Afewsmallhouses，scatteredoneithersideoftheroad，betokentheentrancetosometownorvillage。Thelivelynotesoftheguard’skey-buglevibrateintheclearcoldair，andwakeuptheoldgentlemaninside，who，carefullylettingdownthewindow-sashhalf-way，andstandingsentryover，theair，takesashortpeepout，andthencarefullypullingitupagain，informstheotherinsidethatthey’regoingtochangedirectly。onwhichtheotherinsidewakeshimselfup，anddeterminestopostponehisnextnapuntilafterthestoppage。Againthebuglesoundslustilyforth，androusesthecottager’swifeandchildren，whopeepoutatthehouse-door，andwatchthecoachtillitturnsthecorner，whentheyoncemorecrouchroundtheblazingfire，andthrowonanotherlogofwoodagainstfathercomeshome。whilefatherhimself，afullmileoff，hasjustexchangedafriendlynodwiththecoachman，andturnedroundtotakeagoodlongstareatthevehicleasitwhirlsaway。
Andnowthebugleplaysalivelyairasthecoachrattlesthroughtheill-pavedstreetsofacountry-town。andthecoachman，undoingthebucklewhichkeepshisribandstogether，preparestothrowthemoffthemomenthestops。Mr。Pickwickemergesfromhiscoatcollar，andlooksabouthimwithgreatcuriosity。perceivingwhich，thecoachmaninformsMr。Pickwickofthenameofthetown，andtellshimitwasmarket-dayyesterday，bothofwhichpiecesofinformationMr。Pickwickretailstohisfellow-passengers。
whereupontheyemergefromtheircoatcollarstoo，andlookaboutthemalso。Mr。Winkle，whositsattheextremeedge，withonelegdanglingintheair，isnearlyprecipitatedintothestreet，asthecoachtwistsroundthesharpcornerbythecheesemonger’sshop，andturnsintothemarket-place。
andbeforeMr。Snodgrass，whositsnexttohim，hasrecoveredfromhisalarm，theypullupattheinnyard，wherethefreshhorses，withclothson，arealreadywaiting。Thecoachmanthrowsdownthereinsandgetsdownhimself，andtheotheroutsidepassengersdropdownalso：exceptthosewhohavenogreatconfidenceintheirabilitytogetupagain：andtheyremainwheretheyare，andstamptheirfeetagainstthecoachtoowarmthem——looking，withlongingeyesandrednoses，atthebrightfireintheinnbar，andthesprigsofhollywithredberrieswhichornamentthewindow。
Buttheguardhasdeliveredatthecorn-dealer’sshopthebrownpaperpackethetookoutofthelittlepouchwhichhangsoverhisshoulderbyaleathernstrap。andhasseenthehorsescarefullyputto。andhasthrownonthepavementthesaddlewhichwasbroughtfromLondononthecoach-roof。
andhasassistedintheconferencebetweenthecoachmanandthehostleraboutthegreymarethathurtheroff-fore-leglastTuesday。andheandMr。Wellerareallrightbehind，andthecoachmanisallrightinfront，andtheoldgentlemaninside，whohaskeptthewindowdownfulltwoinchesallthistime，haspulleditupagain，andtheclothsareoff，andtheyareallreadyforstarting，exceptthetwostoutgentlemen，whomthecoachmaninquiresafterwithsomeimpatience。Hereuponthecoachman，andtheguard，andSamWeller，andMr。Winkle，andMr。Snodgrass，andallthehostlers，andeveryoneoftheidlers，whoaremoreinnumberthanalltheothersputtogether，shoutforthemissinggentlemenasloudastheycanbawl。Adistantresponseisheardfromtheyard，andMr。PickwickandMr。Tupmancomerunningdownit，quiteoutofbreath，fortheyhavebeenhavingaglassofalea-piece，andMr。Pickwick’sfingersaresocoldthathehasbeenfullfiveminutesbeforehecouldfindthesixpencetopayforit。ThecoachmanshoutsanadmonitoryNowthen，gen’l’m’n！theguardre-echoesit。theoldgentlemaninsidethinksitaveryextraordinarythingthatpeoplewillgetdownwhentheyknowthereisn’ttimeforit。
Mr。Pickwickstrugglesupononeside，Mr。Tupmanontheother。Mr。WinklecriesAllright。andofftheystart。Shawlsarepulledup，coatcollarsarere-adjusted，thepavementceases，thehousesdisappear，andtheyareonceagaindashingalongtheopenroad，withthefreshclearairblowingintheirfaces，andgladdeningtheirveryheartswithinthem。
SuchwastheprogressofMr。PickwickandhisfriendsbytheMuggletonTelegraph，ontheirwaytoDingleyDell。andatthreeo’clockthatafternoontheyallstood，highanddry，safeandsound，haleandhearty，uponthestepsoftheBlueLion，havingtakenontheroadquiteenoughofaleandbrandytoenablethemtobiddefiancetothefrostthatwasbindinguptheearthinitsironfetters，andweavingitsbeautifulnet-workuponthetreesandhedges。Mr。Pickwickwasbusilyengagedincountingthebarrelsofoystersandsuperintendingthedisintermentofthecod-fish，whenhefelthimselfgentlypulledbytheskirtsofthecoat。Lookinground，hediscoveredthattheindividualwhoresortedtothismodeofcatchinghisattentionwasnootherthanMr。Wardle’sfavouritepage，betterknowntothereadersofthisunvarnishedhistory，bythedistinguishingappellationofthefatboy。
Aha！saidMr。Pickwick。
Aha！saidthefatboy。
Ashesaidit，heglancedfromthecod-fishtotheoyster-barrels，andchuckledjoyously。Hewasfatterthanever。
Well，youlookrosyenough，myyoungfriend，saidMr。Pickwick。
I’vebeenasleep，rightinfrontofthetap-roomfire，repliedthefatboy，whohadheatedhimselftothecolourofanewchimney-pot，inthecourseofanhour’snap。Mastersentmeoverwiththeshay-cart，tocarryyourluggageuptothehouse。He’dha’sentsomesaddle-horses，buthethoughtyou’dratherwalk，beingacoldday。
Yes，yes，saidMr。Pickwick，hastily，forherememberedhowtheyhadtravelledovernearlythesamegroundonapreviousoccasion。Yes，wewouldratherwalk。Here，Sam！
Sir，saidMr。Weller。
HelpMr。Wardle’sservanttoputthepackagesintothecart，andthenrideonwithhim。Wewillwalkforwardatonce。
Havinggiventhisdirection，andsettledwiththecoachman，Mr。Pickwickandhisthreefriendsstruckintothefoot-pathacrossthefields，andwalkedbrisklyaway，leavingMr。Wellerandthefatboyconfrontedtogetherforthefirsttime。Samlookedatthefatboywithgreatastonishment，butwithoutsayingaword。andbegantostowtheluggagerapidlyawayinthecart，whilethefatboystoodquietlyby，andseemedtothinkitaveryinterestingsortofthingtoseeMr。Wellerworkingbyhimself。
There，saidSam，throwinginthelastcarpet-bag。Theretheyare！
Yes，saidthefatboy，inaverysatisfiedtone，theretheyare。
Vell，youngtwentystun，saidSam，You’reanicespecimenofaprizeboy，youare！
Thank’ee，saidthefatboy。
Youain’tgotnothin’onyourmindasmakesyoufretvourself，haveyou？inquiredSam。
NotasIknowson，repliedthefatboy。
Ishouldraytherha’thought，tolookatyou，thatyouwasalabourin’
underanunrequitedattachmenttosomeyoung’ooman，saidSam。
Thefatboyshookhishead。
Vell，saidSam，I’mgladtohearit。Doyoueverdrinkanythin’？
Ilikeseating，better，repliedtheboy。
Ah，saidSam，Ishouldha’s’posedthat。butwhatImeanis，shouldyoulikeadropofanythin’as’dwarmyou？butIs’poseyouneverwascold，withallthemelasticfixtures，wasyou？
Sometimes，repliedtheboy。andIlikesadropofsomething，whenit’sgood。
Oh，youdo，doyou？saidSam，comethisway，then！
TheBlueLiontapwassoongained，andthefatboyswallowedaglassofliquorwithoutsomuchaswinking。afeatwhichconsiderablyadvancedhiminMr。Weller’sgoodopinion。Mr。Wellerhavingtransactedasimilarpieceofbusinessonhisownaccount，theygotintothecart。
Canyoudrive？saidthefatboy。
Ishouldraytherthinkso，repliedSam。
There，then，saidthefatboy，puttingthereinsinhishand，andpointingupalane，it’sasstraightasyoucango。youcan’tmissit。
Withthesewords，thefatboylaidhimselfaffectionatelydownbythesideofthecod-fish：andplacinganoyster-barrelunderhisheadforapillow，fellasleepinstantaneously。
Well，saidSam，ofallthecoolboyseverIsetmyeyeson，thishereyounggen’l’m’nisthecoolest。Come，wakeup，youngdropsy！
Butasyoungdropsyevincednosymptomsofreturninganimation，SamWellersathimselfdowninfrontofthecart，andstartingtheoldhorsewithajerkoftherein，joggedsteadilyon，towardsManorFarm。
Meanwhile，Mr。Pickwickandhisfriendshavingwalkedtheirbloodintoactivecirculation，proceededcheerfullyon。Thepathswerehard。thegrasswascrispandfrosty。theairhadafine，dry，bracingcoldness。andtherapidapproachofthegreytwilightslate-colouredisabetterterminfrostyweathermadethemlookforwardwithpleasantanticipationtothecomfortswhichawaitedthemattheirhospitableentertainer’s。Itwasthesortofafternoonthatmightinduceacoupleofelderlygentlemen，inalonelyfield，totakeofftheirgreat-coatsandplayatleap-froginpurelightnessofheartandgaiety。andwefirmlybelievethathadMr。Tupmanatthatmomentprofferedaback，Mr。Pickwickwouldhaveacceptedhisofferwiththeutmostavidity。
However，Mr。Tupmandidnotvolunteeranysuchaccommodation，andthefriendswalkedon，conversingmerrily。Astheyturnedintoalanetheyhadtocross，thesoundofmanyvoicesburstupontheirears。andbeforetheyhadevenhadtimetoformaguesstowhomtheybelonged，theywalkedintotheverycentreofthepartywhowereexpectingtheirarrival——afactwhichwasfirstnotifiedtothePickwickians，bytheloudHurrah，whichburstfromoldWardle’slips，whentheyappearedinsight。
First，therewasWardlehimself，looking，ifpossible，morejollythanever。thentherewereBellaandherfaithfulTrundle。and，lastly，therewereEmilyandsomeeightortenyoungladies，whohadallcomedowntothewedding，whichwastotakeplacenextday，andwhowereinashappyandimportantastateasyoungladiesusuallyare，onsuchmomentousoccasions。
andtheywere，oneandall，startlingthefieldsandlanes，farandwide，withtheirfrolicandlaughter。
Theceremonyofintroduction，undersuchcircumstances，wasverysoonperformed，orweshouldrathersaythattheintroductionwassoonover，withoutanyceremonyatall。Intwominutesthereafter，Mr。Pickwickwasjokingwiththeyoungladieswhowouldn’tcomeoverthestilewhilehelooked——orwho，havingprettyfeetandunexceptionableankles，preferredstandingonthetop-railforfiveminutesorso，declaringthattheyweretoofrightenedtomove——withasmucheaseandabsenceofreserveorconstraint，asifhehadknownthemforlife。itisworthyofremark，too，thatMr。
SnodgrassofferedEmilyfarmoreassistancethantheabsoluteterrorsofthestilealthoughitwasfullthreefeethigh，andhadonlyacoupleofstepping-stoneswouldseemtorequire。whileoneblack-eyedyoungladyinaverynicelittlepairofbootswithfurroundthetop，wasobservedtoscreamveryloudly，whenMr。Winkleofferedtohelpherover。
Allthiswasverysnugandpleasant。Andwhenthedifficultiesofthestilewereatlastsurmounted，andtheyoncemoreenteredontheopenfield，oldWardleinformedMr。Pickwickhowtheyhadallbeendowninabodytoinspectthefurnitureandfittings-upofthehouse，whichtheyoungcoupleweretotenant，aftertheChristmasholidays。atwhichcommunicationBellaandTrundlebothcolouredup，asredasthefatboyafterthetap-roomfire。andtheyoungladywiththeblackeyesandthefurroundtheboots，whisperedsomethinginEmily’sear，andthenglancedarchlyatMr。Snodgrass：
towhichEmilyrespondedthatshewasafoolishgirl，butturnedveryred，notwithstanding。andMr。Snodgrass，whowasasmodestasallgreatgeniusesusuallyare，feltthecrimsonrisingtothecrownofhishead，anddevoutlywishedintheinmostrecessesofhisownheartthattheyoungladyaforesaid，withherblackeyes，andherarchness，andherbootswiththefurroundthetop，wereallcomfortablydepositedintheadjacentcounty。
Butiftheyweresocialandhappyoutsidethehouse，whatwasthewarmthandcordialityoftheirreceptionwhentheyreachedthefarm！TheveryservantsgrinnedwithpleasureatsightofMr。Pickwick。andEmmabestowedahalf-demure，half-impudent，andallpretty，lookofrecognition，onMr。
Tupman，whichwasenoughtomakethestatueofBonaparteinthepassage，unfoldhisarms，andclaspherwithinthem。
Theoldladywasseatedincustomarystateinthefrontparlour，butshewasrathercross，and，byconsequence，mostparticularlydeaf。Sheneverwentoutherself，andlikeagreatmanyotheroldladiesofthesamestamp，shewasapttoconsideritanactofdomestictreason，ifanybodyelsetookthelibertyofdoingwhatshecouldn’t。So，blessheroldsoul，shesatasuprightasshecould，inhergreatchair，andlookedasfierceasmightbe——andthatwasbenevolentafterall。
Mother，saidWardle，Mr。Pickwick。Yourecollecthim？
Nevermind，repliedtheoldladywithgreatdignity。Don’ttroubleMr。Pickwickaboutanoldcreeturlikeme。Nobodycaresaboutmenow，andit’sverynat’raltheyshouldn’t。Heretheoldladytossedherhead，andsmootheddownherlavender-colouredsilkdress，withtremblinghands。
Come，come，ma’am，saidMr。Pickwick，Ican’tletyoucutanoldfriendinthisway。Ihavecomedownexpresslytohavealongtalk，andanotherrubberwithyou。andwe’llshowtheseboysandgirlshowtodanceaminuet，beforethey’reeight-and-fortyhoursolder。
Theoldladywasrapidlygivingway，butshedidnotliketodoitallatonce。sosheonlysaid，Ah！Ican’thearhim！
Nonsense，mother，saidWardle。Come，come，don’tbecross，there’sagoodsoul。RecollectBella。come，youmustkeepherspiritsup，poorgirl。
Thegoodoldladyheardthis，forherlipquiveredashersonsaidit。
Butagehasitslittleinfirmitiesoftemper，andshewasnotquitebroughtroundyet。So，shesmootheddownthelavender-coloureddressagain，andturningtoMr。Pickwicksaid，Ah，Mr。Pickwick，youngpeoplewasverydifferent，whenIwasagirl。
Nodoubtofthat，ma’am，saidMr。Pickwick，andthat’sthereasonwhyIwouldmakemuchofthefewthathaveanytracesoftheoldstock，——andsayingthis，Mr。PickwickgentlypulledBellatowardshim，andbestowingakissuponherforehead，badehersitdownonthelittlestoolathergrandmother’sfeet。Whethertheexpressionofhercountenance，asitwasraisedtowardstheoldlady’sface，calledupathoughtofoldtimes，orwhethertheoldladywastouchedbyMr。Pickwick’saffectionategoodnature，orwhateverwasthecause，shewasfairlymelted。soshethrewherselfonhergrand-daughter’sneck，andallthelittleill-humourevaporatedinagushofsilenttears。
Ahappypartytheywere，thatnight。SedateandsolemnwerethescoreofrubbersinwhichMr。Pickwickandtheoldladyplayedtogether。uproariouswasthemirthoftheroundtable。Longaftertheladieshadretired，didthehotelderwine，wellqualifiedwithbrandyandspice，goround，andround，androundagain。andsoundwasthesleepandpleasantwerethedreamsthatfollowed。ItisaremarkablefactthatthoseofMr。SnodgrassboreconstantreferencetoEmilyWardle。andthattheprincipalfigureinMr。
Winkle’svisionswasayoungladywithblackeyes，anarchsmile，andapairofremarkablynicebootswithfurroundthetops。
Mr。Pickwickwasawakened，earlyinthemorning，byahumofvoicesandapatteringoffeet，sufficienttorouseeventhefatboyfromhisheavyslumbers。Hesatupinbedandlistened。Thefemaleservantsandfemalevisitorswererunningconstantlytoandfro。andthereweresuchmultitudinousdemandsforhotwater，suchrepeatedoutcriesforneedlesandthread，andsomanyhalf-suppressedentreatiesofOh，docomeandtieme，there’sadear！thatMr。Pickwickinhisinnocencebegantoimaginethatsomethingdreadfulmusthaveoccurred：whenhegrewmoreawake，andrememberedthewedding。Theoccasionbeinganimportantonehedressedhimselfwithpeculiarcare，anddescendedtothebreakfastroom。
Therewereallthefemaleservantsinabrannewuniformofpinkmuslingownswithwhitebowsintheircaps，runningaboutthehouseinastateofexcitementandagitationwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe。Theoldladywasdressedoutinabrocadedgownwhichhadnotseenthelightfortwentyyears，savingandexceptingsuchtruantraysashadstolenthroughthechinksintheboxinwhichithadbeenlainby，duringthewholetime。
Mr。Trundlewasinhighfeatherandspirits，butalittlenervouswithal。
Theheartyoldlandlordwastryingtolookverycheerfulandunconcerned，butfailingsignallyintheattempt。Allthegirlswereintearsandwhitemuslin，exceptaselecttwoorthreewhowerebeinghonouredwithaprivateviewofthebrideandbridesmaids，up-stairs。AllthePickwickianswereinmostbloomingarray。andtherewasaterrificroaringonthegrassinfrontofthehouse，occasionedbyallthemen，boys，andhobbledehoysattachedtothefarm，eachofwhomhadgotawhitebowinhisbutton-hole，andallofwhomwerecheeringwithmightandmain：beingincitedthereunto，andstimulatedtherein，bythepreceptandexampleofMr。SamuelWeller，whohadmanagedtobecomemightypopularalready，andwasasmuchathomeasifhehadbeenbornontheland。
Aweddingisalicensedsubjecttojokeupon，buttherereallyisnogreatjokeinthematterafterall——wespeakmerelyoftheceremony，andbegittobedistinctlyunderstoodthatweindulgeinnohiddensarcasmuponamarriedlife。Mixedupwiththepleasureandjoyoftheoccasion，arethemanyregretsatquittinghome，thetearsofpartingbetweenparentandchild，theconsciousnessofleavingthedearestandkindestfriendsofthehappiestportionofhumanlife，toencounteritscaresandtroubleswithothersstilluntriedandlittleknown：naturalfeelingswhichwewouldnotrenderthischaptermournfulbydescribing，andwhichweshouldbestillmoreunwillingtobesupposedtoridicule。
Letusbrieflysay，then，thattheceremonywasperformedbytheoldclergyman，intheparishchurchofDingleyDell，andthatMr。Pickwick’snameisattachedtotheregister，stillpreservedinthevestrythereof。
thattheyoungladywiththeblackeyessignedhernameinaveryunsteadyandtremulousmanner。thatEmily’ssignature，astheotherbridesmaid，isnearlyillegible。thatitallwentoffinveryadmirablestyle。thattheyoungladiesgenerallythoughtitfarlessshockingthantheyhadexpected。
andthatalthoughtheowneroftheblackeyesandthearchsmileinformedMr。Winklethatshewassureshecouldneversubmittoanythingsodreadful，wehavetheverybestreasonsforthinkingshewasmistaken。Toallthis，wemayadd，thatMr。Pickwickwasthefirstwhosalutedthebride，andthatinsodoing，hethrewoverherneckarichgoldwatchandchain，whichnomortaleyesbutthejeweller’shadeverbeheldbefore。Then，theoldchurchbellrangasgailyasitcould，andtheyallreturnedtobreakfast。
Veredoesthemincepiesgo，youngopiumeater？saidMr。Wellertothefatboy，asheassistedinlayingoutsucharticlesofconsumptionashadnotbeendulyarrangedonthepreviousnight。
Thefatboypointedtothedestinationofthepies。
Werygood，saidSam，stickabito’Christmasin’em。T’otherdishopposite。There。nowwelookcompactandcomfortable，asthefathersaidvenhecuthislittleboy’sheadoff，tocurehimo’squintin’。
AsMr。Wellermadethecomparison，hefellbackasteportwo，togivefulleffecttoit，andsurveyedthepreparationswiththeutmostsatisfaction。
Wardle，saidMr。Pickwick，almostassoonastheywereallseated，aglassofwine，inhonourofthishappyoccasion！
Ishallbedelighted，myboy，saidMr。Wardle。Joe——damnthatboy，he’sgonetosleep。
No，Iain’t，sir，repliedthefatboy，startingupfromaremotecorner，where，likethepatronsaintoffatboys——theimmortalHorner——hehadbeendevouringaChristmaspie：thoughnotwiththecoolnessanddeliberationwhichcharacterisedthatyounggentleman’sproceedings。
FillMr。Pickwick’sglass。
Yes，sir。
ThefatboyfilledMr。Pickwick’sglass，andthenretiredbehindhismaster’schair，fromwhencehewatchedtheplayoftheknivesandforks，andtheprogressofthechoicemorselsfromthedishestothemouthsofthecompany，withakindofdarkandgloomyjoythatwasmostimpressive。
Godblessyou，oldfellow！saidMr。Pickwick。
Sametoyou，myboy，repliedWardle。andtheypledgedeachother，heartily。
Mrs。Wardle，saidMr。Pickwick，weoldfolksmusthaveaglassofwinetogether，inhonourofthisjoyfulevent。
Theoldladywasinastateofgreatgrandeurjustthen，forshewassittingatthetopofthetableinthebrocadedgown，withhernewly-marriedgrand-daughterononesideandMr。Pickwickontheother，todothecarving。
Mr。Pickwickhadnotspokeninaveryloudtone，butsheunderstoodhimatonce，anddrankoffafullglassofwinetohislonglifeandhappiness。
afterwhichtheworthyoldsoullaunchedforthintoaminuteandparticularaccountofherownwedding，withadissertationonthefashionofwearinghigh-heeledshoes，andsomeparticularsconcerningthelifeandadventuresofthebeautifulLadyTollimglower，deceased：atallofwhichtheoldladyherselflaughedveryheartilyindeed，andsodidtheyoungladiestoo，fortheywerewonderingamongthemselveswhatonearthgrandmawastalkingabout。Whentheylaughed，theoldladylaughedtentimesmoreheartily，andsaidthatthesealwayshadbeenconsideredcapitalstories：whichcausedthemalltolaughagain，andputtheoldladyintotheverybestofhumours。
Then，thecakewascut，andpassedthroughthering。theyoungladiessavedpiecestoputundertheirpillowstodreamoftheirfuturehusbandson。
andagreatdealofblushingandmerrimentwastherebyoccasioned。
Mr。Miller，saidMr。Pickwicktohi...完整阅读请扫描二维码下载丁香书院APP免费看：
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