Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

246 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,’ contmued Mr. Hook Walker, again assuming his usual systematic tone and manner. ‘“* You see‘all these clothes—they are bran new—” which mdeed they were, the aforesaid M. Mignot having brought them home only a few days before, upon Mr. Pickwick’s responsibility—“ 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 lam not very thm, 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 isa 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—”’ “Pray go on,” said Mr. Pickwick, not at all displeased by thenature 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; anda 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 our venerable and respected hero. _This arrangement being complete, Mr. Walker proceededto submit _ himself to a similar process, and arranged his vestments about his ep uy} a +,* 4, *h; Ti pel, Figt eae - P comicbooks.com Bh}