loth upon it, well covered
with a roast fowl, bacon, ale, and etceteras; and
at the table sat Mr. Tupman, looking as unlike a
man who had taken his leave of the world, as
possible.

"On the entrance of his friends, that gentleman
laid down his knife and fork, and with a mournful
air advanced to meet them.

"'I did not expect to see you here,' he said, as
he grasped Mr. Pickwick's hand. 'It's very kind.'

"'Ah!' said Mr. Pickwick, sitting down, and wiping
from his forehead the perspiration which the walk
had engendered. 'Finish your dinner, and walk out
with me. I wish to speak to you alone.'

"Mr. Tupman did as he was desired; and Mr.
Pickwick having refreshed himself with a copious
draught of ale, waited his friend's leisure. The
dinner was quickly despatched, and they walked out
together.

"For half an hour, their forms might have been
seen pacing the churchyard to and fro, while Mr.
Pickwick was engaged in combating his companion's
resolution. Any repetition of his arguments would
be useless; for what language could convey to them
that energy and force which their great
originator's manner communicated? Whether Mr.
Tupman was already tired of retirement, or whether
he was wholly unable to resist the eloquent appeal
which was made to him, matters not; he did _not_
resist it at last.

"'It mattered little to him,' he said, 'where he
dragged out the miserable remainder of his days:
and since his friend laid so much stress upon his
humble companionship, he was willing to share his
adventures.'

"Mr. Pickwick smiled; they shook hands; and walked
back to rejoin their companions."

[Illustration: The Old Parlour of the "Leather Bottle."]

[Illustration: Cobham Church]

In order to preserve the historical associations of the place, the
landlord of the Leather Bottle has added to the art collection in the
fine old parlour (that still contains "the high-backed leather-cushioned
chairs of fantastic shapes") many portraits of Dickens and illustrations
from his works, including a copy of the life-like coloured Watkins
photograph previously referred to. It has