And when at
last, endeavouring to communicate with the deaf gentleman by means
of the finger alphabet, with which he constructed such words as are
unknown in any civilised or savage language, he took up a slate and
wrote in large text, one word in a line, the question, 'How - do -
you - like - it?' - when he did this, and handing it over the table
awaited the reply, with a countenance only brightened and improved
by his great excitement, even Mr. Miles relaxed, and could not
forbear looking at him for the moment with interest and favour.
'It has occurred to me,' said the deaf gentleman, who had watched
Mr. Pickwick and everybody else with silent satisfaction - 'it has
occurred to me,' said the deaf gentleman, taking his pipe from his
lips, 'that now is our time for filling our only empty chair.'
As our conversation had naturally turned upon the vacant seat, we
lent a willing ear to this remark, and looked at our friend
inquiringly.
'I feel sure,' said he, 'that Mr. Pickwick must be acquainted with
somebody who would be an acquisition to us; that he must know the
man we want. Pray let us not lose any time, but set this question
at rest. Is it so, Mr. Pickwick?'
The gentleman addressed was about to return a verbal reply, but
remembering our friend's infirmity, he substituted for this kind of
answer some fifty nods. Then taking up the slate and printing on
it a gigantic 'Yes,' he handed it across the table, and rubbing his
hands as he looked round upon our faces, protested that he and the
deaf gentleman quite understood each other, already.
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