Away went Mr. Pickwick--handsacross--down the middle to the very end of the room, and half-way up thechimney, back again to the door--poussette everywhere--loud stamp on theground--ready for the next couple--off again--all the figure over oncemore--another stamp to beat out the time--next couple, and the next, andthe next again--never was such going; at last, after they had reachedthe bottom of the dance, and full fourteen couple after the old ladyhad retired in an exhausted state, and the clergyman's wife had beensubstituted in her stead, did that gentleman, when there was no demandwhatever on his exertions, keep perpetually dancing in his place, tokeep time to the music, smiling on his partner all the while with ablandness of demeanour which baffles all description.
The strong sun beat on thethin veil of little dancing leaves like small green flames, and all thebirds were singing as if the tree had a hundred tongues.