[The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link book
The Pickwick Papers

CHAPTER XII
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Clad in a tight suit of corduroy, spangled with brass buttons of a very considerable size, he at first stood at the door astounded and uncertain; but by degrees, the impression that his mother must have suffered some personal damage pervaded his partially developed mind, and considering Mr.Pickwick as the aggressor, he set up an appalling and semi-earthly kind of howling, and butting forward with his head, commenced assailing that immortal gentleman about the back and legs, with such blows and pinches as the strength of his arm, and the violence of his excitement, allowed.
'Take this little villain away,' said the agonised Mr.Pickwick, 'he's mad.' 'What is the matter ?' said the three tongue-tied Pickwickians.
'I don't know,' replied Mr.Pickwick pettishly.

'Take away the boy.' (Here Mr.Winkle carried the interesting boy, screaming and struggling, to the farther end of the apartment.) 'Now help me, lead this woman downstairs.' 'Oh, I am better now,' said Mrs.Bardell faintly.
'Let me lead you downstairs,' said the ever-gallant Mr.Tupman.
'Thank you, sir--thank you;' exclaimed Mrs.Bardell hysterically.

And downstairs she was led accordingly, accompanied by her affectionate son.
'I cannot conceive,' said Mr.Pickwick when his friend returned--'I cannot conceive what has been the matter with that woman.

I had merely announced to her my intention of keeping a man-servant, when she fell into the extraordinary paroxysm in which you found her.

Very extraordinary thing.' 'Very,' said his three friends.
'Placed me in such an extremely awkward situation,' continued Mr.
Pickwick.
'Very,' was the reply of his followers, as they coughed slightly, and looked dubiously at each other.
This behaviour was not lost upon Mr.Pickwick.He remarked their incredulity.


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