Samrefreshedhimselfwithakiss，andreadasfollows：
MarkisGranBydorkenWensdy。
MydearSammle，IamwerysorrytohavethepleasureofbeinaBearofillnewsyourMotherinlawcortcoldconsekensofimprudentlysettintoolongonthedampgrassintherainahearinofashepherdwhowarntabletoleaveofftilllateatnightowentohishavinvoundhis-selfupvithbrandyandvaterandnotbeingabletostophisselftillhegotalittlesoberwhichtookamanyhourstodothedoctorsaysthatifshe’dsvallo’dvarmbrandyandvaterartervardsinstedofaforeshemightn’thavebeennovusherveelswosimmedetlygreasedandeverythinkdonetosetheragoinascouldbeinwentedyourfartherhadhopesasshevouldhavevorkedroundasusualbutjustasshewosaturnenthecornermyboyshetookthewrongroadandventdownhillvithawelocityyouneverseeandnotvithstandingthatthedragwosputondrectlybythemedikelmanitworntofnouseatallforshepaidthelastpikeattwentyminutesaforesixo’clockyesterdayeveninhavindonethejouneywerymuchunderthereglartimevichprapswaspartlyowentoherhavetakeninwerylittleluggagebythevayyourfathersaysthatifyouvillcomeandseemeSammyhevilltakeitasawerygreatfavorforIamwerylonelySamivelnbhevillhaveitspeltthatvayvichIsayantrightandasthereissichamanythingstosettleheissureyourguvnerwontobjectofcoursehevillnotSammyforIknowshimbettersohesendshisdootyinwhichIjoinandamSamivelinfernallyyoursTONYVELLER。
Wotaincomprehensibleletter，saidSam。who’stoknowwotitmeans，vithallthishe-ingandI-ing！Itain’tmyfather’swritin’，’ceptthisheresignaterinprintletters。that’shis。
Perhapshegotsomebodytowriteitforhim，andsignedithimselfafterwards，saidtheprettyhousemaid。
Stopaminit，repliedSam，runningovertheletteragain，andpausinghereandthere，toreflect，ashedidso。You’vehitit。Thegen’l’m’naswroteitwosatellin’allaboutthemisfortun’inapropervay，andthenmyfathercomesalookin’overhim，andcomplicatesthewholeconcernbyputtin’hisoarin。That’sjustthewerysorto’thinghe’ddo。You’reright，Mary，mydear。
Havingsatisfiedhimselfonthispoint，Samreadtheletterallover，oncemore，and，appearingtoformaclearnotionofitscontentsforthefirsttime，ejaculatedthoughtfully，ashefoldeditup：
Andsothepoorcreatur’sdead！I’msorryforit。Shewarn’tabad-disposed’ooman，ifthemshepherdshadletheralone。I’mwerysorryforit。
Mr。Wellerutteredthesewordsinsoseriousamanner，thattheprettyhousemaidcastdownhereyesandlookedverygrave。
Hows’ever，saidSam，puttingtheletterinhispocketwithagentlesigh，itwostobe——andwos，astheoldladysaidartershe’dmarriedthefootman。Can’tbehelpednow，canit，Mary？
Maryshookherhead，andsighedtoo。
Imustapplytothehemperorforleaveofabsence，saidSam。
Marysighedagain。Theletterwassoveryaffecting。
Goodbye！saidSam。
Goodbye，rejoinedtheprettyhousemaid，turningherheadaway。
Well，shakehands，won’tyou？saidSam。
Theprettyhousemaidputoutahandwhich，althoughitwasahousemaid’s，wasaverysmallone，androsetogo。
Ishan’tbewerylongavay，saidSam。
You’realwaysaway，saidMary，givingherheadtheslightestpossibletossintheair。Younosoonercome，Mr。Weller，thanyougoagain。
Mr。Wellerdrewthehouseholdbeautyclosertohim，andentereduponawhisperingconversation，whichhadnotproceededfar，whensheturnedherfaceroundandcondescendedtolookathimagain。Whentheyparted，itwassomehoworotherindispensablynecessaryforhertogotoherroom，andarrangethecapandcurlsbeforeshecouldthinkofpresentingherselftothemistress。whichpreparatoryceremonyshewentofftoperform，bestowingmanynodsandsmilesonSamoverthebanistersasshetrippedup-stairs。
Ishan’tbeavaymorethanaday，ortwo，sir，atthefarthest，saidSam，whenhehadcommunicatedtoMr。Pickwicktheintelligenceofhisfather’sloss。
Aslongasmaybenecessary，Sam，repliedMr。Pickwick，youhavemyfullpermissiontoremain。
Sambowed。
Youwilltellyourfather，Sam，thatifIcanbeofanyassistancetohiminhispresentsituation，Ishallbemostwillingandreadytolendhimanyaidinmypower，saidMr。Pickwick。
Thank’ee，sir，rejoinedSam。I’llmentionit，sir。
Andwithsomeexpressionsofmutualgood-willandinterest，masterandmanseparated。
Itwasjustseveno’clockwhenSamuelWeller，alightingfromtheboxofastage-coachwhichpassedthroughDorking，stoodwithinafewhundredyardsoftheMarquisofGranby。Itwasacolddullevening。thelittlestreetlookeddrearyanddismal。andthemahoganycountenanceofthenobleandgallantMarquisseemedtowearamoresadandmelancholyexpressionthanitwaswonttodo，asitswungtoandfro，creakingmournfullyinthewind。Theblindswerepulleddown，andtheshutterspartlyclosed。
oftheknotofloungersthatusuallycollectedaboutthedoor，notonewastobeseen。theplacewassilentanddesolate。
Seeingnobodyofwhomhecouldaskanypreliminaryquestions，Samwalkedsoftlyin。Glancinground，hequicklyrecognisedhisparentinthedistance。
Thewidowerwasseatedatasmallroundtableinthelittleroombehindthebar，smokingapipe，withhiseyesintentlyfixeduponthefire。Thefuneralhadevidentlytakenplacethatday。forattachedtohishat，whichhestillretainedonhishead，wasahatbandmeasuringaboutayardandahalfinlength，whichhungoverthetoprailofthechairandstreamednegligentlydown。Mr。Wellerwasinaveryabstractedandcontemplativemood。NotwithstandingthatSamcalledhimbynameseveraltimes，hestillcontinuedtosmokewiththesamefixedandquietcountenance，andwasonlyrousedultimatelybyhisson’splacingthepalmofhishandonhisshoulder。
Sammy，saidMr。Weller，you’rewelcome。
I’vebeenacallin’toyouhalfadozentimes，saidSam，hanginghishatonapeg，butyoudidn’thearme，
No，Sammy，repliedMr。Weller，againlookingthoughtfullyatthefire。
Iwosinareferee，Sammy。
Wotabout？inquiredSam，drawinghischairuptothefire。
Inareferee，Sammy，repliedtheelderMr。Weller，regardingher，Samivel。HereMr。WellerjerkedhisheadinthedirectionofDorkingchurchyard，inmuteexplanationthathiswordsreferredtothelateMrs。Weller。
Iwosathinkin’，Sammy，saidMr。Weller，eyeinghisson，withgreatearnestness，overhispipe。asiftoassurehimthathoweverextraordinaryandincrediblethedeclarationmightappear，itwasneverthelesscalmlyanddeliberatelyuttered。Iwosathinkin’，Sammy，thatuponthewholeIwoswerysorryshewosgone。
Vell，andsoyououghttobe，repliedSam。
Mr。Wellernoddedhisacquiescenceinthesentiment，andagainfasteninghiseyesonthefire，shroudedhimselfinacloud，andmuseddeeply。
Thosewoswerysensibleobservationsasshemade，Sammy，saidMr。
Weller，drivingthesmokeawaywithhishand，afteralongsilence。
Wotobservations？inquiredSam。
Themasshemade，artershewastookill，repliedtheoldgentleman。
Wotwasthey？
Somethin’tothishereeffect。`Veller，’shesays，`I’mafeardI’venotdonebyyouquitewotIoughttohavedone。you’reawerykind-heartedman，andImightha’madeyourhomemorecomfortabler。Ibegintoseenow，’
shesays，`venit’stoolate，thatifamarried’oomanvishestobereligious，sheshouldbeginvithdischargin’herdootiesathome，andmakin’themasisabouthercheerfulandhappy，andthatvileshegoestochurch，orchapel，orwotnot，atallpropertimes，sheshouldbewerycarefulnottocon-wertthissorto’thingintoaexcuseforidlenessorself-indulgence。
Ihavedonethis，’shesays，`andI’vevastedtimeandsubstanceonthemashasdoneitmorethanme。butIhopevenI’mgone，Veller，thatyou’llthinkonmeasIwosaforeIknow’dthempeople，andasIralywosbynatur’。’`Susan，’saysI，——Iwostookupweryshortbythis，Samivel。
Ivon’tdenyit，myboy——`Susan，’Isays，`you’vebeenawerygoodvifetome，altogether。don’tsaynothin’atallaboutit。keepagoodheart，mydear。andyou’lllivetoseemepunchthat’ereStiggins’sheadyet。’
Shesmiledatthis，Samivel，saidtheoldgentleman，stiflingasighwithhispipe，butshediedarterall！
Vell，saidSam，venturingtoofferalittlehomelyconsolation，afterthelapseofthreeorfourminutes，consumedbytheoldgentlemaninslowlyshakinghisheadfromsidetoside，andsolemnlysmoking。vell，gov’ner，vemustallcometoit，onedayoranother。
Sowemust，Sammy，saidMr。Wellertheelder。
There’saProvidenceinitall，saidSam。
O’coursethereis，repliedhisfatherwithanodofgraveapproval。
Wot’udbecomeoftheundertakersvithoutit，Sammy？
Lostintheimmensefieldofconjectureopenedbythisreflection，theelderMr。Wellerlaidhispipeonthetable，andstirredthefirewithameditativevisage。
Whiletheoldgentlemanwasthusengaged，averybuxom-lookingcook，dressedinmourning，whohadbeenbustlingabout，inthebar，glidedintotheroom，andbestowingmanysmirksofrecognitionuponSam，silentlystationedherselfatthebackofhisfather’schair，andannouncedherpresencebyaslightcough：thewhich，beingdisregarded，wasfollowedbyalouderone。
Hallo！saidtheelderMr。Weller，droppingthepokerashelookedround，andhastilydrewhischairaway。Wot’sthematternow？
Haveacupoftea，there’sagoodsoul，repliedthebuxomfemale，coaxingly。
Ivon’t，repliedMr。Weller，inasomewhatboisterousmanner，I’llseeyou——Mr。Wellerhastilycheckedhimself，andaddedinalowtone，furderfust。
Oh，dear，dear！Howadversitydoeschangepeople！saidthelady，lookingupwards。
It’stheonlythink’twixtthisandthedoctorasshallchangemycondition，mutteredMr。Weller。
Ireallyneversawamansocross，saidthebuxomfemale。
Nevermind。It’sallformyowngood。vichisthereflectionvithwichthepenitentschoolboycomfortedhisfellin’sventheyfloggedhim，rejoinedtheoldgentleman。
Thebuxomfemaleshookherheadwithacompassionateandsympathisingair。and，appealingtoSam，inquiredwhetherhisfatherreallyoughtnottomakeanefforttokeepup，andnotgivewaytothatlownessofspirits。
Yousee，Mr。Samuel，saidthebuxomfemale，asIwastellinghimyesterday，hewillfeellonely，hecan’texpectbutwhatheshould，sir，butheshouldkeepupagoodheart，because，dearme，I’msureweallpityhisloss，andarereadytodoanythingforhim。andthere’snosituationinlifesobad，Mr。Samuel，thatitcan’tbemended。Whichiswhataveryworthypersonsaidtomewhenmyhusbanddied。Herethespeaker，puttingherhandbeforehermouth，coughedagain，andlookedaffectionatelyattheelderMr。Weller。
AsIdon’trekvireanyo’yourconversationjustnow，mum，villyouhavethegoodnesstore-tire？inquiredMr。Wellerinagraveandsteadyvoice。
Well，Mr。Weller，saidthebuxomfemale，I’msureIonlyspoketoyououtofkindness。
Werylikely，mum，repliedMr。Weller。Samivel，showtheladyout，andshutthedoorarterher。
Thishintwasnotlostuponthebuxomfemale。forsheatoncelefttheroom，andslammedthedoorbehindher，uponwhichMr。Weller，senior，fallingbackinhischairinaviolentperspiration，said：
Sammy，ifIwostostopherealonevunveek——onlyvunveek，myboy——that’ere’ooman’udmarrymebyforceandwiolenceaforeitwasover。
Wot！Isshesoweryfondonyou？inquiredSam。
Fond！repliedhisfather，Ican’tkeepheravayfromme。IfIwoslockedupinafire-proofchestvithapatentBrahmin，she’dfindmeanstogetatme，Sammy。
Wotathingitis，tobesosoughtarter！observedSam，smiling。
Idon’ttakenoprideoutonit，Sammy，repliedMr。Weller，pokingthefirevehemently，it’sahorridsitiwation。I’mactiwallydroveouto’houseandhomebyit。Thebreathwosscarcelyouto’yourpoormother-in-law’sbody，venvunold’oomansendsmeapoto’jam，andanotherapoto’jelly，andanotherbrewsablessedlargejugo’camomile-tea，vichshebringsinvithherownhands。Mr。Wellerpausedwithanaspectofintensedisgust，and，lookinground，addedinawhisper：Theywosallwidders，Sammy，allon’em，’ceptthecamomile-teavun，aswosasingleyoungladyo’fifty-three。
Samgaveacomicallookinreply，andtheoldgentlemanhavingbrokenanobstinatelumpofcoal，withacountenanceexpressiveofasmuchearnestnessandmaliceasifithadbeentheheadofoneofthewidowslast-mentioned，said：
Inshort，Sammy，IfeelthatIain’tsafeanyveresbutonthebox。
Howareyousafertherethananyvereselse？interruptedSam。
’Cosacoachman’saprivilegedindiwidual，repliedMr。Weller，lookingfixedlyathisson。’Cosacoachmanmaydovithoutsuspicionwotothermenmaynot。’cosacoachmanmaybeontheweryamicablesttermswitheightymileo’females，andyetnobodythinkthatheevermeanstomarryanyvunamong’em。Andwotothermancansaythesame，Sammy？
Vell，there’ssomethin’inthat，saidSam。
Ifyourgov’nerhadbeenacoachman，reasonedMr。Weller，doyous’poseasthat’erejury’udeverha’conwictedhim，s’posin’itpossibleasthemattercouldha’gonetothatextremity？Theydustn’tha’doneit。
Wynot？saidSam，ratherdisparagingly。
Wynot！rejoinedMr。Weller。’cosit’udha’goneagintheirconsciences。
Areg’larcoachman’sasorto’connectin’linkbetwixtsinglenessandmatrimony，andeverypracticablemanknowsit。
Wot！Youmean，they’regen’ralfav’rites，andnobodytakesadwantageon’em，p’raps？saidSam。
Hisfathernodded。
Howitevercometothat’erepass，resumedtheparentWeller，I
can’tsay。Wyitisthatlong-stagecoachmenpossesssuchinsiniwations，andisalvayslookedupto——adoredImaysay——byev’ryyoung’oomaninev’rytownhevurksthrough，Idon’tknow。Ionlyknowthatsoitis。It’sareg’lationofnatur——adispensary，asyourpoormother-in-lawusedtosay。
Adispensation，saidSam，correctingtheoldgentleman。
Werygood，Samivel，adispensation，ifyoulikeitbetter，returnedMr。Weller。Icallitadispensary，andit’salvayswritupso，attheplacesveretheygivesyouphysicfornothin’inyourownbottles。
that’sall。
Withthesewords，Mr。Wellerre-filledandre-lightedhispipe，andoncemoresummoningupameditativeexpressionofcountenance，continuedasfollows：
Therefore，myboy，asIdonotseetheadwisabilityo’stoppin’heretobemarridvetherIvanttoornot，andasatthesametimeIdonotvishtoseparatemyselffromtheminterestin’memberso’societyaltogether，Ihavecometothedeterminationo’drivin’theSafety，andputtin’upvuncemoreattheBellSavage，vichismynat’ral-bornelement，Sammy。
Andwot’stobecomeo’thebis’ness？inquiredSam。
Thebis’ness，Samivel，repliedtheoldgentleman，goodvill，stock，andfixters，villbesoldbyprivatecontract。andouto’themoney，twohundredpound，agreeabletoarekvesto’yourmother-in-law’stomealittleaforeshedied，villbeinwestedinyournamein——wotdoyoucallthemthingsagin？
Wotthings？inquiredSam。
Themthingsasisalwaysagoin’upanddown，intheCity。
Omnibuses？suggestedSam。
Nonsense，repliedMr。Weller。Themthingsasisalvaysafluctooatin’，andgettin’theirselvesinwo...完整阅读请扫描二维码下载丁香书院APP免费看：
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