As soon as the great black velvet pall outside my little window was shot with gray, I got up and went down stairs; every board upon the way, and every crack in every board calling after me, “Stop thief!” and “Get up, Mrs. Joe!”
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 2. We see here a fearful child’s imagination at work, as Pip feels guilty over his stealing food and brandy from Mrs. Joe and Joe to bring to the convict. His guilt is emphasized by effective use of personification with the floorboards appearing to call out to warn his sister about his crime.