Mr Tupman rang the bell and paid for the tickets. He then ordered candles to light the the way to their rooms. In another quarter of an hour the stranger was completely dressed in a full suit of Mr Nathaniel Winkle's.

'It's a new coat,' said Mr Tupman, as the stranger looked with great pride at himself in the mirror; 'the first that's been made with our club button,' and he showed his companion the large gold button which had a picture of Mr Pickwick in the centre, and the letters 'P. C.' on either side.

'P. C.' said the stranger - 'A strange arrangement - that's a picture of the old fellow, and "P. C." - What does "P. C." stand for - Peculiar Coat, eh?'

Mr Tupman, getting more and more angry and upset, explained what the picture and letters meant.

'The waist is rather short, isn't it?' said the stranger, twisting himself round to see the waist buttons in the mirror. These were half - way up his back. 'Like a postman's coat' remarked the stranger. 'Postmen have odd coats. Made in a factory, no-one is measured. It's mysterious how all the short men get long coats, and all the long men short ones.' Still talking in this way, Mr Tupman's new companion straightened his clothing, or rather Mr Winkle's clothing, then he and Mr Tupman went up the staircase to the ballroom.