“Vell,” said Sam, venturing to offer a little homely consolation, after the lapse of three or four minutes, consumed by the old gentleman in slowly shaking his head from side to side, and solemnly smoking, “vell, gov’nor, ve must all come to it, one day or another.”

“So we must, Sammy,” said Mr. Weller the elder.

“There’s a Providence in it all,” said Sam.

“O’ course there is,” replied his father, with a nod of grave approval. “Wot ’ud become of the undertakers vithout it, Sammy?”

Lost in the immense field of conjecture opened by this reflection, the elder Mr. Weller laid his pipe on the table, and stirred the fire with a meditative visage.