WHICH CONTAINS A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEPROGRESS OF THE ACTION OFBARDELL AGAINST PICKWICKaving accomplished the main end and object of hisjourney, by the exposure of Jingle, Mr. Pickwick resolvedon immediately returning to London, with the view ofbecoming acquainted with the proceedings which had been takenagainst him, in the meantime, by Messrs. Dodson and Fogg. Actingupon this resolution with all the energy and decision of hischaracter, he mounted to the back seat of the first coach which leftIpswich on the morning after the memorable occurrences detailedat length in the two preceding chapters; and accompanied by histhree friends, and Mr. Samuel Weller, arrived in the metropolis, inperfect health and safety, the same evening.

　　Here the friends, for a short time, separated. Messrs. Tupman,Winkle, and Snodgrass repaired to their several homes to makesuch preparations as might be requisite for their forthcoming visitto Dingley Dell; and Mr. Pickwick and Sam took up their presentabode in very good, old-fashioned, and comfortable quarters, towit, the George and Vulture Tavern and Hotel, George Yard,Lombard Street.

　　Mr. Pickwick had dined, finished his second pint of particularport, pulled his silk handkerchief over his head, put his feet on thefender, and thrown himself back in an easy-chair, when theentrance of Mr. Weller with his carpet-bag, aroused him from histranquil meditation.

　　‘Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘sir,’ said Mr. Weller.

　　‘I have just been thinking, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘that havingleft a good many things at Mrs. Bardell’s, in Goswell Street, Iought to arrange for taking them away, before I leave town again.’

　　‘Wery good, sir,’ replied Mr. Weller.

　　‘I could send them to Mr. Tupman’s, for the present, Sam,’

　　continued Mr. Pickwick, ‘but before we take them away, it isnecessary that they should be looked up, and put together. I wishyou would step up to Goswell Street, Sam, and arrange about it.’

　　‘At once, sir?’ inquired Mr. Weller.

　　‘At once,’ replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘And stay, Sam,’ added Mr.

　　Pickwick, pulling out his purse, ‘there is some rent to pay. Thequarter is not due till Christmas, but you may pay it, and havedone with it. A month’s notice terminates my tenancy. Here it is,written out. Give it, and tell Mrs. Bardell she may put a bill up, assoon as she likes.’

　　‘Wery good, sir,’ replied Mr. Weller; ‘anythin’ more, sir?’

　　‘Nothing more, Sam.’

　　Mr. Weller stepped slowly to the door, as if he expectedsomething more; slowly opened it, slowly stepped out, and hadslowly closed it within a couple of inches, when Mr. Pickwickcalled out―‘Sam.’

　　‘Yes, sir,’ said Mr. Weller, stepping quickly back, and closingthe door behind him. ‘I have no objection, Sam, to yourendeavouring to ascertain how Mrs. Bardell herself seemsdisposed towards me, and whether it is really probable that thisvile and groundless action is to be carried to extremity. I say I donot object to you doing this, if you wish it, Sam,’ said Mr. Pickwick.

　　Sam gave a short nod of intelligence, and left the room. Mr.

　　Pickwick drew the silk handkerchief once more over his head, Andcomposed himself for a nap. Mr. Weller promptly walked forth, toexecute his commission.

　　It was nearly nine o’clock when he reached Goswell Street. Acouple of candles were burning in the little front parlour, and acouple of caps were reflected on the window-blind. Mrs. Bardellhad got company.

　　Mr. Weller knocked at the door, and after a pretty longinterval―occupied by the party without, in whistling a tune, andby the party within, in persuading a refractory flat candle to allowitself to be lighted―a pair of small boots pattered over the floor-cloth, and Master Bardell presented himself.

　　‘Well, young townskip,’ said Sam, ‘how’s mother?’

　　‘She’s pretty well,’ replied Master Bardell, ‘so am I.’

　　‘Well, that’s a mercy,’ said Sam; ‘tell her I want to speak to her,will you, my hinfant fernomenon?’

　　Master Bardell, thus adjured, placed the refractory flat candleon the bottom stair, and vanished into the front parlour with hismessage.

　　The two caps, reflected on the window-blind, were therespective head-dresses of a couple of Mrs. Bardell’s mostparticular acquaintance, who had just stepped in, to have a quietcup of tea, and a little warm supper of a couple of sets of pettitoesand some toasted cheese. The cheese was simmering andbrowning away, most delightfully, in a little Dutch oven before thefire; the pettitoes were getting on deliciously in a little tinsaucepan on the hob; and Mrs. Bardell and her two friends weregetting on very well, also, in a little quiet conversation about andconcerning all their particular friends and acquaintance; whenMaster Bardell came back from answering the door, and deliveredthe message intrusted to him by Mr. Samuel Weller.

　　‘Mr. Pickwick’s servant!’ said Mrs. Bardell, turning pale.

　　‘Bless my soul!’ said Mrs. Cluppins.

　　‘Well, I raly would not ha’ believed it, unless I had ha’ happenedto ha’ been here!’ said Mrs. Sanders.

　　Mrs. Cluppins was a little, brisk, busy-looking woman; Mrs.

　　Sanders was a big, fat, heavy-faced personage; and the two werethe company.

　　Mrs. Bardell felt it proper to be agitated; and as none of thethree exactly knew whether under existing circumstances, anycommunication, otherwise than through Dodson & Fogg, ought tobe held with Mr. Pickwick’s servant, they were all rather taken bysurprise. In this state of indecision, obviously the first thing to bedone, was to thump the boy for finding Mr. Weller at the door. Sohis mother thumped him, and he cried melodiously.

　　‘Hold your noise―do―you naughty creetur!’ said Mrs. Bardell.

　　‘Yes; don’t worrit your poor mother,’ said Mrs. Sanders.

　　‘She’s quite enough to worrit her, as it is, without you, Tommy,’

　　said Mrs. Cluppins, with sympathising resignation.

　　‘Ah! worse luck, poor lamb!’ said Mrs. Sanders. At all whichmoral reflections, Master Bardell howled the louder.

　　‘Now, what shall I do?’ said Mrs. Bardell to Mrs. Cluppins.

　　‘I think you ought to see him,’ replied Mrs. Cluppins. ‘But on noaccount without a witness.’

　　‘I think two witnesses would be more lawful,’ said Mrs.

　　Sanders, who, like the other friend, was bursting with curiosity.

　　‘Perhaps he’d better come in here,’ said Mrs. Bardell.

　　‘To be sure,’ replied Mrs. Cluppins, eagerly catching at the idea;‘walk in, young man; and shut the street door first, please.’

　　Mr. Weller immediately took the hint; and presenting himself inthe parlour, explained his business to Mrs. Bardell thus―‘Wery sorry to ’casion any personal inconwenience, ma’am, asthe housebreaker said to the old lady when he put her on the fire;but as me and my governor ‘s only jest come to town, and is jestgoing away agin, it can’t be helped, you see.’

　　‘Of course, the young man can’t help the faults of his master,’

　　said Mrs. Cluppins, much struck by Mr. Weller’s appearance andconversation.

　　‘Certainly not,’ chimed in Mrs. Sanders, who, from certainwistful glances at the little tin saucepan, seemed to b............