'Please be quiet, Payne,' said the doctor's second. 'Why did you not tell this fact to me this morning, Sir?'

'Yes, indeed why did you not say it then?' asked the man with the camp-stool indignantly.

'I entreat you to be quiet, Payne,' said the other. 'May I repeat my question, Sir?'

'Because, Sir,' replied Mr Winkle, who had had time to think about his answer, 'because, Sir, you described an intoxicated and ungentlemanly person as wearing a coat which I have the honour to wear. And I do not just wear it Sir, I invented it. It is the proposed uniform of the Pickwick Club in London. I think it is my duty to guard the honour of that uniform, and I therefore, without inquiry, accepted the challenge which you offered me.'

'My dear Sir,' said the good-humoured little doctor advancing with his hand held out, 'I am astonished by your gallantry. Permit me to say, Sir, that I highly admire your conduct, and I am very sorry about causing you the trouble of meeting me here for no reason.'

'I beg you won't mention it, Sir,' said Mr Winkle.