“Oh,” said Mr. Pickwick, “I see. Yes; very curious life. Very uncomfortable.”

“They’re all on ’em men as has met vith some disappointment in life,” said Mr. Weller, senior.

“Ay, ay,” said Mr. Pickwick.

“Yes. Consequence of vich, they retires from the world, and shuts themselves up in pikes; partly with the view of being solitary, and partly to rewenge themselves on mankind by takin’ tolls.”

“Dear me,” said Mr. Pickwick, “I never knew that before.”