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Chapter LIV
Containing Some Particulars Relative To The Double Knock, And
Other Matters: Among Which Certain Interesting Disclosures
Relative To Mr Snodgrass And A Young Lady Are By No Means
Irrelevant To This History
The object that presented itself to the eyes of the astonished clerk,
was a boy - a wonderfully fat boy - habited as a serving lad, standing
upright on the mat, with his eyes closed as if in sleep. He had never
seen such a fat boy, in or out of a travelling caravan; and this,
coupled with the calmness and repose of his appearance, so very
different from what was reasonably to have been expected of the
inflicter of such knocks, smote him with wonder.
'
What's the matter?' inquired the clerk.
The extraordinary boy replied not a word; but he nodded once, and
seemed, to the clerk's imagination, to snore feebly.
'Where do you come from?' inquired the clerk.
The boy made no sign. He breathed heavily, but in all other respects
was motionless.
The clerk repeated the question thrice, and receiving no answer,
prepared to shut the door, when the boy suddenly opened his eyes,
winked several times, sneezed once, and raised his hand as if to
repeat the knocking. Finding the door open, he stared about him with
astonishment, and at length fixed his eyes on Mr Lowten's face.
'
What the devil do you knock in that way for?' inquired the clerk
angrily.
'
'
'
Which way?' said the boy, in a slow and sleepy voice.
Why, like forty hackney-coachmen,' replied the clerk.
Because master said, I wasn't to leave off knocking till they opened
the door, for fear I should go to sleep,' said the boy.
'
'
'
'
Well,' said the clerk, 'what message have you brought?'
He's downstairs,' rejoined the boy.
Who?'
Master. He wants to know whether you're at home.'
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