The landlord took a step or two towards the door; the stranger fixing

his eyes upon him, resumed.

'This,' said the stranger - 'this is gratitude for years of labour and

study in behalf of the masses. I alight wet and weary; no enthusiastic

crowds press forward to greet their champion; the church bells are

silent; the very name elicits no responsive feeling in their torpid

bosoms. It is enough,' said the agitated Mr Slurk, pacing to and fro, 'to

curdle the ink in one's pen, and induce one to abandon their cause for

ever.'

Did you say brandy-and-water, Sir?' said the landlord, venturing a

hint.

'Rum,' said Mr Slurk, turning fiercely upon him. 'Have you got a fire

anywhere?'

We can light one directly, Sir,' said the landlord.

Which will throw out no heat until it is bed-time,' interrupted Mr

Slurk. 'Is there anybody in the kitchen?'

Not a soul. There was a beautiful fire. Everybody had gone, and the

house door was closed for the night.

I will drink my rum-and-water,' said Mr Slurk, 'by the kitchen fire.'

So, gathering up his hat and newspaper, he stalked solemnly behind

the landlord to that humble apartment, and throwing himself on a

settle by the fireside, resumed his countenance of scorn, and began to

read and drink in silent dignity.

Now, some demon of discord, flying over the Saracen's Head at that

moment, on casting down his eyes in mere idle curiosity, happened to

behold Slurk established comfortably by the kitchen fire, and Pott

slightly elevated with wine in another room; upon which the malicious

demon, darting down into the last-mentioned apartment with

inconceivable rapidity, passed at once into the head of Mr Bob

Sawyer, and prompted him for his (the demon's) own evil purpose to

speak as follows: -

'I say, we've let the fire out. It's uncommonly cold after the rain, isn't

it?'

It really is,' replied Mr Pickwick, shivering.

It wouldn't be a bad notion to have a cigar by the kitchen fire, would

it?' said Bob Sawyer, still prompted by the demon aforesaid.

The Pickwick Papers