Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

320 PICKWICK ABROAD. ‘‘ And his philanthropy,” superadded Mr. Jopling. And having thus uttered a catalogue of the most gratuitous and uns pardonable falsehoods under the canopy of heaven, the two gentlemen emptied the first bowl of punch and rung for a second, just as the neighbouring clocks struck half-past two. Now Mr. Siffkin was delighted at having met with Messrs. Lipman and Jopling, because they had given him information relative to Mr. Pickwick’s character, which he fondly hoped would for ever ruin that gentleman in the opinion of Mr. Scuttle and his niece. But Mr. Sift kin gradually became sleepy ; and he by no means felt any accessory to his pleasure or comfort when the waiter made his appearance with another bowl of hot brandy-punch. “You haven’t a cold fowl in the house, waiter, have you ?” enquired Mr. Lipman, just as that functionary was about to leave the room, “Oh! certainly, Sir,’ said the waiter with an obsequious bow, ‘¢ Walk him up, then,” ejaculated Mr. Jopling in that figurative kind of language which many young Iinglish gentlemen have, during late years, so tastefully adopted. The waiter accordingly walked down stairs, and then walked up the cold fowl. Mr. Siffkin was in despair; but Messieurs Lipman and Jop- ling manfully disdained to take the smallest notice of him, and com- menced a vigorous assault upon the edible before them. ‘“ T say, old boy, what’s your name, though ?” enquired Mr, Jopling, suddenly recollecting that there was a third person present. “ Sulkin— Nassau Sufkin, at your service,’ was the answer, deli- vered in a miserable tone of voice, for Mr. Lipman’s right foot had just gone through the roof of the hat-box. | “Well, then, Siffkin—here’s your health,” said Mr. Jopling; and he nodded familiarly to his host ere he tossed off another tumbler of punch, ‘‘ Now for one more cigar,” exclaimed Mr. Lipman, as he made an end of eating, because he had finished the fowl. “Really, gentlemen,” began Mr. Sifkin, sitting very uneasily in his chair: ‘* ]—I—am exceedingly—” “Oh! if you’re tired, go to bed, Siffkin,”’ interrupted Mr. Jopling “We'll make ourselves very comfortable. Never do you fear.” Relative to this there really did not appear to be any ground of | alarm; for two more comfortable-looking individuals have seldom been seen at asimilar hour and occupation in any age or time. ‘here was no alternative but patiently to await their departure: so Mr, Siffkin sate listening to the ticking of the time-piece and his own watch; and every now and then the monotony of those sounds was broken by an observation which fell from the lips of one of his guests. There was, however, a great sameness prevalent throughout those remarks, the principal topic of which was an anathema against a cigar which wouldn’t light, or the rapid disappearance of the punch. At length four o’clock struck, and then Messieurs Lipman and Jop-_ ling came to the conclusion ‘‘ that it was about time to go :”” whereupon they wished Mr. Siffkin a valediction which they were pleased to call. a “Good night,” and retired with a promise to visit him again ina few days. Comicbooks.cor a ~