deposited on a sofa; and the lady from the first floor running up to the

first floor, returned with a bottle of sal-volatile, which, holding Mrs.

Raddle tight round the neck, she applied in all womanly kindness and

pity to her nose, until that lady with many plunges and struggles was

fain to declare herself decidedly better.

Ah, poor thing!' said Mrs. Rogers, 'I know what her feelin's is, too

well.' 'Ah, poor thing! so do I,' said Mrs. Sanders; and then all the

ladies moaned in unison, and said they knew what it was, and they

pitied her from their hearts, they did. Even the lodger's little servant,

who was thirteen years old and three feet high, murmured her

sympathy.

But what's been the matter?' said Mrs. Bardell.

Ah, what has decomposed you, ma'am?' inquired Mrs. Rogers.

I have been a good deal flurried,' replied Mrs. Raddle, in a reproachful

manner. Thereupon the ladies cast indignant glances at Mr Raddle.

Why, the fact is,' said that unhappy gentleman, stepping forward,

when we alighted at this door, a dispute arose with the driver of the

cabrioily - ' A loud scream from his wife, at the mention of this word,

rendered all further explanation inaudible.

You'd better leave us to bring her round, Raddle,' said Mrs. Cluppins.

She'll never get better as long as you're here.'

All the ladies concurred in this opinion; so Mr Raddle was pushed out

of the room, and requested to give himself an airing in the back yard.

Which he did for about a quarter of an hour, when Mrs. Bardell

announced to him with a solemn face that he might come in now, but

that he must be very careful how he behaved towards his wife. She

knew he didn't mean to be unkind; but Mary Ann was very far from

strong, and, if he didn't take care, he might lose her when he least

expected it, which would be a very dreadful reflection for him

afterwards; and so on. All this, Mr Raddle heard with great

submission, and presently returned to the parlour in a most lamb-like

manner.

'Why, Mrs. Rogers, ma'am,' said Mrs. Bardell, 'you've never been

introduced, I declare! Mr Raddle, ma'am; Mrs. Cluppins, ma'am; Mrs.

Raddle, ma'am.'

Which is Mrs. Cluppins's sister,' suggested Mrs. Sanders.

The Pickwick Papers