COMPRISING THE FINAL EXIT OF Mr. JINGLEAND JOB TROTTER, WITH A GREAT MORNINGOF BUSINESS IN GRAY’S INN SQUARE―CONCLUDING WITH A DOUBLE KNOCK AT Mr.
PERKER’S DOORhen Arabella, after some gentle preparation andmany assurances that there was not the leastoccasion for being low-spirited, was at length madeacquainted by Mr. Pickwick with the unsatisfactory result of hisvisit to Birmingham, she burst into tears, and sobbing2 aloud,lamented in moving terms that she should have been the unhappycause of any estrangement3 between a father and his son.
‘My dear girl,’ said Mr. Pickwick kindly4, ‘it is no fault of yours. Itwas impossible to foresee that the old gentleman would be sostrongly prepossessed against his son’s marriage, you know. I amsure,’ added Mr. Pickwick, glancing at her pretty face, ‘he canhave very little idea of the pleasure he denies himself.’
‘Oh, my dear Mr. Pickwick,’ said Arabella, ‘what shall we do, ifhe continues to be angry with us?’
‘Why, wait patiently, my dear, until he thinks better of it,’
replied Mr. Pickwick cheerfully.
‘But, dear Mr. Pickwick, what is to become of Nathaniel if hisfather withdraws his assistance?’ urged Arabella.
‘In that case, my love,’ rejoined Mr. Pickwick, ‘I will venture toprophesy that he will find some other friend who will not bebackward in helping6 him to start in the world.’
The significance of this reply was not so well disguised by Mr.
Pickwick but that Arabella understood it. So, throwing her armsround his neck, and kissing him affectionately, she sobbed7 louderthan before.
‘Come, come,’ said Mr. Pickwick taking her hand, ‘we will waithere a few days longer, and see whether he writes or takes anyother notice of your husband’s communication. If not, I havethought of half a dozen plans, any one of which would make youhappy at once. There, my dear, there!’
With these words, Mr. Pickwick gently pressed Arabella’s hand,and bade her dry her eyes, and not distress8 her husband. Uponwhich, Arabella, who was one of the best little creatures alive, puther handkerchief in her reticule, and by the time Mr. Winklejoined them, exhibited in full lustre9 the same beaming smiles andsparkling eyes that had originally captivated him.
‘This is a distressing10 predicament for these young people,’
thought Mr. Pickwick, as he dressed himself next morning. ‘I’llwalk up to Perker’s, and consult him about the matter.’
As Mr. Pickwick was further prompted to betake himself toGray’s Inn Square by an anxious desire to come to a pecuniarysettlement with the kind-hearted little attorney without furtherdelay, he made a hurried breakfast, and executed his intention sospeedily, that ten o’clock had not struck when he reached Gray’sInn.
It still wanted ten minutes to the hour when he had ascendedthe staircase on which Perker’s chambers12 were. The clerks hadnot arrived yet, and he beguiled13 the time by looking out of thestaircase window. The healthy light of a fine October morningmade even the dingy14 old houses brighten up a little; some of thedusty windows actually looking almost cheerful as the sun’s raysgleamed upon them. Clerk after clerk hastened into the square byone or other of the entrances, and looking up at the Hall clock,accelerated or decreased his rate of walking according to the timeat which his office hours nominally15 commenced; the half-past nineo’clock people suddenly becoming very brisk, and the ten o’clockgentlemen falling into a pace of most aristocratic slowness. Theclock struck ten, and clerks poured in faster than ever, each one ina greater perspiration16 than his predecessor17. The noise ofunlocking and opening doors echoed and re-echoed on every side;heads appeared as if by magic in every window; the porters tookup their stations for the day; the slipshod laundresses hurried off;the postman ran from house to house; and the whole legal hivewas in a bustle18.
‘You’re early, Mr. Pickwick,’ said a voice behind him.
‘Ah, Mr. Lowten,’ replied that gentleman, looking round, andrecognising his old acquaintance.
‘Precious warm walking, isn’t it?’ said Lowten, drawing aBramah key from his pocket, with a small plug therein, to keep thedust out.
‘You appear to feel it so,’ rejoined Mr. Pickwick, smiling at theclerk, who was literally19 red-hot.
‘I’ve come along, rather, I can tell you,’ replied Lowten. ‘It wentthe half hour as I came through the Polygon20. I’m here before him,though, so I don’t mind.’
Comforting himself with this reflection, Mr. Lowten extractedthe plug from the door-key; having opened the door, repluggedand repocketed his Bramah, and picked up the letters which thepostman had dropped through the box, he ushered21 Mr. Pickwickinto the office. Here, in the twinkling of an eye, he divested22 himselfof his coat, put on a threadbare garment, which he took out of adesk, hung up his hat, pulled forth23 a few sheets of cartridge24 andblotting-paper in alternate layers, and, sticking a pen behind hisear, rubbed his hands with an air of great satisfaction.
‘There, you see, Mr. Pickwick,’ he said, ‘now I’m complete. I’vegot my office coat on, and my pad out, and let him come as soon ashe likes. You haven’t got a pinch of snuff about you, have you?’
‘No, I have not,’ replied Mr. Pickwick.
‘I’m sorry for it,’ said Lowten. ‘Never mind. I’ll run outpresently, and get a bottle of soda25. Don’t I look rather queer aboutthe eyes, Mr. Pickwick?’
The individual appealed to, surveyed Mr. Lowten’s eyes from adistance, and expressed his opinion that no unusual queernesswas perceptible in those features.
‘I’m glad of it,’ said Lowten. ‘We were keeping it up prettytolerably at the Stump26 last night, and I’m rather out of sorts thismorning. Perker’s been about that business of yours, by the bye.’
‘What business?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick. ‘Mrs. Bardell’s costs?’
‘No, I don’t mean that,’ replied Mr. Lowten. ‘About getting thatcustomer that we paid the ten shillings in the pound to the bill-discounter for, on your account―to get him out of the Fleet, youknow―about getting him to Demerara.’
‘Oh, Mr. Jingle1,’ said Mr. Pickwick hastily. ‘Yes. Well?’
‘Well, it’s all arranged,’ said Lowten, mending his pen. ‘Theagent at Liverpool said he had been obliged to you many timeswhen you were in business, and he would be glad to take him onyour recommendation.’
‘That’s well,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘I am delighted to hear it.’
‘But I say,’ resumed Lowten, scraping the back of the penpreparatory to making a fresh split, ‘what a soft chap that other is!’
‘Which other?’
‘Why, that servant, or friend, or whatever he is; you know,Trotter.’
‘Ah!’ said Mr. Pickwick, with a smile. ‘I always thought him thereverse.’
‘Well, and so did I, from what little I saw of him,’ repliedLowten, ‘it only shows how one may be deceived. What do youthink of his going to Demerara, too?’
‘What! And giving up what was offered him here!’ exclaimedMr. Pickwick.
‘Treating Perker’s offer of eighteen bob a week, and a rise if hebehaved himself, like dirt,’ replied Lowten. ‘He said he must goalong with the other one, and so they persuaded Perker to writeagain, and they’ve got him something on the same estate; not nearso good, Perker says, as a convict would get in New South Wales, ifhe appeared at his trial in a new suit of clothes.’
‘Foolish fellow,’ said Mr. Pickwick, with glistening27 eyes.
‘Foolish fellow.’
‘Oh, it’s worse than foolish; it’s downright sneaking28, you know,’
replied Lowten, nibbing the pen with a contemptuous face. ‘Hesays that he’s the only friend he ever had, and he’s attached tohim, and all that. Friendship’s a very good thing in its way―weare all very friendly and comfortable at the Stump, for instance,over our grog, where every man pays for himself; but damnhurting yourself for anybody else, you know! No man should havemore than two attachments―the first, to number one, and thesecond to the ladies; that’s what I say―ha! ha!’ Mr. Lowtenconcluded with a loud laugh, half in jocularity, and half inderision, which was prematurely29 cut short by the sound ofPerker’s footsteps on the stairs, at the first approach of which, hevaulted on his stool with an agility30 most remarkable31, and wroteintensely.
The greeting between Mr. Pickwick and his professionaladviser was warm and cordial; the client was scarcely ensconcedin the attorney’s arm-chair, however, when a knock was heard atthe door, and a voice inquired whether Mr. Perker was within.
‘Hark!’ said Perker, ‘that’s one of our vagabond friends―Jinglehimself, my dear sir. Will you see him?’
‘What do you think?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick, hesitating.
‘Yes, I think you had better. Here, you sir, what’s your name,walk in, will you?’
In compliance32 with this unceremonious invitation, Jingle andJob walked into the room, but, seeing Mr. Pickwick, stopped shortin some confusion. ‘Well,’ said Perker, ‘don’t you know thatgentleman?’
‘Good reason to,’ replied Mr. Jingle, stepping forward. ‘Mr.
Pickwick―deepest obligations―life preserver―made a man ofme―you shall never repent33 it, sir.’
‘I am happy to hear you say so,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘You lookmuch better.’
‘Thanks to you, sir―great change―Majesty’s Fleet―unwholesome place―very,’ said Jingle, shaking his head. He wasdecently and cleanly dressed, and so was Job, who stood boltupright behind him, staring at Mr. Pickwick with a visage of iron.
‘When do they go to Liverpool?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick, halfaside to Perker.
‘This evening, sir, at seven o’clock,’ said Job, taking one stepforward. ‘By the heavy coach from the city, sir.’
‘Are your places taken?’
‘They are, sir,’ replied Job.
‘You have fully5 made up your mind to go?’
‘I have sir,’ answered Job.
‘With regard to such an outfit34 as was indispensable for Jingle,’
said Perker, addressing Mr. Pickwick aloud. ‘I have taken uponmyself to make an arrangement for the deduction35 of a small sumfrom his quarterly salary, which, being made only for one year,and regularly remitted36, will provide for that expense. I entirelydisapprove of your doing anything for him, my dear sir, which isnot dependent on his own exertions37 and good conduct.’
‘Certainly,’ interposed Jingle, with great firmness. ‘Clearhead―man of the world―quite right―perfectly38.’
‘By compounding with his creditor39, releasing his clothes fromthe pawnbroker’s, relieving him in prison, and paying for hispassage,’ continued Perker, without noticing Jingle’s observation,‘you have already lost upwards40 of fifty pounds.’
‘Not lost,’ said Jingle hastily, ‘Pay it all―stick to business―cashup―every farthing. Yellow fever, perhaps―can’t help that―ifnot―’ Here Mr. Jingle paused, and striking the crown of his hatwith great violence, passed his hand over his eyes, and sat down.
‘He means to say,’ said Job, advancing a few paces, ‘that if he isnot carried off by the fever, he will pay the money back again. If helives, he will, Mr. Pickwick. I will see it done. I know he will, sir,’
said Job, with energy. ‘I could undertake to swear it.’
‘Well, well,’ said Mr. Pickwick, who had been bestowing41 a scoreor two of frowns upon Perker, to stop his summary of benefitsconferred, which the little attorney obstinately42 disregarded, ‘youmust be careful not to play any more desperate cricket matches,Mr. Jingle, or to renew your acquaintance with Sir Thomas Blazo,and I have little doubt of your preserving your health.’
Mr. Jingle smiled at this sally, but looked rather foolishnotwithstanding; so Mr. Pickwick changed the subject by saying―‘You don’t happen to know, do you, what has become ofanother friend of yours―a more humble43 one, whom I saw atRochester?’
‘Dismal44 Jemmy?’ inquired Jingle.
‘Yes.’
Jingle shook his head.
‘Clever rascal―queer fellow, hoaxing45 genius―Job’s brother.’
‘Job’s brother!’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. ‘Well, now I look athim closely, there is a likeness46.’
‘We were always considered like each other, sir,’ said Job, witha cunning look just lurking47 in the corners of his eyes, ‘only I wasreally of a serious nature, and he never was. He emigrated toAmerica, sir, in consequence of being too much sought after here,to be comfortable; and has never been heard of since.’
‘That accounts for my not having received the “page from theromance of real life,” which he promised me one morning when heappeared to be contemplating48 suicide on Rochester Bridge, Isuppose,’ said Mr. Pickwick, smiling. ‘I need not inquire whetherhis dismal behaviour was natural or assumed.’
‘He could assume anything, sir,’ said Job. ‘You may consideryourself very fortunate in having escaped him so easily. Onintimate terms he would have been even a more dangerousacquaintance than―’ Job looked at Jingle, hesitated, and finallyadded, ‘than―than-myself even.’
‘A hopeful family yours, Mr. Trotter,’ said Perker, sealing aletter which he had just finished writing.
‘Yes, sir,’ replied Job. ‘Very much so.’
‘Well,’ said the little man, laughing, ‘I hope you are going todisgrace it. Deliver this letter to the agent when you reachLiverpool, and let me advise you, gentlemen, not to be tooknowing in the West Indies. If you throw away this chance, youwill both richly deserve to be hanged, as I sincerely trust you willbe. And now you had better leave Mr. Pickwick and me alone, forwe have other matters to talk over, and time is precious.’ AsPerker said this, he looked towards the door, with an evidentdesire to render the leave-taking as brief as possible.
It was brief enough on Mr. Jingle’s part. He thanked the littleattorney in a few hurried words for the kindness and promptitudewith which he had rendered his assistance, and, turning to hisbenefactor, stood for a few seconds as if irresolute49 what to say orhow to act. Job Trotter relieved his perplexity; for, with a humbleand grateful bow to Mr. Pickwick, he took his friend gently by thearm, and led him away.
‘A worthy50 couple!’ said Perker, as the door closed behind them.
‘I hope they may become so,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘What doyou think? Is there any chance of their permanent reformation?’
Perker shrugged51 his shoulders doubtfully, but observing Mr.
Pickwick’s anxious and disappointed look, rejoined―‘Of course there is a chance. I hope it may prove a good one.
They are unquestionably penitent52 now; but then, you know, theyhave the recollection of very recent suffering fresh upon them.
What they may become, when that fades away, is a problem thatneither you nor I can solve. However, my dear sir,’ added Perker,laying his hand on Mr. Pickwick’s shoulder, ‘your object is equallyhonourable, whatever the result is. Whether that species ofbenevolence which is so very cautious and long-sighted that it isseldom exercised at all, lest its owner should be imposed upon,and so wounded in his self-love, be real charity or a worldlycounterfeit, I leave to wiser heads than mine to determine. But ifthose two fellows were to commit a burglary to-morrow, myopinion of this action would be equally high.’
With these remarks, which were delivered in a much moreanimated and earnest manner than is usual in legal gentlemen,Perker drew his chair to his desk, and listened to Mr. Pickwick’srecital of old Mr. Winkle’s obstinacy54.
‘Give him a week,’ said Perker, nodding his head prophetically.
‘Do you think he will come round?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘I think he will,’ rejoined Perker. ‘If not, we must try the younglady’s persuasion55; and that is what anybody but you would havedone at first.’
Mr. Perker was taking a pinch of snuff with various grotesquecontractions of countenance56, eulogistic57 of the persuasive58 powersappertaining unto young ladies, when the murmur59 of inquiry60 andanswer was heard in the outer office, and Lowten tapped at thedoor.
‘Come in!’ cried the little man.
The clerk came in, and shut the door after him, with greatmystery.
‘What’s the matter?’ inquired Perker.
‘You’re wanted, sir.’
‘Who wants me?’
Lowten looked at Mr. Pickwick, and coughed.
‘Who wants me? Can’t you speak, Mr. Lowten?’
‘Why, sir,’ replied Lowten, ‘it’s Dodson; and Fogg is with him.’
‘Bless my life!’ said the little man, looking at his watch, ‘Iappointed them to be here at half-past eleven, to settle that matterof yours, Pickwick. I gave them an undertaking61 on which they sentdown your discharge; it’s very awkward, my dear sir; what will youdo? Would you like to step into the next room?’
The next room being the identical room in which Messrs.
Dodson & Fogg were, Mr. Pickwick replied that he would remainwhere he was: the more especially as Messrs. Dodson & Foggought to be ashamed to look him in the face, instead of his beingashamed to see them. Which latter circumstance he begged Mr.
Perker to note, with a glowing countenance and many marks ofindignation.
‘Very well, my dear sir, very well,’ replied Perker, ‘I can onlysay that if you expect either Dodson or Fogg to exhibit anysymptom of shame or confusion at having to look you, or anybodyelse, in the face, you are the most sanguine62 man in yourexpectations that I ever met with. Show them in, Mr. Lowten.’
Mr. Lowten disappeared with a grin, and immediately returnedushering in the firm, in due form of precedence―Dodson first, andFogg afterwards.
‘You have seen Mr. Pickwick, I believe?’ said Perker to Dodson,inclining his pen in the direction where that gentleman wasseated.
‘How do you do, Mr. Pickwick?’ said Dodson, in a loud voice.
‘Dear me,’ cried Fogg, ‘how do you do, Mr. Pickwick? I hopeyou are well, sir. I thought I knew the face,’ said Fogg, drawing upa chair, and looking round him with a smile.
Mr. Pickwick bent63 his head very slightly, in answer to thesesalutations, and, seeing Fogg pull a bundle of papers from his coatpocket, rose and walked to the window.
‘There’s no occasion for Mr. Pickwick to move, Mr. Perker,’ saidFogg, untying64 the red tape which encircled the little bundle, andsmiling again more sweetly than before. ‘Mr. Pickwick is prettywell acquainted with these proceedings65. There are no secretsbetween us, I think. He! he! he!’
‘Not many, I think,’ said Dodson. ‘Ha! ha! ha!’ Then both thepartners laughed together―pleasantly and cheerfully, as men whoare going to receive money often do.
‘We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping,’ said Fogg, withconsiderable native humour, as he unfolded his papers. ‘Theamount of the taxed costs is one hundred and thirty-three, six,four, Mr. Perker.’
There was a great comparing of papers, and turning over ofleaves, by Fogg and Perker, after this statement of profit and loss.
Meanwhile, Dodson said, in an affable manner, to Mr. Pickwick―‘I don’t think you are looking quite so stout66 as when I had thepleasure of seeing you last, Mr. Pickwick.’
‘Possibly not, sir,’ replied Mr. Pickwick, who had been flashingforth looks of fierce indignation, without producing the smallesteffect on either of the sharp practitioners67; ‘I believe I am not, sir. Ihave been persecuted68 and annoyed by scoundrels of late, sir.’
Perker coughed violently, and asked Mr. Pickwick whether hewouldn’t like to look at the morning paper. To which inquiry Mr.
Pickwick returned a most decided69 negative.
‘True,’ said Dodson, ‘I dare say you have been annoyed in theFleet; there are some odd gentry70 there. Whereabouts were yourapartments, Mr. Pickwick?’
‘My one room,’ replied that much-injured gentleman, ‘was onthe coffee-room flight.’
‘Oh, indeed!’ said Dodson. ‘I believe that is a very pleasant partof the establishment.’
‘Very,’ replied Mr. Pickwick drily.
There was a coolness about all this, which, to a gentleman of anexcitable temperament71, had, under the circumstances, rather anexasperating tendency. Mr. Pickwick restrained his wrath72 bygigantic efforts; but when Perker wrote a cheque for the wholeamount, and Fogg deposited it in a small pocket-book, with atriumphant smile playing over his pimply73 features, whichcommunicated itself likewise to the stern countenance of Dodson,he felt the blood in his cheeks tingling74 with indignation. ‘Now, Mr.
Dodson,’ said Fogg, putting up the pocket-book and drawing onhis gloves, ‘I am at your service.’
‘Very good,’ said Dodson, rising; ‘I am quite ready.’
‘I am very happy,’ said Fogg, softened75 by the cheque, ‘to havehad the pleasure of making Mr. Pickwick’s acquaintance. I hopeyou don’t think quite so ill of us, Mr. Pickwick, as when we firsthad the pleasure of seeing you.’
‘I hope not,’ said Dodson, with the high tone of calumniatedvirtue. ‘Mr. Pickwick now knows us better, I trust; whatever youropinion of gentlemen of our profession may be, I beg to assureyou, sir, that I bear no ill-will or vindictive76 feeling towards you forthe sentiments you thought proper to express in our office inFreeman’s Court, Cornhill, on the occasion to which my partnerhas referred.’
‘Oh, no, no; nor I,’ said Fogg, in a most forgiving manner.
‘Our conduct, sir,’ said Dodson, ‘will speak for itself, and justifyitself, I hope, upon every occasion. We have been in the professionsome years, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with theconfidence of many excellent clients. I wish you good-morning,sir.’
‘Good morning, Mr. Pickwick,’ said Fogg. So saying, he put hisumbrella under his arm, drew off his right glove, and extended thehand of reconciliation77 to that most indignant gentleman; who,thereupon, thrust his hands beneath his coat tails, and eyed theattorney with looks of scornful amazement78.
‘Lowten!’ cried Perker, at this moment. ‘Open the door.’
‘Wait one instant,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘Perker, I will speak.’
‘My dear sir, pray let the matter rest where it is,’ said the littleattorney, who had been in a state of nervous apprehension79 duringthe whole interview; ‘Mr. Pickwick, I beg―’
‘I will not be put down, sir,’ replied Mr. Pickwick hastily. ‘Mr.
Dodson, you have addressed some remarks to me.’
Dodson turned round, bent his head meekly80, and smiled.
‘Some remarks to me,’ repeated Mr. Pickwick, almostbreathless; ‘and your partner has tendered me his hand, and youhave both assumed a tone of forgiveness and high-mindedness,which is an extent of impudence81 that I was not prepared for, evenin you.’
‘What, sir!’ exclaimed Dodson.
‘What, sir!’ reiterated82 Fogg.
‘Do you know that I have been the victim of your plots andconspiracies?’ continued Mr. Pickwick. ‘Do you know that I amthe man whom you have been imprisoning83 and robbing? Do youknow that you were the attorneys for the plaintiff, in Bardell andPickwick?’
‘Yes, sir, we do know it,’ replied Dodson.
‘Of course we know it, sir,’ rejoined Fogg, slapping his pocket―perhaps by accident.
‘I see that you recollect53 it with satisfaction,’ said Mr. Pickwick,attempting to call up a sneer84 for the first time in his life, andfailing most signally in so doing. ‘Although I have long beenanxious to tell you, in plain terms, what my opinion of you is, Ishould have let even this opportunity pass, in deference85 to myfriend Perker’s wishes, but for the unwarrantable tone you haveassumed, and your insolent86 familiarity. I say insolent familiarity,sir,’ said Mr. Pickwick, turning upon Fogg with a fierceness ofgesture which caused that person to retreat towards the door withgreat expedition.
‘Take care, sir,’ said Dodson, who, though he was the biggestman of the party, had prudently87 entrenched88 himself behind Fogg,and was speaking over his head with a very pale face. ‘Let himassault you, Mr. Fogg; don’t return it on any account.’
‘No, no, I won’t return it,’ said Fogg, falling back a little more ashe spoke89; to the evident relief of his partner, who by these meanswas gradually getting into the outer office.
‘You are,’ continued Mr. Pickwick, resuming the thread of hisdiscourse―‘you are a well-matched pair of mean, rascally90,pettifogging robbers.’
‘Well,’ interposed Perker, ‘is that all?’
‘It is all summed up in that,’ rejoined Mr. Pickwick; ‘they aremean, rascally, pettifogging robbers.’
‘There!’ said Perker, in a most conciliatory tone. ‘My dear sirs,he has said all he has to say. Now pray go. Lowten, is that dooropen?’
Mr. Lowten, with a distant giggle91, replied in the affirmative.
‘There, there―good morning―good morning―now pray, mydear sirs―Mr. Lowten, the door!’ cried the little man, pushingDodson & Fogg, nothing loath92, out of the office; ‘this way, my dearsirs―now pray don’t prolong this―Dear me―Mr. Lowten―thedoor, sir―why don’t you attend?’
‘If there’s law in England, sir,’ said Dodson, looking towardsMr. Pickwick, as he put on his hat, ‘you shall smart for this.’
‘You are a couple of mean―’
‘Remember, sir, you pay dearly for this,’ said Fogg.
‘―Rascally, pettifogging robbers!’ continued Mr. Pickwick,taking not the least notice of the threats that were addressed tohim.
‘Robbers!’ cried Mr. Pickwick, running to the stair-head, as thetwo attorneys descended93.
‘Robbers!’ shouted Mr. Pickwick, breaking from Lowten andPerker, and thrusting his head out of the staircase window.
When Mr. Pickwick drew in his head again, his countenancewas smiling and placid94; and, walking quietly back into the office,he declared that he had now removed a great weight from hismind, and that he felt perfectly comfortable and happy.
Perker said nothing at all until he had emptied his snuff-box,and sent Lowten out to fill it, when he was seized with a fit oflaughing, which lasted five minutes; at the expiration95 of whichtime he said that he supposed he ought to be very angry, but hecouldn’t think of the business seriously yet―when he could, hewould be.
‘Well, now,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘let me have a settlement withyou.’
‘Of the same kind as the last?’ inquired Perker, with anotherlaugh. ‘Not exactly,’ rejoined Mr. Pickwick, drawing out hispocket-book, and shaking the little man heartily96 by the hand, ‘Ionly mean a pecuniary11 settlement. You have done me many acts ofkindness that I can never repay, and have no wish to repay, for Iprefer continuing the obligation.’
With this preface, the two friends dived into some verycomplicated accounts and vouchers97, which, having been dulydisplayed and gone through by Perker, were at once discharged byMr. Pickwick with many professions of esteem98 and friendship.
They had no sooner arrived at this point, than a most violentand startling knocking was heard at the door; it was not anordinary double-knock, but a constant and uninterruptedsuccession of the loudest single raps, as if the knocker wereendowed with the perpetual motion, or the person outside hadforgotten to leave off.
‘Dear me, what’s that?’ exclaimed Perker, starting.
‘I think it is a knock at the door,’ said Mr. Pickwick, as if therecould be the smallest doubt of the fact.
The knocker made a more energetic reply than words couldhave yielded, for it continued to hammer with surprising force andnoise, without a moment’s cessation.
‘Dear me!’ said Perker, ringing his bell, ‘we shall alarm the inn.
Mr. Lowten, don’t you hear a knock?’
‘I’ll answer the door in one moment, sir,’ replied the clerk.
The knocker appeared to hear the response, and to assert thatit was quite impossible he could wait so long. It made astupendous uproar99.
‘It’s quite dreadful,’ said Mr. Pickwick, stopping his ears.
‘Make haste, Mr. Lowten,’ Perker called out; ‘we shall have thepanels beaten in.’
Mr. Lowten, who was washing his hands in a dark closet,hurried to the door, and turning the handle, beheld100 theappearance which is described in the next chapter.
收听单词发音 |
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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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2
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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3
estrangement
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| n.疏远，失和，不和 | |
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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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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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pecuniary
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| adj.金钱的；金钱上的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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13
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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14
dingy
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| adj.昏暗的，肮脏的 | |
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15
nominally
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| 在名义上，表面地； 应名儿 | |
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16
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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17
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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18
bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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19
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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20
polygon
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| n.多边形；多角形 | |
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21
ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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22
divested
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| v.剥夺( divest的过去式和过去分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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23
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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24
cartridge
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| n.弹壳，弹药筒；(装磁带等的)盒子 | |
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25
soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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26
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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27
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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28
sneaking
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| a.秘密的，不公开的 | |
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29
prematurely
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| adv.过早地，贸然地 | |
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30
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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31
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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32
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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33
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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34
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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35
deduction
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| n.减除，扣除，减除额；推论，推理，演绎 | |
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36
remitted
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| v.免除（债务），宽恕( remit的过去式和过去分词 )；使某事缓和；寄回，传送 | |
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37
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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38
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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39
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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40
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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41
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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42
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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43
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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44
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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45
hoaxing
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| v.开玩笑骗某人，戏弄某人( hoax的现在分词 ) | |
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46
likeness
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| n.相像，相似（之处） | |
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47
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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48
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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49
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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50
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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51
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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52
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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53
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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54
obstinacy
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| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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55
persuasion
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| n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派 | |
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56
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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57
eulogistic
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| adj.颂扬的，颂词的 | |
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58
persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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59
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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61
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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62
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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64
untying
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| untie的现在分词 | |
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65
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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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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68
persecuted
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| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
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69
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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70
gentry
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| n.绅士阶级，上层阶级 | |
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71
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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72
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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73
pimply
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| adj.肿泡的；有疙瘩的；多粉刺的；有丘疹的 | |
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74
tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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75
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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76
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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77
reconciliation
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| n.和解，和谐，一致 | |
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78
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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79
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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80
meekly
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| adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地 | |
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81
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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82
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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83
imprisoning
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| v.下狱，监禁( imprison的现在分词 ) | |
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84
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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85
deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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86
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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87
prudently
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| adv. 谨慎地，慎重地 | |
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88
entrenched
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| adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯) | |
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89
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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90
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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91
giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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92
loath
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| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
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93
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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94
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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95
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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96
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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97
vouchers
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| n.凭证( voucher的名词复数 )；证人；证件；收据 | |
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98
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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99
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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100
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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