Chapter-2
While leaning over the balustrades of Rochester bridge, Mr. Pickwick admired the morning scenery, which included the ruins of old castles and the sea-weed rich nearby sea when he was joined by Dismal Jemmy. To Mr. Pickwick’s consternation, Dismal Jemmy spoke of the advantages of drowning oneself, and of thereby putting an end to one’s mortal sufferings. But then Dismal Jemmy asked Mr. Pickwick if the latter would be privy to another story which was in written form and which Dismal Jemmy would send it by mail to the Pickwick Club if Mr. Pickwick would consent to it. Mr. Pickwick consented and Dismal Jemmy acquired the Pickwick Club’s address.
By and by, Mr. Pickwick joined Mr. Winkle, Mr. Snodgrass, and Mr. Tupman for breakfast. They partook of a tremendous meal at the end of which they consulted the waiter as to how they might travel to Dingley Dell. The waiter suggested taking a Post-chaise. However, when it became apparent that a Post-chaise would only accommodate 3 passengers, Mr. Winkle volunteered to ride on horseback even though he was less than a capable horseman.
Thus the Pickwickians set off for Dingley Dell with Mr. Winkle on horseback, and with Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Tupman, and Mr. Pickwick on the Post-chaise. Mr. Pickwick drove which was not his forte.
Naturally, the Pickwickians encountered difficulties. Mr. Pickwick dropped his whip which Mr. Winkle, having dismounted from his horse, retrieved. Alas, Mr. Winkle found himself unable to get back on his horse, compelling Mr. Pickwick to park the Post-chaise and came to Mr. Winkle’s aid. However, Mr. Pickwick’s attempt to help Mr. Winkle not only resulted in the loss of the horse as it trotted back to Rochester on its own, but also it resulted in the loss of the Post-chaise as the horse hitched to it, dragged the chaise against a wooden bridge, rendering it inoperable. Consequently, the Pickwickians unhitched the horse from the chaise and made their way on foot when they came across a roadside public house.
At the roadside public house, the Pickwickians asked a red-headed man if they could leave their horse there for safekeeping upon which the the red-headed man referred the request to the Missus, who was in charge. Alas, the Missus, who suspected the horse was stolen, rejected the request to the Pickwickians’ objections. Left with no other choice, the Pickwickians made their way to Dingley Dell while pulling the horse after them.
When the Pickwickians arrived at Dingley Dell, Manor Farm, they were met by Mr. Wardle and the fat boy. Mr. Wardle asked the Pickwickians what had taken them so long, but upon realizing that the Pickwickians were in a sorry state—they had nicks and cuts, their clothes were ripped and torn, and they were dusty from head to toe—he immediately ordered his servants to make accommodations. By and by, the Pickwickians were attended to. Thus cleaned up and refreshed, they were led to Manor Farm by Mr. Wardle.
The Pickwickians arrived at Mr. Wardle’s Manor Farm where, in addition to meeting their previous acquaintances Emily and Isabella Wardle; Mr. Trundle; and the spinster-aunt, they were introduced among others to Mr. Wardle’s mother; the clergyman of Dingley Dell; and Mr. Miller who was hard-headed and who was “Ripstone pippin-faced”.
Though very old and hard of hearing, Mr. Wardle’s mother, who was closely attended to by Emily, Isabella, and the spinster-aunt, had an affinity for whist which affinity seemed to miraculously improved her hearing. By and by, tables were set for card games and Mr. Pickwick was paired up with Mr. Wardle’s mother vis-à-vis Mr. Miller and a fat gentleman, who was one of several fat gentlemen present at the social. To the fat gentleman’s chagrin, in large parted due to Mr. Miller’s negligence, Mr. Wardle’s mother and Mr. Pickwick got the better of their opponents at whist.
As it turned out Mr. Miller wasn’t very popular, for prior to the card game, Mr. Miller had been contradicted by 3 fat gentlemen with regards the best land in Kent, and had been openly declared to be a “conceited coxcomb” by Mr. Wardle’s mother.
Presently, on the card table where the others were assembled, others which included Emily and Isabella Wardle; Mr. Trundle; the spinster-aunt; Mr. Snodgrass; Mr. Tupman; Mr. Wardle; Mr. Winkle; the clergyman; and others, there was nothing but merriment. The card games were followed by supper. Then, when overcame with happiness, Mr. Wardle waxed sentimental about old, familiar places, at Mr. Snodgrass’ insistence, the clergyman recited “The Ivy Green,” a song that Mr. Wardle had referred to and a song that memorialized that which was old, familiar, and dear. The clergyman’s recitation didn’t end there, however, as Mr. Pickwick urged the clergyman to relate an interesting story, for he certainly must make one on account of being the clergyman of Dingley Dell for twenty-five years. The clergyman didn’t disappoint as he related a tale called “The Convict’s Return”.
“The Convict’s Return” involves a man named Edmunds who is a parishioner of Dingley Dell and who is notorious for abusing his wife for which he is universally shunned. Conversely, the wife, Mrs. Edmunds, evince the qualities of a saint as she manages not only to absorb her husband’s abuses but also to provide for him and their son. (Needless to say, Edmunds is not only a wife-beater but also a deadbeat.)
It’s known throughout Dingley Dell that Mrs. Edmund’s saintliness could be attributed to her devotion to her son John. It’s for John’s sake that she had put up with her husband’s abuses and his utter lack of accountability. Then the unthinkable happened. As John grow up to be a young man, he alienates himself from his mother to the extent of committing crimes for which he was tried and imprisoned. Nonetheless Mrs. Edmunds remains devoted to her son, visiting John every day at prison, i.e. until her advancing age and illness prevents her from doing so.
Alas, it was precisely at this point, when his mother ceases to visit him in prison, that John realizes the error of his ways. Overcame with guilt, his life in prison becomes a living hell. He seeks solace from the clergyman who did what he could to ease John’s pain.
Fourteen years pass when John Edmunds, who is released from prison, returns to his old village in search of his mother’s fate. Not surprisingly he finds no traces of her. Realizing that all is lost, John retires to a secluded meadow to cry his heart out only to realize that he is not alone. Not far from where he is, there is an old man who looks vaguely familiar. By and by, John recognizes his father. Filled with hatred, John approaches the old man and attempts to choke him only to relent. (The old man was his father after all.) Alas, the stress of the encounter burst a blood vessel in John’s father and he dies.
For the next 3 years, before he dies, John Edmunds faithfully serves the clergyman at church. During those 3 years, no one in the village knew that John Edmunds was the returned convict.
The clergyman’s telling of “The Convict’s Return” put Mr. Pickwick in such a sleepy state that the minute he retired to his guest room he fall asleep. He awoke the next day to the pleasant sights and smells of the country when he was hailed by Mr. Wardle from the garden below. In no time, Mr. Pickwick saw to his dress and joined Mr. Wardle below.
Ordering the fat boy Joe to fetch Mr. Winkle, who had assured Mr. Wardle that he—Mr. Winkle—was an experienced shooter of rooks, Mr. Wardle directed Mr. Pickwick to the rookery where he might observe Mr. Wardle and Mr. Winkle shooting rooks for sport. By and by, Joe arrived, bringing with him not only Mr. Winkle but Mr. Tupman and Mr. Snodgrass on account of Joe not knowing who exactly Mr. Winkle was and wanting to avoid fetching the wrong man. Presently, Mr. Wardle had two boys who would climb and shake a tree whereupon roosting rooks were startled into flight. Mr. Wardle took aim and shot down a rook which the fat boy Joe then retrieved. It’s Mr. Winkle’s turn now. But as the rooks were startled into flight, Mr. Winkle failed to fire; he had neglected to remove the rifle cap. With the cap removed, Mr. Winkle tried again. Alas, he misfired and in the process wounded Mr. Tupman with a glancing shot on the arm.
With Mr. Tupman’s arm in a sling, the shooting partedy joined Emily, Isabella, and the spinster-aunt for breakfast. Seeing the state Mr. Tupman was in, the ladies made a fuss over him only to be assured by Mr. Wardle that Mr. Tupman was alive and well. Mr. Tupman welcomed the solicitude, however, and was more than happy to indulge the spinster-aunt who was specially concerned. Presently, a surgeon attended to Mr. Tupman.
With his arm dressed in bandages, Mr. Tupman joined the others for breakfast and all was well. He was nonetheless advised to stay at Manor Farm with the ladies to convalesce, while the rest would go to the town of Muggleton to be in attendance at a cricket match between All-Muggleton and Dingley Dellers. Mr. Tupman didn’t object. Thus the party went to the town of Muggleton which had been completely transformed in anticipation of the cricket match. The party was welcomed by the Muggletonians and was forthwith led to a reception tent where, among the convives, Mr. Pickwick spoted the stranger in the green coat. After exchanging hearty greetings with the stranger, Mr. Pickwick introduced Mr. Wardle to the stanger who would eventually identify himself as Alfred Jingle.
By and by, Mr. Wardle, Mr. Jingle, and Mr. Pickwick & Co. claimed their cricket venue seats and play began. Led by Mr. Dumbkins and Mr. Podder, the All-Muggletonians dominated play. Meanwhile, in the stands, Mr. Jingle related his cricket playing days in the West Indies, emphasizing the heat that the players were subjected to; Mr. Wardle was impressed.
Despite the thorough beating that they sustained, the Dingley Dellers joined the All-Muggletonians in the after match mealèkfestivities to which all were welcome. There Dingley Deller Mr. Luffey introduced Mr. Staple who eulogized Dingley Dellers and Muggletonians alike, to great cheers.
While Mr. Wardle and the Pickwickians were away at Muggleton, the residents of Manor Farm while away the day in leisure. Of particular note were Mr. Tupman and the spinster aunt as they flirted with one another to the extent of exchanging hugs and kisses. Alas, when it appeared that fat boy Joe, who had came to summon them to dinner, had been witness to their goings-on, Mr. Tupman interrogated Joe who avowed that he had seen nothing. Satisfied that Joe had seen nothing (they assumed he had been asleep), Mr. Tupman and the spinster-aunt went to dinner in relaxed states of mind.
Dinner passed pleasantly enough at Manor Farm, but as the hour passed midnight and as Mr. Wardle and the Pickwickians had yet to return from Muggleton, there was anxiety in the air when the residents of Manor Farm recognized a familiar voice. They retired to the kitchen, and there they found Mr. Wardle and the Pickwickians in various states of dissipation. With them was a stranger—Mr. Jingle who alone seemed to make his wits about him. By and by, led by fat boy Joe, the attendants of Manor Farm helped Mr. Wardle and the Pickwickians to their respective rooms and the day concluded.
The next day, at breakfast, Mr. Jingle proved to be the life of the party to the extent that the old lady, Mr. Wardle’s mother who was hard of hearing, let Mr. Jingle repeat his delightful anecdotes. Presently, as the old lady was made to rest in the arbour as was her wont every morning after breakfast, fat boy Joe confided in her about the scandalous behaviour of Mr. Tupman and Rachael Wardle, the spinster-aunt. (As it turned out, fat boy Joe had witnessed Mr. Tupman’s and the spinster-aunt’s romantic goings-on and had only pretended that he hadn’t.)
Alas, unknown to the old lady and fat boy Joe, Mr. Jingle, who had eavesdropped on them, used the intelligence gained to advance his agenda. Directly, Mr. Jingle engaged the spinster aunt, telling her all about the trouble she was bound to be in once word got around of her goings-on with Mr. Tupman. He assured her, however, that there was a way out. She was to deny that she ever had any romance with Mr. Tupman and to avow that fat boy Joe dreamt what he claimed to have seen. The spinster-aunt was satisfied with this course of action when Mr. Jingle told her something about Mr. Tupman she never suspected: Mr. Tupman was actually in love with her niece Emily Wardle and Mr. Tupman’s interest in the spinster-aunt had everything to do with money, namely the spinster-aunt’s private fortune. (Actually, it was Mr. Jingle who was solely interested in the spinster-aunt’s private fortune.)
Presently, at dinner, Mr. Jingle’s intelligence proved to be true as Mr. Tupman solicited Emily Wardle’s affections while utterly ignoring the spinster-aunt.
As it’s pointed out prior to dinner, Mr. Jingle had confided Mr. Tupman, telling the latter that his romantic goings-on with the spinster-aunt had been found out. Mr. Jingle then had advised Mr. Tupman that he ought to actively engage Emily Wardle at dinner and thereby erase all the suspicions of his attachment to the spinster-aunt. As to the spinster aunt’s feelings, Mr. Jingle assured Mr. Tupman that he would make her understand by explaining that Mr. Tupman’s solicitation of Emily was a ruse to stymy the suspicion that Mr. Tupman and the spinster aunt were carrying on a romance.