After climbing two pairs of steep and dirty stairs, he found his

anticipations were realised. Mr Perker's 'outer door' was closed; and

the dead silence which followed Mr Weller's repeated kicks thereat,

announced that the officials had retired from business for the night.

This is pleasant, Sam,' said Mr Pickwick; 'I shouldn't lose an hour in

seeing him; I shall not be able to get one wink of sleep to-night, I

know, unless I have the satisfaction of reflecting that I have confided

this matter to a professional man.'

'Here's an old 'ooman comin' upstairs, sir,' replied Mr Weller; 'p'raps

she knows where we can find somebody. Hollo, old lady, vere's Mr

Perker's people?'

Mr Perker's people,' said a thin, miserable-looking old woman,

stopping to recover breath after the ascent of the staircase - 'Mr

Perker's people's gone, and I'm a-goin' to do the office out.' 'Are you Mr

Perker's servant?' inquired Mr Pickwick.

I am Mr Perker's laundress,' replied the woman.

Ah,' said Mr Pickwick, half aside to Sam, 'it's a curious circumstance,

Sam, that they call the old women in these inns, laundresses. I

wonder what's that for?'

''Cos they has a mortal awersion to washing anythin', I suppose, Sir,'

replied Mr Weller.

I shouldn't wonder,' said Mr Pickwick, looking at the old woman,

whose appearance, as well as the condition of the office, which she

had by this time opened, indicated a rooted antipathy to the

application of soap and water; 'do you know where I can find Mr

Perker, my good woman?'

No, I don't,' replied the old woman gruffly; 'he's out o' town now.'

That's unfortunate,' said Mr Pickwick; 'where's his clerk? Do you

know?'

'Yes, I know where he is, but he won't thank me for telling you,'

replied the laundress.

'I have very particular business with him,' said Mr Pickwick. 'Won't it

do in the morning?' said the woman.

'Not so well,' replied Mr Pickwick.

The Pickwick Papers