As to the attics, no one ever called on them; if anybody wanted the parlours, they were close at hand, and all he had to do was to walk straight into them; while the kitchen had a separate entrance down the area steps.

As a question of mere necessity and usefulness, therefore, this muffling of the knocker was thoroughly incomprehensible.
But knockers may be muffled for other purposes than those of mere utilitarianism, as, in the present instance, was clearly shown.

There are certain polite forms and ceremonies which must be observed in civilised life, or mankind relapse into their original barbarism.

No genteel lady was ever yet confined--indeed, no genteel confinement can possibly take place--without the accompanying symbol of a muffled knocker.

Mrs Kenwigs was a lady of some pretensions to gentility; Mrs Kenwigs was confined.