While the good lady was bestowing this objurgation on Mr.Ben Allen, Bob Sawyer and Mr.Pickwick had retired in close conversation to the inner room, where Mr.Sawyer was observed to apply himself several times to the mouth of a black bottle, under the influence of which, his features gradually assumed a cheerful and even jovial expression.And at last he emerged from the room, bottle in hand, and, remarking that he was very sorry to say he had been making a fool of himself, begged to propose the health and happiness of Mr.and Mrs.Winkle, whose felicity, so far from envying, he would be the first to congratulate them upon.Hearing this, Mr.Ben Allen suddenly arose from his chair, and, seizing the black bottle, drank the toast so heartily, that, the liquor being strong, he became nearly as black in the face as the bottle.Finally, the black bottle went round till it was empty, and there was so much shaking of hands and interchanging of compliments, that even the metal-visaged Mr.Martin condescended to smile.
"And now," said Bob Sawyer, rubbing his hands, "we'll have a jolly night.""I am sorry," said Mr.Pickwick, "that I must return to my inn.I have not been accustomed to fatigue lately, and my journey has tired me exceedingly.""You'll take some tea, Mr.Pickwick?" said the old lady, with irresistible sweetness.
"Thank you, I would rather not," replied that gentleman.The truth is, that the old lady's evidently increasing admiration, was Mr.Pickwick's principal inducement for going away.He thought of Mrs.Bardell; and every glance of the old lady's eyes threw him into a cold perspiration.
As Mr.Pickwick could by no means be prevailed upon to stay, it was arranged at once, on his own proposition, that Mr.Benjamin Allen should accompany him on his journey to the elder Mr.Winkle's, and that the coach should be at the door, at nine o'clock next morning.He then took his leave, and, followed by Samuel Weller, repaired to the Bush.It is worthy of remark, that Mr.Martin's face was horribly convulsed as he shook hands with Sam at parting, and that he gave vent to a smile and an oath simultaneously:
from which tokens it has been inferred by those who were best acquainted with that gentleman's peculiarities, that he expressed himself much pleased with Mr.Weller's society, and requested the honour of his further acquaintance.
"Shall I order a private room, sir?" inquired Sam, when they reached the Bush.
"Why, no, Sam," replied Mr.Pickwick; "as I dined in the coffee room, and shall go to bed soon, it is hardly worth while.See who there is in the travellers' room, Sam."Mr.Weller departed on his errand, and presently returned to say, that there was only a gentleman with one eye; and that he and the landlord were drinking a bowl of bishop together.
"I will join them," said Mr.Pickwick.
"He's a queer customer, the vun-eyed vun, sir," observed Mr.Weller, as he led the way."He's a gammonin' that 'ere landlord, he is, sir, till he don't rightly know wether he's a standing on the soles of his boots or the crown of his hat."The individual to whom this observation referred, was sitting at the upper end of the room when Mr.Pickwick entered, and was smoking a large Dutch pipe, with his eye intently fixed on the round face of the landlord:
a jolly-looking old personage, to whom he had recently been relating some tale of wonder, as was testified by sundry disjointed exclamations of, "Well, I wouldn't have believed it! The strangest thing I ever heard! Couldn't have supposed it possible!" and other expressions of astonishment which burst spontaneously from his lips, as he returned the fixed gaze of the one-eyed man.
"Servant, sir," said the one-eyed man to Mr.Pickwick."Fine night, sir.""Very much so indeed," replied Mr.Pickwick, as the waiter placed a small decanter of brandy, and some hot water before him.
While Mr.Pickwick was mixing his brandy and water, the one-eyed man looked round at him earnestly, from time to time, and at length said:
"I think I've seen you before."
"I don't recollect you," rejoined Mr.Pickwick.
"I daresay not," said the one-eyed man."You didn't know me, but I knew two friends of yours that were stopping at the Peacock at Eatanswill, at the time of the Election.""Oh, indeed!" exclaimed Mr.Pickwick.
"Yes," rejoined the one-eyed man."I mentioned a little circumstance to them about a friend of mine of the name of Tom Smart.Perhaps you've heard them speak of it.""Often," rejoined Mr.Pickwick, smiling."He was your uncle, I think?""No, no; only a friend of my uncle's," replied the one-eyed man.
"He was a wonderful man, that uncle of yours, though," remarked the landlord, shaking his head.
"Well, I think he was, I think I may say he was," answered the one-eyed man."I could tell you a story about that same uncle, gentlemen, that would rather surprise you.""Could you?" said Mr.Pickwick."Let us hear it, by all means."The one-eyed Bagman ladled out a glass of negus from the bowl, and drank it; smoked a long whiff out of the Dutch pipe; and then, calling to Sam Weller, who was lingering near the door, that he needn't go away unless he wanted to, because the story was no secret, fixed his eye upon the landlord's and proceeded, in the words of the next chapter.
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