“All them old cats will run their heads agin mile-stones,” observed Mr. Weller in a parenthesis.
“But this taking him in the very act of elopement, would be a very difficult thing to accomplish, I fear,” said Mr. Pickwick.
“I don’t know, sir,” said Mr. Trotter, after a few moments’ reflection. “I think it might be very easily done.”
“How?” was Mr. Pickwick’s inquiry.
“Why,” replied Mr. Trotter, “my master and I, being in the confidence of the two servants, will be secreted in the kitchen at ten o’clock. When the family have retired to rest, we shall come out of the kitchen, and the young lady out of her bedroom. A post-chaise will be waiting, and away we go.”
“Well?” said Mr. Pickwick.
“Well, sir, I have been thinking that if you were in waiting in the garden behind, alone——”
“Alone,” said Mr. Pickwick. “Why alone?”
“I thought it very natural,” replied Job, “that the old lady wouldn’t like such an unpleasant discovery to be made before more persons than can possibly be helped. The young lady, too, sir—consider her feelings.”
“You are very right,” said Mr. Pickwick. “The consideration evinces your delicacy of feeling. Go on; you are very right.”