The Pickwick Papers

  CHAPTER LIII. COMPRISING THE FINAL EXIT OF MR. JINGLE AND JOB TROTTER,WITH A GREAT MORNING OF BUSINESS IN GRAY'S INN SQUARE--CONCLUDING WITH ADOUBLE KNOCK AT MR. PERKER'S DOOR

  When Arabella, after some gentle preparation and many assurances thatthere was not the least occasion for being low-spirited, was at lengthmade acquainted by Mr. Pickwick with the unsatisfactory result of hisvisit to Birmingham, she burst into tears, and sobbing aloud, lamentedin moving terms that she should have been the unhappy cause of anyestrangement between a father and his son.

  'My dear girl,' said Mr. Pickwick kindly, 'it is no fault of yours. Itwas impossible to foresee that the old gentleman would be so stronglyprepossessed against his son's marriage, you know. I am sure,' added Mr.Pickwick, glancing at her pretty face, 'he can have very little idea ofthe pleasure he denies himself.'

  'Oh, my dear Mr. Pickwick,' said Arabella, 'what shall we do, if hecontinues to be angry with us?'

  'Why, wait patiently, my dear, until he thinks better of it,' repliedMr. Pickwick cheerfully.

  'But, dear Mr. Pickwick, what is to become of Nathaniel if his fatherwithdraws his assistance?' urged Arabella.

  'In that case, my love,' rejoined Mr. Pickwick, 'I will venture toprophesy that he will find some other friend who will not be backward inhelping him to start in the world.'

  The significance of this reply was not so well disguised by Mr. Pickwickbut that Arabella understood it. So, throwing her arms round his neck,and kissing him affectionately, she sobbed louder than before.

  'Come, come,' said Mr. Pickwick taking her hand, 'we will wait here afew days longer, and see whether he writes or takes any other notice ofyour husband's communication. If not, I have thought of half a dozenplans, any one of which would make you happy at once. There, my dear,there!'

  With these words, Mr. Pickwick gently pressed Arabella's hand, and badeher dry her eyes, and not distress her husband. Upon which, Arabella,who was one of the best little creatures alive, put her handkerchief inher reticule, and by the time Mr. Winkle joined them, exhibited in fulllustre the same beaming smiles and sparkling eyes that had originallycaptivated him.

  'This is a distressing predicament for these young people,' thought Mr.Pickwick, as he dressed himself next morning. 'I'll walk up to Perker's,and consult him about the matter.'

  As Mr. Pickwick was further prompted to betake himself to Gray's InnSquare by an anxious desire to come to a pecuniary settlement with thekind-hearted little attorney without further delay, he made a hurriedbreakfast, and executed his intention so speedily, that ten o'clock hadnot struck when he reached Gray's Inn.

  It still wanted ten minutes to the hour when he had ascended thestaircase on which Perker's chambers were. The clerks had not arrivedyet, and he beguiled the time by looking out of the staircase window.

  The healthy light of a fine October morning made even the dingy oldhouses brighten up a little; some of the dusty windows actually lookingalmost cheerful as the sun's rays gleamed upon them. Clerk after clerkhastened into the square by one or other of the entrances, and lookingup at the Hall clock, accelerated or decreased his rate of walkingaccording to the time at which his office hours nominally commenced; thehalf-past nine o'clock people suddenly becoming very brisk, and the teno'clock gentlemen falling into a pace of most aristocratic slowness. Theclock struck ten, and clerks poured in faster than ever, each one in agreater perspiration than his predecessor. The noise of unlocking andopening doors echoed and re-echoed on every side; heads appeared as ifby magic in every window; the porters took up their stations for theday; the slipshod laundresses hurried off; the postman ran from house tohouse; and the whole legal hive was in a bustle.

  'You're early, Mr. Pickwick,' said a voice behind him.

  'Ah, Mr. Lowten,' replied that gentleman, looking round, and recognisinghis old acquaintance.

  'Precious warm walking, isn't it?' said Lowten, drawing a Bramah keyfrom his pocket, with a small plug therein, to keep the dust out.

  'You appear to feel it so,' rejoined Mr. Pickwick, smiling at the clerk,who was literally red-hot.

  'I've come along, rather, I can tell you,' replied Lowten. 'It went thehalf hour as I came through the Polygon. I'm here before him, though, soI don't mind.'

  Comforting himself with this reflection, Mr. Lowten extracted the plugfrom the door-key; having opened the door, replugged and repocketed hisBramah, and picked up the letters which the postman had dropped throughthe box, he ushered Mr. Pickwick into the office. Here, in the twinklingof an eye, he divested himself of his coat, put on a threadbare garment,which he took out of a desk, hung up his hat, pulled forth a few sheetsof cartridge and blotting-paper in alternate layers, and, sticking a penbehind his ear, rubbed his hands with an air of great satisfaction.

  'There, you see, Mr. Pickwick,' he said, 'now I'm complete. I've got myoffice coat on, and my pad out, and let him come as soon as he likes.You haven't got a pinch of snuff about you, have you?'

  'No, I have not,' replied Mr. Pickwick.

  'I'm sorry for it,' said Lowten. 'Never mind. I'll run out presently,and get a bottle of soda. Don't I look rather queer about the eyes, Mr.Pickwick?'

  The individual appealed to, surveyed Mr. Lowten's eyes from a distance,and expressed his opinion that no unusual queerness was perceptible inthose features.

  'I'm glad of it,' said Lowten. 'We were keeping it up pretty tolerablyat the Stump last night, and I'm rather out of sorts this morning.Perker's been about that business of yours, by the bye.'

  'What business?' inquired Mr. Pickwick. 'Mrs. Bardell's costs?'

  'No, I don't mean that,' replied Mr. Lowten. 'About getting thatcustomer that we paid the ten shillings in the pound to the bill-discounter for, on your account--to get him out of the Fleet, you know--about getting him to Demerara.'

  'Oh, Mr. Jingle,' said Mr. Pickwick hastily. 'Yes. Well?'

  'Well, it's all arranged,' said Lowten, mending his pen. 'The agent atLiverpool said he had been obliged to you many times when you were inbusiness, and he would be glad to take him on your recommendation.'

  'That's well,' said Mr. Pickwick. 'I am delighted to hear it.'

  'But I say,' resumed Lowten, scraping the back of the pen preparatory tomaking a fresh split, 'what a soft chap that other is!'

  'Which other?'

  'Why, that servant, or friend, or whatever he is; you know, Trotter.'

  'Ah!' said Mr. Pickwick, with a smile. 'I always thought him thereverse.'

  'Well, and so did I, from what little I saw of him,' replied Lowten, 'itonly shows how one may be deceived. What do you think of his going toDemerara, too?'

  'What! And giving up what was offered him here!' exclaimed Mr. Pickwick.

  'Treating Perker's offer of eighteen bob a week, and a rise if hebehaved himself, like dirt,' replied Lowten. 'He said he must go alongwith the other one, and so they persuaded Perker to write again, andthey've got him something on the same estate; not near so good, Perkersays, as a convict would get in New South Wales, if he appeared at histrial in a new suit of clothes.'

  'Foolish fellow,' said Mr. Pickwick, with glistening eyes. 'Foolishfellow.'

  'Oh, it's worse than foolish; it's downright sneaking, you know,'replied Lowten, nibbing the pen with a contemptuous face. 'He says thathe's the only friend he ever had, and he's attached to him, and allthat. Friendship's a very good thing in its way--we are all veryfriendly and comfortable at the Stump, for instance, over our grog,where every man pays for himself; but damn hurting yourself for anybodyelse, you know! No man should have more than two attachments--the first,to number one, and the second to the ladies; that's what I say--ha! ha!'Mr. Lowten concluded with a loud laugh, half in jocularity, and half inderision, which was prematurely cut short by the sound of Perker'sfootsteps on the stairs, at the first approach of which, he vaulted onhis stool with an agility most remarkable, and wrote intensely.

  The greeting between Mr. Pickwick and his professional adviser was warmand cordial; the client was scarcely ensco
nced in the attorney's arm-chair, however, when a knock was heard at the door, and a voice inquiredwhether Mr. Perker was within.

  'Hark!' said Perker, 'that's one of our vagabond friends--Jinglehimself, my dear Sir. Will you see him?'

  'What do you think?' inquired Mr. Pickwick, hesitating.

  'Yes, I think you had better. Here, you Sir, what's your name, walk in,will you?'

  In compliance with this unceremonious invitation, Jingle and Job walkedinto the room, but, seeing Mr. Pickwick, stopped short in someconfusion.

  'Well,' said Perker, 'don't you know that gentleman?'

  'Good reason to,' replied Mr. Jingle, stepping forward. 'Mr. Pickwick--deepest obligations--life preserver--made a man of me--you shall neverrepent it, Sir.'

  'I am happy to hear you say so,' said Mr. Pickwick. 'You look muchbetter.'

  'Thanks to you, sir--great change--Majesty's Fleet--unwholesome place--very,' said Jingle, shaking his head. He was decently and cleanlydressed, and so was Job, who stood bolt upright behind him, staring atMr. Pickwick with a visage of iron.

  'When do they go to Liverpool?' inquired Mr. Pickwick, half aside toPerker.

  'This evening, Sir, at seven o'clock,' said Job, taking one stepforward. 'By the heavy coach from the city, Sir.'

  'Are your places taken?'

  'They are, sir,' replied Job.

  'You have fully made up your mind to go?'

  'I have sir,' answered Job.

  'With regard to such an outfit as was indispensable for Jingle,' saidPerker, addressing Mr. Pickwick aloud. 'I have taken upon myself to makean arrangement for the deduction of a small sum from his quarterlysalary, which, being made only for one year, and regularly remitted,will provide for that expense. I entirely disapprove of your doinganything for him, my dear sir, which is not dependent on his ownexertions and good conduct.'

  'Certainly,' interposed Jingle, with great firmness. 'Clear head--man ofthe world--quite right--perfectly.'

  'By compounding with his creditor, releasing his clothes from thepawnbroker's, relieving him in prison, and paying for his passage,'continued Perker, without noticing Jingle's observation, 'you havealready lost upwards of fifty pounds.'

  'Not lost,' said Jingle hastily, 'Pay it all--stick to business--cashup--every farthing. Yellow fever, perhaps--can't help that--if not--'Here Mr. Jingle paused, and striking the crown of his hat with greatviolence, passed his hand over his eyes, and sat down.

  'He means to say,' said Job, advancing a few paces, 'that if he is notcarried off by the fever, he will pay the money back again. If he lives,he will, Mr. Pickwick. I will see it done. I know he will, Sir,' saidJob, with energy. 'I could undertake to swear it.'

  'Well, well,' said Mr. Pickwick, who had been bestowing a score or twoof frowns upon Perker, to stop his summary of benefits conferred, whichthe little attorney obstinately disregarded, 'you must be careful not toplay any more desperate cricket matches, Mr. Jingle, or to renew youracquaintance with Sir Thomas Blazo, and I have little doubt of yourpreserving your health.'

  Mr. Jingle smiled at this sally, but looked rather foolishnotwithstanding; so Mr. Pickwick changed the subject by saying--

  'You don't happen to know, do you, what has become of another friend ofyours--a more humble one, whom I saw at Rochester?'

  'Dismal Jemmy?' inquired Jingle.

  'Yes.'

  Jingle shook his head.

  'Clever rascal--queer fellow, hoaxing genius--Job's brother.'

  'Job's brother!' exclaimed Mr. Pickwick. 'Well, now I look at himclosely, there _is_ a likeness.'

  'We were always considered like each other, Sir,' said Job, with acunning look just lurking in the corners of his eyes, 'only I was reallyof a serious nature, and he never was. He emigrated to America, Sir, inconsequence of being too much sought after here, to be comfortable; andhas never been heard of since.'

  'That accounts for my not having received the "page from the romance ofreal life," which he promised me one morning when he appeared to becontemplating suicide on Rochester Bridge, I suppose,' said Mr.Pickwick, smiling. 'I need not inquire whether his dismal behaviour wasnatural or assumed.'

  'He could assume anything, Sir,' said Job. 'You may consider yourselfvery fortunate in having escaped him so easily. On intimate terms hewould have been even a more dangerous acquaintance than--' Job looked atJingle, hesitated, and finally added, 'than--than-myself even.'

  'A hopeful family yours, Mr. Trotter,' said Perker, sealing a letterwhich he had just finished writing.

  'Yes, Sir,' replied Job. 'Very much so.'

  'Well,' said the little man, laughing, 'I hope you are going to disgraceit. Deliver this letter to the agent when you reach Liverpool, and letme advise you, gentlemen, not to be too knowing in the West Indies. Ifyou throw away this chance, you will both richly deserve to be hanged,as I sincerely trust you will be. And now you had better leave Mr.Pickwick and me alone, for we have other matters to talk over, and timeis precious.' As Perker said this, he looked towards the door, with anevident desire to render the leave-taking as brief as possible.

  It was brief enough on Mr. Jingle's part. He thanked the little attorneyin a few hurried words for the kindness and promptitude with which hehad rendered his assistance, and, turning to his benefactor, stood for afew seconds as if irresolute what to say or how to act. Job Trotterrelieved his perplexity; for, with a humble and grateful bow to Mr.Pickwick, he took his friend gently by the arm, and led him away.

  'A worthy couple!' said Perker, as the door closed behind them.

  'I hope they may become so,' replied Mr. Pickwick. 'What do you think?Is there any chance of their permanent reformation?'

  Perker shrugged his shoulders doubtfully, but observing Mr. Pickwick'sanxious and disappointed look, rejoined--

  'Of course there is a chance. I hope it may prove a good one. They areunquestionably penitent now; but then, you know, they have therecollection of very recent suffering fresh upon them. What they maybecome, when that fades away, is a problem that neither you nor I cansolve. However, my dear Sir,' added Perker, laying his hand on Mr.Pickwick's shoulder, 'your object is equally honourable, whatever theresult is. Whether that species of benevolence which is so very cautiousand long-sighted that it is seldom exercised at all, lest its ownershould be imposed upon, and so wounded in his self-love, be real charityor a worldly counterfeit, I leave to wiser heads than mine to determine.But if those two fellows were to commit a burglary to-morrow, my opinionof this action would be equally high.'

  With these remarks, which were delivered in a much more animated andearnest manner than is usual in legal gentlemen, Perker drew his chairto his desk, and listened to Mr. Pickwick's recital of old Mr. Winkle'sobstinacy.

  'Give him a week,' said Perker, nodding his head prophetically.

  'Do you think he will come round?' inquired Mr. Pickwick.

  'I think he will,' rejoined Perker. 'If not, we must try the younglady's persuasion; and that is what anybody but you would have done atfirst.'

  Mr. Perker was taking a pinch of snuff with various grotesquecontractions of countenance, eulogistic of the persuasive powersappertaining unto young ladies, when the murmur of inquiry and answerwas heard in the outer office, and Lowten tapped at the door.

  'Come in!' cried the little man.

  The clerk came in, and shut the door after him, with great mystery.

  'What's the matter?' inquired Perker.

  'You're wanted, Sir.'

  'Who wants me?'

  Lowten looked at Mr. Pickwick, and coughed.

  'Who wants me? Can't you speak, Mr. Lowten?'

  'Why, sir,' replied Lowten, 'it's Dodson; and Fogg is with him.'

  'Bless my life!' said the little man, looking at his watch, 'I appointedthem to be here at half-past eleven, to settle that matter of yours,Pickwick. I gave them an undertaking on which they sent down yourdischarge; it's very awkward, my dear Sir; what will you do? Would youlike to step into the next room?'

  The next room being
the identical room in which Messrs. Dodson & Foggwere, Mr. Pickwick replied that he would remain where he was: the moreespecially as Messrs. Dodson & Fogg ought to be ashamed to look him inthe face, instead of his being ashamed to see them. Which lattercircumstance he begged Mr. Perker to note, with a glowing countenanceand many marks of indignation.

  'Very well, my dear Sir, very well,' replied Perker, 'I can only saythat if you expect either Dodson or Fogg to exhibit any symptom of shameor confusion at having to look you, or anybody else, in the face, youare the most sanguine man in your expectations that I ever met with.Show them in, Mr. Lowten.'

  Mr. Lowten disappeared with a grin, and immediately returned ushering inthe firm, in due form of precedence--Dodson first, and Fogg afterwards.

  'You have seen Mr. Pickwick, I believe?' said Perker to Dodson,inclining his pen in the direction where that gentleman was seated.

  'How do you do, Mr. Pickwick?' said Dodson, in a loud voice.

  'Dear me,' cried Fogg, 'how do you do, Mr. Pickwick? I hope you arewell, Sir. I thought I knew the face,' said Fogg, drawing up a chair,and looking round him with a smile.

  Mr. Pickwick bent his head very slightly, in answer to thesesalutations, and, seeing Fogg pull a bundle of papers from his coatpocket, rose and walked to the window.

  'There's no occasion for Mr. Pickwick to move, Mr. Perker,' said Fogg,untying the red tape which encircled the little bundle, and smilingagain more sweetly than before. 'Mr. Pickwick is pretty well acquaintedwith these proceedings. There are no secrets between us, I think. He!he! he!'

  'Not many, I think,' said Dodson. 'Ha! ha! ha!' Then both the partnerslaughed together--pleasantly and cheerfully, as men who are going toreceive money often do.

  'We shall make Mr. Pickwick pay for peeping,' said Fogg, withconsiderable native humour, as he unfolded his papers. 'The amount ofthe taxed costs is one hundred and thirty-three, six, four, Mr. Perker.'

  There was a great comparing of papers, and turning over of leaves, byFogg and Perker, after this statement of profit and loss. Meanwhile,Dodson said, in an affable manner, to Mr. Pickwick--

  'I don't think you are looking quite so stout as when I had the pleasureof seeing you last, Mr. Pickwick.'

  'Possibly not, Sir,' replied Mr. Pickwick, who had been flashing forthlooks of fierce indignation, without producing the smallest effect oneither of the sharp practitioners; 'I believe I am not, Sir. I have beenpersecuted and annoyed by scoundrels of late, Sir.'

  Perker coughed violently, and asked Mr. Pickwick whether he wouldn'tlike to look at the morning paper. To which inquiry Mr. Pickwickreturned a most decided negative.

  'True,' said Dodson, 'I dare say you have been annoyed in the Fleet;there are some odd gentry there. Whereabouts were your apartments, Mr.Pickwick?'

  'My one room,' replied that much-injured gentleman, 'was on the coffee-room flight.'

  'Oh, indeed!' said Dodson. 'I believe that is a very pleasant part ofthe establishment.'

  'Very,' replied Mr. Pickwick drily.

  There was a coolness about all this, which, to a gentleman of anexcitable temperament, had, under the circumstances, rather anexasperating tendency. Mr. Pickwick restrained his wrath by giganticefforts; but when Perker wrote a cheque for the whole amount, and Foggdeposited it in a small pocket-book, with a triumphant smile playingover his pimply features, which communicated itself likewise to thestern countenance of Dodson, he felt the blood in his cheeks tinglingwith indignation.

  'Now, Mr. Dodson,' said Fogg, putting up the pocket-book and drawing onhis gloves, 'I am at your service.'

  'Very good,' said Dodson, rising; 'I am quite ready.'

  'I am very happy,' said Fogg, softened by the cheque, 'to have had thepleasure of making Mr. Pickwick's acquaintance. I hope you don't thinkquite so ill of us, Mr. Pickwick, as when we first had the pleasure ofseeing you.'

  'I hope not,' said Dodson, with the high tone of calumniated virtue.'Mr. Pickwick now knows us better, I trust; whatever your opinion ofgentlemen of our profession may be, I beg to assure you, sir, that Ibear no ill-will or vindictive feeling towards you for the sentimentsyou thought proper to express in our office in Freeman's Court,Cornhill, on the occasion to which my partner has referred.'

  'Oh, no, no; nor I,' said Fogg, in a most forgiving manner.

  'Our conduct, Sir,' said Dodson, 'will speak for itself, and justifyitself, I hope, upon every occasion. We have been in the profession someyears, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with the confidence of manyexcellent clients. I wish you good-morning, Sir.'

  'Good-morning, Mr. Pickwick,' said Fogg. So saying, he put his umbrellaunder his arm, drew off his right glove, and extended the hand ofreconciliation to that most indignant gentleman; who, thereupon, thrusthis hands beneath his coat tails, and eyed the attorney with looks ofscornful amazement.

  'Lowten!' cried Perker, at this moment. 'Open the door.'

  'Wait one instant,' said Mr. Pickwick. 'Perker, I _will _speak.'

  'My dear Sir, pray let the matter rest where it is,' said the littleattorney, who had been in a state of nervous apprehension during thewhole interview; 'Mr. Pickwick, I beg--'

  'I will not be put down, Sir,' replied Mr. Pickwick hastily. 'Mr.Dodson, you have addressed some remarks to me.'

  Dodson turned round, bent his head meekly, and smiled.

  'Some remarks to me,' repeated Mr. Pickwick, almost breathless; 'andyour partner has tendered me his hand, and you have both assumed a toneof forgiveness and high-mindedness, which is an extent of impudence thatI was not prepared for, even in you.'

  'What, sir!' exclaimed Dodson.

  'What, sir!' reiterated Fogg.

  'Do you know that I have been the victim of your plots andconspiracies?' continued Mr. Pickwick. 'Do you know that I am the manwhom you have been imprisoning and robbing? Do you know that you werethe attorneys for the plaintiff, in Bardell and Pickwick?'

  'Yes, sir, we do know it,' replied Dodson.

  'Of course we know it, Sir,' rejoined Fogg, slapping his pocket--perhapsby accident.

  'I see that you recollect it with satisfaction,' said Mr. Pickwick,attempting to call up a sneer for the first time in his life, andfailing most signally in so doing. 'Although I have long been anxious totell you, in plain terms, what my opinion of you is, I should have leteven this opportunity pass, in deference to my friend Perker's wishes,but for the unwarrantable tone you have assumed, and your insolentfamiliarity. I say insolent familiarity, sir,' said Mr. Pickwick,turning upon Fogg with a fierceness of gesture which caused that personto retreat towards the door with great expedition.

  'Take care, Sir,' said Dodson, who, though he was the biggest man of theparty, had prudently entrenched himself behind Fogg, and was speakingover his head with a very pale face. 'Let him assault you, Mr. Fogg;don't return it on any account.'

  'No, no, I won't return it,' said Fogg, falling back a little more as hespoke; to the evident relief of his partner, who by these means wasgradually getting into the outer office.

  'You are,' continued Mr. Pickwick, resuming the thread of his discourse--'you are a well-matched pair of mean, rascally, pettifogging robbers.'

  'Well,' interposed Perker, 'is that all?'

  'It is all summed up in that,' rejoined Mr. Pickwick; 'they are mean,rascally, pettifogging robbers.'

  'There!' said Perker, in a most conciliatory tone. 'My dear sirs, he hassaid all he has to say. Now pray go. Lowten, is that door open?'

  Mr. Lowten, with a distant giggle, replied in the affirmative.

  'There, there--good-morning--good-morning--now pray, my dear sirs--Mr.Lowten, the door!' cried the little man, pushing Dodson & Fogg, nothingloath, out of the office; 'this way, my dear sirs--now pray don'tprolong this--Dear me--Mr. Lowten--the door, sir--why don't you attend?'

  'If there's law in England, sir,' said Dodson, looking towards Mr.Pickwick, as he put on his hat, 'you shall smart for this.'

  'You are a couple of mean--'

  'Remember, sir, you pay dearly for
this,' said Fogg.

  '--Rascally, pettifogging robbers!' continued Mr. Pickwick, taking notthe least notice of the threats that were addressed to him.

  'Robbers!' cried Mr. Pickwick, running to the stair-head, as the twoattorneys descended.

  'Robbers!' shouted Mr. Pickwick, breaking from Lowten and Perker, andthrusting his head out of the staircase window.

  When Mr. Pickwick drew in his head again, his countenance was smilingand placid; and, walking quietly back into the office, he declared thathe had now removed a great weight from his mind, and that he feltperfectly comfortable and happy.

  Perker said nothing at all until he had emptied his snuff-box, and sentLowten out to fill it, when he was seized with a fit of laughing, whichlasted five minutes; at the expiration of which time he said that hesupposed he ought to be very angry, but he couldn't think of thebusiness seriously yet--when he could, he would be.

  'Well, now,' said Mr. Pickwick, 'let me have a settlement with you.'

  Of the same kind as the last?' inquired Perker, with another laugh.

  'Not exactly,' rejoined Mr. Pickwick, drawing out his pocket-book, andshaking the little man heartily by the hand, 'I only mean a pecuniarysettlement. You have done me many acts of kindness that I can neverrepay, and have no wish to repay, for I prefer continuing theobligation.'

  With this preface, the two friends dived into some very complicatedaccounts and vouchers, which, having been duly displayed and gonethrough by Perker, were at once discharged by Mr. Pickwick with manyprofessions of esteem and friendship.

  They had no sooner arrived at this point, than a most violent andstartling knocking was heard at the door; it was not an ordinary double-knock, but a constant and uninterrupted succession of the loudest singleraps, as if the knocker were endowed with the perpetual motion, or theperson outside had forgotten to leave off.

  'Dear me, what's that?' exclaimed Perker, starting.

  'I think it is a knock at the door,' said Mr. Pickwick, as if therecould be the smallest doubt of the fact.

  The knocker made a more energetic reply than words could have yielded,for it continued to hammer with surprising force and noise, without amoment's cessation.

  'Dear me!' said Perker, ringing his bell, 'we shall alarm the inn. Mr.Lowten, don't you hear a knock?'

  'I'll answer the door in one moment, Sir,' replied the clerk.

  The knocker appeared to hear the response, and to assert that it wasquite impossible he could wait so long. It made a stupendous uproar.

  'It's quite dreadful,' said Mr. Pickwick, stopping his ears.

  'Make haste, Mr. Lowten,' Perker called out; 'we shall have the panelsbeaten in.'

  Mr. Lowten, who was washing his hands in a dark closet, hurried to thedoor, and turning the handle, beheld the appearance which is describedin the next chapter.