566 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF
which he vaulted on his stool with an agility most remarkable, and wrote intensely.
The greeting between Mr. Pickwick and his professional adviser was warm and cordial ; the client was scarcely ensconced in the attorney's arm chair, however, when a knock was heard at the door, and a voice enquired whether Mr. Perker was within.
'* Hark ! " said Perker, " that's one of our vagabond friends- Jingle himself, my dear Sir. Will you see him ? "
" What do you think ? " enquired Mr. Pickwick, hesitating.
<* Yes, I think you had better. Here, you sir, what's your name, walk in, will you .'*"
In compliance with this unceremonious invitation. Jingle and Job walked into the room, but, seeing Mr. Pickwick, stopped short in some confusion.
" Well," said Perker, " don't you know that gentleman ? "
- ' Good reason to," replied Jingle, stepping forward. ** Mr. Pick-
wick — deepest obligations — life preserver — made a man of me — you shall never repent it, Sir."
- ' I am happy to hear you say so, said Mr. Pickwick. " You look
much better."
"Thanks to you. Sir — great change — Majesty's fleet — unwholesome place — very," said Jingle, shaking his head. He was decently and cleanly dressed, and so was Job, who stood bolt upright behind hira, staring at Mr. Pickwick with a visage of iron.
" When do they go to Liverpool ? " enquired Mr. Pickwick, half aside to Perker.
" This evening. Sir, at seven o'clock," said Job, taking one step for- ward. " By the heavy coach from the city, Sir."
- ' Are your places taken ? "
- ' They are, Sir," replied Job.
" You have fully made up your mind to go ? "
- ' I have. Sir," answered Job.
'^ With regard to such an outfit as was indispensable for Jingle," said Perker, addressing Mr. Pickwick aloud, '^I have taken upon myself to make an arrangement for the deduction of a small sum from his quarterly salary, which, being made for only one year, and regularly remitted, will provide for that expense. I entirely disapprove of your doing anything for him, my dear Sir, which is not dependent on his own exertions and good conduct."
"Certainly," interposed Jingle, with great firmness. "Clear head — man of the world — quite right — perfectly.
- ' By compounding with his creditor, releasing his clothes from the
pawnbroker's, relieving him in prison, and paying for his passage," con- tinued Perker, without noticing Jingle's observation, " you have already lost upwards of fifty pounds."
" Not lost," said Jingle, hastily. '^ Pay it all — stick to business — cash up — every farthing. Yellow fever, perhaps — can't help that — if not — " Here Mr. Jingle paused, and striking the crown of his hat with great violence, passed his hand over his eyes, and sat down.
