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Pickwick has
to say.
I came, gentlemen, said Mr. Pickwick, gazing placidly on the
two partners, I came here, gentlemen, to express the surprise with
which I received your letter of the other day, and to inquire what
grounds of action you can have against me.
Grounds of-- Fogg had ejaculated this much, when he was
stopped by Dodson.
Mr. Fogg, said Dodson, I am going to speak.
I beg your pardon, Mr. Dodson, said Fogg.
For the grounds of action, sir, continued Dodson, with moral
elevation in his air, you will consult your own conscience and
your own feelings. We, Sir, we, are guided entirely by the statement
of our client. That statement, Sir, may be true, or it may be
false; it may be credible, or it may be incredible; but, if it be true,
and if it be credible, I do not hesitate to say, Sir, that our grounds
of action, Sir, are strong, and not to be shaken. You may be an
unfortunate man, Sir, or you may be a designing one; but if I were
called upon, as a juryman upon my oath, Sir, to express an
opinion of your conduct, Sir, I do not hesitate to assert that I
should have but one opinion about it. Here Dodson drew himself
up, with an air of offended virtue, and looked at Fogg,
who thrust his hands farther in his pockets, and nodding
his head sagely, said, in a tone of the fullest concurrence,
Most certainly.
Well, Sir, said Mr. Pickwick, with considerable pain depicted
in his countenance, you will permit me to assure you that I am a
most unfortunate man, so far as this case is concerned.
I hope you are, Sir, replied Dodson; I trust you may be, Sir.
If you are really innocent of what is laid to your charge, you are
more unfortunate than I had believed any man could possibly be.
What do you say, Mr. Fogg?
I say precisely what you say, replied Fogg, with a smile
of incredulity.
The writ, Sir, which commences the action, continued
Dodson, was issued regularly. Mr. Fogg, where is the PRAECIPE book?
Here it is, said Fogg, handing over a square book, with a
parchment cover.
Here is the entry, resumed Dodson. "Middlesex, Capias
MARTHA BARDELL, WIDOW, v. SAMUEL PICKWICK. Damages #1500.
Dodson & Fogg for the plaintiff, Aug. 28, 1827." All regular, Sir;
perfectly. Dodson coughed and looked at Fogg, who said
Perfectly, also. And then they both looked at Mr. Pickwick.
I am to understand, then, said Mr. Pickwick, that it really is
your intention to proceed with this action?
Understand, sir!--that you certainly may, replied Dodson,
with something as near a smile as his importance would allow.
And that the damages are actually laid at fifteen hundred pounds?
said Mr. Pickwick.
To which understanding you may add my assurance, that if
we could have prevailed upon our client, they would have been
laid at treble the amount, sir, replied Dodson.
I believe Mrs. Bardell specially said, however, observed Fogg,
glancing at Dodson, that she would not compromise for a
farthing less.
Unquestionably, replied Dodson sternly. For the action was
only just begun; and it wouldnt have done to let Mr. Pickwick
compromise it then, even if he had been so disposed.
As you offer no terms, sir, said Dodson, displaying a slip of
parchment in his right hand, and affectionately pressing a paper
copy of it, on Mr. Pickwick with his left, I had better serve you
with a copy of this writ, sir. Here is the original, sir.
Very well, gentlemen, very well, said Mr. Pickwick, rising in
person and wrath at the same time; you shall hear from my
solicitor, gentlemen.
We shall be very happy to do so, said Fogg, rubbing his hands.
Very, said Dodson, opening the door.
And before I go, gentlemen, said the excited Mr. Pickwick,
turning round on the landing, permit me to say, that of all the
disgraceful and rascally proceedings--
Stay, sir, stay, interposed Dodson, with great politeness.
Mr. Jackson! Mr. Wicks!
Sir, said the two clerks, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.
I merely want you to hear what this gentleman says, replied
Dodson. Pray, go on, sir--disgraceful and rascally proceedings,
I think you said?
I did, said Mr. Pickwick, thoroughly roused. I said, Sir, that
of all the disgraceful and rascally proceedings that ever were
attempted, this is the most so. I repeat it, sir.
You hear that, Mr. Wicks, said Dodson.
You wont forget these expressions, Mr. Jackson? said The Pickwick Papers page 128 The Pickwick Papers page 130 |