John Thorpe was soon with them, and his voice was with them yet sooner, for on the stairs he was calling out to Miss Morland to be quick.  “Make haste!  Make haste!” as he threw open the door – “Put on your hat this moment – there is no time to be lost – we are going to Bristol.”  (Northanger Abbey, chapter 11) 

The analogy is imperfect (and John Thorpe is not one of our favorite characters), but I couldn’t resist using this quote.  The image of calling you to don your bonnet and dash out the door was too charming.  In truth, this is simply a reminder that the two short story contests I’ve entered are closing at the end of the month.  So, if you wish to find out about “Mr. Collins’s Last Supper,” you must hasten  to the Republic of Pemberley ( www.pemberley.com), and thence to the place where silly stories known as Bad Austen dwell (http://badausten.com) to make the acquaintance of the “Woman of Wonder” and to hear the surprising tale of how “Miss Dashwood Gets Down and Dirty.”   But be quick; there’s not a moment to lose!