Chapter LVII

In Which The Pickwick Club Is Finally Dissolved, And Everything

Concluded To The Satisfaction Of Everybody

For a whole week after the happy arrival of Mr Winkle from

Birmingham, Mr Pickwick and Sam Weller were from home all day

long, only returning just in time for dinner, and then wearing an air of

mystery and importance quite foreign to their natures. It was evident

that very grave and eventful proceedings were on foot; but various

surmises were afloat, respecting their precise character. Some (among

whom was Mr Tupman) were disposed to think that Mr Pickwick

contemplated a matrimonial alliance; but this idea the ladies most

strenuously repudiated. Others rather inclined to the belief that he

had projected some distant tour, and was at present occupied in

effecting the preliminary arrangements; but this again was stoutly

denied by Sam himself, who had unequivocally stated, when cross-

examined by Mary, that no new journeys were to be undertaken. At

length, when the brains of the whole party had been racked for six

long days, by unavailing speculation, it was unanimously resolved

that Mr Pickwick should be called upon to explain his conduct, and to

state distinctly why he had thus absented himself from the society of

his admiring friends.

With this view, Mr Wardle invited the full circle to dinner at the

Adelphi; and the decanters having been thrice sent round, opened the

business.

'We are all anxious to know,' said the old gentleman, 'what we have

done to offend you, and to induce you to desert us and devote yourself

to these solitary walks.'

Are you?' said Mr Pickwick. 'It is singular enough that I had intended

to volunteer a full explanation this very day; so, if you will give me

another glass of wine, I will satisfy your curiosity.'

The decanters passed from hand to hand with unwonted briskness,

and Mr Pickwick, looking round on the faces of his friends with a

cheerful smile, proceeded - 'All the changes that have taken place

among us,' said Mr Pickwick, 'I mean the marriage that HAS taken

place, and the marriage that WILL take place, with the changes they

involve, rendered it necessary for me to think, soberly and at once,

upon my future plans. I determined on retiring to some quiet, pretty

neighbourhood in the vicinity of London; I saw a house which exactly

suited my fancy; I have taken it and furnished it. It is fully prepared

for my reception, and I intend entering upon it at once, trusting that I

may yet live to spend many quiet years in peaceful retirement, cheered

The Pickwick Papers