Those raps were warnings.

They--the rappers--were trying to prevent me getting into bed.

They didn't succeed, of course, and so, just as the ceiling was on the point of giving way, they compelled me to get out of bed by pulling all the clothes off.

If they hadn't, I should have been half killed.

Now, what do you make of that ?" "I knew it must be some nonsense of the sort!" exclaimed Aunt Charlotte, in her most vigorous tones.