as brief as possible, and be content that, for their own sakes, they will

not expose themselves.'

As he comforted himself with these reflections, the chaise stopped at

the door of the Old Royal. Ben Allen having been partially awakened

from a stupendous sleep, and dragged out by the collar by Mr Samuel

Weller, Mr Pickwick was enabled to alight. They were shown to a

comfortable apartment, and Mr Pickwick at once propounded a

question to the waiter concerning the whereabout of Mr Winkle's

residence.

Close by, Sir,' said the waiter, 'not above five hundred yards, Sir. Mr

Winkle is a wharfinger, Sir, at the canal, sir. Private residence is not -

oh dear, no, sir, not five hundred yards, sir.' Here the waiter blew a

candle out, and made a feint of lighting it again, in order to afford Mr

Pickwick an opportunity of asking any further questions, if he felt so

disposed. 'Take anything now, Sir?' said the waiter, lighting the candle

in desperation at Mr Pickwick's silence. 'Tea or coffee, Sir? Dinner,

sir?'

Nothing now.'

Very good, sir. Like to order supper, Sir?'

Not just now.'

Very good, Sir.' Here, he walked slowly to the door, and then stopping

short, turned round and said, with great suavity -

Shall I send the chambermaid, gentlemen?'

You may if you please,' replied Mr Pickwick.

If YOU please, sir.'

And bring some soda-water,' said Bob Sawyer.

Soda-water, Sir! Yes, Sir.' With his mind apparently relieved from an

overwhelming weight, by having at last got an order for something, the

waiter imperceptibly melted away. Waiters never walk or run. They

have a peculiar and mysterious power of skimming out of rooms,

which other mortals possess not.

Some slight symptoms of vitality having been awakened in Mr Ben

Allen by the soda-water, he suffered himself to be prevailed upon to

wash his face and hands, and to submit to be brushed by Sam. Mr

Pickwick and Bob Sawyer having also repaired the disorder which the

journey had made in their apparel, the three started forth, arm in

The Pickwick Papers