Mr. Pickwick grated the legs of his chair against the ground; and throwing himself into it, folded his hands and looked sternly⁠—if Mr. Pickwick ever could look sternly⁠—at his legal friend.

“You don’t like to hear the name of the cause?” said the little man, still busying himself with the knot.

“No, I do not indeed,” replied Mr. Pickwick.

“Sorry for that,” resumed Perker, “because it will form the subject of our conversation.”

“I would rather that the subject should be never mentioned between us, Perker,” interposed Mr. Pickwick hastily.