Page 37

The Pickwick Papers

Seeing who's there

'Charming women,' said Mr Tupman.

'Wait a minute,' said the stranger, 'there's more fun presently. Nobs not come yet - queer place, this town. The dockyard people of upper rank don't know dockyard people of lower rank - dockyard people of lower rank don't know small gentry - small gentry don't know tradespeople - commissioner don't know anybody.'

'Who's that little boy with the light hair and pink eyes, in fancy dress?'inquired Mr Tupman.

'Hush, pray. Pink eyes - fancy dress - little boy. Nonsense - that's an ensign of the 97th - Honourable Wilmot Snipe. A great family the Snipes - very.'

'Sir Thomas Clubber, Lady Clubber, and the Misses Clubber!' shouted the man at the door in a stentorian voice. A great sensation was created throughout the room by the entrance of a tall gentleman in a blue coat and bright buttons, a large lady in blue satin, and two young ladies, on a similar scale, in fashionably-made dresses of the same hue.

Vocabulary:

Nobs: The top people in society.
Know: Here it means 'talk to socially'.
Rank: Position in an organization.
Small gentry: The people who are important in a small town.
Tradespeople: People who make a living by buying or selling.
Fancy dress: Fantasy clothes, such as a pirate or a witch.
Hush:Be quiet.
Pray:Please
Ensign: A young officer
The 97th: An infantry regiment
Stentorian: Loud and strong
Satin: Shiny cloth
Hue: Colour

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