hat, which he still retained on his head, was a hatband measuring

about a yard and a half in length, which hung over the top rail of the

chair and streamed negligently down. Mr Weller was in a very

abstracted and contemplative mood. Notwithstanding that Sam called

him by name several times, he still continued to smoke with the same

fixed and quiet countenance, and was only roused ultimately by his

son's placing the palm of his hand on his shoulder.

Sammy,' said Mr Weller, 'you're welcome.'

I've been a-callin' to you half a dozen times,' said Sam, hanging his

hat on a peg, 'but you didn't hear me.'

No, Sammy,' replied Mr Weller, again looking thoughtfully at the fire.

I was in a referee, Sammy.'

'Wot about?' inquired Sam, drawing his chair up to the fire.

In a referee, Sammy,' replied the elder Mr Weller, 'regarding HER,

Samivel.' Here Mr Weller jerked his head in the direction of Dorking

churchyard, in mute explanation that his words referred to the late

Mrs. Weller.

I wos a-thinkin', Sammy,' said Mr Weller, eyeing his son, with great

earnestness, over his pipe, as if to assure him that however

extraordinary and incredible the declaration might appear, it was

nevertheless calmly and deliberately uttered. 'I wos a-thinkin',

Sammy, that upon the whole I wos wery sorry she wos gone.'

Vell, and so you ought to be,' replied Sam.

Mr Weller nodded his acquiescence in the sentiment, and again

fastening his eyes on the fire, shrouded himself in a cloud, and mused

deeply.

Those wos wery sensible observations as she made, Sammy,' said Mr

Weller, driving the smoke away with his hand, after a long silence.

Wot observations?' inquired Sam.

Them as she made, arter she was took ill,' replied the old gentleman.

Wot was they?'

'Somethin' to this here effect. ‘Veller,’ she says, ‘I'm afeered I've not

done by you quite wot I ought to have done; you're a wery kind-

hearted man, and I might ha' made your home more comfortabler. I

begin to see now,’ she says, ‘ven it's too late, that if a married 'ooman

vishes to be religious, she should begin vith dischargin' her dooties at

The Pickwick Papers