42 POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OP
Mr. Tupman had no objection to earning the reputation at so clieap a rate : so he looked very knowing, and smiled mysteriously.
- <Whata saresistic smile/' said the admiring Rachael; "I declare
I'm quite afraid of you."
" Afraid of me ! "
" Oh, you can't disguise any thing from me — I know wiaat that smile means, Very well."
" What ? " said Mr. Tupman, who had not the slightest notion himself.
" You mean," said the amiable aunt, sinking her voice still lower — " You mean, that you don't tbink Isabella's stooping is as bad as Emily's boldness. Well, she is bold ! You cannot think how wretched it makes me sometimes — ^^I'm sure I cry about it for hours together — my dear brother is so good, and so unsuspicious, that he never sees it ; if he did, I'm quite certain it would break his heart. I wish I could think it was only manner — I hope it may be — " (here the affectionate relative heaved a deep sigh, and shook her head despondingly).
" I'm sure aunt's talking about us," whispered Miss Emily Wardle to her sister — " I m quite certain of it — &he looks so malicious."
" Is she ? " replied Isabella — " Hem ! aunt, dear ! "
- ' Yes, my dear love ! "
" I'm so afraid you'll catch cold, aunt — ^have a silk handerchief to tie round your dear old head — you really should take care of yourself — consider your age ! "
However well'deserved this piece of retaliation might have been, it was as vindictive a one as could well have 'been resorted to. There is tio guessing in what form of reply the aunt's indignation would have vented itself, had not Mr. Wardle unconsciously changed the subject, by calling enrphatically for Joe.
" Damn that boy," said the old gentleman, " he's gone to sleep "agafn."
'* Very extraordinary boy, that," said Mr. 'Pickwick, " does h=e "always sleep in this w»ay ? "
" Sle^p I " said the old gentleman, " he's always -asleep. Goes on errands fast asleep, and ^ntJtes as he ^waits at 'tafble."
- ' How very odd ! " said Mr. Pickwick.
- ' Ah! odd indeed," returned the old gentleman ;" I'm proud of that
boy — wouldn't part with him on any account — -damme, he's a natural curiosity I Here, Joe — Joe — take these things away, and open another 'bottle — d'ye heat?"
The fat boy rose, opened his eyes, swallowed the huge 'piece of pie he had been iti the act of masticating when he last fell asleep, and f-lowly obeyed his master's orders-^gloating languidly- over the remains of the feast, as he removed the plates, and deposited them in the liam- per. The fresh bottle was produced, and speedily emptied : tho hamper was made fast in its old place-^the fat boy once more mounted the box — the spectacles and pocket-glass were again adjusted— ^and the ovol*i- lutioiis of the military recommenced. There was a great fizzing and banging of 'giHis, and starting- of ladies— and then a mine. was f5pruB»g,
