"Well, I'll bet you half a dozen of claret on it, come." said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire" This was addressed to a very smart young gentleman who wore his hat on his right whisker, and was lounging over the desk killing flies with Page 733

a ruler"

Pell and his companions knocked at the counting-house door.

Good-morning, Sir," said Pell, bowing obsequiously. "We want to make a little transfer, if you please."

"Oh, just come in, will you?" said Mr. Flasher. "Sit down a minute; I'll attend to you directly."

"Thank you, Sir," said Pell, "there's no hurry. Take a chair, Mr. Weller."

Mr. Weller took a chair, and Sam took a box, and the umpires took what they could get, and looked at the almanack and one or two papers which were wafered against the wall, with as much open-eyed reverence as if they had been the finest efforts of the old masters.

Well, I'll bet you half-a-dozen claret on it; come," said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, resuming the conversation to which Mr. Pell's entrance had caused a momentary interruption.

This was addressed to a very smart young gentleman who wore his hat on his right whisker, and was lounging over the desk killing flies with a ruler. Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, was balancing himself on two legs of an office stool, spearing a wafer-box with a penknife, which he dropped every now and then with great dexterity into the very centre of a small red wafer that was stuck outside. Both gentlemen had very open waistcoats and very rolling collars, and very small boots and very big rings, and very little watches and very large guard chains, and symmetrical inexpressibles and scented pocket-handkerchiefs.

"I never bet half-a-dozen," said the other gentleman. "I'll take a dozen."

"Done, Simmery, done!" said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire. "P.P., mind," observed the other.

"Of course," replied Wilkins Flasher, Esquire; and Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, entered it in a little book with a gold pencil-case, and the other gentleman entered it also, in another little book with another gold pencil-case.

"I see there's a notice up this morning about Boffer," observed Mr. Simmery. "Poor devil, he's expelled the house."

"I'll bet you ten guineas to five he cuts his throat," said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire.

"Done," replied Mr. Simmery.

Stop! I bar," said Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, thoughtfully. Perhaps he may hang himself."

"Very good," rejoined Mr. Simmery, pulling out the gold pencil-case again. "I've no objection to take you that way. Say-makes away with himself.'

his name, and Wilkins Flasher, Esq., having been paid his commission, dropped the money carelessly into his coat pocket, and lounged back to his office.

Mr. Weller was at first obstinately determined upon cashing the cheque in nothing but sovereigns; but on its being represented by the umpires that by so doing he must incur the expense of a small sack to carry them home in, he consented to receive the amount in five-pound notes.

"My son," said Mr. Weller, as they came out of the banking-house, "my son and me has a very partickler engagement this arternoon, and I should like to have this here bisness settled out of hand, so let's jest go straight avay someveres, vere ve can hordit the accounts."

A quiet room was soon found, and the accounts were produced and audited. Mr. Pell's bill was taxed by Sam, and some charges were disallowed by the umpires; but, notwithstanding Mr. Pell's declaration, accompanied with many solemn asseverations that they were really too hard upon him, it was by very many degrees the best professional job he had ever had, and one on which he boarded, lodged, and washed, for six months afterwards.

The umpires having partaken of a dram, shook hands and departed, as they had to drive out of town that night. Mr. Solomon Pell, finding that nothing more was going forward either in the eating or drinking way, took a most friendly leave; and Sam and his father were left alone.

"There," said Mr. Weller, thrusting his pocket-book in his side pocket, "vith the bills for the lease and that, there's eleven hundred and eighty pound here. Now, Samivel, my boy, turn the horses' heads to the George and Wulter."

AN IMPORTANT

CHAPTER LV

CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE BETWEEN MR. PICKWICK AND SAMUEL WELLER, AT WHICH HIS PARENT ASSISTS.-AN OLD GENTLEMAN IN A SNUFF-COLOURED SUIT ARRIVES

UNEXPECTEDLY

R. PICKWICK was sitting alone, musing over many

how he could best provide for the young couple whose present unsettled condition was matter of constant regret and anxiety to him, when Mary stepped lightly into the room, and, advancing to the table, said rather hastily

"Oh, if you please, Sir, Samuel is down stairs, and he says may his father see you?"