have an opportunity of providing for him so well. I am. Of course I

am.'

Mr Pickwick had been so absorbed in these reflections, that a knock

at the door was three or four times repeated before he heard it. Hastily

seating himself, and calling up his accustomed pleasant looks, he

gave the required permission, and Sam Weller entered, followed by his

father.

Glad to see you back again, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick. 'How do you do,

Mr Weller?'

Wery hearty, thank'ee, sir,' replied the widower; 'hope I see you well,

sir.'

'Quite, I thank you,' replied Mr Pickwick.

I wanted to have a little bit o' conwersation with you, sir,' said Mr

Weller, 'if you could spare me five minits or so, sir.'

Certainly,' replied Mr Pickwick. 'Sam, give your father a chair.'

Thank'ee, Samivel, I've got a cheer here,' said Mr Weller, bringing one

forward as he spoke; 'uncommon fine day it's been, sir,' added the old

gentleman, laying his hat on the floor as he sat himself down.

Remarkably so, indeed,' replied Mr Pickwick. 'Very seasonable.'

Seasonablest veather I ever see, sir,' rejoined Mr Weller. Here, the old

gentleman was seized with a violent fit of coughing, which, being

terminated, he nodded his head and winked and made several

supplicatory and threatening gestures to his son, all of which Sam

Weller steadily abstained from seeing.

Mr Pickwick, perceiving that there was some embarrassment on the

old gentleman's part, affected to be engaged in cutting the leaves of a

book that lay beside him, and waited patiently until Mr Weller should

arrive at the object of his visit.

I never see sich a aggrawatin' boy as you are, Samivel,' said Mr

Weller, looking indignantly at his son; 'never in all my born days.'

What is he doing, Mr Weller?' inquired Mr Pickwick.

He von't begin, sir,' rejoined Mr Weller; 'he knows I ain't ekal to ex-

pressin' myself ven there's anythin' partickler to be done, and yet he'll

stand and see me a-settin' here taking up your walable time, and

makin' a reg'lar spectacle o' myself, rayther than help me out vith a

The Pickwick Papers