As Mr Pickwick could by no means be prevailed upon to stay, it was

arranged at once, on his own proposition, that Mr Benjamin Allen

should accompany him on his journey to the elder Mr Winkle's, and

that the coach should be at the door, at nine o'clock next morning. He

then took his leave, and, followed by Samuel Weller, repaired to the

Bush. It is worthy of remark, that Mr Martin's face was horribly

convulsed as he shook hands with Sam at parting, and that he gave

vent to a smile and an oath simultaneously; from which tokens it has

been inferred by those who were best acquainted with that

gentleman's peculiarities, that he expressed himself much pleased

with Mr Weller's society, and requested the honour of his further

acquaintance.

'Shall I order a private room, Sir?' inquired Sam, when they reached

the Bush.

Why, no, Sam,' replied Mr Pickwick; 'as I dined in the coffee-room,

and shall go to bed soon, it is hardly worth while. See who there is in

the travellers' room, Sam.'

Mr Weller departed on his errand, and presently returned to say that

there was only a gentleman with one eye; and that he and the landlord

were drinking a bowl of bishop together.

I will join them,' said Mr Pickwick.

'He's a queer customer, the vun-eyed vun, sir,' observed Mr Weller, as

he led the way. 'He's a-gammonin' that 'ere landlord, he is, sir, till he

don't rightly know wether he's a-standing on the soles of his boots or

the crown of his hat.'

The individual to whom this observation referred, was sitting at the

upper end of the room when Mr Pickwick entered, and was smoking a

large Dutch pipe, with his eye intently fixed on the round face of the

landlord; a jolly-looking old personage, to whom he had recently been

relating some tale of wonder, as was testified by sundry disjointed

exclamations of, 'Well, I wouldn't have believed it! The strangest thing

I ever heard! Couldn't have supposed it possible!' and other

expressions of astonishment which burst spontaneously from his lips,

as he returned the fixed gaze of the one-eyed man.

Servant, sir,' said the one-eyed man to Mr Pickwick. 'Fine night, sir.'

Very much so indeed,' replied Mr Pickwick, as the waiter placed a

small decanter of brandy, and some hot water before him.

The Pickwick Papers