He was by nature a fairly intrepid
youth, and moreover, he had recently made a close study of Carlyle's
_Heroes and Hero-worship_, which greatly impressed him. He therefore
resolved in this moment of peril to acquit himself in similar
circumstances, and he remounted the stairs and reached Mrs. Merillia's
door just as Mrs. Fancy, wrapped in a woollen shawl and wearing a pair
of knitted night-socks, descended to the landing, candle in hand.
"Oh, Mr. Gustavus!" said Mrs. Fancy. "Is it the robbers again? Is it
murder, Mr. Gustavus? Is it fire?"
"I don't know, Mrs. Fancy, I'll ask the mistress."
He tapped upon the door.
"You can't come in!" cried poor Mrs. Merillia, who was losing her head
perhaps for the first time in her life. "You can't come in, and if you
do I shall give you in charge to the police."
And she rang both her bells again.
"Ma'am!" said Gustavus, knocking once more. "Ma'am!"
"It's no use your knocking," returned Mrs. Merillia. "The door is
bolted. Go away, go away!"
And again she rang her two bells.
"Madam!" piped Mrs. Fancy. "Madam! It's me!"
"I know," said Mrs. Merillia. "I know it's you! I saw you! Leave the
house unless you wish to be at once put in prison.
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