THE PICKWICK CLUB. 537
The postboy was driving briskly through the open streets and past the handsome and well-lighted shops which intervene between the out- skirts of the town and the old Royal Hotel, before Mr. Pickwick had begun to consider the very difficult and delicate nature of the commis- sion which had carried him thither.
The delicate nature of this commission, and the difficulty of executing it in a satisfactory manner, were by no means lessened by the voluntary companionship of Mr. Bob Sawyer: truth to tell, Mr. Pickwick felt that his presence on the occasion, however considerate and gratifying, was by no means an honour he would willingly have sought ; in fact he would cheerfully have given a reasonable sum of money to have had Mr. Bob Sawyer removed to any place of not less than fifty miles' distance without delay.
Mr. PickAvick had never held any personal communication with Mr. Winkle, Senior, although he had once or twice corresponded with him by letter, and returned satisfactory answers to his enquiries concerning the moral character and behaviour of his son ; he felt nervously sensible that to wait upon him for the first time attended by Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen, both slightly fuddled, was not the most ingenious and likely means that could have been hit upon to prepossess him in his favour.
" However/' said Mr. Pickwick, endeavouring to re-assure himself, ", I must do the best [ can : I must see him to-night, for I faithfully promised to do so ; and if they persist in accompanying me, I must make the interview as brief as possible, and be content to hope that, for their own sakes, they will not expose themselves."
As he comforted himself with these reflections, the chaise stopped at the door of the Old Royal. Ben Allen having been partially awakened from a stupendous sleep, and dragged out by the collar by Mr. Samuel Weller, IMr. Pickwick was enabled to alight. They were shown to a comfortable apartment, and Mr. Pickwick at once propounded a question to the waiter concerning the whereabout of Mr. Winkle's residence.
" Close by. Sir," said the waiter, "not above five hundred yards, Sir. Mr. Winkle is a wharfinger. Sir, at the canal, Sir. Private residence is not — oh dear no. Sir, not five hundred yards, Sir." Here the waiter blew a candle out and made a feint of lighting it again, in order to afl^ord Mr. Pickwick an opportunity of asking any further questions, if he felt so disposed.
" Take anything now, Sir } " said the waiter, lighting the candle in desperation at Mr. Pickwick's silence. " Tea or cofifee, Sir ? dinner. Sir } "
- Nothing now."
" Very good. Sir. Like to order supper. Sir } "
" Not just now."
" Very good. Sir." Here he walked softly to the door, and then stopping short, turned round and said with great suavity —
" Shall I send the chambermaid, gentlemen } "
" You may if you please," replied Mr. Pickwiclv,
- ' i you please. Sir."
