a man in a bag-wig and suit of armour guarding

the mace with a drawn sword and silk stockings

- which is

perpetually done, gentlemen, night and day; when he said, ‘Pell,’ he

said, ‘no false delicacy, Pell. You're a man of talent; you can get

anybody through the Insolvent Court, Pell; and your country should

be proud of you.’ Those were his very words. ‘My Lord,’ I said, ‘you

flatter me.’ - ’Pell,’ he said, ‘if I do, I'm damned.’'

Did he say that?' inquired Mr Weller.

He did,' replied Pell.

Vell, then,' said Mr Weller, 'I say Parliament ought to ha' took it up;

and if he'd been a poor man, they would ha' done it.'

But, my dear friend,' argued Mr Pell, 'it was in confidence.'

In what?' said Mr Weller.

In confidence.'

Oh! wery good,' replied Mr Weller, after a little reflection. 'If he

damned hisself in confidence, o' course that was another thing.'

Of course it was,' said Mr Pell. 'The distinction's obvious, you will

perceive.'

Alters the case entirely,' said Mr Weller. 'Go on, Sir.' 'No, I will not go

on, Sir,' said Mr Pell, in a low and serious tone. 'You have reminded

me, Sir, that this conversation was private - private and confidential,

gentlemen. Gentlemen, I am a professional man. It may be that I am a

good deal looked up to, in my profession - it may be that I am not.

Most people know. I say nothing. Observations have already been

made, in this room, injurious to the reputation of my noble friend. You

will excuse me, gentlemen; I was imprudent. I feel that I have no right

to mention this matter without his concurrence. Thank you, Sir;

thank you.' Thus delivering himself, Mr Pell thrust his hands into his

pockets, and, frowning grimly around, rattled three halfpence with

terrible determination.

This virtuous resolution had scarcely been formed, when the boy and

the blue bag, who were inseparable companions, rushed violently into

the room, and said (at least the boy did, for the blue bag took no part

in the announcement) that the case was coming on directly. The

intelligence was no sooner received than the whole party hurried

The Pickwick Papers