That's not Job,' thought Mr Pickwick, hastily drawing himself straight

up against the wall again. 'It's a woman.'

He had scarcely had time to form this conclusion, when a window

above stairs was thrown up, and three or four female voices repeated

the query - 'Who's there?'

Mr Pickwick dared not move hand or foot. It was clear that the whole

establishment was roused. He made up his mind to remain where he

was, until the alarm had subsided; and then by a supernatural effort,

to get over the wall, or perish in the attempt.

Like all Mr Pickwick's determinations, this was the best that could be

made under the circumstances; but, unfortunately, it was founded

upon the assumption that they would not venture to open the door

again. What was his discomfiture, when he heard the chain and bolts

withdrawn, and saw the door slowly opening, wider and wider! He

retreated into the corner, step by step; but do what he would, the

interposition of his own person, prevented its being opened to its

utmost width.

'Who's there?' screamed a numerous chorus of treble voices from the

staircase inside, consisting of the spinster lady of the establishment,

three teachers, five female servants, and thirty boarders, all half-

dressed and in a forest of curl-papers.

Of course Mr Pickwick didn't say who was there: and then the burden

of the chorus changed into - 'Lor! I am so frightened.'

'Cook,' said the lady abbess, who took care to be on the top stair, the

very last of the group - 'cook, why don't you go a little way into the

garden?' 'Please, ma'am, I don't like,' responded the cook.

Lor, what a stupid thing that cook is!' said the thirty boarders.

Cook,' said the lady abbess, with great dignity; 'don't answer me, if

you please. I insist upon your looking into the garden immediately.'

Here the cook began to cry, and the housemaid said it was 'a shame!'

for which partisanship she received a month's warning on the spot.

'Do you hear, cook?' said the lady abbess, stamping her foot

impatiently.

Don't you hear your missis, cook?' said the three teachers.

What an impudent thing that cook is!' said the thirty boarders.

The Pickwick Papers