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Elisha Cuthbert Photos Books: Martin Eden The Pickwick Papers The Sea Wolf |
It was
unavailing; he extended his arm towards them, and made another
violent effort. There was a rattling noise in the throat--a glare of
the eye--a short stifled groan--and he fell back--dead!
It would afford us the highest gratification to be enabled to
record Mr. Pickwicks opinion of the foregoing anecdote. We
have little doubt that we should have been enabled to present it
to our readers, but for a most unfortunate occurrence.
Mr. Pickwick had replaced on the table the glass which, during
the last few sentences of the tale, he had retained in his hand;
and had just made up his mind to speak--indeed, we have the
authority of Mr. Snodgrasss note-book for stating, that he had
actually opened his mouth--when the waiter entered the room,
and said--
Some gentlemen, Sir.
It has been conjectured that Mr. Pickwick was on the point of
delivering some remarks which would have enlightened the
world, if not the Thames, when he was thus interrupted; for he
gazed sternly on the waiters countenance, and then looked round
on the company generally, as if seeking for information relative
to the new-comers.
Oh! said Mr. Winkle, rising, some friends of mine--show
them in. Very pleasant fellows, added Mr. Winkle, after the
waiter had retired--officers of the 97th, whose acquaintance I
made rather oddly this morning. You will like them very much.
Mr. Pickwicks equanimity was at once restored. The waiter
returned, and ushered three gentlemen into the room.
Lieutenant Tappleton, said Mr. Winkle, Lieutenant Tappleton,
Mr. Pickwick--Doctor Payne, Mr. Pickwick--Mr. Snodgrass
you have seen before, my friend Mr. Tupman, Doctor
Payne--Doctor Slammer, Mr. Pickwick--Mr. Tupman, Doctor
Slam--
Here Mr. Winkle suddenly paused; for strong emotion was
visible on the countenance both of Mr. Tupman and the doctor.
I have met THIS gentleman before, said the Doctor, with
marked emphasis.
Indeed! said Mr. Winkle.
And--and that person, too, if I am not mistaken, said the
doctor, bestowing a scrutinising glance on the green-coated
stranger. I think I gave that person a very pressing invitation last
night, which he thought proper to decline. Saying which the
doctor scowled magnanimously on the stranger, and whispered
his friend Lieutenant Tappleton.
You dont say so, said that gentleman, at the conclusion of
the whisper.
I do, indeed, replied Doctor Slammer.
You are bound to kick him on the spot, murmured the
owner of the camp-stool, with great importance.
Do be quiet, Payne, interposed the lieutenant. Will you
allow me to ask you, sir, he said, addressing Mr. Pickwick, who
was considerably mystified by this very unpolite by-play--will
you allow me to ask you, Sir, whether that person belongs to your party?
No, Sir, replied Mr. Pickwick, he is a guest of ours.
He is a member of your club, or I am mistaken? said the
lieutenant inquiringly.
Certainly not, responded Mr. Pickwick.
And never wears your club-button? said the lieutenant.
No--never! replied the astonished Mr. Pickwick.
Lieutenant Tappleton turned round to his friend Doctor
Slammer, with a scarcely perceptible shrug of the shoulder, as if
implying some doubt of the accuracy of his recollection. The little
doctor looked wrathful, but confounded; and Mr. Payne gazed
with a ferocious aspect on the beaming countenance of the
unconscious Pickwick.
Sir, said the doctor, suddenly addressing Mr. Tupman, in a
tone which made that gentleman start as perceptibly as if a pin
had been cunningly inserted in the calf of his leg, you were at the
ball here last night!
Mr. Tupman gasped a faint affirmative, looking very hard at
Mr. Pickwick all the while.
That person was your companion, said the doctor, pointing
to the still unmoved stranger.
Mr. Tupman admitted the fact.
Now, sir, said the doctor to the stranger, I ask you once
again, in the presence of these gentlemen, whether you choose to
give me your card, and to receive the treatment of a gentleman;
or whether you impose upon me the necessity of personally
chastising you on the spot?
Stay, sir, said Mr. Pickwick, I really cannot allow this matter
to go any further without some explanation. Tupman, recount the
circumstances.
Mr. Tupman, thus solemnly adjured, stated the case in a few
words; touched slightly on the borrowing of the coat; expatiated
largely on its having been done after dinner; wound up with a
little penitence on his own account; and left the stranger to clear
himself as best he could.
He was apparently about to proceed to do so, when Lieutenant
Tappleton, who had been eyeing him with great curiosity, said
with considerable scorn, Havent I seen you at the theatre, Sir?
Certainly, replied the unabashed stranger.
He is a strolling actor! said the lieutenant The Pickwick Papers page 19 The Pickwick Papers page 21 |