When they stopped to change at Coventry, the steam ascended from

the horses in such clouds as wholly to obscure the hostler, whose

voice was however heard to declare from the mist, that he expected

the first gold medal from the Humane Society on their next

distribution of rewards, for taking the postboy's hat off; the water

descending from the brim of which, the invisible gentleman declared,

must have drowned him (the postboy), but for his great presence of

mind in tearing it promptly from his head, and drying the gasping

man's countenance with a wisp of straw.

This is pleasant,' said Bob Sawyer, turning up his coat collar, and

pulling the shawl over his mouth to concentrate the fumes of a glass

of brandy just swallowed.

Wery,' replied Sam composedly.

You don't seem to mind it,' observed Bob.

Vy, I don't exactly see no good my mindin' on it 'ud do, sir,' replied

Sam.

'That's an unanswerable reason, anyhow,' said Bob.

Yes, sir,' rejoined Mr Weller. 'Wotever is, is right, as the young

nobleman sweetly remarked wen they put him down in the pension

list 'cos his mother's uncle's vife's grandfather vunce lit the king's pipe

vith a portable tinder-box.' 'Not a bad notion that, Sam,' said Mr Bob

Sawyer approvingly.

Just wot the young nobleman said ev'ry quarter-day arterwards for

the rest of his life,' replied Mr Weller.

'Wos you ever called in,' inquired Sam, glancing at the driver, after a

short silence, and lowering his voice to a mysterious whisper - 'wos

you ever called in, when you wos 'prentice to a sawbones, to wisit a

postboy.'

I don't remember that I ever was,' replied Bob Sawyer.

You never see a postboy in that 'ere hospital as you WALKED (as they

says o' the ghosts), did you?' demanded Sam.

No,' replied Bob Sawyer. 'I don't think I ever did.'

Never know'd a churchyard were there wos a postboy's tombstone, or

see a dead postboy, did you?' inquired Sam, pursuing his catechism.

'No,' rejoined Bob, 'I never did.'

The Pickwick Papers