Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 296: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

220 PICKWICK ABROAD: ‘‘ Certainly,’”’ returned the good-natured Mr. Pickwick, who, having already advanced sundry loans to Mr. Walker, was apprehensive of another application for a similar service. ‘“Well—the truth is this,” continued Mr. Hook Walker, in assuming his usual systematic tone and manner. ‘‘ You see all these clothes—they are bran new—” which indeed they were, the aforesaid M. Mignot having brought them home only a few days before, upon Mr. Pickwick’s ae ye cient and it is necessary that I should convey them out of this hotel without letting them be seen by any one in it.” ‘‘ Put them into a trunk, then,” suggested Mr. Pickwick, with that foresight that never left him. ‘‘That is against the laws of the bet, and the system I had to propose,” observed Mr. Walker, deliberately surveying Mr. Pickwick from top to toe. “ How can it be managed, then?’ demanded that gentleman, con- siderably perplexed, and equally anxious to oblige a friend. ‘“‘ Excuse me, Mr. Pickwick,” said Mr. Walker, ‘‘ but you are rather fat, and I am not very thin. Any additional clothing on stout people is never perceived.” ‘* Indeed!” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, casting a cursory glance at himself in the nearest looking-glass, and complacently surveying those tights and gaiters which have filled worlds with their undying renown. ‘‘ Fact, my dear Sir: calculation to a nicety is a part of my system,” cried Mr. Walker. ‘‘So—if you would but have the kindness— twould be the making of me—and then you know I could settle the little matter between us—”’ “6 Pray go on,” said Mr. Pickwick, not at all displeased by the nature of the prospects thus held out. _ < What I mean is,’’ continued Mr. Walker, ‘‘ that you and I could conceal all those clothes about our persons, and carry them out of the hotel as nicely as possible.”’ ‘* Dear me,” said Mr. Pickwick; ‘‘ I never thought of that.” Mr. Walker took this observation as an unequivocal acquiescence in the scheme; and almost before Mr. Pickwick had time to reflect maturely upon what his friend was about to do, his coat was suddenly taken off his back, his waistcoat unbuttoned, and two or three pairs of trowsers tied beneath it round his waist. The waistcoat was then buttoned up once more; and a couple of shirts were stowed away in Mr. Pickwick’s breast: his pockets and hat were filled with stock- ings; and then his coat was once more endorsed upon him by the skilful Mr. Walker, who declared with unfeigned delight that the additional clothing quite improved Mr. Pickwick's figure. That gen- tleman did not, however, appear to think so; and when Mr. Walker requested him to put ona thick white great-coat, with sundry capes over the rest, his heart actually sank within him. Mr. Walker, however, assumed so piteous and imploring a face, that all objection was over-ruled, and the great-coat speedily covered the form of ow venerable and respected hero. This arrangement being complete, Mr. Walker proceeded to submit himself to a similar process, and arranged his vestments about his a S 5} a 6)(0)6) <S (COIN