as much as possible, the cloth was removed, bottles, glasses, and

dessert were placed on the table; and the waiters withdrew to 'clear

away,'or in other words, to appropriate to their own private use and

emolument whatever remnants of the eatables and drinkables they

could contrive to lay their hands on.

Amidst the general hum of mirth and conversation that ensued, there

was a little man with a puffy Say-nothing-to-me,-or-I'll- contradict-you

sort of countenance, who remained very quiet; occasionally looking

round him when the conversation slackened, as if he contemplated

putting in something very weighty; and now and then bursting into a

short cough of inexpressible grandeur. At length, during a moment of

comparative silence, the little man called out in a very loud, solemn

voice, -

'Mr Luffey!'

Everybody was hushed into a profound stillness as the individual

addressed, replied -

Sir!'

'I wish to address a few words to you, Sir, if you will entreat the

gentlemen to fill their glasses.'

Mr Jingle uttered a patronising 'Hear, hear,' which was responded to

by the remainder of the company; and the glasses having been filled,

the vice-president assumed an air of wisdom in a state of profound

attention; and said -

Mr Staple.'

Sir,' said the little man, rising, 'I wish to address what I have to say to

you and not to our worthy chairman, because our worthy chairman is

in some measure - I may say in a great degree - the subject of what I

have to say, or I may say to - to - ' 'State,' suggested Mr Jingle.

Yes, to state,' said the little man, 'I thank my honourable friend, if he

will allow me to call him so (four hears and one certainly from Mr

Jingle), for the suggestion. Sir, I am a Deller - a Dingley Deller

(

cheers). I cannot lay claim to the honour of forming an item in the

population of Muggleton; nor, Sir, I will frankly admit, do I covet that

honour: and I will tell you why, Sir (hear); to Muggleton I will readily

concede all these honours and distinctions to which it can fairly lay

claim - they are too numerous and too well known to require aid or

recapitulation from me. But, sir, while we remember that Muggleton

has given birth to a Dumkins and a Podder, let us never forget that

Dingley Dell can boast a Luffey and a Struggles. (Vociferous cheering.)

The Pickwick Papers