Chapter LXIV

Treats Of Divers Little Matters Which Occurred In The Fleet, And

Of Mr Winkle's Mysterious Behaviour; And Shows How The Poor

Chancery Prisoner Obtained His Release At Last

Mr Pickwick felt a great deal too much touched by the warmth of

Sam's attachment, to be able to exhibit any manifestation of anger or

displeasure at the precipitate course he had adopted, in voluntarily

consigning himself to a debtor's prison for an indefinite period. The

only point on which he persevered in demanding an explanation, was,

the name of Sam's detaining creditor; but this Mr Weller as

perseveringly withheld.

It ain't o' no use, sir,' said Sam, again and again; 'he's a malicious,

bad-disposed, vorldly-minded, spiteful, windictive creetur, with a hard

heart as there ain't no soft'nin', as the wirtuous clergyman remarked

of the old gen'l'm'n with the dropsy, ven he said, that upon the whole

he thought he'd rayther leave his property to his vife than build a

chapel vith it.'

'But consider, Sam,' Mr Pickwick remonstrated, 'the sum is so small

that it can very easily be paid; and having made up My mind that you

shall stop with me, you should recollect how much more useful you

would be, if you could go outside the walls.' 'Wery much obliged to

you, sir,' replied Mr Weller gravely; 'but I'd rayther not.'

'Rather not do what, Sam?'

Wy, I'd rayther not let myself down to ask a favour o' this here

unremorseful enemy.'

But it is no favour asking him to take his money, Sam,' reasoned Mr

Pickwick.

Beg your pardon, sir,' rejoined Sam, 'but it 'ud be a wery great favour

to pay it, and he don't deserve none; that's where it is, sir.'

Here Mr Pickwick, rubbing his nose with an air of some vexation, Mr

Weller thought it prudent to change the theme of the discourse.

I takes my determination on principle, Sir,' remarked Sam, 'and you

takes yours on the same ground; wich puts me in mind o' the man as

killed his-self on principle, wich o' course you've heerd on, Sir.' Mr

Weller paused when he arrived at this point, and cast a comical look

at his master out of the corners of his eyes.

The Pickwick Papers