Mr. Pickwick was sitting up by himself, after a day spent in this manner, making entries in his journal, his friends having retired to bed, when he was roused by a gentle tap at the room door.

“Beg your pardon, Sir,” said Mrs. Craddock, the landlady, peeping in; “but did you want anything more, sir?”

“Nothing more, ma’am,” replied Mr. Pickwick.