very calm and agreeable expression of countenance, for some seconds;

finding, however, that it threatened speedily to lead to a result which

would place it beyond his power to claim any wages, board or

otherwise, in all time to come, he muttered an inarticulate

remonstrance and felled Mr Benjamin Allen to the ground. As that

gentleman had his hands entangled in his cravat, he had no

alternative but to follow him to the floor. There they both lay

struggling, when the shop door opened, and the party was increased

by the arrival of two most unexpected visitors, to wit, Mr Pickwick and

Mr Samuel Weller.

The impression at once produced on Mr Weller's mind by what he

saw, was, that Mr Martin was hired by the establishment of Sawyer,

late Nockemorf, to take strong medicine, or to go into fits and be

experimentalised upon, or to swallow poison now and then with the

view of testing the efficacy of some new antidotes, or to do something

or other to promote the great science of medicine, and gratify the

ardent spirit of inquiry burning in the bosoms of its two young

professors. So, without presuming to interfere, Sam stood perfectly

still, and looked on, as if he were mightily interested in the result of

the then pending experiment. Not so, Mr Pickwick. He at once threw

himself on the astonished combatants, with his accustomed energy,

and loudly called upon the bystanders to interpose.

This roused Mr Bob Sawyer, who had been hitherto quite paralysed by

the frenzy of his companion. With that gentleman's assistance, Mr

Pickwick raised Ben Allen to his feet. Mr Martin finding himself alone

on the floor, got up, and looked about him.

Mr Allen,' said Mr Pickwick, 'what is the matter, Sir?'

Never mind, Sir!' replied Mr Allen, with haughty defiance.

What is it?' inquired Mr Pickwick, looking at Bob Sawyer. 'Is he

unwell?'

Before Bob could reply, Mr Ben Allen seized Mr Pickwick by the hand,

and murmured, in sorrowful accents, 'My sister, my dear Sir; my

sister.'

Oh, is that all!' said Mr Pickwick. 'We shall easily arrange that matter,

I hope. Your sister is safe and well, and I am here, my dear Sir, to - '

'Sorry to do anythin' as may cause an interruption to such wery

pleasant proceedin's, as the king said wen he dissolved the

parliament,' interposed Mr Weller, who had been peeping through the

glass door; 'but there's another experiment here, sir. Here's a

The Pickwick Papers