Answer: the number of residents has grown substantially
Explanation:
Credit is essentialy a loan given that is paid back with interest. Arguably, credit caused the Great Depression. Many Americans invested in the stock market with credit when they did not have the money, so when a recession in the stock market occurred, many stockholders were in huge debt. Banks that lended money were out of money, and depositors lost money. This caused homes to foreclose, and because of the decrease in consumer purchasing power (people were in debt), companies laid off workers and unemployment rose.
The Gothic element there is the horror that ensues after he hears the tapping. The character is alone during a spooky, dreary night, nobody found anywhere, and suddenly there is a mysterious tapping by someone, and it turns out that no-one tapped, which means either madness or ghosts, that are either way both elements of Gothic writing.
Articles of Confederation