he had seen the world, and grown wiser. But this opinion, which was by no means a popular one at any time, gradually died off; and be the matter how it may, as Gabriel Grub was afflicted with rheumatism to the end of his days, this story has at least one moral, if it teach no better one—and that is, that if a man turn sulky and drink by himself at Christmas time, he may make up his mind to be not a bit the better for it: let the spirits be never so good, or let them be even as many degrees beyond proof, as those which Gabriel Grub saw in the goblins’ cavern.” [12] [12] CHAPTER II How the Pickwickians made and cultivated the Acquaintance of a couple of Nice Young Men belonging to one of the Liberal Professions; how they Disported themselves on the Ice; and how their First Visit came to a Conclusion How the Pickwickians made and cultivated the Acquaintance of a couple of Nice Young Men belonging to one of the Liberal Professions; how they Disported themselves on the Ice; and how their First Visit came to a Conclusion “Well, Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick as that favoured servitor entered his bed-chamber with his warm water, on the morning of Christmas Day, “still frosty?” “Well “Water in the wash-hand basin’s a mask o’ ice, sir,” responded Sam. “Severe weather, Sam,” observed Mr. Pickwick. “Fine time for them as is well wropped up, as the Polar Bear said to himself, ven he was practising his skating,” replied Mr. Weller. “I shall be down in a quarter of an hour, Sam,” said Mr. Pickwick, untying his nightcap. “Wery good, sir,” replied Sam. “There’s a couple o’ Sawbones downstairs.” “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.
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