[The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link bookThe Pickwick Papers CHAPTER XXIV 15/18
Mr.Grummer pocketed his staff, and looked at Mr.Dubbley; Mr.Dubbley pocketed his staff and looked at the division; the division pocketed their staves and looked at Messrs.
Tupman and Pickwick. Mr.Pickwick and his followers rose as one man. 'What is the meaning of this atrocious intrusion upon my privacy ?' said Mr.Pickwick. 'Who dares apprehend me ?' said Mr.Tupman. 'What do you want here, scoundrels ?' said Mr.Snodgrass. Mr.Winkle said nothing, but he fixed his eyes on Grummer, and bestowed a look upon him, which, if he had had any feeling, must have pierced his brain.
As it was, however, it had no visible effect on him whatever. When the executive perceived that Mr.Pickwick and his friends were disposed to resist the authority of the law, they very significantly turned up their coat sleeves, as if knocking them down in the first instance, and taking them up afterwards, were a mere professional act which had only to be thought of to be done, as a matter of course.
This demonstration was not lost upon Mr.Pickwick.He conferred a few moments with Mr.Tupman apart, and then signified his readiness to proceed to the mayor's residence, merely begging the parties then and there assembled, to take notice, that it was his firm intention to resent this monstrous invasion of his privileges as an Englishman, the instant he was at liberty; whereat the parties then and there assembled laughed very heartily, with the single exception of Mr.Grummer, who seemed to consider that any slight cast upon the divine right of magistrates was a species of blasphemy not to be tolerated. But when Mr.Pickwick had signified his readiness to bow to the laws of his country, and just when the waiters, and hostlers, and chambermaids, and post-boys, who had anticipated a delightful commotion from his threatened obstinacy, began to turn away, disappointed and disgusted, a difficulty arose which had not been foreseen.
With every sentiment of veneration for the constituted authorities, Mr.Pickwick resolutely protested against making his appearance in the public streets, surrounded and guarded by the officers of justice, like a common criminal.
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