Like a gas-lamp in the street, with the windin the pipe, he had exhibited for a moment an unnatural brilliancy, thensank so low as to be scarcely discernible; after a short interval, hehad burst out again, to enlighten for a moment; then flickered with anuncertain, staggering sort of light, and then gone out altogether.
]Mr. Pickwick's candle was just expiring in the socket, as he concludedthe perusal of the old clergyman's manuscript; and when the lightwent suddenly out, without any previous flicker by way of warning, itcommunicated a very considerable start to his excited frame.
It was a comfortable-looking place though, for therewas a strong, cheerful light in the bar window, which shed a bright rayacross the road, and even lighted up the hedge on the other side; andthere was a red flickering light in the opposite window, one moment butfaintly discernible, and the next gleaming strongly through the drawncurtains, which intimated that a rousing fire was blazing within.
( Dickens The Pickwick papers ) Yes; in tattered garments, and without a coat; his common calico shirt,yellow and in rags; his hair hanging over his face; his features changedwith suffering, and pinched with famine--there sat Mr. Alfred Jingle;his head resting on his hands, his eyes fixed upon the fire, and hiswhole appearance denoting misery and dejection!Near him, leaning listlessly against the wall, stood a strong-builtcountryman, flicking with a worn-out hunting-whip the top-boot thatadorned his right foot; his left being thrust into an old slipper.
He jumpedupon the box, squared his elbows, adjusted the ribands, seized the whipwhich lay on the roof, gave one flick to the off leader, and awaywent the four long-tailed, flowing-maned black horses, at fifteen goodEnglish miles an hour, with the old mail-coach behind them.
The hand had struck as straight as a striking snake; asinstantaneous as the flick of the long tongue of an ant-eater.