Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

192 PICKWICK ABROAD, ‘“‘T have succeeded,” replied M, Dumont, throwimg himself upon 4 chair, and his-hat upon the table. “ And where is he2’ cried Mr. Pickwick, almost breathless with agitation and curiosity. ; ‘¢ His passport is signed for Saint Omers,”’ said Dumont. ‘“‘ I have been to the Prefecture de Police to ascertain the fact.” Mr. Pickwick rang the bell violently, and Mr. Weller immediately ~ answered the summons. ‘© Sam,”’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘‘ tell Mr. Cailliez to get me a post- chaise and four immediately. I must be at Saint Omer’s to-morrow evening by this time.’ “Know how far you’re a-goin’ ?”” enquired Mr, Weller, looking as much inclined to move off in the required haste as the Méauee to take a walk across the Thames. ‘ “No,” replied Mr. Pickwick. ‘‘ But were it as far as Jerusalem, I must be there in four-and-twenty hours at the outside,” added he — great man with that peculiar felicity of idea which so eminently dis- tinguished him. “Must, ech?” observed Mr. Weller, very quietly. ‘* Who’s goin’ too?” “ You, Sam,” replied Mr. Pickwick: ‘“ Mr. Winkle will stay behind © at Paris.” ; ‘‘ Vell, that’s a blessin’,” cried Mr. Weller. ‘“ But how far air we © off, as the gen’leman in the fire-balloon said to his-self?”’ ‘About a hundred and fifty miles,’ elucidated M. Dumont. ‘‘ An’ vot’s the use 0’ goin’ about the country, and makin’ vild beastesses on ourselves ?” remonstrated Mr. Weller, placing his arms — a-kimbo, and confronting his master with as much respect as might be expected from a Cherokee Indian, were he brought to give evidence at the bar of the House of Commons. “ You're past the. age for galliwantin’, you air, Sir, as the gen’leman said to Mathusalem.” 4 You mean Methuselah. Sam,” sugcested Mr. Pickwick. A Well, Sit, P ‘rhaps I do,” cried Mr. “Weller, dogmatically: ‘‘there — ain’t no sayin’ that | don’t, vich vos the obserwation made by the — young chap to his tailor as told him he owed a bill: but, jokin’ apart —ain’t this a rum start 0’ your’n all o’ a sudden, Sir ?” Mr. Pickwick declared that whether it were rum or not, he certainly intended a start, and requested his servant not to 3 ae his determi- nations, to which that gentleman responded by a dozen emphatic shakes of the head. 4 “Quite decided, Sir?” demanded Mr. Weller, after a pause, during © which he brought to a conclusion the exercise he so considerately allowed his head. ‘¢ Quite,” said Mr. Pickwick. ‘¢ An’ no mistake, as the sheriff’s officer says ?” An intimation was given that there was none. “‘ Vell, then, here goes,” cried Mr. Weller, in a state of i am | = oh arn” er | “Pr ay be quick, Sam,” urged the impatient Mr. Pickwick. Be Mr. Weller accordingly hastened to obey kis master’s orders, and e it M. Dumont undertook to get the immortal gentleman’s passport cia signed for him, in order to prevent as much delay as possible, oe Comicbooks.com |