Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/223

"All them old cats will ruin their heads agin mile-stones," observed Mr. Weller in a parenthesis.

"But this taking- him in the very act of elopement, would he a very difficult thing to accomplish, I fear," said Mr. Pickwick.

"I don't know, Sir," said Mr. Trotter, alter a few moments' reflection. "I think it might be very easily done."

" Mow?" was Mr. Pickwick's inquiry.

"Why," replied Mr. Trotter, "my master and I, being in the confidence of the two servants, will be secreted in the kitchen at ten o'clock. When the family have retire<l to rest, we shall come out of the kitchen, and the young lady out of her bed-room. A post-chaise will be waiting, and away we go,"

"Well," said Mr. Pickwick.

"Well, Sir, I have been thinking that if you were wailing in the garden behind, alone — "

"Alone," said Mr. Pickwick. "Why alone?"

"I thought it very natural," replied Job, "that the old lady wouldn't like such an unpleasant discovery to be made before more persons than can possibly be helped. The young lady too. Sir—consider her feelings."

"You are very right," said Mr, Pickwick. "The consideration evinces great delicacy of feeling. Go on; you are very right."

"Well Sir, I was thinking that if you were waiting in the back garden alone, and I was to let you in, at the door which opens into it, from the end of the passage, at exactly half-past eleven o'clock, you would be just in the very moment of time, to assist me in frustrating the designs of this bad man, by whom I have been unfortunately ensnared." Here Mr. Trotter sighed deeply.

"Don't distress yourself on that account," said Mr. Pickwick, "it" he had one grain of the delicacy of feeling which distinguishes you, humble as your station is, I should have some hopes of him."

Job Trotter bowed low; and in spite of Mr. Weller's previous remonstrance, the tears again rose to his eyes.

"I never see such a feller," said Sam. "Blessed if I don't think he's got a main in his head as is always tinned on."

"Sam" said Mr. Pickwick, with great severity. "Hold your tongue."

"Wery well, Sir," replied Mr. Weller.

"I don't like this plan," said Mr. Pickwick, after deep meditation. "Why cannot I communicate with the young lady's friends?"

"Because they live one hundred miles from here, Sir," responded Job Trotter.

"That's a clincher, said Mr. Weller, aside.

"Then this garden," resumed Mr. Pickwick. "How am I to get into it?"

"The wall is very low. Sir, and your servant will give you a leg up."

"My servant will give me a leg up," repeated Mr. Pickwick, mechanically. "You will be sure to be near this door, that you speak of?"

"You cannot mistake it, Sir; it's the only one that opens into the