'Mrs. Pott, let me entreat you, my dear ma'am, to compose yourself,'

said Mr Winkle; but the shrieks and tappings were louder, and more

frequent than ever.

My dear,' said Mr Pott, 'I'm very sorry. If you won't consider your own

health, consider me, my dear. We shall have a crowd round the

house.' But the more strenuously Mr Pott entreated, the more

vehemently the screams poured forth.

Very fortunately, however, attached to Mrs. Pott's person was a

bodyguard of one, a young lady whose ostensible employment was to

preside over her toilet, but who rendered herself useful in a variety of

ways, and in none more so than in the particular department of

constantly aiding and abetting her mistress in every wish and

inclination opposed to the desires of the unhappy Pott. The screams

reached this young lady's ears in due course, and brought her into the

room with a speed which threatened to derange, materially, the very

exquisite arrangement of her cap and ringlets.

Oh, my dear, dear mistress!' exclaimed the bodyguard, kneeling

frantically by the side of the prostrate Mrs. Pott. 'Oh, my dear

mistress, what is the matter?'

Your master - your brutal master,' murmured the patient.

Pott was evidently giving way.

It's a shame,' said the bodyguard reproachfully. 'I know he'll be the

death on you, ma'am. Poor dear thing!'

He gave way more. The opposite party followed up the attack.

Oh, don't leave me - don't leave me, Goodwin,' murmured Mrs. Pott,

clutching at the wrist of the said Goodwin with an hysteric jerk.

You're the only person that's kind to me, Goodwin.'

At this affecting appeal, Goodwin got up a little domestic tragedy of

her own, and shed tears copiously.

'Never, ma'am - never,' said Goodwin.'Oh, sir, you should be careful -

you should indeed; you don't know what harm you may do missis;

you'll be sorry for it one day, I know - I've always said so.'

The unlucky Pott looked timidly on, but said nothing.

Goodwin,' said Mrs. Pott, in a soft voice.

Ma'am,' said Goodwin.

The Pickwick Papers