THE PICKWICK CLUB. 467
CHAPTER XLIII.
TI^EATS OF DIVERS LITTLE MATTERS WHICH OCCURRED IN THE
FLEET, AND OF MR. WINKLE's MYSTERIOUS BEHAVIOUR; AND
SHOWS HOW THE POOR CHANCERY PRISONER OBTAINED HIS RELEASE AT LAST.
Mr. Pickwick felt a great deal too much touched by the warmth of Sam's attachment, to be able to exhibit any manifestation of anger or displeasure at the precipitate course he had adopted, in voluntarily consigning himself to a 'debtors' prison for an indefinite period. The only point on which he persevered in demanding any explanation, was, the name of Sam's detaining creditor, but this Mr. Weller as perse- veringly withheld.
"It ain't o' no use. Sir," said Sam, again and again. "He's a ma-licious, bad-disposed, vorldly-minded, spiteful, windictive creetur, with a hard heart as there ain't no soft'nin, as the wirtuous clergyman remarked of the old gen'lm'n with the dropsy, ven he said, that upon the whole he thought he'd rayther leave his property to his vife than build a chapel vith it."
- But consider, Sam," Mr. Pickwick remonstrated, " the sum is so
small that it can very easily be paid, and having made up my mind that you shall stop with me, you should recollect how much more useful you would be, if you could go outside the walls."
"Wery much obliged to you. Sir," replied Mr. Weller gravely; "but I'd rayther not."
" Rather not do what, Sam ? "
" Vy, Sir, I'd rayther not let myself down to ask a favor o' this here unremorseful enemy."
" But it is no favour asking him to take the money, Sam," reasoned Mr. Pickwick.
"Beg your pardon, Sir/' rejoined Sam; *'but it 'ud be a wery great favor to pay it, and he don't deserve none; that's vere it is, Sir."
Here Mr. Pickwick, rubbing his nose with an air of some vexa- tion, Mr. WeUer thought it prudent to change the theme of the dis- course.
" I takes my determination on principle. Sir," remarked Sam, "and you takes yours on the same ground; vich puts me in mind o' the man as killed his-self on principle, vich o' course you've heerd on. Sir." Mr. Weller paused when he arrived at this point, and cast a comical look at his master out of the corners of his eyes.
" There is no of course in the case, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, gra-
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