| 610 | 611 | 612 | 613 | 614 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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'
Ah!' echoed Mr Smangle, with a long-drawn sigh. 'He's delightful
company, that man is, sir. I don't know better company anywhere; but
he has that one drawback. If the ghost of his grandfather, Sir, was to
rise before him this minute, he'd ask him for the loan of his
acceptance on an eightpenny stamp.' 'Dear me!' exclaimed Mr
Pickwick.
'
Yes,' added Mr Smangle; 'and if he'd the power of raising him again,
he would, in two months and three days from this time, to renew the
bill!'
'Those are very remarkable traits,' said Mr Pickwick; 'but I'm afraid
that while we are talking here, my friends may be in a state of great
perplexity at not finding me.'
'
I'll show 'em the way,' said Smangle, making for the door. 'Good-day. I
won't disturb you while they're here, you know. By the bye - '
As Smangle pronounced the last three words, he stopped suddenly,
reclosed the door which he had opened, and, walking softly back to Mr
Pickwick, stepped close up to him on tiptoe, and said, in a very soft
whisper -
'
You couldn't make it convenient to lend me half-a-crown till the latter
end of next week, could you?'
Mr Pickwick could scarcely forbear smiling, but managing to preserve
his gravity, he drew forth the coin, and placed it in Mr Smangle's
palm; upon which, that gentleman, with many nods and winks,
implying profound mystery, disappeared in quest of the three
strangers, with whom he presently returned; and having coughed
thrice, and nodded as many times, as an assurance to Mr Pickwick
that he would not forget to pay, he shook hands all round, in an
engaging manner, and at length took himself off.
'
My dear friends,' said Mr Pickwick, shaking hands alternately with Mr
Tupman, Mr Winkle, and Mr Snodgrass, who were the three visitors in
question, 'I am delighted to see you.'
The triumvirate were much affected. Mr Tupman shook his head
deploringly, Mr Snodgrass drew forth his handkerchief, with
undisguised emotion; and Mr Winkle retired to the window, and
sniffed aloud.
'Mornin', gen'l'm'n,' said Sam, entering at the moment with the shoes
and gaiters. 'Avay vith melincholly, as the little boy said ven his
schoolmissus died. Velcome to the college, gen'l'm'n.' 'This foolish
fellow,' said Mr Pickwick, tapping Sam on the head as he knelt down
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