However, there was no help for it, and the tea-tray came, with seven

cups and saucers, and bread-and-butter on the same scale. Mrs.

Bardell was unanimously voted into the chair, and Mrs. Rogers being

stationed on her right hand, and Mrs. Raddle on her left, the meal

proceeded with great merriment and success.

'How sweet the country is, to be sure!' sighed Mrs. Rogers; 'I almost

wish I lived in it always.'

Oh, you wouldn't like that, ma'am,' replied Mrs. Bardell, rather

hastily; for it was not at all advisable, with reference to the lodgings,

to encourage such notions; 'you wouldn't like it, ma'am.'

Oh! I should think you was a deal too lively and sought after, to be

content with the country, ma'am,' said little Mrs. Cluppins.

Perhaps I am, ma'am. Perhaps I am,' sighed the first-floor lodger.

For lone people as have got nobody to care for them, or take care of

them, or as have been hurt in their mind, or that kind of thing,'

observed Mr Raddle, plucking up a little cheerfulness, and looking

round, 'the country is all very well. The country for a wounded spirit,

they say.'

Now, of all things in the world that the unfortunate man could have

said, any would have been preferable to this. Of course Mrs. Bardell

burst into tears, and requested to be led from the table instantly;

upon which the affectionate child began to cry too, most dismally.

Would anybody believe, ma'am,' exclaimed Mrs. Raddle, turning

fiercely to the first-floor lodger, 'that a woman could be married to

such a unmanly creetur, which can tamper with a woman's feelings as

he does, every hour in the day, ma'am?'

My dear,' remonstrated Mr Raddle, 'I didn't mean anything, my dear.'

You didn't mean!' repeated Mrs. Raddle, with great scorn and

contempt. 'Go away. I can't bear the sight on you, you brute.'

You must not flurry yourself, Mary Ann,' interposed Mrs. Cluppins.

You really must consider yourself, my dear, which you never do. Now

go away, Raddle, there's a good soul, or you'll only aggravate her.'

You had better take your tea by yourself, Sir, indeed,' said Mrs.

Rogers, again applying the smelling-bottle.

The Pickwick Papers