AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE TAKES PLACEBETWEEN Mr. PICKWICK AND SAMUELWELLER, AT WHICH HIS PARENT ASSISTS―AN OLD GENTLEMAN IN A SNUFF-COLOUREDSUIT ARRIVES UNEXPECTEDLYr. Pickwick was sitting alone, musing1 over manythings, and thinking among other considerationshow he could best provide for the young couplewhose present unsettled condition was matter of constant regretand anxiety to him, when Mary stepped lightly into the room, and,advancing to the table, said, rather hastily―‘Oh, if you please, sir, Samuel is downstairs, and he says mayhis father see you?’
‘Surely,’ replied Mr. Pickwick.
‘Thank you, sir,’ said Mary, tripping towards the door again.
‘Sam has not been here long, has he?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘Oh, no, sir,’ replied Mary eagerly. ‘He has only just come home.
He is not going to ask you for any more leave, sir, he says.’
Mary might have been conscious that she had communicatedthis last intelligence with more warmth than seemed actuallynecessary, or she might have observed the good-humoured smilewith which Mr. Pickwick regarded her, when she had finishedspeaking. She certainly held down her head, and examined thecorner of a very smart little apron2, with more closeness than thereappeared any absolute occasion for.
‘Tell them they can come up at once, by all means,’ said Mr.
Pickwick.
Mary, apparently3 much relieved, hurried away with hermessage.
Mr. Pickwick took two or three turns up and down the room;and, rubbing his chin with his left hand as he did so, appeared lostin thought.
‘Well, well,’ said Mr. Pickwick, at length in a kind but somewhatmelancholy tone, ‘it is the best way in which I could reward himfor his attachment4 and fidelity5; let it be so, in Heaven’s name. It isthe fate of a lonely old man, that those about him should form newand different attachments6 and leave him. I have no right to expectthat it should be otherwise with me. No, no,’ added Mr. Pickwickmore cheerfully, ‘it would be selfish and ungrateful. I ought to behappy to have an opportunity of providing for him so well. I am. Ofcourse I am.’
Mr. Pickwick had been so absorbed in these reflections, that aknock at the door was three or four times repeated before heheard it. Hastily seating himself, and calling up his accustomedpleasant looks, he gave the required permission, and Sam Wellerentered, followed by his father.
‘Glad to see you back again, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘How doyou do, Mr. Weller?’
‘Wery hearty8, thank’ee, sir,’ replied the widower9; ‘hope I see youwell, sir.’
‘Quite, I thank you,’ replied Mr. Pickwick.
‘I wanted to have a little bit o’ conwersation with you, sir,’ saidMr. Weller, ‘if you could spare me five minits or so, sir.’
‘Certainly,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘Sam, give your father achair.’
‘Thank’ee, Samivel, I’ve got a cheer here,’ said Mr. Weller,bringing one forward as he spoke10; ‘uncommon fine day it’s been,sir,’ added the old gentleman, laying his hat on the floor as he sathimself down.
‘Remarkably so, indeed,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘Veryseasonable.’
‘Seasonablest veather I ever see, sir,’ rejoined Mr. Weller. Here,the old gentleman was seized with a violent fit of coughing, which,being terminated, he nodded his head and winked11 and madeseveral supplicatory12 and threatening gestures to his son, all ofwhich Sam Weller steadily13 abstained14 from seeing.
Mr. Pickwick, perceiving that there was some embarrassmenton the old gentleman’s part, affected15 to be engaged in cutting theleaves of a book that lay beside him, and waited patiently until Mr.
Weller should arrive at the object of his visit.
‘I never see sich a aggrawatin’ boy as you are, Samivel,’ said Mr.
Weller, looking indignantly at his son; ‘never in all my born days.’
‘What is he doing, Mr. Weller?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘He von’t begin, sir,’ rejoined Mr. Weller; ‘he knows I ain’t ekalto ex-pressin’ myself ven there’s anythin’ partickler to be done,and yet he’ll stand and see me a-settin’ here taking up yourwalable time, and makin’ a reg’lar spectacle o’ myself, raytherthan help me out vith a syllable16. It ain’t filial conduct, Samivel,’
said Mr. Weller, wiping his forehead; ‘wery far from it.’
‘You said you’d speak,’ replied Sam; ‘how should I know youwos done up at the wery beginnin’?’
‘You might ha’ seen I warn’t able to start,’ rejoined his father; ‘I’m on the wrong side of the road, and backin’ into the palin’s, andall manner of unpleasantness, and yet you von’t put out a hand tohelp me. I’m ashamed on you, Samivel.’
‘The fact is, sir,’ said Sam, with a slight bow, ‘the gov’nor’s beena-drawin’ his money.’
‘Wery good, Samivel, wery good,’ said Mr. Weller, nodding hishead with a satisfied air, ‘I didn’t mean to speak harsh to you,Sammy. Wery good. That’s the vay to begin. Come to the pint17 atonce. Wery good indeed, Samivel.’
Mr. Weller nodded his head an extraordinary number of times,in the excess of his gratification, and waited in a listening attitudefor Sam to resume his statement.
‘You may sit down, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, apprehending18 thatthe inter19 view was likely to prove rather longer than he hadexpected.
Sam bowed again and sat down; his father looking round, hecontinued―‘The gov’nor, sir, has drawn20 out five hundred and thirty pound.’
‘Reduced counsels,’ interposed Mr. Weller, senior, in anundertone.
‘It don’t much matter vether it’s reduced counsels, or wot not,’
said Sam; ‘five hundred and thirty pounds is the sum, ain’t it?’
‘All right, Samivel,’ replied Mr. Weller.
‘To vich sum, he has added for the house and bisness―’
‘Lease, good-vill, stock, and fixters,’ interposed Mr. Weller.
‘As much as makes it,’ continued Sam, ‘altogether, elevenhundred and eighty pound.’
‘Indeed!’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘I am delighted to hear it. Icongratulate you, Mr. Weller, on having done so well.’
‘Vait a minit, sir,’ said Mr. Weller, raising his hand in adeprecatory manner. ‘Get on, Samivel.’
‘This here money,’ said Sam, with a little hesitation21, ‘he’sanxious to put someveres, vere he knows it’ll be safe, and I’m weryanxious too, for if he keeps it, he’ll go a-lendin’ it to somebody, orinwestin’ property in horses, or droppin’ his pocket-book down anairy, or makin’ a Egyptian mummy of his-self in some vay oranother.’
‘Wery good, Samivel,’ observed Mr. Weller, in as complacent22 amanner as if Sam had been passing the highest eulogiums on hisprudence and foresight23. ‘Wery good.’
‘For vich reasons,’ continued Sam, plucking nervously24 at thebrim of his hat―‘for vich reasons, he’s drawn it out to-day, andcome here vith me to say, leastvays to offer, or in other vords―’
‘To say this here,’ said the elder Mr. Weller impatiently, ‘that itain’t o’ no use to me. I’m a-goin’ to vork a coach reg’lar, and ha’n’tgot noveres to keep it in, unless I vos to pay the guard for takin’
care on it, or to put it in vun o’ the coach pockets, vich ‘ud be atemptation to the insides. If you’ll take care on it for me, sir, I shallbe wery much obliged to you. P’raps,’ said Mr. Weller, walking upto Mr. Pickwick and whispering in his ear―‘p’raps it’ll go a littlevay towards the expenses o’ that ’ere conwiction. All I say is, justyou keep it till I ask you for it again.’ With these words, Mr. Wellerplaced the pocket-book in Mr. Pickwick’s hands, caught up his hat,and ran out of the room with a celerity scarcely to be expectedfrom so corpulent a subject.
‘Stop him, Sam!’ exclaimed Mr. Pickwick earnestly. ‘Overtakehim; bring him back instantly! Mr. Weller―here―come back!’
Sam saw that his master’s injunctions were not to be disobeyed;and, catching25 his father by the arm as he was descending26 thestairs, dragged him back by main force.
‘My good friend,’ said Mr. Pickwick, taking the old man by thehand, ‘your honest confidence overpowers me.’
‘I don’t see no occasion for nothin’ o’ the kind, sir,’ replied Mr.
Weller obstinately27.
‘I assure you, my good friend, I have more money than I canever need; far more than a man at my age can ever live to spend,’
said Mr. Pickwick.
‘No man knows how much he can spend, till he tries,’ observedMr. Weller.
‘Perhaps not,’ replied Mr. Pickwick; ‘but as I have no intentionof trying any such experiments, I am not likely to come to want. Imust beg you to take this back, Mr. Weller.’
‘Wery well,’ said Mr. Weller, with a discontented look. ‘Mark myvords, Sammy, I’ll do somethin’ desperate vith this here property;somethin’ desperate!’
‘You’d better not,’ replied Sam.
Mr. Weller reflected for a short time, and then, buttoning up hiscoat with great determination, said―‘I’ll keep a pike.’
‘Wot!’ exclaimed Sam.
‘A pike!’ rejoined Mr. Weller, through his set teeth; ‘I’ll keep apike. Say good-bye to your father, Samivel. I dewote theremainder of my days to a pike.’
This threat was such an awful one, and Mr. Weller, besidesappearing fully7 resolved to carry it into execution, seemed sodeeply mortified28 by Mr. Pickwick’s refusal, that that gentleman,after a short reflection, said―‘Well, well, Mr. Weller, I will keep your money. I can do moregood with it, perhaps, than you can.’
‘Just the wery thing, to be sure,’ said Mr. Weller, brighteningup; ‘o’ course you can, sir.’
‘Say no more about it,’ said Mr. Pickwick, locking the pocket-book in his desk; ‘I am heartily29 obliged to you, my good friend.
Now sit down again. I want to ask your advice.’
The internal laughter occasioned by the triumphant30 success ofhis visit, which had convulsed not only Mr. Weller’s face, but hisarms, legs, and body also, during the locking up of the pocket-book, suddenly gave place to the most dignified31 gravity as heheard these words.
‘Wait outside a few minutes, Sam, will you?’ said Mr. Pickwick.
Sam immediately withdrew.
Mr. Weller looked uncommonly32 wise and very much amazed,when Mr. Pickwick opened the discourse33 by saying―‘You are not an advocate for matrimony, I think, Mr. Weller?’
Mr. Weller shook his head. He was wholly unable to speak;vague thoughts of some wicked widow having been successful inher designs on Mr. Pickwick, choked his utterance34.
‘Did you happen to see a young girl downstairs when you camein just now with your son?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘Yes. I see a young gal,’ replied Mr. Weller shortly.
‘What did you think of her, now? Candidly35, Mr. Weller, whatdid you think of her?’
‘I thought she wos wery plump, and vell made,’ said Mr. Weller,with a critical air.
‘So she is,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘so she is. What did you think ofher manners, from what you saw of her?’
‘Wery pleasant,’ rejoined Mr. Weller. ‘Wery pleasant andcomformable.’
The precise meaning which Mr. Weller attached to this last-mentioned adjective, did not appear; but, as it was evident fromthe tone in which he used it that it was a favourable36 expression,Mr. Pickwick was as well satisfied as if he had been thoroughlyenlightened on the subject.
‘I take a great interest in her, Mr. Weller,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
Mr. Weller coughed.
‘I mean an interest in her doing well,’ resumed Mr. Pickwick; ‘adesire that she may be comfortable and prosperous. Youunderstand?’
‘Wery clearly,’ replied Mr. Weller, who understood nothing yet.
‘That young person,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘is attached to yourson.’
‘To Samivel Veller!’ exclaimed the parent.
‘Yes,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘It’s nat’ral,’ said Mr. Weller, after some consideration, ‘nat’ral,but rayther alarmin’. Sammy must be careful.’
‘How do you mean?’ inquired Mr. Pickwick.
‘Wery careful that he don’t say nothin’ to her,’ responded Mr.
Weller. ‘Wery careful that he ain’t led avay, in a innocent moment,to say anythin’ as may lead to a conwiction for breach37. You’renever safe vith ’em, Mr. Pickwick, ven they vunce has designs onyou; there’s no knowin’ vere to have ‘em; and vile38 you’re a-considering of it, they have you. I wos married fust, that vaymyself, sir, and Sammy wos the consekens o’ the manoover.’
‘You give me no great encouragement to conclude what I haveto say,’ observed Mr. Pickwick, ‘but I had better do so at once.
This young person is not only attached to your son, Mr. Weller, butyour son is attached to her.’
‘Vell,’ said Mr. Weller, ‘this here’s a pretty sort o’ thing to cometo a father’s ears, this is!’
‘I have observed them on several occasions,’ said Mr. Pickwick,making no comment on Mr. Weller’s last remark; ‘and entertain nodoubt at all about it. Supposing I were desirous of establishingthem comfortably as man and wife in some little business orsituation, where they might hope to obtain a decent living, whatshould you think of it, Mr. Weller?’
At first, Mr. Weller received with wry39 faces a propositioninvolving the marriage of anybody in whom he took an interest;but, as Mr. Pickwick argued the point with him, and laid greatstress on the fact that Mary was not a widow, he gradually becamemore tractable40. Mr. Pickwick had great influence over him, and hehad been much struck with Mary’s appearance; having, in fact,bestowed several very unfatherly winks41 upon her, already. Atlength he said that it was not for him to oppose Mr. Pickwick’sinclination, and that he would be very happy to yield to his advice;upon which, Mr. Pickwick joyfully42 took him at his word, and calledSam back into the room.
‘Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, clearing his throat, ‘your father and Ihave been having some conversation about you.’
‘About you, Samivel,’ said Mr. Weller, in a patronising andimpressive voice.
‘I am not so blind, Sam, as not to have seen, a long time since,that you entertain something more than a friendly feeling towardsMrs. Winkle’s maid,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘You hear this, Samivel?’ said Mr. Weller, in the same judicialform of speech as before.
‘I hope, sir,’ said Sam, address ing his master, ‘I hope there’s noharm in a young man takin’ notice of a young ’ooman as isundeniably good-looking and well-conducted.’
‘Certainly not,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘Not by no means,’ acquiesced43 Mr. Weller, affably butmagisterially.
‘So far from thinking there is anything wrong in conduct sonatural,’ resumed Mr. Pickwick, ‘it is my wish to assist andpromote your wishes in this respect. With this view, I have had alittle conversation with your father; and finding that he is of myopinion―’
‘The lady not bein’ a widder,’ interposed Mr. Weller inexplanation.
‘The lady not being a widow,’ said Mr. Pickwick, smiling. ‘I wishto free you from the restraint which your present position imposesupon you, and to mark my sense of your fidelity and manyexcellent qualities, by enabling you to marry this girl at once, andto earn an independent livelihood44 for yourself and family. I shallbe proud, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, whose voice had faltered45 alittle hitherto, but now resumed its customary tone, ‘proud andhappy to make your future prospects46 in life my grateful andpeculiar care.’
There was a profound silence for a short time, and then Samsaid, in a low, husky sort of voice, but firmly withal―‘I’m very much obliged to you for your goodness, sir, as is onlylike yourself; but it can’t be done.’
‘Can’t be done!’ ejaculated Mr. Pickwick in astonishment47.
‘Samivel!’ said Mr. Weller, with dignity.
‘I say it can’t be done,’ repeated Sam in a louder key. ‘Wot’s tobecome of you, sir?’
‘My good fellow,’ replied Mr. Pickwick, ‘the recent changesamong my friends will alter my mode of life in future, entirely;besides, I am growing older, and want repose48 and quiet. Myrambles, Sam, are over.’
‘How do I know that ’ere, sir?’ argued Sam. ‘You think so now!
S’pose you wos to change your mind, vich is not unlikely, foryou’ve the spirit o’ five-and-twenty in you still, what ’ud becomeon you vithout me? It can’t be done, sir, it can’t be done.’
‘Wery good, Samivel, there’s a good deal in that,’ said Mr.
Weller encouragingly.
‘I speak after long deliberation, Sam, and with the certaintythat I shall keep my word,’ said Mr. Pickwick, shaking his head.
‘New scenes have closed upon me; my rambles49 are at an end.’
‘Wery good,’ rejoined Sam. ‘Then, that’s the wery best reasonwy you should alvays have somebody by you as understands you,to keep you up and make you comfortable. If you vant a morepolished sort o’ feller, vell and good, have him; but vages or novages, notice or no notice, board or no board, lodgin’ or no lodgin’,Sam Veller, as you took from the old inn in the Borough50, sticks byyou, come what may; and let ev’rythin’ and ev’rybody do theirwery fiercest, nothin’ shall ever perwent it!’
At the close of this declaration, which Sam made with greatemotion, the elder Mr. Weller rose from his chair, and, forgettingall considerations of time, place, or propriety51, waved his hat abovehis head, and gave three vehement52 cheers.
‘My good fellow,’ said Mr. Pickwick, when Mr. Weller had satdown again, rather abashed53 at his own enthusiasm, ‘you arebound to consider the young woman also.’
‘I do consider the young ’ooman, sir,’ said Sam. ‘I haveconsidered the young ’ooman. I’ve spoke to her. I’ve told her howI’m sitivated; she’s ready to vait till I’m ready, and I believe shevill. If she don’t, she’s not the young ’ooman I take her for, and Igive her up vith readiness. You’ve know’d me afore, sir. My mind’smade up, and nothin’ can ever alter it.’
Who could combat this resolution? Not Mr. Pickwick. Hederived, at that moment, more pride and luxury of feeling from thedisinterested attachment of his humble55 friends, than ten thousandprotestations from the greatest men living could have awakened56 inhis heart.
While this conversation was passing in Mr. Pickwick’s room, alittle old gentleman in a suit of snuff-coloured clothes, followed bya porter carrying a small portmanteau, presented himself below;and, after securing a bed for the night, inquired of the waiterwhether one Mrs. Winkle was staying there, to which question thewaiter of course responded in the affirmative.
‘Is she alone?’ inquired the old gentleman. ‘I believe she is, sir,’
replied the waiter; ‘I can call her own maid, sir, if you―’
‘No, I don’t want her,’ said the old gentleman quickly. ‘Show meto her room without announcing me.’
‘Eh, sir?’ said the waiter.
‘Are you deaf?’ inquired the little old gentleman.
‘No, sir.’
‘Then listen, if you please. Can you hear me now?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘That’s well. Show me to Mrs. Winkle’s room, withoutannouncing me.’
As the little old gentleman uttered this command, he slippedfive shillings into the waiter’s hand, and looked steadily at him.
‘Really, sir,’ said the waiter, ‘I don’t know, sir, whether―’
‘Ah! you’ll do it, I see,’ said the little old gentleman. ‘You hadbetter do it at once. It will save time.’
There was something so very cool and collected in thegentleman’s manner, that the waiter put the five shillings in hispocket, and led him upstairs without another word.
‘This is the room, is it?’ said the gentleman. ‘You may go.’ Thewaiter complied, wondering much who the gentleman could be,and what he wanted; the little old gentleman, waiting till he wasout of sight, tapped at the door.
‘Come in,’ said Arabella.
‘Um, a pretty voice, at any rate,’ murmured the little oldgentleman; ‘but that’s nothing.’ As he said this, he opened the doorand walked in. Arabella, who was sitting at work, rose onbeholding a stranger―a little confused―but by no meansungracefully so.
‘Pray don’t rise, ma’am,’ said the unknown, walking in, andclosing the door after him. ‘Mrs. Winkle, I believe?’
Arabella inclined her head.
‘Mrs. Nathaniel Winkle, who married the son of the old man atBirmingham?’ said the stranger, eyeing Arabella with visiblecuriosity.
Again Arabella inclined her head, and looked uneasily round, asif uncertain whether to call for assistance.
‘I surprise you, I see, ma’am,’ said the old gentleman.
‘Rather, I confess,’ replied Arabella, wondering more and more.
‘I’ll take a chair, if you’ll allow me, ma’am,’ said the stranger.
He took one; and drawing a spectacle-case from his pocket,leisurely pulled out a pair of spectacles, which he adjusted on hisnose.
‘You don’t know me, ma’am?’ he said, looking so intently atArabella that she began to feel alarmed.
‘No, sir,’ she replied timidly.
‘No,’ said the gentleman, nursing his left leg; ‘I don’t know howyou should. You know my name, though, ma’am.’
‘Do I?’ said Arabella, trembling, though she scarcely knew why.
‘May I ask what it is?’
‘Presently, ma’am, presently,’ said the stranger, not having yetremoved his eyes from her countenance57. ‘You have been recentlymarried, ma’am?’
‘I have,’ replied Arabella, in a scarcely audible tone, laying asideher work, and becoming greatly agitated58 as a thought, that hadoccurred to her before, struck more forcibly upon her mind.
‘Without having represented to your husband the propriety offirst consulting his father, on whom he is dependent, I think?’ saidthe stranger.
Arabella applied59 her handkerchief to her eyes.
‘Without an endeavour, even, to ascertain60, by some indirectappeal, what were the old man’s sentiments on a point in which hewould naturally feel much interested?’ said the stranger.
‘I cannot deny it, sir,’ said Arabella.
‘And without having sufficient property of your own to affordyour husband any permanent assistance in exchange for theworldly advantages which you knew he would have gained if hehad married agreeably to his father’s wishes?’ said the oldgentleman. ‘This is what boys and girls call disinterested54 affection,till they have boys and girls of their own, and then they see it in arougher and very different light!’
Arabella’s tears flowed fast, as she pleaded in extenuation61 thatshe was young and inexperienced; that her attachment had aloneinduced her to take the step to which she had resorted; and thatshe had been deprived of the counsel and guidance of her parentsalmost from infancy62.
‘It was wrong,’ said the old gentleman in a milder tone, ‘verywrong. It was romantic, unbusinesslike, foolish.’
‘It was my fault; all my fault, sir,’ replied poor Arabella,weeping.
‘Nonsense,’ said the old gentleman; ‘it was not your fault thathe fell in love with you, I suppose? Yes it was, though,’ said the oldgentleman, looking rather slily at Arabella. ‘It was your fault. Hecouldn’t help it.’
This little compliment, or the little gentleman’s odd way ofpaying it, or his altered manner―so much kinder than it was, atfirst―or all three together, forced a smile from Arabella in themidst of her tears.
‘Where’s your husband?’ inquired the old gentleman, abruptly;stopping a smile which was just coming over his own face.
‘I expect him every instant, sir,’ said Arabella. ‘I persuaded himto take a walk this morning. He is very low and wretched at nothaving heard from his father.’
‘Low, is he?’ said the old gentlemen. ‘Serve him right!’
‘He feels it on my account, I am afraid,’ said Arabella; ‘andindeed, sir, I feel it deeply on his. I have been the sole means ofbringing him to his present condition.’
‘Don’t mind it on his account, my dear,’ said the old gentleman.
‘It serves him right. I am glad of it―actually glad of it, as far as heis concerned.’
The words were scarcely out of the old gentleman’s lips, whenfootsteps were heard ascending63 the stairs, which he and Arabellaseemed both to recognise at the same moment. The littlegentleman turned pale; and, making a strong effort to appearcomposed, stood up, as Mr. Winkle entered the room.
‘Father!’ cried Mr. Winkle, recoiling64 in amazement65.
‘Yes, sir,’ replied the little old gentleman. ‘Well, sir, what haveyou got to say to me?’
Mr. Winkle remained silent.
‘You are ashamed of yourself, I hope, sir?’ said the oldgentleman.
Still Mr. Winkle said nothing.
‘Are you ashamed of yourself, sir, or are you not?’ inquired theold gentleman.
‘No, sir,’ replied Mr. Winkle, drawing Arabella’s arm throughhis. ‘I am not ashamed of myself, or of my wife either.’
‘Upon my word!’ cried the old gentleman ironically.
‘I am very sorry to have done anything which has lessened66 youraffection for me, sir,’ said Mr. Winkle; ‘but I will say, at the sametime, that I have no reason to be ashamed of having this lady formy wife, nor you of having her for a daughter.’
‘Give me your hand, Nat,’ said the old gentleman, in an alteredvoice. ‘Kiss me, my love. You are a very charming little daughter-in-law after all!’
In a few minutes’ time Mr. Winkle went in search of Mr.
Pickwick, and returning with that gentleman, presented him to hisfather, whereupon they shook hands for five minutes incessantly67.
‘Mr. Pickwick, I thank you most heartily for all your kindness tomy son,’ said old Mr. Winkle, in a bluff68, straightforward69 way. ‘I ama hasty fellow, and when I saw you last, I was vexed70 and taken bysurprise. I have judged for myself now, and am more thansatisfied. Shall I make any more apologies, Mr. Pickwick?’
‘Not one,’ replied that gentleman. ‘You have done the only thingwanting to complete my happiness.’
Hereupon there was another shaking of hands for five minuteslonger, accompanied by a great number of complimentaryspeeches, which, besides being complimentary71, had the additionaland very novel recommendation of being sincere.
Sam had dutifully seen his father to the Belle72 Sauvage, when,on returning, he encountered the fat boy in the court, who hadbeen charged with the delivery of a note from Emily Wardle.
‘I say,’ said Joe, who was unusually loquacious73, ‘what a prettygirl Mary is, isn’t she? I am so fond of her, I am!’
Mr. Weller made no verbal remark in reply; but eyeing the fatboy for a moment, quite transfixed at his presumption74, led him bythe collar to the corner, and dismissed him with a harmless butceremonious kick. After which, he walked home, whistling.
收听单词发音 |
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musing
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| n. 沉思，冥想 adj. 沉思的, 冥想的 动词muse的现在分词形式 | |
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apron
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| n.围裙；工作裙 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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attachments
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| n.（用电子邮件发送的）附件( attachment的名词复数 )；附着；连接；附属物 | |
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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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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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widower
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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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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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supplicatory
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| adj.恳求的，祈愿的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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abstained
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| v.戒（尤指酒），戒除( abstain的过去式和过去分词 )；弃权（不投票） | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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pint
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| n.品脱 | |
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apprehending
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的现在分词 )； 理解 | |
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inter
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| v.埋葬 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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foresight
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| n.先见之明，深谋远虑 | |
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nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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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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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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wry
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| adj.讽刺的；扭曲的 | |
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tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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winks
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| v.使眼色( wink的第三人称单数 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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livelihood
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| n.生计，谋生之道 | |
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faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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rambles
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| （无目的地）漫游( ramble的第三人称单数 )； （喻）漫谈； 扯淡； 长篇大论 | |
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borough
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| n.享有自治权的市镇；(英)自治市镇 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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disinterested
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| adj.不关心的，不感兴趣的 | |
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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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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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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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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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extenuation
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| n.减轻罪孽的借口；酌情减轻；细 | |
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infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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recoiling
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| v.畏缩( recoil的现在分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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lessened
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| 减少的，减弱的 | |
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incessantly
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| ad.不停地 | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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belle
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| n.靓女 | |
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loquacious
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| adj.多嘴的，饶舌的 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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