«
    »Vith all the pleasure in life, sir,« replied Sam. »Arter a few unimportant
obserwations from the two wirtuous females as has been examined here to-day, the
ladies gets into a very great state o' admiration at the honourable conduct of
Mr. Dodson and Fogg - them two gen'l'men as is settin' near you now.« This, of
course, drew general attention to Dodson and Fogg, who looked as virtuous as
possible.
    »The attorneys for the plaintiff,« said Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz. »Well! They
spoke in high praise of the honourable conduct of Messrs. Dodson and Fogg, the
attorneys for the plaintiff, did they?«
    »Yes,« said Sam, »they said what a wery gen'rous thing it was o' them to
have taken up the case on spec, and to charge nothing at all for costs, unless
they got 'em out of Mr. Pickwick.«
    At this very unexpected reply, the spectators tittered again, and Dodson and
Fogg, turning very red, leant over to Serjeant Buzfuz, and in a hurried manner
whispered something in his ear.
    »You are quite right,« said Serjeant Buzfuz aloud, with affected composure.
»It's perfectly useless, my lord, attempting to get at any evidence through the
impenetrable stupidity of this witness. I will not trouble the court by asking
him any more questions. Stand down, sir.«
    »Would any other gen'l'man like to ask me anythin'?« inquired Sam, taking up
his hat, and looking round most deliberately.
    »Not I, Mr. Weller, thank you,« said Serjeant Snubbin, laughing.
    »You may go down, sir,« said Serjeant Buzfuz, waving his hand impatiently.
Sam went down accordingly, after doing Messrs. Dodson and Fogg's case as much
harm as he conveniently could, and saying just as little respecting Mr. Pickwick
as might be, which was precisely the object he had had in view all along.
    »I have no objection to admit, my lord,« said Serjeant Snubbin, »if it will
save the examination of another witness, that Mr. Pickwick has retired from
business, and is a gentleman of considerable independent property.«
    »Very well,« said Serjeant Buzfuz, putting in the two letters to be read,
»Then that's my case, my lord.«
    Serjeant Snubbin then addressed the jury on behalf of the defendant; and a
very long and a very emphatic address he delivered,