doubtful shillin's and sixpenn'orth o' pocket-pieces for a good half-

crown.'

It is indeed,' replied Job, shaking his head. 'There is no deception

now, Mr Weller. Tears,' said Job, with a look of momentary slyness -

tears are not the only proofs of distress, nor the best ones.'

No, they ain't,' replied Sam expressively.

They may be put on, Mr Weller,' said Job.

I know they may,' said Sam; 'some people, indeed, has 'em always

ready laid on, and can pull out the plug wenever they likes.'

'Yes,' replied Job; 'but these sort of things are not so easily

counterfeited, Mr Weller, and it is a more painful process to get them

up.' As he spoke, he pointed to his sallow, sunken cheeks, and,

drawing up his coat sleeve, disclosed an arm which looked as if the

bone could be broken at a touch, so sharp and brittle did it appear,

beneath its thin covering of flesh.

Wot have you been a-doin' to yourself?' said Sam, recoiling.

Nothing,' replied Job.

Nothin'!' echoed Sam.

I have been doin' nothing for many weeks past,' said Job; and eating

and drinking almost as little.'

Sam took one comprehensive glance at Mr Trotter's thin face and

wretched apparel; and then, seizing him by the arm, commenced

dragging him away with great violence.

Where are you going, Mr Weller?' said Job, vainly struggling in the

powerful grasp of his old enemy. 'Come on,' said Sam; 'come on!' He

deigned no further explanation till they reached the tap, and then

called for a pot of porter, which was speedily produced.

Now,' said Sam, 'drink that up, ev'ry drop on it, and then turn the pot

upside down, to let me see as you've took the medicine.'

But, my dear Mr Weller,' remonstrated Job.

Down vith it!' said Sam peremptorily.

Thus admonished, Mr Trotter raised the pot to his lips, and, by gentle

and almost imperceptible degrees, tilted it into the air. He paused

The Pickwick Papers