‘Very,’ said Bob Sawyer, with his mouth full.
‘I’ve put my name down for an arm at our place,’ said Mr. Allen. ‘We’re clubbing for a subject, and the list is nearly full, only we can’t get hold of any fellow that wants a head. I wish you’d take it.’
‘No,’ replied ‘Bob Sawyer; ‘can’t afford expensive luxuries.’
‘Nonsense!’ said Allen.
‘Can’t, indeed,’ rejoined Bob Sawyer, ‘I wouldn’t mind a brain, but I couldn’t stand a whole head.’
Hush, hush, gentlemen, pray,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘I hear the ladies.’
As Mr. Pickwick spoke, the ladies, gallantly escorted by Messrs. Snodgrass, Winkle, and Tupman, returned from an early walk.
‘Why, Ben!’ said Arabella, in a tone which expressed more surprise than pleasure at the sight of her brother.
‘Come to take you home to-morrow,’ replied Benjamin.
Mr. Winkle turned pale.