I am at present of a different opinion,' calmly replied Mr Winkle,

senior. 'Once again, gentlemen, I wish you a good-night.'

Mr Pickwick walked with angry strides into the street. Mr Bob Sawyer,

completely quelled by the decision of the old gentleman's manner,

took the same course. Mr Ben Allen's hat rolled down the steps

immediately afterwards, and Mr Ben Allen's body followed it directly.

The whole party went silent and supperless to bed; and Mr Pickwick

thought, just before he fell asleep, that if he had known Mr Winkle,

senior, had been quite so much of a man of business, it was extremely

probable he might never have waited upon him, on such an errand.

The Pickwick Papers