, Dodson expressly said
so to me, and so did Fogg. I've kept the coach on purpose for you to go back
in.«
    »How very strange!« exclaimed Mrs. Bardell.
    The ladies agreed that it was very strange, but were unanimously of opinion
that it must be very important, or Dodson and Fogg would never have sent; and
further, that the business being urgent, she ought to repair to Dodson and
Fogg's without any delay.
    There was a certain degree of pride and importance about being wanted by
one's lawyers in such a monstrous hurry, that was by no means displeasing to
Mrs. Bardell, especially as it might be reasonably supposed to enhance her
consequence in the eyes of the first-floor lodger. She simpered a little,
affected extreme vexation and hesitation, and at last arrived at the conclusion
that she supposed she must go.
    »But won't you refresh yourself after your walk, Mr. Jackson?« said Mrs.
Bardell, persuasively.
    »Why, really there ain't much time to lose,« replied Jackson; »and I've got
a friend here,« he continued, looking towards the man with the ash stick.
    »Oh, ask your friend to come here, sir,« said Mrs. Bardell. »Pray ask your
friend here, sir.«
    »Why, thankee, I'd rather not,« said Mr. Jackson, with some embarrassment of
manner. »He's not much used to ladies' society, and it makes him bashful. If
you'll order the waiter to deliver him anything short, he won't drink it off at
once, won't he! - only try him!« Mr. Jackson's fingers wandered playfully round
his nose, at this portion of his discourse, to warn his hearers that he was
speaking ironically.
    The waiter was at once despatched to the bashful gentleman, and the bashful
gentleman took something; Mr. Jackson also took something, and the ladies took
something, for hospitality's sake. Mr. Jackson then said he was afraid it was
time to go; upon which, Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Cluppins, and Tommy (who it was
arranged should accompany Mrs. Bardell: leaving the others to Mr. Raddle's
protection), got into the coach.
    »Isaac,« said Jackson, as Mrs. Bardell prepared to get in: looking up at the
man with the ash stick, who was seated on the box, smoking a cigar.
    »Well
