“I should be very sorry to say I wasn’t,” interposed another gentleman on the opposite side of the table. “It’s board and lodgings to me, is smoke.”

Mr. Pickwick glanced at the speaker, and thought that if it were washing too, it would be all the better.

Here there was another pause. Mr. Pickwick was a stranger, and his coming had evidently cast a damp upon the party.

“ Mr. Grundy’s going to oblige the company with a song,” said the chairman.

“No, he ain’t,” said Mr. Grundy.

“Why not?” said the chairman.