forefinger between two of Mr. Pickwick's ribs and thereby displaying
his native drollery and his knowledge of the anatomy of the human
frame at one and the same time, enquired--'I say, old boy, where do
you hang out?' Mr. Pickwick replied that he was at present suspended
at the 'George and Vulture'!"

Whether Mr. Pickwick had some idea of finding other quarters when he
said he was "at present suspended" we do not know; at all events he
made the tavern his London residence until, at the end of his
adventures, he retired to Dulwich. Before, however, he settled down
there, many incidents connected with his career took place within the
walls of his favourite tavern. It was in his sitting-room here that
the subpoenas re Bardell v. Pickwick were served on his three friends
and Sam Weller on behalf of the plaintiff. The Pickwickians were
seated round the fire after a comfortable dinner when Mr. Jackson, the
plaintiff's man, by his unexpected appearance, disturbed their happy
gathering. It was from the "George and Vulture" they all drove to the
Guildhall on the day of the trial, and it was in Mr. Pickwick's room
in the tavern that he vowed to Mr. Perker he would never pay even a
halfpenny of the damages.

The next morning the Pickwickians again continued their travels,
Bath being their choice of place. Returning after a week's absence,
we are told that Mr. Pickwick with Sam "straightway returned to his
old quarters at the 'George and Vulture.'" Before another week
elapsed the fateful and inevitable day came when Mr. Pickwick was
arrested and eventually conveyed to the Fleet Prison. He was in bed
at the time, and so annoyed was Sam that he threatened to pitch the
officer of the law out of the window into the yard below. Mr.
Pickwick's deliverance from prison took him once again to the