Part 81 (1/2)

”'Now, Winkle,' cried Mr. Pickwick, quite unconscious that here was anything the matter. 'Come, the ladies are all anxiety.'

”'Yes, yes,' replied Mr. Winkle, with a ghastly smile. 'I'm coming.'

”'Just a-goin' to begin,' said Sam, endeavouring to disengage himself. 'Now, Sir, start off!'

”'Stop an instant, Sam,' gasped Mr. Winkle, clinging most affectionately to Mr. Weller. 'I find I've got a couple of coats at home, that I don't want, Sam. You may have them, Sam.'

”'Thank'ee, Sir,' replied Mr. Weller.

”'Never mind touching your hat, Sam,' said Mr. Winkle, hastily.

'You needn't take your hand away to do that. I meant to have given you five s.h.i.+llings this morning for a Christmas-box, Sam.

I'll give it you this afternoon, Sam.'

”'You're wery good, Sir,' replied Mr. Weller.

”'Just hold me at first, Sam; will you?' said Mr. Winkle.

'There--that's right. I shall soon get in the way of it, Sam.

Not too fast, Sam; not too fast.'

”Mr. Winkle, stooping forward with his body half doubled up, was being a.s.sisted over the ice by Mr. Weller, in a very singular and un-swanlike manner, when Mr. Pickwick most innocently shouted from the opposite bank,--

”'Sam!'

”'Sir?' said Mr. Weller.

”'Here, I want you.'

”'Let go, Sir,' said Sam. 'Don't you hear the governor a- callin'? Let go, Sir.'

”With a violent effort Mr. Weller disengaged himself from the grasp of the agonised Pickwickian; and, in so doing, administered a considerable impetus to the unhappy Mr. Winkle. With an accuracy which no degree of dexterity or practice could have insured, that unfortunate gentleman bore swiftly down into the centre of the reel, at the very moment when Mr. Bob Sawyer was performing a flourish of unparalleled beauty. Mr. Winkle struck wildly against him, and with a loud crash they both fell heavily down.

”Mr. Pickwick ran to the spot. Bob Sawyer had risen to his feet, but Mr. Winkle was far too wise to do anything of the kind, in skates. He was seated on the ice, making spasmodic efforts to smile, but anguish was depicted on every lineament of his countenance.

”'Are you hurt?' inquired Mr. Benjamin Allen, with great anxiety.

”'Not much,' said Mr. Winkle, rubbing his back very hard.

”'I wish you'd let me bleed you,' said Mr. Benjamin, with great eagerness.

”'No, thank you,' replied Mr. Winkle hurriedly.

”'What do you think, Mr. Pickwick?' enquired Bob Sawyer.

”Mr. Pickwick was excited and indignant. He beckoned to Mr.

Weller, and said in a stern voice, 'Take his skates off.'

”'No; but really I had scarcely begun,' remonstrated Mr. Winkle.

”'Take his skates off,' repeated Mr. Pickwick firmly.

”The command was not to be resisted. Mr. Winkle allowed Sam to obey it, in silence.