Crossing a courtyard which was all noise and bustle, and passing a

couple of porters who seemed dressed to match the red fire engine

which was wheeled away into a corner, they passed into an office

where their business was to be transacted, and where Pell and Mr

Flasher left them standing for a few moments, while they went

upstairs into the Will Office.

Wot place is this here?' whispered the mottled-faced gentleman to the

elder Mr Weller.

'Counsel's Office,' replied the executor in a whisper.

Wot are them gen'l'men a-settin' behind the counters?' asked the

hoarse coachman.

'Reduced counsels, I s'pose,' replied Mr Weller. 'Ain't they the reduced

counsels, Samivel?'

Wy, you don't suppose the reduced counsels is alive, do you?'

inquired Sam, with some disdain.

How should I know?' retorted Mr Weller; 'I thought they looked wery

like it. Wot are they, then?'

Clerks,' replied Sam.

Wot are they all a-eatin' ham sangwidges for?' inquired his father.

'Cos it's in their dooty, I suppose,' replied Sam, 'it's a part o' the

system; they're alvays a-doin' it here, all day long!' Mr Weller and his

friends had scarcely had a moment to reflect upon this singular

regulation as connected with the monetary system of the country,

when they were rejoined by Pell and Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, who led

them to a part of the counter above which was a round blackboard

with a large 'W.' on it.

Wot's that for, Sir?' inquired Mr Weller, directing Pell's attention to

the target in question.

The first letter of the name of the deceased,' replied Pell.

I say,' said Mr Weller, turning round to the umpires, there's somethin'

wrong here. We's our letter - this won't do.'

The referees at once gave it as their decided opinion that the business

could not be legally proceeded with, under the letter W., and in all

probability it would have stood over for one day at least, had it not

been for the prompt, though, at first sight, undutiful behaviour of

The Pickwick Papers