IS CHIEFLY DEVOTED1 TO MATTERS OFBUSINESS, AND THE TEMPORAL ADVANTAGEOF DODSON AND FOGG―Mr. WINKLEREAPPEARS UNDER EXTRAORDINARYCIRCUMSTANCES―Mr. PICKWICK’SBENEVOLENCE PROVES STRONGER THANHIS OBSTINACYob Trotter, abating3 nothing of his speed, ran up Holborn,sometimes in the middle of the road, sometimes on thepavement, sometimes in the gutter4, as the chances of gettingalong varied5 with the press of men, women, children, and coaches,in each division of the thoroughfare, and, regardless of allobstacles stopped not for an instant until he reached the gate ofGray’s Inn. Notwithstanding all the expedition he had used,however, the gate had been closed a good half-hour when hereached it, and by the time he had discovered Mr. Perker’slaundress, who lived with a married daughter, who had bestowedher hand upon a non-resident waiter, who occupied the one-pairof some number in some street closely adjoining to some brewerysomewhere behind Gray’s Inn Lane, it was within fifteen minutesof closing the prison for the night. Mr. Lowten had still to beferreted out from the back parlour of the Magpie8 and Stump9; andJob had scarcely accomplished10 this object, and communicatedSam Weller’s message, when the clock struck ten.
‘There,’ said Lowten, ‘it’s too late now. You can’t get in to-night;you’ve got the key of the street, my friend.’
‘Never mind me,’ replied Job. ‘I can sleep anywhere. But won’tit be better to see Mr. Perker to-night, so that we may be there, thefirst thing in the morning?’
‘Why,’ responded Lowten, after a little consideration, ‘if it wasin anybody else’s case, Perker wouldn’t be best pleased at mygoing up to his house; but as it’s Mr. Pickwick’s, I think I mayventure to take a cab and charge it to the office.’ Deciding on thisline of conduct, Mr. Lowten took up his hat, and begging theassembled company to appoint a deputy-chairman during histemporary absence, led the way to the nearest coach-stand.
Summoning the cab of most promising12 appearance, he directedthe driver to repair to Montague Place, Russell Square.
Mr. Perker had had a dinner-party that day, as was testified bythe appearance of lights in the drawing-room windows, the soundof an improved grand piano, and an improvable cabinet voiceissuing therefrom, and a rather overpowering smell of meat whichpervaded the steps and entry. In fact, a couple of very goodcountry agencies happening to come up to town, at the same time,an agreeable little party had been got together to meet them,comprising Mr. Snicks, the Life Office Secretary, Mr. Prosee, theeminent counsel, three solicitors14, one commissioner15 of bankrupts,a special pleader from the Temple, a small-eyed peremptoryyoung gentleman, his pupil, who had written a lively book aboutthe law of demises16, with a vast quantity of marginal notes andreferences; and several other eminent13 and distinguishedpersonages. From this society, little Mr. Perker detached himself,on his clerk being announced in a whisper; and repairing to thedining-room, there found Mr. Lowten and Job Trotter lookingvery dim and shadowy by the light of a kitchen candle, which thegentleman who condescended17 to appear in plush shorts andcottons for a quarterly stipend18, had, with a becoming contempt forthe clerk and all things appertaining to ‘the office,’ placed uponthe table.
‘Now, Lowten,’ said little Mr. Perker, shutting the door, ‘what’sthe matter? No important letter come in a parcel, is there?’
‘No, sir,’ replied Lowten. ‘This is a messenger from Mr.
Pickwick, sir.’
‘From Pickwick, eh?’ said the little man, turning quickly to Job.
‘Well, what is it?’
‘Dodson and Fogg have taken Mrs. Bardell in execution for hercosts, sir,’ said Job.
‘No!’ exclaimed Perker, putting his hands in his pockets, andreclining against the sideboard.
‘Yes,’ said Job. ‘It seems they got a cognovit out of her, for theamount of ’em, directly after the trial.’
‘By Jove!’ said Perker, taking both hands out of his pockets,and striking the knuckles19 of his right against the palm of his left,emphatically, ‘those are the cleverest scamps I ever had anythingto do with!’
‘The sharpest practitioners20 I ever knew, sir,’ observed Lowten.
‘Sharp!’ echoed Perker. ‘There’s no knowing where to havethem.’
‘Very true, sir, there is not,’ replied Lowten; and then, bothmaster and man pondered for a few seconds, with animatedcountenances, as if they were reflecting upon one of the mostbeautiful and ingenious discoveries that the intellect of man hadever made. When they had in some measure recovered from theirtrance of admiration22, Job Trotter discharged himself of the rest ofhis commission. Perker nodded his head thoughtfully, and pulledout his watch.
‘At ten precisely23, I will be there,’ said the little man. ‘Sam isquite right. Tell him so. Will you take a glass of wine, Lowten?’
‘No, thank you, sir.’
‘You mean yes, I think,’ said the little man, turning to thesideboard for a decanter and glasses.
As Lowten did mean yes, he said no more on the subject, butinquired of Job, in an audible whisper, whether the portrait ofPerker, which hung opposite the fireplace, wasn’t a wonderfullikeness, to which Job of course replied that it was. The wine beingby this time poured out, Lowten drank to Mrs. Perker and thechildren, and Job to Perker. The gentleman in the plush shortsand cottons considering it no part of his duty to show the peoplefrom the office out, consistently declined to answer the bell, andthey showed themselves out. The attorney betook himself to hisdrawing-room, the clerk to the Magpie and Stump, and Job toCovent Garden Market to spend the night in a vegetable basket.
Punctually at the appointed hour next morning, the good-humoured little attorney tapped at Mr. Pickwick’s door, which wasopened with great alacrity24 by Sam Weller.
‘Mr. Perker, sir,’ said Sam, announcing the visitor to Mr.
Pickwick, who was sitting at the window in a thoughtful attitude.
‘Wery glad you’ve looked in accidentally, sir. I rather think thegov’nor wants to have a word and a half with you, sir.’
Perker bestowed6 a look of intelligence on Sam, intimating thathe understood he was not to say he had been sent for; andbeckoning him to approach, whispered briefly26 in his ear.
‘You don’t mean that ’ere, sir?’ said Sam, starting back inexcessive surprise.
Perker nodded and smiled.
Mr. Samuel Weller looked at the little lawyer, then at Mr.
Pickwick, then at the ceiling, then at Perker again; grinned,laughed outright27, and finally, catching28 up his hat from the carpet,without further explanation, disappeared.
‘What does this mean?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick, looking atPerker with astonishment29. ‘What has put Sam into thisextraordinary state?’
‘Oh, nothing, nothing,’ replied Perker. ‘Come, my dear sir, drawup your chair to the table. I have a good deal to say to you.’
‘What papers are those?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick, as the littleman deposited on the table a small bundle of documents tied withred tape.
‘The papers in Bardell and Pickwick,’ replied Perker, undoingthe knot with his teeth.
Mr. Pickwick grated the legs of his chair against the ground;and throwing himself into it, folded his hands and looked sternly―if Mr. Pickwick ever could look sternly―at his legal friend.
‘You don’t like to hear the name of the cause?’ said the littleman, still busying himself with the knot.
‘No, I do not indeed,’ replied Mr. Pickwick.
‘Sorry for that,’ resumed Perker, ‘because it will form thesubject of our conversation.’
‘I would rather that the subject should be never mentionedbetween us, Perker,’ interposed Mr. Pickwick hastily.
‘Pooh, pooh, my dear sir,’ said the little man, untying30 the bundle, and glancing eagerly at Mr. Pickwick out of the corners ofhis eyes. ‘It must be mentioned. I have come here on purpose.
Now, are you ready to hear what I have to say, my dear sir? Nohurry; if you are not, I can wait. I have this morning’s paper here.
Your time shall be mine. There!’ Hereupon, the little man threwone leg over the other, and made a show of beginning to read withgreat composure and application.
‘Well, well,’ said Mr. Pickwick, with a sigh, but softening31 into asmile at the same time. ‘Say what you have to say; it’s the oldstory, I suppose?’
‘With a difference, my dear sir; with a difference,’ rejoinedPerker, deliberately32 folding up the paper and putting it into hispocket again. ‘Mrs. Bardell, the plaintiff in the action, is withinthese walls, sir.’
‘I know it,’ was Mr. Pickwick’s reply,‘Very good,’ retorted Perker. ‘And you know how she comeshere, I suppose; I mean on what grounds, and at whose suit?’
‘Yes; at least I have heard Sam’s account of the matter,’ saidMr. Pickwick, with affected33 carelessness.
‘Sam’s account of the matter,’ replied Perker, ‘is, I will ventureto say, a perfectly34 correct one. Well now, my dear sir, the firstquestion I have to ask, is, whether this woman is to remain here?’
‘To remain here!’ echoed Mr. Pickwick.
‘To remain here, my dear sir,’ rejoined Perker, leaning back inhis chair and looking steadily35 at his client.
‘How can you ask me?’ said that gentleman. ‘It rests withDodson and Fogg; you know that very well.’
‘I know nothing of the kind,’ retorted Perker firmly. ‘It does notrest with Dodson and Fogg; you know the men, my dear sir, aswell as I do. It rests solely36, wholly, and entirely37 with you.’
‘With me!’ ejaculated Mr. Pickwick, rising nervously38 from hischair, and reseating himself directly afterwards.
The little man gave a double-knock on the lid of his snuff-box,opened it, took a great pinch, shut it up again, and repeated thewords, ‘With you.’
‘I say, my dear sir,’ resumed the little man, who seemed togather confidence from the snuff―‘I say, that her speedyliberation or perpetual imprisonment39 rests with you, and with youalone. Hear me out, my dear sir, if you please, and do not be sovery energetic, for it will only put you into a perspiration40 and dono good whatever. I say,’ continued Perker, checking off eachposition on a different finger, as he laid it down―‘I say thatnobody but you can rescue her from this den7 of wretchedness; andthat you can only do that, by paying the costs of this suit―both ofplaintive and defendant―into the hands of these Freeman Courtsharks. Now pray be quiet, my dear sir.’
Mr. Pickwick, whose face had been undergoing most surprisingchanges during this speech, and was evidently on the verge41 of astrong burst of indignation, calmed his wrath42 as well as he could.
Perker, strengthening his argumentative powers with anotherpinch of snuff, proceeded―‘I have seen the woman, this morning. By paying the costs, youcan obtain a full release and discharge from the damages; andfurther―this I know is a far greater object of consideration withyou, my dear sir―a voluntary statement, under her hand, in theform of a letter to me, that this business was, from the very first,fomented, and encouraged, and brought about, by these men,Dodson and Fogg; that she deeply regrets ever having been theinstrument of annoyance43 or injury to you; and that she entreatsme to intercede44 with you, and implore45 your pardon.’
‘If I pay her costs for her,’ said Mr. Pickwick indignantly. ‘Avaluable document, indeed!’
‘No “if” in the case, my dear sir,’ said Perker triumphantly46.
‘There is the very letter I speak of. Brought to my office by anotherwoman at nine o’clock this morning, before I had set foot in thisplace, or held any communication with Mrs. Bardell, upon myhonour.’ Selecting the letter from the bundle, the little lawyer laidit at Mr. Pickwick’s elbow, and took snuff for two consecutiveminutes, without winking47.
‘Is this all you have to say to me?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick mildly.
‘Not quite,’ replied Perker. ‘I cannot undertake to say, at thismoment, whether the wording of the cognovit, the nature of theostensible consideration, and the proof we can get together aboutthe whole conduct of the suit, will be sufficient to justify48 anindictment for conspiracy49. I fear not, my dear sir; they are tooclever for that, I doubt. I do mean to say, however, that the wholefacts, taken together, will be sufficient to justify you, in the mindsof all reasonable men. And now, my dear sir, I put it to you. Thisone hundred and fifty pounds, or whatever it may be―take it inround numbers―is nothing to you. A jury had decided50 againstyou; well, their verdict is wrong, but still they decided as theythought right, and it is against you. You have now an opportunity,on easy terms, of placing yourself in a much higher position thanyou ever could, by remaining here; which would only be imputed,by people who didn’t know you, to sheer dogged, wrongheaded,brutal obstinacy2; nothing else, my dear sir, believe me. Can youhesitate to avail yourself of it, when it restores you to your friends,your old pursuits, your health and amusements; when it liberatesyour faithful and attached servant, whom you otherwise doom51 toimprisonment for the whole of your life; and above all, when itenables you to take the very magnanimous revenge―which Iknow, my dear sir, is one after your own heart―of releasing thiswoman from a scene of misery52 and debauchery, to which no manshould ever be consigned53, if I had my will, but the infliction54 ofwhich on any woman, is even more frightful55 and barbarous. Now Iask you, my dear sir, not only as your legal adviser56, but as yourvery true friend, will you let slip the occasion of attaining57 all theseobjects, and doing all this good, for the paltry58 consideration of afew pounds finding their way into the pockets of a couple ofrascals, to whom it makes no manner of difference, except that themore they gain, the more they’ll seek, and so the sooner be led intosome piece of knavery59 that must end in a crash? I have put theseconsiderations to you, my dear sir, very feebly and imperfectly, butI ask you to think of them. Turn them over in your mind as long asyou please. I wait here most patiently for your answer.’
Before Mr. Pickwick could reply, before Mr. Perker had takenone twentieth part of the snuff with which so unusually long anaddress imperatively60 required to be followed up, there was a lowmurmuring of voices outside, and then a hesitating knock at thedoor.
‘Dear, dear,’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, who had been evidentlyroused by his friend’s appeal; ‘what an annoyance that door is!
Who is that?’
‘Me, sir,’ replied Sam Weller, putting in his head.
‘I can’t speak to you just now, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘I amengaged at this moment, Sam.’
‘Beg your pardon, sir,’ rejoined Mr. Weller. ‘But here’s a ladyhere, sir, as says she’s somethin’ wery partickler to disclose.’
‘I can’t see any lady,’ replied Mr. Pickwick, whose mind wasfilled with visions of Mrs. Bardell.
‘I wouldn’t make too sure o’ that, sir,’ urged Mr. Weller, shakinghis head. ‘If you know’d who was near, sir, I rayther think you’dchange your note; as the hawk61 remarked to himself vith a cheerfullaugh, ven he heerd the robin-redbreast a-singin’ round thecorner.’
‘Who is it?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘Will you see her, sir?’ asked Mr. Weller, holding the door in hishand as if he had some curious live animal on the other side.
‘I suppose I must,’ said Mr. Pickwick, looking at Perker.
‘Well then, all in to begin!’ cried Sam. ‘Sound the gong, draw upthe curtain, and enter the two conspiraytors.’
As Sam Weller spoke62, he threw the door open, and there rushedtumultuously into the room, Mr. Nathaniel Winkle, leading afterhim by the hand, the identical young lady who at Dingley Dell hadworn the boots with the fur round the tops, and who, now a verypleasing compound of blushes and confusion, and lilac silk, and asmart bonnet63, and a rich lace veil, looked prettier than ever.
‘Miss Arabella Allen!’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, rising from hischair.
‘No,’ replied Mr. Winkle, dropping on his knees. ‘Mrs. Winkle.
Pardon, my dear friend, pardon!’
Mr. Pickwick could scarcely believe the evidence of his senses,and perhaps would not have done so, but for the corroborativetestimony afforded by the smiling countenance21 of Perker, and thebodily presence, in the background, of Sam and the prettyhousemaid; who appeared to contemplate64 the proceedings65 withthe liveliest satisfaction.
‘Oh, Mr. Pickwick!’ said Arabella, in a low voice, as if alarmed atthe silence. ‘Can you forgive my imprudence?’
Mr. Pickwick returned no verbal response to this appeal; but hetook off his spectacles in great haste, and seizing both the younglady’s hands in his, kissed her a great number of times―perhaps agreater number than was absolutely necessary―and then, stillretaining one of her hands, told Mr. Winkle he was an audaciousyoung dog, and bade him get up. This, Mr. Winkle, who had beenfor some seconds scratching his nose with the brim of his hat, in apenitent manner, did; whereupon Mr. Pickwick slapped him onthe back several times, and then shook hands heartily67 with Perker,who, not to be behind-hand in the compliments of the occasion,saluted both the bride and the pretty housemaid with right good-will, and, having wrung68 Mr, Winkle’s hand most cordially, woundup his demonstrations69 of joy by taking snuff enough to set anyhalf-dozen men with ordinarily-constructed noses, a-sneezing forlife. ‘Why, my dear girl,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘how has all this comeabout? Come! Sit down, and let me hear it all. How well she looks,doesn’t she, Perker?’ added Mr. Pickwick, surveying Arabella’sface with a look of as much pride and exultation70, as if she had beenhis daughter.
‘Delightful, my dear sir,’ replied the little man. ‘If I were not amarried man myself, I should be disposed to envy you, you dog.’
Thus expressing himself, the little lawyer gave Mr. Winkle a pokein the chest, which that gentleman reciprocated71; after which theyboth laughed very loudly, but not so loudly as Mr. Samuel Weller,who had just relieved his feelings by kissing the pretty housemaidunder cover of the cupboard door.
‘I can never be grateful enough to you, Sam, I am sure,’ saidArabella, with the sweetest smile imaginable. ‘I shall not forgetyour exertions72 in the garden at Clifton.’
‘Don’t say nothin’ wotever about it, ma’am,’ replied Sam. ‘I onlyassisted natur, ma’am; as the doctor said to the boy’s mother, afterhe’d bled him to death.’
‘Mary, my dear, sit down,’ said Mr. Pickwick, cutting shortthese compliments. ‘Now then; how long have you been married,eh?’
Arabella looked bashfully at her lord and master, who replied,‘Only three days.’
‘Only three days, eh?’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘Why, what have youbeen doing these three months?’
‘Ah, to be sure!’ interposed Perker; ‘come, account for thisidleness. You see Mr. Pickwick’s only astonishment is, that itwasn’t all over, months ago.’
‘Why the fact is,’ replied Mr. Winkle, looking at his blushingyoung wife, ‘that I could not persuade Bella to run away, for a longtime. And when I had persuaded her, it was a long time morebefore we could find an opportunity. Mary had to give a month’swarning, too, before she could leave her place next door, and wecouldn’t possibly have done it without her assistance.’
‘Upon my word,’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, who by this time hadresumed his spectacles, and was looking from Arabella to Winkle,and from Winkle to Arabella, with as much delight depicted73 in hiscountenance as warmheartedness and kindly74 feeling cancommunicate to the human face―‘upon my word! you seem tohave been very systematic75 in your proceedings. And is yourbrother acquainted with all this, my dear?’
‘Oh, no, no,’ replied Arabella, changing colour. ‘Dear Mr.
Pickwick, he must only know it from you―from your lips alone.
He is so violent, so prejudiced, and has been so―so anxious inbehalf of his friend, Mr, Sawyer,’ added Arabella, looking down,‘that I fear the consequences dreadfully.’
‘Ah, to be sure,’ said Perker gravely. ‘You must take this matterin hand for them, my dear sir. These young men will respect you,when they would listen to nobody else. You must prevent mischief,my dear sir. Hot blood, hot blood.’ And the little man took awarning pinch, and shook his head doubtfully.
‘You forget, my love,’ said Mr. Pickwick gently, ‘you forget thatI am a prisoner.’
‘No, indeed I do not, my dear sir,’ replied Arabella. ‘I neverhave forgotten it. I have never ceased to think how great yoursufferings must have been in this shocking place. But I hoped thatwhat no consideration for yourself would induce you to do, aregard to our happiness might. If my brother hears of this, first,from you, I feel certain we shall be reconciled. He is my onlyrelation in the world, Mr. Pickwick, and unless you plead for me, Ifear I have lost even him. I have done wrong, very, very wrong, Iknow.’ Here poor Arabella hid her face in her handkerchief, andwept bitterly.
Mr. Pickwick’s nature was a good deal worked upon, by thesesame tears; but when Mrs. Winkle, drying her eyes, took tocoaxing and entreating76 in the sweetest tones of a very sweet voice,he became particularly restless, and evidently undecided how toact, as was evinced by sundry77 nervous rubbings of his spectacle-glasses, nose, tights, head, and gaiters.
Taking advantage of these symptoms of indecision, Mr. Perker(to whom, it appeared, the young couple had driven straight thatmorning) urged with legal point and shrewdness that Mr. Winkle,senior, was still unacquainted with the important rise in life’sflight of steps which his son had taken; that the futureexpectations of the said son depended entirely upon the saidWinkle, senior, continuing to regard him with undiminishedfeelings of affection and attachment78, which it was very unlikely hewould, if this great event were long kept a secret from him; thatMr. Pickwick, repairing to Bristol to seek Mr. Allen, might, withequal reason, repair to Birmingham to seek Mr. Winkle, senior;lastly, that Mr. Winkle, senior, had good right and title to considerMr. Pickwick as in some degree the guardian79 and adviser of hisson, and that it consequently behoved that gentleman, and wasindeed due to his personal character, to acquaint the aforesaidWinkle, senior, personally, and by word of mouth, with the wholecircumstances of the case, and with the share he had taken in thetransaction.
Mr. Tupman and Mr. Snodgrass arrived, most opportunely80, inthis stage of the pleadings, and as it was necessary to explain tothem all that had occurred, together with the various reasons proand con11, the whole of the arguments were gone over again, afterwhich everybody urged every argument in his own way, and at hisown length. And, at last, Mr. Pickwick, fairly argued andremonstrated out of all his resolutions, and being in imminentdanger of being argued and remonstrated81 out of his wits, caughtArabella in his arms, and declaring that she was a very amiablecreature, and that he didn’t know how it was, but he had alwaysbeen very fond of her from the first, said he could never find it inhis heart to stand in the way of young people’s happiness, and theymight do with him as they pleased.
Mr. Weller’s first act, on hearing this concession82, was todespatch Job Trotter to the illustrious Mr. Pell, with an authorityto deliver to the bearer the formal discharge which his prudentparent had had the foresight83 to leave in the hands of that learnedgentleman, in case it should be, at any time, required on anemergency; his next proceeding66 was, to invest his whole stock ofready-money in the purchase of five-and-twenty gallons of mildporter, which he himself dispensed84 on the racket-ground toeverybody who would partake of it; this done, he hurra’d in diversparts of the building until he lost his voice, and then quietlyrelapsed into his usual collected and philosophical85 condition.
At three o’clock that afternoon, Mr. Pickwick took a last look athis little room, and made his way, as well as he could, through thethrong of debtors86 who pressed eagerly forward to shake him bythe hand, until he reached the lodge87 steps. He turned here, to lookabout him, and his eye lightened as he did so. In all the crowd ofwan, emaciated88 faces, he saw not one which was not happier forhis sympathy and charity.
‘Perker,’ said Mr. Pickwick, beckoning25 one young man towardshim, ‘this is Mr. Jingle89, whom I spoke to you about.’
‘Very good, my dear sir,’ replied Perker, looking hard at Jingle.
‘You will see me again, young man, to-morrow. I hope you maylive to remember and feel deeply, what I shall have tocommunicate, sir.’
Jingle bowed respectfully, trembled very much as he took Mr.
Pickwick’s proffered90 hand, and withdrew.
‘Job you know, I think?’ said Mr. Pickwick, presenting thatgentleman.
‘I know the rascal,’ replied Perker good-humouredly. ‘See afteryour friend, and be in the way to-morrow at one. Do you hear?
Now, is there anything more?’
‘Nothing,’ rejoined Mr. Pickwick. ‘You have delivered the littleparcel I gave you for your old landlord, Sam?’
‘I have, sir,’ replied Sam. ‘He bust91 out a-cryin’, sir, and said youwos wery gen’rous and thoughtful, and he only wished you couldhave him innockilated for a gallopin’ consumption, for his oldfriend as had lived here so long wos dead, and he’d noweres tolook for another.’
‘Poor fellow, poor fellow!’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘God bless you, myfriends!’
As Mr. Pickwick uttered this adieu, the crowd raised a loudshout. Many among them were pressing forward to shake him bythe hand again, when he drew his arm through Perker’s, andhurried from the prison, far more sad and melancholy92, for themoment, than when he had first entered it. Alas93! how many sadand unhappy beings had he left behind!
A happy evening was that for at least one party in the Georgeand Vulture; and light and cheerful were two of the hearts thatemerged from its hospitable94 door next morning. The ownersthereof were Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller, the former of whomwas speedily deposited inside a comfortable post-coach, with alittle dickey behind, in which the latter mounted with great agility95.
‘Sir,’ called out Mr. Weller to his master.
‘Well, Sam,’ replied Mr. Pickwick, thrusting his head out of thewindow.
‘I wish them horses had been three months and better in theFleet, sir.’
‘Why, Sam?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘Wy, sir,’ exclaimed Mr. Weller, rubbing his hands, ‘how theywould go if they had been!’
收听单词发音 |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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abating
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| 减少( abate的现在分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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gutter
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| n.沟，街沟，水槽，檐槽，贫民窟 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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magpie
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| n.喜欢收藏物品的人，喜鹊，饶舌者 | |
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stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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con
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| n.反对的观点，反对者，反对票，肺病；vt.精读，学习，默记；adv.反对地，从反面；adj.欺诈的 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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solicitors
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| 初级律师( solicitor的名词复数 ) | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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demises
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| v.遗赠（demise的第三人称单数形式） | |
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condescended
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| 屈尊，俯就( condescend的过去式和过去分词 )； 故意表示和蔼可亲 | |
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stipend
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| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
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knuckles
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| n.（指人）指关节( knuckle的名词复数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝v.（指人）指关节( knuckle的第三人称单数 )；（指动物）膝关节，踝 | |
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practitioners
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| n.习艺者，实习者( practitioner的名词复数 )；从业者（尤指医师） | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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outright
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| adv.坦率地；彻底地；立即；adj.无疑的；彻底的 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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softening
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| 变软，软化 | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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implore
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| vt.乞求，恳求，哀求 | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 | |
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knavery
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| n.恶行，欺诈的行为 | |
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imperatively
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| adv.命令式地 | |
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hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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wrung
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| 绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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reciprocated
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| v.报答，酬答( reciprocate的过去式和过去分词 )；（机器的部件）直线往复运动 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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81
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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concession
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| n.让步，妥协；特许(权) | |
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83
foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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84
dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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debtors
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| n.债务人，借方( debtor的名词复数 ) | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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emaciated
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| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
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jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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