Chapter-14
Having answered the door and beheld a fat boy, Mr. Lowten asked the fat boy why he was knocking so hard and continuously. The fat boy replied that he was ordered to did so by his master lest he—the fat boy—should fall asleep. Having confirmed that the fat boy’s master was the gentleman waiting in the carriage, Mr. Lowten beckoned the gentleman to enter.
The gentleman turned out to be Mr. Wardle. Greeting his friends, Mr. Wardle lamented Mr. Pickwick’s incarceration in a debtor’s prison and wondered how Mr. Perker could ever have allowed such a thing to happen. Mr. Perker assured Mr. Wardle that it was unfortunate but unavoidable.
Presently, Mr. Wardle apprised his friends of the circumstance that had brought him to Mr. Perker’s law office. It was only recently that he had found out that his daughter Emily had been carrying on a secret romance with Mr. Pickwick’s associate Mr. Snodgrass, which had been going on since last Christmas. Alas, Mr. Wardle also learnt that when Emily learnt that her father would oppose the match, as it was premised on affection and not financial security, that Emily had resolved to elope with Mr. Snodgrass or Arabella and Mr. Winkle. Agitated by this intelligence, Mr. Wardle had come to London to seek Mr. Perker’s advice. Indeed, he had brought Emily with him, in case she had any ideas of eloping, under the pretext of letting her meet Arabella.
Subsequently, arguing that Mr. Wardle had already made up his mind on how to handle the matter, Mr. Perker dismissed Mr. Wardle’s solicitation and assured him that he would make an answer for Mr. Wardle if the matter wasn’t already settled the next time they met.
Presently, as Mr. Wardle had some business to attend to, he dispatched fat boy Joe to the Osborne hotel where he was to inform Emily that her father won’t be back until later that evening. When fat boy Joe arrived not only at the Osborne, to his shock, he beheld Arabella also and Arabella’s handmaiden Mary in Emily’s company but Mr. Snodgrass who was busy making romantic overtures to Emily. Consequently, Mr. Snodgrass, Emily and Arabella commissioned Mary to persuade fat boy Joe to keep a lid on it, i.e. to keep Mr. Snodgrass’ visit a secret. Smitten with Mary, fat boy Joe promised to do just that.
Mr. Snodgrass was taking his leave of Emily when Mr. Wardle returned. He was accompanied by Mr. Pickwick, Ben Allen, and Mr. Winkle. Subsequently, Emily and Arabella went to greet the arrivals, while Mr. Snodgrass tried to sneak out through a back entrance only to corner himself into Mr. Wardle’s bedroom. At Mr. Wardle’s behest, wine was served. Ben Allen and Arabella reconciled. Mr. Wardle commissioned fat boy Joe to fetch his snuff box from his bedroom. When fat boy Joe returned with the snuff box, he was as pale as a ghost. Mr. Wardle thought fat boy Joe had had too much wine as his behavior all evening had been peculiar. Indeed, fat boy Joe was caught trying to impart a secret to Mr. Pickwick at which point Mr. Wardle decided to have the boy removed from the premises.
Suddenly, Mr. Snodgrass emerged from Mr. Wardle’s bedroom. Mr. Snodgrass explained that he was deeply in love with Emily and had been for six months, and that in order to prevent creating a scene tonight he had tried to slip away undetected only to have cornered himself into Mr. Wardle’s bedroom. Emily begged her father to understand. Mr. Wardle wondered why Mr. Snodgrass hadn’t confessed earlier. Mr. Pickwick wonders why Mr. Snodgrass hadn’t confided his secret. Arabella spoke on Mr. Snodgrass’ behalf, pointing out that Mr. Wardle had his mind set on a wealthier son-in-law, which would explain Mr. Snodgrass’ reluctance to confess. Mr. Wardle conceded to Arabellla who urges Mr. Wardle to invite Mr. Snodgrass to partook of food and wine. Presently, Mr. Perker arrived and partedakes of the food and wine as well. Everyone was happy and all was well.
Explaining how he eventually found Mrs. Weller’s would, which was ensconced in a black teapot (indeed Mr. Weller did not know of its whereabouts as he was reluctant to ask the dying Mrs. Weller as asking about it would’ve been both awkward and rude), Mr. Weller produced the would for his son’s perusal, confirmed its contents (Sam was to receive 200 pounds and Mr. Weller the remaining 500 pounds), and was on the point of getting rid of it by throwing it in the fire only to be prevented from doing so by Sam who confiscated the will for safekeeping and informed his father that the will had to be formalized for it to be legally binding. Subsequently, having decided that Mr. Solomon Pell was the man for the job, father and son, accompanied by two of the father’s friends, who would act as witnesses, retire to the law offices of Solomon Pell.
Mr. Solomon Pell greeted the Wellers and their friends and assured them that he had been very busy of late when in fact he had spent much of his time recently doing nothing with business being very slow. Mr. Pell mentioned his awareness of Mrs. Weller’s recent death, and this led to Mr. Pell’s eulogy of the late Mrs. Pell who was also a widow. By and by, Mr. Weller interrupted and informed Mr. Pell that he had come on business; namely, for the purpose of probating Mrs. Weller’s would. The news excited Mr. Pell who asked for 5 pounds for his services. Mr. Weller gladly paid, and the process of formalizing the will began in between lavish meals that Mr. Pell and his clients were wont to indulge in.
To formalize the will, numerous visits were made to the Doctors’ Commons. Then came the day when they had to visit a stock-broker. Mr. Pell had chosen to solicit the services of Mr. Wilkins Flasher, Esquire. When, after a substantial meal of porter, cold beef, and oyster, they entered the offices of Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, the Wellers and their friends witnessed the strange and fascinating goings on of Wilkins Flasher, Esquire and his fellow stock-broker Mr. Frank Simmery, Esquire who made various wagers, including one that involved the possible suicide of a man named Boffer.
Presently, Mr. Wilkins Flasher, Esquire, led his visitors to the counsel’s office. There Mr. Weller, being the executor, was required to sign and formalize some documents. When Mr. Weller balked on account of his belief that his name was spelled with a V and not a W, which the counsel’s office would let him acknowledge, Sam forced his father to go ahead with the process. By and by, Sam received his 200 pounds and Mr. Weller his 500 pounds.
Mr. Pickwick was in a pensive state as he was worried about how best he could assist Mr. and Mrs. Winkle get on in life when the pretty maid Mary informed him that Sam Weller was downstairs. Apparently, Sam was with his father, and Sam’s father wished to have a word with Mr. Pickwick. Mr. Pickwick agreed to see them both. As Mary went to fetch them, Mr. Pickwick surmised that it’s about Sam getting married to Mary and resigned himself to the fact that he would be without Sam henceforth.
Presently, Mr. Pickwick greeted Sam’s father and waited for what Mr. Weller had to say. But Mr. Weller hesitated. Indeed, Mr. Weller castigated his son for failing to do his part, i.e. helped Mr. Weller made his case. Seeing that the matter would take longer than he anticipated, Mr. Pickwick urged Sam to have a seat.
By and by, with Sam’s help, Mr. Weller informed Mr. Pickwick that he—Mr. Weller—had amassed a small fortune exceeding a 1,000 pounds, and since he would now be working full-time as a coachman and would have no use for the money, that he would like to entrust Mr. Pickwick with the money which Mr. Pickwick might choose to hold in Mr. Weller’s safekeeping or, if he liked, to use it to defray the costs that were incurred during the incident vis-à-vis Mrs. Bardell. When Mr. Pickwick objected and informed Mr. Weller that he—Mr. Pickwick—was old and that he had more money saved up than he knew what to do with, Mr. Weller attempted to leave the money with Mr. Pickwick anyhow. Indeed, having placed his wallet before Mr. Pickwick, Mr. Weller fled the scene.
At Mr. Pickwick’s behest, Sam brought his father back. Presently, Mr. Pickwick made a suggestion as to how that money could be spent. He would like to use it for Sam and Mary’s benefit, for their marriage and for assisting them in setting up a livelihood. Mr. Weller liked the idea, but Sam objected. Indeed, Sam assureed Mr. Pickwick that as Mr. Pickwick was getting on his years, his need for Sam was greater than ever. Sam assured Mr. Pickwick that he and Mary had an understanding, and that if Mary truly loved Sam, she would waited for him. Mr. Pickwick was truly touched.
Meanwhile, an old gentleman in a snuff-colored suit demanded to see Mrs. Winkle. The waiter was hesitant, but the old gentleman insisted and got his way. Upon beholding the old gentleman, Arabella was alarmed. She had hunch as to who he was but only an hunch. By and by, she learnt that the old gentleman was her husband’s father.
When Mr. Winkle arrived on the scene, the father castigated the son for having gotten impulsively married. The son should made first consulted the father. The son, however, was unapologetic. Though he regreted alienating his father, the son avowed that he did not regret marrying Arabella at all. To the young couple’s joy, Mr. Winkle, senior conceded that he could not made a better daughter-in-law than Arabella. Mr. Pickwick arrived on the scene. He could not be happier for the young couple. Mr. Winkle, senior thanked Mr. Pickwick for all that he had done on behalf of his son and daughter-in-law.
Meanwhile, Sam, who had seen his father off, encountered fat boy Joe who was in the process of delivering a letter on behalf of Emily Wardle. When fat boy Joe had the gall to shwere his admiration of Mary’s attractiveness, Sam pulled fat boy Joe aside to remind him where Mary’s affection lay.
For six days, Mr. Pickwick made a habit of being away from his residence for the better parted of the day, worrying his friends who wondered what Mr. Pickwick was up to. Was Mr. Pickwick secretly consorting with a lady with whom he planned to get married? Or was Mr. Pickwick making plans for another extensive tour of England? Mr. Wardle demanded an answer.
Subsequently, Mr. Pickwick explained the meaning of his absence. He had bought a charming house in Dulwich where he planned to retire. On account of internal, political in-fighting, he had dissolved the Pickwick Club. And last but not least, with Mr. Wardle’s blessings, Mr. Pickwick would like to hold the wedding ceremony of Mr. Snodgrass and Emily Wardle at his house.
Mr. Pickwick’s speech was met with great approval, and the wedding preparations began immediately. Mr. Wardle fetched his mother. Despite being sick, Mrs. Trundle attended. Two poor relations of the Wardles attended as bridesmaids. The marriage went off without a hitch. It was a wonderful day for everyone concerned.
Mr. and Mrs. Winkle had set up a house a half mile from Mr. Pickwick’s house; Mr. Winkle worked for his father. Meanwhile, Mr. Snodgrass and Emily Wardle have settled down in a little farm in Dingley Dell. Furthermore, Mr. Tupman happily resided in Richmond; he remained a bachelor. Ben Allen and Bob Sawyer worked as doctors for the East India Company in Bengal. Mrs. Bardell continued to profitably let her apartment to single gentlemen. (She didn’t sue anyone any more for breach of promise of marriage however.) Dodson and Fogg continued to make money. Mr. Weller senior retired from his coachman’s occupation after being afflicted with gout. However, as Mr. Pickwick had wisely invested Mr. Weller’s money, Mr. Weller now lived comfortably in retirement. Sam Weller continued to serve Mr. Pickwick. When Pickwick’s house servant, who was hand-picked by Mr. Perker, died, Mr. Pickwick employed Mary under the condition she married Sam. She married Sam, and they had children. And last but not least, Mr. Pickwick led a life of leisure in Dulwich. He was loved and respected by all.
After a week of mysterious trips Mr. Pickwick announced to his friends that he was settling down for good in a newly purchased and furnished home at Dulwich. The Pickwick Club had disbanded. And he told everyone that the wedding of Snodgrass and Emily Wardle would take place in his new home. Preparations were made, and the wedding was a glorious affair.
Nathaniel Winkle obtained a position in London from his father. Augustus Snodgrass settled down to being a country gentleman. Tracy Tupman took rooms at Richmond, where he remained a bachelor. Bob Sawyer and Ben Allen went to India as surgeons, and after learning temperance they did well. Jingle and Job Trotter became the useful members of society in the West Indies. Tony Weller retired a year later because of gout and lived upon the income from the money Mr. Pickwick invested for him. After two years Sam Weller wedded Mary, and both of them served Mr. Pickwick. And Mr. Pickwick himself became godfather to the many children of his friends, living on as a widely respected and much loved old man.
