“Wery good, Sir,” replied Sam. “There’s a couple o’ Sawbones down stairs.” “A couple of what!” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, sitting up in bed. “A couple o’ Sawbones,” said Sam. “What’s a Sawbones?” inquired Mr. Pickwick, not quite certain whether it was a live animal, or something to eat. “What! don’t you know what a Sawbones is, Sir?” inquired Mr. Weller; “I thought every body know’d as a Sawbones was a Surgeon.” “Oh, a Surgeon, eh?” said Mr. Pickwick with a smile. “Just that Sir,” replied Sam. “These here ones as is below, though, ain’t reg’lar thoroughbred Sawbones; they’re only in trainin’.” “In other words they’re Medical Students, I suppose?” said Mr. Pickwick. Sam Weller nodded assent. “I am glad of it,” said Mr. Pickwick, casting his nightcap energetically on the counterpane, “They are fine fellows; very fine fellows, with judgments matured by observation and reflection; and tastes refined by reading and study. I am very glad of it.” “They’re a smokin’ cigars by the kitchen fire,” said Sam. “Ah!” observed Mr. Pickwick, rubbing his hands, “overflowing with kindly feelings and animal spirits. Just what I like to see!” “And one on ’em,” said Sam, not noticing his master’s interruption, “one on ’em ’s got his legs on the table, and is a drinkin’ brandy neat, vile the t’other one—him in the barnacles—has got a barrel o’ oysters atween his knees, vich he’s a openin’ like steam, and as fast as he eats ’em, he takes a aim vith the shells at young dropsy, who’s a settin’ down fast asleep, in the chimbley corner.” “Eccentricities of genius, Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick. “You may retire.” Sam did retire accordingly; and Mr. Pickwick, at the expiration of the quarter of an hour, went down to breakfast. “Here he is at last,” said old Wardle. “Pickwick, this is Miss Allen’s brother, Mr. Benjamin Allen—Ben we call him, and so may you if you like. This gentleman is his very particular friend, Mr. ——” [Illustration] “Mr. Bob Sawyer,” interposed Mr. Benjamin Allen, whereupon Mr. Bob Sawyer and Mr. Benjamin Allen laughed in concert. Mr. Pickwick bowed to Bob Sawyer, and Bob Sawyer bowed to Mr. Pickwick; Bob and his very particular friend then applied themselves most assiduously to the eatables before them; and Mr. Pickwick had an opportunity of glancing at them both.