“Now, Mr. Winkle,” said Mr. Skimpin, “attend to me, if you please, sir; and let me recommend you, for your own sake, to bear in mind his Lordship’s injunction to be careful. I believe you are a particular friend of Pickwick, the defendant, are you not?”
“I have known Mr. Pickwick now, as well as I recollect at this moment, nearly——”
“Pray, Mr. Winkle, do not evade the question. Are you, or are you not, a particular friend of the defendant’s?”
“I was just about to say that——”
“Will you, or will you not, answer my question, sir?”
“If you don’t answer the question you’ll be committed, sir,” interposed the little judge, looking over his note-book.
“Come, sir,” said Mr. Skimpin, “yes or no, if you please.”
“Yes, I am,” replied Mr. Winkle.
“Yes, you are. And why couldn’t you say that at once, sir? Perhaps you know the plaintiff, too? Eh, Mr. Winkle?”
“I don’t know her; I’ve seen her.”