Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 36: what you’re looking at

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28 and his gaiters a brush—and that, ifhe had | not looked like himself—that is, like Mr. Pickwick—he might have been taken for a sheep- -stealer : it is also true that Mr. Win- kle looked most miserable, and Mr. Tup- man most inexpressibly seedy—that Mr. Adolphus Crashem was most rakish, Mr. Boozie most stolid, and Mr. Weller most impudent; but it is equally true that they |‘m were all creat men, and boasted as their leader, the most extr aordinary one of the age. This, as they descended from the ve- hicle, must have struck M. Cailliez immedi- ately, and probably did so; unless, as cer- tain malicious commentators have observed, the quantity of luggage which accompanied the travellers—Mr, Crashem excepted— was the soothing conciliator in the mind of Madame Meurice’s all-seeing deputy. “This is Mr. Pickwick, Sir,” said Mr. Crashem, in a loud tone of voice, addressing ‘himself to M. Cailliez, and indicating Mr. Pickwick by inflicting a most violent punch between the ribs of that immortal gentle- man, which caused the same immortal gentleman to give so sudden a start, that {, Cailliez put himself into a singular and graceful attitude of defence, not knowing whether a deadly attack were not medi. tated upon his person. “ This is Mr. Pickwick, I say, ' exclaimed Mr. Crashem a second time. M. Cailliez bowed, and tried to look amazingly pleased, while Mr. Pickwick looked as amazingly foolish, being aware that a dozen English grooms, ‘tigers, lac- queys, and dependants were ‘grinning’ at him and his companions on all sides, “Private rooms, gentlemen?” said M. Cailliez in very good English. “Certainly !” responded Mr. Pickwick ; “and let us have a chop as soon as possible ; for—I don’t know how it may be sith you Tupman—but I’m rather hungry.” i T once had a mutton chop,” commenced Mr. Boozie, addressing himself to M. Calliez “which was not—but, no—Im telling you another lie—'twas a beef-steak, when [I re- -collect— “ Private rooms immediately, gentlemen,” cried the bewildered M. Cailliez; while Mr. Adolphus Crashem reminded Mr. Pickwick that he had made a slight mistake in ask- ing for a chop at Meurice’s hotel. Mr. Pickwick immediately saw his error, and, by way of correcting it, desired his monitor to act as caterer for that evening. Mr Tupman now concluded a small ¢ PICKWICK ABROAD, ; tained Mr. | stalled in their new lodgings. ae re colloquy that had taken place between hina and Madame Cailliez, while the above con- versation was soing _on—Mr. Winkle re- jomed the party, having succeeded in inti- midating a young gentleman of. thirteen who was making faces at him—and Mr. Weller brought to a ‘termination a slight dispute he had deemed it necessary to maintain with a German courier who spoke all languages; so that our travellers were prepared to follow the wondering M. Cailliez to the apartments he was about to conduct them, to. a It must be something very slap up,” Adolphus “rashem, in a menacing tone of voice, as the whole party followed M. Cailliez up a wide and band- some staircase to a suite of apartments Jook- ing upon the Gardens of the Tuileries, and not higher than the fourth floor above the entresol. Mr. Crashem’s injunction had ap peared to produce some effect; for wher the extreme height of the said apartments from the ground was objected to by Mr. Pickwick, the first floor was immediately pronounced to be vacant. “T am only afraid, gentlemen * objected M. Cailliez, “that you PS find it eo “ Nonsense !” cried Mr. Crashem, with: a most. noble disdain of expense ; “name your own price.” “Only two thousand francs a month,” : answered M. Cailliez, with an engaging smile. “Kighty pounds !” ejaculated Mr. Crash: em, rattling an immense quantity of fiv franc pieces in the pocket of his mysterious . . rough blue coat. “ Amami t ng very dear, either.” | “Tt is too dear for me,” crie Mr, Pick- wick, sternly, his forehead contracting into wrinkles and displaying to considerable advantage the large spots of mud that soiled his skin, “ Let us take the fourth floor, and settle ourselves at once.” A bargain was thereupon immediately struck, and the travellers were speedily in- It being now necessary to elect a general caterer and a general president, for the ex- press behoof of the little community, Mr. ‘* Adolphus Crashem undertook the laborious functions of the former office, and Mr. Pick- wick was of course nominated to administer those of the latter. These matters having been arranged to the satisfaction of all whom they concerned, certain necesary ab ~~ -_ La ae Go LO@\O cS m “a «