“How long?”

“Ah!”

“Why, I don’t rightly know. It worn’t a long time ago, nor it worn’t a short time ago⁠—just between the two, perhaps.”

“Has any chaise been by at all?”

“Oh, yes, there’s been a chay by.”

“How long ago, my friend,” interposed Mr. Pickwick; “an hour?”

“Ah, I dare say it might be,” replied the man.

“Or two hours?” inquired the post⁠—boy on the wheeler.

“Well, I shouldn’t wonder if it was,” returned the old man doubtfully.