‘ We are about to partake of a plain dinner at the Blue Lion, Sir; we hope you and your friends will join us.’
Of course,’ said Mr. Wardle, ‘among our friends we include Mr.—;’ and he looked towards the stranger.
‘ Jingle,’ said that versatile gentleman, taking the hint at once. ‘Jingle—Alfred Jingle, Esq., of No Hall, Nowhere.’
‘ I shall be very happy, I am sure,’ said Mr. Pickwick.
‘ So shall I,’ said Mr. Alfred Jingle, drawing one arm through Mr. Pickwick’s, and another through Mr. Wardle’s, as he whispered confidentially in the ear of the former gentleman:—
‘ Devilish good dinner—cold, but capital—peeped into the room this morning—fowls and pies, and all that sort of thing—pleasant fellows these—well behaved, too—very.’
There being no further preliminaries to arrange, the co
