I’maheavysleeper，saidMr。Dowler，asheflunghimselfonthebed。
Imustkeepawake。IsupposeIshallhearaknockhere。Yes。Ithoughtso。Icanhearthewatchman。Therehegoes。Fainternowthough。Alittlefainter。He’sturningthecorner。Ah！WhenMr。Dowlerarrivedatthispoint，heturnedthecorneratwhichhehadbeenlonghesitating，andfellfastasleep。
Justastheclockstruckthree，therewasblownintothecrescentasedan-chairwithMrs。Dowlerinside，bornebyoneshortfatchairman，andonelongthinone，whohadhadmuchadotokeeptheirbodiesperpendicular：
tosaynothingofthechair。Butonthathighground，andinthecrescent，whichthewindsweptroundandroundasifitweregoingtotearthepavingstonesup，itsfurywastremendous。Theywereverygladtosetthechairdown，andgiveagoodroundlouddouble-knockatthestreetdoor。
Theywaitedsometime，butnobodycame。
Servantsisinthearmso’Porpus，Ithink，saidtheshortchairman，warminghishandsattheattendantlink-boy’storch。
Iwishhe’dgive’emasqueezeandwake’em，observedthelongone。
Knockagain，willyou，ifyouplease，criedMrs。Dowlerfromthechair。
Knocktwoorthreetimes，ifyouplease。
Theshortmanwasquitewillingtogetthejobover，assoonaspossible。
sohestoodonthestep，andgavefourorfivemoststartlingdoubleknocks，ofeightortenknocksapiece：whilethelongmanwentintotheroad，andlookedupatthewindowsforalight。
Nobodycame。Itwasallassilentanddarkasever。
Dearme！saidMrs。Dowler。Youmustknockagain，ifyouplease。
Thereain’tabell，isthere，ma’am？saidtheshortchairman。
Yes，thereis，interposedthelink-boy，I’vebeenaringingatiteversolong。
It’sonlyahandle，saidMrs。Dowler，thewire’sbroken。
Iwishtheservants’headswos，growledthelongman。
Imusttroubleyoutoknockagain，ifyouplease，saidMrs。Dowlerwiththeutmostpoliteness。
Theshortmandidknockagainseveraltimes，withoutproducingthesmallesteffect。Thetallman，growingveryimpatient，thenrelievedhim，andkeptonperpetuallyknockingdouble-knocksoftwoloudknockseach，likeaninsanepostman。
AtlengthMr。Winklebegantodreamthathewasataclub，andthatthemembersbeingveryrefractory，thechairmanwasobligedtohammerthetableagooddealtopreserveorder。then，hehadaconfusednotionofanauctionroomwheretherewerenobidders，andtheauctioneerwasbuyingeverythingin。andultimatelyhebegantothinkitjustwithintheboundsofpossibilitythatsomebodymightbeknockingatthestreetdoor。Tomakequitecertain，however，heremainedquietinbedfortenminutesorso，andlistened。andwhenhehadcountedtwoorthreeandthirtyknocks，hefeltquitesatisfied，andgavehimselfagreatdealofcreditforbeingsowakeful。
Raprap——raprap——raprap——ra，ra，ra，ra，ra，rap！wenttheknocker。
Mr。Winklejumpedoutofbed，wonderingverymuchwhatcouldpossiblybethematter，andhastilyputtingonhisstockingsandslippers，foldedhisdressinggownroundhim，lightedaflatcandlefromtherush-lightthatwasburninginthefire-place，andhurrieddown-stairs。
Here’ssomebodycomin’atlast，ma’am，saidtheshortchairman。
IwishIwosbehindhimvithabradawl，mutteredthelongone。
Who’sthere？criedMr。Winkle，undoingthechain。
Don’tstoptoaskquestions，cast-ironhead，repliedthelongman，withgreatdisgust，takingitforgrantedthattheinquirerwasafootman。
butopenthedoor。
Come，looksharp，timbereye-lids，addedtheotherencouragingly。
Mr。Winkle，beinghalfasleep，obeyedthecommandmechanically，openedthedooralittle，andpeepedout。Thefirstthinghesaw，wastheredglareofthelink-boy’storch。Startledbythesuddenfearthatthehousemightbeonfire，hehastilythrewthedoorwideopen，andholdingthecandleabovehishead，staredeagerlybeforehim，notquitecertainwhetherwhathesawwasasedan-chairorafire-engine。Atthisinstanttherecameaviolentgustofwind。thelightwasblownout。Mr。Winklefelthimselfirresistiblyimpelledontothesteps。andthedoorblewto，withaloudcrash。
Well，youngman，nowyouhavedoneit！saidtheshortchairman。
Mr。Winkle，catchingsightofalady’sfaceatthewindowofthesedan，turnedhastilyround，pliedtheknockerwithallhismightandmain，andcalledfranticallyuponthechairmantotakethechairawayagain。
Takeitaway，takeitaway，criedMr。Winkle。Here’ssomebodycomingoutofanotherhouse。putmeintothechair。Hideme！Dosomethingwithme！
Allthistimehewasshiveringwithcold。andeverytimeheraisedhishandtotheknocker，thewindtookthedressinggowninamostunpleasantmanner。
ThepeoplearecomingdowntheCrescentnow。Thereareladieswith’em。covermeupwithsomething。Standbeforeme！roaredMr。Winkle。Butthechairmenweretoomuchexhaustedwithlaughingtoaffordhimtheslightestassistance，andtheladieswereeverymomentapproachingnearerandnearer。
Mr。Winklegavealasthopelessknock。theladieswereonlyafewdoorsoff。Hethrewawaytheextinguishedcandle，which，allthistime，hehadheldabovehishead，andfairlyboltedintothesedan-chairwhereMrs。
Dowlerwas。
Now，Mrs。Craddockhadheardtheknockingandthevoicesatlast。and，onlywaitingtoputsomethingsmarteronherheadthanhernight-cap，randownintothefrontdrawing-roomtomakesurethatitwastherightparty。
Throwingupthewindow-sashasMr。Winklewasrushingintothechair，shenosoonercaughtsightofwhatwasgoingforwardbelow，thansheraisedavehementanddismalshriek，andimploredMr。Dowlertogetupdirectly，forhiswifewasrunningawaywithanothergentleman。
UponthisMr。DowlerbouncedoffthebedasabruptlyasanIndia-rubberball，andrushingintothefrontroom，arrivedatonewindowjustasMr。
Pickwickthrewuptheother：whenthefirstobjectthatmetthegazeofboth，wasMr。Winkleboltingintothesedan-chair。
Watchman，shoutedDowlerfuriously。stophim——holdhim——keephimtight——shuthimin，tillIcomedown。I’llcuthisthroat——givemeaknife——fromeartoear，Mrs。Craddock——Iwill！Andbreakingfromtheshriekinglandlady，andfromMr。Pickwicktheindignanthusbandseizedasmallsupper-knife，andtoreintothestreet。
ButMr。Winkledidn’twaitforhim。HenosoonerheardthehorriblethreatofthevalorousDowler，thanhebouncedoutofthesedan，quiteasquicklyashehadbouncedin，andthrowingoffhisslippersintotheroad，tooktohisheelsandtoreroundtheCrescent，hotlypursuedbyDowlerandthewatchman。Hekeptahead。thedoorwasopenashecameroundthesecondtime。herushedin，slammeditinDowler’sface，mountedtohisbed-room，lockedthedoor，piledawash-hand-stand，chestofdrawers，andtableagainstit，andpackedupafewnecessariesreadyforflightwiththefirstrayofmorning。
Dowlercameuptotheoutsideofthedoor。avowed，throughthekeyhole，hissteadfastdeterminationofcuttingMr。Winkle’sthroatnextday。and，afteragreatconfusionofvoicesinthedrawing-room，amidstwhichthatofMr。Pickwickwasdistinctlyheardendeavouringtomakepeace，theinmatesdispersedtotheirseveralbed-chambers，andallwasquietoncemore。
Itisnotunlikelythattheinquirymaybemade，whereMr。Wellerwas，allthistime？Wewillstatewherehewasinthenextchapter。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ThePickwickPapers：Chapter37[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXXXVIIHONOURABLYACCOUNTSFORMR。WELLER’SABSENCE，BY
DESCRIBINGASOIREETOWHICHHEWASINVITEDANDWENT。ALSORELATESHOW
HEWASENTRUSTEDBYMR。PICKWICKWITHAPRIVATEMISSIONOFDELICACYAND
IMPORTANCE
MR。WELLER，saidMrs。Craddock，uponthemorningofthisveryeventfulday，here’saletterforyou。
Weryoddthat，saidSam，I’mafeerdtheremustbesomethin’thematter，forIdon’trecollectanygen’l’m’ninmycircleofacquaintanceasiscapableo’writin’one。
Perhapssomethinguncommonhastakenplace，observedMrs。Craddock。
Itmustbesomethin’weryuncommonindeed，ascouldproducealetterouto’anyfriendo’mine，repliedSam，shakinghisheaddubiously。nothin’
lessthananat’ralconwulsion，astheyounggen’l’m’nobservedvenhewostookwithfits。Itcan’tbefromthegov’ner，saidSam，lookingatthedirection。Healwaysprints，Iknow，’coshelearntwritin’fromthelargebillsinthebookin’offices。It’sawerystrangethingnow，wherethisherelettercanha’comefrom。
AsSamsaidthis，hedidwhatagreatmanypeopledowhentheyareuncertainaboutthewriterofanote，——lookedattheseal，andthenatthefront，andthenattheback，andthenatthesides，andthenatthesuperscription。
and，asalastresource，thoughtperhapshemightaswelllookattheinside，andtrytofindout，fromthat。
It’swroteongilt-edgedpaper，saidSam，asheunfoldedit，andsealedinbronzevaxwiththetopofadoor-key。Nowforit。And，withaverygraveface，Mr。Wellerslowlyreadasfollows：
AselectcompanyoftheBathfootmenpresentstheircomplimentstoMr。Weller，andrequeststhepleasureofhiscompanythisevening，toafriendlyswarry，consistingofaboiledlegofmuttonwiththeusualtrimmings。
Theswarrytobeontableathalf-pastnineo’clockpunctually。
Thiswasinclosedinanothernote，whichranthus——
Mr。JohnSmauker，thegentlemanwhohadthepleasureofmeetingMr。
Welleratthehouseoftheirmutualacquaintance，Mr。Bantam，afewdayssince，begstoencloseMr。Wellertheherewithinvitation。IfMr。WellerwillcallonMr。JohnSmaukeratnineo’clock，Mr。JohnSmaukerwillhavethepleasureofintroducingMr。Weller。SignedJOHNSMAUKER。
TheenvelopewasdirectedtoblankWeller，Esq。，atMr。Pickwick’s。
andinaparenthesis，inthelefthandcorner，werethewordsairybell，
asaninstructiontothebearer。
Vell，saidSam，thisiscomin’itraytherpowerful，thisis。Ineverheerdabiledlego’muttoncalledaswarryafore。Iwonderwotthey’dcallaroastone。
However，withoutwaitingtodebatethepoint，SamatoncebetookhimselfintothepresenceofMr。Pickwick，andrequestedleaveofabsenceforthatevening，whichwasreadilygranted。Withthispermission，andthestreet-doorkey，SamWellerissuedforthalittlebeforetheappointedtime，andstrolledleisurelytowardsQueenSquare，whichhenosoonergainedthanhehadthesatisfactionofbeholdingMr。JohnSmaukerleaninghispowderedheadagainstalamppostatashortdistanceoff，smokingacigarthroughanambertube。
Howdoyoudo，Mr。Weller？saidMr。JohnSmauker，raisinghishatgracefullywithonehand，whilehegentlywavedtheotherinacondescendingmanner。Howdoyoudo，sir？
Why，reasonablyconwalessent，repliedSam。Howdoyoufindyourself，mydearfeller？
Onlysoso，saidMr。JohnSmauker。
Ah，you’vebeenaworkin’toohard，observedSam。Iwasfearfulyouwould。itwon’tdo，youknow。youmustnotgivewaytothat’ereuncompromisin’
spirito’your’n。
It’snotsomuchthat，Mr。Weller，repliedMr。JohnSmauker，asbadwine。I’mafraidI’vebeendissipating。
Oh！that’sit，isit？saidSam。that’sawerybadcomplaint，that。
Andyetthetemptation，yousee，Mr。Weller，observedMr。JohnSmauker。
Ah，tobesure，saidSam。
Plungedintotheveryvortexofsociety，youknow，Mr。Weller，saidMr。JohnSmaukerwithasigh。
Dreadfulindeed！rejoinedSam。
Butit’salwaystheway，saidMr。JohnSmauker。ifyourdestinyleadsyouintopubliclife，andpublicstation，youmustexpecttobesubjectedtotemptationswhichotherpeopleisfreefrom，Mr。Weller。
Preciselywhatmyunclesaid，venheventintothepublicline，
remarkedSam，andweryrighttheoldgen’l’m’nwos，forhedrankhisselftodeathinsomethin’lessthanaquarter。
Mr。JohnSmaukerlookeddeeplyindignantatanyparallelbeingdrawnbetweenhimselfandthedeceasedgentlemaninquestion。butasSam’sfacewasinthemostimmovablestateofcalmness，hethoughtbetterofit，andlookedaffableagain。
Perhapswehadbetterbewalking，saidMr。Smauker，consultingacoppertime-piecewhichdweltatthebottomofadeepwatch-pocket，andwasraisedtothesurfacebymeansofablackstring，withacopperkeyattheotherend。
P’rapswehad，repliedSam，orthey’lloverdotheswarry，andthat’llspileit。
Haveyoudrankthewaters，Mr。Weller？inquiredhiscompanion，astheywalkedtowardsHighStreet。
Once，repliedSam。
Whatdidyouthinkof’em，sir？
Ithoughttheywospartickleryunpleasant，repliedSam。
Ah，saidMr。JohnSmauker，youdislikedthekillibeatetaste，perhaps？
Idon’tknowmuchaboutthat’ere，saidSam。Ithoughtthey’dawerystrongflavouro’warmflatirons。
Thatisthekillibeate，Mr。Weller，observedMr。JohnSmauker，contemptuously。
Well，ifitis，it’saweryinexpressiveword，that’sall，saidSam。
Itmaybe，butIain’tmuchinthechimicallinemyself，soIcan’tsay。
Andhere，tothegreathorrorofMr。JohnSmauker，SamWellerbegantowhistle。
Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Weller，saidMr。JohnSmauker，agonisedattheexceedinglyungenteelsound，Willyoutakemyarm？
Thank’ee，you’rewerygood，butIwon’tdepriveyouofit，repliedSam。I’veraytherawayo’puttin’myhandsinmypockets，ifit’sallthesametoyou。AsSamsaidthis，hesuitedtheactiontotheword，andwhistledfarlouderthanbefore。
Thisway，saidhisnewfriend，apparentlymuchrelievedastheyturneddownabyestreet。weshallsoonbethere。
Shallwe？saidSam，quiteunmovedbytheannouncementofhisclosevicinitytotheselectfootmenofBath。
Yes，saidMr。JohnSmauker。Don’tbealarmed，Mr。Weller。
Ohno，saidSam。
You’llseesomeveryhandsomeuniforms，Mr。Weller，continuedMr。
JohnSmauker。andperhapsyou’llfindsomeofthegentlemenratherhighatfirst，youknow，butthey’llsooncomeround。
That’swerykindon’em，repliedSam。
Andyouknow，resumedMr。JohnSmauker，withanairofsublimeprotection。
youknow，asyou’reastranger，perhapsthey’llberatherharduponyouatfirst。
Theywon’tbewerycruel，though，willthey？inquiredSam。
No，no，repliedMr。JohnSmauker，pullingforththefox’shead，andtakingagentlemanlypinch。Therearesomefunnydogsamongus，andtheywillhavetheirjoke，youknow。butyoumustn’tmind’em，youmustn’tmind’em。
I’lltryandbearupagainsuchareg’larknockdowno’talent，repliedSam。
That’sright，saidMr。JohnSmauker，puttingupthefox’shead，andelevatinghisown。I’llstandbyyou。
Bythistimetheyhadreachedasmallgreengrocer’sshop，whichMr。
JohnSmaukerentered，followedbySam：who，themomenthegotbehindhim，relapsedintoaseriesoftheverybroadestandmostunmitigatedgrins，andmanifestedotherdemonstrationsofbeinginahighlyenviablestateofinwardmerriment。
Crossingthegreengrocer’sshop，andputtingtheirhatsonthestairsinthelittlepassagebehindit，theywalkedintoasmallparlour。andherethefullsplendourofthesceneburstuponMr。Weller’sview。
Acoupleoftableswereputtogetherinthemiddleoftheparlour，coveredwiththreeorfourclothsofdifferentagesanddatesofwashing，arrangedtolookasmuchlikeoneasthecircumstancesofthecasewouldallow。
Uponthesewerelaidknivesandforksforsixoreightpeople。Someoftheknifehandlesweregreen，othersred，andafewyellow。andasalltheforkswereblack，thecombinationofcolourswasexceedinglystriking。
Platesforacorrespondingnumberofguestswerewarmingbehindthefender。
andthegueststhemselveswerewarmingbeforeit：thechiefandmostimportantofwhomappearedtobeastoutishgentlemaninabrightcrimsoncoatwithlongtails，vividlyredbreeches，andacockedhat，whowasstandingwithhisbacktothefire，andhadapparentlyjustentered，forbesidesretaininghiscockedhatonhishead，hecarriedinhishandahighstick，suchasgentlemenofhisprofessionusuallyelevateinaslopingpositionovertheroofsofcarriages。
Smauker，mylad，yourfin，saidthegentlemanwiththecockedhat。
Mr。Smaukerdovetailedthetopjointofhisrighthandlittlefingerintothatofthegentlemanwiththecockedhat，andsaidhewascharmedtoseehimlookingsowell。
Well，theytellmeIamlookingprettyblooming，saidthemanwiththecockedhat，andit’sawonder，too。I’vebeenfollowingouroldwomanabout，twohoursa-day，forthelastfortnight。andifaconstantcontemplationofthemannerinwhichshehooks-and-eyesthatinfernallavendercolouredoldgownofhersbehind，isn’tenoughtothrowanybodyintoalowstateofdespondencyforlife，stopmyquarter’ssalary。
Atthis，theassembledselectionslaughedveryheartily。andonegentlemaninayellowwaistcoat，withacoachtrimmingborder，whisperedaneighbouringreen-foilsmalls，thatTucklewasinspiritsto-night。
Bythebye，saidMr。Tuckle，Smauker，myboy，you——TheremainderofthesentencewasforwardedintoMr。JohnSmauker’sear，bywhisper。
Oh，dearme，Iquiteforgot，saidMr。JohnSmauker。Gentlemen，myfriendMr。Weller。
Sorrytokeepthefireoffyou，Weller，saidMr。Tuckle，withafamiliarnod。Hopeyou’renotcold，Weller。
Notbynomeans，Blazes，repliedSam。It’udbeawerychillysubjectasfeltcoldwenyoustoodopposit。You’dsavecoalsiftheyputyoubehindthefenderinthewaitin’roomatapublicoffice，youwould。
AsthisretortappearedtoconveyratherapersonalallusiontoMr。
Tuckle’scrimsonlivery，thatgentlemanlookedmajesticforafewseconds，butgraduallyedgingawayfromthefire，brokeintoaforcedsmile，andsaiditwasn’tbad。
Werymuchobligedforyourgoodopinion，sir，repliedSam。Weshallgetonbydegrees，Ides-say。We’lltryabetterone，bye-and-bye。
Atthispointtheconversationwasinterruptedbythearrivalofagentlemaninorange-colouredplush，accompaniedbyanotherselectioninpurplecloth，withagreatextentofstocking。Thenew-comershavingbeenwelcomedbytheoldones，Mr。Tuckleputthequestionthatsupperbeorderedin，whichwascarriedunanimously。
Thegreengrocerandhiswifethenarrangeduponthetableaboiledlegofmutton，hot，withcapersauce，turnips，andpotatoes。Mr。Tuckletookthechair，andwassupportedattheotherendoftheboardbythegentlemaninorangeplush。Thegreengrocerputonapairofwash-leatherglovestohandtheplateswith，andstationedhimselfbehindMr。Tuckle’schair。
Harris，saidMr。Tuckle，inacommandingtone。
Sir，saidthegreengrocer。
Haveyougotyourgloveson？
Yes，sir。
Thentakethekiveroff。
Yes，sir。
Thegreengrocerdidashewastold，withashowofgreathumility，andobsequiouslyhandedMr。Tuck...完整阅读请扫描二维码下载丁香书院APP免费看：
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