WATCH Hottest Scene of Elisha Cuthbert  CLICK HERE for Instant Access Elisha Cuthbert Photos |
Elisha Cuthbert Photos Books: Martin Eden The Pickwick Papers The Sea Wolf |
at which hour he regularly condensed himself
into the limits of a dwarfish French bedstead in the back parlour;
and the infantine sports and gymnastic exercises of Master
Bardell were exclusively confined to the neighbouring pavements
and gutters. Cleanliness and quiet reigned throughout the house;
and in it Mr. Pickwicks will was law.
To any one acquainted with these points of the domestic
economy of the establishment, and conversant with the admirable
regulation of Mr. Pickwicks mind, his appearance and behaviour
on the morning previous to that which had been fixed upon for
the journey to Eatanswill would have been most mysterious and
unaccountable. He paced the room to and fro with hurried steps,
popped his head out of the window at intervals of about three
minutes each, constantly referred to his watch, and exhibited
many other manifestations of impatience very unusual with him.
It was evident that something of great importance was in
contemplation, but what that something was, not even Mrs. Bardell
had been enabled to discover.
Mrs. Bardell, said Mr. Pickwick, at last, as that amiable
female approached the termination of a prolonged dusting of the
apartment.
Sir, said Mrs. Bardell.
Your little boy is a very long time gone.
Why its a good long way to the Borough, sir, remonstrated
Mrs. Bardell.
Ah, said Mr. Pickwick, very true; so it is.
Mr. Pickwick relapsed into silence, and Mrs. Bardell resumed
her dusting.
Mrs. Bardell, said Mr. Pickwick, at the expiration of a few minutes.
Sir, said Mrs. Bardell again.
Do you think it a much greater expense to keep two people,
than to keep one?
La, Mr. Pickwick, said Mrs. Bardell, colouring up to the very
border of her cap, as she fancied she observed a species of
matrimonial twinkle in the eyes of her lodger; La, Mr. Pickwick,
what a question!
Well, but do you? inquired Mr. Pickwick.
That depends, said Mrs. Bardell, approaching the duster very
near to Mr. Pickwicks elbow which was planted on the table.
that depends a good deal upon the person, you know, Mr.
Pickwick; and whether its a saving and careful person, sir.
Thats very true, said Mr. Pickwick, but the person I have in
my eye (here he looked very hard at Mrs. Bardell) I think
possesses these qualities; and has, moreover, a considerable
knowledge of the world, and a great deal of sharpness, Mrs.
Bardell, which may be of material use to me.
La, Mr. Pickwick, said Mrs. Bardell, the crimson rising to her
cap-border again.
I do, said Mr. Pickwick, growing energetic, as was his wont
in speaking of a subject which interested him--I do, indeed; and
to tell you the truth, Mrs. Bardell, I have made up my mind.
Dear me, sir,exclaimed Mrs. Bardell.
Youll think it very strange now, said the amiable Mr.
Pickwick, with a good-humoured glance at his companion, that
I never consulted you about this matter, and never even mentioned
it, till I sent your little boy out this morning--eh?
Mrs. Bardell could only reply by a look. She had long worshipped
Mr. Pickwick at a distance, but here she was, all at once,
raised to a pinnacle to which her wildest and most extravagant
hopes had never dared to aspire. Mr. Pickwick was going to
propose--a deliberate plan, too--sent her little boy to the
Borough, to get him out of the way--how thoughtful--how considerate!
Well, said Mr. Pickwick, what do you think?
Oh, Mr. Pickwick, said Mrs. Bardell, trembling with agitation,
youre very kind, sir.
Itll save you a good deal of trouble, wont it? said Mr. Pickwick.
Oh, I never thought anything of the trouble, sir, replied
Mrs. Bardell; and, of course, I should take more trouble to
please you then, than ever; but it is so kind of you, Mr. Pickwick,
to have so much consideration for my loneliness.
Ah, to be sure, said Mr. Pickwick; I never thought of that.
When I am in town, youll always have somebody to sit with you.
To be sure, so you will.
I am sure I ought to be a very happy woman, said Mrs. Bardell.
And your little boy-- said Mr. Pickwick.
Bless his heart! interposed Mrs. Bardell, with a maternal sob.
He, too, will have a companion, resumed Mr. Pickwick, a
lively one, wholl teach him, Ill be bound, more tricks in a week
than he would ever learn in a year. And Mr. Pickwick smiled placidly.
Oh, you dear-- said Mrs. Bardell.
Mr. Pickwick started.
Oh, you kind, good, playful dear, said Mrs. Bardell; and
without more ado, she rose from her chair, and flung her arms
round Mr. Pickwicks neck, with a cataract of The Pickwick Papers page 73 The Pickwick Papers page 75 |