Will you undertake to swear that Pickwick, the defendant, did not say on the occasion in question--"My dear Mrs.Bardell, you're a good creature; compose yourself to this situation, for to this situation you must come," or words to that effect ?' 'I--I didn't understand him so, certainly,' said Mr.Winkle, astounded on this ingenious dove-tailing of the few words he had heard.

'I was on the staircase, and couldn't hear distinctly; the impression on my mind is--' 'The gentlemen of the jury want none of the impressions on your mind, Mr.Winkle, which I fear would be of little service to honest, straightforward men,' interposed Mr.Skimpin.

'You were on the staircase, and didn't distinctly hear; but you will not swear that Pickwick did not make use of the expressions I have quoted?
Do I understand that ?' 'No, I will not,' replied Mr.Winkle; and down sat Mr.Skimpin with a triumphant countenance.
Mr.Pickwick's case had not gone off in so particularly happy a manner, up to this point, that it could very well afford to have any additional suspicion cast upon it.

But as it could afford to be placed in a rather better light, if possible, Mr.Phunky rose for the purpose of getting something important out of Mr.Winkle in cross-examination.

Whether he did get anything important out of him, will immediately appear.
'I believe, Mr.Winkle,' said Mr.Phunky, 'that Mr.Pickwick is not a young man ?' 'Oh, no,' replied Mr.Winkle; 'old enough to be my father.' 'You have told my learned friend that you have known Mr.Pickwick a long time.