“Sam has not been here long, has he?” inquired Mr. Pickwick.

“Oh, no, Sir,” replied Mary eagerly. “He has only just come home. He is not going to ask you for any more leave, Sir, he says.”

Mary might have been conscious that she had communicated this last intelligence with more warmth than seemed actually necessary, or she might have observed the good-humoured smile with which Mr. Pickwick regarded her, when she had finished speaking. She certainly held down her head, and examined the corner of a very smart little apron, with more closeness than there appeared any absolute occasion for.

“Tell them they can come up at once, by all means,” said Mr. Pickwick.