Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 42: what you’re looking at

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34 by kicking Madareh Meurice’s deputy play- fully down the first flight of stairs, while Mr. Tims discharged at the heads of the astonished waiters all the boots and shoes | that were arranged at the several bed-room doors in the passage. The premises were thus immediately cleared of the enemy ; and after a few comments upon the strange occurrences of the evening, Mr. Pickwick, Mr. Crashem, Mr. Tims, and Mr. Weller retired each once more. to his respective apartment. The meeting at the breakfast-table. on the following morning was gloomy and un- comfortable. Mr. Tupman and Mr. Winkle secretly reproached themselves. for having left their venerated leader in the hour of danger, despite of the stimulating but un- prophetic lines indicted by Mr. Snodgrass, and laid before the reader in a former chap- ter; Mr. Boozie felt annoyed at Mr. Pick- wick’s manner and abruptness on the oc- casion of the disturbance; Mr. Crashem af- fected sympathy and commiseration ; Mr. Tims laughed in the sleeve of his blue coat with brass buttons—and Mr. Pickwick him- self was unusually thoughtful and low-spi- rited. Conjecture, on all sides, in vain en- deavored to affix the authorship of the in- sult on the devoted head of some audacious culprit; but not a breath of suspicion sul- lied the fair fame of Messieurs Tims and Crashem. ‘TI wish I had been there when the fighting began,” exclaimed Mr. Winkle, as- suming a menacing air, and clenching his fist with the determined countenance of a gladiator. ** Didn’t I give it to that fellow Cailliez ?” inquired Mr. Crashem, blandly appealing to Mr. Tims, who nodded his head in. a peculiar manner expressive of assent. ‘Pity I missed it!’ observed Mr. Tup- man; “for I should have lked to have pilahed into some of those French dogs,” e added, with a courageous glance at Me Boozie. ‘* Boozie,” said Mr. Pickwick, frighten: ing up, when those loyal sentiments met: his ear; “I was somewhat harsh last night —but you should make allowances for the excruciating agony I endured in my great toe. Here Messieurs Crashem and Tims with difficulty suppressed a laugh—* But there’s my hand, Boozie,” continued the noble-minded and generous Mr. Pickwick. _ Mr. Boozie grasped the out-stretched hand that was so liberally offered, and a PICKWICK ABROAD. pathetic little piece of tragedy ensued | Mr. Tupman and Mr. Winkle thought it oi to aed tears ; Mr. Tims the thigh—and Mr. Tims re- turned the compliment on Mr. Crashem’s ribs ; and all were looking very doleful and very much affected, when the door w thrown open, and M. Cuilliez, attended | his two clerks, entered the room. | “ What is the matter, now ?” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, rising from his chair, and — putting his hands under his coat-tails, to give a more determined air to his already imposing attitude. “Sir,” said M. Cailliez, very civilly, “I shall say nothing about the ill-treatment. I received at the hands of your domestic and friends last evening—” “You'd better not,’ mterr upted Mr. Winkle, from the opposite side of the table, and elancing round to see if there were not a poker or shovel in his immediate vicinity. “But continued M. Cailliez, without deigning to notice this interruption, “I must: request, in every possible term of respect, that you suit yourselves with other Apart- ments as speedily as possible.” ; “Bring the bill!” ejaculated Mr. Crasb- emi’ “ and as for staying any longer in your confounded hotel, strike me stupid if 2 would not sooner be—” “There are two or three gentlemen i sirous of speaking to you, Sir, down stairs,” quietly interrupted M. Cailliez, addressing himself with a bow to Mr. Adolphus Crash- em, who turned pale, hesitated, and held his peace, “Tf any one wishes to see Mr. Crashem,” said Mr. Pickwick, “let him walk up; and in the course of the morning send me your account. You have only anticipated me in my intentions. Show Mr. Crashem’s friends up immediately ;’—and _ extricating _ his right hand from beneath his eoat- tails, Mr. Pickwick waved it impressively in the air —a signal M. Cailliez, with all the native politeness of a Frenchman, immediately. obeyed, retreating from the room, followed by his two clerks, whom he had" brought with him, as meet ‘aid, in case of a renewed attack. . ~“T wonder who it can be,” observed Mr. Crashem, somewhat uneasily. “T do not think they could have the im- pudence to send a gendarme to take you up,” said Mr. Pickwick. yt “Oh! Arabella! Arabella!” exclaimed Mr. Wink!e in a fit of most unfeigned agony Mr. Crashem pinched ; COnNIEDOOKS (EO)