across the street, and began to fight their way into court - a

preparatory ceremony, which has been calculated to occupy, in

ordinary cases, from twenty-five minutes to thirty.

Mr Weller, being stout, cast himself at once into the crowd, with the

desperate hope of ultimately turning up in some place which would

suit him. His success was not quite equal to his expectations; for

having neglected to take his hat off, it was knocked over his eyes by

some unseen person, upon whose toes he had alighted with

considerable force. Apparently this individual regretted his

impetuosity immediately afterwards, for, muttering an indistinct

exclamation of surprise, he dragged the old man out into the hall,

and, after a violent struggle, released his head and face.

'Samivel!' exclaimed Mr Weller, when he was thus enabled to behold

his rescuer.

Sam nodded.

'You're a dutiful and affectionate little boy, you are, ain't you,' said Mr

Weller, 'to come a-bonnetin' your father in his old age?'

How should I know who you wos?' responded the son. 'Do you s'pose I

wos to tell you by the weight o' your foot?'

Vell, that's wery true, Sammy,' replied Mr Weller, mollified at once;

but wot are you a-doin' on here? Your gov'nor can't do no good here,

Sammy. They won't pass that werdick, they won't pass it, Sammy.'

And Mr Weller shook his head with legal solemnity.

Wot a perwerse old file it is!' exclaimed Sam. 'always a-goin' on about

werdicks and alleybis and that. Who said anything about the

werdick?'

Mr Weller made no reply, but once more shook his head most

learnedly.

Leave off rattlin' that 'ere nob o' yourn, if you don't want it to come off

the springs altogether,' said Sam impatiently, 'and behave reasonable.

I vent all the vay down to the Markis o' Granby, arter you, last night.'

Did you see the Marchioness o' Granby, Sammy?' inquired Mr Weller,

with a sigh.

Yes, I did,' replied Sam.

How wos the dear creetur a-lookin'?'

The Pickwick Papers