“ Mr. Pickwick, mother,” said Mr. Wardle, at the very top of his voice.

“Ah!” said the old lady, shaking her head; “I can’t hear you.”

“ Mr. Pickwick, grandma!” screamed both the young ladies together.

“Ah!” exclaimed the old lady. “Well, it don’t much matter. He don’t care for an old ’ooman like me, I dare say.”