him, and kept on perpetually knocking double- knocks of two loud

knocks each, like an insane postman.

At length Mr Winkle began to dream that he was at a club, and that

the members being very refractory, the chairman was obliged to

hammer the table a good deal to preserve order; then he had a

confused notion of an auction room where there were no bidders, and

the auctioneer was buying everything in; and ultimately he began to

think it just within the bounds of possibility that somebody might be

knocking at the street door. To make quite certain, however, he

remained quiet in bed for ten minutes or so, and listened; and when

he had counted two or three-and-thirty knocks, he felt quite satisfied,

and gave himself a great deal of credit for being so wakeful.

'Rap rap-rap rap-rap rap-ra, ra, ra, ra, ra, rap!' went the knocker.

Mr Winkle jumped out of bed, wondering very much what could

possibly be the matter, and hastily putting on his stockings and

slippers, folded his dressing-gown round him, lighted a flat candle

from the rush-light that was burning in the fireplace, and hurried

downstairs.

Here's somebody comin' at last, ma'am,' said the short chairman.

I wish I wos behind him vith a bradawl,' muttered the long one.

Who's there?' cried Mr Winkle, undoing the chain.

Don't stop to ask questions, cast-iron head,' replied the long man,

with great disgust, taking it for granted that the inquirer was a

footman; 'but open the door.'

Come, look sharp, timber eyelids,' added the other encouragingly.

Mr Winkle, being half asleep, obeyed the command mechanically,

opened the door a little, and peeped out. The first thing he saw, was

the red glare of the link-boy's torch. Startled by the sudden fear that

the house might be on fire, he hastily threw the door wide open, and

holding the candle above his head, stared eagerly before him, not

quite certain whether what he saw was a sedan-chair or a fire-engine.

At this instant there came a violent gust of wind; the light was blown

out; Mr Winkle felt himself irresistibly impelled on to the steps; and

the door blew to, with a loud crash.

Well, young man, now you HAVE done it!' said the short chairman.

The Pickwick Papers