 together. That many undertakings, national as well
as individual - but especially the former - are held to be specially brought to
a glorious and successful issue, which never could be so regarded on any other
process of reasoning, must be clear to all men. Therefore the precedents would
seem to show that Mr. Pecksniff had good argument for what he said, and might be
permitted to say it, and did not say it presumptuously, vainly, or arrogantly,
but in a spirit of high faith and great wisdom meriting all praise.2
    Mr. Jonas, not being much accustomed to perplex his mind with theories of
this nature, expressed no opinion on the subject. Nor did he receive his
companion's announcement with one solitary syllable, good, bad, or indifferent.
He preserved this taciturnity for a quarter of an hour at least, and during the
whole of that time appeared to be steadily engaged in subjecting some given
amount to the operation of every known rule in figures; adding to it, taking
from it, multiplying it, reducing it by long and short division; working it by
the rule-of-three direct and inversed; exchange or barter; practice; simple
interest; compound interest; and other means of arithmetical calculation. The
result of these labours appeared to be satisfactory, for when he did break
silence, it was as one who had arrived at some specific result, and freed
himself from a state of distressing uncertainty.
    »Come, old Pecksniff!« Such was his jocose address, as he slapped that
gentleman on the back, at the end of the stage; »let's have something!«
    »With all my heart,« said Mr. Pecksniff.
    »Let's treat the driver,« cried Jonas.
    »If you think it won't hurt the man, or render him discontented with his
station; certainly,« faltered Mr. Pecksniff.
    Jonas only laughed at this, and getting down from the coach-top with great
alacrity, cut a cumbersome kind of caper in the road. After which, he went into
the public-house, and there ordered spirituous drink to such an extent, that Mr.
Pecksniff had some doubts of his perfect sanity, until Jonas set them quite at
rest by saying, when the coach could wait no longer:
    »I've been standing treat for a whole week and more, and letting you have
all the delicacies of the season. You shall pay for this, Pecksniff.« It was not
a joke either, as Mr. Pecksniff at first supposed; for he went
