Sam, who, seizing his father by the skirt of the coat, dragged him to

the counter, and pinned him there, until he had affixed his signature

to a couple of instruments; which, from Mr Weller's habit of printing,

was a work of so much labour and time, that the officiating clerk

peeled and ate three Ribstone pippins while it was performing.

As the elder Mr Weller insisted on selling out his portion forthwith,

they proceeded from the bank to the gate of the Stock Exchange, to

which Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, after a short absence, returned with a

cheque on Smith, Payne, & Smith, for five hundred and thirty pounds;

that being the money to which Mr Weller, at the market price of the

day, was entitled, in consideration of the balance of the second Mrs.

Weller's funded savings. Sam's two hundred pounds stood transferred

to his name, and Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, having been paid his

commission, dropped the money carelessly into his coat pocket, and

lounged back to his office.

Mr Weller was at first obstinately determined on cashing the cheque in

nothing but sovereigns; but it being represented by the umpires that

by so doing he must incur the expense of a small sack to carry them

home in, he consented to receive the amount in five-pound notes.

My son,' said Mr Weller, as they came out of the banking- house - 'my

son and me has a wery partickler engagement this arternoon, and I

should like to have this here bis'ness settled out of hand, so let's jest

go straight avay someveres, vere ve can hordit the accounts.'

A quiet room was soon found, and the accounts were produced and

audited. Mr Pell's bill was taxed by Sam, and some charges were

disallowed by the umpires; but, notwithstanding Mr Pell's declaration,

accompanied with many solemn asseverations that they were really

too hard upon him, it was by very many degrees the best professional

job he had ever had, and one on which he boarded, lodged, and

washed, for six months afterwards.

The umpires having partaken of a dram, shook hands and departed,

as they had to drive out of town that night. Mr Solomon Pell, finding

that nothing more was going forward, either in the eating or drinking

way, took a friendly leave, and Sam and his father were left alone.

There!' said Mr Weller, thrusting his pocket-book in his side pocket.

Vith the bills for the lease, and that, there's eleven hundred and

eighty pound here. Now, Samivel, my boy, turn the horses' heads to

the George and Wulter!'

The Pickwick Papers