The officer will be here at four o'clock,' said Mr Pell. 'I suppose you

won't run away meanwhile, eh? Ha! ha!'

P'raps my cruel pa 'ull relent afore then,' replied Sam, with a broad

grin.

Not I,' said the elder Mr Weller.

Do,' said Sam.

Not on no account,' replied the inexorable creditor.

I'll give bills for the amount, at sixpence a month,' said Sam.

I won't take 'em,' said Mr Weller.

Ha, ha, ha! very good, very good,' said Mr Solomon Pell, who was

making out his little bill of costs; 'a very amusing incident indeed!

Benjamin, copy that.' And Mr Pell smiled again, as he called Mr

Weller's attention to the amount.

Thank you, thank you,' said the professional gentleman, taking up

another of the greasy notes as Mr Weller took it from the pocket-book.

Three ten and one ten is five. Much obliged to you, Mr Weller. Your

son is a most deserving young man, very much so indeed, Sir. It's a

very pleasant trait in a young man's character, very much so,' added

Mr Pell, smiling smoothly round, as he buttoned up the money.

Wot a game it is!' said the elder Mr Weller, with a chuckle. 'A reg'lar

prodigy son!'

Prodigal - prodigal son, Sir,' suggested Mr Pell, mildly.

Never mind, Sir,' said Mr Weller, with dignity. 'I know wot's o'clock,

Sir. Wen I don't, I'll ask you, Sir.'

By the time the officer arrived, Sam had made himself so extremely

popular, that the congregated gentlemen determined to see him to

prison in a body. So off they set; the plaintiff and defendant walking

arm in arm, the officer in front, and eight stout coachmen bringing up

the rear. At Serjeant's Inn Coffee-house the whole party halted to

refresh, and, the legal arrangements being completed, the procession

moved on again.

Some little commotion was occasioned in Fleet Street, by the

pleasantry of the eight gentlemen in the flank, who persevered in

walking four abreast; it was also found necessary to leave the mottled-

faced gentleman behind, to fight a ticket-porter, it being arranged that

The Pickwick Papers