The Pickwickians' Motor Trip. (A Dream-Medley.)

"Now gen'l'men, all's ready; so hop in," cries Sammy Weller: "Come along: we're off for a good time, as the man said ven he buried his mother-in-law." At this moment Mr. Pickwick, beaming through his sparkling spectacles, emerges from the inn, followed by Mr. Snodgrass. "Why! what's this -- water?" asks Mr. Pickwick, watching Sammy pouring the last gallon of petrol into the tank of the car he had polished so well that you could see your face shining in it as in a mirror. "Vell, it might be -- but it an't," replies Sammy; "it's instead of 'orses -- 60 'orses, that is." "How very remarkable!" exclaims Mr. Pickwick, turning to Mr. Snodgrass. "Wery", Sammy agrees.

On entering the car, Mr. Pickwick gazes upon everything with mingled astonishment and delight on his countenance. "Lumme!" laughs an urchin who is standing by, "he ain't been in a motor before, I bet."

"Where's Tupman?" suddenly asks Mr. Snodgrass. "Ah! here he comes," spying Mr. Tracy Tupman's fond proportions in the corridor. "Ha! ha! he's well-tuned." Mr. Tupman approaches, singing: "When knights were bold, Their ladies fair Were always gay and debonair."

"H'm," says Mr. Pickwick, "his voice seems rather thick this morning, I fear; but he sings with much earnestness, which is always a saving grace, especially in musicians." Evidently Mr. Tupman does not hear this criticism; for he continues his ditty as he walks up to the car.

BC Archives, MS-2570 Box 1 File 6 / MIST, Henry Masterman / Ruhleben magazine, Prisoners’ Pie, 1916