'Yes, sir, she wos,' replied the elder Mr Weller, not much relishing this

mode of discussing the subject, and yet thinking that the attorney,

from his long intimacy with the late Lord Chancellor, must know best

on all matters of polite breeding. 'She wos a wery fine 'ooman, sir, ven

I first know'd her. She wos a widder, sir, at that time.'

Now, it's curious,' said Pell, looking round with a sorrowful smile;

Mrs. Pell was a widow.'

That's very extraordinary,' said the mottled-faced man.

Well, it is a curious coincidence,' said Pell.

Not at all,' gruffly remarked the elder Mr Weller. 'More widders is

married than single wimin.'

Very good, very good,' said Pell, 'you're quite right, Mr Weller. Mrs.

Pell was a very elegant and accomplished woman; her manners were

the theme of universal admiration in our neighbourhood. I was proud

to see that woman dance; there was something so firm and dignified,

and yet natural, in her motion. Her cutting, gentlemen, was simplicity

itself. Ah! well, well! Excuse my asking the question, Mr Samuel,'

continued the attorney in a lower voice, 'was your mother-in-law tall?'

Not wery,' replied Sam.

Mrs. Pell was a tall figure,' said Pell, 'a splendid woman, with a noble

shape, and a nose, gentlemen, formed to command and be majestic.

She was very much attached to me - very much - highly connected,

too. Her mother's brother, gentlemen, failed for eight hundred pounds,

as a law stationer.'

Vell,' said Mr Weller, who had grown rather restless during this

discussion, 'vith regard to bis'ness.'

The word was music to Pell's ears. He had been revolving in his mind

whether any business was to be transacted, or whether he had been

merely invited to partake of a glass of brandy-and- water, or a bowl of

punch, or any similar professional compliment, and now the doubt

was set at rest without his appearing at all eager for its solution. His

eyes glistened as he laid his hat on the table, and said -

What is the business upon which - um? Either of these gentlemen

wish to go through the court? We require an arrest; a friendly arrest

will do, you know; we are all friends here, I suppose?'

Give me the dockyment, Sammy,' said Mr Weller, taking the will from

his son, who appeared to enjoy the interview amazingly. 'Wot we

rekvire, sir, is a probe o' this here.'

The Pickwick Papers