ishing that
Winkle should have been allowed, particularly by Mr. Pickwick, to join
the _second_ shooting party. Everyone seemed to have forgotten his first
performance, when he might have shot his friend Tupman dead, and, as it
was, "peppered" him severely. Tupman would naturally have objected to so
dangerous a companion. Wardle, at whose home the casualty occurred,
merely said, "I beg my friend Winkle's pardon, though; he has had some
practice." Was this ironical? I fancy the whole scene had passed out of
the author's mind.

Well, the Christmas season having come round--and certainly Trundle must
have been a very feeble creature to allow himself to be "kept over" for
so long a time--the whole party assembled at Manor Farm; now there, and
on such an occasion at least, Trundle, being one of the two central
figures, will certainly assert himself. We shall expect to see and hear
him to good effect. Never was there a greater mistake. As the
Pickwickians arrived, the whole "house party" were in the lane to greet
them; we are told in careless fashion that among them "there were
Isabella and _her faithful_ Trundle," _i.e._, the poor insignificant
"chap" who was about to enter the family by particular favour. Then Mr.
Pickwick was told that they had all been to "inspect the furniture and
fittings-up of the new house which the young couple were to tenant." This
is very significant, for it throws a certain light on Trundle's
situation. It is plain that this house was on Wardle's property, and
that Trundle had none of his own. It was, in fact, a poorish match and
the young couple were dependent more or less on Wardle. Even the old
lady didn't like it, she resented their going to look at the house, and
her son, to soothe her, made this significant speech: "Recollect Bella;
_come_, _you must keep her spirits up_, _poor girl_." "Poor girl!" "Keep
her spirits up!" Why?

On the wedding day, however, Trundle made an effort to assert himself. He
was "in high feather and spirits," _i.e._, awkwardly pretended to be,
but, of course, took nobody in. Indeed, we are told he was "a little
nervous withal." We may be sure he was, and therefore looking "more of
an ass" than ever. For such _must_ appear to be a really nervous man in
high spirits and going to be married. All the girls were in tears,
Wardle himself quite broken down, for they knew what was before the poor
child. At the wedding banquet Mr. Pickwick made an admir