“Beg your pardon, sir,” rejoined Sam, “but it ’ud be a wery great favour to pay it, and he don’t deserve none; that’s where it is, sir.”

Here Mr. Pickwick, rubbing his nose with an air of some vexation, Mr. Weller thought it prudent to change the theme of the discourse.

“I takes my determination on principle, Sir,” remarked Sam, “and you takes yours on the same ground; wich puts me in mind o’ the man as killed his-self on principle, wich o’ course you’ve heerd on, Sir.” Mr. Weller paused when he arrived at this point, and cast a comical look at his master out of the corners of his eyes.