What papers are those?' inquired Mr Pickwick, as the little man

deposited on the table a small bundle of documents tied with red tape.

The papers in Bardell and Pickwick,' replied Perker, undoing the knot

with his teeth.

Mr Pickwick grated the legs of his chair against the ground; and

throwing himself into it, folded his hands and looked sternly - if Mr

Pickwick ever could look sternly - at his legal friend.

You don't like to hear the name of the cause?' said the little man, still

busying himself with the knot.

No, I do not indeed,' replied Mr Pickwick.

Sorry for that,' resumed Perker, 'because it will form the subject of

our conversation.'

'I would rather that the subject should be never mentioned between

us, Perker,' interposed Mr Pickwick hastily.

'Pooh, pooh, my dear Sir,' said the little man, untying the bundle, and

glancing eagerly at Mr Pickwick out of the corners of his eyes. 'It must

be mentioned. I have come here on purpose. Now, are you ready to

hear what I have to say, my dear Sir? No hurry; if you are not, I can

wait. I have this morning's paper here. Your time shall be mine.

There!' Hereupon, the little man threw one leg over the other, and

made a show of beginning to read with great composure and

application.

Well, well,' said Mr Pickwick, with a sigh, but softening into a smile at

the same time. 'Say what you have to say; it's the old story, I

suppose?'

With a difference, my dear Sir; with a difference,' rejoined Perker,

deliberately folding up the paper and putting it into his pocket again.

Mrs. Bardell, the plaintiff in the action, is within these walls, Sir.'

I know it,' was Mr Pickwick's reply,

Very good,' retorted Perker. 'And you know how she comes here, I

suppose; I mean on what grounds, and at whose suit?'

Yes; at least I have heard Sam's account of the matter,' said Mr

Pickwick, with affected carelessness.

The Pickwick Papers