to button up his master's gaiters - 'this foolish fellow has got himself

arrested, in order to be near me.' 'What!' exclaimed the three friends.

'Yes, gen'l'm'n,' said Sam, 'I'm a - stand steady, sir, if you please - I'm

a prisoner, gen'l'm'n. Con-fined, as the lady said.' 'A prisoner!'

exclaimed Mr Winkle, with unaccountable vehemence.

Hollo, sir!' responded Sam, looking up. 'Wot's the matter, Sir?'

I had hoped, Sam, that - Nothing, nothing,' said Mr Winkle

precipitately.

There was something so very abrupt and unsettled in Mr Winkle's

manner, that Mr Pickwick involuntarily looked at his two friends for

an explanation.

We don't know,' said Mr Tupman, answering this mute appeal aloud.

He has been much excited for two days past, and his whole

demeanour very unlike what it usually is. We feared there must be

something the matter, but he resolutely denies it.'

No, no,' said Mr Winkle, colouring beneath Mr Pickwick's gaze; 'there

is really nothing. I assure you there is nothing, my dear sir. It will be

necessary for me to leave town, for a short time, on private business,

and I had hoped to have prevailed upon you to allow Sam to

accompany me.'

Mr Pickwick looked more astonished than before.

I think,' faltered Mr Winkle, 'that Sam would have had no objection to

do so; but, of course, his being a prisoner here, renders it impossible.

So I must go alone.'

As Mr Winkle said these words, Mr Pickwick felt, with some

astonishment, that Sam's fingers were trembling at the gaiters, as if

he were rather surprised or startled. Sam looked up at Mr Winkle, too,

when he had finished speaking; and though the glance they

exchanged was instantaneous, they seemed to understand each other.

Do you know anything of this, Sam?' said Mr Pickwick sharply.

No, I don't, sir,' replied Mr Weller, beginning to button with

extraordinary assiduity.

'Are you sure, Sam?' said Mr Pickwick.

'Wy, sir,' responded Mr Weller; 'I'm sure so far, that I've never heerd

anythin' on the subject afore this moment. If I makes any guess about

The Pickwick Papers