So long as their progress was confined to the streets of Bristol, the

facetious Bob kept his professional green spectacles on, and

conducted himself with becoming steadiness and gravity of

demeanour; merely giving utterance to divers verbal witticisms for the

exclusive behoof and entertainment of Mr Samuel Weller. But when

they emerged on the open road, he threw off his green spectacles and

his gravity together, and performed a great variety of practical jokes,

which were calculated to attract the attention of the passersby, and to

render the carriage and those it contained objects of more than

ordinary curiosity; the least conspicuous among these feats being a

most vociferous imitation of a key-bugle, and the ostentatious display

of a crimson silk pocket-handkerchief attached to a walking-stick,

which was occasionally waved in the air with various gestures

indicative of supremacy and defiance.

I wonder,' said Mr Pickwick, stopping in the midst of a most sedate

conversation with Ben Allen, bearing reference to the numerous good

qualities of Mr Winkle and his sister - 'I wonder what all the people we

pass, can see in us to make them stare so.'

'It's a neat turn-out,' replied Ben Allen, with something of pride in his

tone. 'They're not used to see this sort of thing, every day, I dare say.'

Possibly,' replied Mr Pickwick. 'It may be so. Perhaps it is.'

Mr Pickwick might very probably have reasoned himself into the belief

that it really was, had he not, just then happening to look out of the

coach window, observed that the looks of the passengers betokened

anything but respectful astonishment, and that various telegraphic

communications appeared to be passing between them and some

persons outside the vehicle, whereupon it occurred to him that these

demonstrations might be, in some remote degree, referable to the

humorous deportment of Mr Robert Sawyer.

'I hope,' said Mr Pickwick, 'that our volatile friend is committing no

absurdities in that dickey behind.'

'Oh dear, no,' replied Ben Allen. 'Except when he's elevated, Bob's the

quietest creature breathing.'

Here a prolonged imitation of a key-bugle broke upon the ear,

succeeded by cheers and screams, all of which evidently proceeded

from the throat and lungs of the quietest creature breathing, or in

plainer designation, of Mr Bob Sawyer himself.

Mr Pickwick and Mr Ben Allen looked expressively at each other, and

the former gentleman taking off his hat, and leaning out of the coach

The Pickwick Papers