“There ain’t a bell, is there, ma’am?” said the short chairman.

“Yes, there is,” interposed the linkboy, “I’ve been a-ringing at it ever so long.”

“It’s only a handle,” said Mrs. Dowler, “the wire’s broken.”

“I wish the servants’ heads wos,” growled the long man.

“I must trouble you to knock again, if you please,” said Mrs. Dowler, with the utmost politeness.

The short man did knock again several times, without producing the smallest effect. The tall man, growing very impatient, then relieved him, and kept on perpetually knocking double-knocks of two loud knocks each, like an insane postman.