The unfortunate cook, thus strongly urged, advanced a step or two,

and holding her candle just where it prevented her from seeing at all,

declared there was nothing there, and it must have been the wind.

The door was just going to be closed in consequence, when an

inquisitive boarder, who had been peeping between the hinges, set up

a fearful screaming, which called back the cook and housemaid, and

all the more adventurous, in no time.

What is the matter with Miss Smithers?' said the lady abbess, as the

aforesaid Miss Smithers proceeded to go into hysterics of four young

lady power.

Lor, Miss Smithers, dear,' said the other nine-and-twenty boarders.

Oh, the man - the man - behind the door!' screamed Miss Smithers.

The lady abbess no sooner heard this appalling cry, than she retreated

to her own bedroom, double-locked the door, and fainted away

comfortably. The boarders, and the teachers, and the servants, fell

back upon the stairs, and upon each other; and never was such a

screaming, and fainting, and struggling beheld. In the midst of the

tumult, Mr Pickwick emerged from his concealment, and presented

himself amongst them.

'Ladies - dear ladies,' said Mr Pickwick.

'Oh. he says we're dear,' cried the oldest and ugliest teacher. 'Oh, the

wretch!'

'Ladies,' roared Mr Pickwick, rendered desperate by the danger of his

situation. 'Hear me. I am no robber. I want the lady of the house.'

Oh, what a ferocious monster!' screamed another teacher. 'He wants

Miss Tomkins.'

Here there was a general scream.

Ring the alarm bell, somebody!' cried a dozen voices.

Don't - don't,' shouted Mr Pickwick. 'Look at me. Do I look like a

robber! My dear ladies - you may bind me hand and leg, or lock me up

in a closet, if you like. Only hear what I have got to say - only hear

me.'

How did you come in our garden?' faltered the housemaid.

The Pickwick Papers