Afterthat，wewentintoChancery，wherewearestill，andwhereIshallalwaysbe。Mylawyershavehadallmythousandpoundlongago。andwhatbetweentheestate，astheycallit，andthecosts，I’mherefortenthousand，andshallstophere，tillIdie，mendingshoes。Somegentlemenhavetalkedofbringingitaforeparliament，andIdaresaywouldhavedoneit，onlytheyhadn’ttimetocometome，andIhadn’tpowertogotothem，andtheygottiredofmylongletters，anddroppedthebusiness。AndthisisGod’struth，withoutonewordofsuppressionorexaggeration，asfiftypeople，bothinthisplaceandoutofit，verywellknow。
ThecobblerpausedtoascertainwhateffecthisstoryhadproducedonSam。butfindingthathehaddroppedasleep，knockedtheashesoutofhispipe，sighed，putitdown，drewthebedclothesoverhishead，andwenttosleeptoo。
Mr。Pickwickwassittingatbreakfast，alone，nextmorningSambeingbusilyengagedinthecobbler’sroom，polishinghismaster’sshoesandbrushingtheblackgaiterswhentherecameaknockatthedoor，which，beforeMr。PickwickcouldcryComein！wasfollowedbytheappearanceofaheadofhairandacotton-velvetcap，bothofwhicharticlesofdresshehadnodifficultyinrecognisingasthepersonalpropertyofMr。Smangle。
Howareyou？saidthatworthy，accompanyingtheinquirywithascoreortwoofnods。Isay——doyouexpectanybodythismorning？Threemen——devilishgentlemanlyfellows——havebeenaskingafteryoudown-stairs，andknockingateverydoorontheHallflight。forwhichthey’vebeenmostinfernallyblownupbythecollegiansthathadthetroubleofopening’em。
Dearme！Howveryfoolishofthem，saidMr。Pickwick，rising。Yes。
IhavenodoubttheyaresomefriendswhomIratherexpectedtosee，yesterday。
Friendsofyours！exclaimedSmangle，seizingMr。Pickwickbythehand。
Saynomore。Curseme，they’refriendsofminefromthisminute，andfriendsofMivins’stoo。Infernalpleasant，gentlemanlydog，Mivins，isn’the？
saidSmangle，withgreatfeeling。
Iknowsolittleofthegentleman，saidMr。Pickwick，hesitating，thatI——
Iknowyoudo，interposedSmangle，claspingMr。Pickwickbytheshoulder。
Youshallknowhimbetter。You’llbedelightedwithhim。Thatman，sir，
saidSmangle，withasolemncountenance，hascomicpowersthatwoulddohonourtoDruryLaneTheatre。
Hasheindeed？saidMr。Pickwick。
Ah，byJovehehas！repliedSmangle。Hearhimcomethefourcatsinthewheelbarrow——fourdistinctcats，sir，Ipledgeyoumyhonour。Nowyouknowthat’sinfernalclever！Damme，youcan’thelplikingaman，whenyouseethesetraitsabouthim。He’sonlyonefault——thatlittlefailingImentionedtoyou，youknow。
AsMr。Smangleshookhisheadinaconfidentialandsympathisingmanneratthisjuncture，Mr。Pickwickfeltthathewasexpectedtosaysomething，sohesaidAh！andlookedrestlesslyatthedoor。
Ah！echoedMr。Smangle，withalong-drawnsigh。He’sdelightfulcompany，thatmanis，sir。Idon’tknowbettercompanyanywhere。buthehasthatonedrawback。Iftheghostofhisgrandfather，sir，wastorisebeforehimthisminute，he’daskhimfortheloanofhisacceptanceonaneighteenpennystamp。
Dearme！exclaimedMr。Pickwick。
Yes，addedMr。Smangle。andifhe’dthepowerofraisinghimagain，hewould，intwomonthsandthreedaysfromthistime，torenewthebill！
Thoseareveryremarkabletraits，saidMr。Pickwick。butI’mafraidthatwhilewearetalkinghere，myfriendsmaybeinastateofgreatperplexityatnotfindingme。
I’llshow’emtheway，saidSmangle，makingforthedoor。Goodday。
Iwon’tdisturbyouwhilethey’rehere，youknow。By-the-bye——
AsSmanglepronouncedthelastthreewords，hestoppedsuddenly，re-closedthedoorwhichhehadopened，and，walkingsoftlybacktoMr。Pickwick，steppedcloseuptohimontip-toe，andsaidinaverysoftwhisper：
Youcouldn’tmakeitconvenienttolendmehalf-a-crowntillthelatterendofnextweek，couldyou？
Mr。Pickwickcouldscarcelyforbearsmiling，butmanagingtopreservehisgravity，hedrewforththecoin，andplaceditinMr。Smangle’spalm。
uponwhich，thatgentleman，withmanynodsandwinks，implyingprofoundmystery，disappearedinquestofthethreestrangers，withwhomhepresentlyreturned。andhavingcoughedthrice，andnoddedasmanytimes，asanassurancetoMr。Pickwickthathewouldnotforgettopay，heshookhandsallround，inanengagingmanner，andatlengthtookhimselfoff。
Mydearfriends，saidMr。Pickwick，shakinghandsalternatelywithMr。Tupman，Mr。Winkle，andMr。Snodgrass，whowerethethreevisitorsinquestion，Iamdelightedtoseeyou。
Thetriumvirateweremuchaffected。Mr。Tupmanshookhisheaddeploringly。
Mr。Snodgrassdrewforthhishandkerchief，withundisguisedemotion。andMr。Winkleretiredtothewindowandsniffedaloud。
Mornin’，gen’l’m’n，saidSam，enteringatthemomentwiththeshoesandgaiters。Avayvithmelincholly，asthelittleboysaidvenhisschool-missisdied。VelcometotheCollege，gen’l’m’n。
Thisfoolishfellow，saidMr。Pickwick，tappingSamontheheadashekneltdowntobuttonuphismaster’sgaiters：Thisfoolishfellowhasgothimselfarrested，inordertobenearme。
What！exclaimedthethreefriends。
Yes，gen’l’m’n，saidSam，I’ma——standsteady，sir，ifyouplease——I’mapris’ner，gen’l’m’n。Con-fined，astheladysaid。
Aprisoner！exclaimedMr。Winkle，withunaccountablevehemence。
Hallo，sir！respondedSam，lookingup。Wot’sthematter，sir？
Ihadhoped，Sam，that——nothing，nothing，saidMr。Winkle，precipitately。
TherewassomethingsoveryabruptandunsettledinMr。Winkle’smanner，thatMr。Pickwickinvoluntarilylookedathistwofriendsforanexplanation。
Wedon’tknow，saidMr。Tupman，answeringthismuteappealaloud。
Hehasbeenmuchexcitedfortwodayspast，andhiswholedemeanourveryunlikewhatitusuallyis。Wefeartheremustbesomethingthematter，butheresolutelydeniesit。
No，no，saidMr。Winkle，colouringbeneathMr。Pickwick’sgaze。thereisreallynothing。Iassureyouthereisnothing，mydearsir。Itwillbenecessaryformetoleavetown，forashorttime，onprivatebusiness，andIhadhopedtohaveprevaileduponyoutoallowSamtoaccompanyme。
Mr。Pickwicklookedmoreastonishedthanbefore。
Ithink，falteredMr。Winkle，thatSamwouldhavehadnoobjectiontodoso。but，ofcourse，hisbeingaprisonerhere，rendersitimpossible。
SoImustgoalone。
AsMr。Winklesaidthesewords，Mr。Pickwickfelt，withsomeastonishment，thatSam’sfingersweretremblingatthegaiters，asifhewererathersurprisedorstartled。SamlookedupatMr。Winkle，too，whenhehadfinishedspeaking。andthoughtheglancetheyexchangedwasinstantaneous，theyseemedtounderstandeachother。
Doyouknowanythingofthis，Sam？saidMr。Pickwick，sharply。
No，Idon’t，sir，repliedMr。Weller，beginningtobuttonwithextraordinaryassiduity。
Areyousure，Sam？saidMr。Pickwick。
Wy，sir，respondedMr。Weller。I’msuresofar，thatI’veneverheerdanythin’onthesubjectaforethismoment。IfImakesanyguessaboutit，
addedSam，lookingatMr。Winkle，Ihaven’tgotanyrighttosaywotitis，’fearitshouldbeawrong’un。
Ihavenorighttomakeanyfurtherinquiryintotheprivateaffairsofafriend，howeverintimateafriend，saidMr。Pickwick，afterashortsilence。atpresentletmemerelysay，thatIdonotunderstandthisatall。There。Wehavehadquiteenoughofthesubject。
Thusexpressinghimself，Mr。Pickwickledtheconversationtodifferenttopics，andMr。Winklegraduallyappearedmoreatease，thoughstillveryfarfrombeingcompletelyso。Theyhadallsomuchtoconverseabout，thatthemorningveryquicklypassedaway。andwhen，atthreeo’clock，Mr。Wellerproduceduponthelittlediningtable，aroastlegofmuttonandanenormousmeatpie，withsundrydishesofvegetables，andpotsofporter，whichstooduponthechairsorthesofa-bedstead，orwheretheycould，everybodyfeltdisposedtodojusticetothemeal，notwithstandingthatthemeathadbeenpurchased，anddressed，andthepiemade，andbaked，attheprisoncookeryhardby。
Tothesesucceededabottleortwoofverygoodwine，forwhichamessengerwasdispatchedbyMr。PickwicktotheHornCoffee-house，inDoctors’Commons。
Thebottleortwo，indeed，mightbemoreproperlydescribedasabottleorsix，forbythetimeitwasdrunk，andteaover，thebellbegantoringforstrangerstowithdraw。
But，ifMr。Winkle’sbehaviourhadbeenunaccountableinthemorning，itbecameperfectlyunearthlyandsolemnwhen，undertheinfluenceofhisfeelings，andhisshareofthebottleorsix，hepreparedtotakeleaveofhisfriend。Helingeredbehind，untilMr。TupmanandMr。Snodgrasshaddisappeared，andthenferventlyclenchedMr。Pickwick’shand，withanexpressionoffaceinwhichdeepandmightyresolvewasfearfullyblendedwiththeveryconcentratedessenceofgloom。
Goodnight，mydearsir！saidMr。Winklebetweenhissetteeth。
Blessyou，mydearfellow！repliedthewarm-heartedMr。Pickwick，ashereturnedthepressureofhisyoungfriend’shand。
Nowthen！criedMr。Tupmanfromthegallery。
Yes，yes，directly，repliedMr。Winkle。Goodnight！
Goodnight，saidMr。Pickwick。
Therewasanothergoodnight，andanother，andhalf-a-dozenmoreafterthat，andstillMr。Winklehadfastholdofhisfriend’shand，andwaslookingintohisfacewiththesamestrangeexpression。
Isanythingthematter？saidMr。Pickwickatlast，whenhisarmwasquitesorewithshaking。
Nothing，saidMr。Winkle。
Wellthen，goodnight，saidMr。Pickwick，attemptingtodisengagehishand。
Myfriend，mybenefactor，myhonouredcompanion，murmuredMr。Winkle，catchingathiswrist。Donotjudgemeharshly。donot，whenyouhearthat，driventoextremitybyhopelessobstacles，I——
Nowthen，saidMr。Tupman，re-appearingatthedoor。Areyoucoming，orarewetobelockedin？
Yes，yes，Iamready，repliedMr。Winkle。Andwithaviolentefforthetorehimselfaway。
AsMr。Pickwickwasgazingdownthepassageaftertheminsilentastonishment，SamWellerappearedatthestairhead，andwhisperedforonemomentinMr。
Winkle’sear。
Ohcertainly，dependuponme，saidthatgentlemanaloud。
Thank’ee，sir。Youwon’tforget，sir？saidSam。
Ofcoursenot，repliedMr。Winkle。
Wishyouluck，sir，saidSam，touchinghishat。Ishouldverymuchliketoha’joinedyou，sir。butthegov’nero’courseispairamount。
Itisverymuchtoyourcreditthatyouremainhere，saidMr。Winkle。
Withthesewordstheydisappeareddownthestairs。
Veryextraordinary，saidMr。Pickwick，goingbackintohisroom，andseatinghimselfatthetableinamusingattitude。
Whatcanthatyoungmanbegoingtodo？
Hehadsatruminatingaboutthematterforsometime，whenthevoiceofRoker，theturnkey，demandedwhetherhemightcomein。
Byallmeans，saidMr。Pickwick。
I’vebroughtyouasofterpillow，sir，saidRoker，insteadofthetemporaryoneyouhadlastnight。
Thankyou，saidMr。Pickwick。Willyoutakeaglassofwine？
You’rewerygood，sir，repliedMr。Roker，acceptingtheprofferedglass。Yours，sir。
Thankyou，saidMr。Pickwick。
I’msorrytosaythatyourlandlord’swerybadto-night，sir，saidRoker，settingdowntheglass，andinspectingtheliningofhishatpreparatorytoputtingitonagain。
What！TheChanceryprisoner！exclaimedMr。Pickwick。
Hewon’tbeaChanceryprisonerwerylong，sir，repliedRoker，turninghishatround，soastogetthemaker’snamerightsideupwards，ashelookedintoit。
Youmakemybloodruncold，saidMr。Pickwick。Whatdoyoumean？
He’sbeenconsumptiveforalongtimepast，saidMr。Roker，andhe’stakenwerybadinthebreathto-night。Thedoctorsaid，sixmonthsago，thatnothingbutchangeofaircouldsavehim。
GreatHeaven！exclaimedMr。Pickwick。hasthismanbeenslowlymurderedbythelawforsixmonths？
Idon’tknowaboutthat，repliedRoker，weighingthehatbythebrimsinbothhands。Isupposehe’dhavebeentookthesame，whereverhewas。
Hewentintotheinfirmary，thismorning。thedoctorsayshisstrengthistobekeptupasmuchaspossible。andthewarden’ssenthimwineandbrothandthat，fromhisownhouseIt’snotthewarden’sfault，youknow，sir，
Ofcoursenot，repliedMr。Pickwickhastily。
I’mafraid，however，saidRoker，shakinghishead，thatit’sallupwithhim。IofferedNeddytwosixpenn’orthstooneuponitjustnow，buthewouldn’ttakeit，andquiteright。Thank’ee，sir。Goodnight，sir。
Stay，saidMr。Pickwickearnestly。Whereisthisinfirmary？
Justoverwhereyouslept，sir，repliedRoker。I’llshowyou，ifyouliketocome。Mr。Pickwicksnatcheduphishatwithoutspeaking，andfollowedatonce。
Theturnkeyledthewayinsilence。andgentlyraisingthelatchoftheroom-door，motionedMr。Pickwicktoenter。Itwasalarge，bare，desolateroom，withanumberofstumpbedsteadsmadeofiron：ononeofwhichlaystretched，theshadowofaman：wan，pale，andghastly。Hisbreathingwashardandthick，andhemoanedpainfullyasitcameandwent。Atthebedsidesatashortoldmaninacobbler’sapron，who，bytheaidofapairofhornspectacles，wasreadingfromtheBiblealoud。Itwasthefortunatelegatee。
Thesickmanlaidhishanduponhisattendant’sarm，andmotionedhimtostop。Heclosedthebook，andlaiditonthebed。
Openthewindow，saidthesickman。
Hedidso。Thenoiseofcarriagesandcarts，therattleofwheels，thecriesofmenandboys，allthebusysoundsofamightymultitudeinstinctwithlifeandoccupation，blendedintoonedeepmurmur，floatedintotheroom。Abovethehoarseloudhum，arosefromtimetotimeaboisterouslaugh。
orascrapofsomejinglingsong，shoutedforthbyoneofthegiddycrowd，wouldstrikeupontheearforaninstant，andthenbelostamidsttheroarofvoicesandthetrampoffootsteps。thebreakingofthebillowsoftherestlessseaoflifethatrolledheavilyon，without。Melancholysoundstoaquitelisteneratanytime。howmelancholytothewatcherbythebedofdeath！
Thereisnoairhere，saidthesickmanfaintly。Theplacepollutesit。Itwasfreshroundabout，whenIwalkedthere，yearsago。butitgrowshotandheavyinpassingthesewalls。Icannotbreatheit。
Wehavebreathedittogether，foralongtime，saidtheoldman。Come，come。
Therewasashortsilence，duringwhichthetwospectatorsapproachedthebed。Thesickmandrewahandofhisoldfellow-prisonertowardshim，andpressingitaffectionatelybetweenbothhisown，retaineditinhisgrasp。
Ihope，hegaspedafterawhile：sofaintlythattheybenttheirearscloseoverthebedtocatchthehalf-formedsoundshispalelipsgaveventto：IhopemymercifulJudgewillbearinmindmyheavypunishmentonearth。Twentyyears，myfriend，twentyyearsinthishideousgrave！Myheartbrokewhenmychilddied，andIcouldnotevenkisshiminhislittlecoffin。Mylonelinesssincethen，inallthisnoiseandriot，hasbeenverydreadful。MayGodforgiveme！Hehasseenmysolitary，lingeringdeath。
Hefoldedhishands，andmurmuringsomethingmoretheycouldnothear，fellintoasleep——onlyasleepatfirst，fortheysawhimsmile。
Theywhisperedtogetherforalittletime，andtheturnkey，stoopingoverthepillow，drewhastilyback。Hehasgothisdischarge，byG——！
saidtheman。
Hehad。Buthehadgrownsolikedeathinlife，thattheyknewnotwhenhedied。
[NextChapter][TableofContents]ThePickwickPapers：Chapter45[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXLVDESCRIPTIVEOFANAFFECTINGINTERVIEWBETWEENMR。
SAMUELWELLERANDAFAMILYPARTY。MR。PICKWICKMAKESATOUROFTHEDIMINUTIVE
WORLDHEINHABITS，ANDRESOLVESTOMIXWITHIT，INFUTURE，ASLITTLEAS
POSSIBLE
AFEWmorningsafterhisincarceration，Mr。SamuelWeller，havingarrangedhismaster’sroomwithallpossiblecare，andseenhimcomfortablyseatedoverhisbooksandpapers，withdrewtoemployhimselfforanhourortwotocome，ashebestcould。Itwasafinemorning，anditoccurredtoSamthatapintofporterintheopenairwouldlightenhisnextquarterofanhourorso，aswellasanylittleamusementinwhichhecouldindulge。
Havingarrivedatthisconclusion，hebetookhimselftothetap。Havingpurchasedthebeer，andobtained，moreover，theday-but-one-before-yesterday’spaper，herepairedtotheskittle-ground，andseatinghimselfonabench，proceededtoenjoyhimselfinaverysedateandmethodicalmanner。
Firstofall，hetookarefreshingdraughtofthebeer，andthenhelookedupatawindow，andbestowedaPlatonicwinkonayoungladywhowaspeelingpotatoesthereat。Thenheopenedthepaper，andfoldeditsoastogetthepolicereportsoutwards。andthisbeingavexatiousanddifficultthingtodo，whenthereisanywindstirring，hetookanotherdraughtofthebeerwhenhehadaccomplishedit。Then，hereadtwolinesofthepaper，andstoppedshort，tolookatacoupleofmenwhowerefinishingagameatrackets，whichbeingconcluded，hecriedoutwerygoodinanapprovingmanner，andlookedrounduponthespectators，whethertheirsentimentscoincidedwithhisown。Thisinvolvedthenecessityoflookingupatthewindowsalso。andastheyoungladywasstillthere，itwasanactofcommonpolitenesstowinkagain，andtodrinktohergoodhealthindumbshow，inanotherdraughtofthebeer，whichSamdid。andhavingfrownedhideouslyuponasmallboywhohadnotedthislatterproceedingwithopeneyes，hethrewonelegovertheother，and，holdingthenewspaperinbothhands，begantoreadinrealearnest。
Hehadhardlycomposedhimselfintotheneedfulstateofabstraction，whenhethoughtheheardhisownnameproclaimedinsomedistantpassage。
Norwashemistaken，foritquicklypassedfrommouthtomouth，andinafewsecondstheairteemedwithshoutsofWeller！
Here！roaredSam，inastentorianvoice。Wot’sthematter？Whowantshim？Hasanexpresscometosaythathiscountry-houseisa-fire？
Somebodywantsyouinthehall，saidamanwhowasstandingby。
Justmindthat’erepaperandthepot，oldfel...完整阅读请扫描二维码下载丁香书院APP免费看：
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