'No not. here. But you'd better. This is a good house - nice beds. Wright's, the next hotel, is expensive - very expensive. It costs extra if you look at the waiter. They charge you more if you eat at a friend's than if you eat in the coffee-room. It's a very strange place.'

Mr Winkle turned to Mr Pickwick, and spoke quietly; a whisper went from Mr Pickwick to Mr Snodgrass, then from Mr Snodgrass to Mr Tupman, and everybody seemed to agree. Mr Pickwick spoke to the stranger.

'You helped us very much this morning, sir,' he said 'will you allow us to thank you by asking for your company at dinner?'

'It would be a great pleasure. I'm not telling you what to eat, but chicken and mushrooms - wonderful! What time?'

'Let me see,' replied Mr Pickwick, looking at his watch, 'it is now nearly three o'clock. Shall we say five?'