'Isaac,' said Jackson, as Mrs. Bardell prepared to get in, looking up at

the man with the ash stick, who was seated on the box, smoking a

cigar.

Well?'

This is Mrs. Bardell.'

Oh, I know'd that long ago,' said the man.

Mrs. Bardell got in, Mr Jackson got in after her, and away they drove.

Mrs. Bardell could not help ruminating on what Mr Jackson's friend

had said. Shrewd creatures, those lawyers. Lord bless us, how they

find people out!

Sad thing about these costs of our people's, ain't it,' said Jackson,

when Mrs. Cluppins and Mrs. Sanders had fallen asleep; 'your bill of

costs, I mean.'

'I'm very sorry they can't get them,' replied Mrs. Bardell. 'But if you

law gentlemen do these things on speculation, why you must get a

loss now and then, you know.'

You gave them a COGNOVIT for the amount of your costs, after the

trial, I'm told!' said Jackson.

'Yes. Just as a matter of form,' replied Mrs. Bardell.

Certainly,' replied Jackson drily. 'Quite a matter of form. Quite.'

On they drove, and Mrs. Bardell fell asleep. She was awakened, after

some time, by the stopping of the coach.

'Bless us!' said the lady .'Are we at Freeman's Court?'

'We're not going quite so far,' replied Jackson. 'Have the goodness to

step out.'

Mrs. Bardell, not yet thoroughly awake, complied. It was a curious

place: a large wall, with a gate in the middle, and a gas- light burning

inside.

Now, ladies,' cried the man with the ash stick, looking into the coach,

and shaking Mrs. Sanders to wake her, 'Come!' Rousing her friend,

Mrs. Sanders alighted. Mrs. Bardell, leaning on Jackson's arm, and

leading Tommy by the hand, had already entered the porch. They

followed.

The Pickwick Papers