“Sir,” said Mrs. Bardell.

“Your little boy is a very long time gone.”

“Why it’s a good long way to the Borough, sir,” remonstrated Mrs. Bardell.

“Ah,” said Mr. Pickwick, “very true; so it is.” Mr. Pickwick relapsed into silence, and Mrs. Bardell resumed her dusting.

“ Mrs. Bardell,” said Mr. Pickwick, at the expiration of a few minutes.