“Afraid!” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, “what’s the woman afraid of?”

“It got us in trouble last time,” said the woman, turning into the house; “I woan’t have nothin’ to say to ’un.”

“Most extraordinary thing I have ever met with in my life,” said the astonished Mr. Pickwick.

“I⁠—I⁠—really believe,” whispered Mr. Winkle, as his friends gathered round him, “that they think we have come by this horse in some dishonest manner.”

“What!” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, in a storm of indignation. Mr. Winkle modestly repeated his suggestion.