And the stranger, without stopping to take breath, swallowed at a draught full half a pint of the reeking brandy-and-water, and flung himself into a chair with as much ease as if nothing uncommon had occurred.

While his three companions were busily engaged in proffering their thanks to their new acquaintance, Mr Pickwick had leisure to examine his costume and appearance.

He was about middle height, but the thinness of his body, and the length of his legs, gave him the appearance of being much taller. The green coat had been a smart dress garment in the days of swallow-tails, but evidently in those times the coat had clothed a much shorter man than the stranger, for the soiled and faded sleeves scarcely reached to his wrists. It was buttoned closely up to his chin, at the imminent hazard of splitting the back; and an old stock, without a vestige of shirt, ornamented his neck.

His black trousers displayed here and there those shiny patches which bespeak long service, and were strapped very tightly over a pair of patched and mended shoes, as if to conceal the dirty white socks, which were nevertheless distinctly visible. His long, black hair escaped in negligent waves from beneath each side of his old pinched-up hat; and glimpses of his bare wrists might be observed between the tops of his gloves and the cuffs of his coat sleeves. His face was thin but there was an indescribable air of jaunty impudence and perfect self-possession about the whole man.

Vocabulary:

Draught: Here it means a single swallow.
Reek: Have a very powerful smell.
Proffering: Holding out for someone to take.
Swallow-tails: A coat which was already old fashioned in Mr Pickwick's day.
Imminent: About to happen.
Stock: An old-fashioned collar.
Vestige: A small sign.
Bespeak: Show.
Negligent: Lazy and careless.
Glimpse: A very quick look.
Jaunty: Cheerful and optimistic.
Impudence: A cheeky lack of respect