once, and only once, to draw a long breath, but without raising his

face from the vessel, which, in a few moments thereafter, he held out

at arm's length, bottom upward. Nothing fell upon the ground but a

few particles of froth, which slowly detached themselves from the rim,

and trickled lazily down.

Well done!' said Sam. 'How do you find yourself arter it?' 'Better, Sir. I

think I am better,' responded Job.

O' course you air,' said Sam argumentatively. 'It's like puttin' gas in a

balloon. I can see with the naked eye that you gets stouter under the

operation. Wot do you say to another o' the same dimensions?'

I would rather not, I am much obliged to you, Sir,' replied Job - 'much

rather not.'

Vell, then, wot do you say to some wittles?' inquired Sam.

Thanks to your worthy governor, Sir,' said Mr Trotter, 'we have half a

leg of mutton, baked, at a quarter before three, with the potatoes

under it to save boiling.'

Wot! Has HE been a-purwidin' for you?' asked Sam emphatically.

He has, Sir,' replied Job. 'More than that, Mr Weller; my master being

very ill, he got us a room - we were in a kennel before - and paid for it,

Sir; and come to look at us, at night, when nobody should know. Mr

Weller,' said Job, with real tears in his eyes, for once, 'I could serve

that gentleman till I fell down dead at his feet.'

I say!' said Sam, 'I'll trouble you, my friend! None o' that!'

Job Trotter looked amazed.

None o' that, I say, young feller,' repeated Sam firmly. 'No man serves

him but me. And now we're upon it, I'll let you into another secret

besides that,' said Sam, as he paid for the beer. 'I never heerd, mind

you, or read of in story-books, nor see in picters, any angel in tights

and gaiters - not even in spectacles, as I remember, though that may

ha' been done for anythin' I know to the contrairey - but mark my

vords, Job Trotter, he's a reg'lar thoroughbred angel for all that; and

let me see the man as wenturs to tell me he knows a better vun.' With

this defiance, Mr Weller buttoned up his change in a side pocket, and,

with many confirmatory nods and gestures by the way, proceeded in

search of the subject of discourse.

They found Mr Pickwick, in company with Jingle, talking very

earnestly, and not bestowing a look on the groups who were

The Pickwick Papers