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Elisha Cuthbert Photos Books: Martin Eden The Pickwick Papers The Sea Wolf |
data of a voluminous treatise of great research and deep
learning, which should astonish all the atmospherical wiseacres
that ever drew breath in any part of the civilised globe.
He threw himself back in his easy-chair, wrapped in
contemplations of his future greatness. The mysterious light appeared
more brilliantly than before, dancing, to all appearance, up and
down the lane, crossing from side to side, and moving in an
orbit as eccentric as comets themselves.
The scientific gentleman was a bachelor. He had no wife to call
in and astonish, so he rang the bell for his servant.
Pruffle, said the scientific gentleman, there is something very
extraordinary in the air to-night? Did you see that? said the
scientific gentleman, pointing out of the window, as the light
again became visible.
Yes, I did, Sir.
What do you think of it, Pruffle?
Think of it, Sir?
Yes. You have been bred up in this country. What should you
say was the cause for those lights, now?
The scientific gentleman smilingly anticipated Pruffles reply
that he could assign no cause for them at all. Pruffle meditated.
I should say it was thieves, Sir, said Pruffle at length.
Youre a fool, and may go downstairs, said the scientific gentleman.
Thank you, Sir, said Pruffle. And down he went.
But the scientific gentleman could not rest under the idea of the
ingenious treatise he had projected being lost to the world, which
must inevitably be the case if the speculation of the ingenious
Mr. Pruffle were not stifled in its birth. He put on his hat and
walked quickly down the garden, determined to investigate the
matter to the very bottom.
Now, shortly before the scientific gentleman walked out into
the garden, Mr. Pickwick had run down the lane as fast as he
could, to convey a false alarm that somebody was coming that
way; occasionally drawing back the slide of the dark lantern to
keep himself from the ditch. The alarm was no sooner given,
than Mr. Winkle scrambled back over the wall, and Arabella ran
into the house; the garden gate was shut, and the three adventurers
were making the best of their way down the lane, when
they were startled by the scientific gentleman unlocking his
garden gate.
Hold hard, whispered Sam, who was, of course, the first of
the party. Show a light for just vun second, Sir.
Mr. Pickwick did as he was desired, and Sam, seeing a mans
head peeping out very cautiously within half a yard of his own,
gave it a gentle tap with his clenched fist, which knocked it, with
a hollow sound, against the gate. Having performed this feat with
great suddenness and dexterity, Mr. Weller caught Mr. Pickwick
up on his back, and followed Mr. Winkle down the lane at a pace
which, considering the burden he carried, was perfectly astonishing.
Have you got your vind back agin, Sir, inquired Sam, when
they had reached the end.
Quite. Quite, now, replied Mr. Pickwick.
Then come along, Sir, said Sam, setting his master on his feet
again. Come betveen us, sir. Not half a mile to run. Think youre
vinnin a cup, sir. Now for it.
Thus encouraged, Mr. Pickwick made the very best use of his
legs. It may be confidently stated that a pair of black gaiters
never got over the ground in better style than did those of Mr.
Pickwick on this memorable occasion.
The coach was waiting, the horses were fresh, the roads were
good, and the driver was willing. The whole party arrived in
safety at the Bush before Mr. Pickwick had recovered his breath.
in with you at once, sir, said Sam, as he helped his master out.
Dont stop a second in the street, arter that ere exercise. Beg
your pardon, sir,continued Sam, touching his hat as Mr. Winkle
descended, hope there warnt a priory tachment, sir?
Mr. Winkle grasped his humble friend by the hand, and
whispered in his ear, Its all right, Sam; quite right. Upon which
Mr. Weller struck three distinct blows upon his nose in token of
intelligence, smiled, winked, and proceeded to put the steps up,
with a countenance expressive of lively satisfaction.
As to the scientific gentleman, he demonstrated, in a masterly
treatise, that these wonderful lights were the effect of electricity;
and clearly proved the same by detailing how a flash of fire
danced before his eyes when he put his head out of the gate, and
how he received a shock which stunned The Pickwick Papers page 272 The Pickwick Papers page 274 |