Mr Lowten bethought himself, at this juncture, of looking out of the

window. Seeing an open carriage with a hearty old gentleman in it,

looking up very anxiously, he ventured to beckon him; on which, the

old gentleman jumped out directly.

That's your master in the carriage, I suppose?' said Lowten.

The boy nodded.

All further inquiries were superseded by the appearance of old Wardle,

who, running upstairs and just recognising Lowten, passed at once

into Mr Perker's room.

Pickwick!' said the old gentleman. 'Your hand, my boy! Why have I

never heard until the day before yesterday of your suffering yourself to

be cooped up in jail? And why did you let him do it, Perker?'

I couldn't help it, my dear Sir,' replied Perker, with a smile and a

pinch of snuff; 'you know how obstinate he is?'

'Of course I do; of course I do,' replied the old gentleman. 'I am

heartily glad to see him, notwithstanding. I will not lose sight of him

again, in a hurry.'

With these words, Wardle shook Mr Pickwick's hand once more, and,

having done the same by Perker, threw himself into an arm-chair, his

jolly red face shining again with smiles and health.

'Well!' said Wardle. 'Here are pretty goings on - a pinch of your snuff,

Perker, my boy - never were such times, eh?'

What do you mean?' inquired Mr Pickwick.

Mean!' replied Wardle. 'Why, I think the girls are all running mad;

that's no news, you'll say? Perhaps it's not; but it's true, for all that.'

You have not come up to London, of all places in the world, to tell us

that, my dear Sir, have you?' inquired Perker.

No, not altogether,' replied Wardle; 'though it was the main cause of

my coming. How's Arabella?'

'Very well,' replied Mr Pickwick, 'and will be delighted to see you, I am

sure.'

Black-eyed little jilt!' replied Wardle. 'I had a great idea of marrying

her myself, one of these odd days. But I am glad of it too, very glad.'

The Pickwick Papers