After this, there was a great hoisting up of Master Bardell, who was rather a large size for hugging, into his mother’s arms: in which operation he got his boots in the tea-board, and occasioned some confusion among the cups and saucers. But that description of fainting fits, which is contagious among ladies, seldom lasts long; so when he had been well kissed and a little cried over, Mrs. Bardell recovered, set him down again, wondered how she could have been so foolish, and poured out some more tea.
It was at this moment that the sound of approaching wheels was heard, and that the ladies, looking up, saw a hackney-coach stop at the garden-gate.
“More company!” said Mrs. Sanders.
“It’s a gentleman,” said Mrs. Raddle.
“Well, if it ain’t Mr. Jackson, the young man from Dodson and Fogg’s!” cried Mrs. Bardell. “Why, gracious! Surely Mr. Pickwick can’t have paid the damages.”
“Or hoffered marriage!” said Mrs. Cluppins.
“Dear me, how slow the gentleman is,” exclaimed Mrs. Rogers: “Why doesn’t he make haste!”
A shabby man in black leggings