His new friend departed; and, after experiencing some slight difficulty in finding the orifice in his nightcap, originally intended for his head, and finally overturning his candlestick in his struggles to put it on, Mr Tracy Tupman managed to get into bed by a series of complicated evolutions, and shortly afterwards sank into repose.

Seven o'clock had hardly ceased striking on the following morning, when Mr Pickwick's comprehensive mind was aroused from the state of unconsciousness in which slumber had plunged it, by a loud knocking at his chamber door. 'Who's there?' said Mr Pickwick, starting up in bed.

'Boots, sir.'

'What do you want?'

'Please, sir, can you tell me which gentleman of your party wears a bright blue dress - coat, with a gilt button with "P. C." on it?'

'It's been given out to brush,' thought Mr Pickwick, 'and the man has forgotten whom it belongs to.' 'Mr Winkle,' he called out, 'next room but two, on the right hand.'