United States or Palestine ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Don'ts" were quite useless and I could think of nothing else to say except "Compose yourself" and that, somehow or other, was too ridiculously reminiscent of Mr. Pickwick and Mrs. Bardell. It was an idiotic situation for me to be in. Some men men of experience with woman-kind might have known how to handle it, but I had had no such experience.
The Reading copy of this abbreviated report of the great case of Bardell v. Pickwick has, among the complete set of Readings, one very striking peculiarity. Half-bound in scarlet morocco like all the other thin octavos in the collection, its leaves though yellow and worn with constant turning like the rest, are wholly unlike those of the others in this, that the text is untouched by pen or pencil.
After old Weller's hoarse and guttural cry from the gallery, "Put it down a wee, my lord," in answer to the inquiry whether the immortal surname was to be spelt with a V. or a W.; Sam's quiet "I rayther suspect it was my father, my lord," came with irresistible effect from the Reader, as also did his recollection of something "wery partickler" having happened on the memorable morning, out of which had sprung the whole of this trial of Bardell v.
It was evident to Mrs. Bardell, who was dusting the apartment, that something of importance was in contemplation. "Mrs. Bardell," said Mr. Pickwick at last, "your little boy is a very long time gone." "Why, it's a good long way to the Borough, sir!" remonstrated Mrs. Bardell. "Very true; so it is. Mrs. Bardell do you think it's a much greater expense to keep two people than to keep one?" "La, Mr.
'Ah, poor thing! said Mrs. Rogers, 'I know what her feelin's is, too well. 'Ah, poor thing! so do I, said Mrs. Sanders; and then all the ladies moaned in unison, and said they knew what it was, and they pitied her from their hearts, they did. Even the lodger's little servant, who was thirteen years old and three feet high, murmured her sympathy. 'But what's been the matter? said Mrs. Bardell.
So his mother thumped him, and he cried melodiously. 'Hold your noise do you naughty creetur! said Mrs. Bardell. 'Yes; don't worrit your poor mother, said Mrs. Sanders. 'She's quite enough to worrit her, as it is, without you, Tommy, said Mrs. Cluppins, with sympathising resignation. 'Ah! worse luck, poor lamb! said Mrs. Sanders.
"It'll save you a good deal of trouble, won't it?" said Mr. Pickwick. "And when I am in town you'll always have somebody to sit with you." Mr. Pickwick smiled placidly. "I'm sure I ought to be a very happy woman," said Mrs. Bardell, trembling with agitation. "Oh, you kind, good, playful dear!" And, without more ado, she flung her arms round Mr. Pickwick's neck.
Now, of all things in the world that the unfortunate man could have said, any would have been preferable to this. Of course Mrs. Bardell burst into tears, and requested to be led from the table instantly; upon which the affectionate child began to cry too, most dismally. 'Would anybody believe, ma'am, exclaimed Mrs.
Bardell felt it proper to be agitated; and as none of the three exactly knew whether under existing circumstances, any communication, otherwise than through Dodson & Fogg, ought to be held with Mr. Pickwick's servant, they were all rather taken by surprise. In this state of indecision, obviously the first thing to be done, was to thump the boy for finding Mr. Weller at the door.
It is interesting to know that the bishop was a son of that Sergeant Bompas of the English bar from whom Dickens drew the character of Sergeant Buzfuz, counsel for the plaintiff in the famous suit of "Bardell v. Pickwick." But the natives have all left Fortymile, some to the large village of Moosehide just below Dawson, some to Eagle.
Word Of The Day