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270 271 272</td> 273 274 275 276 <td valign="top" width="268"> 277 278 279 280<!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../../1/classici/00-CLASSICI-LIST.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> 281 282<div align="left"> 283 <font size="1"> 284 <table class="navmenu" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" width="270" border="0" id="table5"> 285 <tr> 286 <td class="titreannonce" bgcolor="#FF0000" width="266"> 287 <p align="center"><b><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF">I CLASSICI IN LINGUA 288 INGLESE</font></b><font color="#FFFFFF" size="1"><b><br> 289 agg. 27.9.14 - 401 AUDIOBOOKS</b></font></p> 290 </td> 291 </tr> 292 </table> 293 <p align="left"><i>Tantissimi classici della letteratura e della cultura politica, 294 economica e scientifica in lingua inglese con audio di ReadSpeaker e traduttore 295 automatico interattivo FGA Translate</i></p> 296 </font> 297 <ol> 298 <font size="1" face="Verdana" color="#CC3300"> 299 <!--INIZIO_ELENCO_SERIE--> 300 <li> 301 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MANON_LESCAUT/Abbe_Prevost-MANON_LESCAUT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 302 Abbe Prevost - MANON LESCAUT</a></li> 303 <li> 304 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_OLDFASHIONED_GIRL/Louisa_M._Alcott-AN_OLDFASHIONED_GIRL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 305 Alcott, Louisa M. - AN OLDFASHIONED GIRL</a></li> 306 <li> 307 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LITTLE_MEN/Louisa_M._Alcott-LITTLE_MEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 308 Alcott, Louisa M. - LITTLE MEN</a></li> 309 <li> 310 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LITTLE_WOMEN/Louisa_M._Alcott-LITTLE_WOMEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 311 Alcott, Louisa M. - LITTLE WOMEN</a></li> 312 <li> 313 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JACK_AND_JILL/Louisa_May_Alcott-JACK_AND_JILL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 314 Alcott, Louisa May - JACK AND JILL</a></li> 315 <li> 316 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LIFE_LETTERS_AND_JOURNALS/Louisa_May_Alcott-LIFE_LETTERS_AND_JOURNALS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 317 Alcott, Louisa May - 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LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE</a></li> 351 <li> 352 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SELECTED_ENGLISH_LETTERS/Various_Authors-SELECTED_ENGLISH_LETTERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 353 Authors, Various - SELECTED ENGLISH LETTERS</a></li> 354 <li> 355 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WORLD_ENGLISH_BIBLE/Autori_Vari-THE_WORLD_ENGLISH_BIBLE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 356 Autori Vari - THE WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE</a></li> 357 <li> 358 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ADVANCEMENT_OF_LEARNING/Francis_Bacon-THE_ADVANCEMENT_OF_LEARNING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 359 Bacon, Francis - THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING</a></li> 360 <li> 361 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/EUGENIE_GRANDET/Honore_de_Balzac-EUGENIE_GRANDET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 362 Balzac, Honore de - EUGENIE GRANDET</a></li> 363 <li> 364 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FATHER_GORIOT/Honore_de_Balzac-FATHER_GORIOT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 365 Balzac, Honore de - FATHER GORIOT</a></li> 366 <li> 367 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SCARLET_PIMPERNEL/Baroness_Orczy-THE_SCARLET_PIMPERNEL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 368 Baroness Orczy - THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL</a></li> 369 <li> 370 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PETER_AND_WENDY/J._M._Barrie-PETER_AND_WENDY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 371 Barrie, J. M. - PETER AND WENDY</a></li> 372 <li> 373 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PETER_PAN/James_M._Barrie-PETER_PAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 374 Barrie, James M. - PETER PAN</a></li> 375 <li> 376 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_DEVIL_S_DICTIONARY/Ambrose_Bierce-THE_DEVIL_S_DICTIONARY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 377 Bierce, Ambrose - THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY</a></li> 378 <li> 379 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SONGS_OF_INNOCENCE_AND_EXPERIENCE/William_Blake-SONGS_OF_INNOCENCE_AND_EXPERIENCE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 380 Blake, William - SONGS OF INNOCENCE AND EXPERIENCE</a></li> 381 <li> 382 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DECAMERONE/Giovanni_Boccaccio-DECAMERONE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 383 Boccaccio, Giovanni - DECAMERONE</a></li> 384 <li> 385 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/INCIDENTS_IN_THE_LIFE_OF_A_SLAVE_GIRL/Linda_Brent-INCIDENTS_IN_THE_LIFE_OF_A_SLAVE_GIRL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 386 Brent, Linda - INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF A SLAVE GIRL</a></li> 387 <li> 388 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JANE_EYRE/Charlotte_Bronte-JANE_EYRE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 389 Bronte, Charlotte - JANE EYRE</a></li> 390 <li> 391 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/VILLETTE/Charlotte_Brontë-VILLETTE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 392 Bronte, Charlotte - VILLETTE</a></li> 393 <li> 394 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/GREENMANTLE/John_Buchan-GREENMANTLE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 395 Buchan, John - GREENMANTLE</a></li> 396 <li> 397 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MR_STANDFAST/John_Buchan-MR_STANDFAST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 398 Buchan, John - MR STANDFAST</a></li> 399 <li> 400 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_39_STEPS/John_Buchan-THE_39_STEPS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 401 Buchan, John - THE 39 STEPS</a></li> 402 <li> 403 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PILGRIM'S_PROGRESS/John_Bunyan-THE_PILGRIM'S_PROGRESS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 404 Bunyan, John - THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS</a></li> 405 <li> 406 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CIVILIZATION_OF_THE_RENAISSANCE_IN_ITALY/Jacob_Burckhardt-THE_CIVILIZATION_OF_THE_RENAISSANCE_IN_ITALY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 407 Burckhardt, Jacob - THE CIVILIZATION OF THE RENAISSANCE IN ITALY</a></li> 408 <li> 409 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_LITTLE_PRINCESS/Frances_H._Burnett-A_LITTLE_PRINCESS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 410 Burnett, Frances H. - A LITTLE PRINCESS</a></li> 411 <li> 412 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LITTLE_LORD_FAUNTLEROY/Frances_H._Burnett-LITTLE_LORD_FAUNTLEROY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 413 Burnett, Frances H. - LITTLE LORD FAUNTLEROY</a></li> 414 <li> 415 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SECRET_GARDEN/Frances_H._Burnett-THE_SECRET_GARDEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 416 Burnett, Frances H. - THE SECRET GARDEN</a></li> 417 <li> 418 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/EREWHON/Samuel_Butler-EREWHON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 419 Butler, Samuel - EREWHON</a></li> 420 <li>
421 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PAST_AND_PRESENT/Thomas_Carlyle-PAST_AND_PRESENT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 422 Carlyle, Thomas - PAST AND PRESENT</a></li> 423 <li> 424 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FRENCH_REVOLUTION/Thomas_Carlyle-THE_FRENCH_REVOLUTION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 425 Carlyle, Thomas - THE FRENCH REVOLUTION</a></li> 426 <li> 427 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AUTOBIOGRAPHY/Benvenuto_Cellini-AUTOBIOGRAPHY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 428 Cellini, Benvenuto - AUTOBIOGRAPHY</a></li> 429 <li> 430 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DON_QUIXOTE/Cervantes-DON_QUIXOTE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 431 Cervantes - DON QUIXOTE</a></li> 432 <li> 433 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CANTERBURY_TALES/Geoffrey_Chaucer-THE_CANTERBURY_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 434 Chaucer, Geoffrey - THE CANTERBURY TALES</a></li> 435 <li> 436 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_SHORT_HISTORY_OF_ENGLAND/G._K._Chesterton-A_SHORT_HISTORY_OF_ENGLAND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 437 Chesterton, G. K. - A SHORT HISTORY OF ENGLAND</a></li> 438 <li> 439 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BALLAD_OF_THE_WHITE_HORSE/G._K._Chesterton-THE_BALLAD_OF_THE_WHITE_HORSE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 440 Chesterton, G. K. - THE BALLAD OF THE WHITE HORSE</a></li> 441 <li> 442 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_INNOCENCE_OF_FATHER_BROWN/G._K._Chesterton-THE_INNOCENCE_OF_FATHER_BROWN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 443 Chesterton, G. K. - THE INNOCENCE OF FATHER BROWN</a></li> 444 <li> 445 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_WHO_KNEW_TOO_MUCH/G._K._Chesterton-THE_MAN_WHO_KNEW_TOO_MUCH-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 446 Chesterton, G. K. - THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH</a></li> 447 <li> 448 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_WHO_WAS_THURSDAY/G._K._Chesterton-THE_MAN_WHO_WAS_THURSDAY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 449 Chesterton, G. K. - THE MAN WHO WAS THURSDAY</a></li> 450 <li> 451 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WISDOM_OF_FATHER_BROWN/G._K._Chesterton-THE_WISDOM_OF_FATHER_BROWN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 452 Chesterton, G. K. - THE WISDOM OF FATHER BROWN</a></li> 453 <li> 454 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TWELVE_TYPES/G._K._Chesterton-TWELVE_TYPES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 455 Chesterton, G. K. - TWELVE TYPES</a></li> 456 <li> 457 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WHAT_I_SAW_IN_AMERICA/G._K._Chesterton-WHAT_I_SAW_IN_AMERICA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 458 Chesterton, G. K. - WHAT I SAW IN AMERICA</a></li> 459 <li> 460 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HERETICS/Gilbert_K._Chesterton-HERETICS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 461 Chesterton, Gilbert K. - HERETICS</a></li> 462 <li> 463 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AT_FAULT/Kate_Chopin-AT_FAULT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 464 Chopin, Kate - AT FAULT</a></li> 465 <li> 466 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BAYOU_FOLK/Kate_Chopin-BAYOU_FOLK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 467 Chopin, Kate - BAYOU FOLK</a></li> 468 <li> 469 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_AWAKENING_AND_SELECTED_SHORT_STORIES/Kate_Chopin-THE_AWAKENING_AND_SELECTED_SHORT_STORIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 470 Chopin, Kate - THE AWAKENING AND SELECTED SHORT STORIES</a></li> 471 <li> 472 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_CONCISE_ANGLOSAXON_DICTIONARY/John_R._Clark_Hall-A_CONCISE_ANGLOSAXON_DICTIONARY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 473 Clark Hall, John R. - A CONCISE ANGLOSAXON DICTIONARY</a></li> 474 <li> 475 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_ESSAY_ON_THE_SLAVERY_AND_COMMERCE_OF_THE_HUMAN_SPECIES/Thomas_Clarkson-AN_ESSAY_ON_THE_SLAVERY_AND_COMMERCE_OF_THE_HUMAN_SPECIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 476 Clarkson, Thomas - AN ESSAY ON THE SLAVERY AND COMMERCE OF THE HUMAN SPECIES</a></li> 477 <li> 478 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ON_WAR/Carl_von_Clausewitz-ON_WAR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 479 Clausewitz, Carl von - ON WAR</a></li> 480 <li> 481 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_DICTIONARY_OF_THE_FIRST_OR_OLDEST_WORDS_IN_THE_ENGLISH_LANGUAGE/Herbert_C
481oleridge-A_DICTIONARY_OF_THE_FIRST_OR_OLDEST_WORDS_IN_THE_ENGLISH_LANGUAGE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 482 Coleridge, Herbert - A DICTIONARY OF THE FIRST OR OLDEST WORDS IN THE ENGLISH 483 LANGUAGE</a></li> 484 <li> 485 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS/S._T._Coleridge-COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 486 Coleridge, S. T. - COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS</a></li> 487 <li> 488 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HINTS_TOWARDS_THE_FORMATION_OF_A_MORE_COMPREHENSIVE_THEORY_OF_LIFE/S._T._Coleridge-HINTS_TOWARDS_THE_FORMATION_OF_A_MORE_COMPREHENSIVE_THEORY_OF_LIFE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 489 Coleridge, S. T. - HINTS TOWARDS THE FORMATION OF A MORE COMPREHENSIVE THEORY 490 OF LIFE</a></li> 491 <li> 492 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RIME_OF_THE_ANCIENT_MARINER/S._T._Coleridge-THE_RIME_OF_THE_ANCIENT_MARINER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 493 Coleridge, S. T. - THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER</a></li> 494 <li> 495 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MOONSTONE/Wilkie_Collins-THE_MOONSTONE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 496 Collins, Wilkie - THE MOONSTONE</a></li> 497 <li> 498 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PINOCCHIO/Collodi-PINOCCHIO-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 499 Collodi - PINOCCHIO</a></li> 500 <li> 501 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_STUDY_IN_SCARLET/Arthur_Conan_Doyle-A_STUDY_IN_SCARLET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 502 Conan Doyle, Arthur - A STUDY IN SCARLET</a></li> 503 <li> 504 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MEMOIRS_OF_SHERLOCK_HOLMES/Arthur_Conan_Doyle-MEMOIRS_OF_SHERLOCK_HOLMES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 505 Conan Doyle, Arthur - MEMOIRS OF SHERLOCK HOLMES</a></li> 506 <li> 507 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_HOUND_OF_THE_BASKERVILLES/Arthur_Conan_Doyle-THE_HOUND_OF_THE_BASKERVILLES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 508 Conan Doyle, Arthur - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES</a></li> 509 <li> 510 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RETURN_OF_SHERLOCK_HOLMES/Arthur_Conan_Doyle-THE_RETURN_OF_SHERLOCK_HOLMES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 511 Conan Doyle, Arthur - THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES</a></li> 512 <li> 513 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SIGN_OF_THE_FOUR/Arthur_Conan_Doyle-THE_SIGN_OF_THE_FOUR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 514 Conan Doyle, Arthur - THE SIGN OF THE FOUR</a></li> 515 <li> 516 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HEART_OF_DARKNESS/Joseph_Conrad-HEART_OF_DARKNESS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 517 Conrad, Joseph - HEART OF DARKNESS</a></li> 518 <li> 519 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LORD_JIM/Joseph_Conrad-LORD_JIM-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 520 Conrad, Joseph - LORD JIM</a></li> 521 <li> 522 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NOSTROMO/Joseph_Conrad-NOSTROMO-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 523 Conrad, Joseph - NOSTROMO</a></li> 524 <li> 525 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_NIGGER_OF_THE_NARCISSUS/Joseph_Conrad-THE_NIGGER_OF_THE_NARCISSUS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 526 Conrad, Joseph - THE NIGGER OF THE NARCISSUS</a></li> 527 <li> 528 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TYPHOON/Joseph_Conrad-TYPHOON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 529 Conrad, Joseph - TYPHOON</a></li> 530 <li> 531 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LAST_WORDS/Stephen_Crane-LAST_WORDS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 532 Crane, Stephen - LAST WORDS</a></li> 533 <li> 534 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MAGGIE/Stephen_Crane-MAGGIE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 535 Crane, Stephen - MAGGIE</a></li> 536 <li> 537 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RED_BADGE_OF_COURAGE/Stephen_Crane-THE_RED_BADGE_OF_COURAGE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 538 Crane, Stephen - THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE</a></li> 539 <li> 540 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WOUNDS_IN_THE_RAIN/Stephen_Crane-WOUNDS_IN_THE_RAIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 541 Crane, Stephen - WOUNDS IN THE RAIN</a></li> 542 <li> 543 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HELL/Dante_Alighieri-HELL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 544 Dante - THE DIVINE COMEDY: HELL</a></li> 545 <li> 546 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PARADISE/Dante_Alighieri-PARADISE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 547 Dante - THE DIVINE COMEDY: PARADISE</a></li> 548 <li> 549 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PURGATORY/Dante_Alighieri-PURGATORY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 550 Dante - THE DIVINE COMEDY: PURGATORY</a></li> 551 <li> 552 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_AUTOBIOGRAPHY_OF_CHARLES_DARWIN/Charles_Darwin-THE_AUTOBIOGRAPHY_OF_CHARLES_DARWIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 553 Darwin, Charles - THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES DARWIN</a></li> 554 <li> 555 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ORIGIN_OF_SPECIES/Charles_Darwin-THE_ORIGIN_OF_SPECIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 556 Darwin, Charles - THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES</a></li> 557 <li> 558 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_GENERAL_HISTORY_OF_THE_PYRATES/Daniel_Defoe-A_GENERAL_HISTORY_OF_THE_PYRATES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 559 Defoe, Daniel - A GENERAL HISTORY OF THE PYRATES</a></li> 560 <li> 561 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_JOURNAL_OF_THE_PLAGUE_YEAR/Daniel_Defoe-A_JOURNAL_OF_THE_PLAGUE_YEAR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 562 Defoe, Daniel - A JOURNAL OF THE PLAGUE YEAR</a></li> 563 <li> 564 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CAPTAIN_SINGLETON/Daniel_Defoe-CAPTAIN_SINGLETON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 565 Defoe, Daniel - CAPTAIN SINGLETON</a></li> 566 <li> 567 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MOLL_FLANDERS/Daniel_Defoe-MOLL_FLANDERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 568 Defoe, Daniel - MOLL FLANDERS</a></li> 569 <li> 570 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ROBINSON_CRUSOE/Daniel_Defoe-ROBINSON_CRUSOE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 571 Defoe, Daniel - ROBINSON CRUSOE</a></li> 572 <li> 573 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_ENGLISH_TRADESMAN/Daniel_Defoe-THE_COMPLETE_ENGLISH_TRADESMAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 574 Defoe, Daniel - THE COMPLETE ENGLISH TRADESMAN</a></li> 575 <li> 576 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FURTHER_ADVENTURES_OF_ROBINSON_CRUSOE/Daniel_Defoe-THE_FURTHER_ADVENTURES_OF_ROBINSON_CRUSOE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 577 Defoe, Daniel - THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE</a></li> 578 <li> 579 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AFTER_THE_DIVORCE/Grazia_Deledda-AFTER_THE_DIVORCE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 580 Deledda, Grazia - AFTER THE DIVORCE</a></li> 581 <li> 582 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_CHRISTMAS_CAROL/Charles_Dickens-A_CHRISTMAS_CAROL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 583 Dickens, Charles - A CHRISTMAS CAROL</a></li> 584 <li> 585 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_TALE_OF_TWO_CITIES/Charles_Dickens-A_TALE_OF_TWO_CITIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 586 Dickens, Charles - A TALE OF TWO CITIES</a></li> 587 <li> 588 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BLEAK_HOUSE/Charles_Dickens-BLEAK_HOUSE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 589 Dickens, Charles - BLEAK HOUSE</a></li> 590 <li> 591 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DAVID_COPPERFIELD/Charles_Dickens-DAVID_COPPERFIELD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 592 Dickens, Charles - DAVID COPPERFIELD</a></li> 593 <li> 594 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DONBEY_AND_SON/Charles_Dickens-DONBEY_AND_SON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 595 Dickens, Charles - DONBEY AND SON</a></li> 596 <li> 597 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/GREAT_EXPECTATIONS/Charles_Dickens-GREAT_EXPECTATIONS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 598 Dickens, Charles - GREAT EXPECTATIONS</a></li> 599 <li> 600 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HARD_TIMES/Charles_Dickens-HARD_TIMES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 601 Dickens, Charles - HARD TIMES</a></li> 602 <li> 603 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LETTERS_VOLUME_1/Charles_Dickens-LETTERS_VOLUME_1-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 604 Dickens, Charles - LETTERS VOLUME 1</a></li> 605 <li> 606 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LITTLE_DORRIT/Charles_Dickens-LITTLE_DORRIT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 607 Dickens, Charles - LITTLE DORRIT</a></li> 608 <li> 609 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MARTIN_CHUZZLEWIT/Charles_Dickens-MARTIN_CHUZZLEWIT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 610 Dickens, Charles - MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT</a></li> 611 <li> 612 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NICHOLAS_NICKLEBY/Charles_Dickens-NICHOLAS_NICKLEBY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 613 Dickens, Charles - NICHOLAS NICKLEBY</a></li> 614 <li> 615 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/OLIVER_TWIST/Charles_Dickens-OLIVER_TWIST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 616 Dickens, Charles - OLIVER TWIST</a></li> 617 <li> 618 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/OUR_MUTUAL_FRIEND/Charles_Dickens-OUR_MUTUAL_FRIEND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 619 Dickens, Charles - OUR MUTUAL FRIEND</a></li> 620 <li> 621 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PICTURES_FROM_ITALY/Charles_Dickens-PICTURES_FROM_ITALY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 622 Dickens, Charles - PICTURES FROM ITALY</a></li> 623 <li> 624 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MYSTERY_OF_EDWIN_DROOD/Charles_Dickens-THE_MYSTERY_OF_EDWIN_DROOD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 625 Dickens, Charles - THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD</a></li> 626 <li> 627 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_OLD_CURIOSITY_SHOP/Charles_Dickens-THE_OLD_CURIOSITY_SHOP-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 628 Dickens, Charles - THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP</a></li> 629 <li> 630 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PICKWICK_PAPERS/Charles_Dickens-THE_PICKWICK_PAPERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 631 Dickens, Charles - THE PICKWICK PAPERS</a></li> 632 <li> 633 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POEMS/Emily_Dickinson-POEMS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 634 Dickinson, Emily - POEMS</a></li> 635 <li> 636 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CRIME_AND_PUNISHMENT/Fyodor_Dostoevsky-CRIME_AND_PUNISHMENT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 637 Dostoevsky, Fyodor - CRIME AND PUNISHMENT</a></li> 638 <li> 639 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BROTHERS_KARAMAZOV/Fyodor_Dostoyevsky-THE_BROTHERS_KARAMAZOV-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 640 Dostoyevsky, Fyodor - THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV</a></li> 641 <li> 642 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TRILBY/George_Du_Maurier-TRILBY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 643 Du Maurier, George - TRILBY</a></li> 644 <li> 645 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COUNT_OF_MONTE_CRISTO/Alexandre_Dumas-THE_COUNT_OF_MONTE_CRISTO-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 646 Dumas, Alexandre - THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO</a></li> 647 <li> 648 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_IN_THE_IRON_MASK/Alexandre_Dumas-THE_MAN_IN_THE_IRON_MASK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 649 Dumas, Alexandre - THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK</a></li> 650 <li> 651 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_THREE_MUSKETEERS/Alexandre_Dumas-THE_THREE_MUSKETEERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 652 Dumas, Alexandre - THE THREE MUSKETEERS</a></li> 653 <li>
654 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DANIEL_DERONDA/George_Eliot-DANIEL_DERONDA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 655 Eliot, George - DANIEL DERONDA</a></li> 656 <li> 657 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MIDDLEMARCH/George_Eliot-MIDDLEMARCH-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 658 Eliot, George - MIDDLEMARCH</a></li> 659 <li> 660 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SILAS_MARNER/George_Eliot-SILAS_MARNER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 661 Eliot, George - SILAS MARNER</a></li> 662 <li> 663 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MILL_ON_THE_FLOSS/George_Eliot-THE_MILL_ON_THE_FLOSS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 664 Eliot, George - THE MILL ON THE FLOSS</a></li> 665 <li> 666 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CONDITION_OF_THE_WORKING_CLASS_IN_ENGLAND_IN_1844/Frederick_Engels-THE_CONDITION_OF_THE_WORKING_CLASS_IN_ENGLAND_IN_1844-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 667 Engels, Frederick - THE CONDITION OF THE WORKING-CLASS IN ENGLAND IN 1844</a></li> 668 <li> 669 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AUTOBIOGRAPHY/Equiano-AUTOBIOGRAPHY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 670 Equiano - AUTOBIOGRAPHY</a></li> 671 <li> 672 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FABLES/Esopo-FABLES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 673 Esopo - FABLES</a></li> 674 <li> 675 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LAST_OF_THE_MOHICANS/James_Fenimore_Cooper-THE_LAST_OF_THE_MOHICANS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 676 Fenimore Cooper, James - THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS</a></li> 677 <li> 678 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TOM_JONES/Henry_Fielding-TOM_JONES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 679 Fielding, Henry - TOM JONES</a></li> 680 <li> 681 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THAIS/Anatole_France-THAIS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 682 France, Anatole - THAIS</a></li> 683 <li> 684 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_GODS_ARE_ATHIRST/Anatole_France-THE_GODS_ARE_ATHIRST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 685 France, Anatole - THE GODS ARE ATHIRST</a></li> 686 <li> 687 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LIFE_OF_JOAN_OF_ARC/Anatole_France-THE_LIFE_OF_JOAN_OF_ARC-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 688 France, Anatole - THE LIFE OF JOAN OF ARC</a></li> 689 <li> 690 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SEVEN_WIVES_OF_BLUEBEARD/Anatole_France-THE_SEVEN_WIVES_OF_BLUEBEARD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 691 France, Anatole - THE SEVEN WIVES OF BLUEBEARD</a></li> 692 <li> 693 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PATCHWORK_GIRL_OF_OZ/L._Frank_Baum-THE_PATCHWORK_GIRL_OF_OZ-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 694 Frank Baum, L. - THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ</a></li> 695 <li> 696 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WONDERFUL_WIZARD_OF_OZ/L._Frank_Baum-THE_WONDERFUL_WIZARD_OF_OZ-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 697 Frank Baum, L. - THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ</a></li> 698 <li> 699 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AUTOBIOGRAPHY/Benjamin_Franklin-AUTOBIOGRAPHY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 700 Franklin, Benjamin - AUTOBIOGRAPHY</a></li> 701 <li> 702 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_GOLDEN_BOUGH/James_George_Frazer-THE_GOLDEN_BOUGH-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 703 Frazer, James George - THE GOLDEN BOUGH</a></li> 704 <li> 705 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DREAM_PSYCHOLOGY/Sigmund_Freud-DREAM_PSYCHOLOGY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 706 Freud, Sigmund - DREAM PSYCHOLOGY</a></li> 707 <li> 708 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/COMPLETE_PLAYS/John_Galsworthy-COMPLETE_PLAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 709 Galsworthy, John - COMPLETE PLAYS</a></li> 710 <li> 711 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/STRIFE/John_Galsworthy-STRIFE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 712 Galsworthy, John - STRIFE</a></li> 713 <li> 714 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/STUDIES_AND_ESSAYS/John_Galsworthy-STUDIES_AND_ESSAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 715 Galsworthy, John - STUDIES AND ESSAYS</a></li> 716 <li> 717 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FIRST_AND_THE_LAST/John_Galsworthy-THE_FIRST_AND_THE_LAST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 718 Galsworthy, John - THE FIRST AND THE LAST</a></li> 719 <li> 720 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FORSYTE_SAGA/John_Galsworthy-THE_FORSYTE_SAGA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 721 Galsworthy, John - THE FORSYTE SAGA</a></li> 722 <li> 723 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LITTLE_MAN/John_Galsworthy-THE_LITTLE_MAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 724 Galsworthy, John - THE LITTLE MAN</a></li> 725 <li> 726 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SILVER_BOX/John_Galsworthy-THE_SILVER_BOX-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 727 Galsworthy, John - THE SILVER BOX</a></li> 728 <li> 729 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SKIN_GAME/John_Galsworthy-THE_SKIN_GAME-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 730 Galsworthy, John - THE SKIN GAME</a></li> 731 <li> 732 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CRANFORD/Elizabeth_Gaskell-CRANFORD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 733 Gaskell, Elizabeth - CRANFORD</a></li> 734 <li> 735 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MARY_BARTON/Elizabeth_Gaskell-MARY_BARTON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 736 Gaskell, Elizabeth - MARY BARTON</a></li> 737 <li> 738 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NORTH_AND_SOUTH/Elizabeth_Gaskell-NORTH_AND_SOUTH-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 739 Gaskell, Elizabeth - NORTH AND SOUTH</a></li> 740 <li> 741 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LIFE_OF_CHARLOTTE_BRONTE/Elizabeth_Gaskell-THE_LIFE_OF_CHARLOTTE_BRONTE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 742 Gaskell, Elizabeth - THE LIFE OF CHARLOTTE BRONTE</a></li> 743 <li> 744 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BEGGAR'S_OPERA/John_Gay-THE_BEGGAR'S_OPERA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 745 Gay, John - THE BEGGAR'S OPERA</a></li> 746 <li> 747 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ITALIAN_COOK_BOOK/Maria_Gentile-THE_ITALIAN_COOK_BOOK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 748 Gentile, Maria - THE ITALIAN COOK BOOK</a></li> 749 <li> 750 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PLAYS/Gilbert_and_Sullivan-PLAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 751 Gilbert and Sullivan - PLAYS</a></li> 752 <li> 753 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FAUST/Goethe-FAUST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 754 Goethe - FAUST</a></li> 755 <li> 756 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DEAD_SOULS/Gogol-DEAD_SOULS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 757 Gogol - DEAD SOULS</a></li> 758 <li> 759 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SHE_STOOPS_TO_CONQUER/Oliver_Goldsmith-SHE_STOOPS_TO_CONQUER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 760 Goldsmith, Oliver - SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER</a></li> 761 <li> 762 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_VICAR_OF_WAKEFIELD/Oliver_Goldsmith-THE_VICAR_OF_WAKEFIELD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 763 Goldsmith, Oliver - THE VICAR OF WAKEFIELD</a></li> 764 <li> 765 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WIND_IN_THE_WILLOWS/Kenneth_Grahame-THE_WIND_IN_THE_WILLOWS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 766 Grahame, Kenneth - THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS</a></li> 767 <li> 768 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FAIRY_TALES/Brothers_Grimm-FAIRY_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 769 Grimm, Brothers - FAIRY TALES</a></li> 770 <li> 771 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/GINSENG_AND_OTHER_MEDICINAL_PLANTS/A._R._Harding-GINSENG_AND_OTHER_MEDICINAL_PLANTS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 772 Harding, A. R. - GINSENG AND OTHER MEDICINAL PLANTS</a></li> 773 <li> 774 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_CHANGED_MAN_AND_OTHER_TALES/Thomas_Hardy-A_CHANGED_MAN_AND_OTHER_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 775 Hardy, Thomas - A CHANGED MAN AND OTHER TALES</a></li> 776 <li> 777 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FAR_FROM_THE_MADDING_CROWD/Thomas_Hardy-FAR_FROM_THE_MADDING_CROWD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 778 Hardy, Thomas - FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD</a></li> 779 <li> 780 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JUDE_THE_OBSCURE/Thomas_Hardy-JUDE_THE_OBSCURE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 781 Hardy, Thomas - JUDE THE OBSCURE</a></li> 782 <li> 783 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TESS_OF_THE_D'URBERVILLES/Thomas_Hardy-TESS_OF_THE_D'URBERVILLES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 784 Hardy, Thomas - TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES</a></li> 785 <li> 786 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAYOR_OF_CASTERBRIDGE/Thomas_Hardy-THE_MAYOR_OF_CASTERBRIDGE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 787 Hardy, Thomas - THE MAYOR OF CASTERBRIDGE</a></li> 788 <li> 789 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_GENTLEMEN_S_BOOK_OF_ETIQUETTE/Cecil_B._Hartley-THE_GENTLEMEN_S_BOOK_OF_ETIQUETTE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 790 Hartley, Cecil B. - THE GENTLEMEN'S BOOK OF ETIQUETTE</a></li> 791 <li> 792 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LITTLE_MASTERPIECES/Nathaniel_Hawthorne-LITTLE_MASTERPIECES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 793 Hawthorne, Nathaniel - LITTLE MASTERPIECES</a></li> 794 <li> 795 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SCARLET_LETTER/Nathaniel_Hawthorne-THE_SCARLET_LETTER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 796 Hawthorne, Nathaniel - THE SCARLET LETTER</a></li> 797 <li> 798 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LOVE_LETTERS_TO_ANNE_BOLEYN/Henry_VIII-LOVE_LETTERS_TO_ANNE_BOLEYN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none">
799 Henry VIII - LOVE LETTERS TO ANNE BOLEYN</a></li> 800 <li> 801 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CABBAGES_AND_KINGS/O._Henry-CABBAGES_AND_KINGS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 802 Henry, O. - CABBAGES AND KINGS</a></li> 803 <li> 804 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SIXES_AND_SEVENS/O._Henry-SIXES_AND_SEVENS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 805 Henry, O. - SIXES AND SEVENS</a></li> 806 <li> 807 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FOUR_MILLION/O._Henry-THE_FOUR_MILLION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 808 Henry, O. - THE FOUR MILLION</a></li> 809 <li> 810 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_TRIMMED_LAMP/O._Henry-THE_TRIMMED_LAMP-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 811 Henry, O. - THE TRIMMED LAMP</a></li> 812 <li> 813 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WHIRLIGIGS/O._Henry-WHIRLIGIGS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 814 Henry, O. - WHIRLIGIGS</a></li> 815 <li> 816 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TEN_THOUSAND_DREAMS_INTERPRETED/Gustavus_Hindman_Miller-TEN_THOUSAND_DREAMS_INTERPRETED-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 817 Hindman Miller, Gustavus - TEN THOUSAND DREAMS INTERPRETED</a></li> 818 <li> 819 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LEVIATHAN/Thomas_Hobbes-LEVIATHAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 820 Hobbes, Thomas - LEVIATHAN</a></li> 821 <li> 822 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ILIAD/Homer-THE_ILIAD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 823 Homer - THE ILIAD</a></li> 824 <li> 825 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ODYSSEY/Homer-THE_ODYSSEY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 826 Homer - THE ODYSSEY</a></li> 827 <li> 828 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_EXTERMINATION_OF_THE_AMERICAN_BISON/William_T._Hornaday-THE_EXTERMINATION_OF_THE_AMERICAN_BISON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 829 Hornaday, William T. - THE EXTERMINATION OF THE AMERICAN BISON</a></li> 830 <li> 831 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_TREATISE_OF_HUMAN_NATURE/David_Hume-A_TREATISE_OF_HUMAN_NATURE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 832 Hume, David - A TREATISE OF HUMAN NATURE</a></li> 833 <li> 834 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_ENQUIRY_CONCERNING_HUMAN_UNDERSTANDING/David_Hume-AN_ENQUIRY_CONCERNING_HUMAN_UNDERSTANDING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 835 Hume, David - AN ENQUIRY CONCERNING HUMAN UNDERSTANDING</a></li> 836 <li> 837 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DIALOGUES_CONCERNING_NATURAL_RELIGION/David_Hume-DIALOGUES_CONCERNING_NATURAL_RELIGION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 838 Hume, David - DIALOGUES CONCERNING NATURAL RELIGION</a></li> 839 <li> 840 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_DOLL_S_HOUSE/Henrik_Ibsen-A_DOLL_S_HOUSE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 841 Ibsen, Henrik - A DOLL'S HOUSE</a></li> 842 <li> 843 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_ENEMY_OF_THE_PEOPLE/Henrik_Ibsen-AN_ENEMY_OF_THE_PEOPLE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 844 Ibsen, Henrik - AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE</a></li> 845 <li> 846 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/GHOSTS/Henrik_Ibsen-GHOSTS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 847 Ibsen, Henrik - GHOSTS</a></li> 848 <li> 849 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HEDDA_GABLER/Henrik_Ibsen-HEDDA_GABLER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 850 Ibsen, Henrik - HEDDA GABLER</a></li> 851 <li> 852 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JOHN_GABRIEL_BORKMAN/Henrik_Ibsen-JOHN_GABRIEL_BORKMAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 853 Ibsen, Henrik - JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN</a></li> 854 <li> 855 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ROSMERHOLM/Henrik_Ibsen-ROSMERHOLM-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 856 Ibsen, Henrik - ROSMERHOLM</a></li> 857 <li> 858 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LADY_FROM_THE_SEA/Henrik_Ibsen-THE_LADY_FROM_THE_SEA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 859 Ibsen, Henrik - THE LADY FROM THE SEA</a></li> 860 <li> 861 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MASTER_BUILDER/Henrik_Ibsen-THE_MASTER_BUILDER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 862 Ibsen, Henrik - THE MASTER BUILDER</a></li> 863 <li> 864 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WHEN_WE_DEAD_AWAKEN/Henrik_Ibsen-WHEN_WE_DEAD_AWAKEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 865 Ibsen, Henrik - WHEN WE DEAD AWAKEN</a></li> 866 <li> 867 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LEGEND_OF_SLEEPY_HOLLOW/Washington_Irving-THE_LEGEND_OF_SLEEPY_HOLLOW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none">
868 Irving, Washington - THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW</a></li> 869 <li> 870 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ITALIAN_HOURS/Henry_James-ITALIAN_HOURS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 871 James, Henry - ITALIAN HOURS</a></li> 872 <li> 873 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ASPERN_PAPERS/Henry_James-THE_ASPERN_PAPERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 874 James, Henry - THE ASPERN PAPERS</a></li> 875 <li> 876 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BOSTONIANS/Henry_James-THE_BOSTONIANS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 877 James, Henry - THE BOSTONIANS</a></li> 878 <li> 879 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PORTRAIT_OF_A_LADY/Henry_James-THE_PORTRAIT_OF_A_LADY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 880 James, Henry - THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY</a></li> 881 <li> 882 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_TURN_OF_THE_SCREW/Henry_James-THE_TURN_OF_THE_SCREW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 883 James, Henry - THE TURN OF THE SCREW</a></li> 884 <li> 885 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WASHINGTON_SQUARE_/Henry_James-WASHINGTON_SQUARE_-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 886 James, Henry - WASHINGTON SQUARE </a></li> 887 <li> 888 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THREE_MEN_IN_A_BOAT/Jerome_K._Jerome-THREE_MEN_IN_A_BOAT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 889 Jerome, Jerome K. - THREE MEN IN A BOAT</a></li> 890 <li> 891 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THREE_MEN_ON_THE_BUMMEL/Jerome_K._Jerome-THREE_MEN_ON_THE_BUMMEL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 892 Jerome, Jerome K. - THREE MEN ON THE BUMMEL</a></li> 893 <li> 894 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POLITICAL_ECONOMY/Stanley_Jevons-POLITICAL_ECONOMY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 895 Jevons, Stanley - POLITICAL ECONOMY</a></li> 896 <li> 897 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_GRAMMAR_OF_THE_ENGLISH_TONGUE/Samuel_Johnson-A_GRAMMAR_OF_THE_ENGLISH_TONGUE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 898 Johnson, Samuel - A GRAMMAR OF THE ENGLISH TONGUE</a></li> 899 <li> 900 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ALCHEMIST/Ben_Jonson-THE_ALCHEMIST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 901 Jonson, Ben - THE ALCHEMIST</a></li> 902 <li> 903 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/VOLPONE/Ben_Jonson-VOLPONE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 904 Jonson, Ben - VOLPONE</a></li> 905 <li> 906 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_PORTRAIT_OF_THE_ARTIST_AS_A_YOUNG_MAN/James_Joyce-A_PORTRAIT_OF_THE_ARTIST_AS_A_YOUNG_MAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 907 Joyce, James - A PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG MAN</a></li> 908 <li> 909 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CHAMBER_MUSIC/James_Joyce-CHAMBER_MUSIC-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 910 Joyce, James - CHAMBER MUSIC</a></li> 911 <li> 912 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DUBLINERS/James_Joyce-DUBLINERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 913 Joyce, James - DUBLINERS</a></li> 914 <li> 915 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ULYSSES/James_Joyce-ULYSSES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 916 Joyce, James - ULYSSES</a></li> 917 <li> 918 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ENDYMION/John_Keats-ENDYMION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 919 Keats, John - ENDYMION</a></li> 920 <li> 921 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POEMS_PUBLISHED_IN_1817/John_Keats-POEMS_PUBLISHED_IN_1817-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 922 Keats, John - POEMS PUBLISHED IN 1817</a></li> 923 <li> 924 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POEMS_PUBLISHED_IN_1820/John_Keats-POEMS_PUBLISHED_IN_1820-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 925 Keats, John - POEMS PUBLISHED IN 1820</a></li> 926 <li> 927 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BIBLE/King_James-THE_BIBLE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 928 King James - THE BIBLE</a></li> 929 <li> 930 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/CAPTAINS_COURAGEOUS/Rudyard_Kipling-CAPTAINS_COURAGEOUS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 931 Kipling, Rudyard - CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS</a></li> 932 <li> 933 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/INDIAN_TALES/Rudyard_Kipling-INDIAN_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 934 Kipling, Rudyard - INDIAN TALES</a></li> 935 <li> 936 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JUST_SO_STORIES/Rudyard_Kipling-J
936UST_SO_STORIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 937 Kipling, Rudyard - JUST SO STORIES</a></li> 938 <li> 939 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/KIM/Rudyard_Kipling-KIM-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 940 Kipling, Rudyard - KIM</a></li> 941 <li> 942 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_JUNGLE_BOOK/Rudyard_Kipling-THE_JUNGLE_BOOK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 943 Kipling, Rudyard - THE JUNGLE BOOK</a></li> 944 <li> 945 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_WHO_WOULD_BE_KING/Rudyard_Kipling-THE_MAN_WHO_WOULD_BE_KING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 946 Kipling, Rudyard - THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING</a></li> 947 <li> 948 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SECOND_JUNGLE_BOOK/Rudyard_Kipling-THE_SECOND_JUNGLE_BOOK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 949 Kipling, Rudyard - THE SECOND JUNGLE BOOK</a></li> 950 <li> 951 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RAINBOW/D._H_Lawrence-THE_RAINBOW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 952 Lawrence, D. H - THE RAINBOW</a></li> 953 <li> 954 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WHITE_PEACOCK/D._H_Lawrence-THE_WHITE_PEACOCK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 955 Lawrence, D. H - THE WHITE PEACOCK</a></li> 956 <li> 957 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TWILIGHT_IN_ITALY/D._H_Lawrence-TWILIGHT_IN_ITALY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 958 Lawrence, D. H - TWILIGHT IN ITALY</a></li> 959 <li> 960 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AARON'S_ROD/D._H._Lawrence-AARON'S_ROD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 961 Lawrence, D. H. - AARON'S ROD</a></li> 962 <li> 963 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SONS_AND_LOVERS/D._H._Lawrence-SONS_AND_LOVERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 964 Lawrence, D. H. - SONS AND LOVERS</a></li> 965 <li> 966 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_LOST_GIRL/D._H._Lawrence-THE_LOST_GIRL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 967 Lawrence, D. H. - THE LOST GIRL</a></li> 968 <li> 969 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WOMEN_IN_LOVE/D._H._Lawrence-WOMEN_IN_LOVE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 970 Lawrence, D. H. - WOMEN IN LOVE</a></li> 971 <li> 972 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BOOK_OF_NONSENSE/Edward_Lear-BOOK_OF_NONSENSE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 973 Lear, Edward - BOOK OF NONSENSE</a></li> 974 <li> 975 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LAUGHABLE_LYRICS/Edward_Lear-LAUGHABLE_LYRICS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 976 Lear, Edward - LAUGHABLE LYRICS</a></li> 977 <li> 978 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MORE_NONSENSE/Edward_Lear-MORE_NONSENSE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 979 Lear, Edward - MORE NONSENSE</a></li> 980 <li> 981 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NONSENSE_SONG/Edward_Lear-NONSENSE_SONG-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 982 Lear, Edward - NONSENSE SONG</a></li> 983 <li> 984 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ARSENE_LUPIN_VS_SHERLOCK_HOLMES/Maurice_Leblanc-ARSENE_LUPIN_VS_SHERLOCK_HOLMES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 985 Leblanc, Maurice - ARSENE LUPIN VS SHERLOCK HOLMES</a></li> 986 <li> 987 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ADVENTURES_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN/Maurice_Leblanc-THE_ADVENTURES_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 988 Leblanc, Maurice - THE ADVENTURES OF ARSENE LUPIN</a></li> 989 <li> 990 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CONFESSIONS_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN/Maurice_Leblanc-THE_CONFESSIONS_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 991 Leblanc, Maurice - THE CONFESSIONS OF ARSENE LUPIN</a></li> 992 <li> 993 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_HOLLOW_NEEDLE/Maurice_Leblanc-THE_HOLLOW_NEEDLE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 994 Leblanc, Maurice - THE HOLLOW NEEDLE</a></li> 995 <li> 996 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RETURN_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN/Maurice_Leblanc-THE_RETURN_OF_ARSENE_LUPIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 997 Leblanc, Maurice - THE RETURN OF ARSENE LUPIN</a></li> 998 <li> 999 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HOW_TO_SING/Lilli_Lehmann-HOW_TO_SING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1000 Lehmann, Lilli - HOW TO SING</a></li> 1001 <li> 1002 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_WITH_THE_BLACK_FEATHER/Gaston_Leroux-THE_MAN_WITH_THE_BLACK_FEATHER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1003 Leroux, Gaston - THE MAN WITH THE BLACK FEATHER</a></li> 1004 <li> 1005 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MYSTERY_OF_THE_YELLOW_ROOM/Gaston_Leroux-THE_MYSTERY_OF_THE_YELLOW_ROOM-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1006 Leroux, Gaston - THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW ROOM</a></li> 1007 <li> 1008 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PHANTOM_OF_THE_OPERA/Gaston_Leroux-THE_PHANTOM_OF_THE_OPERA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1009 Leroux, Gaston - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA</a></li> 1010 <li> 1011 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MARTIN_EDEN/Jack_London-MARTIN_EDEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1012 London, Jack - MARTIN EDEN</a></li> 1013 <li> 1014 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CALL_OF_THE_WILD/Jack_London-THE_CALL_OF_THE_WILD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1015 London, Jack - THE CALL OF THE WILD</a></li> 1016 <li> 1017 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WHITE_FANG/Jack_London-WHITE_FANG-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1018 London, Jack - WHITE FANG</a></li> 1019 <li> 1020 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PRINCE/Nicolo_Machiavelli-THE_PRINCE-0001.htm"> 1021 Machiavelli, Nicolo' - THE PRINCE</a></li> 1022 <li> 1023 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PRINCIPLE_OF_POPULATION/Thomas_Malthus-PRINCIPLE_OF_POPULATION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1024 Malthus, Thomas - PRINCIPLE OF POPULATION</a></li> 1025 <li> 1026 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_GARDEN_PARTY_AND_OTHER_STORIES/Katherine_Mansfield-THE_GARDEN_PARTY_AND_OTHER_STORIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1027 Mansfield, Katherine - THE GARDEN PARTY AND OTHER STORIES</a></li> 1028 <li> 1029 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_JEW_OF_MALTA/Christopher_Marlowe-THE_JEW_OF_MALTA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1030 Marlowe, Christopher - THE JEW OF MALTA</a></li> 1031 <li> 1032 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CHILDREN_OF_THE_NEW_FOREST/Captain_Marryat-THE_CHILDREN_OF_THE_NEW_FOREST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1033 Marryat, Captain - THE CHILDREN OF THE NEW FOREST</a></li> 1034 <li> 1035 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BEL_AMI/Guy_De_Maupassant-BEL_AMI-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1036 Maupassant, Guy De - BEL AMI</a></li> 1037 <li> 1038 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MOBY_DICK/Hermann_Melville-MOBY_DICK-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1039 Melville, Hermann - MOBY DICK</a></li> 1040 <li> 1041 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TYPEE/Hermann_Melville-TYPEE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1042 Melville, Hermann - TYPEE</a></li> 1043 <li> 1044 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PRINCIPLES_OF_POLITICAL_ECONOMY/John_Stuart_Mill-PRINCIPLES_OF_POLITICAL_ECONOMY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1045 Mill, John Stuart - PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY</a></li> 1046 <li> 1047 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PARADISE_LOST/John_Milton-PARADISE_LOST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none">
1048 Milton, John - PARADISE LOST</a></li> 1049 <li> 1050 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HINDU_TALES_FROM_THE_SANSKRIT/S._M._Mitra-HINDU_TALES_FROM_THE_SANSKRIT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1051 Mitra, S. M. - HINDU TALES FROM THE SANSKRIT</a></li> 1052 <li> 1053 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ESSAYS/Michel_de_Montaigne-ESSAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1054 Montaigne, Michel de - ESSAYS</a></li> 1055 <li> 1056 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ANNE_OF_GREEN_GABLES/Lucy_Maud_Montgomery-ANNE_OF_GREEN_GABLES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1057 Montgomery, Lucy Maud - ANNE OF GREEN GABLES</a></li> 1058 <li> 1059 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/UTOPIA/Thomas_More-UTOPIA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1060 More, Thomas - UTOPIA</a></li> 1061 <li> 1062 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FIVE_CHILDREN_AND_IT/E._Nesbit-FIVE_CHILDREN_AND_IT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1063 Nesbit, E. - FIVE CHILDREN AND IT</a></li> 1064 <li> 1065 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PHOENIX_AND_THE_CARPET/E._Nesbit-THE_PHOENIX_AND_THE_CARPET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1066 Nesbit, E. - THE PHOENIX AND THE CARPET</a></li> 1067 <li> 1068 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RAILWAY_CHILDREN/E._Nesbit-THE_RAILWAY_CHILDREN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1069 Nesbit, E. - THE RAILWAY CHILDREN</a></li> 1070 <li> 1071 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_STORY_OF_THE_AMULET/E._Nesbit-THE_STORY_OF_THE_AMULET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1072 Nesbit, E. - THE STORY OF THE AMULET</a></li> 1073 <li> 1074 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/OPTICKS/Isaac_Newton-OPTICKS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1075 Newton, Isaac - OPTICKS</a></li> 1076 <li> 1077 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BEYOND_GOOD_AND_EVIL/Friedrich_Nietsche-BEYOND_GOOD_AND_EVIL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1078 Nietsche, Friedrich - BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL</a></li> 1079 <li> 1080 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THUS_SPAKE_ZARATHUSTRA/Friedrich_Nietsche-THUS_SPAKE_ZARATHUSTRA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1081 Nietsche, Friedrich - THUS SPAKE ZARATHUSTRA</a></li> 1082 <li> 1083 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NOTES_ON_NURSING/Florence_Nightingale-NOTES_ON_NURSING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1084 Nightingale, Florence - NOTES ON NURSING</a></li> 1085 <li> 1086 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POEMS/Wilfred_Owen-POEMS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1087 Owen, Wilfred - POEMS</a></li> 1088 <li> 1089 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/JAPANESE_FAIRY_TALES/Yei_Theodora_Ozaki-JAPANESE_FAIRY_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1090 Ozaki, Yei Theodora - JAPANESE FAIRY TALES</a></li> 1091 <li> 1092 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PENSEES/Blaise_Pascal-PENSEES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1093 Pascal, Blaise - PENSEES</a></li> 1094 <li> 1095 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MY_TEN_YEARS_IMPRISONMENT/Silvio_Pellico-MY_TEN_YEARS_IMPRISONMENT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1096 Pellico, Silvio - MY TEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT</a></li> 1097 <li> 1098 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FAIRY_TALES/Charles_Perrault-FAIRY_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1099 Perrault, Charles - FAIRY TALES</a></li> 1100 <li> 1101 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THREE_PLAYS/Luigi_Pirandello-THREE_PLAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1102 Pirandello, Luigi - THREE PLAYS</a></li> 1103 <li> 1104 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_REPUBLIC/Plato-THE_REPUBLIC-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1105 Plato - THE REPUBLIC</a></li> 1106 <li> 1107 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_1/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_1-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1108 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 1</a></li> 1109 <li> 1110 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_2/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_2-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1111 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 2</a></li> 1112 <li> 1113 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_3/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_3-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1114 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 3</a></li> 1115 <li> 1116 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_4/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_4-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1117 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 4</a></li> 1118 <li> 1119 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_5/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS_5-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1120 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS 5</a></li> 1121 <li> 1122 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_FALL_OF_THE_HOUSE_OF_USHER/Edgar_Allan_Poe-THE_FALL_OF_THE_HOUSE_OF_USHER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1123 Poe, Edgar Allan - THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER</a></li> 1124 <li> 1125 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_TALE_OF_PETER_RABBIT/Beatrix_Potter-THE_TALE_OF_PETER_RABBIT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1126 Potter, Beatrix - THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT</a></li> 1127 <li> 1128 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SWANN'S_WAY/Marcel_Proust-SWANN'S_WAY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1129 Proust, Marcel - SWANN'S WAY</a></li> 1130 <li> 1131 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_SICILIAN_ROMANCE/Ann_Radcliffe-A_SICILIAN_ROMANCE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1132 Radcliffe, Ann - A SICILIAN ROMANCE</a></li> 1133 <li> 1134 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ON_THE_PRINCIPLES_OF_POLITICAL_ECONOMY_AND_TAXATION/David_Ricardo-ON_THE_PRINCIPLES_OF_POLITICAL_ECONOMY_AND_TAXATION-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1135 Ricardo, David - ON THE PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY AND TAXATION</a></li> 1136 <li> 1137 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PAMELA/Samuel_Richardson-PAMELA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1138 Richardson, Samuel - PAMELA</a></li> 1139 <li> 1140 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ALLAN_QUATERMAIN/H._Rider_Haggard-ALLAN_QUATERMAIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1141 Rider Haggard, H. - ALLAN QUATERMAIN</a></li> 1142 <li> 1143 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/KING_SOLOMON'S_MINES/H._Rider_Haggard-KING_SOLOMON'S_MINES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1144 Rider Haggard, H. - KING SOLOMON'S MINES</a></li> 1145 <li> 1146 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ORIGIN_AND_FOUNDATION_OF_INEQUA
1146LITY_AMONG_MANKIND/J._J._Rousseau-THE_ORIGIN_AND_FOUNDATION_OF_INEQUALITY_AMONG_MANKIND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1147 Rousseau, J. J. - THE ORIGIN AND FOUNDATION OF INEQUALITY AMONG MANKIND</a></li> 1148 <li> 1149 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SEVEN_LAMPS_OF_ARCHITECTURE/John_Ruskin-THE_SEVEN_LAMPS_OF_ARCHITECTURE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1150 Ruskin, John - THE SEVEN LAMPS OF ARCHITECTURE</a></li> 1151 <li> 1152 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_DEATH_OF_WALLENSTEIN/Friedrich_Schiller-THE_DEATH_OF_WALLENSTEIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1153 Schiller, Friedrich - THE DEATH OF WALLENSTEIN</a></li> 1154 <li> 1155 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PICCOLOMINI/Friedrich_Schiller-THE_PICCOLOMINI-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1156 Schiller, Friedrich - THE PICCOLOMINI</a></li> 1157 <li> 1158 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ART_OF_CONTROVERSY/Arthur_Schopenhauer-THE_ART_OF_CONTROVERSY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1159 Schopenhauer, Arthur - THE ART OF CONTROVERSY</a></li> 1160 <li> 1161 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WISDOM_OF_LIFE/Arthur_Schopenhauer-THE_WISDOM_OF_LIFE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1162 Schopenhauer, Arthur - THE WISDOM OF LIFE</a></li> 1163 <li> 1164 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FLAPPERS_AND_PHILOSOPHERS/F._Scott_Fitzgerald-FLAPPERS_AND_PHILOSOPHERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1165 Scott Fitzgerald, F. - FLAPPERS AND PHILOSOPHERS</a></li> 1166 <li> 1167 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TALES_OF_THE_JAZZ_AGE/F._Scott_Fitzgerald-TALES_OF_THE_JAZZ_AGE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1168 Scott Fitzgerald, F. - TALES OF THE JAZZ AGE</a></li> 1169 <li> 1170 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BEAUTIFUL_AND_DAMNED/F._Scott_Fitzgerald-THE_BEAUTIFUL_AND_DAMNED-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1171 Scott Fitzgerald, F. - THE BEAUTIFUL AND DAMNED</a></li> 1172 <li> 1173 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THIS_SIDE_OF_PARADISE/F._Scott_Fitzgerald-THIS_SIDE_OF_PARADISE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1174 Scott Fitzgerald, F. - THIS SIDE OF PARADISE</a></li> 1175 <li> 1176 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/IVANHOE/Walter_Scott-IVANHOE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1177 Scott, Walter - IVANHOE</a></li> 1178 <li> 1179 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/QUENTIN_DURWARD/Walter_Scott-QUENTIN_DURWARD-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1180 Scott, Walter - QUENTIN DURWARD</a></li> 1181 <li> 1182 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ROB_ROY/Walter_Scott-ROB_ROY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1183 Scott, Walter - ROB ROY</a></li> 1184 <li> 1185 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BRIDE_OF_LAMMERMOOR/Walter_Scott-THE_BRIDE_OF_LAMMERMOOR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1186 Scott, Walter - THE BRIDE OF LAMMERMOOR</a></li> 1187 <li> 1188 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WAVERLEY/Walter_Scott-WAVERLEY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1189 Scott, Walter - WAVERLEY</a></li> 1190 <li> 1191 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_THIRD_WINDOW/Anne_Douglas_Sedgwick-THE_THIRD_WINDOW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1192 Sedgwick, Anne Douglas - THE THIRD WINDOW</a></li> 1193 <li> 1194 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BLACK_BEAUTY/Anna_Sewell-BLACK_BEAUTY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1195 Sewell, Anna - BLACK BEAUTY</a></li> 1196 <li> 1197 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/COMPLETE_WORKS/William_Shakespeare-COMPLETE_WORKS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1198 Shakespeare, William - COMPLETE WORKS</a></li> 1199 <li> 1200 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HAMLET/William_Shakespeare-HAMLET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1201 Shakespeare, William - HAMLET</a></li> 1202 <li> 1203 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/OTHELLO/William_Shakespeare-OTHELLO-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1204 Shakespeare, William - OTHELLO</a></li> 1205 <li> 1206 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ROMEO_AND_JULIET/William_Shakespeare-ROMEO_AND_JULIET-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1207 Shakespeare, William - ROMEO AND JULIET</a></li> 1208 <li> 1209 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FRANKENSTEIN/Mary_Shelley-
1209FRANKENSTEIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1210 Shelley, Mary - FRANKENSTEIN</a></li> 1211 <li> 1212 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_DEFENCE_OF_POETRY_AND_OTHER_ESSAYS/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley-A_DEFENCE_OF_POETRY_AND_OTHER_ESSAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1213 Shelley, Percy Bysshe - A DEFENCE OF POETRY AND OTHER ESSAYS</a></li> 1214 <li> 1215 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley-COMPLETE_POETICAL_WORKS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1216 Shelley, Percy Bysshe - COMPLETE POETICAL WORKS</a></li> 1217 <li> 1218 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SCHOOL_FOR_SCANDAL/Richard_B._Sheridan-THE_SCHOOL_FOR_SCANDAL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1219 Sheridan, Richard B. - THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL</a></li> 1220 <li> 1221 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/QUO_VADIS/Henryk_Sienkiewicz-QUO_VADIS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1222 Sienkiewicz, Henryk - QUO VADIS</a></li> 1223 <li> 1224 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WEALTH_OF_NATIONS/Adam_Smith-THE_WEALTH_OF_NATIONS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1225 Smith, Adam - THE WEALTH OF NATIONS</a></li> 1226 <li> 1227 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TRAVELS_THROUGH_FRANCE_AND_ITALY/Tobias_Smollett-TRAVELS_THROUGH_FRANCE_AND_ITALY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1228 Smollett, Tobias - TRAVELS THROUGH FRANCE AND ITALY</a></li> 1229 <li> 1230 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ESSAYS_ON_EDUCATION_AND_KINDRED_SUBJECTS/Herbert_Spencer-ESSAYS_ON_EDUCATION_AND_KINDRED_SUBJECTS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1231 Spencer, Herbert - ESSAYS ON EDUCATION AND KINDRED SUBJECTS</a></li> 1232 <li> 1233 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/HEIDI/Johanna_Spyri-HEIDI-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1234 Spyri, Johanna - HEIDI</a></li> 1235 <li> 1236 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_SENTIMENTAL_JOURNEY/Laurence_Sterne-A_SENTIMENTAL_JOURNEY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1237 Sterne, Laurence - A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY</a></li> 1238 <li> 1239 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TRISTRAM_SHANDY/Laurence_Sterne-TRISTRAM_SHANDY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1240 Sterne, Laurence - TRISTRAM SHANDY</a></li> 1241 <li> 1242 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_CHILD'S_GARDEN_OF_VERSES/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-A_CHILD'S_GARDEN_OF_VERSES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1243 Stevenson, Robert Louis - A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSES</a></li> 1244 <li> 1245 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ESSAYS_IN_THE_ART_OF_WRITING/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-ESSAYS_IN_THE_ART_OF_WRITING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1246 Stevenson, Robert Louis - ESSAYS IN THE ART OF WRITING</a></li> 1247 <li> 1248 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/KIDNAPPED/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-KIDNAPPED-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1249 Stevenson, Robert Louis - KIDNAPPED</a></li> 1250 <li> 1251 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NEW_ARABIAN_NIGHTS/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-NEW_ARABIAN_NIGHTS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1252 Stevenson, Robert Louis - NEW ARABIAN NIGHTS</a></li> 1253 <li> 1254 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BLACK_ARROW/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-THE_BLACK_ARROW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1255 Stevenson, Robert Louis - THE BLACK ARROW</a></li> 1256 <li> 1257 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_STRANGE_CASE_OF_DR._JEKYLL_AND_MR._HYDE/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-THE_STRANGE_CASE_OF_DR._JEKYLL_AND_MR._HYDE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1258 Stevenson, Robert Louis - THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE</a></li> 1259 <li> 1260 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/TREASURE_ISLAND/Robert_Louis_Stevenson-TREASURE_ISLAND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1261 Stevenson, Robert Louis - TREASURE ISLAND</a></li> 1262 <li> 1263 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DRACULA/Bram_Stoker-DRACULA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1264 Stoker, Bram - DRACULA</a></li> 1265 <li> 1266 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LUCKY_PEHR/August_Strindberg-LUCKY_PEHR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1267 Strindberg, August - LUCKY PEHR</a></li> 1268 <li> 1269 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MASTER_OLOF/August_Strindberg-MA
1269STER_OLOF-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1270 Strindberg, August - MASTER OLOF</a></li> 1271 <li> 1272 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_RED_ROOM/August_Strindberg-THE_RED_ROOM-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1273 Strindberg, August - THE RED ROOM</a></li> 1274 <li> 1275 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ROAD_TO_DAMASCUS/August_Strindberg-THE_ROAD_TO_DAMASCUS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1276 Strindberg, August - THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS</a></li> 1277 <li> 1278 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THERE_ARE_CRIMES_AND_CRIMES/August_Strindberg-THERE_ARE_CRIMES_AND_CRIMES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1279 Strindberg, August - THERE ARE CRIMES AND CRIMES</a></li> 1280 <li> 1281 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_MODEST_PROPOSAL/Jonathan_Swift-A_MODEST_PROPOSAL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1282 Swift, Jonathan - A MODEST PROPOSAL</a></li> 1283 <li> 1284 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_TALE_OF_A_TUB/Jonathan_Swift-A_TALE_OF_A_TUB-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1285 Swift, Jonathan - A TALE OF A TUB</a></li> 1286 <li> 1287 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/GULLIVER'S_TRAVELS/Jonathan_Swift-GULLIVER'S_TRAVELS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1288 Swift, Jonathan - GULLIVER'S TRAVELS</a></li> 1289 <li> 1290 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BATTLE_OF_THE_BOOKS_AND_OTHER_SHORT_PIECES/Jonathan_Swift-THE_BATTLE_OF_THE_BOOKS_AND_OTHER_SHORT_PIECES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1291 Swift, Jonathan - THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS AND OTHER SHORT PIECES</a></li> 1292 <li> 1293 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FRUIT_GATHERING/Rabindranath_Tagore-FRUIT_GATHERING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1294 Tagore, Rabindranath - FRUIT GATHERING</a></li> 1295 <li> 1296 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_GARDENER/Rabindranath_Tagore-THE_GARDENER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1297 Tagore, Rabindranath - THE GARDENER</a></li> 1298 <li> 1299 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_HUNGRY_STONES_AND_OTHER_STORIES/Rabindranath_Tagore-THE_HUNGRY_STONES_AND_OTHER_STORIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1300 Tagore, Rabindranath - THE HUNGRY STONES AND OTHER STORIES</a></li> 1301 <li> 1302 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BARRY_LYNDON/William_Thackeray-BARRY_LYNDON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1303 Thackeray, William - BARRY LYNDON</a></li> 1304 <li> 1305 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/VANITY_FAIR/William_Thackeray-VANITY_FAIR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1306 Thackeray, William - VANITY FAIR</a></li> 1307 <li> 1308 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BOOK_OF_SNOBS/William_Makepeace_Thackeray-THE_BOOK_OF_SNOBS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1309 Thackeray, William Makepeace - THE BOOK OF SNOBS</a></li> 1310 <li> 1311 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ROSE_AND_THE_RING/William_Makepeace_Thackeray-THE_ROSE_AND_THE_RING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1312 Thackeray, William Makepeace - THE ROSE AND THE RING</a></li> 1313 <li> 1314 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_VIRGINIANS/William_Makepeace_Thackeray-THE_VIRGINIANS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1315 Thackeray, William Makepeace - THE VIRGINIANS</a></li> 1316 <li> 1317 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WALDEN/Henry_David_Thoreau-WALDEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1318 Thoreau, Henry David - WALDEN</a></li> 1319 <li> 1320 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_LETTER_TO_A_HINDU/Leo_Tolstoi-A_LETTER_TO_A_HINDU-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1321 Tolstoi, Leo - A LETTER TO A HINDU</a></li> 1322 <li> 1323 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ANNA_KARENINA/Lev_Tolstoy-ANNA_KARENINA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1324 Tolstoy, Lev - ANNA KARENINA</a></li> 1325 <li> 1326 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WAR_AND_PEACE/Lev_Tolstoy-WAR_AND_PEACE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1327 Tolstoy, Lev - WAR AND PEACE</a></li> 1328 <li> 1329 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_AUTOBIOGRAPHY/Anthony_Trollope-AN_AUTOBIOGRAPHY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1330 Trollope, Anthony - AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY</a></li> 1331 <li> 1332 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BARCHESTER_TOWERS/Anthony_Trollope-BARCHESTER_TOWERS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1333 Trollope, Anthony - BARCHESTER TOWERS</a></li> 1334 <li> 1335 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FRAMLEY_PARSONAGE/Anthony_Trollope-FRAMLEY_PARSONAGE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1336 Trollope, Anthony - FRAMLEY PARSONAGE</a></li> 1337 <li> 1338 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_EUSTACE_DIAMONDS/Anthony_Trollope-THE_EUSTACE_DIAMONDS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1339 Trollope, Anthony - THE EUSTACE DIAMONDS</a></li> 1340 <li> 1341 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAN_WHO_KEPT_HIS_MONEY_IN_A_BOX/Anthony_Trollope-THE_MAN_WHO_KEPT_HIS_MONEY_IN_A_BOX-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1342 Trollope, Anthony - THE MAN WHO KEPT HIS MONEY IN A BOX</a></li> 1343 <li> 1344 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WARDEN/Anthony_Trollope-THE_WARDEN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1345 Trollope, Anthony - THE WARDEN</a></li> 1346 <li> 1347 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WAY_WE_LIVE_NOW/Anthony_Trollope-THE_WAY_WE_LIVE_NOW-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1348 Trollope, Anthony - THE WAY WE LIVE NOW</a></li> 1349 <li> 1350 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LIFE_ON_THE_MISSISSIPPI/Mark_Twain-LIFE_ON_THE_MISSISSIPPI-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1351 Twain, Mark - LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI</a></li> 1352 <li> 1353 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SPEECHES/Mark_Twain-SPEECHES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1354 Twain, Mark - SPEECHES</a></li> 1355 <li> 1356 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ADVENTURES_OF_HUCKLEBERRY_FINN/Mark_Twain-THE_ADVENTURES_OF_HUCKLEBERRY_FINN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1357 Twain, Mark - THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN</a></li> 1358 <li> 1359 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ADVENTURES_OF_TOM_SAWYER/Mark_Twain-THE_ADVENTURES_OF_TOM_SAWYER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1360 Twain, Mark - THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER</a></li> 1361 <li> 1362 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PRINCE_AND_THE_PAUPER/Mark_Twain-THE_PRINCE_AND_THE_PAUPER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1363 Twain, Mark - THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER</a></li> 1364 <li> 1365 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MAGNA_CARTA/Autori_Vari-THE_MAGNA_CARTA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1366 Vari, Autori - THE MAGNA CARTA</a></li> 1367 <li> 1368 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SICILIAN_STORIES/Giovanni_Verga-SICILIAN_STORIES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1369 Verga, Giovanni - SICILIAN STORIES</a></li> 1370 <li> 1371 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/20000_LEAGUES_UNDER_THE_SEAS/Jules_Verne-20000_LEAGUES_UNDER_THE_SEAS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1372 Verne, Jules - 20000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEAS</a></li> 1373 <li> 1374 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_JOURNEY_TO_THE_CENTRE_OF_THE_EARTH/Jules_Verne-A_JOURNEY_TO_THE_CENTRE_OF_THE_EARTH-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1375 Verne, Jules - A JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH</a></li> 1376 <li> 1377 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/ALL_AROUND_THE_MOON/Jules_Verne-ALL_AROUND_THE_MOON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1378 Verne, Jules - ALL AROUND THE MOON</a></li> 1379 <li> 1380 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AROUND_THE_WORLD_IN_80_DAYS/Jules_Verne-AROUND_THE_WORLD_IN_80_DAYS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1381 Verne, Jules - AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS</a></li> 1382 <li> 1383 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FIVE_WEEKS_IN_A_BALLOON/Jules_Verne-FIVE_WEEKS_IN_A_BALLOON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1384 Verne, Jules - FIVE WEEKS IN A BALLOON</a></li> 1385 <li> 1386 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FROM_THE_EARTH_TO_THE_MOON/Jules_Verne-FROM_THE_EARTH_TO_THE_MOON-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1387 Verne, Jules - FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON</a></li> 1388 <li> 1389 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MICHAEL_STROGOFF/Jules_Verne-MICHAEL_STROGOFF-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1390 Verne, Jules - MICHAEL STROGOFF</a></li> 1391 <li> 1392 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_MYSTERIOUS_ISLAND/Jules_Verne-THE_MYSTERIOUS_ISLAND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1393 Verne, Jules - THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND</a></li> 1394 <li> 1395 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PHILOSOPHICAL_DICTIONARY/Voltaire-PHILOSOPHICAL_DICTIONARY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1396 Voltaire - PHILOSOPHICAL DICTIONARY</a></li> 1397 <li> 1398 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MAHABHARATA/Vyasa-MAHAB
1398HARATA-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1399 Vyasa - MAHABHARATA</a></li> 1400 <li> 1401 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SANDERS_OF_THE_RIVER/Edgar_Wallace-SANDERS_OF_THE_RIVER-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1402 Wallace, Edgar - SANDERS OF THE RIVER</a></li> 1403 <li> 1404 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_DAFFODIL_MYSTERY/Edgar_Wallace-THE_DAFFODIL_MYSTERY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1405 Wallace, Edgar - THE DAFFODIL MYSTERY</a></li> 1406 <li> 1407 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/BEN_HUR/Lew_Wallace-BEN_HUR-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1408 Wallace, Lew - BEN HUR</a></li> 1409 <li> 1410 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DADDY_LONG_LEGS/Jean_Webster-DADDY_LONG_LEGS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1411 Webster, Jean - DADDY LONG LEGS</a></li> 1412 <li> 1413 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_AWAKENING_OF_SPRING/Franz_Wedekind-THE_AWAKENING_OF_SPRING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1414 Wedekind, Franz - THE AWAKENING OF SPRING</a></li> 1415 <li> 1416 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/KIPPS/H._G._Wells-KIPPS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1417 Wells, H. G. - KIPPS</a></li> 1418 <li> 1419 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_INVISIBLE_MAN/H._G._Wells-THE_INVISIBLE_MAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1420 Wells, H. G. - THE INVISIBLE MAN</a></li> 1421 <li> 1422 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_ISLAND_OF_DOCTOR_MOREAU/H._G._Wells-THE_ISLAND_OF_DOCTOR_MOREAU-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1423 Wells, H. G. - THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU</a></li> 1424 <li> 1425 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_STOLEN_BACILLUS_AND_OTHER_INCIDENTS/H._G._Wells-THE_STOLEN_BACILLUS_AND_OTHER_INCIDENTS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1426 Wells, H. G. - THE STOLEN BACILLUS AND OTHER INCIDENTS</a></li> 1427 <li> 1428 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_TIME_MACHINE/H._G._Wells-THE_TIME_MACHINE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1429 Wells, H. G. - THE TIME MACHINE</a></li> 1430 <li> 1431 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_WAR_OF_THE_WORLDS/H._G._Wells-THE_WAR_OF_THE_WORLDS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1432 Wells, H. G. - THE WAR OF THE WORLDS</a></li> 1433 <li> 1434 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/WHAT_IS_COMING/H._G._Wells-WHAT_IS_COMING-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1435 Wells, H. G. - WHAT IS COMING</a></li> 1436 <li> 1437 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_AGE_OF_INNOCENCE/Edith_Wharton-THE_AGE_OF_INNOCENCE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1438 Wharton, Edith - THE AGE OF INNOCENCE</a></li> 1439 <li> 1440 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/FIAT_MONEY_INFLATION_IN_FRANCE_/Andrew_Dickson_White-FIAT_MONEY_INFLATION_IN_FRANCE_-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1441 White, Andrew Dickson - FIAT MONEY INFLATION IN FRANCE </a></li> 1442 <li> 1443 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_WOMAN_OF_NO_IMPORTANCE/Oscar_Wilde-A_WOMAN_OF_NO_IMPORTANCE-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1444 Wilde, Oscar - A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE</a></li> 1445 <li> 1446 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/AN_IDEAL_HUSBAND/Oscar_Wilde-AN_IDEAL_HUSBAND-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1447 Wilde, Oscar - AN IDEAL HUSBAND</a></li> 1448 <li> 1449 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/DE_PROFUNDIS/Oscar_Wilde-DE_PROFUNDIS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1450 Wilde, Oscar - DE PROFUNDIS</a></li> 1451 <li> 1452 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LADY_WINDERMERE'S_FAN/Oscar_Wilde-LADY_WINDERMERE'S_FAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1453 Wilde, Oscar - LADY WINDERMERE'S FAN</a></li> 1454 <li> 1455 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SALOMÃ/Oscar_Wilde-SALOMÃ-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1456 Wilde, Oscar - SALOME</a></li> 1457 <li> 1458 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SELECTED_POEMS/Oscar_Wilde-SELECTED_POEMS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1459 Wilde, Oscar - SELECTED POEMS</a></li> 1460 <li> 1461 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_BALLAD_OF_READING_GAOL/Oscar_Wilde-THE_BALLAD_OF_READING_GAOL-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1462 Wilde, Oscar - THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL</a></li> 1463 <li> 1464 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_CANTERVILLE_GHOST/Oscar_Wilde-THE_CANTERVILLE_GHOST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1465 Wilde, Oscar - THE CANTERVILLE GHOST</a></li> 1466 <li> 1467 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_HAPPY_PRINCE_AND_OTHER_TALES/Oscar_Wilde-THE_HAPPY_PRINCE_AND_OTHER_TALES-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1468 Wilde, Oscar - THE HAPPY PRINCE AND OTHER TALES</a></li> 1469 <li> 1470 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_BEING_EARNEST/Oscar_Wilde-THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_BEING_EARNEST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1471 Wilde, Oscar - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST</a></li> 1472 <li> 1473 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_PICTURE_OF_DORIAN_GREY/Oscar_Wilde-THE_PICTURE_OF_DORIAN_GREY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1474 Wilde, Oscar - THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GREY</a></li> 1475 <li> 1476 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_SOUL_OF_MAN/Oscar_Wilde-THE_SOUL_OF_MAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1477 Wilde, Oscar - THE SOUL OF MAN</a></li> 1478 <li> 1479 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/SACRED_BOOKS_OF_THE_EAST/Epiphanius_Wilson-SACRED_BOOKS_OF_THE_EAST-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1480 Wilson, Epiphanius - SACRED BOOKS OF THE EAST</a></li> 1481 <li> 1482 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/A_VINDICATION_OF_THE_RIGHTS_OF_WOMAN/Mary_Wollstonecraft-A_VINDICATION_OF_THE_RIGHTS_OF_WOMAN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none">
1483 Wollstonecraft, Mary - A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN</a></li> 1484 <li> 1485 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/NIGHT_AND_DAY/Virgina_Woolf-NIGHT_AND_DAY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1486 Woolf, Virgina - NIGHT AND DAY</a></li> 1487 <li> 1488 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_VOYAGE_OUT/Virgina_Woolf-THE_VOYAGE_OUT-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1489 Woolf, Virgina - THE VOYAGE OUT</a></li> 1490 <li> 1491 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/LA_STANZA_DI_JACOB/Virginia_Woolf-LA_STANZA_DI_JACOB-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1492 Woolf, Virginia - JACOB'S ROOM</a></li> 1493 <li> 1494 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/MONDAY_OR_TUESDAY/Virginia_Woolf-MONDAY_OR_TUESDAY-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1495 Woolf, Virginia - MONDAY OR TUESDAY</a></li> 1496 <li> 1497 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/POEMS/William_Wordsworth-POEMS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1498 Wordsworth, William - POEMS</a></li> 1499 <li> 1500 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/PROSE_WORKS/William_Wordsworth-PROSE_WORKS-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1501 Wordsworth, William - PROSE WORKS</a></li> 1502 <li> 1503 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THERESE_RAQUIN/Emile_Zola-THERESE_RAQUIN-0001.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 1504 Zola, Emile - THERESE RAQUIN</a></li> 1505 <!--FINE_ELENCO_SERIE--></li> 1506 </ol> 1507</div> 1508<font size="1"><hr color="#FF9900" size="8" width="269" align="left"></font> 1509</font> 1510 1511<!--webbot bot="Include" i-checksum="44696" endspan --><p align="left"> </p> 1512 1513 </td> 1514 1515 1516 1517 1518 1519 1520 1521 <td valign="top" width="872"> 1522 1523 1524 1525 1526 1527 <font size="4"> 1528 1529 1530 1531 1532 1533 <div align="center"> 1534 1535 1536 1537 1538 1539 <TABLE idtable36 style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 1540width=869 border=0 height="407"> 1541 <TBODY> 1542 <TR> 1543 <TD valign="top" height="232"> 1544<font size="4"> 1545 1546 1547 <hr color="#666666" size="3"> 1548 1549 1550 <table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="868" 1551bgcolor="#FFFFFF" cellpadding="0"> 1552 <tr> 1553 <td width="130" valign="top"> 1554 1555 1556<!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../../2/00-BABYLON.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> 1557 1558<p> 1559 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-size: medium; "> 1560 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 4px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 4px; "> 1561 <iframe name="I1" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0" width="120" scrolling="no" height="111" allowtransparency src="http://online.babylon.com/trans_box/index.php?lang=IT&affiliate=CD202"> 1562 </iframe></span></span></p> 1563 1564<!--webbot bot="Include" i-checksum="60484" endspan --></td> 1565 <td valign="top"> 1566 <p align="center"> 1567 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/audioclassici-non-frammentati.png" width="461" height="138"></td> 1568 1569 1570 1571 1572 <td align="center" 1573 style="border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px" 1574 valign="top" width="251"> 1575 1576<!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../../2/00-NEWSLETTER.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> 1577 1578<table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="251"> 1579 <tr> 1580 <td> 1581 <p align="center"><br> 1582 <p align="center"> 1583 <img border="0" src="../../../2/eg-logo.png" width="207" height="40"><p align="center"> 1584 <font size="2" face="Verdana"> 1585 <br> 1586 </font></td> 1587 </tr> 1588</table> 1589 1590<!--webbot bot="Include" i-checksum="21868" endspan --></td> 1591 </tr> 1592 </table> 1593 <hr color="#666666" size="3"> 1594 1595 1596 1597 1598 1599 <table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="869" 1600bgcolor="#FFFFFF" cellpadding="0"> 1601 1602 <tr> 1603 1604 <td valign="top" width="869"> 1605 1606 <p align="left"><i>Non si può dire di conoscere l'inglese se 1607 non si è in grado di capire le grandi opere che sono state 1608 scritte in questa lingua: i classici. E in questa sezione te 1609 ne offriamo una notevole selezione. Come strumenti ausiliari per la 1610 comprensione e la pronuncia trovi il dizionario di Babylon, 1611 il lettore automatico di ReadSpeaker e la traduzione 1612 interattiva di FGA Translate. Per attivarla basta 1613 selezionare una porzione qualsiasi di testo e, 1614 immediatamente, la traduzione in italiano comparirà in una 1615 finestrella. Qualora si desideri evitare la sovrapposizione 1616 della traduzione e dell'audio di ReadSpeaker è possibile 1617 deselezionare la casella della traduzione interattiva 1618 on/off. Dato che la pagina contiene tutta l'opera, per 1619 ascoltare le porzioni di testo successive a quelle iniziali 1620 anziché premere il pulsante </i>Ascolta il
1621 testo<i><font color="#0033CC"><b> </b></font>si può selezionare la porzione di testo 1622 che si vuole ascoltare e poi cliccare sul simbolino di 1623 altoparlante che apparirà vicino alla porzione di testo 1624 selezionato.<br> 1625 <font face="Verdana" size="2">NB: </font> 1626 <font face="Verdana"><font size="2">PER LEGGERE I CLASSICI 1627 NELLA VECCHIA VERSIONE FRAMMENTATA</font><b><font size="2" color="#CC3300"> 1628 </font></b></font></i><font face="Verdana"> 1629 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/3/THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_BEING_EARNEST/Oscar_Wilde_-_THE_IMPORTANCE_OF_BEING_EARNEST-0001.php"> 1630 <font size="2" color="#CC3300">CLICCA QUI</font></a></font></p> 1631 1632 <font SIZE="3"> 1633 <hr size="1"> 1634 </font> 1635 <p align="center"> 1636 1637 <b><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="6" color="#FF0000">THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP<br> 1638 1639 1640 1641 </font><font size="5"> 1642 1643 Charles Dickens<!-- FGA TRANSLATE2 START --> 1644 1645 <input type="checkbox" id="chkTooltipAttivato" value="ON" checked="checked" /></font></span></b><span lang="EN-GB"><font size="2"> 1646 traduzione di FGA Translate on/off</font></span></td> 1647 1648 </tr> 1649 1650 </table> 1651 1652 <hr color="#666666" size="3" style="word-spacing: 0; text-indent: 0"> 1653 1654 <table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="872" cellspacing="1"> 1655 <tr> 1656 <td align="center" width="165"> 1657 <img border="0" src="http://www.kivio.net/elingue/ascolta-traduci.png" width="155" height="90"></td> 1658 <td> 1659 <p align="left"><font color="#CC3300" size="2"><b>ReadSpeaker: </b> 1660 </font><font size="2">legge il testo inglese con una perfetta pronuncia 1661 britannica e con il magico effetto karaoke. Per attivarlo clicca sul 1662 pulsante <i>Ascolta il testo</i> che si trova qui sotto. Puoi anche 1663 selezionare una parola, frase o porzione di testo e ascoltare solo 1664 quella cliccando sul simbolino di altoparlante che apparirà vicino alla 1665 porzione di testo selezionata.<br> 1666 <b><font color="#CC3300"> 1667 FGA 1668 Translate:</font></b> selezionando con il mouse una qualsiasi porzione di testo, 1669 FGA Translate te la traduce istantaneamente in una finestrella pop-up. 1670 Per evitare eventuali conflitti tra ReadSpeaker e FGA Translate puoi 1671 deselezionare quest'ultimo togliendo la spunta qui sopra.</font></td> 1672 <td width="155"> 1673 <p align="center"> 1674 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/info-readspeaker.htm"> 1675 <img border="0" src="http://www.kivio.net/elingue/rs-logo-small.png" width="155" height="32"></a><br> 1676 <b><font size="1" color="#CC3300"> 1677 <font color="#CC3300">ISTRUZIONI D'USO</font> DETTAGLIATE<br> 1678 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/info-readspeaker.htm">Clicca qui</a> </font></b></td> 1679 </tr> 1680</table> 1681 1682 1683</font> 1684 1685 1686 1687 1688 </TD></TR> 1689 <TR> 1690 <TD valign="top" height="10"> 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695</TD></TR> 1696 <TR> 1697 <TD valign="top"> 1698 1699<!-- READSPEAKER START --> 1700 1701<div id="readspeaker_button1" class="rs_skip"> 1702<p align="center"> 1703<a accesskey="L" href="http://app.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5730&lang=en_uk&readid=ASCOLTA&url=http://www.englishgratis.com/1/classici/THE_OLD_CURIOSITY_SHOP/Charles_Dickens-THE_OLD_CURIOSITY_SHOP-0001.htm" target="_blank" onclick="readpage(this.href, 'xp1'); return false;"> 1704<img style="border-style: none" src="http://media.readspeaker.com/images/buttons/listen_it_it/text_it_it.gif" alt="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker" title="Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker"></a></div> 1705<div id='xp1'></div> 1706<div id="ASCOLTA" lang="en_uk"> 1707 1708<!-- READSPEAKER STOP --> 1709 1710 1711 1712 1713 1714 1715 <font size="4"> 1716 1717 1718 1719 1720<p align="left"> 1721 1722 <p Align="center"><p>THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP<br><br> 1723 1724By CHARLES DICKENS<br><br> 1725 1726CHAPTER 1<br><br> 1727 1728Night is generally my time for walking. In the summer I often leave 1729 1730home early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or 1731 1732even escape for days or weeks together; but, saving in the country, I 1733 1734seldom go out until after dark, though, Heaven be thanked, I love its 1735 1736light and feel the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any 1737 1738creature living.<br><br> 1739 1740I have fallen insensibly into this habit, both because it favours my 1741 1742infirmity and because it affords me greater opportunity of speculating 1743 1744on the characters and occupations of those who fill the streets. The 1745 1746glare and hurry of broad noon are not adapted to idle pursuits like 1747 1748mine; a glimpse of passing faces caught by the light of a street-lamp 1749 1750or a shop window is often better for my purpose than their full 1751 1752revelation in the daylight; and, if I must add the truth, night is 1753 1754kinder in this respect than day, which too often destroys an air-built 1755 1756castle at the moment of its completion, without the least ceremony or 1757 1758remorse.<br><br> 1759 1760That constant pacing to and fro, that never-ending restlessness, that 1761 1762incessant tread of feet wearing the rough stones smooth and glossy--is 1763 1764it not a wonder how the dwellers in narrows ways can bear to hear it! 1765
1766Think of a sick man in such a place as Saint Martin's Court, listening 1767 1768to the footsteps, and in the midst of pain and weariness obliged, 1769 1770despite himself (as though it were a task he must perform) to detect 1771 1772the child's step from the man's, the slipshod beggar from the booted 1773 1774exquisite, the lounging from the busy, the dull heel of the sauntering 1775 1776outcast from the quick tread of an expectant pleasure-seeker--think of 1777 1778the hum and noise always being present to his sense, and of the stream 1779 1780of life that will not stop, pouring on, on, on, through all his 1781 1782restless dreams, as if he were condemned to lie, dead but conscious, in 1783 1784a noisy churchyard, and had no hope of rest for centuries to come.<br><br> 1785 1786Then, the crowds for ever passing and repassing on the bridges (on 1787 1788those which are free of toil at last), where many stop on fine evenings 1789 1790looking listlessly down upon the water with some vague idea that by and 1791 1792by it runs between green banks which grow wider and wider until at last 1793 1794it joins the broad vast sea--where some halt to rest from heavy loads 1795 1796and think as they look over the parapet that to smoke and lounge away 1797 1798one's life, and lie sleeping in the sun upon a hot tarpaulin, in a 1799 1800dull, slow, sluggish barge, must be happiness unalloyed--and where 1801 1802some, and a very different class, pause with heavier loads than they, 1803 1804remembering to have heard or read in old time that drowning was not a 1805 1806hard death, but of all means of suicide the easiest and best.<br><br> 1807 1808Covent Garden Market at sunrise too, in the spring or summer, when the 1809 1810fragrance of sweet flowers is in the air, over-powering even the 1811 1812unwholesome streams of last night's debauchery, and driving the dusky 1813 1814thrush, whose cage has hung outside a garret window all night long, 1815 1816half mad with joy! Poor bird! the only neighbouring thing at all akin 1817 1818to the other little captives, some of whom, shrinking from the hot 1819 1820hands of drunken purchasers, lie drooping on the path already, while 1821 1822others, soddened by close contact, await the time when they shall be 1823 1824watered and freshened up to please more sober company, and make old 1825 1826clerks who pass them on their road to business, wonder what has filled 1827 1828their breasts with visions of the country.<br><br> 1829 1830But my present purpose is not to expatiate upon my walks. The story I 1831 1832am about to relate, and to which I shall recur at intervals, arose out 1833 1834of one of these rambles; and thus I have been led to speak of them by 1835 1836way of preface.<br><br> 1837 1838One night I had roamed into the City, and was walking slowly on in my 1839 1840usual way, musing upon a great many things, when I was arrested by an 1841 1842inquiry, the purport of which did not reach me, but which seemed to be 1843 1844addressed to myself, and was preferred in a soft sweet voice that 1845 1846struck me very pleasantly. I turned hastily round and found at my elbow 1847 1848a pretty little girl, who begged to be directed to a certain street at 1849 1850a considerable distance, and indeed in quite another quarter of the 1851 1852town.<br><br> 1853 1854It is a very long way from here,' said I, 'my child.'<br><br> 1855 1856'I know that, sir,' she replied timidly. 'I am afraid it is a very long 1857 1858way, for I came from there to-night.'<br><br> 1859 1860'Alone?' said I, in some surprise.<br><br> 1861 1862'Oh, yes, I don't mind that, but I am a little frightened now, for I 1863 1864had lost my road.'<br><br> 1865 1866'And what made you ask it of me? Suppose I should tell you wrong?'<br><br> 1867 1868'I am sure you will not do that,' said the little creature,' you are 1869 1870such a very old gentleman, and walk so slow yourself.'<br><br> 1871 1872I cannot describe how much I was impressed by this appeal and the 1873 1874energy with which it was made, which brought a tear into the child's 1875 1876clear eye, and made her slight figure tremble as she looked up into my 1877 1878face.<br><br> 1879 1880'Come,' said I, 'I'll take you there.'<br><br> 1881 1882She put her hand in mine as confidingly as if she had known me from her 1883 1884cradle, and we trudged away together; the little creature accommodating 1885 1886her pace to mine, and rather seeming to lead and take care of me than I 1887 1888to be protecting her. I observed that every now and then she stole a 1889 1890curious look at my face, as if to make quite sure that I was not 1891 1892deceiving her, and that these glances (very sharp and keen they were 1893 1894too) seemed to increase her confidence at every repetition.<br><br> 1895 1896For my part, my curiosity and interest were at least equal to the 1897 1898child's, for child she certainly was, although I thought it probably 1899 1900from what I could make out, that her very small and delicate frame 1901 1902imparted a peculiar youthfulness to her appearance. Though more 1903 1904scantily attired than she might have been she was dressed with perfect 1905 1906neatness, and betrayed no marks of poverty or neglect.<br><br> 1907 1908'Who has sent you so far by yourself?' said I.<br><br> 1909 1910'Someone who is very kind to me, sir.'<br><br> 1911 1912'And what have you been doing?'<br><br> 1913 1914'That, I must not tell,' said the child firmly.<br><br> 1915 1916There was something in the manner of this reply which caused me to look 1917 1918at the little creature with an involuntary expression of surprise; for 1919 1920I wondered what kind of errand it might be that occasioned her to be 1921 1922prepared for questioning. Her quick eye seemed to read my thoughts, for 1923 1924as it met mine she added that there was no harm in what she had been 1925 1926doing, but it was a great secret--a secret which she did not even know 1927 1928herself.<br><br> 1929 1930This was said with no appearance of cunning or deceit, but with an 1931 1932unsuspicious frankness that bore the impress of truth. She walked on as 1933 1934before, growing more familiar with me as we proceeded and talking 1935 1936cheerfully by the way, but she said no more about her home, beyond 1937 1938remarking that we were going quite a new road and asking if it were a 1939 1940short one.<br><br> 1941 1942While we were thus engaged, I revolved in my mind a hundred different 1943 1944explanations of the riddle and rejected them every one. I really felt 1945 1946ashamed to take advantage of the ingenuousness or grateful feeling of 1947 1948the child for the purpose of gratifying my curiosity. I love these 1949 1950little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh 1951 1952from God, love us. As I had felt pleased at first by her confidence I 1953 1954determined to deserve it, and to do credit to the nature which had 1955 1956prompted her to repose it in me.<br><br> 1957 1958There was no reason, however, why I should refrain from seeing the 1959 1960person who had inconsiderately sent her to so great a distance by night 1961 1962and alone, and as it was not improbable that if she found herself near 1963 1964home she might take farewell of me and deprive me of the opportunity, I 1965 1966avoided the most frequented ways and took the most intricate, and thus 1967 1968it was not until we arrived in the street itself that she knew where we 1969 1970were. Clapping her hands with pleasure and running on before me for a 1971 1972short distance, my little acquaintance stopped at a door and remaining 1973 1974on the step till I came up knocked at it when I joined her.<br><br> 1975 1976A part of this door was of glass unprotected by any shutter, which I 1977 1978did not observe at first, for all was very dark and silent within, and 1979 1980I was anxious (as indeed the child was also) for an answer to our 1981 1982summons. When she had knocked twice or thrice there was a noise as if 1983 1984some person were moving inside, and at length a faint light appeared 1985 1986through the glass which, as it approached very slowly, the bearer 1987 1988having to make his way through a great many scattered articles, enabled 1989 1990me to see both what kind of person it was who advanced and what kind of 1991
1992place it was through which he came.<br><br> 1993 1994It was an old man with long grey hair, whose face and figure as he held 1995 1996the light above his head and looked before him as he approached, I 1997 1998could plainly see. Though much altered by age, I fancied I could 1999 2000recognize in his spare and slender form something of that delicate 2001 2002mould which I had noticed in the child. Their bright blue eyes were 2003 2004certainly alike, but his face was so deeply furrowed and so very full 2005 2006of care, that here all resemblance ceased.<br><br> 2007 2008The place through which he made his way at leisure was one of those 2009 2010receptacles for old and curious things which seem to crouch in odd 2011 2012corners of this town and to hide their musty treasures from the public 2013 2014eye in jealousy and distrust. There were suits of mail standing like 2015 2016ghosts in armour here and there, fantastic carvings brought from 2017 2018monkish cloisters, rusty weapons of various kinds, distorted figures in 2019 2020china and wood and iron and ivory: tapestry and strange furniture that 2021 2022might have been designed in dreams. The haggard aspect of the little 2023 2024old man was wonderfully suited to the place; he might have groped among 2025 2026old churches and tombs and deserted houses and gathered all the spoils 2027 2028with his own hands. There was nothing in the whole collection but was 2029 2030in keeping with himself nothing that looked older or more worn than he.<br><br> 2031 2032As he turned the key in the lock, he surveyed me with some astonishment 2033 2034which was not diminished when he looked from me to my companion. The 2035 2036door being opened, the child addressed him as grandfather, and told him 2037 2038the little story of our companionship.<br><br> 2039 2040'Why, bless thee, child,' said the old man, patting her on the head, 2041 2042'how couldst thou miss thy way? What if I had lost thee, Nell!'<br><br> 2043 2044'I would have found my way back to YOU, grandfather,' said the child 2045 2046boldly; 'never fear.'<br><br> 2047 2048The old man kissed her, then turning to me and begging me to walk in, I 2049 2050did so. The door was closed and locked. Preceding me with the light, he 2051 2052led me through the place I had already seen from without, into a small 2053 2054sitting-room behind, in which was another door opening into a kind of 2055 2056closet, where I saw a little bed that a fairy might have slept in, it 2057 2058looked so very small and was so prettily arranged. The child took a 2059 2060candle and tripped into this little room, leaving the old man and me 2061 2062together.<br><br> 2063 2064'You must be tired, sir,' said he as he placed a chair near the fire, 2065 2066'how can I thank you?'<br><br> 2067 2068'By taking more care of your grandchild another time, my good friend,' 2069 2070I replied.<br><br> 2071 2072'More care!' said the old man in a shrill voice, 'more care of Nelly! 2073 2074Why, who ever loved a child as I love Nell?'<br><br> 2075 2076He said this with such evident surprise that I was perplexed what 2077 2078answer to make, and the more so because coupled with something feeble 2079 2080and wandering in his manner, there were in his face marks of deep and 2081 2082anxious thought which convinced me that he could not be, as I had been 2083 2084at first inclined to suppose, in a state of dotage or imbecility.<br><br> 2085 2086'I don't think you consider--' I began.<br><br> 2087 2088'I don't consider!' cried the old man interrupting me, 'I don't 2089 2090consider her! Ah, how little you know of the truth! Little Nelly, 2091 2092little Nelly!'<br><br> 2093 2094It would be impossible for any man, I care not what his form of speech 2095 2096might be, to express more affection than the dealer in curiosities did, 2097 2098in these four words. I waited for him to speak again, but he rested his 2099 2100chin upon his hand and shaking his head twice or thrice fixed his eyes 2101 2102upon the fire.<br><br> 2103 2104While we were sitting thus in silence, the door of the closet opened, 2105 2106and the child returned, her light brown hair hanging loose about her 2107 2108neck, and her face flushed with the haste she had made to rejoin us. 2109 2110She busied herself immediately in preparing supper, and while she was 2111 2112thus engaged I remarked that the old man took an opportunity of 2113 2114observing me more closely than he had done yet. I was surprised to see 2115 2116that all this time everything was done by the child, and that there 2117 2118appeared to be no other persons but ourselves in the house. I took 2119 2120advantage of a moment when she was absent to venture a hint on this 2121 2122point, to which the old man replied that there were few grown persons 2123 2124as trustworthy or as careful as she.<br><br> 2125 2126'It always grieves me,' I observed, roused by what I took to be his 2127 2128selfishness, 'it always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of 2129 2130children into the ways of life, when they are scarcely more than 2131 2132infants. It checks their confidence and simplicity--two of the best 2133 2134qualities that Heaven gives them--and demands that they share our 2135 2136sorrows before they are capable of entering into our enjoyments.'<br><br> 2137 2138'It will never check hers,' said the old man looking steadily at me, 2139 2140'the springs are too deep. Besides, the children of the poor know but 2141 2142few pleasures. Even the cheap delights of childhood must be bought and 2143 2144paid for.<br><br> 2145 2146'But--forgive me for saying this--you are surely not so very 2147 2148poor'--said I.<br><br> 2149 2150'She is not my child, sir,' returned the old man. 'Her mother was, and 2151 2152she was poor. I save nothing--not a penny--though I live as you see, 2153 2154but'--he laid his hand upon my arm and leant forward to whisper--'she 2155 2156shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don't you think ill 2157 2158of me because I use her help. She gives it cheerfully as you see, and 2159 2160it would break her heart if she knew that I suffered anybody else to do 2161 2162for me what her little hands could undertake. I don't consider!'--he 2163 2164cried with sudden querulousness, 'why, God knows that this one child is 2165 2166the thought and object of my life, and yet he never prospers me--no, 2167 2168never!'<br><br> 2169 2170At this juncture, the subject of our conversation again returned, and 2171 2172the old man motioning to me to approach the table, broke off, and said 2173 2174no more.<br><br> 2175 2176We had scarcely begun our repast when there was a knock at the door by 2177 2178which I had entered, and Nell bursting into a hearty laugh, which I was 2179 2180rejoiced to hear, for it was childlike and full of hilarity, said it 2181 2182was no doubt dear old Kit coming back at last.<br><br> 2183 2184'Foolish Nell!' said the old man fondling with her hair. 'She always 2185 2186laughs at poor Kit.'<br><br> 2187 2188The child laughed again more heartily than before, and I could not help 2189 2190smiling from pure sympathy. The little old man took up a candle and 2191 2192went to open the door. When he came back, Kit was at his heels.<br><br> 2193 2194Kit was a shock-headed, shambling, awkward lad with an uncommonly wide 2195 2196mouth, very red cheeks, a turned-up nose, and certainly the most 2197 2198comical expression of face I ever saw. He stopped short at the door on 2199 2200seeing a stranger, twirled in his hand a perfectly round old hat 2201 2202without any vestige of a brim, and resting himself now on one leg and 2203 2204now on the other and changing them constantly, stood in the doorway, 2205 2206looking into the parlour with the most extraordinary leer I ever 2207 2208beheld. I entertained a grateful feeling towards the boy from that 2209 2210minute, for I felt that he was the comedy of the child's life.<br><br> 2211 2212'A long way, wasn't it, Kit?' said the little old man.<br><br> 2213 2214'Why, then, it was a goodish stretch, master,' returned Kit.<br><br> 2215 2216'Of course you have come back hungry?'<br><br> 2217 2218'Why, then, I do consider myself rather so, master,' was the answer.<br><br> 2219 2220The lad had a remarkable manner of standing sideways as he spoke, and 2221 2222thrusting his head forward over his shoulder, as if he could not get at 2223 2224his voice without that accompanying action. I think he would have 2225 2226amused one anywhere, but the child's exquisite enjoyment of his oddity, 2227 2228and the relief it was to find that there was something she associated 2229 2230with merriment in a place that appeared so unsuited to her, were quite 2231 2232irresistible. It was a great point too that Kit himself was flattered 2233 2234by the sensation he created, and after several efforts to preserve his 2235 2236gravity, burst into a loud roar, and so stood with his mouth wide open 2237 2238and his eyes nearly shut, laughing violently.<br><br> 2239 2240The old man had again relapsed into his former abstraction and took no 2241 2242notice of what passed, but I remarked that when her laugh was over, the 2243 2244child's bright eyes were dimmed with tears, called forth by the 2245 2246fullness of heart with which she welcomed her uncouth favourite after 2247 2248the little anxiety of the night. As for Kit himself (whose laugh had 2249 2250been all the time one of that sort which very little would change into 2251 2252a cry) he carried a large slice of bread and meat and a mug of beer 2253 2254into a corner, and applied himself to disposing of them with great 2255 2256voracity.<br><br> 2257 2258'Ah!' said the old man turning to me with a sigh, as if I had spoken to 2259
2260him but that moment, 'you don't know what you say when you tell me that 2261 2262I don't consider her.'<br><br> 2263 2264'You must not attach too great weight to a remark founded on first 2265 2266appearances, my friend,' said I.<br><br> 2267 2268'No,' returned the old man thoughtfully, 'no. Come hither, Nell.'<br><br> 2269 2270The little girl hastened from her seat, and put her arm about his neck.<br><br> 2271 2272'Do I love thee, Nell?' said he. 'Say--do I love thee, Nell, or no?'<br><br> 2273 2274The child only answered by her caresses, and laid her head upon his 2275 2276breast.<br><br> 2277 2278'Why dost thou sob?' said the grandfather, pressing her closer to him 2279 2280and glancing towards me. 'Is it because thou know'st I love thee, and 2281 2282dost not like that I should seem to doubt it by my question? Well, 2283 2284well--then let us say I love thee dearly.'<br><br> 2285 2286'Indeed, indeed you do,' replied the child with great earnestness, 'Kit 2287 2288knows you do.'<br><br> 2289 2290Kit, who in despatching his bread and meat had been swallowing 2291 2292two-thirds of his knife at every mouthful with the coolness of a 2293 2294juggler, stopped short in his operations on being thus appealed to, and 2295 2296bawled 'Nobody isn't such a fool as to say he doosn't,' after which he 2297 2298incapacitated himself for further conversation by taking a most 2299 2300prodigious sandwich at one bite.<br><br> 2301 2302'She is poor now'--said the old man, patting the child's cheek, 'but I 2303 2304say again that the time is coming when she shall be rich. It has been a 2305 2306long time coming, but it must come at last; a very long time, but it 2307 2308surely must come. It has come to other men who do nothing but waste and 2309 2310riot. When WILL it come to me!'<br><br> 2311 2312'I am very happy as I am, grandfather,' said the child.<br><br> 2313 2314'Tush, tush!' returned the old man, 'thou dost not know--how should'st 2315 2316thou!' then he muttered again between his teeth, 'The time must come, I 2317 2318am very sure it must. It will be all the better for coming late'; and 2319 2320then he sighed and fell into his former musing state, and still holding 2321 2322the child between his knees appeared to be insensible to everything 2323 2324around him. By this time it wanted but a few minutes of midnight and I 2325 2326rose to go, which recalled him to himself.<br><br> 2327 2328'One moment, sir,' he said, 'Now, Kit--near midnight, boy, and you 2329 2330still here! Get home, get home, and be true to your time in the 2331 2332morning, for there's work to do. Good night! There, bid him good night, 2333 2334Nell, and let him be gone!'<br><br> 2335 2336'Good night, Kit,' said the child, her eyes lighting up with merriment 2337 2338and kindness.'<br><br> 2339 2340'Good night, Miss Nell,' returned the boy.<br><br> 2341 2342'And thank this gentleman,' interposed the old man, 'but for whose care 2343 2344I might have lost my little girl to-night.'<br><br> 2345 2346'No, no, master,' said Kit, 'that won't do, that won't.'<br><br> 2347 2348'What do you mean?' cried the old man.<br><br> 2349 2350'I'd have found her, master,' said Kit, 'I'd have found her. I'll bet 2351 2352that I'd find her if she was above ground, I would, as quick as 2353 2354anybody, master. Ha, ha, ha!'<br><br> 2355 2356Once more opening his mouth and shutting his eyes, and laughing like a 2357 2358stentor, Kit gradually backed to the door, and roared himself out.<br><br> 2359 2360Free of the room, the boy was not slow in taking his departure; when he 2361 2362had gone, and the child was occupied in clearing the table, the old man 2363 2364said:<br><br> 2365 2366'I haven't seemed to thank you, sir, for what you have done to-night, 2367 2368but I do thank you humbly and heartily, and so does she, and her thanks 2369 2370are better worth than mine. I should be sorry that you went away, and 2371 2372thought I was unmindful of your goodness, or careless of her--I am not 2373 2374indeed.'<br><br> 2375 2376I was sure of that, I said, from what I had seen. 'But,' I added, 'may 2377 2378I ask you a question?'<br><br> 2379 2380'Ay, sir,' replied the old man, 'What is it?'<br><br> 2381 2382'This delicate child,' said I, 'with so much beauty and 2383 2384intelligence--has she nobody to care for her but you? Has she no other 2385 2386companion or advisor?'<br><br> 2387 2388'No,' he returned, looking anxiously in my face, 'no, and she wants no 2389 2390other.'<br><br> 2391 2392'But are you not fearful,' said I, 'that you may misunderstand a charge 2393 2394so tender? I am sure you mean well, but are you quite certain that you 2395 2396know how to execute such a trust as this? I am an old man, like you, 2397 2398and I am actuated by an old man's concern in all that is young and 2399 2400promising. Do you not think that what I have seen of you and this 2401 2402little creature to-night must have an interest not wholly free from 2403 2404pain?'<br><br> 2405 2406'Sir,' rejoined the old man after a moment's silence.' I have no right 2407 2408to feel hurt at what you say. It is true that in many respects I am the 2409 2410child, and she the grown person--that you have seen already. But waking 2411 2412or sleeping, by night or day, in sickness or health, she is the one 2413 2414object of my care, and if you knew of how much care, you would look on 2415 2416me with different eyes, you would indeed. Ah! It's a weary life for an 2417 2418old man--a weary, weary life--but there is a great end to gain and that 2419 2420I keep before me.'<br><br> 2421 2422Seeing that he was in a state of excitement and impatience, I turned to 2423 2424put on an outer coat which I had thrown off on entering the room, 2425 2426purposing to say no more. I was surprised to see the child standing 2427
2428patiently by with a cloak upon her arm, and in her hand a hat, and 2429 2430stick.<br><br> 2431 2432'Those are not mine, my dear,' said I.<br><br> 2433 2434'No,' returned the child, 'they are grandfather's.'<br><br> 2435 2436'But he is not going out to-night.'<br><br> 2437 2438'Oh, yes, he is,' said the child, with a smile.<br><br> 2439 2440'And what becomes of you, my pretty one?'<br><br> 2441 2442'Me! I stay here of course. I always do.'<br><br> 2443 2444I looked in astonishment towards the old man, but he was, or feigned to 2445 2446be, busied in the arrangement of his dress. From him I looked back to 2447 2448the slight gentle figure of the child. Alone! In that gloomy place all 2449 2450the long, dreary night.<br><br> 2451 2452She evinced no consciousness of my surprise, but cheerfully helped the 2453 2454old man with his cloak, and when he was ready took a candle to light us 2455 2456out. Finding that we did not follow as she expected, she looked back 2457 2458with a smile and waited for us. The old man showed by his face that he 2459 2460plainly understood the cause of my hesitation, but he merely signed to 2461 2462me with an inclination of the head to pass out of the room before him, 2463 2464and remained silent. I had no resource but to comply.<br><br> 2465 2466When we reached the door, the child setting down the candle, turned to 2467 2468say good night and raised her face to kiss me. Then she ran to the old 2469 2470man, who folded her in his arms and bade God bless her.<br><br> 2471 2472'Sleep soundly, Nell,' he said in a low voice, 'and angels guard thy 2473 2474bed! Do not forget thy prayers, my sweet.'<br><br> 2475 2476'No, indeed,' answered the child fervently, 'they make me feel so 2477 2478happy!'<br><br> 2479 2480'That's well; I know they do; they should,' said the old man. 'Bless 2481 2482thee a hundred times! Early in the morning I shall be home.'<br><br> 2483 2484'You'll not ring twice,' returned the child. 'The bell wakes me, even 2485 2486in the middle of a dream.'<br><br> 2487 2488With this, they separated. The child opened the door (now guarded by a 2489 2490shutter which I had heard the boy put up before he left the house) and 2491 2492with another farewell whose clear and tender note I have recalled a 2493 2494thousand times, held it until we had passed out. The old man paused a 2495 2496moment while it was gently closed and fastened on the inside, and 2497 2498satisfied that this was done, walked on at a slow pace. At the 2499 2500street-corner he stopped, and regarding me with a troubled countenance 2501 2502said that our ways were widely different and that he must take his 2503 2504leave. I would have spoken, but summoning up more alacrity than might 2505 2506have been expected in one of his appearance, he hurried away. I could 2507 2508see that twice or thrice he looked back as if to ascertain if I were 2509 2510still watching him, or perhaps to assure himself that I was not 2511 2512following at a distance. The obscurity of the night favoured his 2513 2514disappearance, and his figure was soon beyond my sight.<br><br> 2515 2516I remained standing on the spot where he had left me, unwilling to 2517 2518depart, and yet unknowing why I should loiter there. I looked wistfully 2519 2520into the street we had lately quitted, and after a time directed my 2521 2522steps that way. I passed and repassed the house, and stopped and 2523 2524listened at the door; all was dark, and silent as the grave.<br><br> 2525 2526Yet I lingered about, and could not tear myself away, thinking of all 2527 2528possible harm that might happen to the child--of fires and robberies 2529 2530and even murder--and feeling as if some evil must ensue if I turned my 2531 2532back upon the place. The closing of a door or window in the street 2533 2534brought me before the curiosity-dealer's once more; I crossed the road 2535 2536and looked up at the house to assure myself that the noise had not come 2537 2538from there. No, it was black, cold, and lifeless as before.<br><br> 2539 2540There were few passengers astir; the street was sad and dismal, and 2541 2542pretty well my own. A few stragglers from the theatres hurried by, and 2543 2544now and then I turned aside to avoid some noisy drunkard as he reeled 2545 2546homewards, but these interruptions were not frequent and soon ceased. 2547 2548The clocks struck one. Still I paced up and down, promising myself that 2549 2550every time should be the last, and breaking faith with myself on some 2551 2552new plea as often as I did so.<br><br> 2553 2554The more I thought of what the old man had said, and of his looks and 2555 2556bearing, the less I could account for what I had seen and heard. I had 2557 2558a strong misgiving that his nightly absence was for no good purpose. I 2559 2560had only come to know the fact through the innocence of the child, and 2561 2562though the old man was by at the time, and saw my undisguised surprise, 2563 2564he had preserved a strange mystery upon the subject and offered no word 2565 2566of explanation. These reflections naturally recalled again more 2567 2568strongly than before his haggard face, his wandering manner, his 2569 2570restless anxious looks. His affection for the child might not be 2571 2572inconsistent with villany of the worst kind; even that very affection 2573 2574was in itself an extraordinary contradiction, or how could he leave her 2575 2576thus? Disposed as I was to think badly of him, I never doubted that his 2577 2578love for her was real. I could not admit the thought, remembering what 2579 2580had passed between us, and the tone of voice in which he had called her 2581 2582by her name.<br><br> 2583 2584'Stay here of course,' the child had said in answer to my question, 'I 2585
2586always do!' What could take him from home by night, and every night! I 2587 2588called up all the strange tales I had ever heard of dark and secret 2589 2590deeds committed in great towns and escaping detection for a long series 2591 2592of years; wild as many of these stories were, I could not find one 2593 2594adapted to this mystery, which only became the more impenetrable, in 2595 2596proportion as I sought to solve it.<br><br> 2597 2598Occupied with such thoughts as these, and a crowd of others all tending 2599 2600to the same point, I continued to pace the street for two long hours; 2601 2602at length the rain began to descend heavily, and then over-powered by 2603 2604fatigue though no less interested than I had been at first, I engaged 2605 2606the nearest coach and so got home. A cheerful fire was blazing on the 2607 2608hearth, the lamp burnt brightly, my clock received me with its old 2609 2610familiar welcome; everything was quiet, warm and cheering, and in happy 2611 2612contrast to the gloom and darkness I had quitted.<br><br> 2613 2614But all that night, waking or in my sleep, the same thoughts recurred 2615 2616and the same images retained possession of my brain. I had ever before 2617 2618me the old dark murky rooms--the gaunt suits of mail with their ghostly 2619 2620silent air--the faces all awry, grinning from wood and stone--the dust 2621 2622and rust and worm that lives in wood--and alone in the midst of all 2623 2624this lumber and decay and ugly age, the beautiful child in her gentle 2625 2626slumber, smiling through her light and sunny dreams.<br><br> 2627 2628CHAPTER 2<br><br> 2629 2630After combating, for nearly a week, the feeling which impelled me to 2631 2632revisit the place I had quitted under the circumstances already 2633 2634detailed, I yielded to it at length; and determining that this time I 2635 2636would present myself by the light of day, bent my steps thither early 2637 2638in the morning.<br><br> 2639 2640I walked past the house, and took several turns in the street, with 2641 2642that kind of hesitation which is natural to a man who is conscious that 2643 2644the visit he is about to pay is unexpected, and may not be very 2645 2646acceptable. However, as the door of the shop was shut, and it did not 2647 2648appear likely that I should be recognized by those within, if I 2649 2650continued merely to pass up and down before it, I soon conquered this 2651 2652irresolution, and found myself in the Curiosity Dealer's warehouse.<br><br> 2653 2654The old man and another person were together in the back part, and 2655 2656there seemed to have been high words between them, for their voices 2657 2658which were raised to a very high pitch suddenly stopped on my entering, 2659 2660and the old man advancing hastily towards me, said in a tremulous tone 2661 2662that he was very glad I had come.<br><br> 2663 2664'You interrupted us at a critical moment,' said he, pointing to the man 2665 2666whom I had found in company with him; 'this fellow will murder me one 2667 2668of these days. He would have done so, long ago, if he had dared.'<br><br> 2669 2670'Bah! You would swear away my life if you could,' returned the other, 2671 2672after bestowing a stare and a frown on me; 'we all know that!'<br><br> 2673 2674'I almost think I could,' cried the old man, turning feebly upon him. 2675 2676'If oaths, or prayers, or words, could rid me of you, they should. I 2677 2678would be quit of you, and would be relieved if you were dead.'<br><br> 2679 2680'I know it,' returned the other. 'I said so, didn't I? But neither 2681 2682oaths, or prayers, nor words, WILL kill me, and therefore I live, and 2683 2684mean to live.'<br><br> 2685 2686'And his mother died!' cried the old man, passionately clasping his 2687 2688hands and looking upward; 'and this is Heaven's justice!'<br><br> 2689 2690The other stood lunging with his foot upon a chair, and regarded him 2691 2692with a contemptuous sneer. He was a young man of one-and-twenty or 2693 2694thereabouts; well made, and certainly handsome, though the expression 2695 2696of his face was far from prepossessing, having in common with his 2697 2698manner and even his dress, a dissipated, insolent air which repelled 2699 2700one.<br><br> 2701 2702'Justice or no justice,' said the young fellow, 'here I am and here I 2703 2704shall stop till such time as I think fit to go, unless you send for 2705 2706assistance to put me out--which you won't do, I know. I tell you again 2707 2708that I want to see my sister.'<br><br> 2709 2710'YOUR sister!' said the old man bitterly.<br><br> 2711 2712'Ah! You can't change the relationship,' returned the other. 'If you 2713 2714could, you'd have done it long ago. I want to see my sister, that you 2715 2716keep cooped up here, poisoning her mind with your sly secrets and 2717 2718pretending an affection for her that you may work her to death, and add 2719 2720a few scraped shillings every week to the money you can hardly count. I 2721 2722want to see her; and I will.'<br><br> 2723 2724'Here's a moralist to talk of poisoned minds! Here's a generous spirit 2725 2726to scorn scraped-up shillings!' cried the old man, turning from him to 2727 2728me. 'A profligate, sir, who has forfeited every claim not only upon 2729 2730those who have the misfortune to be of his blood, but upon society 2731 2732which knows nothing of him but his misdeeds. A liar too,' he added, in 2733 2734a lower voice as he drew closer to me, 'who knows how dear she is to 2735 2736me, and seeks to wound me even there, because there is a stranger 2737 2738nearby.'<br><br> 2739 2740'Strangers are nothing to me, grandfather,' said the young fellow 2741 2742catching at the word, 'nor I to them, I hope. The best they can do, is 2743 2744to keep an eye to their business and leave me to mind. There's a friend 2745 2746of mine waiting outside, and as it seems that I may have to wait some 2747 2748time, I'll call him in, with your leave.'<br><br> 2749 2750Saying this, he stepped to the door, and looking down the street 2751 2752beckoned several times to some unseen person, who, to judge from the 2753 2754air of impatience with which these signals were accompanied, required a 2755 2756great quantity of persuasion to induce him to advance. At length there 2757 2758sauntered up, on the opposite side of the way--with a bad pretense of 2759 2760passing by accident--a figure conspicuous for its dirty smartness, 2761 2762which after a great many frowns and jerks of the head, in resistance of 2763 2764the invitation, ultimately crossed the road and was brought into the 2765 2766shop.<br><br> 2767 2768'There. It's Dick Swiveller,' said the young fellow, pushing him in. 2769 2770'Sit down, Swiveller.'<br><br> 2771 2772'But is the old min agreeable?' said Mr Swiveller in an undertone.<br><br> 2773 2774Mr Swiveller complied, and looking about him with a propitiatory smile, 2775 2776observed that last week was a fine week for the ducks, and this week 2777 2778was a fine week for the dust; he also observed that whilst standing by 2779 2780the post at the street-corner, he had observed a pig with a straw in 2781 2782his mouth issuing out of the tobacco-shop, from which appearance he 2783 2784augured that another fine week for the ducks was approaching, and that 2785 2786rain would certainly ensue. He furthermore took occasion to apologize 2787 2788for any negligence that might be perceptible in his dress, on the 2789 2790ground that last night he had had 'the sun very strong in his eyes'; by 2791 2792which expression he was understood to convey to his hearers in the most 2793 2794delicate manner possible, the information that he had been extremely 2795 2796drunk.<br><br> 2797 2798'But what,' said Mr Swiveller with a sigh, 'what is the odds so long as 2799 2800the fire of soul is kindled at the taper of conwiviality, and the wing 2801 2802of friendship never moults a feather! What is the odds so long as the 2803 2804spirit is expanded by means of rosy wine, and the present moment is the 2805 2806least happiest of our existence!'<br><br> 2807 2808'You needn't act the chairman here,' said his friend, half aside.<br><br> 2809
2810'Fred!' cried Mr Swiveller, tapping his nose, 'a word to the wise is 2811 2812sufficient for them--we may be good and happy without riches, Fred. 2813 2814Say not another syllable. I know my cue; smart is the word. Only one 2815 2816little whisper, Fred--is the old min friendly?'<br><br> 2817 2818'Never you mind,' replied his friend.<br><br> 2819 2820'Right again, quite right,' said Mr Swiveller, 'caution is the word, 2821 2822and caution is the act.' with that, he winked as if in preservation of 2823 2824some deep secret, and folding his arms and leaning back in his chair, 2825 2826looked up at the ceiling with profound gravity.<br><br> 2827 2828It was perhaps not very unreasonable to suspect from what had already 2829 2830passed, that Mr Swiveller was not quite recovered from the effects of 2831 2832the powerful sunlight to which he had made allusion; but if no such 2833 2834suspicion had been awakened by his speech, his wiry hair, dull eyes, 2835 2836and sallow face would still have been strong witnesses against him. His 2837 2838attire was not, as he had himself hinted, remarkable for the nicest 2839 2840arrangement, but was in a state of disorder which strongly induced the 2841 2842idea that he had gone to bed in it. It consisted of a brown body-coat 2843 2844with a great many brass buttons up the front and only one behind, a 2845 2846bright check neckerchief, a plaid waistcoat, soiled white trousers, and 2847 2848a very limp hat, worn with the wrong side foremost, to hide a hole in 2849 2850the brim. The breast of his coat was ornamented with an outside pocket 2851 2852from which there peeped forth the cleanest end of a very large and very 2853 2854ill-favoured handkerchief; his dirty wristbands were pulled on as far 2855 2856as possible and ostentatiously folded back over his cuffs; he displayed 2857 2858no gloves, and carried a yellow cane having at the top a bone hand with 2859 2860the semblance of a ring on its little finger and a black ball in its 2861 2862grasp. With all these personal advantages (to which may be added a 2863 2864strong savour of tobacco-smoke, and a prevailing greasiness of 2865 2866appearance) Mr Swiveller leant back in his chair with his eyes fixed on 2867 2868the ceiling, and occasionally pitching his voice to the needful key, 2869 2870obliged the company with a few bars of an intensely dismal air, and 2871 2872then, in the middle of a note, relapsed into his former silence.<br><br> 2873 2874The old man sat himself down in a chair, and with folded hands, looked 2875 2876sometimes at his grandson and sometimes at his strange companion, as if 2877 2878he were utterly powerless and had no resource but to leave them to do 2879 2880as they pleased. The young man reclined against a table at no great 2881 2882distance from his friend, in apparent indifference to everything that 2883 2884had passed; and I--who felt the difficulty of any interference, 2885 2886notwithstanding that the old man had appealed to me, both by words and 2887 2888looks--made the best feint I could of being occupied in examining some 2889 2890of the goods that were disposed for sale, and paying very little 2891 2892attention to a person before me.<br><br> 2893 2894The silence was not of long duration, for Mr Swiveller, after favouring 2895 2896us with several melodious assurances that his heart was in the 2897 2898Highlands, and that he wanted but his Arab steed as a preliminary to 2899 2900the achievement of great feats of valour and loyalty, removed his eyes 2901 2902from the ceiling and subsided into prose again.<br><br> 2903 2904'Fred,' said Mr Swiveller stopping short, as if the idea had suddenly 2905 2906occurred to him, and speaking in the same audible whisper as before, 2907 2908'is the old min friendly?'<br><br> 2909 2910'What does it matter?' returned his friend peevishly.<br><br> 2911 2912'No, but IS he?' said Dick.<br><br> 2913 2914'Yes, of course. What do I care whether he is or not?'<br><br> 2915 2916Emboldened as it seemed by this reply to enter into a more general 2917 2918conversation, Mr Swiveller plainly laid himself out to captivate our 2919 2920attention.<br><br> 2921 2922He began by remarking that soda-water, though a good thing in the 2923 2924abstract, was apt to lie cold upon the stomach unless qualified with 2925 2926ginger, or a small infusion of brandy, which latter article he held to 2927 2928be preferable in all cases, saving for the one consideration of 2929 2930expense. Nobody venturing to dispute these positions, he proceeded to 2931 2932observe that the human hair was a great retainer of tobacco-smoke, and 2933 2934that the young gentlemen of Westminster and Eton, after eating vast 2935 2936quantities of apples to conceal any scent of cigars from their anxious 2937 2938friends, were usually detected in consequence of their heads possessing 2939 2940this remarkable property; when he concluded that if the Royal Society 2941 2942would turn their attention to the circumstance, and endeavour to find 2943 2944in the resources of science a means of preventing such untoward 2945 2946revelations, they might indeed be looked upon as benefactors to 2947 2948mankind. These opinions being equally incontrovertible with those he 2949 2950had already pronounced, he went on to inform us that Jamaica rum, 2951 2952though unquestionably an agreeable spirit of great richness and 2953 2954flavour, had the drawback of remaining constantly present to the taste 2955 2956next day; and nobody being venturous enough to argue this point either, 2957 2958he increased in confidence and became yet more companionable and 2959 2960communicative.<br><br> 2961 2962'It's a devil of a thing, gentlemen,' said Mr Swiveller, 'when 2963 2964relations fall out and disagree. If the wing of friendship should never 2965 2966moult a feather, the wing of relationship should never be clipped, but 2967 2968be always expanded and serene. Why should a grandson and grandfather 2969 2970peg away at each other with mutual wiolence when all might be bliss and 2971 2972concord. Why not jine hands and forgit it?'<br><br> 2973 2974'Hold your tongue,' said his friend.<br><br> 2975 2976'Sir,' replied Mr Swiveller, 'don't you interrupt the chair. 2977 2978Gentlemen, how does the case stand, upon the present occasion? Here is 2979 2980a jolly old grandfather--I say it with the utmost respect--and here is 2981 2982a wild, young grandson. The jolly old grandfather says to the wild 2983 2984young grandson, 'I have brought you up and educated you, Fred; I have 2985 2986put you in the way of getting on in life; you have bolted a little out 2987 2988of course, as young fellows often do; and you shall never have another 2989 2990chance, nor the ghost of half a one.' The wild young grandson makes 2991 2992answer to this and says, 'You're as rich as rich can be; you have been 2993 2994at no uncommon expense on my account, you're saving up piles of money 2995 2996for my little sister that lives with you in a secret, stealthy, 2997 2998hugger-muggering kind of way and with no manner of enjoyment--why can't 2999 3000you stand a trifle for your grown-up relation?' The jolly old 3001 3002grandfather unto this, retorts, not only that he declines to fork out 3003 3004with that cheerful readiness which is always so agreeable and pleasant 3005 3006in a gentleman of his time of life, but that he will bow up, and call 3007 3008names, and make reflections whenever they meet. Then the plain question 3009 3010is, an't it a pity that this state of things should continue, and how 3011 3012much better would it be for the gentleman to hand over a reasonable 3013 3014amount of tin, and make it all right and comfortable?'<br><br> 3015 3016Having delivered this oration with a great many waves and flourishes of 3017 3018the hand, Mr Swiveller abruptly thrust the head of his cane into his 3019 3020mouth as if to prevent himself from impairing the effect of his speech 3021 3022by adding one other word.<br><br> 3023 3024'Why do you hunt and persecute me, God help me!' said the old man 3025
3026turning to his grandson. 'Why do you bring your prolifigate companions 3027 3028here? How often am I to tell you that my life is one of care and 3029 3030self-denial, and that I am poor?'<br><br> 3031 3032'How often am I to tell you,' returned the other, looking coldly at 3033 3034him, 'that I know better?'<br><br> 3035 3036'You have chosen your own path,' said the old man. 'Follow it. Leave 3037 3038Nell and me to toil and work.'<br><br> 3039 3040'Nell will be a woman soon,' returned the other, 'and, bred in your 3041 3042faith, she'll forget her brother unless he shows himself sometimes.'<br><br> 3043 3044'Take care,' said the old man with sparkling eyes, 'that she does not 3045 3046forget you when you would have her memory keenest. Take care that the 3047 3048day don't come when you walk barefoot in the streets, and she rides by 3049 3050in a gay carriage of her own.'<br><br> 3051 3052'You mean when she has your money?' retorted the other. 'How like a 3053 3054poor man he talks!'<br><br> 3055 3056'And yet,' said the old man dropping his voice and speaking like one 3057 3058who thinks aloud, 'how poor we are, and what a life it is! The cause is 3059 3060a young child's guiltless of all harm or wrong, but nothing goes well 3061 3062with it! Hope and patience, hope and patience!'<br><br> 3063 3064These words were uttered in too low a tone to reach the ears of the 3065 3066young men. Mr Swiveller appeared to think that they implied some mental 3067 3068struggle consequent upon the powerful effect of his address, for he 3069 3070poked his friend with his cane and whispered his conviction that he had 3071 3072administered 'a clincher,' and that he expected a commission on the 3073 3074profits. Discovering his mistake after a while, he appeared to grow 3075 3076rather sleepy and discontented, and had more than once suggested the 3077 3078propriety of an immediate departure, when the door opened, and the 3079 3080child herself appeared.<br><br> 3081 3082CHAPTER 3<br><br> 3083 3084The child was closely followed by an elderly man of remarkably hard 3085 3086features and forbidding aspect, and so low in stature as to be quite a 3087 3088dwarf, though his head and face were large enough for the body of a 3089 3090giant. His black eyes were restless, sly, and cunning; his mouth and 3091 3092chin, bristly with the stubble of a coarse hard beard; and his 3093 3094complexion was one of that kind which never looks clean or wholesome. 3095 3096But what added most to the grotesque expression of his face was a 3097 3098ghastly smile, which, appearing to be the mere result of habit and to 3099 3100have no connection with any mirthful or complacent feeling, constantly 3101 3102revealed the few discoloured fangs that were yet scattered in his 3103 3104mouth, and gave him the aspect of a panting dog. His dress consisted of 3105 3106a large high-crowned hat, a worn dark suit, a pair of capacious shoes, 3107 3108and a dirty white neckerchief sufficiently limp and crumpled to 3109 3110disclose the greater portion of his wiry throat. Such hair as he had 3111 3112was of a grizzled black, cut short and straight upon his temples, and 3113 3114hanging in a frowzy fringe about his ears. His hands, which were of a 3115 3116rough, coarse grain, were very dirty; his fingernails were crooked, 3117 3118long, and yellow.<br><br> 3119 3120There was ample time to note these particulars, for besides that they 3121 3122were sufficiently obvious without very close observation, some moments 3123 3124elapsed before any one broke silence. The child advanced timidly 3125 3126towards her brother and put her hand in his, the dwarf (if we may call 3127 3128him so) glanced keenly at all present, and the curiosity-dealer, who 3129 3130plainly had not expected his uncouth visitor, seemed disconcerted and 3131 3132embarrassed.<br><br> 3133 3134'Ah!' said the dwarf, who with his hand stretched out above his eyes 3135 3136had been surveying the young man attentively, 'that should be your 3137 3138grandson, neighbour!'<br><br> 3139 3140'Say rather that he should not be,' replied the old man. 'But he is.'<br><br> 3141 3142'And that?' said the dwarf, pointing to Dick Swiveller.<br><br> 3143 3144'Some friend of his, as welcome here as he,' said the old man.<br><br> 3145 3146'And that?' inquired the dwarf, wheeling round and pointing straight at 3147 3148me.<br><br> 3149 3150'A gentleman who was so good as to bring Nell home the other night when 3151 3152she lost her way, coming from your house.'<br><br> 3153 3154The little man turned to the child as if to chide her or express his 3155 3156wonder, but as she was talking to the young man, held his peace, and 3157 3158bent his head to listen.<br><br> 3159 3160'Well, Nelly,' said the young fellow aloud. 'Do they teach you to hate 3161 3162me, eh?'<br><br> 3163 3164'No, no. For shame. Oh, no!' cried the child.<br><br> 3165 3166'To love me, perhaps?' pursued her brother with a sneer.<br><br> 3167 3168'To do neither,' she returned. 'They never speak to me about you. 3169 3170Indeed they never do.'<br><br> 3171 3172'I dare be bound for that,' he said, darting a bitter look at the 3173 3174grandfather. 'I dare be bound for that Nell. Oh! I believe you there!'<br><br> 3175 3176'But I love you dearly, Fred,' said the child.<br><br> 3177 3178'No doubt!'<br><br> 3179 3180'I do indeed, and always will,' the child repeated with great emotion, 3181 3182'but oh! If you would leave off vexing him and making him unhappy, then 3183 3184I could love you more.'<br><br> 3185 3186'I see!' said the young man, as he stooped carelessly over the child, 3187 3188and having kissed her, pushed her from him: 'There--get you away now 3189 3190you have said your lesson. You needn't whimper. We part good friends 3191 3192enough, if that's the matter.'<br><br> 3193 3194He remained silent, following her with his eyes, until she had gained 3195 3196her little room and closed the door; and then turning to the dwarf, 3197 3198said abruptly,<br><br> 3199
3200'Harkee, Mr--'<br><br> 3201 3202'Meaning me?' returned the dwarf. 'Quilp is my name. You might 3203 3204remember. It's not a long one--Daniel Quilp.'<br><br> 3205 3206'Harkee, Mr Quilp, then,' pursued the other, 'You have some influence 3207 3208with my grandfather there.'<br><br> 3209 3210'Some,' said Mr Quilp emphatically.<br><br> 3211 3212'And are in a few of his mysteries and secrets.'<br><br> 3213 3214'A few,' replied Quilp, with equal dryness.<br><br> 3215 3216'Then let me tell him once for all, through you, that I will come into 3217 3218and go out of this place as often as I like, so long as he keeps Nell 3219 3220here; and that if he wants to be quit of me, he must first be quit of 3221 3222her. What have I done to be made a bugbear of, and to be shunned and 3223 3224dreaded as if I brought the plague? He'll tell you that I have no 3225 3226natural affection; and that I care no more for Nell, for her own sake, 3227 3228than I do for him. Let him say so. I care for the whim, then, of coming 3229 3230to and fro and reminding her of my existence. I WILL see her when I 3231 3232please. That's my point. I came here to-day to maintain it, and I'll 3233 3234come here again fifty times with the same object and always with the 3235 3236same success. I said I would stop till I had gained it. I have done 3237 3238so, and now my visit's ended. Come Dick.'<br><br> 3239 3240'Stop!' cried Mr Swiveller, as his companion turned toward the door. 3241 3242'Sir!'<br><br> 3243 3244'Sir, I am your humble servant,' said Mr Quilp, to whom the 3245 3246monosyllable was addressed.<br><br> 3247 3248'Before I leave the gay and festive scene, and halls of dazzling light, 3249 3250sir,' said Mr Swiveller, 'I will with your permission, attempt a slight 3251 3252remark. I came here, sir, this day, under the impression that the old 3253 3254min was friendly.'<br><br> 3255 3256'Proceed, sir,' said Daniel Quilp; for the orator had made a sudden 3257 3258stop.<br><br> 3259 3260'Inspired by this idea and the sentiments it awakened, sir, and feeling 3261 3262as a mutual friend that badgering, baiting, and bullying, was not the 3263 3264sort of thing calculated to expand the souls and promote the social 3265 3266harmony of the contending parties, I took upon myself to suggest a 3267 3268course which is THE course to be adopted to the present occasion. Will 3269 3270you allow me to whisper half a syllable, sir?'<br><br> 3271 3272Without waiting for the permission he sought, Mr Swiveller stepped up 3273 3274to the dwarf, and leaning on his shoulder and stooping down to get at 3275 3276his ear, said in a voice which was perfectly audible to all present,<br><br> 3277 3278'The watch-word to the old min is--fork.'<br><br> 3279 3280'Is what?' demanded Quilp.<br><br> 3281 3282'Is fork, sir, fork,' replied Mr Swiveller slapping his picket. 'You 3283 3284are awake, sir?'<br><br> 3285 3286The dwarf nodded. Mr Swiveller drew back and nodded likewise, then drew 3287 3288a little further back and nodded again, and so on. By these means he in 3289 3290time reached the door, where he gave a great cough to attract the 3291 3292dwarf's attention and gain an opportunity of expressing in dumb show, 3293 3294the closest confidence and most inviolable secrecy. Having performed 3295 3296the serious pantomime that was necessary for the due conveyance of 3297 3298these idea, he cast himself upon his friend's track, and vanished.<br><br> 3299 3300'Humph!' said the dwarf with a sour look and a shrug of his shoulders, 3301 3302'so much for dear relations. Thank God I acknowledge none! Nor need you 3303 3304either,' he added, turning to the old man, 'if you were not as weak as 3305 3306a reed, and nearly as senseless.'<br><br> 3307 3308'What would you have me do?' he retorted in a kind of helpless 3309 3310desperation. 'It is easy to talk and sneer. What would you have me do?'<br><br> 3311 3312'What would I do if I was in your case?' said the dwarf.<br><br> 3313 3314'Something violent, no doubt.'<br><br> 3315 3316'You're right there,' returned the little man, highly gratified by the 3317 3318compliment, for such he evidently considered it; and grinning like a 3319 3320devil as he rubbed his dirty hands together. 'Ask Mrs Quilp, pretty Mrs 3321 3322Quilp, obedient, timid, loving Mrs Quilp. But that reminds me--I have 3323 3324left her all alone, and she will be anxious and know not a moment's 3325 3326peace till I return. I know she's always in that condition when I'm 3327 3328away, thought she doesn't dare to say so, unless I lead her on and tell 3329 3330her she may speak freely and I won't be angry with her. Oh! 3331 3332well-trained Mrs Quilp.<br><br> 3333 3334The creature appeared quite horrible with his monstrous head and little 3335 3336body, as he rubbed his hands slowly round, and round, and round 3337 3338again--with something fantastic even in his manner of performing this 3339 3340slight action--and, dropping his shaggy brows and cocking his chin in 3341 3342the air, glanced upward with a stealthy look of exultation that an imp 3343 3344might have copied and appropriated to himself.<br><br> 3345 3346'Here,' he said, putting his hand into his breast and sidling up to the 3347 3348old man as he spoke; 'I brought it myself for fear of accidents, as, 3349 3350being in gold, it was something large and heavy for Nell to carry in 3351 3352her bag. She need be accustomed to such loads betimes thought, 3353 3354neighbor, for she will carry weight when you are dead.'<br><br> 3355 3356'Heaven send she may! I hope so,' said the old man with something like 3357 3358a groan.'<br><br> 3359 3360'Hope so!' echoed the dwarf, approaching close to his ear; 'neighbour, 3361 3362I would I knew in what good investment all these supplies are sunk. But 3363
3364you are a deep man, and keep your secret close.'<br><br> 3365 3366'My secret!' said the other with a haggard look. 'Yes, you're 3367 3368right--I--I--keep it close--very close.'<br><br> 3369 3370He said no more, but taking the money turned away with a slow, 3371 3372uncertain step, and pressed his hand upon his head like a weary and 3373 3374dejected man. The dwarf watched him sharply, while he passed into the 3375 3376little sitting-room and locked it in an iron safe above the 3377 3378chimney-piece; and after musing for a short space, prepared to take his 3379 3380leave, observing that unless he made good haste, Mrs Quilp would 3381 3382certainly be in fits on his return.<br><br> 3383 3384'And so, neighbour,' he added, 'I'll turn my face homewards, leaving my 3385 3386love for Nelly and hoping she may never lose her way again, though her 3387 3388doing so HAS procured me an honour I didn't expect.' With that he bowed 3389 3390and leered at me, and with a keen glance around which seemed to 3391 3392comprehend every object within his range of vision, however, small or 3393 3394trivial, went his way.<br><br> 3395 3396I had several times essayed to go myself, but the old man had always 3397 3398opposed it and entreated me to remain. As he renewed his entreaties on 3399 3400our being left along, and adverted with many thanks to the former 3401 3402occasion of our being together, I willingly yielded to his persuasions, 3403 3404and sat down, pretending to examine some curious miniatures and a few 3405 3406old medals which he placed before me. It needed no great pressing to 3407 3408induce me to stay, for if my curiosity has been excited on the occasion 3409 3410of my first visit, it certainly was not diminished now.<br><br> 3411 3412Nell joined us before long, and bringing some needle-work to the table, 3413 3414sat by the old man's side. It was pleasant to observe the fresh flowers 3415 3416in the room, the pet bird with a green bough shading his little cage, 3417 3418the breath of freshness and youth which seemed to rustle through the 3419 3420old dull house and hover round the child. It was curious, but not so 3421 3422pleasant, to turn from the beauty and grace of the girl, to the 3423 3424stooping figure, care-worn face, and jaded aspect of the old man. As 3425 3426he grew weaker and more feeble, what would become of this lonely little 3427 3428creature; poor protector as he was, say that he died--what would be her 3429 3430fate, then?<br><br> 3431 3432The old man almost answered my thoughts, as he laid his hand on hers, 3433 3434and spoke aloud.<br><br> 3435 3436'I'll be of better cheer, Nell,' he said; 'there must be good fortune 3437 3438in store for thee--I do not ask it for myself, but thee. Such miseries 3439 3440must fall on thy innocent head without it, that I cannot believe but 3441 3442that, being tempted, it will come at last!'<br><br> 3443 3444She looked cheerfully into his face, but made no answer.<br><br> 3445 3446'When I think,' said he, 'of the many years--many in thy short 3447 3448life--that thou has lived with me; of my monotonous existence, knowing 3449 3450no companions of thy own age nor any childish pleasures; of the 3451 3452solitude in which thou has grown to be what thou art, and in which thou 3453 3454hast lived apart from nearly all thy kind but one old man; I sometimes 3455 3456fear I have dealt hardly by thee, Nell.'<br><br> 3457 3458'Grandfather!' cried the child in unfeigned surprise.<br><br> 3459
3460'Not in intention--no no,' said he. 'I have ever looked forward to the 3461 3462time that should enable thee to mix among the gayest and prettiest, and 3463 3464take thy station with the best. But I still look forward, Nell, I still 3465 3466look forward, and if I should be forced to leave thee, meanwhile, how 3467 3468have I fitted thee for struggles with the world? The poor bird yonder 3469 3470is as well qualified to encounter it, and be turned adrift upon its 3471 3472mercies--Hark! I hear Kit outside. Go to him, Nell, go to him.'<br><br> 3473 3474She rose, and hurrying away, stopped, turned back, and put her arms 3475 3476about the old man's neck, then left him and hurried away again--but 3477 3478faster this time, to hide her falling tears.<br><br> 3479 3480'A word in your ear, sir,' said the old man in a hurried whisper. 'I 3481 3482have been rendered uneasy by what you said the other night, and can 3483 3484only plead that I have done all for the best--that it is too late to 3485 3486retract, if I could (though I cannot)--and that I hope to triumph yet. 3487 3488All is for her sake. I have borne great poverty myself, and would spare 3489 3490her the sufferings that poverty carries with it. I would spare her the 3491 3492miseries that brought her mother, my own dear child, to an early grave. 3493 3494I would leave her--not with resources which could be easily spent or 3495 3496squandered away, but with what would place her beyond the reach of want 3497 3498for ever. You mark me sir? She shall have no pittance, but a 3499 3500fortune--Hush! I can say no more than that, now or at any other time, 3501 3502and she is here again!'<br><br> 3503 3504The eagerness with which all this was poured into my ear, the trembling 3505 3506of the hand with which he clasped my arm, the strained and starting 3507 3508eyes he fixed upon me, the wild vehemence and agitation of his manner, 3509 3510filled me with amazement. All that I had heard and seen, and a great 3511 3512part of what he had said himself, led me to suppose that he was a 3513 3514wealthy man. I could form no comprehension of his character, unless he 3515 3516were one of those miserable wretches who, having made gain the sole end 3517 3518and object of their lives and having succeeded in amassing great 3519 3520riches, are constantly tortured by the dread of poverty, and best by 3521 3522fears of loss and ruin. Many things he had said which I had been at a 3523 3524loss to understand, were quite reconcilable with the idea thus 3525 3526presented to me, and at length I concluded that beyond all doubt he was 3527 3528one of this unhappy race.<br><br> 3529 3530The opinion was not the result of hasty consideration, for which indeed 3531 3532there was no opportunity at that time, as the child came directly, and 3533 3534soon occupied herself in preparations for giving Kit a writing lesson, 3535 3536of which it seemed he had a couple every week, and one regularly on 3537 3538that evening, to the great mirth and enjoyment both of himself and his 3539
3540instructress. To relate how it was a long time before his modesty could 3541 3542be so far prevailed upon as it admit of his sitting down in the 3543 3544parlour, in the presence of an unknown gentleman--how, when he did set 3545 3546down, he tucked up his sleeves and squared his elbows and put his face 3547 3548close to the copy-book and squinted horribly at the lines--how, from 3549 3550the very first moment of having the pen in his hand, he began to wallow 3551 3552in blots, and to daub himself with ink up to the very roots of his 3553 3554hair--how, if he did by accident form a letter properly, he immediately 3555 3556smeared it out again with his arm in his preparations to make 3557 3558another--how, at every fresh mistake, there was a fresh burst of 3559 3560merriment from the child and louder and not less hearty laugh from poor 3561 3562Kit himself--and how there was all the way through, notwithstanding, a 3563 3564gentle wish on her part to teach, and an anxious desire on his to 3565 3566learn--to relate all these particulars would no doubt occupy more space 3567 3568and time than they deserve. It will be sufficient to say that the 3569 3570lesson was given--that evening passed and night came on--that the old 3571 3572man again grew restless and impatient--that he quitted the house 3573 3574secretly at the same hour as before--and that the child was once more 3575 3576left alone within its gloomy walls.<br><br> 3577 3578And now that I have carried this history so far in my own character and 3579 3580introduced these personages to the reader, I shall for the convenience 3581 3582of the narrative detach myself from its further course, and leave those 3583 3584who have prominent and necessary parts in it to speak and act for 3585 3586themselves.<br><br> 3587 3588CHAPTER 4<br><br> 3589 3590Mr and Mrs Quilp resided on Tower Hill; and in her bower on Tower Hill. 3591 3592Mrs Quilp was left to pine the absence of her lord, when he quitted her 3593 3594on the business which he had already seen to transact.<br><br> 3595 3596Mr Quilp could scarcely be said to be of any particular trade or 3597 3598calling, though his pursuits were diversified and his occupations 3599 3600numerous. He collected the rents of whole colonies of filthy streets 3601 3602and alleys by the waterside, advanced money to the seamen and petty 3603 3604officers of merchant vessels, had a share in the ventures of divers 3605 3606mates of East Indiamen, smoked his smuggled cigars under the very nose 3607 3608of the Custom House, and made appointments on 'Change with men in 3609 3610glazed hats and round jackets pretty well every day. On the Surrey side 3611 3612of the river was a small rat-infested dreary yard called 'Quilp's 3613 3614Wharf,' in which were a little wooden counting-house burrowing all awry 3615 3616in the dust as if it had fallen from the clouds and ploughed into the 3617 3618ground; a few fragments of rusty anchors; several large iron rings; 3619 3620some piles of rotten wood; and two or three heaps of old sheet copper, 3621 3622crumpled, cracked, and battered. On Quilp's Wharf, Daniel Quilp was a 3623 3624ship-breaker, yet to judge from these appearances he must either have 3625 3626been a ship-breaker on a very small scale, or have broken his ships up 3627 3628very small indeed. Neither did the place present any extraordinary 3629 3630aspect of life or activity, as its only human occupant was an 3631 3632amphibious boy in a canvas suit, whose sole change of occupation was 3633 3634from sitting on the head of a pile and throwing stones into the mud 3635 3636when the tide was out, to standing with his hands in his pockets gazing 3637 3638listlessly on the motion and on the bustle of the river at high-water.<br><br> 3639 3640The dwarf's lodging on Tower hill comprised, besides the needful 3641 3642accommodation for himself and Mrs Quilp, a small sleeping-closet for 3643 3644that lady's mother, who resided with the couple and waged perpetual war 3645 3646with Daniel; of whom, notwithstanding, she stood in no slight dread. 3647 3648Indeed, the ugly creature contrived by some means or other--whether by 3649 3650his ugliness or his ferocity or his natural cunning is no great 3651 3652matter--to impress with a wholesome fear of his anger, most of those 3653 3654with whom he was brought into daily contact and communication. Over 3655 3656nobody had he such complete ascendance as Mrs Quilp herself--a pretty 3657 3658little, mild-spoken, blue-eyed woman, who having allied herself in 3659 3660wedlock to the dwarf in one of those strange infatuations of which 3661 3662examples are by no means scarce, performed a sound practical penance 3663 3664for her folly, every day of her life.<br><br> 3665 3666It has been said that Mrs Quilp was pining in her bower. In her bower 3667 3668she was, but not alone, for besides the old lady her mother of whom 3669 3670mention has recently been made, there were present some half-dozen 3671 3672ladies of the neighborhood who had happened by a strange accident (and 3673 3674also by a little understanding among themselves) to drop in one after 3675 3676another, just about tea-time. This being a season favourable to 3677 3678conversation, and the room being a cool, shady, lazy kind of place, 3679 3680with some plants at the open window shutting out the dust, and 3681 3682interposing pleasantly enough between the tea table within and the old 3683 3684Tower without, it is no wonder that the ladies felt an inclination to 3685 3686talk and linger, especially when there are taken into account the 3687 3688additional inducements of fresh butter, new bread, shrimps, and 3689 3690watercresses.<br><br> 3691 3692Now, the ladies being together under these circumstances, it was 3693 3694extremely natural that the discourse should turn upon the propensity of 3695 3696mankind to tyrannize over the weaker sex, and the duty that developed 3697 3698upon the weaker sex to resist that tyranny and assert their rights and 3699 3700dignity. It was natural for four reasons: firstly, because Mrs Quilp 3701 3702being a young woman and notoriously under the dominion of her husband 3703 3704ought to be excited to rebel; secondly, because Mrs Quilp's parent was 3705 3706known to be laudably shrewish in her disposition and inclined to resist 3707 3708male authority; thirdly, because each visitor wished to show for 3709 3710herself how superior she was in this respect to the generality of her 3711 3712sex; and fourthly, because the company being accustomed to scandalise 3713 3714each other in pairs, were deprived of their usual subject of 3715
3716conversation now that they were all assembled in close friendship, and 3717 3718had consequently no better employment than to attack the common enemy.<br><br> 3719 3720Moved by these considerations, a stout lady opened the proceedings by 3721 3722inquiring, with an air of great concern and sympathy, how Mr Quilp was; 3723 3724whereunto Mr Quilp's wife's mother replied sharply, 'Oh! He was well 3725 3726enough--nothing much was every the matter with him--and ill weeds were 3727 3728sure to thrive.' All the ladies then sighed in concert, shook their 3729 3730heads gravely, and looked at Mrs Quilp as a martyr.<br><br> 3731 3732'Ah!' said the spokeswoman, 'I wish you'd give her a little of your 3733 3734advice, Mrs Jiniwin'--Mrs Quilp had been a Miss Jiniwin it should be 3735 3736observed--'nobody knows better than you, ma'am, what us women owe to 3737 3738ourselves.'<br><br> 3739 3740'Owe indeed, ma'am!' replied Mrs Jiniwin. 'When my poor husband, her 3741 3742dear father, was alive, if he had ever ventured a cross word to me, I'd 3743 3744have--' The good old lady did not finish the sentence, but she twisted 3745 3746off the head of a shrimp with a vindictiveness which seemed to imply 3747 3748that the action was in some degree a substitute for words. In this 3749 3750light it was clearly understood by the other party, who immediately 3751 3752replied with great approbation, 'You quite enter into my feelings, 3753 3754ma'am, and it's jist what I'd do myself.'<br><br> 3755 3756'But you have no call to do it,' said Mrs Jiniwin. 'Luckily for you, 3757 3758you have no more occasion to do it than I had.'<br><br> 3759 3760'No woman need have, if she was true to herself,' rejoined the stout 3761 3762lady.<br><br> 3763 3764'Do you hear that, Betsy?' said Mrs Jiniwin, in a warning voice. 'How 3765 3766often have I said the same words to you, and almost gone down my knees 3767 3768when I spoke 'em!'<br><br> 3769 3770Poor Mrs Quilp, who had looked in a state of helplessness from one face 3771 3772of condolence to another, coloured, smiled, and shook her head 3773 3774doubtfully. This was the signal for a general clamour, which beginning 3775 3776in a low murmur gradually swelled into a great noise in which everybody 3777 3778spoke at once, and all said that she being a young woman had no right 3779 3780to set up her opinions against the experiences of those who knew so 3781 3782much better; that it was very wrong of her not to take the advice of 3783 3784people who had nothing at heart but her good; that it was next door to 3785 3786being downright ungrateful to conduct herself in that manner; that if 3787 3788she had no respect for herself she ought to have some for other women, 3789 3790all of whom she compromised by her meekness; and that if she had no 3791 3792respect for other women, the time would come when other women would 3793 3794have no respect for her; and she would be very sorry for that, they 3795 3796could tell her. Having dealt out these admonitions, the ladies fell to 3797 3798a more powerful assault than they had yet made upon the mixed tea, new 3799 3800bread, fresh butter, shrimps, and watercresses, and said that their 3801 3802vexation was so great to see her going on like that, that they could 3803 3804hardly bring themselves to eat a single morsel.<br><br> 3805 3806It's all very fine to talk,' said Mrs Quilp with much simplicity, 'but 3807 3808I know that if I was to die to-morrow, Quilp could marry anybody he 3809 3810pleased--now that he could, I know!'<br><br> 3811 3812There was quite a scream of indignation at this idea. Marry whom he 3813 3814pleased! They would like to see him dare to think of marrying any of 3815 3816them; they would like to see the faintest approach to such a thing. 3817 3818One lady (a widow) was quite certain she should stab him if he hinted 3819 3820at it.<br><br> 3821 3822'Very well,' said Mrs Quilp, nodding her head, 'as I said just now, 3823 3824it's very easy to talk, but I say again that I know--that I'm 3825 3826sure--Quilp has such a way with him when he likes, that the best 3827 3828looking woman here couldn't refuse him if I was dead, and she was free, 3829 3830and he chose to make love to him. Come!'<br><br> 3831 3832Everybody bridled up at this remark, as much as to say, 'I know you 3833 3834mean me. Let him try--that's all.' and yet for some hidden reason they 3835 3836were all angry with the widow, and each lady whispered in her 3837 3838neighbour's ear that it was very plain that said widow thought herself 3839 3840the person referred to, and what a puss she was!<br><br> 3841 3842'Mother knows,' said Mrs Quilp, 'that what I say is quite correct, for 3843 3844she often said so before we were married. Didn't you say so, mother?'<br><br> 3845 3846This inquiry involved the respected lady in rather a delicate position, 3847 3848for she certainly had been an active party in making her daughter Mrs 3849 3850Quilp, and, besides, it was not supporting the family credit to 3851 3852encourage the idea that she had married a man whom nobody else would 3853 3854have. On the other hand, to exaggerate the captivating qualities of her 3855 3856son-in-law would be to weaken the cause of revolt, in which all her 3857 3858energies were deeply engaged. Beset by these opposing considerations, 3859 3860Mrs Jiniwin admitted the powers of insinuation, but denied the right to 3861 3862govern, and with a timely compliment to the stout lady brought back the 3863 3864discussion to the point from which it had strayed.<br><br> 3865 3866'Oh! It's a sensible and proper thing indeed, what Mrs George has 3867 3868said!' exclaimed the old lady. 'If women are only true to 3869 3870themselves!--But Betsy isn't, and more's the shame and pity.'<br><br> 3871 3872'Before I'd let a man order me about as Quilp orders her,' said Mrs 3873 3874George, 'before I'd consent to stand in awe of a man as she does of 3875 3876him, I'd--I'd kill myself, and write a letter first to say he did it!'<br><br> 3877 3878This remark being loudly commended and approved of, another lady (from 3879 3880the Minories) put in her word:<br><br> 3881 3882'Mr Quilp may be a very nice man,' said this lady, 'and I supposed 3883 3884there's no doubt he is, because Mrs Quilp says he is, and Mrs Jiniwin 3885 3886says he is, and they ought to know, or nobody does. But still he is not 3887 3888quite a--what one calls a handsome man, nor quite a young man neither, 3889 3890which might be a little excuse for him if anything could be; whereas 3891
3892his wife is young, and is good-looking, and is a woman--which is the 3893 3894greatest thing after all.'<br><br> 3895 3896This last clause being delivered with extraordinary pathos, elicited a 3897 3898corresponding murmer from the hearers, stimulated by which the lady 3899 3900went on to remark that if such a husband was cross and unreasonable 3901 3902with such a wife, then--<br><br> 3903 3904'If he is!' interposed the mother, putting down her tea-cup and 3905 3906brushing the crumbs out of her lap, preparatory to making a solemn 3907 3908declaration. 'If he is! He is the greatest tyrant that every lived, she 3909 3910daren't call her soul her own, he makes her tremble with a word and 3911 3912even with a look, he frightens her to death, and she hasn't the spirit 3913 3914to give him a word back, no, not a single word.'<br><br> 3915 3916Notwithstanding that the fact had been notorious beforehand to all the 3917 3918tea-drinkers, and had been discussed and expatiated on at every 3919 3920tea-drinking in the neighbourhood for the last twelve months, this 3921 3922official communication was no sooner made than they all began to talk 3923 3924at once and to vie with each other in vehemence and volubility. Mrs 3925 3926George remarked that people would talk, that people had often said this 3927 3928to her before, that Mrs Simmons then and there present had told her so 3929 3930twenty times, that she had always said, 'No, Henrietta Simmons, unless 3931 3932I see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears, I never will 3933 3934believe it.' Mrs Simmons corroborated this testimony and added strong 3935 3936evidence of her own. The lady from the Minories recounted a successful 3937 3938course of treatment under which she had placed her own husband, who, 3939 3940from manifesting one month after marriage unequivocal symptoms of the 3941 3942tiger, had by this means become subdued into a perfect lamb. Another 3943 3944lady recounted her own personal struggle and final triumph, in the 3945 3946course whereof she had found it necessary to call in her mother and two 3947 3948aunts, and to weep incessantly night and day for six weeks. A third, 3949 3950who in the general confusion could secure no other listener, fastened 3951 3952herself upon a young woman still unmarried who happened to be amongst 3953 3954them, and conjured her, as she valued her own peace of mind and 3955 3956happiness to profit by this solemn occasion, to take example from the 3957 3958weakness of Mrs Quilp, and from that time forth to direct her whole 3959 3960thoughts to taming and subduing the rebellious spirit of man. The noise 3961 3962was at its height, and half the company had elevated their voices into 3963 3964a perfect shriek in order to drown the voices of the other half, when 3965 3966Mrs Jiniwin was seen to change colour and shake her forefinger 3967 3968stealthily, as if exhorting them to silence. Then, and not until then, 3969 3970Daniel Quilp himself, the cause and occasion of all this clamour, was 3971 3972observed to be in the room, looking on and listening with profound 3973 3974attention.<br><br> 3975 3976'Go on, ladies, go on,' said Daniel. 'Mrs Quilp, pray ask the ladies to 3977 3978stop to supper, and have a couple of lobsters and something light and 3979 3980palatable.'<br><br> 3981 3982'I--I--didn't ask them to tea, Quilp,' stammered his wife. It's quite 3983 3984an accident.'<br><br> 3985 3986'So much the better, Mrs Quilp; these accidental parties are always the 3987 3988pleasantest,' said the dwarf, rubbing his hands so hard that he seemed 3989 3990to be engaged in manufacturing, of the dirt with which they were 3991 3992encrusted, little charges for popguns. 'What! Not going, ladies, you 3993 3994are not going, surely!'<br><br> 3995 3996His fair enemies tossed their heads slightly as they sought their 3997 3998respective bonnets and shawls, but left all verbal contention to Mrs 3999 4000Jiniwin, who finding herself in the position of champion, made a faint 4001 4002struggle to sustain the character.<br><br> 4003 4004'And why not stop to supper, Quilp,' said the old lady, 'if my daughter 4005 4006had a mind?'<br><br> 4007 4008'To be sure,' rejoined Daniel. 'Why not?'<br><br> 4009 4010'There's nothing dishonest or wrong in a supper, I hope?' said Mrs 4011 4012Jiniwin.<br><br> 4013 4014'Surely not,' returned the dwarf. 'Why should there be? Nor anything 4015 4016unwholesome, either, unless there's lobster-salad or prawns, which I'm 4017 4018told are not good for digestion.'<br><br> 4019 4020'And you wouldn't like your wife to be attacked with that, or anything 4021 4022else that would make her uneasy would you?' said Mrs Jiniwin.<br><br> 4023 4024'Not for a score of worlds,' replied the dwarf with a grin. 'Not even 4025 4026to have a score of mothers-in-law at the same time--and what a blessing 4027 4028that would be!'<br><br> 4029
4030'My daughter's your wife, Mr Quilp, certainly,' said the old lady with 4031 4032a giggle, meant for satirical and to imply that he needed to be 4033 4034reminded of the fact; 'your wedded wife.'<br><br> 4035 4036'So she is, certainly. So she is,' observed the dwarf.<br><br> 4037 4038'And she has has a right to do as she likes, I hope, Quilp,' said the 4039 4040old lady trembling, partly with anger and partly with a secret fear of 4041 4042her impish son-in-law.<br><br> 4043 4044'Hope she has!' he replied. 'Oh! Don't you know she has? Don't you know 4045 4046she has, Mrs Jiniwin?<br><br> 4047 4048'I know she ought to have, Quilp, and would have, if she was of my way 4049 4050of thinking.'<br><br> 4051 4052'Why an't you of your mother's way of thinking, my dear?' said the 4053 4054dwarf, turing round and addressing his wife, 'why don't you always 4055 4056imitate your mother, my dear? She's the ornament of her sex--your 4057 4058father said so every day of his life. I am sure he did.'<br><br> 4059 4060'Her father was a blessed creetur, Quilp, and worthy twenty thousand of 4061 4062some people,' said Mrs Jiniwin; 'twenty hundred million thousand.'<br><br> 4063 4064'I should like to have known him,' remarked the dwarf. 'I dare say he 4065 4066was a blessed creature then; but I'm sure he is now. It was a happy 4067 4068release. I believe he had suffered a long time?'<br><br> 4069 4070The old lady gave a gasp, but nothing came of it; Quilp resumed, with 4071 4072the same malice in his eye and the same sarcastic politeness on his 4073 4074tongue.<br><br> 4075 4076'You look ill, Mrs Jiniwin; I know you have been exciting yourself too 4077 4078much--talking perhaps, for it is your weakness. Go to bed. Do go to 4079 4080bed.'<br><br> 4081 4082'I shall go when I please, Quilp, and not before.'<br><br> 4083 4084'But please to do now. Do please to go now,' said the dwarf.<br><br> 4085 4086The old woman looked angrily at him, but retreated as he advanced, and 4087 4088falling back before him, suffered him to shut the door upon her and 4089 4090bolt her out among the guests, who were by this time crowding 4091 4092downstairs. Being left along with his wife, who sat trembling in a 4093 4094corner with her eyes fixed upon the ground, the little man planted 4095 4096himself before her, and folding his arms looked steadily at her for a 4097 4098long time without speaking.<br><br> 4099 4100'Mrs Quilp,' he said at last.<br><br> 4101 4102'Yes, Quilp,' she replead meekly.<br><br> 4103 4104Instead of pursing the theme he had in his mind, Quilp folded his arms 4105 4106again, and looked at her more sternly than before, while she averted 4107 4108her eyes and kept them on the ground.<br><br> 4109 4110'Mrs Quilp.'<br><br> 4111 4112'Yes, Quilp.'<br><br> 4113 4114'If ever you listen to these beldames again, I'll bite you.'<br><br> 4115 4116With this laconic threat, which he accompanied with a snarl that gave 4117 4118him the appearance of being particularly in earnest, Mr Quilp bade her 4119 4120clear the teaboard away, and bring the rum. The spirit being set before 4121 4122him in a huge case-bottle, which had originally come out of some ship's 4123 4124locker, he settled himself in an arm-chair with his large head and face 4125 4126squeezed up against the back, and his little legs planted on the table.<br><br> 4127 4128'Now, Mrs Quilp,' he said; 'I feel in a smoking humour, and shall 4129 4130probably blaze away all night. But sit where you are, if you please, in 4131 4132case I want you.'<br><br> 4133 4134His wife returned no other reply than the necessary 'Yes, Quilp,' and 4135 4136the small lord of the creation took his first cigar and mixed his first 4137 4138glass of grog. The sun went down and the stars peeped out, the Tower 4139 4140turned from its own proper colours to grey and from grey to black, the 4141 4142room became perfectly dark and the end of the cigar a deep fiery red, 4143 4144but still Mr Quilp went on smoking and drinking in the same position, 4145 4146and staring listlessly out of window with the doglike smile always on 4147 4148his face, save when Mrs Quilp made some involuntary movement of 4149 4150restlessness or fatigue; and then it expanded into a grin of delight.<br><br> 4151 4152CHAPTER 5<br><br> 4153 4154Whether Mr Quilp took any sleep by snatches of a few winks at a time, 4155 4156or whether he sat with his eyes wide open all night long, certain it is 4157 4158that he kept his cigar alight, and kindled every fresh one from the 4159 4160ashes of that which was nearly consumed, without requiring the 4161 4162assistance of a candle. Nor did the striking of the clocks, hour after 4163 4164hour, appear to inspire him with any sense of drowsiness or any natural 4165 4166desire to go to rest, but rather to increase his wakefulness, which he 4167 4168showed, at every such indication of the progress of the night, by a 4169 4170suppressed cackling in his throat, and a motion of his shoulders, like 4171 4172one who laughs heartily but the same time slyly and by stealth.<br><br> 4173 4174At length the day broke, and poor Mrs Quilp, shivering with cold of 4175 4176early morning and harassed by fatigue and want of sleep, was discovered 4177 4178sitting patiently on her chair, raising her eyes at intervals in mute 4179 4180appeal to the compassion and clemency of her lord, and gently reminding 4181 4182him by an occasion cough that she was still unpardoned and that her 4183 4184penance had been of long duration. But her dwarfish spouse still smoked 4185 4186his cigar and drank his rum without heeding her; and it was not until 4187 4188the sun had some time risen, and the activity and noise of city day 4189 4190were rife in the street, that he deigned to recognize her presence by 4191 4192any word or sign. He might not have done so even then, but for certain 4193 4194impatient tapping at the door he seemed to denote that some pretty hard 4195 4196knuckles were actively engaged upon the other side.<br><br> 4197 4198'Why dear me!' he said looking round with a malicious grin, 'it's day. 4199 4200Open the door, sweet Mrs Quilp!'<br><br> 4201 4202His obedient wife withdrew the bolt, and her lady mother entered.<br><br> 4203 4204Now, Mrs Jiniwin bounced into the room with great impetuosity; for, 4205 4206supposing her son-in-law to be still a-bed, she had come to relieve her 4207 4208feelings by pronouncing a strong opinion upon his general conduct and 4209 4210character. Seeing that he was up and dressed, and that the room 4211 4212appeared to have been occupied ever since she quitted it on the 4213 4214previous evening, she stopped short, in some embarrassment.<br><br> 4215 4216Nothing escaped the hawk's eye of the ugly little man, who, perfectly 4217 4218understanding what passed in the old lady's mind, turned uglier still 4219 4220in the fulness of his satisfaction, and bade her good morning, with a 4221 4222leer or triumph.<br><br> 4223 4224'Why, Betsy,' said the old woman, 'you haven't been--you don't mean to 4225 4226say you've been a--'<br><br> 4227 4228'Sitting up all night?' said Quilp, supplying the conclusion of the 4229 4230sentence. 'Yes she has!'<br><br> 4231 4232'All night?' cried Mrs Jiniwin.<br><br> 4233 4234'Ay, all night. Is the dear old lady deaf?' said Quilp, with a smile of 4235 4236which a frown was part. 'Who says man and wife are bad company? Ha ha! 4237 4238The time has flown.'<br><br> 4239 4240'You're a brute!' exclaimed Mrs Jiniwin.<br><br> 4241 4242'Come come,' said Quilp, wilfully misunderstanding her, of course, 'you 4243 4244mustn't call her names. She's married now, you know. And though she did 4245 4246beguile the time and keep me from my bed, you must not be so tenderly 4247 4248careful of me as to be out of humour with her. Bless you for a dear 4249 4250old lady. Here's to your health!'<br><br> 4251 4252'I am much obliged to you,' returned the old woman, testifying by a 4253 4254certain restlessness in her hands a vehement desire to shake her 4255 4256matronly fist at her son-in-law. 'Oh! I'm very much obliged to you!'<br><br> 4257 4258'Grateful soul!' cried the dwarf. 'Mrs Quilp.'<br><br> 4259 4260'Yes, Quilp,' said the timid sufferer.<br><br> 4261 4262'Help your mother to get breakfast, Mrs Quilp. I am going to the wharf 4263 4264this morning--the earlier the better, so be quick.'<br><br> 4265 4266Mrs Jiniwin made a faint demonstration of rebellion by sitting down in 4267 4268a chair near the door and folding her arms as if in a resolute 4269 4270determination to do nothing. But a few whispered words from her 4271 4272daughter, and a kind inquiry from her son-in-law whether she felt 4273 4274faint, with a hint that there was abundance of cold water in the next 4275 4276apartment, routed these symptoms effectually, and she applied herself 4277 4278to the prescribed preparations with sullen diligence.<br><br> 4279 4280While they were in progress, Mr Quilp withdrew to the adjoining room, 4281 4282and, turning back his coat-collar, proceeded to smear his countenance 4283 4284with a damp towel of very unwholesome appearance, which made his 4285 4286complexion rather more cloudy than it was before. But, while he was 4287 4288thus engaged, his caution and inquisitiveness did not forsake him, for 4289 4290with a face as sharp and cunning as ever, he often stopped, even in 4291 4292this short process, and stood listening for any conversation in the 4293 4294next room, of which he might be the theme.<br><br> 4295 4296'Ah!' he said after a short effort of attention, 'it was not the towel 4297 4298over my ears, I thought it wasn't. I'm a little hunchy villain and a 4299 4300monster, am I, Mrs Jiniwin? Oh!'<br><br> 4301 4302The pleasure of this discovery called up the old doglike smile in full 4303 4304force. When he had quite done with it, he shook himself in a very 4305 4306doglike manner, and rejoined the ladies.<br><br> 4307 4308Mr Quilp now walked up to front of a looking-glass, and was standing 4309 4310there putting on his neckerchief, when Mrs Jiniwin happening to be 4311 4312behind him, could not resist the inclination she felt to shake her fist 4313 4314at her tyrant son-in-law. It was the gesture of an instant, but as she 4315 4316did so and accompanied the action with a menacing look, she met his eye 4317 4318in the glass, catching her in the very act. The same glance at the 4319
4320mirror conveyed to her the reflection of a horribly grotesque and 4321 4322distorted face with the tongue lolling out; and the next instant the 4323 4324dwarf, turning about with a perfectly bland and placid look, inquired 4325 4326in a tone of great affection.<br><br> 4327 4328'How are you now, my dear old darling?'<br><br> 4329 4330Slight and ridiculous as the incident was, it made him appear such a 4331 4332little fiend, and withal such a keen and knowing one, that the old 4333 4334woman felt too much afraid of him to utter a single word, and suffered 4335 4336herself to be led with extraordinary politeness to the breakfast-table. 4337 4338Here he by no means diminished the impression he had just produced, for 4339 4340he ate hard eggs, shell and all, devoured gigantic prawns with the 4341 4342heads and tails on, chewed tobacco and water-cresses at the same time 4343 4344and with extraordinary greediness, drank boiling tea without winking, 4345 4346bit his fork and spoon till they bent again, and in short performed so 4347 4348many horrifying and uncommon acts that the women were nearly frightened 4349 4350out of their wits, and began to doubt if he were really a human 4351 4352creature. At last, having gone through these proceedings and many 4353 4354others which were equally a part of his system, Mr Quilp left them, 4355 4356reduced to a very obedient and humbled state, and betook himself to the 4357 4358river-side, where he took boat for the wharf on which he had bestowed 4359 4360his name.<br><br> 4361 4362It was flood tide when Daniel Quilp sat himself down in the ferry to 4363 4364cross to the opposite shore. A fleet of barges were coming lazily on, 4365 4366some sideways, some head first, some stern first; all in a 4367 4368wrong-headed, dogged, obstinate way, bumping up against the larger 4369 4370craft, running under the bows of steamboats, getting into every kind of 4371 4372nook and corner where they had no business, and being crunched on all 4373 4374sides like so many walnut-shells; while each with its pair of long 4375 4376sweeps struggling and splashing in the water looked like some lumbering 4377 4378fish in pain. In some of the vessels at anchor all hands were busily 4379 4380engaged in coiling ropes, spreading out sails to dry, taking in or 4381 4382discharging their cargoes; in others no life was visible but two or 4383 4384three tarry boys, and perhaps a barking dog running to and fro upon the 4385 4386deck or scrambling up to look over the side and bark the louder for the 4387 4388view. Coming slowly on through the forests of masts was a great 4389 4390steamship, beating the water in short impatient strokes with her heavy 4391 4392paddles as though she wanted room to breathe, and advancing in her huge 4393 4394bulk like a sea monster among the minnows of the Thames. On either hand 4395 4396were long black tiers of colliers; between them vessels slowly working 4397 4398out of harbour with sails glistening in the sun, and creaking noise on 4399 4400board, re-echoed from a hundred quarters. The water and all upon it was 4401 4402in active motion, dancing and buoyant and bubbling up; while the old 4403 4404grey Tower and piles of building on the shore, with many a church-spire 4405 4406shooting up between, looked coldly on, and seemed to disdain their 4407 4408chafing, restless neighbour.<br><br> 4409 4410Daniel Quilp, who was not much affected by a bright morning save in so 4411 4412far as it spared him the trouble of carrying an umbrella, caused 4413 4414himself to be put ashore hard by the wharf, and proceeded thither 4415 4416through a narrow lane which, partaking of the amphibious character of 4417 4418its frequenters, had as much water as mud in its composition, and a 4419 4420very liberal supply of both. Arrived at his destination, the first 4421 4422object that presented itself to his view was a pair of very imperfectly 4423 4424shod feet elevated in the air with the soles upwards, which remarkable 4425 4426appearance was referable to the boy, who being of an eccentric spirit 4427 4428and having a natural taste for tumbling, was now standing on his head 4429 4430and contemplating the aspect of the river under these uncommon 4431 4432circumstances. He was speedily brought on his heels by the sound of his 4433 4434master's voice, and as soon as his head was in its right position, Mr 4435 4436Quilp, to speak expressively in the absence of a better verb, 'punched 4437 4438it' for him.<br><br> 4439 4440'Come, you let me alone,' said the boy, parrying Quilp's hand with both 4441 4442his elbows alternatively. 'You'll get something you won't like if you 4443 4444don't and so I tell you.'<br><br> 4445 4446'You dog,' snarled Quilp, 'I'll beat you with an iron rod, I'll scratch 4447 4448you with a rusty nail, I'll pinch your eyes, if you talk to me--I will.'<br><br> 4449 4450With these threats he clenched his hand again, and dexterously diving 4451 4452in between the elbows and catching the boy's head as it dodged from 4453 4454side to side, gave it three or four good hard knocks. Having now 4455 4456carried his point and insisted on it, he left off.<br><br> 4457 4458'You won't do it agin,' said the boy, nodding his head and drawing 4459 4460back, with the elbows ready in case of the worst; 'now--'<br><br> 4461 4462'Stand still, you dog,' said Quilp. 'I won't do it again, because I've 4463 4464done it as often as I want. Here. Take the key.'<br><br> 4465 4466'Why don't you hit one of your size?' said the boy approaching very 4467 4468slowly.<br><br> 4469 4470'Where is there one of my size, you dog?' returned Quilp. 'Take the 4471 4472key, or I'll brain you with it'--indeed he gave him a smart tap with 4473 4474the handle as he spoke. 'Now, open the counting-house.'<br><br> 4475 4476The boy sulkily complied, muttering at first, but desisting when he 4477 4478looked round and saw that Quilp was following him with a steady look. 4479 4480And here it may be remarked, that between this boy and the dwarf there 4481 4482existed a strange kind of mutual liking. How born or bred, and or 4483 4484nourished upon blows and threats on one side, and retorts and defiances 4485 4486on the other, is not to the purpose. Quilp would certainly suffer 4487 4488nobody to contract him but the boy, and the boy would assuredly not 4489 4490have submitted to be so knocked about by anybody but Quilp, when he had 4491 4492the power to run away at any time he chose.<br><br> 4493 4494'Now,' said Quilp, passing into the wooden counting-house, 'you mind 4495 4496the wharf. Stand upon your head agin, and I'll cut one of your feet 4497 4498off.'<br><br> 4499 4500The boy made no answer, but directly Quilp had shut himself in, stood 4501 4502on his head before the door, then walked on his hands to the back and 4503 4504stood on his head there, and then to the opposite side and repeated the 4505 4506performance. There were indeed four sides to the counting-house, but he 4507 4508avoided that one where the window was, deeming it probable that Quilp 4509 4510would be looking out of it. This was prudent, for in point of fact, the 4511 4512dwarf, knowing his disposition, was lying in wait at a little distance 4513 4514from the sash armed with a large piece of wood, which, being rough and 4515 4516jagged and studded in many parts with broken nails, might possibly have 4517 4518hurt him.<br><br> 4519 4520It was a dirty little box, this counting-house, with nothing in it but 4521 4522an old ricketty desk and two stools, a hat-peg, an ancient almanack, an 4523 4524inkstand with no ink, and the stump of one pen, and an eight-day clock 4525 4526which hadn't gone for eighteen years at least, and of which the 4527 4528minute-hand had been twisted off for a tooth-pick. Daniel Quilp pulled 4529 4530his hat over his brows, climbed on to the desk (which had a flat top) 4531 4532and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep with ease of an 4533 4534old practitioner; intending, no doubt, to compensate himself for the 4535 4536deprivation of last night's rest, by a long and sound nap.<br><br> 4537 4538Sound it might have been, but long it was not, for he had not been 4539 4540asleep a quarter of an hour when the boy opened the door and thrust in 4541 4542his head, which was like a bundle of badly-picked oakum. Quilp was a 4543 4544light sleeper and started up directly.<br><br> 4545 4546'Here's somebody for you,' said the boy.<br><br> 4547 4548'Who?'<br><br> 4549 4550'I don't know.'<br><br> 4551 4552'Ask!' said Quilp, seizing the trifle of wood before mentioned and 4553 4554throwing it at him with such dexterity that it was well the boy 4555 4556disappeared before it reached the spot on which he had stood. 'Ask, you 4557 4558dog.'<br><br> 4559 4560Not caring to venture within range of such missles again, the boy 4561 4562discreetly sent in his stead the first cause of the interruption, who 4563 4564now presented herself at the door.<br><br> 4565 4566'What, Nelly!' cried Quilp.<br><br> 4567 4568'Yes,' said the child, hesitating whether to enter or retreat, for the 4569 4570dwarf just roused, with his dishevelled hair hanging all about him and 4571 4572a yellow handkerchief over his head, was something fearful to behold; 4573 4574it's only me, sir.'<br><br> 4575 4576'Come in,' said Quilp, without getting off the desk. 'Come in. Stay. 4577 4578Just look out into the yard, and see whether there's a boy standing on 4579 4580his head.'<br><br> 4581 4582'No, sir,' replied Nell. 'He's on his feet.'<br><br> 4583 4584'You're sure he is?' said Quilp. 'Well. Now, come in and shut the door. 4585 4586What's your message, Nelly?'<br><br> 4587 4588The child handed him a letter. Mr Quilp, without changing his position 4589
4590further than to turn over a little more on his side and rest his chin 4591 4592on his hand, proceeded to make himself acquainted with its contents.<br><br> 4593 4594CHAPTER 6<br><br> 4595 4596Little Nell stood timidly by, with her eyes raised to the countenance 4597 4598of Mr Quilp as he read the letter, plainly showing by her looks that 4599 4600while she entertained some fear and distrust of the little man, she was 4601 4602much inclined to laugh at his uncouth appearance and grotesque 4603 4604attitude. And yet there was visible on the part of the child a painful 4605 4606anxiety for his reply, and consciousness of his power to render it 4607 4608disagreeable or distressing, which was strongly at variance with this 4609 4610impulse and restrained it more effectually than she could possibly have 4611 4612done by any efforts of her own.<br><br> 4613 4614That Mr Quilp was himself perplexed, and that in no small degree, by 4615 4616the contents of the letter, was sufficiently obvious. Before he had got 4617 4618through the first two or three lines he began to open his eyes very 4619 4620wide and to frown most horribly, the next two or three caused him to 4621 4622scratch his head in an uncommonly vicious manner, and when he came to 4623 4624the conclusion he gave a long dismal whistle indicative of surprise and 4625 4626dismay. After folding and laying it down beside him, he bit the nails 4627 4628of all of his ten fingers with extreme voracity; and taking it up 4629 4630sharply, read it again. The second perusal was to all appearance as 4631 4632unsatisfactory as the first, and plunged him into a profound reverie 4633 4634from which he awakened to another assault upon his nails and a long 4635 4636stare at the child, who with her eyes turned towards the ground awaited 4637 4638his further pleasure.<br><br> 4639 4640'Halloa here!' he said at length, in a voice, and with a suddenness, 4641 4642which made the child start as though a gun had been fired off at her 4643 4644ear. 'Nelly!'<br><br> 4645 4646'Yes, sir.'<br><br> 4647 4648'Do you know what's inside this letter, Nell?'<br><br> 4649 4650'No, sir!'<br><br> 4651 4652'Are you sure, quite sure, quite certain, upon your soul?'<br><br> 4653 4654'Quite sure, sir.'<br><br> 4655 4656'Do you wish you may die if you do know, hey?' said the dwarf.<br><br> 4657 4658'Indeed I don't know,' returned the child.<br><br> 4659 4660'Well!' muttered Quilp as he marked her earnest look. 'I believe you. 4661 4662Humph! Gone already? Gone in four-and-twenty hours! What the devil has 4663 4664he done with it, that's the mystery!'<br><br> 4665 4666This reflection set him scratching his head and biting his nails once 4667 4668more. While he was thus employed his features gradually relaxed into 4669 4670what was with him a cheerful smile, but which in any other man would 4671 4672have been a ghastly grin of pain, and when the child looked up again 4673 4674she found that he was regarding her with extraordinary favour and 4675 4676complacency.<br><br> 4677 4678'You look very pretty to-day, Nelly, charmingly pretty. Are you tired, 4679 4680Nelly?'<br><br> 4681 4682'No, sir. I'm in a hurry to get back, for he will be anxious while I am 4683 4684away.'<br><br> 4685 4686'There's no hurry, little Nell, no hurry at all,' said Quilp. 'How 4687 4688should you like to be my number two, Nelly?'<br><br> 4689 4690'To be what, sir?'<br><br> 4691 4692'My number two, Nelly, my second, my Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf.<br><br> 4693 4694The child looked frightened, but seemed not to understand him, which Mr 4695 4696Quilp observing, hastened to make his meaning more distinctly.<br><br> 4697 4698'To be Mrs Quilp the second, when Mrs Quilp the first is dead, sweet 4699 4700Nell,' said Quilp, wrinkling up his eyes and luring her towards him 4701 4702with his bent forefinger, 'to be my wife, my little cherry-cheeked, 4703 4704red-lipped wife. Say that Mrs Quilp lives five year, or only four, 4705 4706you'll be just the proper age for me. Ha ha! Be a good girl, Nelly, a 4707 4708very good girl, and see if one of these days you don't come to be Mrs 4709 4710Quilp of Tower Hill.'<br><br> 4711 4712So far from being sustained and stimulated by this delightful prospect, 4713 4714the child shrank from him in great agitation, and trembled violently. 4715 4716Mr Quilp, either because frightening anybody afforded him a 4717 4718constitutional delight, or because it was pleasant to contemplate the 4719 4720death of Mrs Quilp number one, and the elevation of Mrs Quilp number 4721 4722two to her post and title, or because he was determined from purposes 4723 4724of his own to be agreeable and good-humoured at that particular time, 4725 4726only laughed and feigned to take no heed of her alarm.<br><br> 4727 4728'You shall home with me to Tower Hill and see Mrs Quilp that is, 4729 4730directly,' said the dwarf. 'She's very fond of you, Nell, though not so 4731 4732fond as I am. You shall come home with me.'<br><br> 4733 4734'I must go back indeed,' said the child. 'He told me to return directly 4735 4736I had the answer.'<br><br> 4737 4738'But you haven't it, Nelly,' retorted the dwarf, 'and won't have it, 4739 4740and can't have it, until I have been home, so you see that to do your 4741 4742errand, you must go with me. Reach me yonder hat, my dear, and we'll go 4743
4744directly.' With that, Mr Quilp suffered himself to roll gradually off 4745 4746the desk until his short legs touched the ground, when he got upon them 4747 4748and led the way from the counting-house to the wharf outside, when the 4749 4750first objects that presented themselves were the boy who had stood on 4751 4752his head and another young gentleman of about his own stature, rolling 4753 4754in the mud together, locked in a tight embrace, and cuffing each other 4755 4756with mutual heartiness.<br><br> 4757 4758'It's Kit!' cried Nelly, clasping her hand, 'poor Kit who came with me! 4759 4760Oh, pray stop them, Mr Quilp!'<br><br> 4761 4762'I'll stop 'em,' cried Quilp, diving into the little counting-house and 4763 4764returning with a thick stick, 'I'll stop 'em. Now, my boys, fight away. 4765 4766I'll fight you both. I'll take both of you, both together, both 4767 4768together!'<br><br> 4769 4770With which defiances the dwarf flourished his cudgel, and dancing round 4771 4772the combatants and treading upon them and skipping over them, in a kind 4773 4774of frenzy, laid about him, now on one and now on the other, in a most 4775 4776desperate manner, always aiming at their heads and dealing such blows 4777 4778as none but the veriest little savage would have inflicted. This being 4779 4780warmer work than they had calculated upon, speedily cooled the courage 4781 4782of the belligerents, who scrambled to their feet and called for quarter.<br><br> 4783 4784'I'll beat you to a pulp, you dogs,' said Quilp, vainly endeavoring to 4785 4786get near either of them for a parting blow. 'I'll bruise you until 4787 4788you're copper-coloured, I'll break your faces till you haven't a 4789 4790profile between you, I will.'<br><br> 4791 4792'Come, you drop that stick or it'll be worse for you,' said his boy, 4793 4794dodging round him and watching an opportunity to rush in; 'you drop 4795 4796that stick.'<br><br> 4797 4798'Come a little nearer, and I'll drop it on your skull, you dog,' said 4799 4800Quilp, with gleaming eyes; 'a little nearer--nearer yet.'<br><br> 4801 4802But the boy declined the invitation until his master was apparently a 4803 4804little off his guard, when he darted in and seizing the weapon tried to 4805 4806wrest it from his grasp. Quilp, who was as strong as a lion, easily 4807 4808kept his hold until the boy was tugging at it with his utmost power, 4809 4810when he suddenly let it go and sent him reeling backwards, so that he 4811 4812fell violently upon his head. The success of this manoeuvre tickled Mr 4813 4814Quilp beyond description, and he laughed and stamped upon the ground as 4815 4816at a most irresistible jest.<br><br> 4817 4818'Never mind,' said the boy, nodding his head and rubbing it at the same 4819 4820time; 'you see if ever I offer to strike anybody again because they say 4821 4822you're an uglier dwarf than can be seen anywheres for a penny, that's 4823 4824all.'<br><br> 4825 4826'Do you mean to say, I'm not, you dog?' returned Quilp.<br><br> 4827 4828'No!' retorted the boy.<br><br> 4829 4830'Then what do you fight on my wharf for, you villain?' said Quilp.<br><br> 4831 4832'Because he said so,' replied to boy, pointing to Kit, 'not because you 4833 4834an't.'<br><br> 4835 4836'Then why did he say,' bawled Kit, 'that Miss Nelly was ugly, and that 4837 4838she and my master was obliged to do whatever his master liked? Why did 4839 4840he say that?'<br><br> 4841 4842'He said what he did because he's a fool, and you said what you did 4843 4844because you're very wise and clever--almost too clever to live, unless 4845 4846you're very careful of yourself, Kit.' said Quilp, with great suavity 4847 4848in his manner, but still more of quiet malice about his eyes and mouth. 4849 4850'Here's sixpence for you, Kit. Always speak the truth. At all times, 4851 4852Kit, speak the truth. Lock the counting-house, you dog, and bring me 4853 4854the key.'<br><br> 4855 4856The other boy, to whom this order was addressed, did as he was told, 4857 4858and was rewarded for his partizanship in behalf of his master, by a 4859 4860dexterous rap on the nose with the key, which brought the water into 4861 4862his eyes. Then Mr Quilp departed with the child and Kit in a boat, and 4863 4864the boy revenged himself by dancing on his head at intervals on the 4865 4866extreme verge of the wharf, during the whole time they crossed the 4867 4868river.<br><br> 4869 4870There was only Mrs Quilp at home, and she, little expecting the return 4871 4872of her lord, was just composing herself for a refreshing slumber when 4873 4874the sound of his footsteps roused her. She had barely time to seem to 4875 4876be occupied in some needle-work, when he entered, accompanied by the 4877 4878child; having left Kit downstairs.<br><br> 4879 4880'Here's Nelly Trent, dear Mrs Quilp,' said her husband. 'A glass of 4881 4882wine, my dear, and a biscuit, for she has had a long walk. She'll sit 4883 4884with you, my soul, while I write a letter.'<br><br> 4885 4886Mrs Quilp looked tremblingly in her spouse's face to know what this 4887
4888unusual courtesy might portend, and obedient to the summons she saw in 4889 4890his gesture, followed him into the next room.<br><br> 4891 4892'Mind what I say to you,' whispered Quilp. 'See if you can get out of 4893 4894her anything about her grandfather, or what they do, or how they live, 4895 4896or what he tells her. I've my reasons for knowing, if I can. You women 4897 4898talk more freely to one another than you do to us, and you have a soft, 4899 4900mild way with you that'll win upon her. Do you hear?'<br><br> 4901 4902'Yes, Quilp.'<br><br> 4903 4904'Go then. What's the matter now?'<br><br> 4905 4906'Dear Quilp,' faltered his wife. 'I love the child--if you could do 4907 4908without making me deceive her--'<br><br> 4909 4910The dwarf muttering a terrible oath looked round as if for some weapon 4911 4912with which to inflict condign punishment upon his disobedient wife. The 4913 4914submissive little woman hurriedly entreated him not to be angry, and 4915 4916promised to do as he bade her.<br><br> 4917 4918'Do you hear me,' whispered Quilp, nipping and pinching her arm; 'worm 4919 4920yourself into her secrets; I know you can. I'm listening, recollect. If 4921 4922you're not sharp enough, I'll creak the door, and woe betide you if I 4923 4924have to creak it much. Go!'<br><br> 4925 4926Mrs Quilp departed according to order, and her amiable husband, 4927 4928ensconcing himself behind the partly opened door, and applying his ear 4929 4930close to it, began to listen with a face of great craftiness and 4931 4932attention.<br><br> 4933 4934Poor Mrs Quilp was thinking, however, in what manner to begin or what 4935 4936kind of inquiries she could make; and it was not until the door, 4937 4938creaking in a very urgent manner, warned her to proceed without further 4939 4940consideration, that the sound of her voice was heard.<br><br> 4941 4942'How very often you have come backwards and forwards lately to Mr 4943 4944Quilp, my dear.'<br><br> 4945 4946'I have said so to grandfather, a hundred times,' returned Nell 4947 4948innocently.<br><br> 4949 4950'And what has he said to that?'<br><br> 4951 4952'Only sighed, and dropped his head, and seemed so sad and wretched that 4953 4954if you could have seen him I am sure you must have cried; you could not 4955 4956have helped it more than I, I know. How that door creaks!'<br><br> 4957 4958'It often does.' returned Mrs Quilp, with an uneasy glance towards it. 4959 4960'But your grandfather--he used not to be so wretched?'<br><br> 4961 4962'Oh, no!' said the child eagerly, 'so different! We were once so happy 4963 4964and he so cheerful and contented! You cannot think what a sad change 4965 4966has fallen on us since.'<br><br> 4967 4968'I am very, very sorry, to hear you speak like this, my dear!' said Mrs 4969 4970Quilp. And she spoke the truth.<br><br> 4971 4972'Thank you,' returned the child, kissing her cheek, 'you are always 4973 4974kind to me, and it is a pleasure to talk to you. I can speak to no one 4975 4976else about him, but poor Kit. I am very happy still, I ought to feel 4977 4978happier perhaps than I do, but you cannot think how it grieves me 4979 4980sometimes to see him alter so.'<br><br> 4981 4982'He'll alter again, Nelly,' said Mrs Quilp, 'and be what he was before.'<br><br> 4983 4984'Oh, if God would only let that come about!' said the child with 4985 4986streaming eyes; 'but it is a long time now, since he first began to--I 4987 4988thought I saw that door moving!'<br><br> 4989 4990'It's the wind,' said Mrs Quilp, faintly. 'Began to--'<br><br> 4991 4992'To be so thoughtful and dejected, and to forget our old way of 4993 4994spending the time in the long evenings,' said the child. 'I used to 4995 4996read to him by the fireside, and he sat listening, and when I stopped 4997 4998and we began to talk, he told me about my mother, and how she once 4999 5000looked and spoke just like me when she was a little child. Then he used 5001 5002to take me on his knee, and try to make me understand that she was not 5003 5004lying in her grave, but had flown to a beautiful country beyond the sky 5005 5006where nothing died or ever grew old--we were very happy once!'<br><br> 5007 5008'Nelly, Nelly!' said the poor woman, 'I can't bear to see one as young 5009 5010as you so sorrowful. Pray don't cry.'<br><br> 5011 5012'I do so very seldom,' said Nell,' but I have kept this to myself a 5013 5014long time, and I am not quite well, I think, for the tears come into my 5015 5016eyes and I cannot keep them back. I don't mind telling you my grief, 5017 5018for I know you will not tell it to any one again.'<br><br> 5019 5020Mrs Quilp turned away her head and made no answer.<br><br> 5021 5022'Then,' said the child, 'we often walked in the fields and among the 5023 5024green trees, and when we came home at night, we liked it better for 5025 5026being tired, and said what a happy place it was. And if it was dark and 5027 5028rather dull, we used to say, what did it matter to us, for it only made 5029 5030us remember our last walk with greater pleasure, and look forward to 5031 5032our next one. But now we never have these walks, and though it is the 5033 5034same house it is darker and much more gloomy than it used to be, 5035 5036indeed!'<br><br> 5037 5038She paused here, but though the door creaked more than once, Mrs Quilp 5039 5040said nothing.<br><br> 5041 5042'Mind you don't suppose,' said the child earnestly, 'that grandfather 5043 5044is less kind to me than he was. I think he loves me better every day, 5045 5046and is kinder and more affectionate than he was the day before. You do 5047 5048not know how fond he is of me!'<br><br> 5049 5050'I am sure he loves you dearly,' said Mrs Quilp.<br><br> 5051 5052'Indeed, indeed he does!' cried Nell, 'as dearly as I love him. But I 5053 5054have not told you the greatest change of all, and this you must never 5055 5056breathe again to any one. He has no sleep or rest, but that which he 5057 5058takes by day in his easy chair; for every night and nearly all night 5059 5060long he is away from home.'<br><br> 5061 5062'Nelly!'<br><br> 5063 5064'Hush!' said the child, laying her finger on her lip and looking round. 5065 5066'When he comes home in the morning, which is generally just before day, 5067 5068I let him in. Last night he was very late, and it was quite light. I 5069 5070saw that his face was deadly pale, that his eyes were bloodshot, and 5071 5072that his legs trembled as he walked. When I had gone to bed again, I 5073 5074heard him groan. I got up and ran back to him, and heard him say, 5075 5076before he knew that I was there, that he could not bear his life much 5077 5078longer, and if it was not for the child, would wish to die. What shall 5079 5080I do! Oh! What shall I do!'<br><br> 5081 5082The fountains of her heart were opened; the child, overpowered by the 5083 5084weight of her sorrows and anxieties, by the first confidence she had 5085 5086ever shown, and the sympathy with which her little tale had been 5087 5088received, hid her face in the arms of her helpless friend, and burst 5089 5090into a passion of tears.<br><br> 5091 5092In a few minutes Mr Quilp returned, and expressed the utmost surprise 5093 5094to find her in this condition, which he did very naturally and with 5095
5096admirable effect, for that kind of acting had been rendered familiar to 5097 5098him by long practice, and he was quite at home in it.<br><br> 5099 5100'She's tired you see, Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf, squinting in a 5101 5102hideous manner to imply that his wife was to follow his lead. 'It's a 5103 5104long way from her home to the wharf, and then she was alarmed to see a 5105 5106couple of young scoundrels fighting, and was timorous on the water 5107 5108besides. All this together has been too much for her. Poor Nell!'<br><br> 5109 5110Mr Quilp unintentionally adopted the very best means he could have 5111 5112devised for the recovery of his young visitor, by patting her on the 5113 5114head. Such an application from any other hand might not have produced a 5115 5116remarkable effect, but the child shrank so quickly from his touch and 5117 5118felt such an instinctive desire to get out of his reach, that she rose 5119 5120directly and declared herself ready to return.<br><br> 5121 5122'But you'd better wait, and dine with Mrs Quilp and me.' said the dwarf.<br><br> 5123 5124'I have been away too long, sir, already,' returned Nell, drying her 5125 5126eyes.<br><br> 5127 5128'Well,' said Mr Quilp, 'if you will go, you will, Nelly. Here's the 5129 5130note. It's only to say that I shall see him to-morrow or maybe next 5131 5132day, and that I couldn't do that little business for him this morning. 5133 5134Good-bye, Nelly. Here, you sir; take care of her, d'ye hear?'<br><br> 5135 5136Kit, who appeared at the summons, deigned to make no reply to so 5137 5138needless an injunction, and after staring at Quilp in a threatening 5139 5140manner, as if he doubted whether he might not have been the cause of 5141 5142Nelly shedding tears, and felt more than half disposed to revenge the 5143 5144fact upon him on the mere suspicion, turned about and followed his 5145 5146young mistress, who had by this time taken her leave of Mrs Quilp and 5147 5148departed.<br><br> 5149 5150'You're a keen questioner, an't you, Mrs Quilp?' said the dwarf, 5151 5152turning upon her as soon as they were left alone.<br><br> 5153 5154'What more could I do?' returned his wife mildly?<br><br> 5155 5156'What more could you do!' sneered Quilp, 'couldn't you have done 5157 5158something less? Couldn't you have done what you had to do, without 5159 5160appearing in your favourite part of the crocodile, you minx?'<br><br> 5161 5162'I am very sorry for the child, Quilp,' said his wife. 'Surely I've 5163 5164done enough. I've led her on to tell her secret she supposed we were 5165 5166alone; and you were by, God forgive me.'<br><br> 5167 5168'You led her on! You did a great deal truly!' said Quilp. 'What did I 5169 5170tell you about making me creak the door? It's lucky for you that from 5171 5172what she let fall, I've got the clue I want, for if I hadn't, I'd have 5173 5174visited the failure upon you, I can tell you.'<br><br> 5175 5176Mrs Quilp being fully persuaded of this, made no reply. Her husband 5177 5178added with some exultation,<br><br> 5179 5180'But you may thank your fortunate stars--the same stars that made you 5181 5182Mrs Quilp--you may thank them that I'm upon the old gentleman's track, 5183 5184and have got a new light. So let me hear no more about this matter now 5185 5186or at any other time, and don't get anything too nice for dinner, for I 5187 5188shan't be home to it.'<br><br> 5189
5190So saying, Mr Quilp put his hat on and took himself off, and Mrs Quilp, 5191 5192who was afflicted beyond measure by the recollection of the part she 5193 5194had just acted, shut herself up in her chamber, and smothering her head 5195 5196in the bed-clothes bemoaned her fault more bitterly than many less 5197 5198tender-hearted persons would have mourned a much greater offence; for, 5199 5200in the majority of cases, conscience is an elastic and very flexible 5201 5202article, which will bear a deal of stretching and adapt itself to a 5203 5204great variety of circumstances. Some people by prudent management and 5205 5206leaving it off piece by piece like a flannel waistcoat in warm weather, 5207 5208even contrive, in time, to dispense with it altogether; but there be 5209 5210others who can assume the garment and throw it off at pleasure; and 5211 5212this, being the greatest and most convenient improvement, is the one 5213 5214most in vogue.<br><br> 5215 5216CHAPTER 7<br><br> 5217 5218'Fred,' said Mr Swiveller, 'remember the once popular melody of Begone 5219 5220dull care; fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of 5221 5222friendship; and pass the rosy wine.'<br><br> 5223 5224Mr Richard Swiveller's apartments were in the neighbourhood of Drury 5225 5226Lane, and in addition to this convenience of situation had the 5227 5228advantage of being over a tobacconist's shop, so that he was enabled to 5229 5230procure a refreshing sneeze at any time by merely stepping out upon the 5231 5232staircase, and was saved the trouble and expense of maintaining a 5233 5234snuff-box. It was in these apartments that Mr Swiveller made use of the 5235 5236expressions above recorded for the consolation and encouragement of his 5237 5238desponding friend; and it may not be uninteresting or improper to 5239 5240remark that even these brief observations partook in a double sense of 5241 5242the figurative and poetical character of Mr Swiveller's mind, as the 5243 5244rosy wine was in fact represented by one glass of cold gin-and-water, 5245 5246which was replenished as occasion required from a bottle and jug upon 5247 5248the table, and was passed from one to another, in a scarcity of 5249 5250tumblers which, as Mr Swiveller's was a bachelor's establishment, may 5251 5252be acknowledged without a blush. By a like pleasant fiction his single 5253 5254chamber was always mentioned in a plural number. In its disengaged 5255 5256times, the tobacconist had announced it in his window as 'apartments' 5257 5258for a single gentleman, and Mr Swiveller, following up the hint, never 5259 5260failed to speak of it as his rooms, his lodgings, or his chambers, 5261 5262conveying to his hearers a notion of indefinite space, and leaving 5263 5264their imaginations to wander through long suites of lofty halls, at 5265 5266pleasure.<br><br> 5267 5268In this flight of fancy, Mr Swiveller was assisted by a deceptive piece 5269 5270of furniture, in reality a bedstead, but in semblance a bookcase, which 5271 5272occupied a prominent situation in his chamber and seemed to defy 5273 5274suspicion and challenge inquiry. There is no doubt that by day Mr 5275 5276Swiveller firmly believed this secret convenience to be a bookcase and 5277 5278nothing more; that he closed his eyes to the bed, resolutely denied the 5279 5280existence of the blankets, and spurned the bolster from his thoughts. 5281 5282No word of its real use, no hint of its nightly service, no allusion to 5283 5284its peculiar properties, had ever passed between him and his most 5285 5286intimate friends. Implicit faith in the deception was the first article 5287 5288of his creed. To be the friend of Swiveller you must reject all 5289 5290circumstantial evidence, all reason, observation, and experience, and 5291 5292repose a blind belief in the bookcase. It was his pet weakness, and he 5293 5294cherished it.<br><br> 5295 5296'Fred!' said Mr Swiveller, finding that his former adjuration had been 5297 5298productive of no effect. 'Pass the rosy.'<br><br> 5299 5300Young Trent with an impatient gesture pushed the glass towards him, and 5301 5302fell again in the moody attitude from which he had been unwillingly 5303 5304roused.<br><br> 5305 5306'I'll give you, Fred,' said his friend, stirring the mixture, 'a little 5307 5308sentiment appropriate to the occasion. Here's May the--'<br><br> 5309 5310'Pshaw!' interposed the other. 'You worry me to death with your 5311 5312chattering. You can be merry under any circumstances.'<br><br> 5313 5314'Why, Mr Trent,' returned Dick, 'there is a proverb which talks about 5315 5316being merry and wise. There are some people who can be merry and can't 5317 5318be wise, and some who can be wise (or think they can) and can't be 5319 5320merry. I'm one of the first sort. If the proverb's a good 'un, I 5321 5322suppose it's better to keep to half of it than none; at all events, I'd 5323 5324rather be merry and not wise, than like you, neither one nor t'other.'<br><br> 5325 5326'Bah!' muttered his friend, peevishly.<br><br> 5327 5328'With all my heart,' said Mr Swiveller. 'In the polite circles I 5329 5330believe this sort of thing isn't usually said to a gentleman in his own 5331 5332apartments, but never mind that. Make yourself at home,' adding to this 5333 5334retort an observation to the effect that his friend appeared to be 5335 5336rather 'cranky' in point of temper, Richard Swiveller finished the 5337 5338rosy and applied himself to the composition of another glassful, in 5339 5340which, after tasting it with great relish, he proposed a toast to an 5341 5342imaginary company.<br><br> 5343 5344'Gentlemen, I'll give you, if you please, Success to the ancient family 5345 5346of the Swivellers, and good luck to Mr Richard in particular--Mr 5347 5348Richard, gentlemen,' said Dick with great emphasis, 'who spends all his 5349 5350money on his friends and is Bah!'d for his pains. Hear, hear!'<br><br> 5351
5352'Dick!' said the other, returning to his seat after having paced the 5353 5354room twice or thrice, 'will you talk seriously for two minutes, if I 5355 5356show you a way to make your fortune with very little trouble?'<br><br> 5357 5358'You've shown me so many,' returned Dick; 'and nothing has come of any 5359 5360one of 'em but empty pockets--'<br><br> 5361 5362'You'll tell a different story of this one, before a very long time is 5363 5364over,' said his companion, drawing his chair to the table. 'You saw my 5365 5366sister Nell?'<br><br> 5367 5368'What about her?' returned Dick.<br><br> 5369 5370'She has a pretty face, has she not?'<br><br> 5371 5372'Why, certainly,' replied Dick. 'I must say for her that there's not 5373 5374any very strong family likeness between her and you.'<br><br> 5375 5376'Has she a pretty face,' repeated his friend impatiently.<br><br> 5377 5378'Yes,' said Dick, 'she has a pretty face, a very pretty face. What of 5379 5380that?'<br><br> 5381 5382'I'll tell you,' returned his friend. 'It's very plain that the old man 5383 5384and I will remain at daggers drawn to the end of our lives, and that I 5385 5386have nothing to expect from him. You see that, I suppose?'<br><br> 5387 5388'A bat might see that, with the sun shining,' said Dick.<br><br> 5389 5390'It's equally plain that the money which the old flint--rot him--first 5391 5392taught me to expect that I should share with her at his death, will all 5393 5394be hers, is it not?'<br><br> 5395 5396'I should said it was,' replied Dick; 'unless the way in which I put 5397 5398the case to him, made an impression. It may have done so. It was 5399 5400powerful, Fred. 'Here is a jolly old grandfather'--that was strong, I 5401 5402thought--very friendly and natural. Did it strike you in that way?'<br><br> 5403 5404It didn't strike him,' returned the other, 'so we needn't discuss it. 5405 5406Now look here. Nell is nearly fourteen.'<br><br> 5407 5408'Fine girl of her age, but small,' observed Richard Swiveller 5409 5410parenthetically.<br><br> 5411 5412'If I am to go on, be quiet for one minute,' returned Trent, fretting 5413 5414at the slight interest the other appeared to take in the conversation. 5415 5416'Now I'm coming to the point.'<br><br> 5417 5418'That's right,' said Dick.<br><br> 5419 5420'The girl has strong affections, and brought up as she has been, may, 5421 5422at her age, be easily influenced and persuaded. If I take her in hand, 5423 5424I will be bound by a very little coaxing and threatening to bend her to 5425 5426my will. Not to beat about the bush (for the advantages of the scheme 5427 5428would take a week to tell) what's to prevent your marrying her?'<br><br> 5429 5430Richard Swiveller, who had been looking over the rim of the tumbler 5431 5432while his companion addressed the foregoing remarks to him with great 5433 5434energy and earnestness of manner, no sooner heard these words than he 5435 5436evinced the utmost consternation, and with difficulty ejaculated the 5437 5438monosyllable:<br><br> 5439 5440'What!'<br><br> 5441 5442'I say, what's to prevent,' repeated the other with a steadiness of 5443 5444manner, of the effect of which upon his companion he was well assured 5445 5446by long experience, 'what's to prevent your marrying her?'<br><br> 5447 5448'And she 'nearly fourteen'!' cried Dick.<br><br> 5449 5450'I don't mean marrying her now'--returned the brother angrily; 'say in 5451 5452two year's time, in three, in four. Does the old man look like a 5453 5454long-liver?'<br><br> 5455 5456'He don't look like it,' said Dick shaking his head, 'but these old 5457 5458people--there's no trusting them, Fred. There's an aunt of mine down in 5459 5460Dorsetshire that was going to die when I was eight years old, and 5461 5462hasn't kept her word yet. They're so aggravating, so unprincipled, so 5463 5464spiteful--unless there's apoplexy in the family, Fred, you can't 5465 5466calculate upon 'em, and even then they deceive you just as often as 5467 5468not.'<br><br> 5469 5470'Look at the worst side of the question then,' said Trent as steadily 5471 5472as before, and keeping his eyes upon his friend. 'Suppose he lives.'<br><br> 5473 5474'To be sure,' said Dick. 'There's the rub.'<br><br> 5475 5476'I say,' resumed his friend, 'suppose he lives, and I persuaded, or if 5477 5478the word sounds more feasible, forced Nell to a secret marriage with 5479 5480you. What do you think would come of that?'<br><br> 5481 5482'A family and an annual income of nothing, to keep 'em on,' said 5483 5484Richard Swiveller after some reflection.<br><br> 5485 5486'I tell you,' returned the other with an increased earnestness, which, 5487 5488whether it were real or assumed, had the same effect on his companion, 5489 5490'that he lives for her, that his whole energies and thoughts are bound 5491 5492up in her, that he would no more disinherit her for an act of 5493 5494disobedience than he would take me into his favour again for any act of 5495 5496obedience or virtue that I could possibly be guilty of. He could not do 5497 5498it. You or any other man with eyes in his head may see that, if he 5499 5500chooses.'<br><br> 5501 5502'It seems improbable certainly,' said Dick, musing.<br><br> 5503 5504'It seems improbable because it is improbable,' his friend returned. 5505 5506'If you would furnish him with an additional inducement to forgive you, 5507 5508let there be an irreconcilable breach, a most deadly quarrel, between 5509 5510you and me--let there be a pretense of such a thing, I mean, of 5511 5512course--and he'll do fast enough. As to Nell, constant dropping will 5513 5514wear away a stone; you know you may trust to me as far as she is 5515 5516concerned. So, whether he lives or dies, what does it come to? That 5517 5518you become the sole inheritor of the wealth of this rich old hunks, 5519 5520that you and I spend it together, and that you get into the bargain a 5521 5522beautiful young wife.'<br><br> 5523 5524'I suppose there's no doubt about his being rich'--said Dick.<br><br> 5525 5526'Doubt! Did you hear what he left fall the other day when we were 5527 5528there? Doubt! What will you doubt next, Dick?'<br><br> 5529 5530It would be tedious to pursue the conversation through all its artful 5531 5532windings, or to develope the gradual approaches by which the heart of 5533 5534Richard Swiveller was gained. It is sufficient to know that vanity, 5535 5536interest, poverty, and every spendthrift consideration urged him to 5537 5538look upon the proposal with favour, and that where all other 5539 5540inducements were wanting, the habitual carelessness of his disposition 5541 5542stepped in and still weighed down the scale on the same side. To these 5543 5544impulses must be added the complete ascendancy which his friend had 5545 5546long been accustomed to exercise over him--an ascendancy exerted in the 5547 5548beginning sorely at the expense of his friend's vices, and was in nine 5549 5550cases out of ten looked upon as his designing tempter when he was 5551 5552indeed nothing but his thoughtless, light-headed tool.<br><br> 5553 5554The motives on the other side were something deeper than any which 5555 5556Richard Swiveller entertained or understood, but these being left to 5557 5558their own development, require no present elucidation. The negotiation 5559 5560was concluded very pleasantly, and Mr Swiveller was in the act of 5561 5562stating in flowery terms that he had no insurmountable objection to 5563 5564marrying anybody plentifully endowed with money or moveables, who could 5565 5566be induced to take him, when he was interrupted in his observations by 5567 5568a knock at the door, and the consequent necessity of crying 'Come in.'<br><br> 5569 5570The door was opened, but nothing came in except a soapy arm and a 5571 5572strong gush of tobacco. The gush of tobacco came from the shop 5573 5574downstairs, and the soapy arm proceeded from the body of a 5575 5576servant-girl, who being then and there engaged in cleaning the stairs 5577 5578had just drawn it out of a warm pail to take in a letter, which letter 5579 5580she now held in her hand, proclaiming aloud with that quick perception 5581 5582of surnames peculiar to her class that it was for Mister Snivelling.<br><br> 5583 5584Dick looked rather pale and foolish when he glanced at the direction, 5585 5586and still more so when he came to look at the inside, observing that it 5587 5588was one of the inconveniences of being a lady's man, and that it was 5589 5590very easy to talk as they had been talking, but he had quite forgotten 5591 5592her.<br><br> 5593 5594'Her. Who?' demanded Trent.<br><br> 5595 5596'Sophy Wackles,' said Dick.<br><br> 5597 5598'Who's she?'<br><br> 5599 5600'She's all my fancy painted her, sir, that's what she is,' said Mr 5601 5602Swiveller, taking a long pull at 'the rosy' and looking gravely at his 5603 5604friend. 'She's lovely, she's divine. You know her.'<br><br> 5605 5606'I remember,' said his companion carelessly. 'What of her?'<br><br> 5607 5608'Why, sir,' returned Dick, 'between Miss Sophia Wackles and the humble 5609 5610individual who has now the honor to address you, warm and tender 5611 5612sentiments have been engendered, sentiments of the most honourable and 5613 5614inspiring kind. The Goddess Diana, sir, that calls aloud for the chase, 5615 5616is not more particular in her behavior than Sophia Wackles; I can tell 5617 5618you that.'<br><br> 5619 5620'Am I to believe there's anything real in what you say?' demanded his 5621 5622friend; 'you don't mean to say that any love-making has been going on?'<br><br> 5623 5624'Love-making, yes. Promising, no,' said Dick. 'There can be no action 5625 5626for breach, that's one comfort. I've never committed myself in writing, 5627 5628Fred.'<br><br> 5629 5630'And what's in the letter, pray?'<br><br> 5631 5632'A reminder, Fred, for to-night--a small party of twenty, making two 5633 5634hundred light fantastic toes in all, supposing every lady and gentleman 5635 5636to have the proper complement. I must go, if it's only to begin 5637 5638breaking off the affair--I'll do it, don't you be afraid. I should like 5639 5640to know whether she left this herself. If she did, unconscious of any 5641 5642bar to her happiness, it's affecting, Fred.'<br><br> 5643 5644To solve this question, Mr Swiveller summoned the handmaid and 5645 5646ascertained that Miss Sophy Wackles had indeed left the letter with her 5647 5648own hands; and that she had come accompanied, for decorum's sake no 5649 5650doubt, by a younger Miss Wackles; and that on learning that Mr 5651 5652Swiveller was at home and being requested to walk upstairs, she was 5653 5654extremely shocked and professed that she would rather die. Mr Swiveller 5655 5656heard this account with a degree of admiration not altogether 5657 5658consistent with the project in which he had just concurred, but his 5659 5660friend attached very little importance to his behavior in this respect, 5661 5662probably because he knew that he had influence sufficient to control 5663 5664Richard Swiveller's proceedings in this or any other matter, whenever 5665 5666he deemed it necessary, for the advancement of his own purposes, to 5667 5668exert it.<br><br> 5669 5670CHAPTER 8<br><br> 5671 5672Business disposed of, Mr Swiveller was inwardly reminded of its being 5673 5674nigh dinner-time, and to the intent that his health might not be 5675
5676endangered by longer abstinence, dispatched a message to the nearest 5677 5678eating-house requiring an immediate supply of boiled beef and greens 5679 5680for two. With this demand, however, the eating-house (having experience 5681 5682of its customer) declined to comply, churlishly sending back for answer 5683 5684that if Mr Swiveller stood in need of beef perhaps he would be so 5685 5686obliging as to come there and eat it, bringing with him, as grace 5687 5688before meat, the amount of a certain small account which had long been 5689 5690outstanding. Not at all intimidated by this rebuff, but rather 5691 5692sharpened in wits and appetite, Mr Swiveller forwarded the same message 5693 5694to another and more distant eating-house, adding to it by way of rider 5695 5696that the gentleman was induced to send so far, not only by the great 5697 5698fame and popularity its beef had acquired, but in consequence of the 5699 5700extreme toughness of the beef retailed at the obdurant cook's shop, 5701 5702which rendered it quite unfit not merely for gentlemanly food, but for 5703 5704any human consumption. The good effect of this politic course was 5705 5706demonstrated by the speedy arrival of a small pewter pyramid, curiously 5707 5708constructed of platters and covers, whereof the boiled-beef-plates 5709 5710formed the base, and a foaming quart-pot the apex; the structure being 5711 5712resolved into its component parts afforded all things requisite and 5713 5714necessary for a hearty meal, to which Mr Swiveller and his friend 5715 5716applied themselves with great keenness and enjoyment.<br><br> 5717 5718'May the present moment,' said Dick, sticking his fork into a large 5719 5720carbuncular potato, 'be the worst of our lives! I like the plan of 5721 5722sending 'em with the peel on; there's a charm in drawing a potato from 5723 5724its native element (if I may so express it) to which the rich and 5725 5726powerful are strangers. Ah! 'Man wants but little here below, nor wants 5727 5728that little long!' How true that is!--after dinner.'<br><br> 5729 5730'I hope the eating-house keeper will want but little and that he may 5731 5732not want that little long,' returned his companion; but I suspect 5733 5734you've no means of paying for this!'<br><br> 5735 5736'I shall be passing present, and I'll call,' said Dick, winking his eye 5737 5738significantly. 'The waiter's quite helpless. The goods are gone, Fred, 5739 5740and there's an end of it.'<br><br> 5741 5742In point of fact, it would seem that the waiter felt this wholesome 5743 5744truth, for when he returned for the empty plates and dishes and was 5745 5746informed by Mr Swiveller with dignified carelessness that he would call 5747 5748and settle when he should be passing presently, he displayed some 5749 5750perturbation of spirit and muttered a few remarks about 'payment on 5751 5752delivery' and 'no trust,' and other unpleasant subjects, but was fain 5753 5754to content himself with inquiring at what hour it was likely that the 5755 5756gentleman would call, in order that being presently responsible for the 5757 5758beef, greens, and sundries, he might take to be in the way at the time. 5759 5760Mr Swiveller, after mentally calculating his engagements to a nicety, 5761 5762replied that he should look in at from two minutes before six and seven 5763 5764minutes past; and the man disappearing with this feeble consolation, 5765 5766Richard Swiveller took a greasy memorandum-book from his pocket and 5767 5768made an entry therein.<br><br> 5769 5770'Is that a reminder, in case you should forget to call?' said Trent 5771 5772with a sneer.<br><br> 5773 5774'Not exactly, Fred,' replied the imperturbable Richard, continuing to 5775 5776write with a businesslike air. 'I enter in this little book the names 5777 5778of the streets that I can't go down while the shops are open. This 5779 5780dinner today closes Long Acre. I bought a pair of boots in Great Queen 5781 5782Street last week, and made that no throughfare too. There's only one 5783 5784avenue to the Strand left often now, and I shall have to stop up that 5785 5786to-night with a pair of gloves. The roads are closing so fast in every 5787 5788direction, that in a month's time, unless my aunt sends me a 5789 5790remittance, I shall have to go three or four miles out of town to get 5791 5792over the way.'<br><br> 5793 5794'There's no fear of failing, in the end?' said Trent.<br><br> 5795 5796'Why, I hope not,' returned Mr Swiveller, 'but the average number of 5797 5798letters it take to soften her is six, and this time we have got as far 5799 5800as eight without any effect at all. I'll write another to-morrow 5801 5802morning. I mean to blot it a good deal and shake some water over it out 5803 5804of the pepper-castor to make it look penitent. 'I'm in such a state of 5805 5806mind that I hardly know what I write'--blot--' if you could see me at 5807 5808this minute shedding tears for my past misconduct'--pepper-castor--my 5809 5810hand trembles when I think'--blot again--if that don't produce the 5811 5812effect, it's all over.'<br><br> 5813 5814By this time, Mr Swiveller had finished his entry, and he now replaced 5815 5816his pencil in its little sheath and closed the book, in a perfectly 5817 5818grave and serious frame of mind. His friend discovered that it was time 5819 5820for him to fulfil some other engagement, and Richard Swiveller was 5821 5822accordingly left alone, in company with the rosy wine and his own 5823 5824meditations touching Miss Sophy Wackles.<br><br> 5825 5826'It's rather sudden,' said Dick shaking his head with a look of 5827 5828infinite wisdom, and running on (as he was accustomed to do) with 5829 5830scraps of verse as if they were only prose in a hurry; 'when the heart 5831 5832of a man is depressed with fears, the mist is dispelled when Miss 5833 5834Wackles appears; she's a very nice girl. She's like the red red rose 5835 5836that's newly sprung in June--there's no denying that--she's also like a 5837 5838melody that's sweetly played in tune. It's really very sudden. Not that 5839 5840there's any need, on account of Fred's little sister, to turn cool 5841 5842directly, but its better not to go too far. If I begin to cool at all I 5843 5844must begin at once, I see that. There's the chance of an action for 5845 5846breach, that's another. There's the chance of--no, there's no chance of 5847 5848that, but it's as well to be on the safe side.'<br><br> 5849 5850This undeveloped was the possibility, which Richard Swiveller sought to 5851 5852conceal even from himself, of his not being proof against the charms of 5853 5854Miss Wackles, and in some unguarded moment, by linking his fortunes to 5855
5856hers forever, of putting it out of his own power to further their 5857 5858notable scheme to which he had so readily become a party. For all these 5859 5860reasons, he decided to pick a quarrel with Miss Wackles without delay, 5861 5862and casting about for a pretext determined in favour of groundless 5863 5864jealousy. Having made up his mind on this important point, he 5865 5866circulated the glass (from his right hand to left, and back again) 5867 5868pretty freely, to enable him to act his part with the greater 5869 5870discretion, and then, after making some slight improvements in his 5871 5872toilet, bent his steps towards the spot hallowed by the fair object of 5873 5874his meditations.<br><br> 5875 5876The spot was at Chelsea, for there Miss Sophia Wackles resided with her 5877 5878widowed mother and two sisters, in conjunction with whom she maintained 5879 5880a very small day-school for young ladies of proportionate dimensions; a 5881 5882circumstance which was made known to the neighbourhood by an oval board 5883 5884over the front first-floor windows, whereupon appeared in circumambient 5885 5886flourishes the words 'Ladies' Seminary'; and which was further 5887 5888published and proclaimed at intervals between the hours of half-past 5889 5890nine and ten in the morning, by a straggling and solitary young lady of 5891 5892tender years standing on the scraper on the tips of her toes and making 5893 5894futile attempts to reach the knocker with a spelling-book. The several 5895 5896duties of instruction in this establishment were thus discharged. 5897 5898English grammar, composition, geography, and the use of the dumb-bells, 5899 5900by Miss Melissa Wackles; writing, arithmetic, dancing, music, and 5901 5902general fascination, by Miss Sophia Wackles; the art of needle-work, 5903 5904marking, and samplery, by Miss Jane Wackles; corporal punishment, 5905 5906fasting, and other tortures and terrors, by Mrs Wackles. Miss Melissa 5907 5908Wackles was the eldest daughter, Miss Sophy the next, and Miss Jane the 5909 5910youngest. Miss Melissa might have seen five-and-thirty summers or 5911 5912thereabouts, and verged on the autumnal; Miss Sophy was a fresh, good 5913 5914humoured, buxom girl of twenty; and Miss Jane numbered scarcely sixteen 5915 5916years. Mrs Wackles was an excellent but rather venomous old lady of 5917 5918three-score.<br><br> 5919 5920To this Ladies' Seminary, then, Richard Swiveller hied, with designs 5921 5922obnoxious to the peace of the fair Sophia, who, arrayed in virgin 5923 5924white, embellished by no ornament but one blushing rose, received him 5925 5926on his arrival, in the midst of very elegant not to say brilliant 5927 5928preparations; such as the embellishment of the room with the little 5929 5930flower-pots which always stood on the window-sill outside, save in 5931 5932windy weather when they blew into the area; the choice attire of the 5933 5934day-scholars who were allowed to grace the festival; the unwonted curls 5935 5936of Miss Jane Wackles who had kept her head during the whole of the 5937 5938preceding day screwed up tight in a yellow play-bill; and the solemn 5939 5940gentility and stately bearing of the old lady and her eldest daughter, 5941 5942which struck Mr Swiveller as being uncommon but made no further 5943 5944impression upon him.<br><br> 5945 5946The truth is--and, as there is no accounting for tastes, even a taste 5947 5948so strange as this may be recorded without being looked upon as a 5949 5950wilful and malicious invention--the truth is that neither Mrs Wackles 5951 5952nor her eldest daughter had at any time greatly favoured the 5953 5954pretensions of Mr Swiveller, being accustomed to make slight mention of 5955 5956him as 'a gay young man' and to sigh and shake their heads ominously 5957 5958whenever his name was mentioned. Mr Swiveller's conduct in respect to 5959 5960Miss Sophy having been of that vague and dilatory kind which is usually 5961 5962looked upon as betokening no fixed matrimonial intentions, the young 5963 5964lady herself began in course of time to deem it highly desirable, that 5965 5966it should be brought to an issue one way or other. Hence she had at 5967 5968last consented to play off against Richard Swiveller a stricken 5969 5970market-gardner known to be ready with his offer on the smallest 5971 5972encouragement, and hence--as this occasion had been specially assigned 5973 5974for the purpose--that great anxiety on her part for Richard Swiveller's 5975 5976presence which had occasioned her to leave the note he has been seen to 5977 5978receive. 'If he has any expectations at all or any means of keeping a 5979 5980wife well,' said Mrs Wackles to her eldest daughter, 'he'll state 'em 5981 5982to us now or never.'--'If he really cares about me,' thought Miss 5983 5984Sophy, 'he must tell me so, to-night.'<br><br> 5985 5986But all these sayings and doings and thinkings being unknown to Mr 5987 5988Swiveller, affected him not in the least; he was debating in his mind 5989 5990how he could best turn jealous, and wishing that Sophy were for that 5991 5992occasion only far less pretty than she was, or that she were her own 5993 5994sister, which would have served his turn as well, when the company 5995 5996came, and among them the market-gardener, whose name was Cheggs. But Mr 5997 5998Cheggs came not alone or unsupported, for he prudently brought along 5999 6000with him his sister, Miss Cheggs, who making straight to Miss Sophy and 6001 6002taking her by both hands, and kissing her on both cheeks, hoped in an 6003 6004audible whisper that they had not come too early.<br><br> 6005 6006'Too early, no!' replied Miss Sophy.<br><br> 6007 6008'Oh, my dear,' rejoined Miss Cheggs in the same whisper as before, 6009 6010'I've been so tormented, so worried, that it's a mercy we were not here 6011 6012at four o'clock in the afternoon. Alick has been in such a state of 6013 6014impatience to come! You'd hardly believe that he was dressed before 6015 6016dinner-time and has been looking at the clock and teasing me ever 6017 6018since. It's all your fault, you naughty thing.'<br><br> 6019 6020Hereupon Miss Sophy blushed, and Mr Cheggs (who was bashful before 6021 6022ladies) blushed too, and Miss Sophy's mother and sisters, to prevent Mr 6023 6024Cheggs from blushing more, lavished civilities and attentions upon him, 6025 6026and left Richard Swiveller to take care of himself. Here was the very 6027 6028thing he wanted, here was good cause reason and foundation for 6029 6030pretending to be angry; but having this cause reason and foundation 6031 6032which he had come expressly to seek, not expecting to find, Richard 6033 6034Swiveller was angry in sound earnest, and wondered what the devil 6035
6036Cheggs meant by his impudence.<br><br> 6037 6038However, Mr Swiveller had Miss Sophy's hand for the first quadrille 6039 6040(country-dances being low, were utterly proscribed) and so gained an 6041 6042advantage over his rival, who sat despondingly in a corner and 6043 6044contemplated the glorious figure of the young lady as she moved through 6045 6046the mazy dance. Nor was this the only start Mr Swiveller had of the 6047 6048market-gardener, for determining to show the family what quality of man 6049 6050they trifled with, and influenced perhaps by his late libations, he 6051 6052performed such feats of agility and such spins and twirls as filled the 6053 6054company with astonishment, and in particular caused a very long 6055 6056gentleman who was dancing with a very short scholar, to stand quite 6057 6058transfixed by wonder and admiration. Even Mrs Wackles forgot for the 6059 6060moment to snub three small young ladies who were inclined to be happy, 6061 6062and could not repress a rising thought that to have such a dancer as 6063 6064that in the family would be a pride indeed.<br><br> 6065 6066At this momentous crisis, Miss Cheggs proved herself a vigourous and 6067 6068useful ally, for not confining herself to expressing by scornful smiles 6069 6070a contempt for Mr Swiveller's accomplishments, she took every 6071 6072opportunity of whispering into Miss Sophy's ear expressions of 6073 6074condolence and sympathy on her being worried by such a ridiculous 6075 6076creature, declaring that she was frightened to death lest Alick should 6077 6078fall upon, and beat him, in the fulness of his wrath, and entreating 6079 6080Miss Sophy to observe how the eyes of the said Alick gleamed with love 6081 6082and fury; passions, it may be observed, which being too much for his 6083 6084eyes rushed into his nose also, and suffused it with a crimson glow.<br><br> 6085 6086'You must dance with Miss Chegs,' said Miss Sophy to Dick Swiviller, 6087 6088after she had herself danced twice with Mr Cheggs and made great show 6089 6090of encouraging his advances. 'She's a nice girl--and her brother's 6091 6092quite delightful.'<br><br> 6093 6094'Quite delightful, is he?' muttered Dick. 'Quite delighted too, I 6095 6096should say, from the manner in which he's looking this way.'<br><br> 6097 6098Here Miss Jane (previously instructed for the purpose) interposed her 6099 6100many curls and whispered her sister to observe how jealous Mr Cheggs 6101 6102was.<br><br> 6103 6104'Jealous! Like his impudence!' said Richard Swiviller.<br><br> 6105 6106'His impudence, Mr Swiviller!' said Miss Jane, tossing her head. 'Take 6107 6108care he don't hear you, sir, or you may be sorry for it.'<br><br> 6109 6110'Oh, pray, Jane--' said Miss Sophy.<br><br> 6111 6112'Nonsense!' replied her sister. 'Why shouldn't Mr Cheggs be jealous if 6113 6114he likes? I like that, certainly. Mr Cheggs has a good a right to be 6115 6116jealous as anyone else has, and perhaps he may have a better right soon 6117 6118if he hasn't already. You know best about that, Sophy!'<br><br> 6119 6120Though this was a concerted plot between Miss Sophy and her sister, 6121 6122originating in humane intentions and having for its object the inducing 6123 6124Mr Swiviller to declare himself in time, it failed in its effect; for 6125 6126Miss Jane being one of those young ladies who are prematurely shrill 6127 6128and shrewish, gave such undue importance to her part that Mr Swiviller 6129 6130retired in dudgeon, resigning his mistress to Mr Cheggs and conveying a 6131 6132defiance into his looks which that gentleman indignantly returned.<br><br> 6133 6134'Did you speak to me, sir?' said Mr Cheggs, following him into a 6135 6136corner. 'Have the kindness to smile, sir, in order that we may not be 6137 6138suspected. Did you speak to me, sir'?<br><br> 6139 6140Mr Swiviller looked with a supercilious smile at Mr Chegg's toes, then 6141 6142raised his eyes from them to his ankles, from that to his shin, from 6143 6144that to his knee, and so on very gradually, keeping up his right leg, 6145 6146until he reached his waistcoat, when he raised his eyes from button to 6147 6148button until he reached his chin, and travelling straight up the middle 6149 6150of his nose came at last to his eyes, when he said abruptly,<br><br> 6151 6152'No, sir, I didn't.'<br><br> 6153 6154`'Hem!' said Mr Cheggs, glancing over his shoulder, 'have the goodness 6155 6156to smile again, sir. Perhaps you wished to speak to me, sir.'<br><br> 6157 6158'No, sir, I didn't do that, either.'<br><br> 6159 6160'Perhaps you may have nothing to say to me now, sir,' said Mr Cheggs 6161 6162fiercely.<br><br> 6163 6164At these words Richard Swiviller withdrew his eyes from Mr Chegg's 6165 6166face, and travelling down the middle of his nose and down his waistcoat 6167 6168and down his right leg, reached his toes again, and carefully surveyed 6169 6170him; this done, he crossed over, and coming up the other leg, and 6171 6172thence approaching by the waistcoat as before, said when had got to his 6173 6174eyes, 'No sir, I haven't.'<br><br> 6175 6176'Oh, indeed, sir!' said Mr Cheggs. 'I'm glad to hear it. You know where 6177 6178I'm to be found, I suppose, sir, in case you should have anything to 6179 6180say to me?'<br><br> 6181 6182'I can easily inquire, sir, when I want to know.'<br><br> 6183 6184'There's nothing more we need say, I believe, sir?'<br><br> 6185 6186'Nothing more, sir'--With that they closed the tremendous dialog by 6187 6188frowning mutually. Mr Cheggs hastened to tender his hand to Miss Sophy, 6189 6190and Mr Swiviller sat himself down in a corner in a very moody state.<br><br> 6191 6192Hard by this corner, Mrs Wackles and Miss Wackles were seated, looking 6193 6194on at the dance; and unto Mrs and Miss Wackles, Miss Cheggs 6195 6196occasionally darted when her partner was occupied with his share of the 6197 6198figure, and made some remark or other which was gall and wormwood to 6199 6200Richard Swiviller's soul. Looking into the eyes of Mrs and Miss Wackles 6201 6202for encouragement, and sitting very upright and uncomfortable on a 6203
6204couple of hard stools, were two of the day-scholars; and when Miss 6205 6206Wackles smiled, and Mrs Wackles smiled, the two little girls on the 6207 6208stools sought to curry favour by smiling likewise, in gracious 6209 6210acknowledgement of which attention the old lady frowned them down 6211 6212instantly, and said that if they dared to be guilty of such an 6213 6214impertinence again, they should be sent under convoy to their 6215 6216respective homes. This threat caused one of the young ladies, she being 6217 6218of a weak and trembling temperament, to shed tears, and for this 6219 6220offense they were both filed off immediately, with a dreadful 6221 6222promptitude that struck terror into the souls of all the pupils.<br><br> 6223 6224'I've got such news for you,' said Miss Cheggs approaching once more, 6225 6226'Alick has been saying such things to Sophy. Upon my word, you know, 6227 6228it's quite serious and in earnest, that's clear.'<br><br> 6229 6230'What's he been saying, my dear?' demanded Mrs Wackles.<br><br> 6231 6232'All manner of things,' replied Miss Cheggs, 'you can't think how out 6233 6234he has been speaking!'<br><br> 6235 6236Richard Swiviller considered it advisable to hear no more, but taking 6237 6238advantage of a pause in the dancing, and the approach of Mr Cheggs to 6239 6240pay his court to the old lady, swaggered with an extremely careful 6241 6242assumption of extreme carelessness toward the door, passing on the way 6243 6244Miss Jane Wackles, who in all the glory of her curls was holding a 6245 6246flirtation, (as good practice when no better was to be had) with a 6247 6248feeble old gentleman who lodged in the parlour. Near the door sat Miss 6249 6250Sophy, still fluttered and confused by the attentions of Mr Cheggs, and 6251 6252by her side Richard Swiveller lingered for a moment to exchange a few 6253 6254parting words.<br><br> 6255 6256'My boat is on the shore and my bark is on the sea, but before I pass 6257 6258this door I will say farewell to thee,' murmured Dick, looking gloomily 6259 6260upon her.<br><br> 6261 6262'Are you going?' said Miss Sophy, whose heart sank within her at the 6263 6264result of her stratagem, but who affected a light indifference 6265 6266notwithstanding.<br><br> 6267 6268'Am I going!' echoed Dick bitterly. 'Yes, I am. What then?'<br><br> 6269 6270'Nothing, except that it's very early,' said Miss Sophy; 'but you are 6271 6272your own master, of course.'<br><br> 6273 6274'I would that I had been my own mistress too,' said Dick, 'before I had 6275 6276ever entertained a thought of you. Miss Wackles, I believed you true, 6277 6278and I was blest in so believing, but now I mourn that e'er I knew, a 6279 6280girl so fair yet so deceiving.'<br><br> 6281 6282Miss Sophy bit her lip and affected to look with great interest after 6283 6284Mr Cheggs, who was quaffing lemonade in the distance.<br><br> 6285 6286'I came here,' said Dick, rather oblivious of the purpose with which he 6287 6288had really come, 'with my bosom expanded, my heart dilated, and my 6289 6290sentiments of a corresponding description. I go away with feelings that 6291 6292may be conceived but cannot be described, feeling within myself that 6293 6294desolating truth that my best affections have experienced this night a 6295 6296stifler!'<br><br> 6297 6298'I am sure I don't know what you mean, Mr Swiviller,' said Miss Sophy 6299 6300with downcast eyes. 'I'm very sorry if--'<br><br> 6301 6302'Sorry, Ma'am!' said Dick, 'sorry in the possession of a Cheggs! But I 6303 6304wish you a very good night, concluding with this slight remark, that 6305 6306there is a young lady growing up at this present moment for me, who has 6307 6308not only great personal attractions but great wealth, and who has 6309 6310requested her next of kin to propose for my hand, which, having a 6311 6312regard for some members of her family, I have consented to promise. 6313 6314It's a gratifying circumstance which you'll be glad to hear, that a 6315 6316young and lovely girl is growing into a woman expressly on my account, 6317 6318and is now saving up for me. I thought I'd mention it. I have now 6319 6320merely to apologize for trespassing so long upon your attention. Good 6321 6322night.'<br><br> 6323 6324'There's one good thing springs out of all this,' said Richard 6325 6326Swiviller to himself when he had reached home and was hanging over the 6327 6328candle with the extinguisher in his hand, 'which is, that I now go 6329 6330heart and soul, neck and heels, with Fred in all his scheme about 6331 6332little Nelly, and right glad he'll be to find me so strong upon it. He 6333 6334shall know all about that to-morrow, and in the mean time, as it's 6335 6336rather late, I'll try and get a wink of the balmy.'<br><br> 6337 6338'The balmy' came almost as soon as it was courted. In a very few 6339 6340minutes Mr Swiviller was fast asleep, dreaming that he had married 6341 6342Nelly Trent and come into the property, and that his first act of power 6343
6344was to lay waste the market-garden of Mr Cheggs and turn it into a 6345 6346brick-field.<br><br> 6347 6348CHAPTER 9<br><br> 6349 6350The child, in her confidence with Mrs Quilp, had but feebly described 6351 6352the sadness and sorrow of her thoughts, or the heaviness of the cloud 6353 6354which overhung her home, and cast dark shadows on its hearth. Besides 6355 6356that it was very difficult to impart to any person not intimately 6357 6358acquainted with the life she led, an adequate sense of its gloom and 6359 6360loneliness, a constant fear of in some way committing or injuring the 6361 6362old man to whom she was so tenderly attached, had restrained her, even 6363 6364in the midst of her heart's overflowing, and made her timid of allusion 6365 6366to the main cause of her anxiety and distress.<br><br> 6367 6368For, it was not the monotonous days unchequered by variety and 6369 6370uncheered by pleasant companionship, it was not the dark dreary 6371 6372evenings or the long solitary nights, it was not the absence of every 6373 6374slight and easy pleasure for which young hearts beat high, or the 6375 6376knowing nothing of childhood but its weakness and its easily wounded 6377 6378spirit, that had wrung such tears from Nell. To see the old man struck 6379 6380down beneath the pressure of some hidden grief, to mark his wavering 6381 6382and unsettled state, to be agitated at times with a dreadful fear that 6383 6384his mind was wandering, and to trace in his words and looks the dawning 6385 6386of despondent madness; to watch and wait and listen for confirmation of 6387 6388these things day after day, and to feel and know that, come what might, 6389 6390they were alone in the world with no one to help or advise or care 6391 6392about them--these were causes of depression and anxiety that might have 6393 6394sat heavily on an older breast with many influences at work to cheer 6395 6396and gladden it, but how heavily on the mind of a young child to whom 6397 6398they were ever present, and who was constantly surrounded by all that 6399 6400could keep such thoughts in restless action!<br><br> 6401 6402And yet, to the old man's vision, Nell was still the same. When he 6403 6404could, for a moment, disengage his mind from the phantom that haunted 6405 6406and brooded on it always, there was his young companion with the same 6407 6408smile for him, the same earnest words, the same merry laugh, the same 6409 6410love and care that, sinking deep into his soul, seemed to have been 6411 6412present to him through his whole life. And so he went on, content to 6413 6414read the book of her heart from the page first presented to him, little 6415 6416dreaming of the story that lay hidden in its other leaves, and 6417 6418murmuring within himself that at least the child was happy.<br><br> 6419 6420She had been once. She had gone singing through the dim rooms, and 6421 6422moving with gay and lightsome step among their dusty treasures, making 6423 6424them older by her young life, and sterner and more grim by her gay and 6425 6426cheerful presence. But, now, the chambers were cold and gloomy, and 6427 6428when she left her own little room to while away the tedious hours, and 6429 6430sat in one of them, she was still and motionless as their inanimate 6431 6432occupants, and had no heart to startle the echoes--hoarse from their 6433 6434long silence--with her voice.<br><br> 6435 6436In one of these rooms, was a window looking into the street, where the 6437 6438child sat, many and many a long evening, and often far into the night, 6439 6440alone and thoughtful. None are so anxious as those who watch and wait; 6441 6442at these times, mournful fancies came flocking on her mind, in crowds.<br><br> 6443 6444She would take her station here, at dusk, and watch the people as they 6445 6446passed up and down the street, or appeared at the windows of the 6447 6448opposite houses; wondering whether those rooms were as lonesome as that 6449 6450in which she sat, and whether those people felt it company to see her 6451 6452sitting there, as she did only to see them look out and draw in their 6453 6454heads again. There was a crooked stack of chimneys on one of the 6455 6456roofs, in which, by often looking at them, she had fancied ugly faces 6457 6458that were frowning over at her and trying to peer into the room; and 6459 6460she felt glad when it grew too dark to make them out, though she was 6461 6462sorry too, when the man came to light the lamps in the street--for it 6463
6464made it late, and very dull inside. Then, she would draw in her head 6465 6466to look round the room and see that everything was in its place and 6467 6468hadn't moved; and looking out into the street again, would perhaps see 6469 6470a man passing with a coffin on his back, and two or three others 6471 6472silently following him to a house where somebody lay dead; which made 6473 6474her shudder and think of such things until they suggested afresh the 6475 6476old man's altered face and manner, and a new train of fears and 6477 6478speculations. If he were to die--if sudden illness had happened to 6479 6480him, and he were never to come home again, alive--if, one night, he 6481 6482should come home, and kiss and bless her as usual, and after she had 6483 6484gone to bed and had fallen asleep and was perhaps dreaming pleasantly, 6485 6486and smiling in her sleep, he should kill himself and his blood come 6487 6488creeping, creeping, on the ground to her own bed-room door! These 6489 6490thoughts were too terrible to dwell upon, and again she would have 6491 6492recourse to the street, now trodden by fewer feet, and darker and more 6493 6494silent than before. The shops were closing fast, and lights began to 6495 6496shine from the upper windows, as the neighbours went to bed. By 6497 6498degrees, these dwindled away and disappeared or were replaced, here and 6499 6500there, by a feeble rush-candle which was to burn all night. Still, 6501 6502there was one late shop at no great distance which sent forth a ruddy 6503 6504glare upon the pavement even yet, and looked bright and companionable. 6505 6506But, in a little time, this closed, the light was extinguished, and all 6507 6508was gloomy and quiet, except when some stray footsteps sounded on the 6509 6510pavement, or a neighbour, out later than his wont, knocked lustily at 6511 6512his house-door to rouse the sleeping inmates.<br><br> 6513 6514When the night had worn away thus far (and seldom now until it had) the 6515 6516child would close the window, and steal softly down stairs, thinking as 6517 6518she went that if one of those hideous faces below, which often mingled 6519 6520with her dreams, were to meet her by the way, rendering itself visible 6521 6522by some strange light of its own, how terrified she would be. But 6523 6524these fears vanished before a well-trimmed lamp and the familiar aspect 6525 6526of her own room. After praying fervently, and with many bursting 6527 6528tears, for the old man, and the restoration of his peace of mind and 6529 6530the happiness they had once enjoyed, she would lay her head upon the 6531 6532pillow and sob herself to sleep: often starting up again, before the 6533 6534day-light came, to listen for the bell and respond to the imaginary 6535 6536summons which had roused her from her slumber.<br><br> 6537 6538One night, the third after Nelly's interview with Mrs Quilp, the old 6539 6540man, who had been weak and ill all day, said he should not leave home. 6541 6542The child's eyes sparkled at the intelligence, but her joy subsided 6543 6544when they reverted to his worn and sickly face.<br><br> 6545 6546'Two days,' he said, 'two whole, clear, days have passed, and there is 6547 6548no reply. What did he tell thee, Nell?'<br><br> 6549 6550'Exactly what I told you, dear grandfather, indeed.'<br><br> 6551 6552'True,' said the old man, faintly. 'Yes. But tell me again, Nell. My 6553 6554head fails me. What was it that he told thee? Nothing more than that 6555 6556he would see me to-morrow or next day? That was in the note.'<br><br> 6557 6558'Nothing more,' said the child. 'Shall I go to him again to-morrow, 6559 6560dear grandfather? Very early? I will be there and back, before 6561 6562breakfast.'<br><br> 6563 6564The old man shook his head, and sighing mournfully, drew her towards 6565 6566him.<br><br> 6567 6568''Twould be of no use, my dear, no earthly use. But if he deserts me, 6569 6570Nell, at this moment--if he deserts me now, when I should, with his 6571 6572assistance, be recompensed for all the time and money I have lost, and 6573 6574all the agony of mind I have undergone, which makes me what you see, I 6575 6576am ruined, and--worse, far worse than that--have ruined thee, for whom 6577 6578I ventured all. If we are beggars--!'<br><br> 6579 6580'What if we are?' said the child boldly. 'Let us be beggars, and be 6581 6582happy.'<br><br> 6583 6584'Beggars--and happy!' said the old man. 'Poor child!'<br><br> 6585 6586'Dear grandfather,' cried the girl with an energy which shone in her 6587 6588flushed face, trembling voice, and impassioned gesture, 'I am not a 6589 6590child in that I think, but even if I am, oh hear me pray that we may 6591 6592beg, or work in open roads or fields, to earn a scanty living, rather 6593 6594than live as we do now.'<br><br> 6595 6596'Nelly!' said the old man.<br><br> 6597 6598'Yes, yes, rather than live as we do now,' the child repeated, more 6599 6600earnestly than before. 'If you are sorrowful, let me know why and be 6601 6602sorrowful too; if you waste away and are paler and weaker every day, 6603 6604let me be your nurse and try to comfort you. If you are poor, let us 6605 6606be poor together; but let me be with you, do let me be with you; do not 6607 6608let me see such change and not know why, or I shall break my heart and 6609 6610die. Dear grandfather, let us leave this sad place to-morrow, and beg 6611 6612our way from door to door.'<br><br> 6613 6614The old man covered his face with his hands, and hid it in the pillow 6615 6616of the couch on which he lay.<br><br> 6617 6618'Let us be beggars,' said the child passing an arm round his neck, 'I 6619 6620have no fear but we shall have enough, I am sure we shall. Let us walk 6621 6622through country places, and sleep in fields and under trees, and never 6623 6624think of money again, or anything that can make you sad, but rest at 6625 6626nights, and have the sun and wind upon our faces in the day, and thank 6627 6628God together! Let us never set foot in dark rooms or melancholy 6629 6630houses, any more, but wander up and down wherever we like to go; and 6631 6632when you are tired, you shall stop to rest in the pleasantest place 6633 6634that we can find, and I will go and beg for both.'<br><br> 6635 6636The child's voice was lost in sobs as she dropped upon the old man's 6637 6638neck; nor did she weep alone.<br><br> 6639 6640These were not words for other ears, nor was it a scene for other eyes. 6641 6642And yet other ears and eyes were there and greedily taking in all that 6643 6644passed, and moreover they were the ears and eyes of no less a person 6645 6646than Mr Daniel Quilp, who, having entered unseen when the child first 6647 6648placed herself at the old man's side, refrained--actuated, no doubt, by 6649 6650motives of the purest delicacy--from interrupting the conversation, and 6651 6652stood looking on with his accustomed grin. Standing, however, being a 6653 6654tiresome attitude to a gentleman already fatigued with walking, and the 6655 6656dwarf being one of that kind of persons who usually make themselves at 6657 6658home, he soon cast his eyes upon a chair, into which he skipped with 6659 6660uncommon agility, and perching himself on the back with his feet upon 6661 6662the seat, was thus enabled to look on and listen with greater comfort 6663 6664to himself, besides gratifying at the same time that taste for doing 6665 6666something fantastic and monkey-like, which on all occasions had strong 6667 6668possession of him. Here, then, he sat, one leg cocked carelessly over 6669 6670the other, his chin resting on the palm of his hand, his head turned a 6671 6672little on one side, and his ugly features twisted into a complacent 6673 6674grimace. And in this position the old man, happening in course of time 6675 6676to look that way, at length chanced to see him: to his unbounded 6677 6678astonishment.<br><br> 6679 6680The child uttered a suppressed shriek on beholding this agreeable 6681 6682figure;
6682 in their first surprise both she and the old man, not knowing 6683 6684what to say, and half doubting its reality, looked shrinkingly at it. 6685 6686Not at all disconcerted by this reception, Daniel Quilp preserved the 6687 6688same attitude, merely nodding twice or thrice with great condescension. 6689 6690At length, the old man pronounced his name, and inquired how he came 6691 6692there.<br><br> 6693 6694'Through the door,' said Quilp pointing over his shoulder with his 6695 6696thumb. 'I'm not quite small enough to get through key-holes. I wish I 6697 6698was. I want to have some talk with you, particularly, and in private. 6699 6700With nobody present, neighbour. Good-bye, little Nelly.'<br><br> 6701 6702Nell looked at the old man, who nodded to her to retire, and kissed her 6703 6704cheek.<br><br> 6705 6706'Ah!' said the dwarf, smacking his lips, 'what a nice kiss that 6707 6708was--just upon the rosy part. What a capital kiss!'<br><br> 6709 6710Nell was none the slower in going away, for this remark. Quilp looked 6711 6712after her with an admiring leer, and when she had closed the door, fell 6713 6714to complimenting the old man upon her charms.<br><br> 6715 6716'Such a fresh, blooming, modest little bud, neighbour,' said Quilp, 6717 6718nursing his short leg, and making his eyes twinkle very much; 'such a 6719 6720chubby, rosy, cosy, little Nell!'<br><br> 6721 6722The old man answered by a forced smile, and was plainly struggling with 6723 6724a feeling of the keenest and most exquisite impatience. It was not 6725 6726lost upon Quilp, who delighted in torturing him, or indeed anybody 6727 6728else, when he could.<br><br> 6729 6730'She's so,' said Quilp, speaking very slowly, and feigning to be quite 6731 6732absorbed in the subject, 'so small, so compact, so beautifully 6733 6734modelled, so fair, with such blue veins and such a transparent skin, 6735 6736and such little feet, and such winning ways--but bless me, you're 6737 6738nervous! Why neighbour, what's the matter? I swear to you,' continued 6739 6740the dwarf dismounting from the chair and sitting down in it, with a 6741 6742careful slowness of gesture very different from the rapidity with which 6743 6744he had sprung up unheard, 'I swear to you that I had no idea old blood 6745 6746ran so fast or kept so warm. I thought it was sluggish in its course, 6747 6748and cool, quite cool. I am pretty sure it ought to be. Yours must be 6749 6750out of order, neighbour.'<br><br> 6751 6752'I believe it is,' groaned the old man, clasping his head with both 6753 6754hands. 'There's burning fever here, and something now and then to 6755 6756which I fear to give a name.'<br><br> 6757 6758The dwarf said never a word, but watched his companion as he paced 6759 6760restlessly up and down the room, and presently returned to his seat. 6761 6762Here he remained, with his head bowed upon his breast for some time, 6763 6764and then suddenly raising it, said,<br><br> 6765 6766'Once, and once for all, have you brought me any money?'<br><br> 6767 6768'No!' returned Quilp.<br><br> 6769 6770'Then,' said the old man, clenching his hands desperately, and looking 6771 6772upwards, 'the child and I are lost!'<br><br> 6773 6774'Neighbour,' said Quilp glancing sternly at him, and beating his hand 6775 6776twice or thrice upon the table to attract his wandering attention, 'let 6777 6778me be plain with you, and play a fairer game than when you held all the 6779 6780cards, and I saw but the backs and nothing more. You have no secret 6781 6782from me now.'<br><br> 6783 6784The old man looked up, trembling.<br><br> 6785 6786'You are surprised,' said Quilp. 'Well, perhaps that's natural. You 6787 6788have no secret from me now, I say; no, not one. For now, I know, that 6789 6790all those sums of money, that all those loans, advances, and supplies 6791 6792that you have had from me, have found their way to--shall I say the 6793 6794word?'<br><br> 6795 6796'Aye!' replied the old man, 'say it, if you will.'<br><br> 6797 6798'To the gaming-table,' rejoined Quilp, 'your nightly haunt. This was 6799 6800the precious scheme to make your fortune, was it; this was the secret 6801 6802certain source of wealth in which I was to have sunk my money (if I had 6803 6804been the fool you took me for); this was your inexhaustible mine of 6805 6806gold, your El Dorado, eh?'<br><br> 6807 6808'Yes,' cried the old man, turning upon him with gleaming eyes, 'it was. 6809 6810It is. It will be, till I die.'<br><br> 6811 6812'That I should have been blinded,' said Quilp looking contemptuously at 6813 6814him, 'by a mere shallow gambler!'<br><br> 6815 6816'I am no gambler,' cried the old man fiercely. 'I call Heaven to 6817 6818witness that I never played for gain of mine, or love of play; that at 6819 6820every piece I staked, I whispered to myself that orphan's name and 6821 6822called on Heaven to bless the venture;--which it never did. Whom did 6823 6824it prosper? Who were those with whom I played? Men who lived by 6825 6826plunder, profligacy, and riot; squandering their gold in doing ill, and 6827 6828propagating vice and evil. My winnings would have been from them, my 6829 6830winnings would have been bestowed to the last farthing on a young 6831 6832sinless child whose life they would have sweetened and made happy. 6833 6834What would they have contracted? The means of corruption, 6835 6836wretchedness, and misery. Who would not have hoped in such a cause? 6837 6838Tell me that! Who would not have hoped as I did?'<br><br> 6839 6840'When did you first begin this mad career?' asked Quilp, his taunting 6841 6842inclination subdued, for a moment, by the old man's grief and wildness.<br><br> 6843 6844'When did I first begin?' he rejoined, passing his hand across his 6845 6846brow. 'When was it, that I first began? When should it be, but when I 6847 6848began to think how little I had saved, how long a time it took to save 6849 6850at all, how short a time I might have at my age to live, and how she 6851 6852would be left to the rough mercies of the world, with barely enough to 6853 6854keep her from the sorrows that wait on poverty; then it was that I 6855 6856began to think about it.'<br><br> 6857 6858'After you first came to me to get your precious grandson packed off to 6859 6860sea?' said Quilp.<br><br> 6861 6862'Shortly after that,' replied the old man. 'I thought of it a long 6863 6864time, and had it in my sleep for months. Then I began. I found no 6865 6866pleasure in it, I expected none. What has it ever brought me but 6867 6868anxious days and sleepless nights; but loss of health and peace of 6869 6870mind, and gain of feebleness and sorrow!'<br><br> 6871 6872'You lost what money you had laid by, first, and then came to me. 6873 6874While I thought you were making your fortune (as you said you were) you 6875 6876were making yourself a beggar, eh? Dear me! And so it comes to pass 6877 6878that I hold every security you could scrape together, and a bill of 6879 6880sale upon the--upon the stock and property,' said Quilp standing up and 6881 6882looking about him, as if to assure himself that none of it had been 6883 6884taken away. 'But did you never win?'<br><br> 6885 6886'Never!' groaned the old man. 'Never won back my loss!'<br><br> 6887 6888'I thought,' sneered the dwarf, 'that if a man played long enough he 6889 6890was sure to win at last, or, at the worst, not to come off a loser.'<br><br> 6891 6892'And so he is,' cried the old man, suddenly rousing himself from his 6893 6894state of despondency, and lashed into the most violent excitement, 'so 6895 6896he is; I have felt that from the first, I have always known it, I've 6897 6898seen it, I never felt it half so strongly as I feel it now. Quilp, I 6899 6900have dreamed, three nights, of winning the same large sum, I never 6901 6902could dream that dream before, though I have often tried. Do not 6903 6904desert me, now I have this chance. I have no resource but you, give me 6905 6906some help, let me try this one last hope.'<br><br> 6907 6908The dwarf shrugged his shoulders and shook his head.<br><br> 6909 6910'See, Quilp, good tender-hearted Quilp,' said the old man, drawing some 6911 6912scraps of paper from his pocket with a trembling hand, and clasping the 6913 6914dwarf's arm, 'only see here. Look at these figures, the result of long 6915 6916calculation, and painful and hard experience. I MUST win. I only want 6917 6918a little help once more, a few pounds, but two score pounds, dear 6919 6920Quilp.'<br><br> 6921 6922'The last advance was seventy,' said the dwarf; 'and it went in one 6923 6924night.'<br><br> 6925 6926'I know it did,' answered the old man, 'but that was the very worst 6927 6928fortune of all, and the time had not come then. Quilp, consider, 6929 6930consider,' the old man cried, trembling so much the while, that the 6931 6932papers in his hand fluttered as if they were shaken by the wind, 'that 6933 6934orphan child! If I were alone, I could die with gladness--perhaps even 6935 6936anticipate that doom which is dealt out so unequally: coming, as it 6937 6938does, on the proud and happy in their strength, and shunning the needy 6939 6940and afflicted, and all who court it in their despair--but what I have 6941 6942done, has been for her. Help me for her sake I implore you; not for 6943 6944mine; for hers!'<br><br> 6945 6946'I'm sorry I've got an appointment in the city,' said Quilp, looking at 6947 6948his watch with perfect self-possession, 'or I should have been very 6949 6950glad to have spent half an hour with you while you composed yourself, 6951 6952very glad.'<br><br> 6953 6954'Nay, Quilp, good Quilp,' gasped the old man, catching at his skirts, 6955 6956'you and I have talked together, more than once, of her poor mother's 6957 6958story. The fear of her coming to poverty has perhaps been bred in me 6959 6960by that. Do not be hard upon me, but take that into account. You are 6961 6962a great gainer by me. Oh spare me the money for this one last hope!'<br><br> 6963 6964'I couldn't do it really,' said Quilp with unusual politeness, 'though 6965 6966I tell you what--and this is a circumstance worth bearing in mind as 6967 6968showing how the sharpest among us may be taken in sometimes--I was so 6969 6970deceived by the penurious way in which you lived, alone with Nelly--'<br><br> 6971 6972'All done to save money for tempting fortune, and to make her triumph 6973 6974greater,' cried the old man.<br><br> 6975 6976'Yes, yes, I understand that now,' said Quilp; 'but I was going to say, 6977 6978I was so deceived by that, your miserly way, the reputation you had 6979 6980among those who knew you of being rich, and your repeated assurances 6981 6982that you would make of my advances treble and quadruple the interest 6983 6984you paid me, that I'd have advanced you, even now, what you want, on 6985 6986your simple note of hand, if I hadn't unexpectedly become acquainted 6987 6988with your secret way of life.'<br><br> 6989 6990'Who is it,' retorted the old man desperately, 'that, notwithstanding 6991 6992all my caution, told you? Come. Let me know the name--the person.'<br><br> 6993 6994The crafty dwarf, bethinking himself that his giving up the child would 6995 6996lead to the disclosure of the artifice he had employed, which, as 6997 6998nothing was to be gained by it, it was well to conceal, stopped short 6999 7000in his answer and said, 'Now, who do you think?'<br><br> 7001 7002'It was Kit, it must have been the boy;
7002 he played the spy, and you 7003 7004tampered with him?' said the old man.<br><br> 7005 7006'How came you to think of him?' said the dwarf in a tone of great 7007 7008commiseration. 'Yes, it was Kit. Poor Kit!'<br><br> 7009 7010So saying, he nodded in a friendly manner, and took his leave: stopping 7011 7012when he had passed the outer door a little distance, and grinning with 7013 7014extraordinary delight.<br><br> 7015 7016'Poor Kit!' muttered Quilp. 'I think it was Kit who said I was an 7017 7018uglier dwarf than could be seen anywhere for a penny, wasn't it. Ha ha 7019 7020ha! Poor Kit!' And with that he went his way, still chuckling as he 7021 7022went.<br><br> 7023 7024CHAPTER 10<br><br> 7025 7026Daniel Quilp neither entered nor left the old man's house, unobserved. 7027 7028In the shadow of an archway nearly opposite, leading to one of the many 7029 7030passages which diverged from the main street, there lingered one, who, 7031 7032having taken up his position when the twilight first came on, still 7033 7034maintained it with undiminished patience, and leaning against the wall 7035 7036with the manner of a person who had a long time to wait, and being well 7037 7038used to it was quite resigned, scarcely changed his attitude for the 7039 7040hour together.<br><br> 7041 7042This patient lounger attracted little attention from any of those who 7043 7044passed, and bestowed as little upon them. His eyes were constantly 7045 7046directed towards one object; the window at which the child was 7047 7048accustomed to sit. If he withdrew them for a moment, it was only to 7049 7050glance at a clock in some neighbouring shop, and then to strain his 7051 7052sight once more in the old quarter with increased earnestness and 7053 7054attention.<br><br> 7055 7056It had been remarked that this personage evinced no weariness in his 7057 7058place of concealment; nor did he, long as his waiting was. But as the 7059 7060time went on, he manifested some anxiety and surprise, glancing at the 7061 7062clock more frequently and at the window less hopefully than before. At 7063 7064length, the clock was hidden from his sight by some envious shutters, 7065 7066then the church steeples proclaimed eleven at night, then the quarter 7067 7068past, and then the conviction seemed to obtrude itself on his mind that 7069 7070it was no use tarrying there any longer.<br><br> 7071 7072That the conviction was an unwelcome one, and that he was by no means 7073 7074willing to yield to it, was apparent from his reluctance to quit the 7075 7076spot; from the tardy steps with which he often left it, still looking 7077 7078over his shoulder at the same window; and from the precipitation with 7079 7080which he as often returned, when a fancied noise or the changing and 7081 7082imperfect light induced him to suppose it had been softly raised. At 7083 7084length, he gave the matter up, as hopeless for that night, and suddenly 7085 7086breaking into a run as though to force himself away, scampered off at 7087 7088his utmost speed, nor once ventured to look behind him lest he should 7089 7090be tempted back again.<br><br> 7091 7092Without relaxing his pace, or stopping to take breath, this mysterious 7093 7094individual dashed on through a great many alleys and narrow ways until 7095 7096he at length arrived in a square paved court, when he subsided into a 7097 7098walk, and making for a small house from the window of which a light was 7099 7100shining, lifted the latch of the door and passed in.<br><br> 7101 7102'Bless us!' cried a woman turning sharply round, 'who's that? Oh! 7103 7104It's you, Kit!'<br><br> 7105 7106'Yes, mother, it's me.'<br><br> 7107 7108'Why, how tired you look, my dear!'<br><br> 7109 7110'Old master an't gone out to-night,' said Kit; 'and so she hasn't been 7111 7112at the window at all.' With which words, he sat down by the fire and 7113 7114looked very mournful and discontented.<br><br> 7115 7116The room in which Kit sat himself down, in this condition, was an 7117 7118extremely poor and homely place, but with that air of comfort about it, 7119 7120nevertheless, which--or the spot must be a wretched one 7121 7122indeed--cleanliness and order can always impart in some degree. Late 7123 7124as the Dutch clock' showed it to be, the poor woman was still hard at 7125 7126work at an ironing-table; a young child lay sleeping in a cradle near 7127 7128the fire; and another, a sturdy boy of two or three years old, very 7129 7130wide awake, with a very tight night-cap on his head, and a night-gown 7131 7132very much too small for him on his body, was sitting bolt upright in a 7133 7134clothes-basket, staring over the rim with his great round eyes, and 7135 7136looking as if he had thoroughly made up his mind never to go to sleep 7137 7138any more; which, as he had already declined to take his natural rest 7139 7140and had been brought out of bed in consequence, opened a cheerful 7141 7142prospect for his relations and friends. It was rather a queer-looking 7143 7144family: Kit, his mother, and the children, being all strongly alike.<br><br> 7145 7146Kit was disposed to be out of temper, as the best of us are too 7147 7148often--but he looked at the youngest child who was sleeping soundly, 7149 7150and from him to his other brother in the clothes-basket, and from him 7151 7152to their mother, who had been at work without complaint since morning, 7153 7154and thought it would be a better and kinder thing to be good-humoured. 7155 7156So he rocked the cradle with his foot; made a face at the rebel in the 7157 7158clothes-basket, which put him in high good-humour directly; and stoutly 7159 7160determined to be talkative and make himself agreeable.<br><br> 7161 7162'Ah, mother!' said Kit, taking out his clasp-knife, and falling upon a 7163 7164great piece of bread and meat which she had had ready for him, hours 7165 7166before, 'what a one you are! There an't many such as you, I know.'<br><br> 7167 7168'I hope there are many a great deal better, Kit,' said Mrs Nubbles; 7169 7170'and that there are, or ought to be, accordin' to what the parson at 7171 7172chapel says.'<br><br> 7173 7174'Much he knows about it,' returned Kit contemptuously. 'Wait till he's 7175 7176a widder and works like you do, and gets as little, and does as much, 7177 7178and keeps his spirit up the same, and then I'll ask him what's o'clock 7179 7180and trust him for being right to half a second.'<br><br> 7181 7182'Well,' said Mrs Nubbles, evading the point, 'your beer's down there by 7183 7184the fender, Kit.'<br><br> 7185 7186'I see,' replied her son, taking up the porter pot, 'my love to you, 7187 7188mother. And the parson's health too if you like. I don't bear him any 7189 7190malice, not I!'<br><br> 7191 7192'Did you tell me, just now, that your master hadn't gone out to-night?' 7193 7194inquired Mrs Nubbles.<br><br> 7195 7196'Yes,' said Kit, 'worse luck!'<br><br> 7197 7198'You should say better luck, I think,' returned his mother, 'because 7199 7200Miss Nelly won't have been left alone.'<br><br> 7201 7202'Ah!' said Kit, 'I forgot that. I said worse luck, because I've been 7203 7204watching ever since eight o'clock, and seen nothing of her.'<br><br> 7205 7206'I wonder what she'd say,' cried his mother, stopping in her work and 7207 7208looking round, 'if she knew that every night, when she--poor thing--is 7209 7210sitting alone at that window, you are watching in the open street for 7211 7212fear any harm should come to her, and that you never leave the place or 7213 7214come home to your bed though you're ever so tired, till such time as 7215 7216you think she's safe in hers.'<br><br> 7217 7218'Never mind what she'd say,' replied Kit, with something like a blush 7219 7220on his uncouth face; 'she'll never know nothing, and consequently, 7221 7222she'll never say nothing.'<br><br> 7223 7224Mrs Nubbles ironed away in silence for a minute or two, and coming to 7225 7226the fireplace for another iron, glanced stealthily at Kit while she 7227 7228rubbed it on a board and dusted it with a duster, but said nothing 7229 7230until she had returned to her table again: when, holding the iron at an 7231 7232alarmingly short distance from her cheek, to test its temperature, and 7233 7234looking round with a smile, she observed:<br><br> 7235 7236'I know what some people would say, Kit--'<br><br> 7237 7238'Nonsense,' interposed Kit with a perfect apprehension of what was to 7239 7240follow.<br><br> 7241 7242'No, but they would indeed. Some people would say that you'd fallen in 7243 7244love with her, I know they would.'<br><br> 7245 7246To this, Kit only replied by bashfully bidding his mother 'get out,' 7247 7248and forming sundry strange figures with his legs and arms, accompanied 7249 7250by sympathetic contortions of his face. Not deriving from these means 7251 7252the relief which he sought, he bit off an immense mouthful from the 7253 7254bread and meat, and took a quick drink of the porter; by which 7255 7256artificial aids he choked himself and effected a diversion of the 7257 7258subject.<br><br> 7259 7260'Speaking seriously though, Kit,' said his mother, taking up the theme 7261 7262afresh, after a time, 'for of course I was only in joke just now, it's 7263 7264very good and thoughtful, and like you, to do this, and never let 7265 7266anybody know it, though some day I hope she may come to know it, for 7267 7268I'm sure she would be very grateful to you and feel it very much. It's 7269 7270a cruel thing to keep the dear child shut up there. I don't wonder 7271 7272that the old gentleman wants to keep it from you.'<br><br> 7273 7274'He don't think it's cruel, bless you,' said Kit, 'and don't mean it to 7275 7276be so, or he wouldn't do it--I do consider, mother, that he wouldn't do 7277 7278it for all the gold and silver in the world. No, no, that he wouldn't. 7279 7280I know him better than that.'<br><br> 7281 7282'Then what does he do it for, and why does he keep it so close from 7283 7284you?' said Mrs Nubbles.<br><br> 7285 7286'That I don't know,' returned her son. 'If he hadn't tried to keep it 7287 7288so close though, I should never have found it out, for it was his 7289 7290getting me away at night and sending me off so much earlier than he 7291 7292used to, that first made me curious to know what was going on. Hark! 7293 7294what's that?'<br><br> 7295 7296'It's only somebody outside.'<br><br> 7297 7298'It's somebody crossing over here,' said Kit, standing up to listen, 7299 7300'and coming very fast too. He can't have gone out after I left, and 7301 7302the house caught fire, mother!'<br><br> 7303 7304The boy stood, for a moment, really bereft, by the apprehension he had 7305 7306conjured up, of the power to move. The footsteps drew nearer, the door 7307 7308was opened with a hasty hand, and the child herself, pale and 7309 7310breathless, and hastily wrapped in a few disordered garments, hurried 7311 7312into the room.<br><br> 7313 7314'Miss Nelly! What is the matter!' cried mother and son together.<br><br> 7315 7316'I must not stay a moment,' she returned, 'grandfather has been taken 7317 7318very ill. I found him in a fit upon the floor--'<br><br> 7319 7320'I'll run for a doctor'--said Kit, seizing his brimless hat. 'I'll be 7321 7322there directly, I'll--'<br><br> 7323 7324'No, no,' cried Nell, 'there is one there, you're not wanted, 7325 7326you--you--must never come near us any more!'<br><br> 7327 7328'What!' roared Kit.<br><br> 7329 7330'Never again,' said the child. 'Don't ask me why, for I don't know. 7331 7332Pray don't ask me why, pray don't be sorry, pray don't be vexed with 7333 7334me! I have nothing to do with it indeed!'<br><br> 7335 7336Kit looked at her with his eyes stretched wide; and opened and shut his 7337 7338mouth a great many times; but couldn't get out one word.<br><br> 7339
7340'He complains and raves of you,' said the child, 'I don't know what you 7341 7342have done, but I hope it's nothing very bad.'<br><br> 7343 7344'I done!' roared Kit.<br><br> 7345 7346'He cries that you're the cause of all his misery,' returned the child 7347 7348with tearful eyes; 'he screamed and called for you; they say you must 7349 7350not come near him or he will die. You must not return to us any more. 7351 7352I came to tell you. I thought it would be better that I should come 7353 7354than somebody quite strange. Oh, Kit, what have you done? You, in 7355 7356whom I trusted so much, and who were almost the only friend I had!'<br><br> 7357 7358The unfortunate Kit looked at his young mistress harder and harder, and 7359 7360with eyes growing wider and wider, but was perfectly motionless and 7361 7362silent.<br><br> 7363 7364'I have brought his money for the week,' said the child, looking to the 7365 7366woman and laying it on the table--'and--and--a little more, for he was 7367 7368always good and kind to me. I hope he will be sorry and do well 7369 7370somewhere else and not take this to heart too much. It grieves me very 7371 7372much to part with him like this, but there is no help. It must be 7373 7374done. Good night!'<br><br> 7375 7376With the tears streaming down her face, and her slight figure trembling 7377 7378with the agitation of the scene she had left, the shock she had 7379 7380received, the errand she had just discharged, and a thousand painful 7381 7382and affectionate feelings, the child hastened to the door, and 7383 7384disappeared as rapidly as she had come.<br><br> 7385 7386The poor woman, who had no cause to doubt her son, but every reason for 7387 7388relying on his honesty and truth, was staggered, notwithstanding, by 7389 7390his not having advanced one word in his defence. Visions of gallantry, 7391 7392knavery, robbery; and of the nightly absences from home for which he 7393 7394had accounted so strangely, having been occasioned by some unlawful 7395 7396pursuit; flocked into her brain and rendered her afraid to question 7397 7398him. She rocked herself upon a chair, wringing her hands and weeping 7399 7400bitterly, but Kit made no attempt to comfort her and remained quite 7401 7402bewildered. The baby in the cradle woke up and cried; the boy in the 7403 7404clothes-basket fell over on his back with the basket upon him, and was 7405 7406seen no more; the mother wept louder yet and rocked faster; but Kit, 7407 7408insensible to all the din and tumult, remained in a state of utter 7409 7410stupefaction.<br><br> 7411 7412CHAPTER 11<br><br> 7413 7414Quiet and solitude were destined to hold uninterrupted rule no longer, 7415 7416beneath the roof that sheltered the child. Next morning, the old man 7417 7418was in a raging fever accompanied with delirium; and sinking under the 7419 7420influence of this disorder he lay for many weeks in imminent peril of 7421 7422his life. There was watching enough, now, but it was the watching of 7423 7424strangers who made a greedy trade of it, and who, in the intervals in 7425 7426their attendance upon the sick man huddled together with a ghastly 7427 7428good-fellowship, and ate and drank and made merry; for disease and 7429 7430death were their ordinary household gods.<br><br> 7431 7432Yet, in all the hurry and crowding of such a time, the child was more 7433 7434alone than she had ever been before; alone in spirit, alone in her 7435 7436devotion to him who was wasting away upon his burning bed; alone in her 7437 7438unfeigned sorrow, and her unpurchased sympathy. Day after day, and 7439 7440night after night, found her still by the pillow of the unconscious 7441 7442sufferer, still anticipating his every want, still listening to those 7443 7444repetitions of her name and those anxieties and cares for her, which 7445 7446were ever uppermost among his feverish wanderings.<br><br> 7447 7448The house was no longer theirs. Even the sick chamber seemed to be 7449 7450retained, on the uncertain tenure of Mr Quilp's favour. The old man's 7451 7452illness had not lasted many days when he took formal possession of the 7453 7454premises and all upon them, in virtue of certain legal powers to that 7455 7456effect, which few understood and none presumed to call in question. 7457 7458This important step secured, with the assistance of a man of law whom 7459 7460he brought with him for the purpose, the dwarf proceeded to establish 7461 7462himself and his coadjutor in the house, as an assertion of his claim 7463 7464against all comers; and then set about making his quarters comfortable, 7465
7466after his own fashion.<br><br> 7467 7468To this end, Mr Quilp encamped in the back parlour, having first put an 7469 7470effectual stop to any further business by shutting up the shop. Having 7471 7472looked out, from among the old furniture, the handsomest and most 7473 7474commodious chair he could possibly find (which he reserved for his own 7475 7476use) and an especially hideous and uncomfortable one (which he 7477 7478considerately appropriated to the accommodation of his friend) he 7479 7480caused them to be carried into this room, and took up his position in 7481 7482great state. The apartment was very far removed from the old man's 7483 7484chamber, but Mr Quilp deemed it prudent, as a precaution against 7485 7486infection from fever, and a means of wholesome fumigation, not only to 7487 7488smoke, himself, without cessation, but to insist upon it that his legal 7489 7490friend did the like. Moreover, he sent an express to the wharf for the 7491 7492tumbling boy, who arriving with all despatch was enjoined to sit 7493 7494himself down in another chair just inside the door, continually to 7495 7496smoke a great pipe which the dwarf had provided for the purpose, and to 7497 7498take it from his lips under any pretence whatever, were it only for one 7499 7500minute at a time, if he dared. These arrangements completed, Mr Quilp 7501 7502looked round him with chuckling satisfaction, and remarked that he 7503 7504called that comfort.<br><br> 7505 7506The legal gentleman, whose melodious name was Brass, might have called 7507 7508it comfort also but for two drawbacks: one was, that he could by no 7509 7510exertion sit easy in his chair, the seat of which was very hard, 7511 7512angular, slippery, and sloping; the other, that tobacco-smoke always 7513 7514caused him great internal discomposure and annoyance. But as he was 7515 7516quite a creature of Mr Quilp's and had a thousand reasons for 7517 7518conciliating his good opinion, he tried to smile, and nodded his 7519 7520acquiescence with the best grace he could assume.<br><br> 7521 7522This Brass was an attorney of no very good repute, from Bevis Marks in 7523 7524the city of London; he was a tall, meagre man, with a nose like a wen, 7525 7526a protruding forehead, retreating eyes, and hair of a deep red. He 7527 7528wore a long black surtout reaching nearly to his ankles, short black 7529 7530trousers, high shoes, and cotton stockings of a bluish grey. He had a 7531 7532cringing manner, but a very harsh voice; and his blandest smiles were 7533 7534so extremely forbidding, that to have had his company under the least 7535 7536repulsive circumstances, one would have wished him to be out of temper 7537 7538that he might only scowl.<br><br> 7539 7540Quilp looked at his legal adviser, and seeing that he was winking very 7541 7542much in the anguish of his pipe, that he sometimes shuddered when he 7543 7544happened to inhale its full flavour, and that he constantly fanned the 7545 7546smoke from him, was quite overjoyed and rubbed his hands with glee.<br><br> 7547 7548'Smoke away, you dog,' said Quilp, turning to the boy; 'fill your pipe 7549 7550again and smoke it fast, down to the last whiff, or I'll put the 7551 7552sealing-waxed end of it in the fire and rub it red hot upon your 7553 7554tongue.'<br><br> 7555 7556Luckily the boy was case-hardened, and would have smoked a small 7557 7558lime-kiln if anybody had treated him with it. Wherefore, he only 7559 7560muttered a brief defiance of his master, and did as he was ordered.<br><br> 7561 7562'Is it good, Brass, is it nice, is it fragrant, do you feel like the 7563 7564Grand Turk?' said Quilp.<br><br> 7565 7566Mr Brass thought that if he did, the Grand Turk's feelings were by no 7567 7568means to be envied, but he said it was famous, and he had no doubt he 7569 7570felt very like that Potentate.<br><br> 7571 7572'This is the way to keep off fever,' said Quilp, 'this is the way to 7573 7574keep off every calamity of life! We'll never leave off, all the time 7575 7576we stop here--smoke away, you dog, or you shall swallow the pipe!'<br><br> 7577 7578'Shall we stop here long, Mr Quilp?' inquired his legal friend, when 7579 7580the dwarf had given his boy this gentle admonition.<br><br> 7581 7582'We must stop, I suppose, till the old gentleman up stairs is dead,' 7583 7584returned Quilp.<br><br> 7585 7586'He he he!' laughed Mr Brass, 'oh! very good!'<br><br> 7587 7588'Smoke away!' cried Quilp. 'Never stop! You can talk as you smoke. 7589 7590Don't lose time.'<br><br> 7591 7592'He he he!' cried Brass faintly, as he again applied himself to the 7593 7594odious pipe. 'But if he should get better, Mr Quilp?'<br><br> 7595 7596'Then we shall stop till he does, and no longer,' returned the dwarf.<br><br> 7597 7598'How kind it is of you, Sir, to wait till then!' said Brass. 'Some 7599 7600people, Sir, would have sold or removed the goods--oh dear, the very 7601 7602instant the law allowed 'em. Some people, Sir, would have been all 7603 7604flintiness and granite. Some people, sir, would have--'<br><br> 7605 7606'Some people would have spared themselves the jabbering of such a 7607 7608parrot as you,' interposed the dwarf.<br><br> 7609 7610'He he he!' cried Brass. 'You have such spirits!'<br><br> 7611 7612The smoking sentinel at the door interposed in this place, and without 7613 7614taking his pipe from his lips, growled,<br><br> 7615 7616'Here's the gal a comin' down.'<br><br> 7617 7618'The what, you dog?' said Quilp.<br><br> 7619 7620'The gal,' returned the boy. 'Are you deaf?'<br><br> 7621 7622'Oh!' said Quilp, drawing in his breath with great relish as if he were 7623 7624taking soup, 'you and I will have such a settling presently; there's 7625 7626such a scratching and bruising in store for you, my dear young friend! 7627 7628Aha! Nelly! How is he now, my duck of diamonds?'<br><br> 7629 7630'He's very bad,' replied the weeping child.<br><br> 7631 7632'What a pretty little Nell!' cried Quilp.<br><br> 7633 7634'Oh beautiful, sir, beautiful indeed,' said Brass. 'Quite charming.'<br><br> 7635 7636'Has she come to sit upon Quilp's knee,' said the dwarf, in what he 7637 7638meant to be a soothing tone, 'or is she going to bed in her own little 7639 7640room inside here? Which is poor Nelly going to do?'<br><br> 7641 7642'What a remarkable pleasant way he has with children!' muttered Brass, 7643 7644as if in confidence between himself and the ceiling; 'upon my word it's 7645 7646quite a treat to hear him.'<br><br> 7647 7648'I'm not going to stay at all,' faltered Nell. 'I want a few things 7649 7650out of that room, and then I--I--won't come down here any more.'<br><br> 7651 7652'And a very nice little room it is!' said the dwarf looking into it as 7653 7654the child entered. 'Quite a bower! You're sure you're not going to 7655 7656use it; you're sure you're not coming back, Nelly?'<br><br> 7657
7658'No,' replied the child, hurrying away, with the few articles of dress 7659 7660she had come to remove; 'never again! Never again.'<br><br> 7661 7662'She's very sensitive,' said Quilp, looking after her. 'Very 7663 7664sensitive; that's a pity. The bedstead is much about my size. I think 7665 7666I shall make it MY little room.'<br><br> 7667 7668Mr Brass encouraging this idea, as he would have encouraged any other 7669 7670emanating from the same source, the dwarf walked in to try the effect. 7671 7672This he did, by throwing himself on his back upon the bed with his pipe 7673 7674in his mouth, and then kicking up his legs and smoking violently. Mr 7675 7676Brass applauding this picture very much, and the bed being soft and 7677 7678comfortable, Mr Quilp determined to use it, both as a sleeping place by 7679 7680night and as a kind of Divan by day; and in order that it might be 7681 7682converted to the latter purpose at once, remained where he was, and 7683 7684smoked his pipe out. The legal gentleman being by this time rather 7685 7686giddy and perplexed in his ideas (for this was one of the operations of 7687 7688the tobacco on his nervous system), took the opportunity of slinking 7689 7690away into the open air, where, in course of time, he recovered 7691 7692sufficiently to return with a countenance of tolerable composure. He 7693 7694was soon led on by the malicious dwarf to smoke himself into a relapse, 7695 7696and in that state stumbled upon a settee where he slept till morning.<br><br> 7697 7698Such were Mr Quilp's first proceedings on entering upon his new 7699 7700property. He was, for some days, restrained by business from 7701 7702performing any particular pranks, as his time was pretty well occupied 7703 7704between taking, with the assistance of Mr Brass, a minute inventory of 7705 7706all the goods in the place, and going abroad upon his other concerns 7707 7708which happily engaged him for several hours at a time. His avarice and 7709 7710caution being, now, thoroughly awakened, however, he was never absent 7711 7712from the house one night; and his eagerness for some termination, good 7713 7714or bad, to the old man's disorder, increasing rapidly, as the time 7715 7716passed by, soon began to vent itself in open murmurs and exclamations 7717 7718of impatience.<br><br> 7719 7720Nell shrank timidly from all the dwarf's advances towards conversation, 7721 7722and fled from the very sound of his voice; nor were the lawyer's smiles 7723 7724less terrible to her than Quilp's grimaces. She lived in such 7725 7726continual dread and apprehension of meeting one or other of them on the 7727 7728stairs or in the passages if she stirred from her grandfather's 7729 7730chamber, that she seldom left it, for a moment, until late at night, 7731 7732when the silence encouraged her to venture forth and breathe the purer 7733 7734air of some empty room.<br><br> 7735 7736One night, she had stolen to her usual window, and was sitting there 7737 7738very sorrowfully--for the old man had been worse that day--when she 7739 7740thought she heard her name pronounced by a voice in the street. 7741 7742Looking down, she recognised Kit, whose endeavours to attract her 7743 7744attention had roused her from her sad reflections.<br><br> 7745 7746'Miss Nell!' said the boy in a low voice.<br><br> 7747 7748'Yes,' replied the child, doubtful whether she ought to hold any 7749 7750communication with the supposed culprit, but inclining to her old 7751 7752favourite still; 'what do you want?'<br><br> 7753 7754'I have wanted to say a word to you, for a long time,' the boy replied, 7755 7756'but the people below have driven me away and wouldn't let me see you. 7757 7758You don't believe--I hope you don't really believe--that I deserve to 7759 7760be cast off as I have been; do you, miss?'<br><br> 7761 7762'I must believe it,' returned the child. 'Or why would grandfather 7763 7764have been so angry with you?'<br><br> 7765 7766'I don't know,' replied Kit. 'I'm sure I never deserved it from him, 7767 7768no, nor from you. I can say that, with a true and honest heart, any 7769 7770way. And then to be driven from the door, when I only came to ask how 7771 7772old master was--!'<br><br> 7773 7774'They never told me that,' said the child. 'I didn't know it indeed. 7775 7776I wouldn't have had them do it for the world.'<br><br> 7777 7778'Thank'ee, miss,' returned Kit, 'it's comfortable to hear you say that. 7779 7780I said I never would believe that it was your doing.' 'That was right!' 7781 7782said the child eagerly.<br><br> 7783 7784'Miss Nell,' cried the boy coming under the window, and speaking in a 7785 7786lower tone, 'there are new masters down stairs. It's a change for you.'<br><br> 7787 7788'It is indeed,' replied the child.<br><br> 7789 7790'And so it will be for him when he gets better,' said the boy, pointing 7791 7792towards the sick room.<br><br> 7793 7794'--If he ever does,' added the child, unable to restrain her tears.<br><br> 7795 7796'Oh, he'll do that, he'll do that,' said Kit. 'I'm sure he will. You 7797 7798mustn't be cast down, Miss Nell. Now don't be, pray!'<br><br> 7799 7800These words of encouragement and consolation were few and roughly said, 7801 7802but they affected the child and made her, for the moment, weep the more.<br><br> 7803 7804'He'll be sure to get better now,' said the boy anxiously, 'if you 7805 7806don't give way to low spirits and turn ill yourself, which would make 7807 7808him worse and throw him back, just as he was recovering. When he does, 7809 7810say a good word--say a kind word for me, Miss Nell!'<br><br> 7811 7812'They tell me I must not even mention your name to him for a long, long 7813 7814time,' rejoined the child, 'I dare not; and even if I might, what good 7815 7816would a kind word do you, Kit? We shall be very poor. We shall 7817 7818scarcely have bread to eat.'<br><br> 7819 7820'It's not that I may be taken back,' said the boy, 'that I ask the 7821 7822favour of you. It isn't for the sake of food and wages that I've been 7823 7824waiting about so long in hopes to see you. Don't think that I'd come 7825 7826in a time of trouble to talk of such things as them.'<br><br> 7827 7828The child looked gratefully and kindly at him, but waited that he might 7829 7830speak again.<br><br> 7831 7832'No, it's not that,' said Kit hesitating, 'it's something very 7833 7834different from that. I haven't got much sense, I know, but if he could 7835 7836be brought to believe that I'd been a faithful servant to him, doing 7837 7838the best I could, and never meaning harm, perhaps he mightn't--'<br><br> 7839 7840Here Kit faltered so long that the child entreated him to speak out, 7841 7842and quickly, for it was very late, and time to shut the window.<br><br> 7843 7844'Perhaps he mightn't think it over venturesome of me to say--well then, 7845 7846to say this,' cried Kit with sudden boldness. 'This home is gone from 7847 7848you and him. Mother and I have got a poor one, but that's better than 7849 7850this with all these people here; and why not come there, till he's had 7851 7852time to look about, and find a better!'<br><br> 7853 7854The child did not speak. Kit, in the relief of having made his 7855 7856proposition, found his tongue loosened, and spoke out in its favour 7857 7858with his utmost eloquence.<br><br> 7859 7860'You think,' said the boy, 'that it's very small and inconvenient. So 7861 7862it is, but it's very clean. Perhaps you think it would be noisy, but 7863 7864there's not a quieter court than ours in all the town. Don't be afraid 7865 7866of the children; the baby hardly ever cries, and the other one is very 7867 7868good--besides, I'd mind 'em. They wouldn't vex you much, I'm sure. Do 7869 7870try, Miss Nell, do try. The little front room up stairs is very 7871 7872pleasant. You can see a piece of the church-clock, through the 7873 7874chimneys, and almost tell the time; mother says it would be just the 7875
7876thing for you, and so it would, and you'd have her to wait upon you 7877 7878both, and me to run of errands. We don't mean money, bless you; you're 7879 7880not to think of that! Will you try him, Miss Nell? Only say you'll 7881 7882try him. Do try to make old master come, and ask him first what I have 7883 7884done. Will you only promise that, Miss Nell?'<br><br> 7885 7886Before the child could reply to this earnest solicitation, the 7887 7888street-door opened, and Mr Brass thrusting out his night-capped head 7889 7890called in a surly voice, 'Who's there!' Kit immediately glided away, 7891 7892and Nell, closing the window softly, drew back into the room.<br><br> 7893 7894Before Mr Brass had repeated his inquiry many times, Mr Quilp, also 7895 7896embellished with a night-cap, emerged from the same door and looked 7897 7898carefully up and down the street, and up at all the windows of the 7899 7900house, from the opposite side. Finding that there was nobody in sight, 7901 7902he presently returned into the house with his legal friend, protesting 7903 7904(as the child heard from the staircase), that there was a league and 7905 7906plot against him; that he was in danger of being robbed and plundered 7907 7908by a band of conspirators who prowled about the house at all seasons; 7909 7910and that he would delay no longer but take immediate steps for 7911 7912disposing of the property and returning to his own peaceful roof. 7913 7914Having growled forth these, and a great many other threats of the same 7915 7916nature, he coiled himself once more in the child's little bed, and Nell 7917 7918crept softly up the stairs.<br><br> 7919 7920It was natural enough that her short and unfinished dialogue with Kit 7921 7922should leave a strong impression on her mind, and influence her dreams 7923 7924that night and her recollections for a long, long time. Surrounded by 7925 7926unfeeling creditors, and mercenary attendants upon the sick, and 7927 7928meeting in the height of her anxiety and sorrow with little regard or 7929 7930sympathy even from the women about her, it is not surprising that the 7931 7932affectionate heart of the child should have been touched to the quick 7933 7934by one kind and generous spirit, however uncouth the temple in which it 7935 7936dwelt. Thank Heaven that the temples of such spirits are not made with 7937 7938hands, and that they may be even more worthily hung with poor 7939 7940patch-work than with purple and fine linen!<br><br> 7941 7942CHAPTER 12<br><br> 7943 7944At length, the crisis of the old man's disorder was past, and he began 7945 7946to mend. By very slow and feeble degrees his consciousness came back; 7947 7948but the mind was weakened and its functions were impaired. He was 7949 7950patient, and quiet; often sat brooding, but not despondently, for a 7951 7952long space; was easily amused, even by a sun-beam on the wall or 7953 7954ceiling; made no complaint that the days were long, or the nights 7955 7956tedious; and appeared indeed to have lost all count of time, and every 7957 7958sense of care or weariness. He would sit, for hours together, with 7959 7960Nell's small hand in his, playing with the fingers and stopping 7961 7962sometimes to smooth her hair or kiss her brow; and, when he saw that 7963 7964tears were glistening in her eyes, would look, amazed, about him for 7965 7966the cause, and forget his wonder even while he looked.<br><br> 7967 7968The child and he rode out; the old man propped up with pillows, and the 7969 7970child beside him. They were hand in hand as usual. The noise and 7971 7972motion in the streets fatigued his brain at first, but he was not 7973 7974surprised, or curious, or pleased, or irritated. He was asked if he 7975 7976remembered this, or that. 'O yes,' he said, 'quite well--why not?' 7977 7978Sometimes he turned his head, and looked, with earnest gaze and 7979 7980outstretched neck, after some stranger in the crowd, until he 7981 7982disappeared from sight; but, to the question why he did this, he 7983 7984answered not a word.<br><br> 7985 7986He was sitting in his easy chair one day, and Nell upon a stool beside 7987 7988him, when a man outside the door inquired if he might enter. 'Yes,' he 7989 7990said without emotion, 'it was Quilp, he knew. Quilp was master there. 7991 7992Of course he might come in.' And so he did.<br><br> 7993 7994'I'm glad to see you well again at last, neighbour,' said the dwarf, 7995 7996sitting down opposite him. 'You're quite strong now?'<br><br> 7997 7998'Yes,' said the old man feebly, 'yes.'<br><br> 7999 8000'I don't want to hurry you, you know, neighbour,' said the dwarf, 8001 8002raising his voice, for the old man's senses were duller than they had 8003 8004been; 'but, as soon as you can arrange your future proceedings, the 8005 8006better.'<br><br> 8007 8008'Surely,' said the old man. 'The better for all parties.'<br><br> 8009 8010'You see,' pursued Quilp after a short pause, 'the goods being once 8011 8012removed, this house would be uncomfortable; uninhabitable in fact.'<br><br> 8013 8014'You say true,' returned the old man. 'Poor Nell too, what would she 8015 8016do?'<br><br> 8017 8018'Exactly,' bawled the dwarf nodding his head; 'that's very well 8019 8020observed. Then will you consider about it, neighbour?'<br><br> 8021 8022'I will, certainly,' replied the old man. 'We shall not stop here.'<br><br> 8023 8024'So I supposed,' said the dwarf. 'I have sold the things. They have 8025 8026not yielded quite as much as they might have done, but pretty 8027 8028well--pretty well. To-day's Tuesday. When shall they be moved? 8029 8030There's no hurry--shall we say this afternoon?'<br><br> 8031 8032'Say Friday morning,' returned the old man.<br><br> 8033 8034'Very good,' said the dwarf. 'So be it--with the understanding that I 8035 8036can't go beyond that day, neighbour, on any account.'<br><br> 8037 8038'Good,' returned the old man. 'I shall remember it.'<br><br> 8039 8040Mr Quilp seemed rather puzzled by the strange, even spiritless way in 8041 8042which all this was said;
8042 but as the old man nodded his head and 8043 8044repeated 'on Friday morning. I shall remember it,' he had no excuse 8045 8046for dwelling on the subject any further, and so took a friendly leave 8047 8048with many expressions of good-will and many compliments to his friend 8049 8050on his looking so remarkably well; and went below stairs to report 8051 8052progress to Mr Brass.<br><br> 8053 8054All that day, and all the next, the old man remained in this state. He 8055 8056wandered up and down the house and into and out of the various rooms, 8057 8058as if with some vague intent of bidding them adieu, but he referred 8059 8060neither by direct allusions nor in any other manner to the interview of 8061 8062the morning or the necessity of finding some other shelter. An 8063 8064indistinct idea he had, that the child was desolate and in want of 8065 8066help; for he often drew her to his bosom and bade her be of good cheer, 8067 8068saying that they would not desert each other; but he seemed unable to 8069 8070contemplate their real position more distinctly, and was still the 8071 8072listless, passionless creature that suffering of mind and body had left 8073 8074him.<br><br> 8075 8076We call this a state of childishness, but it is the same poor hollow 8077 8078mockery of it, that death is of sleep. Where, in the dull eyes of 8079 8080doating men, are the laughing light and life of childhood, the gaiety 8081 8082that has known no check, the frankness that has felt no chill, the hope 8083 8084that has never withered, the joys that fade in blossoming? Where, in 8085 8086the sharp lineaments of rigid and unsightly death, is the calm beauty 8087 8088of slumber, telling of rest for the waking hours that are past, and 8089 8090gentle hopes and loves for those which are to come? Lay death and 8091 8092sleep down, side by side, and say who shall find the two akin. Send 8093 8094forth the child and childish man together, and blush for the pride that 8095 8096libels our own old happy state, and gives its title to an ugly and 8097 8098distorted image.<br><br> 8099 8100Thursday arrived, and there was no alteration in the old man. But a 8101 8102change came upon him that evening as he and the child sat silently 8103 8104together.<br><br> 8105 8106In a small dull yard below his window, there was a tree--green and 8107 8108flourishing enough, for such a place--and as the air stirred among its 8109 8110leaves, it threw a rippling shadow on the white wall. The old man sat 8111 8112watching the shadows as they trembled in this patch of light, until the 8113 8114sun went down; and when it was night, and the moon was slowly rising, 8115 8116he still sat in the same spot.<br><br> 8117 8118To one who had been tossing on a restless bed so long, even these few 8119 8120green leaves and this tranquil light, although it languished among 8121 8122chimneys and house-tops, were pleasant things. They suggested quiet 8123 8124places afar off, and rest, and peace. The child thought, more than 8125 8126once that he was moved: and had forborne to speak. But now he shed 8127 8128tears--tears that it lightened her aching heart to see--and making as 8129 8130though he would fall upon his knees, besought her to forgive him.<br><br> 8131 8132'Forgive you--what?' said Nell, interposing to prevent his purpose. 8133 8134'Oh grandfather, what should I forgive?'<br><br> 8135 8136'All that is past, all that has come upon thee, Nell, all that was done 8137 8138in that uneasy dream,' returned the old man.<br><br> 8139 8140'Do not talk so,' said the child. 'Pray do not. Let us speak of 8141 8142something else.'<br><br> 8143 8144'Yes, yes, we will,' he rejoined. 'And it shall be of what we talked 8145 8146of long ago--many months--months is it, or weeks, or days? which is it 8147 8148Nell?'<br><br> 8149 8150'I do not understand you,' said the child.<br><br> 8151 8152'It has come back upon me to-day, it has all come back since we have 8153 8154been sitting here. I bless thee for it, Nell!'<br><br> 8155 8156'For what, dear grandfather?'<br><br> 8157 8158'For what you said when we were first made beggars, Nell. Let us speak 8159 8160softly. Hush! for if they knew our purpose down stairs, they would 8161 8162cry that I was mad and take thee from me. We will not stop here 8163 8164another day. We will go far away from here.'<br><br> 8165 8166'Yes, let us go,' said the child earnestly. 'Let us begone from this 8167 8168place, and never turn back or think of it again. Let us wander 8169 8170barefoot through the world, rather than linger here.'<br><br> 8171 8172'We will,' answered the old man, 'we will travel afoot through the 8173
8174fields and woods, and by the side of rivers, and trust ourselves to God 8175 8176in the places where He dwells. It is far better to lie down at night 8177 8178beneath an open sky like that yonder--see how bright it is--than to 8179 8180rest in close rooms which are always full of care and weary dreams. 8181 8182Thou and I together, Nell, may be cheerful and happy yet, and learn to 8183 8184forget this time, as if it had never been.'<br><br> 8185 8186'We will be happy,' cried the child. 'We never can be here.'<br><br> 8187 8188'No, we never can again--never again--that's truly said,' rejoined the 8189 8190old man. 'Let us steal away to-morrow morning--early and softly, that 8191 8192we may not be seen or heard--and leave no trace or track for them to 8193 8194follow by. Poor Nell! Thy cheek is pale, and thy eyes are heavy with 8195 8196watching and weeping for me--I know--for me; but thou wilt be well 8197 8198again, and merry too, when we are far away. To-morrow morning, dear, 8199 8200we'll turn our faces from this scene of sorrow, and be as free and 8201 8202happy as the birds.'<br><br> 8203 8204And then the old man clasped his hands above her head, and said, in a 8205 8206few broken words, that from that time forth they would wander up and 8207 8208down together, and never part more until Death took one or other of the 8209 8210twain.<br><br> 8211 8212The child's heart beat high with hope and confidence. She had no 8213 8214thought of hunger, or cold, or thirst, or suffering. She saw in this, 8215 8216but a return of the simple pleasures they had once enjoyed, a relief 8217 8218from the gloomy solitude in which she had lived, an escape from the 8219 8220heartless people by whom she had been surrounded in her late time of 8221 8222trial, the restoration of the old man's health and peace, and a life of 8223 8224tranquil happiness. Sun, and stream, and meadow, and summer days, 8225 8226shone brightly in her view, and there was no dark tint in all the 8227 8228sparkling picture.<br><br> 8229 8230The old man had slept, for some hours, soundly in his bed, and she was 8231 8232yet busily engaged in preparing for their flight. There were a few 8233 8234articles of clothing for herself to carry, and a few for him; old 8235 8236garments, such as became their fallen fortunes, laid out to wear; and a 8237 8238staff to support his feeble steps, put ready for his use. But this was 8239 8240not all her task; for now she must visit the old rooms for the last 8241 8242time.<br><br> 8243 8244And how different the parting with them was, from any she had expected, 8245 8246and most of all from that which she had oftenest pictured to herself. 8247 8248How could she ever have thought of bidding them farewell in triumph, 8249 8250when the recollection of the many hours she had passed among them rose 8251 8252to her swelling heart, and made her feel the wish a cruelty: lonely and 8253 8254sad though many of those hours had been! She sat down at the window 8255 8256where she had spent so many evenings--darker far than this--and every 8257 8258thought of hope or cheerfulness that had occurred to her in that place 8259 8260came vividly upon her mind, and blotted out all its dull and mournful 8261 8262associations in an instant.<br><br> 8263 8264Her own little room too, where she had so often knelt down and prayed 8265 8266at night--prayed for the time which she hoped was dawning now--the 8267 8268little room where she had slept so peacefully, and dreamed such 8269 8270pleasant dreams! It was hard not to be able to glance round it once 8271 8272more, and to be forced to leave it without one kind look or grateful 8273 8274tear. There were some trifles there--poor useless things--that she 8275 8276would have liked to take away; but that was impossible.<br><br> 8277 8278This brought to mind her bird, her poor bird, who hung there yet. She 8279 8280wept bitterly for the loss of this little creature--until the idea 8281 8282occurred to her--she did not know how, or why, it came into her 8283 8284head--that it might, by some means, fall into the hands of Kit who 8285 8286would keep it for her sake, and think, perhaps, that she had left it 8287 8288behind in the hope that he might have it, and as an assurance that she 8289 8290was grateful to him. She was calmed and comforted by the thought, and 8291 8292went to rest with a lighter heart.<br><br> 8293 8294From many dreams of rambling through light and sunny places, but with 8295 8296some vague object unattained which ran indistinctly through them all, 8297 8298she awoke to find that it was yet night, and that the stars were 8299
8300shining brightly in the sky. At length, the day began to glimmer, and 8301 8302the stars to grow pale and dim. As soon as she was sure of this, she 8303 8304arose, and dressed herself for the journey.<br><br> 8305 8306The old man was yet asleep, and as she was unwilling to disturb him, 8307 8308she left him to slumber on, until the sun rose. He was anxious that 8309 8310they should leave the house without a minute's loss of time, and was 8311 8312soon ready.<br><br> 8313 8314The child then took him by the hand, and they trod lightly and 8315 8316cautiously down the stairs, trembling whenever a board creaked, and 8317 8318often stopping to listen. The old man had forgotten a kind of wallet 8319 8320which contained the light burden he had to carry; and the going back a 8321 8322few steps to fetch it seemed an interminable delay.<br><br> 8323 8324At last they reached the passage on the ground floor, where the snoring 8325 8326of Mr Quilp and his legal friend sounded more terrible in their ears 8327 8328than the roars of lions. The bolts of the door were rusty, and 8329 8330difficult to unfasten without noise. When they were all drawn back, it 8331 8332was found to be locked, and worst of all, the key was gone. Then the 8333 8334child remembered, for the first time, one of the nurses having told her 8335 8336that Quilp always locked both the house-doors at night, and kept the 8337 8338keys on the table in his bedroom.<br><br> 8339 8340It was not without great fear and trepidation that little Nell slipped 8341 8342off her shoes and gliding through the store-room of old curiosities, 8343 8344where Mr Brass--the ugliest piece of goods in all the stock--lay 8345 8346sleeping on a mattress, passed into her own little chamber.<br><br> 8347 8348Here she stood, for a few moments, quite transfixed with terror at the 8349 8350sight of Mr Quilp, who was hanging so far out of bed that he almost 8351 8352seemed to be standing on his head, and who, either from the uneasiness 8353 8354of this posture, or in one of his agreeable habits, was gasping and 8355 8356growling with his mouth wide open, and the whites (or rather the dirty 8357 8358yellows) of his eyes distinctly visible. It was no time, however, to 8359 8360ask whether anything ailed him; so, possessing herself of the key after 8361 8362one hasty glance about the room, and repassing the prostrate Mr Brass, 8363 8364she rejoined the old man in safety. They got the door open without 8365 8366noise, and passing into the street, stood still.<br><br> 8367 8368'Which way?' said the child.<br><br> 8369 8370The old man looked, irresolutely and helplessly, first at her, then to 8371 8372the right and left, then at her again, and shook his head. It was 8373 8374plain that she was thenceforth his guide and leader. The child felt 8375 8376it, but had no doubts or misgiving, and putting her hand in his, led 8377 8378him gently away.<br><br> 8379 8380It was the beginning of a day in June; the deep blue sky unsullied by a 8381 8382cloud, and teeming with brilliant light. The streets were, as yet, 8383 8384nearly free from passengers, the houses and shops were closed, and the 8385 8386healthy air of morning fell like breath from angels, on the sleeping 8387 8388town.<br><br> 8389 8390The old man and the child passed on through the glad silence, elate 8391 8392with hope and pleasure. They were alone together, once again; every 8393 8394object was bright and fresh; nothing reminded them, otherwise than by 8395 8396contrast, of the monotony and constraint they had left behind; church 8397 8398towers and steeples, frowning and dark at other times, now shone in the 8399 8400sun; each humble nook and corner rejoiced in light; and the sky, dimmed 8401 8402only by excessive distance, shed its placid smile on everything beneath.<br><br> 8403 8404Forth from the city, while it yet slumbered, went the two poor 8405 8406adventurers, wandering they knew not whither.<br><br> 8407 8408CHAPTER 13<br><br> 8409 8410Daniel Quilp of Tower Hill, and Sampson Brass of Bevis Marks in the 8411 8412city of London, Gentleman, one of her Majesty's attornies of the Courts 8413 8414of the King's Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster and a solicitor of 8415 8416the High Court of Chancery, slumbered on, unconscious and unsuspicious 8417 8418of any mischance, until a knocking on the street door, often repeated 8419 8420and gradually mounting up from a modest single rap to a perfect battery 8421 8422of knocks, fired in long discharges with a very short interval between, 8423 8424caused the said Daniel Quilp to struggle into a horizontal position, 8425 8426and to stare at the ceiling with a drowsy indifference, betokening that 8427 8428he heard the noise and rather wondered at the same, and couldn't be at 8429 8430the trouble of bestowing any further thought upon the subject.<br><br> 8431 8432As the knocking, however, instead of accommodating itself to his lazy 8433 8434state, increased in vigour and became more importunate, as if in 8435 8436earnest remonstrance against his falling asleep again, now that he had 8437 8438once opened his eyes, Daniel Quilp began by degrees to comprehend the 8439 8440possibility of there being somebody at the door; and thus he gradually 8441 8442came to recollect that it was Friday morning, and he had ordered Mrs 8443 8444Quilp to be in waiting upon him at an early hour.<br><br> 8445 8446Mr Brass, after writhing about, in a great many strange attitudes, and 8447 8448often twisting his face and eyes into an expression like that which is 8449 8450usually produced by eating gooseberries very early in the season, was 8451 8452by this time awake also. Seeing that Mr Quilp invested himself in his 8453
8454every-day garments, he hastened to do the like, putting on his shoes 8455 8456before his stockings, and thrusting his legs into his coat sleeves, and 8457 8458making such other small mistakes in his toilet as are not uncommon to 8459 8460those who dress in a hurry, and labour under the agitation of having 8461 8462been suddenly roused. While the attorney was thus engaged, the dwarf 8463 8464was groping under the table, muttering desperate imprecations on 8465 8466himself, and mankind in general, and all inanimate objects to boot, 8467 8468which suggested to Mr Brass the question, 'what's the matter?'<br><br> 8469 8470'The key,' said the dwarf, looking viciously about him, 'the 8471 8472door-key--that's the matter. D'ye know anything of it?'<br><br> 8473 8474'How should I know anything of it, sir?' returned Mr Brass.<br><br> 8475 8476'How should you?' repeated Quilp with a sneer. 'You're a nice lawyer, 8477 8478an't you? Ugh, you idiot!'<br><br> 8479 8480Not caring to represent to the dwarf in his present humour, that the 8481 8482loss of a key by another person could scarcely be said to affect his 8483 8484(Brass's) legal knowledge in any material degree, Mr Brass humbly 8485 8486suggested that it must have been forgotten over night, and was, 8487 8488doubtless, at that moment in its native key-hole. Notwithstanding that 8489 8490Mr Quilp had a strong conviction to the contrary, founded on his 8491 8492recollection of having carefully taken it out, he was fain to admit 8493 8494that this was possible, and therefore went grumbling to the door where, 8495 8496sure enough, he found it.<br><br> 8497 8498Now, just as Mr Quilp laid his hand upon the lock, and saw with great 8499 8500astonishment that the fastenings were undone, the knocking came again 8501 8502with the most irritating violence, and the daylight which had been 8503 8504shining through the key-hole was intercepted on the outside by a human 8505 8506eye. The dwarf was very much exasperated, and wanting somebody to 8507 8508wreak his ill-humour upon, determined to dart out suddenly, and favour 8509 8510Mrs Quilp with a gentle acknowledgment of her attention in making that 8511 8512hideous uproar.<br><br> 8513 8514With this view, he drew back the lock very silently and softly, and 8515 8516opening the door all at once, pounced out upon the person on the other 8517 8518side, who had at that moment raised the knocker for another 8519 8520application, and at whom the dwarf ran head first: throwing out his 8521 8522hands and feet together, and biting the air in the fulness of his 8523 8524malice.<br><br> 8525 8526So far, however, from rushing upon somebody who offered no resistance 8527 8528and implored his mercy, Mr Quilp was no sooner in the arms of the 8529 8530individual whom he had taken for his wife than he found himself 8531 8532complimented with two staggering blows on the head, and two more, of 8533 8534the same quality, in the chest; and closing with his assailant, such a 8535 8536shower of buffets rained down upon his person as sufficed to convince 8537 8538him that he was in skilful and experienced hands. Nothing daunted by 8539 8540this reception, he clung tight to his opponent, and bit and hammered 8541 8542away with such good-will and heartiness, that it was at least a couple 8543 8544of minutes before he was dislodged. Then, and not until then, Daniel 8545 8546Quilp found himself, all flushed and dishevelled, in the middle of the 8547 8548street, with Mr Richard Swiveller performing a kind of dance round him 8549 8550and requiring to know 'whether he wanted any more?'<br><br> 8551 8552'There's plenty more of it at the same shop,' said Mr Swiveller, by 8553 8554turns advancing and retreating in a threatening attitude, 'a large and 8555 8556extensive assortment always on hand--country orders executed with 8557 8558promptitude and despatch--will you have a little more, Sir--don't say 8559 8560no, if you'd rather not.'<br><br> 8561 8562'I thought it was somebody else,' said Quilp, rubbing his shoulders, 8563 8564'why didn't you say who you were?'<br><br> 8565 8566'Why didn't you say who YOU were?' returned Dick, 'instead of flying 8567 8568out of the house like a Bedlamite?'<br><br> 8569 8570'It was you that--that knocked,' said the dwarf, getting up with a 8571 8572short groan, 'was it?'<br><br> 8573 8574'Yes, I am the man,' replied Dick. 'That lady had begun when I came, 8575 8576but she knocked too soft, so I relieved her.' As he said this, he 8577 8578pointed towards Mrs Quilp, who stood trembling at a little distance.<br><br> 8579 8580'Humph!' muttered the dwarf, darting an angry look at his wife, 'I 8581 8582thought it was your fault! And you, sir--don't you know there has been 8583 8584somebody ill here, that you knock as if you'd beat the door down?'<br><br> 8585 8586'Damme!' answered Dick, 'that's why I did it. I thought there was 8587 8588somebody dead here.'<br><br> 8589 8590'You came for some purpose, I suppose,' said Quilp. 'What is it you 8591 8592want?'<br><br> 8593 8594'I want to know how the old gentleman is,' rejoined Mr Swiveller, 'and 8595 8596to hear from Nell herself, with whom I should like to have a little 8597 8598talk. I'm a friend of the family, sir--at least I'm the friend of one 8599 8600of the family, and that's the same thing.'<br><br> 8601 8602'You'd better walk in then,' said the dwarf. 'Go on, sir, go on. Now, 8603 8604Mrs Quilp--after you, ma'am.'<br><br> 8605 8606Mrs Quilp hesitated, but Mr Quilp insisted. And it was not a contest 8607 8608of politeness, or by any means a matter of form, for she knew very well 8609 8610that her husband wished to enter the house in this order, that he might 8611 8612have a favourable opportunity of inflicting a few pinches on her arms, 8613 8614which were seldom free from impressions of his fingers in black and 8615 8616blue colours. Mr Swiveller, who was not in the secret, was a little 8617 8618surprised to hear a suppressed scream, and, looking round, to see Mrs 8619 8620Quilp following him with a sudden jerk; but he did not remark on these 8621 8622appearances, and soon forgot them.<br><br> 8623 8624'Now, Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf when they had entered the shop, 'go 8625 8626you up stairs, if you please, to Nelly's room, and tell her that she's 8627 8628wanted.'<br><br> 8629 8630'You seem to make yourself at home here,' said Dick, who was 8631 8632unacquainted with Mr Quilp's authority.<br><br> 8633 8634'I AM at home, young gentleman,' returned the dwarf.<br><br> 8635 8636Dick was pondering what these words might mean, and still more what the 8637 8638presence of Mr Brass might mean, when Mrs Quilp came hurrying down 8639 8640stairs, declaring that the rooms above were empty.<br><br> 8641 8642'Empty, you fool!' said the dwarf.<br><br> 8643
8644'I give you my word, Quilp,' answered his trembling wife, 'that I have 8645 8646been into every room and there's not a soul in any of them.'<br><br> 8647 8648'And that,' said Mr Brass, clapping his hands once, with an emphasis, 8649 8650'explains the mystery of the key!'<br><br> 8651 8652Quilp looked frowningly at him, and frowningly at his wife, and 8653 8654frowningly at Richard Swiveller; but, receiving no enlightenment from 8655 8656any of them, hurried up stairs, whence he soon hurried down again, 8657 8658confirming the report which had already been made.<br><br> 8659 8660'It's a strange way of going,' he said, glancing at Swiveller, 'very 8661 8662strange not to communicate with me who am such a close and intimate 8663 8664friend of his! Ah! he'll write to me no doubt, or he'll bid Nelly 8665 8666write--yes, yes, that's what he'll do. Nelly's very fond of me. 8667 8668Pretty Nell!'<br><br> 8669 8670Mr Swiveller looked, as he was, all open-mouthed astonishment. Still 8671 8672glancing furtively at him, Quilp turned to Mr Brass and observed, with 8673 8674assumed carelessness, that this need not interfere with the removal of 8675 8676the goods.<br><br> 8677 8678'For indeed,' he added, 'we knew that they'd go away to-day, but not 8679 8680that they'd go so early, or so quietly. But they have their reasons, 8681 8682they have their reasons.'<br><br> 8683 8684'Where in the devil's name are they gone?' said the wondering Dick.<br><br> 8685 8686Quilp shook his head, and pursed up his lips, in a manner which implied 8687 8688that he knew very well, but was not at liberty to say.<br><br> 8689 8690'And what,' said Dick, looking at the confusion about him, 'what do you 8691 8692mean by moving the goods?'<br><br> 8693 8694'That I have bought 'em, Sir,' rejoined Quilp. 'Eh? What then?'<br><br> 8695 8696'Has the sly old fox made his fortune then, and gone to live in a 8697 8698tranquil cot in a pleasant spot with a distant view of the changing 8699 8700sea?' said Dick, in great bewilderment.<br><br> 8701 8702'Keeping his place of retirement very close, that he may not be visited 8703 8704too often by affectionate grandsons and their devoted friends, eh?' 8705 8706added the dwarf, rubbing his hands hard; 'I say nothing, but is that 8707 8708your meaning?'<br><br> 8709 8710Richard Swiveller was utterly aghast at this unexpected alteration of 8711 8712circumstances, which threatened the complete overthrow of the project 8713 8714in which he bore so conspicuous a part, and seemed to nip his prospects 8715 8716in the bud. Having only received from Frederick Trent, late on the 8717 8718previous night, information of the old man's illness, he had come upon 8719 8720a visit of condolence and inquiry to Nell, prepared with the first 8721 8722instalment of that long train of fascinations which was to fire her 8723 8724heart at last. And here, when he had been thinking of all kinds of 8725 8726graceful and insinuating approaches, and meditating on the fearful 8727 8728retaliation which was slowly working against Sophy Wackles--here were 8729 8730Nell, the old man, and all the money gone, melted away, decamped he 8731 8732knew not whither, as if with a fore-knowledge of the scheme and a 8733 8734resolution to defeat it in the very outset, before a step was taken.<br><br> 8735 8736In his secret heart, Daniel Quilp was both surprised and troubled by 8737 8738the flight which had been made. It had not escaped his keen eye that 8739 8740some indispensable articles of clothing were gone with the fugitives, 8741 8742and knowing the old man's weak state of mind, he marvelled what that 8743 8744course of proceeding might be in which he had so readily procured the 8745 8746concurrence of the child. It must not be supposed (or it would be a 8747 8748gross injustice to Mr Quilp) that he was tortured by any disinterested 8749 8750anxiety on behalf of either. His uneasiness arose from a misgiving 8751 8752that the old man had some secret store of money which he had not 8753 8754suspected; and the idea of its escaping his clutches, overwhelmed him 8755 8756with mortification and self-reproach.<br><br> 8757 8758In this frame of mind, it was some consolation to him to find that 8759 8760Richard Swiveller was, for different reasons, evidently irritated and 8761 8762disappointed by the same cause. It was plain, thought the dwarf, that 8763 8764he had come there, on behalf of his friend, to cajole or frighten the 8765 8766old man out of some small fraction of that wealth of which they 8767 8768supposed him to have an abundance. Therefore, it was a relief to vex 8769 8770his heart with a picture of the riches the old man hoarded, and to 8771 8772expatiate on his cunning in removing himself even beyond the reach of 8773 8774importunity.<br><br> 8775 8776'Well,' said Dick, with a blank look, 'I suppose it's of no use my 8777 8778staying here.'<br><br> 8779 8780'Not the least in the world,' rejoined the dwarf.<br><br> 8781 8782'You'll mention that I called, perhaps?' said Dick.<br><br> 8783 8784Mr Quilp nodded, and said he certainly would, the very first time he 8785 8786saw them.<br><br> 8787 8788'And say,' added Mr Swiveller, 'say, sir, that I was wafted here upon 8789 8790the pinions of concord; that I came to remove, with the rake of 8791 8792friendship, the seeds of mutual violence and heart-burning, and to sow 8793 8794in their place, the germs of social harmony. Will you have the 8795 8796goodness to charge yourself with that commission, Sir?'<br><br> 8797 8798'Certainly!' rejoined Quilp.<br><br> 8799 8800'Will you be kind enough to add to it, Sir,' said Dick, producing a 8801 8802very small limp card, 'that that is my address, and that I am to be 8803 8804found at home every morning. Two distinct knocks, sir, will produce 8805 8806the slavey at any time. My particular friends, Sir, are accustomed to 8807 8808sneeze when the door is opened, to give her to understand that they ARE 8809 8810my friends and have no interested motives in asking if I'm at home. I 8811 8812beg your pardon; will you allow me to look at that card again?'<br><br> 8813 8814'Oh! by all means,' rejoined Quilp.<br><br> 8815 8816'By a slight and not unnatural mistake, sir,' said Dick, substituting 8817
8818another in its stead, 'I had handed you the pass-ticket of a select 8819 8820convivial circle called the Glorious Apollers of which I have the 8821 8822honour to be Perpetual Grand. That is the proper document, Sir. Good 8823 8824morning.'<br><br> 8825 8826Quilp bade him good day; the perpetual Grand Master of the Glorious 8827 8828Apollers, elevating his hat in honour of Mrs Quilp, dropped it 8829 8830carelessly on the side of his head again, and disappeared with a 8831 8832flourish.<br><br> 8833 8834By this time, certain vans had arrived for the conveyance of the goods, 8835 8836and divers strong men in caps were balancing chests of drawers and 8837 8838other trifles of that nature upon their heads, and performing muscular 8839 8840feats which heightened their complexions considerably. Not to be 8841 8842behind-hand in the bustle, Mr Quilp went to work with surprising 8843 8844vigour; hustling and driving the people about, like an evil spirit; 8845 8846setting Mrs Quilp upon all kinds of arduous and impracticable tasks; 8847 8848carrying great weights up and down, with no apparent effort; kicking 8849 8850the boy from the wharf, whenever he could get near him; and inflicting, 8851 8852with his loads, a great many sly bumps and blows on the shoulders of Mr 8853 8854Brass, as he stood upon the door-steps to answer all the inquiries of 8855 8856curious neighbours, which was his department. His presence and example 8857 8858diffused such alacrity among the persons employed, that, in a few 8859 8860hours, the house was emptied of everything, but pieces of matting, 8861 8862empty porter-pots, and scattered fragments of straw.<br><br> 8863 8864Seated, like an African chief, on one of these pieces of matting, the 8865 8866dwarf was regaling himself in the parlour, with bread and cheese and 8867 8868beer, when he observed without appearing to do so, that a boy was 8869 8870prying in at the outer door. Assured that it was Kit, though he saw 8871 8872little more than his nose, Mr Quilp hailed him by his name; whereupon 8873 8874Kit came in and demanded what he wanted.<br><br> 8875 8876'Come here, you sir,' said the dwarf. 'Well, so your old master and 8877 8878young mistress have gone?'<br><br> 8879 8880'Where?' rejoined Kit, looking round.<br><br> 8881 8882'Do you mean to say you don't know where?' answered Quilp sharply. 8883 8884'Where have they gone, eh?'<br><br> 8885 8886'I don't know,' said Kit.<br><br> 8887 8888'Come,' retorted Quilp, 'let's have no more of this! Do you mean to 8889 8890say that you don't know they went away by stealth, as soon as it was 8891 8892light this morning?'<br><br> 8893 8894'No,' said the boy, in evident surprise.<br><br> 8895 8896'You don't know that?' cried Quilp. 'Don't I know that you were 8897 8898hanging about the house the other night, like a thief, eh? Weren't you 8899 8900told then?'<br><br> 8901 8902'No,' replied the boy.<br><br> 8903 8904'You were not?' said Quilp. 'What were you told then; what were you 8905 8906talking about?'<br><br> 8907 8908Kit, who knew no particular reason why he should keep the matter secret 8909 8910now, related the purpose for which he had come on that occasion, and 8911 8912the proposal he had made.<br><br> 8913 8914'Oh!' said the dwarf after a little consideration. 'Then, I think 8915 8916they'll come to you yet.'<br><br> 8917 8918'Do you think they will?' cried Kit eagerly.<br><br> 8919 8920'Aye, I think they will,' returned the dwarf. 'Now, when they do, let 8921 8922me know; d'ye hear? Let me know, and I'll give you something. I want 8923 8924to do 'em a kindness, and I can't do 'em a kindness unless I know where 8925 8926they are. You hear what I say?'<br><br> 8927 8928Kit might have returned some answer which would not have been agreeable 8929 8930to his irascible questioner, if the boy from the wharf, who had been 8931 8932skulking about the room in search of anything that might have been left 8933 8934about by accident, had not happened to cry, 'Here's a bird! What's to 8935 8936be done with this?'<br><br> 8937 8938'Wring its neck,' rejoined Quilp.<br><br> 8939 8940'Oh no, don't do that,' said Kit, stepping forward. 'Give it to me.'<br><br> 8941 8942'Oh yes, I dare say,' cried the other boy. 'Come! You let the cage 8943 8944alone, and let me wring its neck will you? He said I was to do it. 8945 8946You let the cage alone will you.'<br><br> 8947 8948'Give it here, give it to me, you dogs,' roared Quilp. 'Fight for it, 8949 8950you dogs, or I'll wring its neck myself!'<br><br> 8951 8952Without further persuasion, the two boys fell upon each other, tooth 8953 8954and nail, while Quilp, holding up the cage in one hand, and chopping 8955 8956the ground with his knife in an ecstasy, urged them on by his taunts 8957 8958and cries to fight more fiercely. They were a pretty equal match, and 8959 8960rolled about together, exchanging blows which were by no means child's 8961 8962play, until at length Kit, planting a well-directed hit in his 8963 8964adversary's chest, disengaged himself, sprung nimbly up, and snatching 8965 8966the cage from Quilp's hands made off with his prize.<br><br> 8967 8968He did not stop once until he reached home, where his bleeding face 8969 8970occasioned great consternation, and caused the elder child to howl 8971 8972dreadfully.<br><br> 8973 8974'Goodness gracious, Kit, what is the matter, what have you been doing?' 8975 8976cried Mrs Nubbles.<br><br> 8977 8978'Never you mind, mother,' answered her son, wiping his face on the 8979 8980jack-towel behind the door. 'I'm not hurt, don't you be afraid for me. 8981 8982I've been a fightin' for a bird and won him, that's all. Hold your 8983 8984noise, little Jacob. I never see such a naughty boy in all my days!'<br><br> 8985 8986'You have been fighting for a bird!' exclaimed his mother.<br><br> 8987 8988'Ah! Fightin' for a bird!' replied Kit, 'and here he is--Miss Nelly's 8989 8990bird, mother, that they was agoin' to wring the neck of! I stopped 8991
8992that though--ha ha ha! They wouldn't wring his neck and me by, no, no. 8993 8994It wouldn't do, mother, it wouldn't do at all. Ha ha ha!'<br><br> 8995 8996Kit laughing so heartily, with his swoln and bruised face looking out 8997 8998of the towel, made little Jacob laugh, and then his mother laughed, and 8999 9000then the baby crowed and kicked with great glee, and then they all 9001 9002laughed in concert: partly because of Kit's triumph, and partly because 9003 9004they were very fond of each other. When this fit was over, Kit 9005 9006exhibited the bird to both children, as a great and precious rarity--it 9007 9008was only a poor linnet--and looking about the wall for an old nail, 9009 9010made a scaffolding of a chair and table and twisted it out with great 9011 9012exultation.<br><br> 9013 9014'Let me see,' said the boy, 'I think I'll hang him in the winder, 9015 9016because it's more light and cheerful, and he can see the sky there, if 9017 9018he looks up very much. He's such a one to sing, I can tell you!'<br><br> 9019 9020So, the scaffolding was made again, and Kit, climbing up with the poker 9021 9022for a hammer, knocked in the nail and hung up the cage, to the 9023 9024immeasurable delight of the whole family. When it had been adjusted 9025 9026and straightened a great many times, and he had walked backwards into 9027 9028the fire-place in his admiration of it, the arrangement was pronounced 9029 9030to be perfect.<br><br> 9031 9032'And now, mother,' said the boy, 'before I rest any more, I'll go out 9033 9034and see if I can find a horse to hold, and then I can buy some 9035 9036birdseed, and a bit of something nice for you, into the bargain.'<br><br> 9037 9038CHAPTER 14<br><br> 9039 9040As it was very easy for Kit to persuade himself that the old house was 9041 9042in his way, his way being anywhere, he tried to look upon his passing 9043 9044it once more as a matter of imperative and disagreeable necessity, 9045 9046quite apart from any desire of his own, to which he could not choose 9047 9048but yield. It is not uncommon for people who are much better fed and 9049 9050taught than Christopher Nubbles had ever been, to make duties of their 9051 9052inclinations in matters of more doubtful propriety, and to take great 9053 9054credit for the self-denial with which they gratify themselves.<br><br> 9055 9056There was no need of any caution this time, and no fear of being 9057 9058detained by having to play out a return match with Daniel Quilp's boy. 9059 9060The place was entirely deserted, and looked as dusty and dingy as if it 9061 9062had been so for months. A rusty padlock was fastened on the door, ends 9063 9064of discoloured blinds and curtains flapped drearily against the 9065 9066half-opened upper windows, and the crooked holes cut in the closed 9067 9068shutters below, were black with the darkness of the inside. Some of 9069 9070the glass in the window he had so often watched, had been broken in the 9071 9072rough hurry of the morning, and that room looked more deserted and dull 9073 9074than any. A group of idle urchins had taken possession of the 9075 9076door-steps; some were plying the knocker and listening with delighted 9077 9078dread to the hollow sounds it spread through the dismantled house; 9079 9080others were clustered about the keyhole, watching half in jest and half 9081 9082in earnest for 'the ghost,' which an hour's gloom, added to the mystery 9083 9084that hung about the late inhabitants, had already raised. Standing all 9085 9086alone in the midst of the business and bustle of the street, the house 9087 9088looked a picture of cold desolation; and Kit, who remembered the 9089 9090cheerful fire that used to burn there on a winter's night and the no 9091 9092less cheerful laugh that made the small room ring, turned quite 9093 9094mournfully away.<br><br> 9095 9096It must be especially observed in justice to poor Kit that he was by no 9097 9098means of a sentimental turn, and perhaps had never heard that adjective 9099 9100in all his life. He was only a soft-hearted grateful fellow, and had 9101 9102nothing genteel or polite about him; consequently, instead of going 9103 9104home again, in his grief, to kick the children and abuse his mother 9105 9106(for, when your finely strung people are out of sorts, they must have 9107 9108everybody else unhappy likewise), he turned his thoughts to the vulgar 9109 9110expedient of making them more comfortable if he could.<br><br> 9111 9112Bless us, what a number of gentlemen on horseback there were riding up 9113 9114and down, and how few of them wanted their horses held! A good city 9115 9116speculator or a parliamentary commissioner could have told to a 9117 9118fraction, from the crowds that were cantering about, what sum of money 9119 9120was realised in London, in the course of a year, by holding horses 9121 9122alone. And undoubtedly it would have been a very large one, if only a 9123 9124twentieth part of the gentlemen without grooms had had occasion to 9125 9126alight; but they had not; and it is often an ill-natured circumstance 9127 9128like this, which spoils the most ingenious estimate in the world.<br><br> 9129 9130Kit walked about, now with quick steps and now with slow; now lingering 9131 9132as some rider slackened his horse's pace and looked about him; and now 9133 9134darting at full speed up a bye-street as he caught a glimpse of some 9135 9136distant horseman going lazily up the shady side of the road, and 9137 9138promising to stop, at every door. But on they all went, one after 9139 9140another, and there was not a penny stirring. 'I wonder,' thought the 9141 9142boy, 'if one of these gentlemen knew there was nothing in the cupboard 9143 9144at home, whether he'd stop on purpose, and make believe that he wanted 9145 9146to call somewhere, that I might earn a trifle?'<br><br> 9147 9148He was quite tired out with pacing the streets, to say nothing of 9149 9150repeated disappointments, and was sitting down upon a step to rest, 9151 9152when there approached towards him a little clattering jingling 9153 9154four-wheeled chaise' drawn by a little obstinate-looking rough-coated 9155 9156pony, and driven by a little fat placid-faced old gentleman. Beside 9157 9158the little old gentleman sat a little old lady, plump and placid like 9159 9160himself, and the pony was coming along at his own pace and doing 9161 9162exactly as he pleased with the whole concern. If the old gentleman 9163 9164remonstrated by shaking the reins, the pony replied by shaking his 9165 9166head. It was plain that the utmost the pony would consent to do, was 9167 9168to go in his own way up any street that the old gentleman particularly 9169 9170wished to traverse, but that it was an understanding between them that 9171
9172he must do this after his own fashion or not at all.<br><br> 9173 9174As they passed where he sat, Kit looked so wistfully at the little 9175 9176turn-out, that the old gentleman looked at him. Kit rising and putting 9177 9178his hand to his hat, the old gentleman intimated to the pony that he 9179 9180wished to stop, to which proposal the pony (who seldom objected to that 9181 9182part of his duty) graciously acceded.<br><br> 9183 9184'I beg your pardon, sir,' said Kit. 'I'm sorry you stopped, sir. I 9185 9186only meant did you want your horse minded.'<br><br> 9187 9188'I'm going to get down in the next street,' returned the old gentleman. 9189 9190'If you like to come on after us, you may have the job.'<br><br> 9191 9192Kit thanked him, and joyfully obeyed. The pony ran off at a sharp 9193 9194angle to inspect a lamp-post on the opposite side of the way, and then 9195 9196went off at a tangent to another lamp-post on the other side. Having 9197 9198satisfied himself that they were of the same pattern and materials, he 9199 9200came to a stop apparently absorbed in meditation. 'Will you go on, 9201 9202sir,' said the old gentleman, gravely, 'or are we to wait here for you 9203 9204till it's too late for our appointment?'<br><br> 9205 9206The pony remained immoveable.<br><br> 9207 9208'Oh you naughty Whisker,' said the old lady. 'Fie upon you! I'm 9209 9210ashamed of such conduct.'<br><br> 9211 9212The pony appeared to be touched by this appeal to his feelings, for he 9213 9214trotted on directly, though in a sulky manner, and stopped no more 9215 9216until he came to a door whereon was a brass plate with the words 9217 9218'Witherden--Notary.' Here the old gentleman got out and helped out the 9219 9220old lady, and then took from under the seat a nosegay resembling in 9221 9222shape and dimensions a full-sized warming-pan with the handle cut short 9223 9224off. This, the old lady carried into the house with a staid and 9225 9226stately air, and the old gentleman (who had a club-foot) followed close 9227 9228upon her.<br><br> 9229 9230They went, as it was easy to tell from the sound of their voices, into 9231 9232the front parlour, which seemed to be a kind of office. The day being 9233 9234very warm and the street a quiet one, the windows were wide open; and 9235 9236it was easy to hear through the Venetian blinds all that passed inside.<br><br> 9237 9238At first there was a great shaking of hands and shuffling of feet, 9239 9240succeeded by the presentation of the nosegay; for a voice, supposed by 9241 9242the listener to be that of Mr Witherden the Notary, was heard to 9243 9244exclaim a great many times, 'oh, delicious!' 'oh, fragrant, indeed!' 9245 9246and a nose, also supposed to be the property of that gentleman, was 9247 9248heard to inhale the scent with a snuffle of exceeding pleasure.<br><br> 9249 9250'I brought it in honour of the occasion, Sir,' said the old lady.<br><br> 9251 9252'Ah! an occasion indeed, ma'am, an occasion which does honour to me, 9253 9254ma'am, honour to me,' rejoined Mr Witherden, the notary. 'I have had 9255 9256many a gentleman articled to me, ma'am, many a one. Some of them are 9257 9258now rolling in riches, unmindful of their old companion and friend, 9259 9260ma'am, others are in the habit of calling upon me to this day and 9261 9262saying, "Mr Witherden, some of the pleasantest hours I ever spent in my 9263 9264life were spent in this office--were spent, Sir, upon this very stool"; 9265 9266but there was never one among the number, ma'am, attached as I have 9267 9268been to many of them, of whom I augured such bright things as I do of 9269 9270your only son.'<br><br> 9271 9272'Oh dear!' said the old lady. 'How happy you do make us when you tell 9273 9274us that, to be sure!'<br><br> 9275 9276'I tell you, ma'am,' said Mr Witherden, 'what I think as an honest man, 9277 9278which, as the poet observes, is the noblest work of God. I agree with 9279 9280the poet in every particular, ma'am. The mountainous Alps on the one 9281 9282hand, or a humming-bird on the other, is nothing, in point of 9283 9284workmanship, to an honest man--or woman--or woman.'<br><br> 9285 9286'Anything that Mr Witherden can say of me,' observed a small quiet 9287 9288voice, 'I can say, with interest, of him, I am sure.'<br><br> 9289 9290'It's a happy circumstance, a truly happy circumstance,' said the 9291 9292Notary, 'to happen too upon his eight-and-twentieth birthday, and I 9293 9294hope I know how to appreciate it. I trust, Mr Garland, my dear Sir, 9295 9296that we may mutually congratulate each other upon this auspicious 9297 9298occasion.'<br><br> 9299 9300To this the old gentleman replied that he felt assured they might. 9301 9302There appeared to be another shaking of hands in consequence, and when 9303 9304it was over, the old gentleman said that, though he said it who should 9305 9306not, he believed no son had ever been a greater comfort to his parents 9307 9308than Abel Garland had been to his.<br><br> 9309 9310'Marrying as his mother and I did, late in life, sir, after waiting for 9311 9312a great many years, until we were well enough off--coming together when 9313 9314we were no longer young, and then being blessed with one child who has 9315
9316always been dutiful and affectionate--why, it's a source of great 9317 9318happiness to us both, sir.'<br><br> 9319 9320'Of course it is, I have no doubt of it,' returned the Notary in a 9321 9322sympathising voice. 'It's the contemplation of this sort of thing, 9323 9324that makes me deplore my fate in being a bachelor. There was a young 9325 9326lady once, sir, the daughter of an outfitting warehouse of the first 9327 9328respectability--but that's a weakness. Chuckster, bring in Mr Abel's 9329 9330articles.'<br><br> 9331 9332'You see, Mr Witherden,' said the old lady, 'that Abel has not been 9333 9334brought up like the run of young men. He has always had a pleasure in 9335 9336our society, and always been with us. Abel has never been absent from 9337 9338us, for a day; has he, my dear?'<br><br> 9339 9340'Never, my dear,' returned the old gentleman, 'except when he went to 9341 9342Margate one Saturday with Mr Tomkinley that had been a teacher at that 9343 9344school he went to, and came back upon the Monday; but he was very ill 9345 9346after that, you remember, my dear; it was quite a dissipation.'<br><br> 9347 9348'He was not used to it, you know,' said the old lady, 'and he couldn't 9349 9350bear it, that's the truth. Besides he had no comfort in being there 9351 9352without us, and had nobody to talk to or enjoy himself with.'<br><br> 9353 9354'That was it, you know,' interposed the same small quiet voice that had 9355 9356spoken once before. 'I was quite abroad, mother, quite desolate, and 9357 9358to think that the sea was between us--oh, I never shall forget what I 9359 9360felt when I first thought that the sea was between us!'<br><br> 9361 9362'Very natural under the circumstances,' observed the Notary. 'Mr 9363 9364Abel's feelings did credit to his nature, and credit to your nature, 9365 9366ma'am, and his father's nature, and human nature. I trace the same 9367 9368current now, flowing through all his quiet and unobtrusive 9369 9370proceedings.--I am about to sign my name, you observe, at the foot of 9371 9372the articles which Mr Chuckster will witness; and placing my finger 9373 9374upon this blue wafer with the vandyked corners, I am constrained to 9375 9376remark in a distinct tone of voice--don't be alarmed, ma'am, it is 9377 9378merely a form of law--that I deliver this, as my act and deed. Mr Abel 9379 9380will place his name against the other wafer, repeating the same 9381 9382cabalistic words, and the business is over. Ha ha ha! You see how 9383 9384easily these things are done!'<br><br> 9385 9386There was a short silence, apparently, while Mr Abel went through the 9387 9388prescribed form, and then the shaking of hands and shuffling of feet 9389 9390were renewed, and shortly afterwards there was a clinking of 9391 9392wine-glasses and a great talkativeness on the part of everybody. In 9393 9394about a quarter of an hour Mr Chuckster (with a pen behind his ear and 9395 9396his face inflamed with wine) appeared at the door, and condescending to 9397 9398address Kit by the jocose appellation of 'Young Snob,' informed him 9399 9400that the visitors were coming out.<br><br> 9401 9402Out they came forthwith; Mr Witherden, who was short, chubby, 9403 9404fresh-coloured, brisk, and pompous, leading the old lady with extreme 9405 9406politeness, and the father and son following them, arm in arm. Mr 9407 9408Abel, who had a quaint old-fashioned air about him, looked nearly of 9409 9410the same age as his father, and bore a wonderful resemblance to him in 9411 9412face and figure, though wanting something of his full, round, 9413 9414cheerfulness, and substituting in its place a timid reserve. In all 9415 9416other respects, in the neatness of the dress, and even in the 9417 9418club-foot, he and the old gentleman were precisely alike.<br><br> 9419 9420Having seen the old lady safely in her seat, and assisted in the 9421 9422arrangement of her cloak and a small basket which formed an 9423 9424indispensable portion of her equipage, Mr Abel got into a little box 9425 9426behind which had evidently been made for his express accommodation, and 9427 9428smiled at everybody present by turns, beginning with his mother and 9429 9430ending with the pony. There was then a great to-do to make the pony 9431 9432hold up his head that the bearing-rein might be fastened; at last even 9433 9434this was effected; and the old gentleman, taking his seat and the 9435 9436reins, put his hand in his pocket to find a sixpence for Kit.<br><br> 9437 9438He had no sixpence, neither had the old lady, nor Mr Abel, nor the 9439 9440Notary, nor Mr Chuckster. The old gentleman thought a shilling too 9441 9442much, but there was no shop in the street to get change at, so he gave 9443 9444it to the boy.<br><br> 9445 9446'There,' he said jokingly, 'I'm coming here again next Monday at the 9447 9448same time, and mind you're here, my lad, to work it out.'<br><br> 9449
9450'Thank you, Sir,' said Kit. 'I'll be sure to be here.'<br><br> 9451 9452He was quite serious, but they all laughed heartily at his saying so, 9453 9454especially Mr Chuckster, who roared outright and appeared to relish the 9455 9456joke amazingly. As the pony, with a presentiment that he was going 9457 9458home, or a determination that he would not go anywhere else (which was 9459 9460the same thing) trotted away pretty nimbly, Kit had no time to justify 9461 9462himself, and went his way also. Having expended his treasure in such 9463 9464purchases as he knew would be most acceptable at home, not forgetting 9465 9466some seed for the wonderful bird, he hastened back as fast as he could, 9467 9468so elated with his success and great good fortune, that he more than 9469 9470half expected Nell and the old man would have arrived before him.<br><br> 9471 9472CHAPTER 15<br><br> 9473 9474Often, while they were yet pacing the silent streets of the town on the 9475 9476morning of their departure, the child trembled with a mingled sensation 9477 9478of hope and fear as in some far-off figure imperfectly seen in the 9479 9480clear distance, her fancy traced a likeness to honest Kit. But 9481 9482although she would gladly have given him her hand and thanked him for 9483 9484what he had said at their last meeting, it was always a relief to find, 9485 9486when they came nearer to each other, that the person who approached was 9487 9488not he, but a stranger; for even if she had not dreaded the effect 9489 9490which the sight of him might have wrought upon her fellow-traveller, 9491 9492she felt that to bid farewell to anybody now, and most of all to him 9493 9494who had been so faithful and so true, was more than she could bear. It 9495 9496was enough to leave dumb things behind, and objects that were 9497 9498insensible both to her love and sorrow. To have parted from her only 9499 9500other friend upon the threshold of that wild journey, would have wrung 9501 9502her heart indeed.<br><br> 9503 9504Why is it that we can better bear to part in spirit than in body, and 9505 9506while we have the fortitude to act farewell have not the nerve to say 9507 9508it? On the eve of long voyages or an absence of many years, friends 9509 9510who are tenderly attached will separate with the usual look, the usual 9511 9512pressure of the hand, planning one final interview for the morrow, 9513 9514while each well knows that it is but a poor feint to save the pain of 9515 9516uttering that one word, and that the meeting will never be. Should 9517 9518possibilities be worse to bear than certainties? We do not shun our 9519 9520dying friends; the not having distinctly taken leave of one among them, 9521 9522whom we left in all kindness and affection, will often embitter the 9523 9524whole remainder of a life.<br><br> 9525 9526The town was glad with morning light; places that had shown ugly and 9527 9528distrustful all night long, now wore a smile; and sparkling sunbeams 9529 9530dancing on chamber windows, and twinkling through blind and curtain 9531 9532before sleepers' eyes, shed light even into dreams, and chased away the 9533 9534shadows of the night. Birds in hot rooms, covered up close and dark, 9535 9536felt it was morning, and chafed and grew restless in their little 9537 9538cells; bright-eyed mice crept back to their tiny homes and nestled 9539 9540timidly together; the sleek house-cat, forgetful of her prey, sat 9541 9542winking at the rays of sun starting through keyhole and cranny in the 9543 9544door, and longed for her stealthy run and warm sleek bask outside. The 9545 9546nobler beasts confined in dens, stood motionless behind their bars and 9547 9548gazed on fluttering boughs, and sunshine peeping through some little 9549 9550window, with eyes in which old forests gleamed--then trod impatiently 9551 9552the track their prisoned feet had worn--and stopped and gazed again. 9553 9554Men in their dungeons stretched their cramp cold limbs and cursed the 9555 9556stone that no bright sky could warm. The flowers that sleep by night, 9557 9558opened their gentle eyes and turned them to the day. The light, 9559 9560creation's mind, was everywhere, and all things owned its power.<br><br> 9561 9562The two pilgrims, often pressing each other's hands, or exchanging a 9563 9564smile or cheerful look, pursued their way in silence. Bright and happy 9565 9566as it was, there was something solemn in the long, deserted streets, 9567 9568from which, like bodies without souls, all habitual character and 9569 9570expression had departed, leaving but one dead uniform repose, that made 9571 9572them all alike. All was so still at that early hour, that the few pale 9573 9574people whom they met seemed as much unsuited to the scene, as the 9575 9576sickly lamp which had been here and there left burning, was powerless 9577 9578and faint in the full glory of the sun.<br><br> 9579 9580Before they had penetrated very far into the labyrinth of men's abodes 9581 9582which yet lay between them and the outskirts, this aspect began to melt 9583 9584away, and noise and bustle to usurp its place. Some straggling carts 9585 9586and coaches rumbling by, first broke the charm, then others came, then 9587 9588others yet more active, then a crowd. The wonder was, at first, to see 9589 9590a tradesman's window open, but it was a rare thing soon to see one 9591 9592closed; then, smoke rose slowly from the chimneys, and sashes were 9593 9594thrown up to let in air, and doors were opened, and servant girls, 9595 9596looking lazily in all directions but their brooms, scattered brown 9597 9598clouds of dust into the eyes of shrinking passengers, or listened 9599 9600disconsolately to milkmen who spoke of country fairs, and told of 9601 9602waggons in the mews, with awnings and all things complete, and gallant 9603 9604swains to boot, which another hour would see upon their journey.<br><br> 9605 9606This quarter passed, they came upon the haunts of commerce and great 9607 9608traffic, where many people were resorting, and business was already 9609 9610rife. The old man looked about him with a startled and bewildered 9611 9612gaze, for these were places that he hoped to shun. He pressed his 9613 9614finger on his lip, and drew the child along by narrow courts and 9615 9616winding ways, nor did he seem at ease until they had left it far 9617 9618behind, often casting a backward look towards it, murmuring that ruin 9619 9620and self-murder were crouching in every street, and would follow if 9621 9622they scented them; and that they could not fly too fast.<br><br> 9623 9624Again this quarter passed, they came upon a straggling neighbourhood, 9625 9626where the mean houses parcelled off in rooms, and windows patched with 9627 9628rags and paper, told of the populous poverty that sheltered there. The 9629 9630shops sold goods that only poverty could buy, and sellers and buyers 9631 9632were pinched and griped alike. Here were poor streets where faded 9633 9634gentility essayed with scanty space and shipwrecked means to make its 9635 9636last feeble stand, but tax-gatherer and creditor came there as 9637 9638elsewhere, and the poverty that yet faintly struggled was hardly less 9639 9640squalid and manifest than that which had long ago submitted and given 9641 9642up the game.<br><br> 9643 9644This was a wide, wide track--for the humble followers of the camp of 9645 9646wealth pitch their tents round about it for many a mile--but its 9647 9648character was still the same. Damp rotten houses, many to let, many 9649 9650yet building, many half-built and mouldering away--lodgings, where it 9651 9652would be hard to tell which needed pity most, those who let or those 9653
9654who came to take--children, scantily fed and clothed, spread over every 9655 9656street, and sprawling in the dust--scolding mothers, stamping their 9657 9658slipshod feet with noisy threats upon the pavement--shabby fathers, 9659 9660hurrying with dispirited looks to the occupation which brought them 9661 9662'daily bread' and little more--mangling-women, washer-women, cobblers, 9663 9664tailors, chandlers, driving their trades in parlours and kitchens and 9665 9666back room and garrets, and sometimes all of them under the same 9667 9668roof--brick-fields skirting gardens paled with staves of old casks, or 9669 9670timber pillaged from houses burnt down, and blackened and blistered by 9671 9672the flames--mounds of dock-weed, nettles, coarse grass and 9673 9674oyster-shells, heaped in rank confusion--small dissenting chapels to 9675 9676teach, with no lack of illustration, the miseries of Earth, and plenty 9677 9678of new churches, erected with a little superfluous wealth, to show the 9679 9680way to Heaven.<br><br> 9681 9682At length these streets becoming more straggling yet, dwindled and 9683 9684dwindled away, until there were only small garden patches bordering the 9685 9686road, with many a summer house innocent of paint and built of old 9687 9688timber or some fragments of a boat, green as the tough cabbage-stalks 9689 9690that grew about it, and grottoed at the seams with toad-stools and 9691 9692tight-sticking snails. To these succeeded pert cottages, two and two 9693 9694with plots of ground in front, laid out in angular beds with stiff box 9695 9696borders and narrow paths between, where footstep never strayed to make 9697 9698the gravel rough. Then came the public-house, freshly painted in green 9699 9700and white, with tea-gardens and a bowling green, spurning its old 9701 9702neighbour with the horse-trough where the waggons stopped; then, 9703 9704fields; and then, some houses, one by one, of goodly size with lawns, 9705 9706some even with a lodge where dwelt a porter and his wife. Then came a 9707 9708turnpike; then fields again with trees and hay-stacks; then, a hill, 9709 9710and on the top of that, the traveller might stop, and--looking back at 9711 9712old Saint Paul's looming through the smoke, its cross peeping above the 9713 9714cloud (if the day were clear), and glittering in the sun; and casting 9715 9716his eyes upon the Babel out of which it grew until he traced it down to 9717 9718the furthest outposts of the invading army of bricks and mortar whose 9719 9720station lay for the present nearly at his feet--might feel at last that 9721 9722he was clear of London.<br><br> 9723 9724Near such a spot as this, and in a pleasant field, the old man and his 9725 9726little guide (if guide she were, who knew not whither they were bound) 9727 9728sat down to rest. She had had the precaution to furnish her basket 9729 9730with some slices of bread and meat, and here they made their frugal 9731 9732breakfast.<br><br> 9733 9734The freshness of the day, the singing of the birds, the beauty of the 9735 9736waving grass, the deep green leaves, the wild flowers, and the thousand 9737 9738exquisite scents and sounds that floated in the air--deep joys to most 9739 9740of us, but most of all to those whose life is in a crowd or who live 9741 9742solitarily in great cities as in the bucket of a human well--sunk into 9743 9744their breasts and made them very glad. The child had repeated her 9745 9746artless prayers once that morning, more earnestly perhaps than she had 9747 9748ever done in all her life, but as she felt all this, they rose to her 9749 9750lips again. The old man took off his hat--he had no memory for the 9751 9752words--but he said amen, and that they were very good.<br><br> 9753 9754There had been an old copy of the Pilgrim's Progress, with strange 9755 9756plates, upon a shelf at home, over which she had often pored whole 9757 9758evenings, wondering whether it was true in every word, and where those 9759 9760distant countries with the curious names might be. As she looked back 9761 9762upon the place they had left, one part of it came strongly on her mind.<br><br> 9763 9764'Dear grandfather,' she said, 'only that this place is prettier and a 9765 9766great deal better than the real one, if that in the book is like it, I 9767 9768feel as if we were both Christian, and laid down on this grass all the 9769 9770cares and troubles we brought with us; never to take them up again.'<br><br> 9771 9772'No--never to return--never to return'--replied the old man, waving his 9773 9774hand towards the city. 'Thou and I are free of it now, Nell. They 9775 9776shall never lure us back.'<br><br> 9777 9778'Are you tired?' said the child, 'are you sure you don't feel ill from 9779 9780this long walk?'<br><br> 9781 9782'I shall never feel ill again, now that we are once away,' was his 9783 9784reply. 'Let us be stirring, Nell. We must be further away--a long, 9785 9786long way further. We are too near to stop, and be at rest. Come!'<br><br> 9787
9788There was a pool of clear water in the field, in which the child laved 9789 9790her hands and face, and cooled her feet before setting forth to walk 9791 9792again. She would have the old man refresh himself in this way too, and 9793 9794making him sit down upon the grass, cast the water on him with her 9795 9796hands, and dried it with her simple dress.<br><br> 9797 9798'I can do nothing for myself, my darling,' said the grandfather; 'I 9799 9800don't know how it is, I could once, but the time's gone. Don't leave 9801 9802me, Nell; say that thou'lt not leave me. I loved thee all the while, 9803 9804indeed I did. If I lose thee too, my dear, I must die!'<br><br> 9805 9806He laid his head upon her shoulder and moaned piteously. The time had 9807 9808been, and a very few days before, when the child could not have 9809 9810restrained her tears and must have wept with him. But now she soothed 9811 9812him with gentle and tender words, smiled at his thinking they could 9813 9814ever part, and rallied him cheerfully upon the jest. He was soon 9815 9816calmed and fell asleep, singing to himself in a low voice, like a 9817 9818little child.<br><br> 9819 9820He awoke refreshed, and they continued their journey. The road was 9821 9822pleasant, lying between beautiful pastures and fields of corn, about 9823 9824which, poised high in the clear blue sky, the lark trilled out her 9825 9826happy song. The air came laden with the fragrance it caught upon its 9827 9828way, and the bees, upborne upon its scented breath, hummed forth their 9829 9830drowsy satisfaction as they floated by.<br><br> 9831 9832They were now in the open country; the houses were very few and 9833 9834scattered at long intervals, often miles apart. Occasionally they came 9835 9836upon a cluster of poor cottages, some with a chair or low board put 9837 9838across the open door to keep the scrambling children from the road, 9839 9840others shut up close while all the family were working in the fields. 9841 9842These were often the commencement of a little village: and after an 9843 9844interval came a wheelwright's shed or perhaps a blacksmith's forge; 9845 9846then a thriving farm with sleepy cows lying about the yard, and horses 9847 9848peering over the low wall and scampering away when harnessed horses 9849 9850passed upon the road, as though in triumph at their freedom. There 9851 9852were dull pigs too, turning up the ground in search of dainty food, and 9853 9854grunting their monotonous grumblings as they prowled about, or crossed 9855 9856each other in their quest; plump pigeons skimming round the roof or 9857 9858strutting on the eaves; and ducks and geese, far more graceful in their 9859 9860own conceit, waddling awkwardly about the edges of the pond or sailing 9861 9862glibly on its surface. The farm-yard passed, then came the little inn; 9863 9864the humbler beer-shop; and the village tradesman's; then the lawyer's 9865 9866and the parson's, at whose dread names the beer-shop trembled; the 9867 9868church then peeped out modestly from a clump of trees; then there were 9869 9870a few more cottages; then the cage, and pound, and not unfrequently, on 9871 9872a bank by the way-side, a deep old dusty well. Then came the 9873 9874trim-hedged fields on either hand, and the open road again.<br><br> 9875 9876They walked all day, and slept that night at a small cottage where beds 9877 9878were let to travellers. Next morning they were afoot again, and though 9879 9880jaded at first, and very tired, recovered before long and proceeded 9881 9882briskly forward.<br><br> 9883 9884They often stopped to rest, but only for a short space at a time, and 9885 9886still kept on, having had but slight refreshment since the morning. It 9887 9888was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, when drawing near another 9889 9890cluster of labourers' huts, the child looked wistfully in each, 9891 9892doubtful at which to ask for permission to rest awhile, and buy a 9893 9894draught of milk.<br><br> 9895 9896It was not easy to determine, for she was timid and fearful of being 9897 9898repulsed. Here was a crying child, and there a noisy wife. In this, 9899 9900the people seemed too poor; in that, too many. At length she stopped 9901 9902at one where the family were seated round the table--chiefly because 9903 9904there was an old man sitting in a cushioned chair beside the hearth, 9905 9906and she thought he was a grandfather and would feel for hers.<br><br> 9907 9908There were besides, the cottager and his wife, and three young sturdy 9909 9910children, brown as berries. The request was no sooner preferred, than 9911 9912granted. The eldest boy ran out to fetch some milk, the second dragged 9913 9914two stools towards the door, and the youngest crept to his mother's 9915 9916gown, and looked at the strangers from beneath his sunburnt hand.<br><br> 9917 9918'God save you, master,' said the old cottager in a thin piping voice; 9919 9920'are you travelling far?'<br><br> 9921 9922'Yes, Sir, a long way'--replied the child; for her grandfather appealed 9923 9924to her.<br><br> 9925 9926'From London?' inquired the old man.<br><br> 9927 9928The child said yes.<br><br> 9929 9930Ah! He had been in London many a time--used to go there often once, 9931 9932with waggons. It was nigh two-and-thirty year since he had been there 9933 9934last, and he did hear say there were great changes. Like enough! He 9935 9936had changed, himself, since then. Two-and-thirty year was a long time 9937 9938and eighty-four a great age, though there was some he had known that 9939 9940had lived to very hard upon a hundred--and not so hearty as he, 9941 9942neither--no, nothing like it.<br><br> 9943 9944'Sit thee down, master, in the elbow chair,' said the old man, knocking 9945 9946his stick upon the brick floor, and trying to do so sharply. 'Take a 9947 9948pinch out o' that box; I don't take much myself, for it comes dear, but 9949 9950I find it wakes me up sometimes, and ye're but a boy to me. I should 9951 9952have a son pretty nigh as old as you if he'd lived, but they listed him 9953 9954for a so'ger--he come back home though, for all he had but one poor 9955 9956leg. He always said he'd be buried near the sun-dial he used to climb 9957 9958upon when he was a baby, did my poor boy, and his words come true--you 9959 9960can see the place with your own eyes; we've kept the turf up, ever 9961 9962since.'<br><br> 9963 9964He shook his head, and looking at his daughter with watery eyes, said 9965 9966she needn't be afraid that he was going to talk about that, any more. 9967 9968He didn't wish to trouble nobody, and if he had troubled anybody by 9969 9970what he said, he asked pardon, that was all.<br><br> 9971
9972The milk arrived, and the child producing her little basket, and 9973 9974selecting its best fragments for her grandfather, they made a hearty 9975 9976meal. The furniture of the room was very homely of course--a few rough 9977 9978chairs and a table, a corner cupboard with their little stock of 9979 9980crockery and delf, a gaudy tea-tray, representing a lady in bright red, 9981 9982walking out with a very blue parasol, a few common, coloured scripture 9983 9984subjects in frames upon the wall and chimney, an old dwarf 9985 9986clothes-press and an eight-day clock, with a few bright saucepans and a 9987 9988kettle, comprised the whole. But everything was clean and neat, and as 9989 9990the child glanced round, she felt a tranquil air of comfort and content 9991 9992to which she had long been unaccustomed.<br><br> 9993 9994'How far is it to any town or village?' she asked of the husband.<br><br> 9995 9996'A matter of good five mile, my dear,' was the reply, 'but you're not 9997 9998going on to-night?'<br><br> 9999 10000'Yes, yes, Nell,' said the old man hastily, urging her too by signs. 10001 10002'Further on, further on, darling, further away if we walk till 10003 10004midnight.'<br><br> 10005 10006'There's a good barn hard by, master,' said the man, 'or there's 10007 10008travellers' lodging, I know, at the Plow an' Harrer. Excuse me, but 10009 10010you do seem a little tired, and unless you're very anxious to get on--'<br><br> 10011 10012'Yes, yes, we are,' returned the old man fretfully. 'Further away, 10013 10014dear Nell, pray further away.'<br><br> 10015 10016'We must go on, indeed,' said the child, yielding to his restless wish. 10017 10018'We thank you very much, but we cannot stop so soon. I'm quite ready, 10019 10020grandfather.'<br><br> 10021 10022But the woman had observed, from the young wanderer's gait, that one of 10023 10024her little feet was blistered and sore, and being a woman and a mother 10025 10026too, she would not suffer her to go until she had washed the place and 10027 10028applied some simple remedy, which she did so carefully and with such a 10029 10030gentle hand--rough-grained and hard though it was, with work--that the 10031 10032child's heart was too full to admit of her saying more than a fervent 10033 10034'God bless you!' nor could she look back nor trust herself to speak, 10035 10036until they had left the cottage some distance behind. When she turned 10037 10038her head, she saw that the whole family, even the old grandfather, were 10039 10040standing in the road watching them as they went, and so, with many 10041 10042waves of the hand, and cheering nods, and on one side at least not 10043 10044without tears, they parted company.<br><br> 10045 10046They trudged forward, more slowly and painfully than they had done yet, 10047 10048for another mile or thereabouts, when they heard the sound of wheels 10049 10050behind them, and looking round observed an empty cart approaching 10051 10052pretty briskly. The driver on coming up to them stopped his horse and 10053 10054looked earnestly at Nell.<br><br> 10055 10056'Didn't you stop to rest at a cottage yonder?' he said.<br><br> 10057 10058'Yes, sir,' replied the child.<br><br> 10059 10060'Ah! They asked me to look out for you,' said the man. 'I'm going 10061 10062your way. Give me your hand--jump up, master.'<br><br> 10063 10064This was a great relief, for they were very much fatigued and could 10065 10066scarcely crawl along. To them the jolting cart was a luxurious 10067 10068carriage, and the ride the most delicious in the world. Nell had 10069 10070scarcely settled herself on a little heap of straw in one corner, when 10071 10072she fell asleep, for the first time that day.<br><br> 10073 10074She was awakened by the stopping of the cart, which was about to turn 10075 10076up a bye-lane. The driver kindly got down to help her out, and 10077 10078pointing to some trees at a very short distance before them, said that 10079 10080the town lay there, and that they had better take the path which they 10081 10082would see leading through the churchyard. Accordingly, towards this 10083 10084spot, they directed their weary steps.<br><br> 10085 10086CHAPTER 16<br><br> 10087 10088The sun was setting when they reached the wicket-gate at which the path 10089 10090began, and, as the rain falls upon the just and unjust alike, it shed 10091 10092its warm tint even upon the resting-places of the dead, and bade them 10093 10094be of good hope for its rising on the morrow. The church was old and 10095 10096grey, with ivy clinging to the walls, and round the porch. Shunning 10097 10098the tombs, it crept about the mounds, beneath which slept poor humble 10099 10100men: twining for them the first wreaths they had ever won, but wreaths 10101 10102less liable to wither and far more lasting in their kind, than some 10103 10104which were graven deep in stone and marble, and told in pompous terms 10105 10106of virtues meekly hidden for many a year, and only revealed at last to 10107 10108executors and mourning legatees.<br><br> 10109 10110The clergyman's horse, stumbling with a dull blunt sound among the 10111 10112graves, was cropping the grass; at once deriving orthodox consolation 10113 10114from the dead parishioners, and enforcing last Sunday's text that this 10115
10116was what all flesh came to; a lean ass who had sought to expound it 10117 10118also, without being qualified and ordained, was pricking his ears in an 10119 10120empty pound hard by, and looking with hungry eyes upon his priestly 10121 10122neighbour.<br><br> 10123 10124The old man and the child quitted the gravel path, and strayed among 10125 10126the tombs; for there the ground was soft, and easy to their tired feet. 10127 10128As they passed behind the church, they heard voices near at hand, and 10129 10130presently came on those who had spoken.<br><br> 10131 10132They were two men who were seated in easy attitudes upon the grass, and 10133 10134so busily engaged as to be at first unconscious of intruders. It was 10135 10136not difficult to divine that they were of a class of itinerant 10137 10138showmen--exhibitors of the freaks of Punch--for, perched cross-legged 10139 10140upon a tombstone behind them, was a figure of that hero himself, his 10141 10142nose and chin as hooked and his face as beaming as usual. Perhaps his 10143 10144imperturbable character was never more strikingly developed, for he 10145 10146preserved his usual equable smile notwithstanding that his body was 10147 10148dangling in a most uncomfortable position, all loose and limp and 10149 10150shapeless, while his long peaked cap, unequally balanced against his 10151 10152exceedingly slight legs, threatened every instant to bring him toppling 10153 10154down.<br><br> 10155 10156In part scattered upon the ground at the feet of the two men, and in 10157 10158part jumbled together in a long flat box, were the other persons of the 10159 10160Drama. The hero's wife and one child, the hobby-horse, the doctor, the 10161 10162foreign gentleman who not being familiar with the language is unable in 10163 10164the representation to express his ideas otherwise than by the utterance 10165 10166of the word 'Shallabalah' three distinct times, the radical neighbour 10167 10168who will by no means admit that a tin bell is an organ, the 10169 10170executioner, and the devil, were all here. Their owners had evidently 10171 10172come to that spot to make some needful repairs in the stage 10173 10174arrangements, for one of them was engaged in binding together a small 10175 10176gallows with thread, while the other was intent upon fixing a new black 10177 10178wig, with the aid of a small hammer and some tacks, upon the head of 10179 10180the radical neighbour, who had been beaten bald.<br><br> 10181 10182They raised their eyes when the old man and his young companion were 10183 10184close upon them, and pausing in their work, returned their looks of 10185 10186curiosity. One of them, the actual exhibitor no doubt, was a little 10187 10188merry-faced man with a twinkling eye and a red nose, who seemed to have 10189 10190unconsciously imbibed something of his hero's character. The 10191 10192other--that was he who took the money--had rather a careful and 10193 10194cautious look, which was perhaps inseparable from his occupation also.<br><br> 10195 10196The merry man was the first to greet the strangers with a nod; and 10197 10198following the old man's eyes, he observed that perhaps that was the 10199 10200first time he had ever seen a Punch off the stage. (Punch, it may be 10201 10202remarked, seemed to be pointing with the tip of his cap to a most 10203 10204flourishing epitaph, and to be chuckling over it with all his heart.)<br><br> 10205 10206'Why do you come here to do this?' said the old man, sitting down 10207 10208beside them, and looking at the figures with extreme delight.<br><br> 10209 10210'Why you see,' rejoined the little man, 'we're putting up for to-night 10211 10212at the public-house yonder, and it wouldn't do to let 'em see the 10213 10214present company undergoing repair.'<br><br> 10215 10216'No!' cried the old man, making signs to Nell to listen, 'why not, eh? 10217 10218why not?'<br><br> 10219 10220'Because it would destroy all the delusion, and take away all the 10221 10222interest, wouldn't it?' replied the little man. 'Would you care a 10223 10224ha'penny for the Lord Chancellor if you know'd him in private and 10225 10226without his wig?--certainly not.'<br><br> 10227 10228'Good!' said the old man, venturing to touch one of the puppets, and 10229 10230drawing away his hand with a shrill laugh. 'Are you going to show 'em 10231 10232to-night? are you?'<br><br> 10233 10234'That is the intention, governor,' replied the other, 'and unless I'm 10235 10236much mistaken, Tommy Codlin is a calculating at this minute what we've 10237 10238lost through your coming upon us. Cheer up, Tommy, it can't be much.'<br><br> 10239 10240The little man accompanied these latter words with a wink, expressive 10241 10242of the estimate he had formed of the travellers' finances.<br><br> 10243 10244To this Mr Codlin, who had a surly, grumbling manner, replied, as he 10245 10246twitched Punch off the tombstone and flung him into the box, 'I don't 10247 10248care if we haven't lost a farden, but you're too free. If you stood in 10249 10250front of the curtain and see the public's faces as I do, you'd know 10251 10252human natur' better.'<br><br> 10253 10254'Ah! it's been the spoiling of you, Tommy, your taking to that branch,' 10255 10256rejoined his companion. 'When you played the ghost in the reg'lar 10257 10258drama in the fairs, you believed in everything--except ghosts. But now 10259 10260you're a universal mistruster. I never see a man so changed.'<br><br> 10261 10262'Never mind,' said Mr Codlin, with the air of a discontented 10263 10264philosopher. 'I know better now, and p'raps I'm sorry for it.'<br><br> 10265 10266Turning over the figures in the box like one who knew and despised 10267 10268them, Mr Codlin drew one forth and held it up for the inspection of his 10269 10270friend:<br><br> 10271 10272'Look here; here's all this judy's clothes falling to pieces again. 10273 10274You haven't got a needle and thread I suppose?'<br><br> 10275 10276The little man shook his head, and scratched it ruefully as he 10277 10278contemplated this severe indisposition of a principal performer. 10279 10280Seeing that they were at a loss, the child said timidly:<br><br> 10281 10282'I have a needle, Sir, in my basket, and thread too. Will you let me 10283 10284try to mend it for you? I think I could do it neater than you could.'<br><br> 10285 10286Even Mr Codlin had nothing to urge against a proposal so seasonable. 10287 10288Nelly, kneeling down beside the box, was soon busily engaged in her 10289 10290task, and accomplishing it to a miracle.<br><br> 10291 10292While she was thus engaged, the merry little man looked at her with an 10293 10294interest which did not appear to be diminished when he glanced at her 10295 10296helpless companion. When she had finished her work he thanked her, and 10297 10298inquired whither they were travelling.<br><br> 10299 10300'N--no further to-night, I think,' said the child, looking towards her 10301 10302grandfather.<br><br> 10303 10304'If you're wanting a place to stop at,' the man remarked, 'I should 10305 10306advise you to take up at the same house with us. That's it. The long, 10307 10308low, white house there. It's very cheap.'<br><br> 10309 10310The old man, notwithstanding his fatigue, would have remained in the 10311 10312churchyard all night if his new acquaintances had remained there too. 10313 10314As he yielded to this suggestion a ready and rapturous assent, they all 10315 10316rose and walked away together; he keeping close to the box of puppets 10317 10318in which he was quite absorbed, the merry little man carrying it slung 10319 10320over his arm by a strap attached to it for the purpose, Nelly having 10321 10322hold of her grandfather's hand, and Mr Codlin sauntering slowly behind, 10323 10324casting up at the church tower and neighbouring trees such looks as he 10325 10326was accustomed in town-practice to direct to drawing-room and nursery 10327 10328windows, when seeking for a profitable spot on which to plant the show.<br><br> 10329 10330The public-house was kept by a fat old landlord and landlady who made 10331 10332no objection to receiving their new guests, but praised Nelly's beauty 10333 10334and were at once prepossessed in her behalf. There was no other 10335 10336company in the kitchen but the two showmen, and the child felt very 10337 10338thankful that they had fallen upon such good quarters. The landlady 10339 10340was very much astonished to learn that they had come all the way from 10341 10342London, and appeared to have no little curiosity touching their farther 10343 10344destination. The child parried her inquiries as well as she could, and 10345 10346with no great trouble, for finding that they appeared to give her pain, 10347 10348the old lady desisted.<br><br> 10349 10350'These two gentlemen have ordered supper in an hour's time,' she said, 10351 10352taking her into the bar; 'and your best plan will be to sup with them. 10353 10354Meanwhile you shall have a little taste of something that'll do you 10355 10356good, for I'm sure you must want it after all you've gone through 10357 10358to-day. Now, don't look after the old gentleman, because when you've 10359 10360drank that, he shall have some too.'<br><br> 10361 10362As nothing could induce the child to leave him alone, however, or to 10363 10364touch anything in which he was not the first and greatest sharer, the 10365 10366old lady was obliged to help him first. When they had been thus 10367 10368refreshed, the whole house hurried away into an empty stable where the 10369 10370show stood, and where, by the light of a few flaring candles stuck 10371 10372round a hoop which hung by a line from the ceiling, it was to be 10373 10374forthwith exhibited.<br><br> 10375 10376And now Mr Thomas Codlin, the misanthrope, after blowing away at the 10377 10378Pan's pipes until he was intensely wretched, took his station on one 10379 10380side of the checked drapery which concealed the mover of the figures, 10381 10382and putting his hands in his pockets prepared to reply to all questions 10383 10384and remarks of Punch, and to make a dismal feint of being his most 10385 10386intimate private friend, of believing in him to the fullest and most 10387 10388unlimited extent, of knowing that he enjoyed day and night a merry and 10389 10390glorious existence in that temple, and that he was at all times and 10391 10392under every circumstance the same intelligent and joyful person that 10393 10394the spectators then beheld him. All this Mr Codlin did with the air of 10395 10396a man who had made up his mind for the worst and was quite resigned; 10397 10398his eye slowly wandering about during the briskest repartee to observe 10399 10400the effect upon the audience, and particularly the impression made upon 10401 10402the landlord and landlady, which might be productive of very important 10403 10404results in connexion with the supper.<br><br> 10405 10406Upon this head, however, he had no cause for any anxiety, for the whole 10407 10408performance was applauded to the echo, and voluntary contributions were 10409
10410showered in with a liberality which testified yet more strongly to the 10411 10412general delight. Among the laughter none was more loud and frequent 10413 10414than the old man's. Nell's was unheard, for she, poor child, with her 10415 10416head drooping on his shoulder, had fallen asleep, and slept too soundly 10417 10418to be roused by any of his efforts to awaken her to a participation in 10419 10420his glee.<br><br> 10421 10422The supper was very good, but she was too tired to eat, and yet would 10423 10424not leave the old man until she had kissed him in his bed. He, happily 10425 10426insensible to every care and anxiety, sat listening with a vacant smile 10427 10428and admiring face to all that his new friend said; and it was not until 10429 10430they retired yawning to their room, that he followed the child up 10431 10432stairs.<br><br> 10433 10434It was but a loft partitioned into two compartments, where they were to 10435 10436rest, but they were well pleased with their lodging and had hoped for 10437 10438none so good. The old man was uneasy when he had lain down, and begged 10439 10440that Nell would come and sit at his bedside as she had done for so many 10441 10442nights. She hastened to him, and sat there till he slept.<br><br> 10443 10444There was a little window, hardly more than a chink in the wall, in her 10445 10446room, and when she left him, she opened it, quite wondering at the 10447 10448silence. The sight of the old church, and the graves about it in the 10449 10450moonlight, and the dark trees whispering among themselves, made her 10451 10452more thoughtful than before. She closed the window again, and sitting 10453 10454down upon the bed, thought of the life that was before them.<br><br> 10455 10456She had a little money, but it was very little, and when that was gone, 10457 10458they must begin to beg. There was one piece of gold among it, and an 10459 10460emergency might come when its worth to them would be increased a 10461 10462hundred fold. It would be best to hide this coin, and never produce it 10463 10464unless their case was absolutely desperate, and no other resource was 10465 10466left them.<br><br> 10467 10468Her resolution taken, she sewed the piece of gold into her dress, and 10469 10470going to bed with a lighter heart sunk into a deep slumber.<br><br> 10471 10472CHAPTER 17<br><br> 10473 10474Another bright day shining in through the small casement, and claiming 10475 10476fellowship with the kindred eyes of the child, awoke her. At sight of 10477 10478the strange room and its unaccustomed objects she started up in alarm, 10479 10480wondering how she had been moved from the familiar chamber in which she 10481 10482seemed to have fallen asleep last night, and whither she had been 10483 10484conveyed. But, another glance around called to her mind all that had 10485 10486lately passed, and she sprung from her bed, hoping and trustful.<br><br> 10487 10488It was yet early, and the old man being still asleep, she walked out 10489 10490into the churchyard, brushing the dew from the long grass with her 10491 10492feet, and often turning aside into places where it grew longer than in 10493 10494others, that she might not tread upon the graves. She felt a curious 10495 10496kind of pleasure in lingering among these houses of the dead, and read 10497 10498the inscriptions on the tombs of the good people (a great number of 10499 10500good people were buried there), passing on from one to another with 10501 10502increasing interest.<br><br> 10503 10504It was a very quiet place, as such a place should be, save for the 10505 10506cawing of the rooks who had built their nests among the branches of 10507 10508some tall old trees, and were calling to one another, high up in the 10509 10510air. First, one sleek bird, hovering near his ragged house as it swung 10511 10512and dangled in the wind, uttered his hoarse cry, quite by chance as it 10513 10514would seem, and in a sober tone as though he were but talking to 10515 10516himself. Another answered, and he called again, but louder than 10517 10518before; then another spoke and then another; and each time the first, 10519 10520aggravated by contradiction, insisted on his case more strongly. Other 10521 10522voices, silent till now, struck in from boughs lower down and higher up 10523 10524and midway, and to the right and left, and from the tree-tops; and 10525 10526others, arriving hastily from the grey church turrets and old belfry 10527 10528window, joined the clamour which rose and fell, and swelled and dropped 10529 10530again, and still went on; and all this noisy contention amidst a 10531 10532skimming to and fro, and lighting on fresh branches, and frequent 10533 10534change of place, which satirised the old restlessness of those who lay 10535 10536so still beneath the moss and turf below, and the strife in which they 10537 10538had worn away their lives.<br><br> 10539 10540Frequently raising her eyes to the trees whence these sounds came down, 10541 10542and feeling as though they made the place more quiet than perfect 10543 10544silence would have done, the child loitered from grave to grave, now 10545 10546stopping to replace with careful hands the bramble which had started 10547
10548from some green mound it helped to keep in shape, and now peeping 10549 10550through one of the low latticed windows into the church, with its 10551 10552worm-eaten books upon the desks, and baize of whitened-green mouldering 10553 10554from the pew sides and leaving the naked wood to view. There were the 10555 10556seats where the poor old people sat, worn spare, and yellow like 10557 10558themselves; the rugged font where children had their names, the homely 10559 10560altar where they knelt in after life, the plain black tressels that 10561 10562bore their weight on their last visit to the cool old shady church. 10563 10564Everything told of long use and quiet slow decay; the very bell-rope in 10565 10566the porch was frayed into a fringe, and hoary with old age.<br><br> 10567 10568She was looking at a humble stone which told of a young man who had 10569 10570died at twenty-three years old, fifty-five years ago, when she heard a 10571 10572faltering step approaching, and looking round saw a feeble woman bent 10573 10574with the weight of years, who tottered to the foot of that same grave 10575 10576and asked her to read the writing on the stone. The old woman thanked 10577 10578her when she had done, saying that she had had the words by heart for 10579 10580many a long, long year, but could not see them now.<br><br> 10581 10582'Were you his mother?' said the child.<br><br> 10583 10584'I was his wife, my dear.'<br><br> 10585 10586She the wife of a young man of three-and-twenty! Ah, true! It was 10587 10588fifty-five years ago.<br><br> 10589 10590'You wonder to hear me say that,' remarked the old woman, shaking her 10591 10592head. 'You're not the first. Older folk than you have wondered at the 10593 10594same thing before now. Yes, I was his wife. Death doesn't change us 10595 10596more than life, my dear.'<br><br> 10597 10598'Do you come here often?' asked the child.<br><br> 10599 10600'I sit here very often in the summer time,' she answered, 'I used to 10601 10602come here once to cry and mourn, but that was a weary while ago, bless 10603 10604God!'<br><br> 10605 10606'I pluck the daisies as they grow, and take them home,' said the old 10607 10608woman after a short silence. 'I like no flowers so well as these, and 10609 10610haven't for five-and-fifty years. It's a long time, and I'm getting 10611 10612very old.'<br><br> 10613 10614Then growing garrulous upon a theme which was new to one listener 10615 10616though it were but a child, she told her how she had wept and moaned 10617 10618and prayed to die herself, when this happened; and how when she first 10619 10620came to that place, a young creature strong in love and grief, she had 10621 10622hoped that her heart was breaking as it seemed to be. But that time 10623 10624passed by, and although she continued to be sad when she came there, 10625 10626still she could bear to come, and so went on until it was pain no 10627 10628longer, but a solemn pleasure, and a duty she had learned to like. And 10629 10630now that five-and-fifty years were gone, she spoke of the dead man as 10631 10632if he had been her son or grandson, with a kind of pity for his youth, 10633 10634growing out of her own old age, and an exalting of his strength and 10635 10636manly beauty as compared with her own weakness and decay; and yet she 10637 10638spoke about him as her husband too, and thinking of herself in 10639 10640connexion with him, as she used to be and not as she was now, talked of 10641 10642their meeting in another world, as if he were dead but yesterday, and 10643 10644she, separated from her former self, were thinking of the happiness of 10645 10646that comely girl who seemed to have died with him.<br><br> 10647 10648The child left her gathering the flowers that grew upon the grave, and 10649 10650thoughtfully retraced her steps.<br><br> 10651 10652The old man was by this time up and dressed. Mr Codlin, still doomed 10653 10654to contemplate the harsh realities of existence, was packing among his 10655 10656linen the candle-ends which had been saved from the previous night's 10657 10658performance; while his companion received the compliments of all the 10659 10660loungers in the stable-yard, who, unable to separate him from the 10661 10662master-mind of Punch, set him down as next in importance to that merry 10663 10664outlaw, and loved him scarcely less. When he had sufficiently 10665 10666acknowledged his popularity he came in to breakfast, at which meal they 10667 10668all sat down together.<br><br> 10669 10670'And where are you going to-day?' said the little man, addressing 10671 10672himself to Nell.<br><br> 10673 10674'Indeed I hardly know--we have not determined yet,' replied the child.<br><br> 10675 10676'We're going on to the races,' said the little man. 'If that's your 10677 10678way and you like to have us for company, let us travel together. If 10679 10680you prefer going alone, only say the word and you'll find that we 10681 10682shan't trouble you.'<br><br> 10683 10684'We'll go with you,' said the old man. 'Nell--with them, with them.'<br><br> 10685 10686The child considered for a moment, and reflecting that she must shortly 10687 10688beg, and could scarcely hope to do so at a better place than where 10689 10690crowds of rich ladies and gentlemen were assembled together for 10691 10692purposes of enjoyment and festivity, determined to accompany these men 10693 10694so far. She therefore thanked the little man for his offer, and said, 10695 10696glancing timidly towards his friend, that if there was no objection to 10697 10698their accompanying them as far as the race town--<br><br> 10699 10700'Objection!' said the little man. 'Now be gracious for once, Tommy, 10701
10702and say that you'd rather they went with us. I know you would. Be 10703 10704gracious, Tommy.'<br><br> 10705 10706'Trotters,' said Mr Codlin, who talked very slowly and ate very 10707 10708greedily, as is not uncommon with philosophers and misanthropes; 10709 10710'you're too free.'<br><br> 10711 10712'Why what harm can it do?' urged the other. 'No harm at all in this 10713 10714particular case, perhaps,' replied Mr Codlin; 'but the principle's a 10715 10716dangerous one, and you're too free I tell you.'<br><br> 10717 10718'Well, are they to go with us or not?'<br><br> 10719 10720'Yes, they are,' said Mr Codlin; 'but you might have made a favour of 10721 10722it, mightn't you?'<br><br> 10723 10724The real name of the little man was Harris, but it had gradually merged 10725 10726into the less euphonious one of Trotters, which, with the prefatory 10727 10728adjective, Short, had been conferred upon him by reason of the small 10729 10730size of his legs. Short Trotters however, being a compound name, 10731 10732inconvenient of use in friendly dialogue, the gentleman on whom it had 10733 10734been bestowed was known among his intimates either as 'Short,' or 10735 10736'Trotters,' and was seldom accosted at full length as Short Trotters, 10737 10738except in formal conversations and on occasions of ceremony.<br><br> 10739 10740Short, then, or Trotters, as the reader pleases, returned unto the 10741 10742remonstrance of his friend Mr Thomas Codlin a jocose answer calculated 10743 10744to turn aside his discontent; and applying himself with great relish to 10745 10746the cold boiled beef, the tea, and bread and butter, strongly impressed 10747 10748upon his companions that they should do the like. Mr Codlin indeed 10749 10750required no such persuasion, as he had already eaten as much as he 10751 10752could possibly carry and was now moistening his clay with strong ale, 10753 10754whereof he took deep draughts with a silent relish and invited nobody 10755 10756to partake--thus again strongly indicating his misanthropical turn of 10757 10758mind.<br><br> 10759 10760Breakfast being at length over, Mr Codlin called the bill, and charging 10761 10762the ale to the company generally (a practice also savouring of 10763 10764misanthropy) divided the sum-total into two fair and equal parts, 10765 10766assigning one moiety to himself and friend, and the other to Nelly and 10767 10768her grandfather. These being duly discharged and all things ready for 10769 10770their departure, they took farewell of the landlord and landlady and 10771 10772resumed their journey.<br><br> 10773 10774And here Mr Codlin's false position in society and the effect it 10775 10776wrought upon his wounded spirit, were strongly illustrated; for whereas 10777 10778he had been last night accosted by Mr Punch as 'master,' and had by 10779 10780inference left the audience to understand that he maintained that 10781 10782individual for his own luxurious entertainment and delight, here he 10783 10784was, now, painfully walking beneath the burden of that same Punch's 10785 10786temple, and bearing it bodily upon his shoulders on a sultry day and 10787 10788along a dusty road. In place of enlivening his patron with a constant 10789 10790fire of wit or the cheerful rattle of his quarter-staff on the heads of 10791 10792his relations and acquaintance, here was that beaming Punch utterly 10793 10794devoid of spine, all slack and drooping in a dark box, with his legs 10795 10796doubled up round his neck, and not one of his social qualities 10797 10798remaining.<br><br> 10799 10800Mr Codlin trudged heavily on, exchanging a word or two at intervals 10801 10802with Short, and stopping to rest and growl occasionally. Short led the 10803 10804way; with the flat box, the private luggage (which was not extensive) 10805 10806tied up in a bundle, and a brazen trumpet slung from his 10807 10808shoulder-blade. Nell and her grandfather walked next him on either 10809 10810hand, and Thomas Codlin brought up the rear.<br><br> 10811 10812When they came to any town or village, or even to a detached house of 10813 10814good appearance, Short blew a blast upon the brazen trumpet and 10815 10816carolled a fragment of a song in that hilarious tone common to Punches 10817 10818and their consorts. If people hurried to the windows, Mr Codlin 10819 10820pitched the temple, and hastily unfurling the drapery and concealing 10821 10822Short therewith, flourished hysterically on the pipes and performed an 10823 10824air. Then the entertainment began as soon as might be; Mr Codlin 10825 10826having the responsibility of deciding on its length and of protracting 10827 10828or expediting the time for the hero's final triumph over the enemy of 10829 10830mankind, according as he judged that the after-crop of half-pence would 10831 10832be plentiful or scant. When it had been gathered in to the last 10833 10834farthing, he resumed his load and on they went again.<br><br> 10835 10836Sometimes they played out the toll across a bridge or ferry, and once 10837 10838exhibited by particular desire at a turnpike, where the collector, 10839 10840being drunk in his solitude, paid down a shilling to have it to 10841 10842himself. There was one small place of rich promise in which their 10843 10844hopes were blighted, for a favourite character in the play having 10845 10846gold-lace upon his coat and being a meddling wooden-headed fellow was 10847 10848held to be a libel on the beadle, for which reason the authorities 10849 10850enforced a quick retreat; but they were generally well received, and 10851 10852seldom left a town without a troop of ragged children shouting at their 10853
10854heels.<br><br> 10855 10856They made a long day's journey, despite these interruptions, and were 10857 10858yet upon the road when the moon was shining in the sky. Short beguiled 10859 10860the time with songs and jests, and made the best of everything that 10861 10862happened. Mr Codlin on the other hand, cursed his fate, and all the 10863 10864hollow things of earth (but Punch especially), and limped along with 10865 10866the theatre on his back, a prey to the bitterest chagrin.<br><br> 10867 10868They had stopped to rest beneath a finger-post where four roads met, 10869 10870and Mr Codlin in his deep misanthropy had let down the drapery and 10871 10872seated himself in the bottom of the show, invisible to mortal eyes and 10873 10874disdainful of the company of his fellow creatures, when two monstrous 10875 10876shadows were seen stalking towards them from a turning in the road by 10877 10878which they had come. The child was at first quite terrified by the 10879 10880sight of these gaunt giants--for such they looked as they advanced with 10881 10882lofty strides beneath the shadow of the trees--but Short, telling her 10883 10884there was nothing to fear, blew a blast upon the trumpet, which was 10885 10886answered by a cheerful shout.<br><br> 10887 10888'It's Grinder's lot, an't it?' cried Mr Short in a loud key.<br><br> 10889 10890'Yes,' replied a couple of shrill voices.<br><br> 10891 10892'Come on then,' said Short. 'Let's have a look at you. I thought it 10893 10894was you.'<br><br> 10895 10896Thus invited, 'Grinder's lot' approached with redoubled speed and soon 10897 10898came up with the little party.<br><br> 10899 10900Mr Grinder's company, familiarly termed a lot, consisted of a young 10901 10902gentleman and a young lady on stilts, and Mr Grinder himself, who used 10903 10904his natural legs for pedestrian purposes and carried at his back a 10905 10906drum. The public costume of the young people was of the Highland kind, 10907 10908but the night being damp and cold, the young gentleman wore over his 10909 10910kilt a man's pea jacket reaching to his ankles, and a glazed hat; the 10911 10912young lady too was muffled in an old cloth pelisse and had a 10913 10914handkerchief tied about her head. Their Scotch bonnets, ornamented 10915 10916with plumes of jet black feathers, Mr Grinder carried on his instrument.<br><br> 10917 10918'Bound for the races, I see,' said Mr Grinder coming up out of breath. 10919 10920'So are we. How are you, Short?' With that they shook hands in a very 10921 10922friendly manner. The young people being too high up for the ordinary 10923 10924salutations, saluted Short after their own fashion. The young 10925 10926gentleman twisted up his right stilt and patted him on the shoulder, 10927 10928and the young lady rattled her tambourine.<br><br> 10929 10930'Practice?' said Short, pointing to the stilts.<br><br> 10931 10932'No,' returned Grinder. 'It comes either to walkin' in 'em or carryin' 10933 10934of 'em, and they like walkin' in 'em best. It's wery pleasant for the 10935 10936prospects. Which road are you takin'? We go the nighest.'<br><br> 10937 10938'Why, the fact is,' said Short, 'that we are going the longest way, 10939 10940because then we could stop for the night, a mile and a half on. But 10941 10942three or four mile gained to-night is so many saved to-morrow, and if 10943 10944you keep on, I think our best way is to do the same.'<br><br> 10945 10946'Where's your partner?' inquired Grinder.<br><br> 10947 10948'Here he is,' cried Mr Thomas Codlin, presenting his head and face in 10949 10950the proscenium of the stage, and exhibiting an expression of 10951 10952countenance not often seen there; 'and he'll see his partner boiled 10953 10954alive before he'll go on to-night. That's what he says.'<br><br> 10955 10956'Well, don't say such things as them, in a spear which is dewoted to 10957 10958something pleasanter,' urged Short. 'Respect associations, Tommy, even 10959 10960if you do cut up rough.'<br><br> 10961 10962'Rough or smooth,' said Mr Codlin, beating his hand on the little 10963 10964footboard where Punch, when suddenly struck with the symmetry of his 10965 10966legs and their capacity for silk stockings, is accustomed to exhibit 10967 10968them to popular admiration, 'rough or smooth, I won't go further than 10969 10970the mile and a half to-night. I put up at the Jolly Sandboys and 10971 10972nowhere else. If you like to come there, come there. If you like to 10973 10974go on by yourself, go on by yourself, and do without me if you can.'<br><br> 10975 10976So saying, Mr Codlin disappeared from the scene and immediately 10977
10978presented himself outside the theatre, took it on his shoulders at a 10979 10980jerk, and made off with most remarkable agility.<br><br> 10981 10982Any further controversy being now out of the question, Short was fain 10983 10984to part with Mr Grinder and his pupils and to follow his morose 10985 10986companion. After lingering at the finger-post for a few minutes to see 10987 10988the stilts frisking away in the moonlight and the bearer of the drum 10989 10990toiling slowly after them, he blew a few notes upon the trumpet as a 10991 10992parting salute, and hastened with all speed to follow Mr Codlin. With 10993 10994this view he gave his unoccupied hand to Nell, and bidding her be of 10995 10996good cheer as they would soon be at the end of their journey for that 10997 10998night, and stimulating the old man with a similar assurance, led them 10999 11000at a pretty swift pace towards their destination, which he was the less 11001 11002unwilling to make for, as the moon was now overcast and the clouds were 11003 11004threatening rain.<br><br> 11005 11006CHAPTER 18<br><br> 11007 11008The Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, 11009 11010with a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with 11011 11012as many jugs of ale and bags of gold, creaking and swinging on its post 11013 11014on the opposite side of the road. As the travellers had observed that 11015 11016day many indications of their drawing nearer and nearer to the race 11017 11018town, such as gipsy camps, carts laden with gambling booths and their 11019 11020appurtenances, itinerant showmen of various kinds, and beggars and 11021 11022trampers of every degree, all wending their way in the same direction, 11023 11024Mr Codlin was fearful of finding the accommodations forestalled; this 11025 11026fear increasing as he diminished the distance between himself and the 11027 11028hostelry, he quickened his pace, and notwithstanding the burden he had 11029 11030to carry, maintained a round trot until he reached the threshold. Here 11031 11032he had the gratification of finding that his fears were without 11033 11034foundation, for the landlord was leaning against the door-post looking 11035 11036lazily at the rain, which had by this time begun to descend heavily, 11037 11038and no tinkling of cracked bell, nor boisterous shout, nor noisy 11039 11040chorus, gave note of company within.<br><br> 11041 11042'All alone?' said Mr Codlin, putting down his burden and wiping his 11043 11044forehead.<br><br> 11045 11046'All alone as yet,' rejoined the landlord, glancing at the sky, 'but we 11047 11048shall have more company to-night I expect. Here one of you boys, carry 11049 11050that show into the barn. Make haste in out of the wet, Tom; when it 11051 11052came on to rain I told 'em to make the fire up, and there's a glorious 11053 11054blaze in the kitchen, I can tell you.'<br><br> 11055 11056Mr Codlin followed with a willing mind, and soon found that the 11057 11058landlord had not commended his preparations without good reason. A 11059 11060mighty fire was blazing on the hearth and roaring up the wide chimney 11061 11062with a cheerful sound, which a large iron cauldron, bubbling and 11063 11064simmering in the heat, lent its pleasant aid to swell. There was a 11065 11066deep red ruddy blush upon the room, and when the landlord stirred the 11067 11068fire, sending the flames skipping and leaping up--when he took off the 11069 11070lid of the iron pot and there rushed out a savoury smell, while the 11071 11072bubbling sound grew deeper and more rich, and an unctuous steam came 11073 11074floating out, hanging in a delicious mist above their heads--when he 11075 11076did this, Mr Codlin's heart was touched. He sat down in the 11077 11078chimney-corner and smiled.<br><br> 11079 11080Mr Codlin sat smiling in the chimney-corner, eyeing the landlord as 11081 11082with a roguish look he held the cover in his hand, and, feigning that 11083 11084his doing so was needful to the welfare of the cookery, suffered the 11085 11086delightful steam to tickle the nostrils of his guest. The glow of the 11087 11088fire was upon the landlord's bald head, and upon his twinkling eye, and 11089 11090upon his watering mouth, and upon his pimpled face, and upon his round 11091 11092fat figure. Mr Codlin drew his sleeve across his lips, and said in a 11093 11094murmuring voice, 'What is it?'<br><br> 11095 11096'It's a stew of tripe,' said the landlord smacking his lips, 'and 11097 11098cow-heel,' smacking them again, 'and bacon,' smacking them once more, 11099 11100'and steak,' smacking them for the fourth time, 'and peas, 11101 11102cauliflowers, new potatoes, and sparrow-grass, all working up together 11103 11104in one delicious gravy.' Having come to the climax, he smacked his 11105 11106lips a great many times, and taking a long hearty sniff of the 11107 11108fragrance that was hovering about, put on the cover again with the air 11109
11110of one whose toils on earth were over.<br><br> 11111 11112'At what time will it be ready?' asked Mr Codlin faintly.<br><br> 11113 11114'It'll be done to a turn,' said the landlord looking up to the 11115 11116clock--and the very clock had a colour in its fat white face, and 11117 11118looked a clock for jolly Sandboys to consult--'it'll be done to a turn 11119 11120at twenty-two minutes before eleven.'<br><br> 11121 11122'Then,' said Mr Codlin, 'fetch me a pint of warm ale, and don't let 11123 11124nobody bring into the room even so much as a biscuit till the time 11125 11126arrives.'<br><br> 11127 11128Nodding his approval of this decisive and manly course of procedure, 11129 11130the landlord retired to draw the beer, and presently returning with it, 11131 11132applied himself to warm the same in a small tin vessel shaped 11133 11134funnel-wise, for the convenience of sticking it far down in the fire 11135 11136and getting at the bright places. This was soon done, and he handed it 11137 11138over to Mr Codlin with that creamy froth upon the surface which is one 11139 11140of the happy circumstances attendant on mulled malt.<br><br> 11141 11142Greatly softened by this soothing beverage, Mr Codlin now bethought him 11143 11144of his companions, and acquainted mine host of the Sandboys that their 11145 11146arrival might be shortly looked for. The rain was rattling against the 11147 11148windows and pouring down in torrents, and such was Mr Codlin's extreme 11149 11150amiability of mind, that he more than once expressed his earnest hope 11151 11152that they would not be so foolish as to get wet.<br><br> 11153 11154At length they arrived, drenched with the rain and presenting a most 11155 11156miserable appearance, notwithstanding that Short had sheltered the 11157 11158child as well as he could under the skirts of his own coat, and they 11159 11160were nearly breathless from the haste they had made. But their steps 11161 11162were no sooner heard upon the road than the landlord, who had been at 11163 11164the outer door anxiously watching for their coming, rushed into the 11165 11166kitchen and took the cover off. The effect was electrical. They all 11167 11168came in with smiling faces though the wet was dripping from their 11169 11170clothes upon the floor, and Short's first remark was, 'What a delicious 11171 11172smell!'<br><br> 11173 11174It is not very difficult to forget rain and mud by the side of a 11175 11176cheerful fire, and in a bright room. They were furnished with slippers 11177 11178and such dry garments as the house or their own bundles afforded, and 11179 11180ensconcing themselves, as Mr Codlin had already done, in the warm 11181 11182chimney-corner, soon forgot their late troubles or only remembered them 11183 11184as enhancing the delights of the present time. Overpowered by the 11185 11186warmth and comfort and the fatigue they had undergone, Nelly and the 11187 11188old man had not long taken their seats here, when they fell asleep.<br><br> 11189 11190'Who are they?' whispered the landlord. Short shook his head, and 11191 11192wished he knew himself. 'Don't you know?' asked the host, turning to 11193 11194Mr Codlin. 'Not I,' he replied. 'They're no good, I suppose.'<br><br> 11195 11196'They're no harm,' said Short. 'Depend upon that. I tell you 11197 11198what--it's plain that the old man an't in his right mind--'<br><br> 11199 11200'If you haven't got anything newer than that to say,' growled Mr 11201 11202Codlin, glancing at the clock, 'you'd better let us fix our minds upon 11203 11204the supper, and not disturb us.'<br><br> 11205 11206'Hear me out, won't you?' retorted his friend. 'It's very plain to me, 11207 11208besides, that they're not used to this way of life. Don't tell me that 11209 11210that handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about as she's 11211 11212done these last two or three days. I know better.'<br><br> 11213 11214'Well, who DOES tell you she has?' growled Mr Codlin, again glancing at 11215 11216the clock and from it to the cauldron, 'can't you think of anything 11217 11218more suitable to present circumstances than saying things and then 11219 11220contradicting 'em?'<br><br> 11221 11222'I wish somebody would give you your supper,' returned Short, 'for 11223 11224there'll be no peace till you've got it. Have you seen how anxious the 11225 11226old man is to get on--always wanting to be furder away--furder away. 11227 11228Have you seen that?'<br><br> 11229 11230'Ah! what then?' muttered Thomas Codlin.<br><br> 11231 11232'This, then,' said Short. 'He has given his friends the slip. Mind 11233 11234what I say--he has given his friends the slip, and persuaded this 11235 11236delicate young creetur all along of her fondness for him to be his 11237 11238guide and travelling companion--where to, he knows no more than the man 11239 11240in the moon. Now I'm not a going to stand that.'<br><br> 11241 11242'YOU'RE not a going to stand that!' cried Mr Codlin, glancing at the 11243 11244clock again and pulling his hair with both hands in a kind of frenzy, 11245 11246but whether occasioned by his companion's observation or the tardy pace 11247 11248of Time, it was difficult to determine. 'Here's a world to live in!'<br><br> 11249 11250'I,' repeated Short emphatically and slowly, 'am not a-going to stand 11251 11252it. I am not a-going to see this fair young child a falling into bad 11253 11254hands, and getting among people that she's no more fit for, than they 11255 11256are to get among angels as their ordinary chums. Therefore when they 11257 11258dewelope an intention of parting company from us, I shall take measures 11259 11260for detaining of 'em, and restoring 'em to their friends, who I dare 11261 11262say have had their disconsolation pasted up on every wall in London by 11263 11264this time.'<br><br> 11265 11266'Short,' said Mr Codlin, who with his head upon his hands, and his 11267 11268elbows on his knees, had been shaking himself impatiently from side to 11269 11270side up to this point and occasionally stamping on the ground, but who 11271 11272now looked up with eager eyes; 'it's possible that there may be 11273 11274uncommon good sense in what you've said. If there is, and there should 11275 11276be a reward, Short, remember that we're partners in everything!'<br><br> 11277 11278His companion had only time to nod a brief assent to this position, for 11279 11280the child awoke at the instant. They had drawn close together during 11281 11282the previous whispering, and now hastily separated and were rather 11283 11284awkwardly endeavouring to exchange some casual remarks in their usual 11285 11286tone, when strange footsteps were heard without, and fresh company 11287 11288entered.<br><br> 11289 11290These were no other than four very dismal dogs, who came pattering in 11291 11292one after the other, headed by an old bandy dog of particularly 11293 11294mournful aspect, who, stopping when the last of his followers had got 11295 11296as far as the door, erected himself upon his hind legs and looked round 11297 11298at his companions, who immediately stood upon their hind legs, in a 11299 11300grave and melancholy row. Nor was this the only remarkable 11301 11302circumstance about these dogs, for each of them wore a kind of little 11303 11304coat of some gaudy colour trimmed with tarnished spangles, and one of 11305 11306them had a cap upon his head, tied very carefully under his chin, which 11307 11308had fallen down upon his nose and completely obscured one eye; add to 11309 11310this, that the gaudy coats were all wet through and discoloured with 11311 11312rain, and that the wearers were splashed and dirty, and some idea may 11313 11314be formed of the unusual appearance of these new visitors to the Jolly 11315 11316Sandboys.<br><br> 11317 11318Neither Short nor the landlord nor Thomas Codlin, however, was in the 11319 11320least surprised, merely remarking that these were Jerry's dogs and that 11321 11322Jerry could not be far behind. So there the dogs stood, patiently 11323 11324winking and gaping and looking extremely hard at the boiling pot, until 11325 11326Jerry himself appeared, when they all dropped down at once and walked 11327 11328about the room in their natural manner. This posture it must be 11329 11330confessed did not much improve their appearance, as their own personal 11331 11332tails and their coat tails--both capital things in their way--did not 11333 11334agree together.<br><br> 11335 11336Jerry, the manager of these dancing dogs, was a tall black-whiskered 11337 11338man in a velveteen coat, who seemed well known to the landlord and his 11339
11340guests and accosted them with great cordiality. Disencumbering himself 11341 11342of a barrel organ which he placed upon a chair, and retaining in his 11343 11344hand a small whip wherewith to awe his company of comedians, he came up 11345 11346to the fire to dry himself, and entered into conversation.<br><br> 11347 11348'Your people don't usually travel in character, do they?' said Short, 11349 11350pointing to the dresses of the dogs. 'It must come expensive if they 11351 11352do?'<br><br> 11353 11354'No,' replied Jerry, 'no, it's not the custom with us. But we've been 11355 11356playing a little on the road to-day, and we come out with a new 11357 11358wardrobe at the races, so I didn't think it worth while to stop to 11359 11360undress. Down, Pedro!'<br><br> 11361 11362This was addressed to the dog with the cap on, who being a new member 11363 11364of the company, and not quite certain of his duty, kept his unobscured 11365 11366eye anxiously on his master, and was perpetually starting upon his hind 11367 11368legs when there was no occasion, and falling down again.<br><br> 11369 11370'I've got a animal here,' said Jerry, putting his hand into the 11371 11372capacious pocket of his coat, and diving into one corner as if he were 11373 11374feeling for a small orange or an apple or some such article, 'a animal 11375 11376here, wot I think you know something of, Short.'<br><br> 11377 11378'Ah!' cried Short, 'let's have a look at him.'<br><br> 11379 11380'Here he is,' said Jerry, producing a little terrier from his pocket. 11381 11382'He was once a Toby of yours, warn't he!'<br><br> 11383 11384In some versions of the great drama of Punch there is a small dog--a 11385 11386modern innovation--supposed to be the private property of that 11387 11388gentleman, whose name is always Toby. This Toby has been stolen in 11389 11390youth from another gentleman, and fraudulently sold to the confiding 11391 11392hero, who having no guile himself has no suspicion that it lurks in 11393 11394others; but Toby, entertaining a grateful recollection of his old 11395 11396master, and scorning to attach himself to any new patrons, not only 11397 11398refuses to smoke a pipe at the bidding of Punch, but to mark his old 11399 11400fidelity more strongly, seizes him by the nose and wrings the same with 11401 11402violence, at which instance of canine attachment the spectators are 11403 11404deeply affected. This was the character which the little terrier in 11405 11406question had once sustained; if there had been any doubt upon the 11407 11408subject he would speedily have resolved it by his conduct; for not only 11409 11410did he, on seeing Short, give the strongest tokens of recognition, but 11411 11412catching sight of the flat box he barked so furiously at the pasteboard 11413 11414nose which he knew was inside, that his master was obliged to gather 11415 11416him up and put him into his pocket again, to the great relief of the 11417 11418whole company.<br><br> 11419 11420The landlord now busied himself in laying the cloth, in which process 11421 11422Mr Codlin obligingly assisted by setting forth his own knife and fork 11423 11424in the most convenient place and establishing himself behind them. 11425 11426When everything was ready, the landlord took off the cover for the last 11427 11428time, and then indeed there burst forth such a goodly promise of 11429 11430supper, that if he had offered to put it on again or had hinted at 11431 11432postponement, he would certainly have been sacrificed on his own hearth.<br><br> 11433 11434However, he did nothing of the kind, but instead thereof assisted a 11435 11436stout servant girl in turning the contents of the cauldron into a large 11437 11438tureen; a proceeding which the dogs, proof against various hot splashes 11439 11440which fell upon their noses, watched with terrible eagerness. At 11441 11442length the dish was lifted on the table, and mugs of ale having been 11443 11444previously set round, little Nell ventured to say grace, and supper 11445 11446began.<br><br> 11447 11448At this juncture the poor dogs were standing on their hind legs quite 11449 11450surprisingly; the child, having pity on them, was about to cast some 11451 11452morsels of food to them before she tasted it herself, hungry though she 11453 11454was, when their master interposed.<br><br> 11455 11456'No, my dear, no, not an atom from anybody's hand but mine if you 11457 11458please. That dog,' said Jerry, pointing out the old leader of the 11459 11460troop, and speaking in a terrible voice, 'lost a halfpenny to-day. He 11461 11462goes without his supper.'<br><br> 11463 11464The unfortunate creature dropped upon his fore-legs directly, wagged 11465 11466his tail, and looked imploringly at his master.<br><br> 11467 11468'You must be more careful, Sir,' said Jerry, walking coolly to the 11469 11470chair where he had placed the organ, and setting the stop. 'Come here. 11471 11472Now, Sir, you play away at that, while we have supper, and leave off if 11473 11474you dare.'<br><br> 11475 11476The dog immediately began to grind most mournful music. His master 11477 11478having shown him the whip resumed his seat and called up the others, 11479 11480who, at his directions, formed in a row, standing upright as a file of 11481 11482soldiers.<br><br> 11483 11484'Now, gentlemen,' said Jerry, looking at them attentively. 'The dog 11485 11486whose name's called, eats. The dogs whose names an't called, keep 11487 11488quiet. Carlo!'<br><br> 11489 11490The lucky individual whose name was called, snapped up the morsel 11491 11492thrown towards him, but none of the others moved a muscle. In this 11493 11494manner they were fed at the discretion of their master. Meanwhile the 11495 11496dog in disgrace ground hard at the organ, sometimes in quick time, 11497 11498sometimes in slow, but never leaving off for an instant. When the 11499 11500knives and forks rattled very much, or any of his fellows got an 11501 11502unusually large piece of fat, he accompanied the music with a short 11503 11504howl, but he immediately checked it on his master looking round, and 11505 11506applied himself with increased diligence to the Old Hundredth.<br><br> 11507 11508CHAPTER 19<br><br> 11509 11510Supper was not yet over, when there arrived at the Jolly Sandboys two 11511 11512more travellers bound for the same haven as the rest, who had been 11513 11514walking in the rain for some hours, and came in shining and heavy with 11515 11516water. One of these was the proprietor of a giant, and a little lady 11517 11518without legs or arms, who had jogged forward in a van; the other, a 11519 11520silent gentleman who earned his living by showing tricks upon the 11521 11522cards, and who had rather deranged the natural expression of his 11523 11524countenance by putting small leaden lozenges into his eyes and bringing 11525 11526them out at his mouth, which was one of his professional 11527
11528accomplishments. The name of the first of these newcomers was Vuffin; 11529 11530the other, probably as a pleasant satire upon his ugliness, was called 11531 11532Sweet William. To render them as comfortable as he could, the landlord 11533 11534bestirred himself nimbly, and in a very short time both gentlemen were 11535 11536perfectly at their ease.<br><br> 11537 11538'How's the Giant?' said Short, when they all sat smoking round the fire.<br><br> 11539 11540'Rather weak upon his legs,' returned Mr Vuffin. 'I begin to be afraid 11541 11542he's going at the knees.'<br><br> 11543 11544'That's a bad look-out,' said Short.<br><br> 11545 11546'Aye! Bad indeed,' replied Mr Vuffin, contemplating the fire with a 11547 11548sigh. 'Once get a giant shaky on his legs, and the public care no more 11549 11550about him than they do for a dead cabbage stalk.'<br><br> 11551 11552'What becomes of old giants?' said Short, turning to him again after a 11553 11554little reflection.<br><br> 11555 11556'They're usually kept in carawans to wait upon the dwarfs,' said Mr 11557 11558Vuffin.<br><br> 11559 11560'The maintaining of 'em must come expensive, when they can't be shown, 11561 11562eh?' remarked Short, eyeing him doubtfully.<br><br> 11563 11564'It's better that, than letting 'em go upon the parish or about the 11565 11566streets,' said Mr Vuffin. 'Once make a giant common and giants will 11567 11568never draw again. Look at wooden legs. If there was only one man with 11569 11570a wooden leg what a property he'd be!'<br><br> 11571 11572'So he would!' observed the landlord and Short both together. 'That's 11573 11574very true.'<br><br> 11575 11576'Instead of which,' pursued Mr Vuffin, 'if you was to advertise 11577 11578Shakspeare played entirely by wooden legs,' it's my belief you wouldn't 11579 11580draw a sixpence.'<br><br> 11581 11582'I don't suppose you would,' said Short. And the landlord said so too.<br><br> 11583 11584'This shows, you see,' said Mr Vuffin, waving his pipe with an 11585 11586argumentative air, 'this shows the policy of keeping the used-up giants 11587 11588still in the carawans, where they get food and lodging for nothing, all 11589 11590their lives, and in general very glad they are to stop there. There 11591 11592was one giant--a black 'un--as left his carawan some year ago and took 11593 11594to carrying coach-bills about London, making himself as cheap as 11595 11596crossing-sweepers. He died. I make no insinuation against anybody in 11597 11598particular,' said Mr Vuffin, looking solemnly round, 'but he was 11599 11600ruining the trade;--and he died.'<br><br> 11601 11602The landlord drew his breath hard, and looked at the owner of the dogs, 11603 11604who nodded and said gruffly that he remembered.<br><br> 11605 11606'I know you do, Jerry,' said Mr Vuffin with profound meaning. 'I know 11607 11608you remember it, Jerry, and the universal opinion was, that it served 11609 11610him right. Why, I remember the time when old Maunders as had 11611 11612three-and-twenty wans--I remember the time when old Maunders had in his 11613 11614cottage in Spa Fields in the winter time, when the season was over, 11615 11616eight male and female dwarfs setting down to dinner every day, who was 11617 11618waited on by eight old giants in green coats, red smalls, blue cotton 11619 11620stockings, and high-lows: and there was one dwarf as had grown elderly 11621 11622and wicious who whenever his giant wasn't quick enough to please him, 11623 11624used to stick pins in his legs, not being able to reach up any higher. 11625 11626I know that's a fact, for Maunders told it me himself.'<br><br> 11627 11628'What about the dwarfs when they get old?' inquired the landlord.<br><br> 11629 11630'The older a dwarf is, the better worth he is,' returned Mr Vuffin; 'a 11631 11632grey-headed dwarf, well wrinkled, is beyond all suspicion. But a giant 11633 11634weak in the legs and not standing upright!--keep him in the carawan, 11635 11636but never show him, never show him, for any persuasion that can be 11637 11638offered.'<br><br> 11639 11640While Mr Vuffin and his two friends smoked their pipes and beguiled the 11641 11642time with such conversation as this, the silent gentleman sat in a warm 11643 11644corner, swallowing, or seeming to swallow, sixpennyworth of halfpence 11645 11646for practice, balancing a feather upon his nose, and rehearsing other 11647 11648feats of dexterity of that kind, without paying any regard whatever to 11649 11650the company, who in their turn left him utterly unnoticed. At length 11651 11652the weary child prevailed upon her grandfather to retire, and they 11653 11654withdrew, leaving the company yet seated round the fire, and the dogs 11655 11656fast asleep at a humble distance.<br><br> 11657 11658After bidding the old man good night, Nell retired to her poor garret, 11659 11660but had scarcely closed the door, when it was gently tapped at. She 11661 11662opened it directly, and was a little startled by the sight of Mr Thomas 11663 11664Codlin, whom she had left, to all appearance, fast asleep down stairs.<br><br> 11665 11666'What is the matter?' said the child.<br><br> 11667 11668'Nothing's the matter, my dear,' returned her visitor. 'I'm your 11669 11670friend. Perhaps you haven't thought so, but it's me that's your 11671 11672friend--not him.'<br><br> 11673 11674'Not who?' the child inquired.<br><br> 11675 11676'Short, my dear. I tell you what,' said Codlin, 'for all his having a 11677 11678kind of way with him that you'd be very apt to like, I'm the real, 11679 11680open-hearted man. I mayn't look it, but I am indeed.'<br><br> 11681 11682The child began to be alarmed, considering that the ale had taken 11683
11684effect upon Mr Codlin, and that this commendation of himself was the 11685 11686consequence.<br><br> 11687 11688'Short's very well, and seems kind,' resumed the misanthrope, 'but he 11689 11690overdoes it. Now I don't.'<br><br> 11691 11692Certainly if there were any fault in Mr Codlin's usual deportment, it 11693 11694was that he rather underdid his kindness to those about him, than 11695 11696overdid it. But the child was puzzled, and could not tell what to say.<br><br> 11697 11698'Take my advice,' said Codlin: 'don't ask me why, but take it. As long 11699 11700as you travel with us, keep as near me as you can. Don't offer to 11701 11702leave us--not on any account--but always stick to me and say that I'm 11703 11704your friend. Will you bear that in mind, my dear, and always say that 11705 11706it was me that was your friend?'<br><br> 11707 11708'Say so where--and when?' inquired the child innocently.<br><br> 11709 11710'O, nowhere in particular,' replied Codlin, a little put out as it 11711 11712seemed by the question; 'I'm only anxious that you should think me so, 11713 11714and do me justice. You can't think what an interest I have in you. 11715 11716Why didn't you tell me your little history--that about you and the poor 11717 11718old gentleman? I'm the best adviser that ever was, and so interested 11719 11720in you--so much more interested than Short. I think they're breaking 11721 11722up down stairs; you needn't tell Short, you know, that we've had this 11723 11724little talk together. God bless you. Recollect the friend. Codlin's 11725 11726the friend, not Short. Short's very well as far as he goes, but the 11727 11728real friend is Codlin--not Short.'<br><br> 11729 11730Eking out these professions with a number of benevolent and protecting 11731 11732looks and great fervour of manner, Thomas Codlin stole away on tiptoe, 11733 11734leaving the child in a state of extreme surprise. She was still 11735 11736ruminating upon his curious behaviour, when the floor of the crazy 11737 11738stairs and landing cracked beneath the tread of the other travellers 11739 11740who were passing to their beds. When they had all passed, and the 11741 11742sound of their footsteps had died away, one of them returned, and after 11743 11744a little hesitation and rustling in the passage, as if he were doubtful 11745 11746what door to knock at, knocked at hers.<br><br> 11747 11748'Yes,' said the child from within.<br><br> 11749 11750'It's me--Short'--a voice called through the keyhole. 'I only wanted 11751 11752to say that we must be off early to-morrow morning, my dear, because 11753 11754unless we get the start of the dogs and the conjuror, the villages 11755 11756won't be worth a penny. You'll be sure to be stirring early and go 11757 11758with us? I'll call you.'<br><br> 11759 11760The child answered in the affirmative, and returning his 'good night' 11761 11762heard him creep away. She felt some uneasiness at the anxiety of these 11763 11764men, increased by the recollection of their whispering together down 11765 11766stairs and their slight confusion when she awoke, nor was she quite 11767 11768free from a misgiving that they were not the fittest companions she 11769 11770could have stumbled on. Her uneasiness, however, was nothing, weighed 11771 11772against her fatigue; and she soon forgot it in sleep. Very early next 11773 11774morning, Short fulfilled his promise, and knocking softly at her door, 11775 11776entreated that she would get up directly, as the proprietor of the dogs 11777 11778was still snoring, and if they lost no time they might get a good deal 11779 11780in advance both of him and the conjuror, who was talking in his sleep, 11781 11782and from what he could be heard to say, appeared to be balancing a 11783 11784donkey in his dreams. She started from her bed without delay, and 11785 11786roused the old man with so much expedition that they were both ready as 11787 11788soon as Short himself, to that gentleman's unspeakable gratification 11789 11790and relief.<br><br> 11791 11792After a very unceremonious and scrambling breakfast, of which the 11793 11794staple commodities were bacon and bread, and beer, they took leave of 11795
11796the landlord and issued from the door of the jolly Sandboys. The 11797 11798morning was fine and warm, the ground cool to the feet after the late 11799 11800rain, the hedges gayer and more green, the air clear, and everything 11801 11802fresh and healthful. Surrounded by these influences, they walked on 11803 11804pleasantly enough.<br><br> 11805 11806They had not gone very far, when the child was again struck by the 11807 11808altered behaviour of Mr Thomas Codlin, who instead of plodding on 11809 11810sulkily by himself as he had heretofore done, kept close to her, and 11811 11812when he had an opportunity of looking at her unseen by his companion, 11813 11814warned her by certain wry faces and jerks of the head not to put any 11815 11816trust in Short, but to reserve all confidences for Codlin. Neither did 11817 11818he confine himself to looks and gestures, for when she and her 11819 11820grandfather were walking on beside the aforesaid Short, and that little 11821 11822man was talking with his accustomed cheerfulness on a variety of 11823 11824indifferent subjects, Thomas Codlin testified his jealousy and distrust 11825 11826by following close at her heels, and occasionally admonishing her 11827 11828ankles with the legs of the theatre in a very abrupt and painful manner.<br><br> 11829 11830All these proceedings naturally made the child more watchful and 11831 11832suspicious, and she soon observed that whenever they halted to perform 11833 11834outside a village alehouse or other place, Mr Codlin while he went 11835 11836through his share of the entertainments kept his eye steadily upon her 11837 11838and the old man, or with a show of great friendship and consideration 11839 11840invited the latter to lean upon his arm, and so held him tight until 11841 11842the representation was over and they again went forward. Even Short 11843 11844seemed to change in this respect, and to mingle with his good-nature 11845 11846something of a desire to keep them in safe custody. This increased the 11847 11848child's misgivings, and made her yet more anxious and uneasy.<br><br> 11849 11850Meanwhile, they were drawing near the town where the races were to 11851 11852begin next day; for, from passing numerous groups of gipsies and 11853 11854trampers on the road, wending their way towards it, and straggling out 11855 11856from every by-way and cross-country lane, they gradually fell into a 11857 11858stream of people, some walking by the side of covered carts, others 11859 11860with horses, others with donkeys, others toiling on with heavy loads 11861 11862upon their backs, but all tending to the same point. The public-houses 11863 11864by the wayside, from being empty and noiseless as those in the remoter 11865 11866parts had been, now sent out boisterous shouts and clouds of smoke; 11867 11868and, from the misty windows, clusters of broad red faces looked down 11869 11870upon the road. On every piece of waste or common ground, some small 11871 11872gambler drove his noisy trade, and bellowed to the idle passersby to 11873 11874stop and try their chance; the crowd grew thicker and more noisy; gilt 11875 11876gingerbread in blanket-stalls exposed its glories to the dust; and 11877 11878often a four-horse carriage, dashing by, obscured all objects in the 11879 11880gritty cloud it raised, and left them, stunned and blinded, far behind.<br><br> 11881 11882It was dark before they reached the town itself, and long indeed the 11883 11884few last miles had been. Here all was tumult and confusion; the 11885 11886streets were filled with throngs of people--many strangers were there, 11887 11888it seemed, by the looks they cast about--the church-bells rang out 11889 11890their noisy peals, and flags streamed from windows and house-tops. In 11891 11892the large inn-yards waiters flitted to and fro and ran against each 11893 11894other, horses clattered on the uneven stones, carriage steps fell 11895 11896rattling down, and sickening smells from many dinners came in a heavy 11897 11898lukewarm breath upon the sense. In the smaller public-houses, fiddles 11899 11900with all their might and main were squeaking out the tune to staggering 11901 11902feet; drunken men, oblivious of the burden of their song, joined in a 11903 11904senseless howl, which drowned the tinkling of the feeble bell and made 11905 11906them savage for their drink; vagabond groups assembled round the doors 11907 11908to see the stroller woman dance, and add their uproar to the shrill 11909 11910flageolet and deafening drum.<br><br> 11911 11912Through this delirious scene, the child, frightened and repelled by all 11913 11914she saw, led on her bewildered charge, clinging close to her conductor, 11915 11916and trembling lest in the press she should be separated from him and 11917 11918left to find her way alone. Quickening their steps to get clear of all 11919 11920the roar and riot, they at length passed through the town and made for 11921 11922the race-course, which was upon an open heath, situated on an eminence, 11923 11924a full mile distant from its furthest bounds.<br><br> 11925 11926Although there were many people here, none of the best favoured or best 11927 11928clad, busily erecting tents and driving stakes in the ground, and 11929 11930hurrying to and fro with dusty feet and many a grumbled oath--although 11931 11932there were tired children cradled on heaps of straw between the wheels 11933 11934of carts, crying themselves to sleep--and poor lean horses and donkeys 11935 11936just turned loose, grazing among the men and women, and pots and 11937 11938kettles, and half-lighted fires, and ends of candles flaring and 11939 11940wasting in the air--for all this, the child felt it an escape from the 11941 11942town and drew her breath more freely. After a scanty supper, the 11943 11944purchase of which reduced her little stock so low, that she had only a 11945 11946few halfpence with which to buy a breakfast on the morrow, she and the 11947 11948old man lay down to rest in a corner of a tent, and slept, despite the 11949 11950busy preparations that were going on around them all night long.<br><br> 11951 11952And now they had come to the time when they must beg their bread. Soon 11953 11954after sunrise in the morning she stole out from the tent, and rambling 11955 11956into some fields at a short distance, plucked a few wild roses and such 11957 11958humble flowers, purposing to make them into little nosegays and offer 11959 11960them to the ladies in the carriages when the company arrived. Her 11961 11962thoughts were not idle while she was thus employed; when she returned 11963 11964and was seated beside the old man in one corner of the tent, tying her 11965 11966flowers together, while the two men lay dozing in another corner, she 11967 11968plucked him by the sleeve, and slightly glancing towards them, said, in 11969 11970a low voice--<br><br> 11971 11972'Grandfather, don't look at those I talk of, and don't seem as if I 11973 11974spoke of anything but what I am about. What was that you told me 11975 11976before we left the old house? That if they knew what we were going to 11977 11978do, they would say that you were mad, and part us?'<br><br> 11979 11980The old man turned to her with an aspect of wild terror; but she 11981 11982checked him by a look, and bidding him hold some flowers while she tied 11983 11984them up, and so bringing her lips closer to his ear, said--<br><br> 11985 11986'I know that was what you told me. You needn't speak, dear. I 11987 11988recollect it very well. It was not likely that I should forget it. 11989 11990Grandfather, these men suspect that we have secretly left our friends, 11991 11992and mean to carry us before some gentleman and have us taken care of 11993 11994and sent back. If you let your hand tremble so, we can never get away 11995 11996from them, but if you're only quiet now, we shall do so, easily.'<br><br> 11997 11998'How?' muttered the old man. 'Dear Nelly, how? They will shut me up 11999
12000in a stone room, dark and cold, and chain me up to the wall, Nell--flog 12001 12002me with whips, and never let me see thee more!'<br><br> 12003 12004'You're trembling again,' said the child. 'Keep close to me all day. 12005 12006Never mind them, don't look at them, but me. I shall find a time when 12007 12008we can steal away. When I do, mind you come with me, and do not stop 12009 12010or speak a word. Hush! That's all.'<br><br> 12011 12012'Halloa! what are you up to, my dear?' said Mr Codlin, raising his 12013 12014head, and yawning. Then observing that his companion was fast asleep, 12015 12016he added in an earnest whisper, 'Codlin's the friend, remember--not 12017 12018Short.'<br><br> 12019 12020'Making some nosegays,' the child replied; 'I am going to try and sell 12021 12022some, these three days of the races. Will you have one--as a present I 12023 12024mean?'<br><br> 12025 12026Mr Codlin would have risen to receive it, but the child hurried towards 12027 12028him and placed it in his hand. He stuck it in his buttonhole with an 12029 12030air of ineffable complacency for a misanthrope, and leering exultingly 12031 12032at the unconscious Short, muttered, as he laid himself down again, 'Tom 12033 12034Codlin's the friend, by G--!'<br><br> 12035 12036As the morning wore on, the tents assumed a gayer and more brilliant 12037 12038appearance, and long lines of carriages came rolling softly on the 12039 12040turf. Men who had lounged about all night in smock-frocks and leather 12041 12042leggings, came out in silken vests and hats and plumes, as jugglers or 12043 12044mountebanks; or in gorgeous liveries as soft-spoken servants at 12045 12046gambling booths; or in sturdy yeoman dress as decoys at unlawful games. 12047 12048Black-eyed gipsy girls, hooded in showy handkerchiefs, sallied forth to 12049 12050tell fortunes, and pale slender women with consumptive faces lingered 12051 12052upon the footsteps of ventriloquists and conjurors, and counted the 12053 12054sixpences with anxious eyes long before they were gained. As many of 12055 12056the children as could be kept within bounds, were stowed away, with all 12057 12058the other signs of dirt and poverty, among the donkeys, carts, and 12059 12060horses; and as many as could not be thus disposed of ran in and out in 12061 12062all intricate spots, crept between people's legs and carriage wheels, 12063 12064and came forth unharmed from under horses' hoofs. The dancing-dogs, 12065 12066the stilts, the little lady and the tall man, and all the other 12067 12068attractions, with organs out of number and bands innumerable, emerged 12069 12070from the holes and corners in which they had passed the night, and 12071 12072flourished boldly in the sun.<br><br> 12073 12074Along the uncleared course, Short led his party, sounding the brazen 12075 12076trumpet and revelling in the voice of Punch; and at his heels went 12077 12078Thomas Codlin, bearing the show as usual, and keeping his eye on Nelly 12079 12080and her grandfather, as they rather lingered in the rear. The child 12081 12082bore upon her arm the little basket with her flowers, and sometimes 12083 12084stopped, with timid and modest looks, to offer them at some gay 12085 12086carriage; but alas! there were many bolder beggars there, gipsies who 12087 12088promised husbands, and other adepts in their trade, and although some 12089 12090ladies smiled gently as they shook their heads, and others cried to the 12091 12092gentlemen beside them 'See, what a pretty face!' they let the pretty 12093 12094face pass on, and never thought that it looked tired or hungry.<br><br> 12095 12096There was but one lady who seemed to understand the child, and she was 12097 12098one who sat alone in a handsome carriage, while two young men in 12099 12100dashing clothes, who had just dismounted from it, talked and laughed 12101 12102loudly at a little distance, appearing to forget her, quite. There 12103 12104were many ladies all around, but they turned their backs, or looked 12105 12106another way, or at the two young men (not unfavourably at them), and 12107 12108left her to herself. She motioned away a gipsy-woman urgent to tell 12109 12110her fortune, saying that it was told already and had been for some 12111 12112years, but called the child towards her, and taking her flowers put 12113 12114money into her trembling hand, and bade her go home and keep at home 12115 12116for God's sake.<br><br> 12117 12118Many a time they went up and down those long, long lines, seeing 12119 12120everything but the horses and the race; when the bell rang to clear the 12121 12122course, going back to rest among the carts and donkeys, and not coming 12123 12124out again until the heat was over. Many a time, too, was Punch 12125 12126displayed in the full zenith of his humour, but all this while the eye 12127 12128of Thomas Codlin was upon them, and to escape without notice was 12129 12130impracticable.<br><br> 12131 12132At length, late in the day, Mr Codlin pitched the show in a convenient 12133 12134spot, and the spectators were soon in the very triumph of the scene. 12135 12136The child, sitting down with the old man close behind it, had been 12137 12138thinking how strange it was that horses who were such fine honest 12139 12140creatures should seem to make vagabonds of all the men they drew about 12141 12142them, when a loud laugh at some extemporaneous witticism of Mr Short's, 12143 12144having allusion to the circumstances of the day, roused her from her 12145 12146meditation and caused her to look around.<br><br> 12147 12148If they were ever to get away unseen, that was the very moment. Short 12149 12150was plying the quarter-staves vigorously and knocking the characters in 12151 12152the fury of the combat against the sides of the show, the people were 12153 12154looking on with laughing faces, and Mr Codlin had relaxed into a grim 12155 12156smile as his roving eye detected hands going into waistcoat pockets and 12157 12158groping secretly for sixpences. If they were ever to get away unseen, 12159 12160that was the very moment. They seized it, and fled.<br><br> 12161 12162They made a path through booths and carriages and throngs of people, 12163 12164and never once stopped to look behind. The bell was ringing and the 12165
12166course was cleared by the time they reached the ropes, but they dashed 12167 12168across it insensible to the shouts and screeching that assailed them 12169 12170for breaking in upon its sanctity, and creeping under the brow of the 12171 12172hill at a quick pace, made for the open fields.<br><br> 12173 12174CHAPTER 20<br><br> 12175 12176Day after day as he bent his steps homeward, returning from some new 12177 12178effort to procure employment, Kit raised his eyes to the window of the 12179 12180little room he had so much commended to the child, and hoped to see 12181 12182some indication of her presence. His own earnest wish, coupled with 12183 12184the assurance he had received from Quilp, filled him with the belief 12185 12186that she would yet arrive to claim the humble shelter he had offered, 12187 12188and from the death of each day's hope another hope sprung up to live 12189 12190to-morrow.<br><br> 12191 12192'I think they must certainly come to-morrow, eh mother?' said Kit, 12193 12194laying aside his hat with a weary air and sighing as he spoke. 'They 12195 12196have been gone a week. They surely couldn't stop away more than a 12197 12198week, could they now?'<br><br> 12199 12200The mother shook her head, and reminded him how often he had been 12201 12202disappointed already.<br><br> 12203 12204'For the matter of that,' said Kit, 'you speak true and sensible 12205 12206enough, as you always do, mother. Still, I do consider that a week is 12207 12208quite long enough for 'em to be rambling about; don't you say so?'<br><br> 12209 12210'Quite long enough, Kit, longer than enough, but they may not come back 12211 12212for all that.'<br><br> 12213 12214Kit was for a moment disposed to be vexed by this contradiction, and 12215 12216not the less so from having anticipated it in his own mind and knowing 12217 12218how just it was. But the impulse was only momentary, and the vexed 12219 12220look became a kind one before it had crossed the room.<br><br> 12221 12222'Then what do you think, mother, has become of 'em? You don't think 12223 12224they've gone to sea, anyhow?'<br><br> 12225 12226'Not gone for sailors, certainly,' returned the mother with a smile. 12227 12228'But I can't help thinking that they have gone to some foreign country.'<br><br> 12229 12230'I say,' cried Kit with a rueful face, 'don't talk like that, mother.'<br><br> 12231 12232'I am afraid they have, and that's the truth,' she said. 'It's the 12233 12234talk of all the neighbours, and there are some even that know of their 12235 12236having been seen on board ship, and can tell you the name of the place 12237 12238they've gone to, which is more than I can, my dear, for it's a very 12239 12240hard one.'<br><br> 12241 12242'I don't believe it,' said Kit. 'Not a word of it. A set of idle 12243 12244chatterboxes, how should they know!'<br><br> 12245 12246'They may be wrong of course,' returned the mother, 'I can't tell about 12247 12248that, though I don't think it's at all unlikely that they're in the 12249 12250right, for the talk is that the old gentleman had put by a little money 12251 12252that nobody knew of, not even that ugly little man you talk to me 12253 12254about--what's his name--Quilp; and that he and Miss Nell have gone to 12255 12256live abroad where it can't be taken from them, and they will never be 12257 12258disturbed. That don't seem very far out of the way now, do it?'<br><br> 12259 12260Kit scratched his head mournfully, in reluctant admission that it did 12261 12262not, and clambering up to the old nail took down the cage and set 12263 12264himself to clean it and to feed the bird. His thoughts reverting from 12265 12266this occupation to the little old gentleman who had given him the 12267 12268shilling, he suddenly recollected that that was the very day--nay, 12269 12270nearly the very hour--at which the little old gentleman had said he 12271 12272should be at the Notary's house again. He no sooner remembered this, 12273 12274than he hung up the cage with great precipitation, and hastily 12275 12276explaining the nature of his errand, went off at full speed to the 12277 12278appointed place.<br><br> 12279 12280It was some two minutes after the time when he reached the spot, which 12281 12282was a considerable distance from his home, but by great good luck the 12283 12284little old gentleman had not yet arrived; at least there was no 12285 12286pony-chaise to be seen, and it was not likely that he had come and gone 12287 12288again in so short a space. Greatly relieved to find that he was not 12289 12290too late, Kit leant against a lamp-post to take breath, and waited the 12291 12292advent of the pony and his charge.<br><br> 12293 12294Sure enough, before long the pony came trotting round the corner of the 12295 12296street, looking as obstinate as pony might, and picking his steps as if 12297 12298he were spying about for the cleanest places, and would by no means 12299 12300dirty his feet or hurry himself inconveniently. Behind the pony sat 12301 12302the little old gentleman, and by the old gentleman's side sat the 12303 12304little old lady, carrying just such a nosegay as she had brought before.<br><br> 12305 12306The old gentleman, the old lady, the pony, and the chaise, came up the 12307 12308street in perfect unanimity, until they arrived within some half a 12309 12310dozen doors of the Notary's house, when the pony, deceived by a 12311 12312brass-plate beneath a tailor's knocker, came to a halt, and maintained 12313 12314by a sturdy silence, that that was the house they wanted.<br><br> 12315 12316'Now, Sir, will you ha' the goodness to go on; this is not the place,' 12317 12318said the old gentleman.<br><br> 12319 12320The pony looked with great attention into a fire-plug which was near 12321 12322him, and appeared to be quite absorbed in contemplating it.<br><br> 12323 12324'Oh dear, such a naughty Whisker!' cried the old lady. 'After being so 12325 12326good too, and coming along so well! I am quite ashamed of him. I 12327
12328don't know what we are to do with him, I really don't.'<br><br> 12329 12330The pony having thoroughly satisfied himself as to the nature and 12331 12332properties of the fire-plug, looked into the air after his old enemies 12333 12334the flies, and as there happened to be one of them tickling his ear at 12335 12336that moment he shook his head and whisked his tail, after which he 12337 12338appeared full of thought but quite comfortable and collected. The old 12339 12340gentleman having exhausted his powers of persuasion, alighted to lead 12341 12342him; whereupon the pony, perhaps because he held this to be a 12343 12344sufficient concession, perhaps because he happened to catch sight of 12345 12346the other brass-plate, or perhaps because he was in a spiteful humour, 12347 12348darted off with the old lady and stopped at the right house, leaving 12349 12350the old gentleman to come panting on behind.<br><br> 12351 12352It was then that Kit presented himself at the pony's head, and touched 12353 12354his hat with a smile.<br><br> 12355 12356'Why, bless me,' cried the old gentleman, 'the lad is here! My dear, 12357 12358do you see?'<br><br> 12359 12360'I said I'd be here, Sir,' said Kit, patting Whisker's neck. 'I hope 12361 12362you've had a pleasant ride, sir. He's a very nice little pony.'<br><br> 12363 12364'My dear,' said the old gentleman. 'This is an uncommon lad; a good 12365 12366lad, I'm sure.'<br><br> 12367 12368'I'm sure he is,' rejoined the old lady. 'A very good lad, and I am 12369 12370sure he is a good son.'<br><br> 12371 12372Kit acknowledged these expressions of confidence by touching his hat 12373 12374again and blushing very much. The old gentleman then handed the old 12375 12376lady out, and after looking at him with an approving smile, they went 12377 12378into the house--talking about him as they went, Kit could not help 12379 12380feeling. Presently Mr Witherden, smelling very hard at the nosegay, 12381 12382came to the window and looked at him, and after that Mr Abel came and 12383 12384looked at him, and after that the old gentleman and lady came and 12385 12386looked at him again, and after that they all came and looked at him 12387 12388together, which Kit, feeling very much embarrassed by, made a pretence 12389 12390of not observing. Therefore he patted the pony more and more; and this 12391 12392liberty the pony most handsomely permitted.<br><br> 12393 12394The faces had not disappeared from the window many moments, when Mr 12395 12396Chuckster in his official coat, and with his hat hanging on his head 12397 12398just as it happened to fall from its peg, appeared upon the pavement, 12399 12400and telling him he was wanted inside, bade him go in and he would mind 12401 12402the chaise the while. In giving him this direction Mr Chuckster 12403 12404remarked that he wished that he might be blessed if he could make out 12405 12406whether he (Kit) was 'precious raw' or 'precious deep,' but intimated 12407 12408by a distrustful shake of the head, that he inclined to the latter 12409 12410opinion.<br><br> 12411 12412Kit entered the office in a great tremor, for he was not used to going 12413 12414among strange ladies and gentlemen, and the tin boxes and bundles of 12415 12416dusty papers had in his eyes an awful and venerable air. Mr Witherden 12417 12418too was a bustling gentleman who talked loud and fast, and all eyes 12419 12420were upon him, and he was very shabby.<br><br> 12421 12422'Well, boy,' said Mr Witherden, 'you came to work out that 12423 12424shilling;--not to get another, hey?'<br><br> 12425 12426'No indeed, sir,' replied Kit, taking courage to look up. 'I never 12427 12428thought of such a thing.'<br><br> 12429 12430'Father alive?' said the Notary.<br><br> 12431 12432'Dead, sir.'<br><br> 12433 12434'Mother?'<br><br> 12435 12436'Yes, sir.'<br><br> 12437 12438'Married again--eh?'<br><br> 12439 12440Kit made answer, not without some indignation, that she was a widow 12441 12442with three children, and that as to her marrying again, if the 12443 12444gentleman knew her he wouldn't think of such a thing. At this reply Mr 12445 12446Witherden buried his nose in the flowers again, and whispered behind 12447 12448the nosegay to the old gentleman that he believed the lad was as honest 12449 12450a lad as need be.<br><br> 12451 12452'Now,' said Mr Garland when they had made some further inquiries of 12453 12454him, 'I am not going to give you anything--'<br><br> 12455 12456'Thank you, sir,' Kit replied; and quite seriously too, for this 12457 12458announcement seemed to free him from the suspicion which the Notary had 12459 12460hinted.<br><br> 12461 12462'--But,' resumed the old gentleman, 'perhaps I may want to know 12463 12464something more about you, so tell me where you live, and I'll put it 12465 12466down in my pocket-book.'<br><br> 12467 12468Kit told him, and the old gentleman wrote down the address with his 12469 12470pencil. He had scarcely done so, when there was a great uproar in the 12471 12472street, and the old lady hurrying to the window cried that Whisker had 12473 12474run away, upon which Kit darted out to the rescue, and the others 12475 12476followed.<br><br> 12477 12478It seemed that Mr Chuckster had been standing with his hands in his 12479 12480pockets looking carelessly at the pony, and occasionally insulting him 12481 12482with such admonitions as 'Stand still,'--'Be quiet,'--'Wo-a-a,' and the 12483 12484like, which by a pony of spirit cannot be borne. Consequently, the 12485 12486pony being deterred by no considerations of duty or obedience, and n
12486ot 12487 12488having before him the slightest fear of the human eye, had at length 12489 12490started off, and was at that moment rattling down the street--Mr 12491 12492Chuckster, with his hat off and a pen behind his ear, hanging on in the 12493 12494rear of the chaise and making futile attempts to draw it the other way, 12495 12496to the unspeakable admiration of all beholders. Even in running away, 12497 12498however, Whisker was perverse, for he had not gone very far when he 12499 12500suddenly stopped, and before assistance could be rendered, commenced 12501 12502backing at nearly as quick a pace as he had gone forward. By these 12503 12504means Mr Chuckster was pushed and hustled to the office again, in a 12505 12506most inglorious manner, and arrived in a state of great exhaustion and 12507 12508discomfiture.<br><br> 12509 12510The old lady then stepped into her seat, and Mr Abel (whom they had 12511 12512come to fetch) into his. The old gentleman, after reasoning with the 12513 12514pony on the extreme impropriety of his conduct, and making the best 12515 12516amends in his power to Mr Chuckster, took his place also, and they 12517 12518drove away, waving a farewell to the Notary and his clerk, and more 12519 12520than once turning to nod kindly to Kit as he watched them from the road.<br><br> 12521 12522CHAPTER 21<br><br> 12523 12524Kit turned away and very soon forgot the pony, and the chaise, and the 12525 12526little old lady, and the little old gentleman, and the little young 12527 12528gentleman to boot, in thinking what could have become of his late 12529 12530master and his lovely grandchild, who were the fountain-head of all his 12531 12532meditations. Still casting about for some plausible means of 12533 12534accounting for their non-appearance, and of persuading himself that 12535 12536they must soon return, he bent his steps towards home, intending to 12537 12538finish the task which the sudden recollection of his contract had 12539 12540interrupted, and then to sally forth once more to seek his fortune for 12541 12542the day.<br><br> 12543 12544When he came to the corner of the court in which he lived, lo and 12545 12546behold there was the pony again! Yes, there he was, looking more 12547 12548obstinate than ever; and alone in the chaise, keeping a steady watch 12549 12550upon his every wink, sat Mr Abel, who, lifting up his eyes by chance 12551 12552and seeing Kit pass by, nodded to him as though he would have nodded 12553 12554his head off.<br><br> 12555 12556Kit wondered to see the pony again, so near his own home too, but it 12557 12558never occurred to him for what purpose the pony might have come there, 12559 12560or where the old lady and the old gentleman had gone, until he lifted 12561 12562the latch of the door, and walking in, found them seated in the room in 12563 12564conversation with his mother, at which unexpected sight he pulled off 12565 12566his hat and made his best bow in some confusion.<br><br> 12567 12568'We are here before you, you see, Christopher,' said Mr Garland smiling.<br><br> 12569 12570'Yes, sir,' said Kit; and as he said it, he looked towards his mother 12571 12572for an explanation of the visit.<br><br> 12573 12574'The gentleman's been kind enough, my dear,' said she, in reply to this 12575 12576mute interrogation, 'to ask me whether you were in a good place, or in 12577 12578any place at all, and when I told him no, you were not in any, he was 12579 12580so good as to say that--'<br><br> 12581 12582'--That we wanted a good lad in our house,' said the old gentleman and 12583 12584the old lady both together, 'and that perhaps we might think of it, if 12585 12586we found everything as we would wish it to be.'<br><br> 12587 12588As this thinking of it, plainly meant the thinking of engaging Kit, he 12589 12590immediately partook of his mother's anxiety and fell into a great 12591 12592flutter; for the little old couple were very methodical and cautious, 12593 12594and asked so many questions that he began to be afraid there was no 12595 12596chance of his success.<br><br> 12597 12598'You see, my good woman,' said Mrs Garland to Kit's mother, 'that it's 12599 12600necessary to be very careful and particular in such a matter as this, 12601 12602for we're only three in family, and are very quiet regular folks, and 12603 12604it would be a sad thing if we made any kind of mistake, and found 12605 12606things different from what we hoped and expected.'<br><br> 12607 12608To this, Kit's mother replied, that certainly it was quite true, and 12609 12610quite right, and quite proper, and Heaven forbid that she should 12611 12612shrink, or have cause to shrink, from any inquiry into her character or 12613 12614that of her son, who was a very good son though she was his mother, in 12615 12616which respect, she was bold to say, he took after his father, who was 12617 12618not only a good son to HIS mother, but the best of husbands and the 12619 12620best of fathers besides, which Kit could and would corroborate she 12621 12622knew, and so would little Jacob and the baby likewise if they were old 12623 12624enough, which unfortunately they were not, though as they didn't know 12625 12626what a loss they had had, perhaps it was a great deal better that they 12627 12628should be as young as they were; and so Kit's mother wound up a long 12629 12630story by wiping her eyes with her apron, and patting little Jacob's 12631 12632head, who was rocking the cradle and staring with all his might at the 12633 12634strange lady and gentleman.<br><br> 12635 12636When Kit's mother had done speaking, the old lady struck in again, and 12637 12638said that she was quite sure she was a very honest and very respectable 12639 12640person or she never would have expressed herself in that manner, and 12641 12642that certainly the appearance of the children and the cleanliness of 12643 12644the house deserved great praise and did her the utmost credit, whereat 12645 12646Kit's mother dropped a curtsey and became consoled. Then the good 12647 12648woman entered in a long and minute account of Kit's life and history 12649 12650from the earliest period down to that time, not omitting to make 12651 12652mention of his miraculous fall out of a back-parlour window when an 12653 12654infant of tender years, or his uncommon sufferings in a state of 12655 12656measles, which were illustrated by correct imitations of the plaintive 12657 12658manner in which he called for toast and water, day and night, and said, 12659 12660'don't cry, mother, I shall soon be better;' for proof of which 12661 12662statements reference was made to Mrs Green, lodger, at the 12663 12664cheesemonger's round the corner, and divers other ladies and gentlemen 12665 12666in various parts of England and Wales (and one Mr Brown who was 12667 12668supposed to be then a corporal in the East Indies, and who could of 12669 12670course be found with very little trouble), within whose personal 12671 12672knowledge the circumstances had occurred. This narration ended, Mr 12673 12674Garland put some questions to Kit respecting his qualifications and 12675 12676general acquirements, while Mrs Garland noticed the children, and 12677 12678hearing from Kit's mother certain remarkable circumstances which had 12679 12680attended the birth of each, related certain other remarkable 12681 12682circumstances which had attended the birth of her own son, Mr Abel, 12683 12684from which it appeared that both Kit's mother and herself had been, 12685 12686above and beyond all other women of what condition or age soever, 12687 12688peculiarly hemmed in with perils and dangers. Lastly, inquiry w
12688as made 12689 12690into the nature and extent of Kit's wardrobe, and a small advance being 12691 12692made to improve the same, he was formally hired at an annual income of 12693 12694Six Pounds, over and above his board and lodging, by Mr and Mrs 12695 12696Garland, of Abel Cottage, Finchley.<br><br> 12697 12698It would be difficult to say which party appeared most pleased with 12699 12700this arrangement, the conclusion of which was hailed with nothing but 12701 12702pleasant looks and cheerful smiles on both sides. It was settled that 12703 12704Kit should repair to his new abode on the next day but one, in the 12705 12706morning; and finally, the little old couple, after bestowing a bright 12707 12708half-crown on little Jacob and another on the baby, took their leaves; 12709 12710being escorted as far as the street by their new attendant, who held 12711 12712the obdurate pony by the bridle while they took their seats, and saw 12713 12714them drive away with a lightened heart.<br><br> 12715 12716'Well, mother,' said Kit, hurrying back into the house, 'I think my 12717 12718fortune's about made now.'<br><br> 12719 12720'I should think it was indeed, Kit,' rejoined his mother. 'Six pound a 12721 12722year! Only think!'<br><br> 12723 12724'Ah!' said Kit, trying to maintain the gravity which the consideration 12725 12726of such a sum demanded, but grinning with delight in spite of himself. 12727 12728'There's a property!'<br><br> 12729 12730Kit drew a long breath when he had said this, and putting his hands 12731 12732deep into his pockets as if there were one year's wages at least in 12733 12734each, looked at his mother, as though he saw through her, and down an 12735 12736immense perspective of sovereigns beyond.<br><br> 12737 12738'Please God we'll make such a lady of you for Sundays, mother! such a 12739 12740scholar of Jacob, such a child of the baby, such a room of the one up 12741 12742stairs! Six pound a year!'<br><br> 12743 12744'Hem!' croaked a strange voice. 'What's that about six pound a year? 12745 12746What about six pound a year?' And as the voice made this inquiry, 12747 12748Daniel Quilp walked in with Richard Swiveller at his heels.<br><br> 12749 12750'Who said he was to have six pound a year?' said Quilp, looking sharply 12751 12752round. 'Did the old man say it, or did little Nell say it? And what's 12753 12754he to have it for, and where are they, eh!' The good woman was so much 12755 12756alarmed by the sudden apparition of this unknown piece of ugliness, 12757 12758that she hastily caught the baby from its cradle and retreated into the 12759 12760furthest corner of the room; while little Jacob, sitting upon his stool 12761 12762with his hands on his knees, looked full at him in a species of 12763 12764fascination, roaring lustily all the time. Richard Swiveller took an 12765 12766easy observation of the family over Mr Quilp's head, and Quilp himself, 12767 12768with his hands in his pockets, smiled in an exquisite enjoyment of the 12769 12770commotion he occasioned.<br><br> 12771 12772'Don't be frightened, mistress,' said Quilp, after a pause. 'Your son 12773 12774knows me; I don't eat babies; I don't like 'em. It will be as well to 12775 12776stop that young screamer though, in case I should be tempted to do him 12777 12778a mischief. Holloa, sir! Will you be quiet?'<br><br> 12779 12780Little Jacob stemmed the course of two tears which he was squeezing out 12781 12782of his eyes, and instantly subsided into a silent horror.<br><br> 12783 12784'Mind you don't break out again, you villain,' said Quilp, looking 12785 12786sternly at him, 'or I'll make faces at you and throw you into fits, I 12787 12788will. Now you sir, why haven't you been to me as you promised?'<br><br> 12789 12790'What should I come for?' retorted Kit. 'I hadn't any business with 12791 12792you, no more than you had with me.'<br><br> 12793 12794'Here, mistress,' said Quilp, turning quickly away, and appealing from 12795 12796Kit to his mother. 'When did his old master come or send here last? 12797 12798Is he here now? If not, where's he gone?'<br><br> 12799 12800'He has not been here at all,' she replied. 'I wish we knew where they 12801 12802have gone, for it would make my son a good deal easier in his mind, and 12803 12804me too. If you're the gentleman named Mr Quilp, I should have thought 12805 12806you'd have known, and so I told him only this very day.'<br><br> 12807 12808'Humph!' muttered Quilp, evidently disappointed to believe that this 12809 12810was true. 'That's what you tell this gentleman too, is it?'<br><br> 12811 12812'If the gentleman comes to ask the same question, I can't tell him 12813 12814anything else, sir; and I only wish I could, for our own sakes,' was 12815 12816the reply.<br><br> 12817 12818Quilp glanced at Richard Swiveller, and observed that having met him on 12819 12820the threshold, he assumed that he had come in search of some 12821 12822intelligence of the fugitives. He supposed he was right?<br><br> 12823 12824'Yes,' said Dick, 'that was the object of the present expedition. I 12825 12826fancied it possible--but let us go ring fancy's knell. I'll begin it.'<br><br> 12827 12828'You seem disappointed,' observed Quilp.<br><br> 12829 12830'A baffler, Sir, a baffler, that's all,' returned Dick. 'I have 12831
12832entered upon a speculation which has proved a baffler; and a Being of 12833 12834brightness and beauty will be offered up a sacrifice at Cheggs's altar. 12835 12836That's all, sir.'<br><br> 12837 12838The dwarf eyed Richard with a sarcastic smile, but Richard, who had 12839 12840been taking a rather strong lunch with a friend, observed him not, and 12841 12842continued to deplore his fate with mournful and despondent looks. 12843 12844Quilp plainly discerned that there was some secret reason for this 12845 12846visit and his uncommon disappointment, and, in the hope that there 12847 12848might be means of mischief lurking beneath it, resolved to worm it out. 12849 12850He had no sooner adopted this resolution, than he conveyed as much 12851 12852honesty into his face as it was capable of expressing, and sympathised 12853 12854with Mr Swiveller exceedingly.<br><br> 12855 12856'I am disappointed myself,' said Quilp, 'out of mere friendly feeling 12857 12858for them; but you have real reasons, private reasons I have no doubt, 12859 12860for your disappointment, and therefore it comes heavier than mine.'<br><br> 12861 12862'Why, of course it does,' Dick observed, testily.<br><br> 12863 12864'Upon my word, I'm very sorry, very sorry. I'm rather cast down 12865 12866myself. As we are companions in adversity, shall we be companions in 12867 12868the surest way of forgetting it? If you had no particular business, 12869 12870now, to lead you in another direction,' urged Quilp, plucking him by 12871 12872the sleeve and looking slyly up into his face out of the corners of his 12873 12874eyes, 'there is a house by the water-side where they have some of the 12875 12876noblest Schiedam--reputed to be smuggled, but that's between 12877 12878ourselves--that can be got in all the world. The landlord knows me. 12879 12880There's a little summer-house overlooking the river, where we might 12881 12882take a glass of this delicious liquor with a whiff of the best 12883 12884tobacco--it's in this case, and of the rarest quality, to my certain 12885 12886knowledge--and be perfectly snug and happy, could we possibly contrive 12887 12888it; or is there any very particular engagement that peremptorily takes 12889 12890you another way, Mr Swiveller, eh?'<br><br> 12891 12892As the dwarf spoke, Dick's face relaxed into a compliant smile, and his 12893 12894brows slowly unbent. By the time he had finished, Dick was looking 12895 12896down at Quilp in the same sly manner as Quilp was looking up at him, 12897 12898and there remained nothing more to be done but to set out for the house 12899 12900in question. This they did, straightway. The moment their backs were 12901 12902turned, little Jacob thawed, and resumed his crying from the point 12903 12904where Quilp had frozen him.<br><br> 12905 12906The summer-house of which Mr Quilp had spoken was a rugged wooden box, 12907 12908rotten and bare to see, which overhung the river's mud, and threatened 12909 12910to slide down into it. The tavern to which it belonged was a crazy 12911 12912building, sapped and undermined by the rats, and only upheld by great 12913 12914bars of wood which were reared against its walls, and had propped it up 12915 12916so long that even they were decaying and yielding with their load, and 12917 12918of a windy night might be heard to creak and crack as if the whole 12919 12920fabric were about to come toppling down. The house stood--if anything 12921 12922so old and feeble could be said to stand--on a piece of waste ground, 12923 12924blighted with the unwholesome smoke of factory chimneys, and echoing 12925 12926the clank of iron wheels and rush of troubled water. Its internal 12927 12928accommodations amply fulfilled the promise of the outside. The rooms 12929 12930were low and damp, the clammy walls were pierced with chinks and holes, 12931 12932the rotten floors had sunk from their level, the very beams started 12933 12934from their places and warned the timid stranger from their 12935 12936neighbourhood.<br><br> 12937 12938To this inviting spot, entreating him to observe its beauties as they 12939 12940passed along, Mr Quilp led Richard Swiveller, and on the table of the 12941 12942summer-house, scored deep with many a gallows and initial letter, there 12943 12944soon appeared a wooden keg, full of the vaunted liquor. Drawing it off 12945 12946into the glasses with the skill of a practised hand, and mixing it with 12947 12948about a third part of water, Mr Quilp assigned to Richard Swiveller his 12949 12950portion, and lighting his pipe from an end of a candle in a very old 12951 12952and battered lantern, drew himself together upon a seat and puffed away.<br><br> 12953 12954'Is it good?' said Quilp, as Richard Swiveller smacked his lips, 'is it 12955 12956strong and fiery? Does it make you wink, and choke, and your eyes 12957 12958water, and your breath come short--does it?'<br><br> 12959 12960'Does it?' cried Dick, throwing away part of the contents of his glass, 12961 12962and filling it up with water, 'why, man, you don't mean to tell me that 12963 12964you drink such fire as this?'<br><br> 12965 12966'No!' rejoined Quilp, 'Not drink it! Look here. And here. And here 12967 12968again. Not drink it!'<br><br> 12969 12970As he spoke, Daniel Quilp drew off and drank three small glassfuls of 12971 12972the raw spirit, and then with a horrible grimace took a great many 12973 12974pulls at his pipe, and swallowing the smoke, discharged it in a heavy 12975 12976cloud from his nose. This feat accomplished he drew himself together 12977 12978in his former position, and laughed excessively.<br><br> 12979 12980'Give us a toast!' cried Quilp, rattling on the table in a dexterous 12981 12982manner with his fist and elbow alternately, in a kind of tune, 'a 12983 12984woman, a beauty. Let's have a beauty for our toast and empty our 12985 12986glasses to the last drop. Her name, come!'<br><br> 12987 12988'If you want a name,' said Dick, 'here's Sophy Wackles.'<br><br> 12989 12990'Sophy Wackles,' screamed the dwarf, 'Miss Sophy Wackles that is--Mrs 12991
12992Richard Swiveller that shall be--that shall be--ha ha ha!'<br><br> 12993 12994'Ah!' said Dick, 'you might have said that a few weeks ago, but it 12995 12996won't do now, my buck. Immolating herself upon the shrine of Cheggs--'<br><br> 12997 12998'Poison Cheggs, cut Cheggs's ears off,' rejoined Quilp. 'I won't hear 12999 13000of Cheggs. Her name is Swiveller or nothing. I'll drink her health 13001 13002again, and her father's, and her mother's; and to all her sisters and 13003 13004brothers--the glorious family of the Wackleses--all the Wackleses in 13005 13006one glass--down with it to the dregs!'<br><br> 13007 13008'Well,' said Richard Swiveller, stopping short in the act of raising 13009 13010the glass to his lips and looking at the dwarf in a species of stupor 13011 13012as he flourished his arms and legs about: 'you're a jolly fellow, but 13013 13014of all the jolly fellows I ever saw or heard of, you have the queerest 13015 13016and most extraordinary way with you, upon my life you have.'<br><br> 13017 13018This candid declaration tended rather to increase than restrain Mr 13019 13020Quilp's eccentricities, and Richard Swiveller, astonished to see him in 13021 13022such a roystering vein, and drinking not a little himself, for 13023 13024company--began imperceptibly to become more companionable and 13025 13026confiding, so that, being judiciously led on by Mr Quilp, he grew at 13027 13028last very confiding indeed. Having once got him into this mood, and 13029 13030knowing now the key-note to strike whenever he was at a loss, Daniel 13031 13032Quilp's task was comparatively an easy one, and he was soon in 13033 13034possession of the whole details of the scheme contrived between the 13035 13036easy Dick and his more designing friend.<br><br> 13037 13038'Stop!' said Quilp. 'That's the thing, that's the thing. It can be 13039 13040brought about, it shall be brought about. There's my hand upon it; I 13041 13042am your friend from this minute.'<br><br> 13043 13044'What! do you think there's still a chance?' inquired Dick, in surprise 13045 13046at this encouragement.<br><br> 13047 13048'A chance!' echoed the dwarf, 'a certainty! Sophy Wackles may become a 13049 13050Cheggs or anything else she likes, but not a Swiveller. Oh you lucky 13051 13052dog! He's richer than any Jew alive; you're a made man. I see in you 13053 13054now nothing but Nelly's husband, rolling in gold and silver. I'll help 13055 13056you. It shall be done. Mind my words, it shall be done.'<br><br> 13057 13058'But how?' said Dick.<br><br> 13059 13060'There's plenty of time,' rejoined the dwarf, 'and it shall be done. 13061 13062We'll sit down and talk it over again all the way through. Fill your 13063 13064glass while I'm gone. I shall be back directly--directly.' With these 13065 13066hasty words, Daniel Quilp withdrew into a dismantled skittle-ground 13067 13068behind the public-house, and, throwing himself upon the ground actually 13069 13070screamed and rolled about in uncontrollable delight.<br><br> 13071 13072'Here's sport!' he cried, 'sport ready to my hand, all invented and 13073 13074arranged, and only to be enjoyed. It was this shallow-pated fellow who 13075 13076made my bones ache t'other day, was it? It was his friend and 13077 13078fellow-plotter, Mr Trent, that once made eyes at Mrs Quilp, and leered 13079 13080and looked, was it? After labouring for two or three years in their 13081 13082precious scheme, to find that they've got a beggar at last, and one of 13083 13084them tied for life. Ha ha ha! He shall marry Nell. He shall have 13085 13086her, and I'll be the first man, when the knot's tied hard and fast, to 13087 13088tell 'em what they've gained and what I've helped 'em to. Here will be 13089 13090a clearing of old scores, here will be a time to remind 'em what a 13091 13092capital friend I was, and how I helped them to the heiress. Ha ha ha!'<br><br> 13093 13094In the height of his ecstasy, Mr Quilp had like to have met with a 13095 13096disagreeable check, for rolling very near a broken dog-kennel, there 13097 13098leapt forth a large fierce dog, who, but that his chain was of the 13099 13100shortest, would have given him a disagreeable salute. As it was, the 13101 13102dwarf remained upon his back in perfect safety, taunting the dog with 13103 13104hideous faces, and triumphing over him in his inability to advance 13105 13106another inch, though there were not a couple of feet between them.<br><br> 13107 13108'Why don't you come and bite me, why don't you come and tear me to 13109 13110pieces, you coward?' said Quilp, hissing and worrying the animal till 13111 13112he was nearly mad. 'You're afraid, you bully, you're afraid, you know 13113 13114you are.'<br><br> 13115 13116The dog tore and strained at his chain with starting eyes and furious 13117 13118bark, but there the dwarf lay, snapping his fingers with gestures of 13119 13120defiance and contempt. When he had sufficiently recovered from his 13121 13122delight, he rose, and with his arms a-kimbo, achieved a kind of 13123 13124demon-dance round the kennel, just without the limits of the chain, 13125 13126driving the dog quite wild. Having by this means composed his spirits 13127 13128and put himself in a pleasant train, he returned to his unsuspicious 13129 13130companion, whom he found looking at the tide with exceeding gravity, 13131 13132and thinking of that same gold and silver which Mr Quilp had mentioned.<br><br> 13133 13134CHAPTER 22<br><br> 13135 13136The remainder of that day and the whole of the next were a busy time 13137 13138for the Nubbles family, to whom everything connected with Kit's outfit 13139 13140and departure was matter of as great moment as if he had been about to 13141 13142penetrate into the interior of Africa, or to take a cruise round the 13143
13144world. It would be difficult to suppose that there ever was a box 13145 13146which was opened and shut so many times within four-and-twenty hours, 13147 13148as that which contained his wardrobe and necessaries; and certainly 13149 13150there never was one which to two small eyes presented such a mine of 13151 13152clothing, as this mighty chest with its three shirts and proportionate 13153 13154allowance of stockings and pocket-handkerchiefs, disclosed to the 13155 13156astonished vision of little Jacob. At last it was conveyed to the 13157 13158carrier's, at whose house at Finchley Kit was to find it next day; and 13159 13160the box being gone, there remained but two questions for consideration: 13161 13162firstly, whether the carrier would lose, or dishonestly feign to lose, 13163 13164the box upon the road; secondly, whether Kit's mother perfectly 13165 13166understood how to take care of herself in the absence of her son.<br><br> 13167 13168'I don't think there's hardly a chance of his really losing it, but 13169 13170carriers are under great temptation to pretend they lose things, no 13171 13172doubt,' said Mrs Nubbles apprehensively, in reference to the first 13173 13174point.<br><br> 13175 13176'No doubt about it,' returned Kit, with a serious look; 'upon my word, 13177 13178mother, I don't think it was right to trust it to itself. Somebody 13179 13180ought to have gone with it, I'm afraid.'<br><br> 13181 13182'We can't help it now,' said his mother; 'but it was foolish and wrong. 13183 13184People oughtn't to be tempted.'<br><br> 13185 13186Kit inwardly resolved that he would never tempt a carrier any more, 13187 13188save with an empty box; and having formed this Christian determination, 13189 13190he turned his thoughts to the second question.<br><br> 13191 13192'YOU know you must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be lonesome 13193 13194because I'm not at home. I shall very often be able to look in when I 13195 13196come into town I dare say, and I shall send you a letter sometimes, and 13197 13198when the quarter comes round, I can get a holiday of course; and then 13199 13200see if we don't take little Jacob to the play, and let him know what 13201 13202oysters means.'<br><br> 13203 13204'I hope plays mayn't be sinful, Kit, but I'm a'most afraid,' said Mrs 13205 13206Nubbles.<br><br> 13207 13208'I know who has been putting that in your head,' rejoined her son 13209 13210disconsolately; 'that's Little Bethel again. Now I say, mother, pray 13211 13212don't take to going there regularly, for if I was to see your 13213 13214good-humoured face that has always made home cheerful, turned into a 13215 13216grievous one, and the baby trained to look grievous too, and to call 13217 13218itself a young sinner (bless its heart) and a child of the devil (which 13219 13220is calling its dead father names); if I was to see this, and see little 13221 13222Jacob looking grievous likewise, I should so take it to heart that I'm 13223 13224sure I should go and list for a soldier, and run my head on purpose 13225 13226against the first cannon-ball I saw coming my way.'<br><br> 13227 13228'Oh, Kit, don't talk like that.'<br><br> 13229 13230'I would, indeed, mother, and unless you want to make me feel very 13231 13232wretched and uncomfortable, you'll keep that bow on your bonnet, which 13233 13234you'd more than half a mind to pull off last week. Can you suppose 13235 13236there's any harm in looking as cheerful and being as cheerful as our 13237 13238poor circumstances will permit? Do I see anything in the way I'm made, 13239 13240which calls upon me to be a snivelling, solemn, whispering chap, 13241 13242sneaking about as if I couldn't help it, and expressing myself in a 13243 13244most unpleasant snuffle? on the contrary, don't I see every reason why 13245 13246I shouldn't? just hear this! Ha ha ha! An't that as nat'ral as 13247 13248walking, and as good for the health? Ha ha ha! An't that as nat'ral 13249 13250as a sheep's bleating, or a pig's grunting, or a horse's neighing, or a 13251 13252bird's singing? Ha ha ha! Isn't it, mother?'<br><br> 13253 13254There was something contagious in Kit's laugh, for his mother, who had 13255 13256looked grave before, first subsided into a smile, and then fell to 13257 13258joining in it heartily, which occasioned Kit to say that he knew it was 13259 13260natural, and to laugh the more. Kit and his mother, laughing together 13261 13262in a pretty loud key, woke the baby, who, finding that there was 13263 13264something very jovial and agreeable in progress, was no sooner in its 13265 13266mother's arms than it began to kick and laugh, most vigorously. This 13267 13268new illustration of his argument so tickled Kit, that he fell backward 13269 13270in his chair in a state of exhaustion, pointing at the baby and shaking 13271 13272his sides till he rocked again. After recovering twice or thrice, and 13273 13274as often relapsing, he wiped his eyes and said grace; and a very 13275 13276cheerful meal their scanty supper was.<br><br> 13277
13278With more kisses, and hugs, and tears, than many young gentlemen who 13279 13280start upon their travels, and leave well-stocked homes behind them, 13281 13282would deem within the bounds of probability (if matter so low could be 13283 13284herein set down), Kit left the house at an early hour next morning, and 13285 13286set out to walk to Finchley; feeling a sufficient pride in his 13287 13288appearance to have warranted his excommunication from Little Bethel 13289 13290from that time forth, if he had ever been one of that mournful 13291 13292congregation.<br><br> 13293 13294Lest anybody should feel a curiosity to know how Kit was clad, it may 13295 13296be briefly remarked that he wore no livery, but was dressed in a coat 13297 13298of pepper-and-salt with waistcoat of canary colour, and nether garments 13299 13300of iron-grey; besides these glories, he shone in the lustre of a new 13301 13302pair of boots and an extremely stiff and shiny hat, which on being 13303 13304struck anywhere with the knuckles, sounded like a drum. And in this 13305 13306attire, rather wondering that he attracted so little attention, and 13307 13308attributing the circumstance to the insensibility of those who got up 13309 13310early, he made his way towards Abel Cottage.<br><br> 13311 13312Without encountering any more remarkable adventure on the road, than 13313 13314meeting a lad in a brimless hat, the exact counterpart of his old one, 13315 13316on whom he bestowed half the sixpence he possessed, Kit arrived in 13317 13318course of time at the carrier's house, where, to the lasting honour of 13319 13320human nature, he found the box in safety. Receiving from the wife of 13321 13322this immaculate man, a direction to Mr Garland's, he took the box upon 13323 13324his shoulder and repaired thither directly.<br><br> 13325 13326To be sure, it was a beautiful little cottage with a thatched roof and 13327 13328little spires at the gable-ends, and pieces of stained glass in some of 13329 13330the windows, almost as large as pocket-books. On one side of the house 13331 13332was a little stable, just the size for the pony, with a little room 13333 13334over it, just the size for Kit. White curtains were fluttering, and 13335 13336birds in cages that looked as bright as if they were made of gold, were 13337 13338singing at the windows; plants were arranged on either side of the 13339 13340path, and clustered about the door; and the garden was bright with 13341 13342flowers in full bloom, which shed a sweet odour all round, and had a 13343 13344charming and elegant appearance. Everything within the house and 13345 13346without, seemed to be the perfection of neatness and order. In the 13347 13348garden there was not a weed to be seen, and to judge from some dapper 13349 13350gardening-tools, a basket, and a pair of gloves which were lying in one 13351 13352of the walks, old Mr Garland had been at work in it that very morning.<br><br> 13353 13354Kit looked about him, and admired, and looked again, and this a great 13355 13356many times before he could make up his mind to turn his head another 13357 13358way and ring the bell. There was abundance of time to look about him 13359 13360again though, when he had rung it, for nobody came, so after ringing it 13361 13362twice or thrice he sat down upon his box, and waited.<br><br> 13363 13364He rang the bell a great many times, and yet nobody came. But at last, 13365 13366as he was sitting upon the box thinking about giants' castles, and 13367 13368princesses tied up to pegs by the hair of their heads, and dragons 13369 13370bursting out from behind gates, and other incidents of the like nature, 13371 13372common in story-books to youths of low degree on their first visit to 13373 13374strange houses, the door was gently opened, and a little servant-girl, 13375 13376very tidy, modest, and demure, but very pretty too, appeared. 'I 13377 13378suppose you're Christopher, sir,' said the servant-girl.<br><br> 13379 13380Kit got off the box, and said yes, he was.<br><br> 13381 13382'I'm afraid you've rung a good many times perhaps,' she rejoined, 'but 13383 13384we couldn't hear you, because we've been catching the pony.'<br><br> 13385 13386Kit rather wondered what this meant, but as he couldn't stop there, 13387 13388asking questions, he shouldered the box again and followed the girl 13389 13390into the hall, where through a back-door he descried Mr Garland leading 13391 13392Whisker in triumph up the garden, after that self-willed pony had (as 13393 13394he afterwards learned) dodged the family round a small paddock in the 13395 13396rear, for one hour and three quarters.<br><br> 13397
13398The old gentleman received him very kindly and so did the old lady, 13399 13400whose previous good opinion of him was greatly enhanced by his wiping 13401 13402his boots on the mat until the soles of his feet burnt again. He was 13403 13404then taken into the parlour to be inspected in his new clothes; and 13405 13406when he had been surveyed several times, and had afforded by his 13407 13408appearance unlimited satisfaction, he was taken into the stable (where 13409 13410the pony received him with uncommon complaisance); and thence into the 13411 13412little chamber he had already observed, which was very clean and 13413 13414comfortable: and thence into the garden, in which the old gentleman 13415 13416told him he would be taught to employ himself, and where he told him, 13417 13418besides, what great things he meant to do to make him comfortable, and 13419 13420happy, if he found he deserved it. All these kindnesses, Kit 13421 13422acknowledged with various expressions of gratitude, and so many touches 13423 13424of the new hat, that the brim suffered considerably. When the old 13425 13426gentleman had said all he had to say in the way of promise and advice, 13427
13428and Kit had said all he had to say in the way of assurance and 13429 13430thankfulness, he was handed over again to the old lady, who, summoning 13431 13432the little servant-girl (whose name was Barbara) instructed her to take 13433 13434him down stairs and give him something to eat and drink, after his walk.<br><br> 13435 13436Down stairs, therefore, Kit went; and at the bottom of the stairs there 13437 13438was such a kitchen as was never before seen or heard of out of a 13439 13440toy-shop window, with everything in it as bright and glowing, and as 13441 13442precisely ordered too, as Barbara herself. And in this kitchen, Kit 13443 13444sat himself down at a table as white as a tablecloth, to eat cold meat, 13445 13446and drink small ale, and use his knife and fork the more awkwardly, 13447 13448because there was an unknown Barbara looking on and observing him.<br><br> 13449 13450It did not appear, however, that there was anything remarkably 13451 13452tremendous about this strange Barbara, who having lived a very quiet 13453 13454life, blushed very much and was quite as embarrassed and uncertain what 13455 13456she ought to say or do, as Kit could possibly be. When he had sat for 13457 13458some little time, attentive to the ticking of the sober clock, he 13459 13460ventured to glance curiously at the dresser, and there, among the 13461 13462plates and dishes, were Barbara's little work-box with a sliding lid to 13463 13464shut in the balls of cotton, and Barbara's prayer-book, and Barbara's 13465 13466hymn-book, and Barbara's Bible. Barbara's little looking-glass hung in 13467 13468a good light near the window, and Barbara's bonnet was on a nail behind 13469 13470the door. From all these mute signs and tokens of her presence, he 13471 13472naturally glanced at Barbara herself, who sat as mute as they, shelling 13473 13474peas into a dish; and just when Kit was looking at her eyelashes and 13475 13476wondering--quite in the simplicity of his heart--what colour her eyes 13477 13478might be, it perversely happened that Barbara raised her head a little 13479 13480to look at him, when both pair of eyes were hastily withdrawn, and Kit 13481 13482leant over his plate, and Barbara over her pea-shells, each in extreme 13483 13484confusion at having been detected by the other.<br><br> 13485 13486CHAPTER 23<br><br> 13487 13488Mr Richard Swiveller wending homeward from the Wilderness (for such was 13489 13490the appropriate name of Quilp's choice retreat), after a sinuous and 13491 13492corkscrew fashion, with many checks and stumbles; after stopping 13493 13494suddenly and staring about him, then as suddenly running forward for a 13495 13496few paces, and as suddenly halting again and shaking his head; doing 13497 13498everything with a jerk and nothing by premeditation;--Mr Richard 13499 13500Swiveller wending his way homeward after this fashion, which is 13501 13502considered by evil-minded men to be symbolical of intoxication, and is 13503 13504not held by such persons to denote that state of deep wisdom and 13505 13506reflection in which the actor knows himself to be, began to think that 13507 13508possibly he had misplaced his confidence and that the dwarf might not 13509 13510be precisely the sort of person to whom to entrust a secret of such 13511 13512delicacy and importance. And being led and tempted on by this 13513 13514remorseful thought into a condition which the evil-minded class before 13515 13516referred to would term the maudlin state or stage of drunkenness, it 13517 13518occurred to Mr Swiveller to cast his hat upon the ground, and moan, 13519 13520crying aloud that he was an unhappy orphan, and that if he had not been 13521 13522an unhappy orphan things had never come to this.<br><br> 13523 13524'Left an infant by my parents, at an early age,' said Mr Swiveller, 13525 13526bewailing his hard lot, 'cast upon the world in my tenderest period, 13527 13528and thrown upon the mercies of a deluding dwarf, who can wonder at my 13529 13530weakness! Here's a miserable orphan for you. Here,' said Mr Swiveller 13531 13532raising his voice to a high pitch, and looking sleepily round, 'is a 13533 13534miserable orphan!'<br><br> 13535 13536'Then,' said somebody hard by, 'let me be a father to you.'<br><br> 13537 13538Mr Swiveller swayed himself to and fro to preserve his balance, and, 13539 13540looking into a kind of haze which seemed to surround him, at last 13541 13542perceived two eyes dimly twinkling through the mist, which he observed 13543 13544after a short time were in the neighbourhood of a nose and mouth. 13545 13546Casting his eyes down towards that quarter in which, with reference to 13547 13548a man's face, his legs are usually to be found, he observed that the 13549 13550face had a body attached; and when he looked more intently he was 13551 13552satisfied that the person was Mr Quilp, who indeed had been in his 13553 13554company all the time, but whom he had some vague idea of having left a 13555 13556mile or two behind.<br><br> 13557 13558'You have deceived an orphan, Sir,' said Mr Swiveller solemnly.'<br><br> 13559 13560'I! I'm a second father to you,' replied Quilp.<br><br> 13561 13562'You my father, Sir!' retorted Dick. 'Being all right myself, Sir, I 13563 13564request to be left alone--instantly, Sir.'<br><br> 13565 13566'What a funny fellow you are!' cried Quilp.<br><br> 13567 13568'Go, Sir,' returned Dick, leaning against a post and waving his hand. 13569 13570'Go, deceiver, go, some day, Sir, p'r'aps you'll waken, from pleasure's 13571 13572dream to know, the grief of orphans forsaken. Will you go, Sir?'<br><br> 13573 13574The dwarf taking no heed of this adjuration, Mr Swiveller advanced with 13575 13576the view of inflicting upon him condign chastisement. But forgetting 13577 13578his purpose or changing his mind before he came close to him, he seized 13579 13580his hand and vowed eternal friendship, declaring with an agreeable 13581 13582frankness that from that time forth they were brothers in everything 13583 13584but personal appearance. Then he told his secret over again, with the 13585 13586addition of being pathetic on the subject of Miss Wackles, who, he gave 13587 13588Mr Quilp to understand, was the occasion of any slight incoherency he 13589 13590might observe in his speech at that moment, which was attributable 13591 13592solely to the strength of his affection and not to rosy wine or other 13593 13594fermented liquor. And then they went on arm-in-arm, very lovingly 13595 13596together.<br><br> 13597 13598'I'm as sharp,' said Quilp to him, at parting, 'as sharp as a ferret, 13599 13600and as cunning as a weazel. You bring Trent to me; assure him that I'm 13601 13602his friend though I fear he a little distrusts me (I don't know
13602why, I 13603 13604have not deserved it); and you've both of you made your fortunes--in 13605 13606perspective.'<br><br> 13607 13608'That's the worst of it,' returned Dick. 'These fortunes in 13609 13610perspective look such a long way off.'<br><br> 13611 13612'But they look smaller than they really are, on that account,' said 13613 13614Quilp, pressing his arm. 'You'll have no conception of the value of 13615 13616your prize until you draw close to it. Mark that.'<br><br> 13617 13618'D'ye think not?' said Dick.<br><br> 13619 13620'Aye, I do; and I am certain of what I say, that's better,' returned 13621 13622the dwarf. 'You bring Trent to me. Tell him I am his friend and 13623 13624yours--why shouldn't I be?'<br><br> 13625 13626'There's no reason why you shouldn't, certainly,' replied Dick, 'and 13627 13628perhaps there are a great many why you should--at least there would be 13629 13630nothing strange in your wanting to be my friend, if you were a choice 13631 13632spirit, but then you know you're not a choice spirit.'<br><br> 13633 13634'I not a choice spirit?' cried Quilp.<br><br> 13635 13636'Devil a bit, sir,' returned Dick. 'A man of your appearance couldn't 13637 13638be. If you're any spirit at all, sir, you're an evil spirit. Choice 13639 13640spirits,' added Dick, smiting himself on the breast, 'are quite a 13641 13642different looking sort of people, you may take your oath of that, sir.'<br><br> 13643 13644Quilp glanced at his free-spoken friend with a mingled expression of 13645 13646cunning and dislike, and wringing his hand almost at the same moment, 13647 13648declared that he was an uncommon character and had his warmest esteem. 13649 13650With that they parted; Mr Swiveller to make the best of his way home 13651 13652and sleep himself sober; and Quilp to cogitate upon the discovery he 13653 13654had made, and exult in the prospect of the rich field of enjoyment and 13655 13656reprisal it opened to him.<br><br> 13657 13658It was not without great reluctance and misgiving that Mr Swiveller, 13659 13660next morning, his head racked by the fumes of the renowned Schiedam, 13661 13662repaired to the lodging of his friend Trent (which was in the roof of 13663 13664an old house in an old ghostly inn), and recounted by very slow degrees 13665 13666what had yesterday taken place between him and Quilp. Nor was it 13667 13668without great surprise and much speculation on Quilp's probable 13669 13670motives, nor without many bitter comments on Dick Swiveller's folly, 13671 13672that his friend received the tale.<br><br> 13673 13674'I don't defend myself, Fred,' said the penitent Richard; 'but the 13675 13676fellow has such a queer way with him and is such an artful dog, that 13677 13678first of all he set me upon thinking whether there was any harm in 13679 13680telling him, and while I was thinking, screwed it out of me. If you 13681 13682had seen him drink and smoke, as I did, you couldn't have kept anything 13683 13684from him. He's a Salamander you know, that's what he is.'<br><br> 13685 13686Without inquiring whether Salamanders were of necessity good 13687 13688confidential agents, or whether a fire-proof man was as a matter of 13689 13690course trustworthy, Frederick Trent threw himself into a chair, and, 13691 13692burying his head in his hands, endeavoured to fathom the motives which 13693 13694had led Quilp to insinuate himself into Richard Swiveller's 13695 13696confidence;--for that the disclosure was of his seeking, and had not 13697 13698been spontaneously revealed by Dick, was sufficiently plain from 13699 13700Quilp's seeking his company and enticing him away.<br><br> 13701 13702The dwarf had twice encountered him when he was endeavouring to obtain 13703 13704intelligence of the fugitives. This, perhaps, as he had not shown any 13705 13706previous anxiety about them, was enough to awaken suspicion in the 13707 13708breast of a creature so jealous and distrustful by nature, setting 13709 13710aside any additional impulse to curiosity that he might have derived 13711 13712from Dick's incautious manner. But knowing the scheme they had 13713 13714planned, why should he offer to assist it? This was a question more 13715 13716difficult of solution; but as knaves generally overreach themselves by 13717 13718imputing their own designs to others, the idea immediately presented 13719 13720itself that some circumstances of irritation between Quilp and the old 13721 13722man, arising out of their secret transactions and not unconnected 13723 13724perhaps with his sudden disappearance, now rendered the former desirous 13725 13726of revenging himself upon him by seeking to entrap the sole object of 13727 13728his love and anxiety into a connexion of which he knew he had a dread 13729 13730and hatred. As Frederick Trent himself, utterly regardless of his 13731 13732sister, had this object at heart, only second to the hope of gain, it 13733 13734seemed to him the more likely to be Quilp's main principle of action. 13735 13736Once investing the dwarf with a design of his own in abetting them, 13737 13738which the attainment of their purpose would serve, it was easy to 13739 13740believe him sincere and hearty in the cause; and as there could be no 13741 13742doubt of his proving a powerful and useful auxiliary, Trent determined 13743 13744to accept his invitation and go to his house that night, and if what he 13745 13746said and did confirmed him in the impression he had formed, to let him 13747 13748share the labour of their plan, but not the profit.<br><br> 13749
13750Having revolved these things in his mind and arrived at this 13751 13752conclusion, he communicated to Mr Swiveller as much of his meditations 13753 13754as he thought proper (Dick would have been perfectly satisfied with 13755 13756less), and giving him the day to recover himself from his late 13757 13758salamandering, accompanied him at evening to Mr Quilp's house.<br><br> 13759 13760Mighty glad Mr Quilp was to see them, or mightily glad he seemed to be; 13761 13762and fearfully polite Mr Quilp was to Mrs Quilp and Mrs Jiniwin; and 13763 13764very sharp was the look he cast on his wife to observe how she was 13765 13766affected by the recognition of young Trent. Mrs Quilp was as innocent 13767 13768as her own mother of any emotion, painful or pleasant, which the sight 13769 13770of him awakened, but as her husband's glance made her timid and 13771 13772confused, and uncertain what to do or what was required of her, Mr 13773 13774Quilp did not fail to assign her embarrassment to the cause he had in 13775 13776his mind, and while he chuckled at his penetration was secretly 13777 13778exasperated by his jealousy.<br><br> 13779 13780Nothing of this appeared, however. On the contrary, Mr Quilp was all 13781 13782blandness and suavity, and presided over the case-bottle of rum with 13783 13784extraordinary open-heartedness.<br><br> 13785 13786'Why, let me see,' said Quilp. 'It must be a matter of nearly two 13787 13788years since we were first acquainted.'<br><br> 13789 13790'Nearer three, I think,' said Trent.<br><br> 13791 13792'Nearer three!' cried Quilp. 'How fast time flies. Does it seem as 13793 13794long as that to you, Mrs Quilp?'<br><br> 13795 13796'Yes, I think it seems full three years, Quilp,' was the unfortunate 13797 13798reply.<br><br> 13799 13800'Oh indeed, ma'am,' thought Quilp, 'you have been pining, have you? 13801 13802Very good, ma'am.'<br><br> 13803 13804'It seems to me but yesterday that you went out to Demerara in the Mary 13805 13806Anne,' said Quilp; 'but yesterday, I declare. Well, I like a little 13807 13808wildness. I was wild myself once.'<br><br> 13809 13810Mr Quilp accompanied this admission with such an awful wink, indicative 13811 13812of old rovings and backslidings, that Mrs Jiniwin was indignant, and 13813 13814could not forbear from remarking under her breath that he might at 13815 13816least put off his confessions until his wife was absent; for which act 13817 13818of boldness and insubordination Mr Quilp first stared her out of 13819 13820countenance and then drank her health ceremoniously.<br><br> 13821 13822'I thought you'd come back directly, Fred. I always thought that,' 13823 13824said Quilp setting down his glass. 'And when the Mary Anne returned 13825 13826with you on board, instead of a letter to say what a contrite heart you 13827 13828had, and how happy you were in the situation that had been provided for 13829 13830you, I was amused--exceedingly amused. Ha ha ha!'<br><br> 13831 13832The young man smiled, but not as though the theme was the most 13833 13834agreeable one that could have been selected for his entertainment; and 13835 13836for that reason Quilp pursued it.<br><br> 13837 13838'I always will say,' he resumed, 'that when a rich relation having two 13839 13840young people--sisters or brothers, or brother and sister--dependent on 13841 13842him, attaches himself exclusively to one, and casts off the other, he 13843 13844does wrong.'<br><br> 13845 13846The young man made a movement of impatience, but Quilp went on as 13847 13848calmly as if he were discussing some abstract question in which nobody 13849 13850present had the slightest personal interest.<br><br> 13851 13852'It's very true,' said Quilp, 'that your grandfather urged repeated 13853 13854forgiveness, ingratitude, riot, and extravagance, and all that; but as 13855 13856I told him "these are common faults." "But he's a scoundrel," said he. 13857 13858"Granting that," said I (for the sake of argument of course), "a great 13859 13860many young noblemen and gentlemen are scoundrels too!" But he wouldn't 13861 13862be convinced.'<br><br> 13863 13864'I wonder at that, Mr Quilp,' said the young man sarcastically.<br><br> 13865 13866'Well, so did I at the time,' returned Quilp, 'but he was always 13867 13868obstinate. He was in a manner a friend of mine, but he was always 13869 13870obstinate and wrong-headed. Little Nell is a nice girl, a charming 13871 13872girl, but you're her brother, Frederick. You're her brother after all; 13873 13874as you told him the last time you met, he can't alter that.'<br><br> 13875 13876'He would if he could, confound him for that and all other kindnesses,' 13877 13878said the young man impatiently. 'But nothing can come of this subject 13879 13880now, and let us have done with it in the Devil's name.'<br><br> 13881 13882'Agreed,' returned Quilp, 'agreed on my part readily. Why have I 13883 13884alluded to it? Just to show you, Frederick, that I have always stood 13885 13886your friend. You little knew who was your friend, and who your foe; 13887 13888now did you? You thought I was against you, and so there has been a 13889 13890coolness between us; but it was all on your side, entirely on your 13891 13892side. Let's shake hands again, Fred.'<br><br> 13893 13894With his head sunk down between his shoulders, and a hideous grin 13895
13896over-spreading his face, the dwarf stood up and stretched his short arm 13897 13898across the table. After a moment's hesitation, the young man stretched 13899 13900out his to meet it; Quilp clutched his fingers in a grip that for the 13901 13902moment stopped the current of the blood within them, and pressing his 13903 13904other hand upon his lip and frowning towards the unsuspicious Richard, 13905 13906released them and sat down.<br><br> 13907 13908This action was not lost upon Trent, who, knowing that Richard 13909 13910Swiveller was a mere tool in his hands and knew no more of his designs 13911 13912than he thought proper to communicate, saw that the dwarf perfectly 13913 13914understood their relative position, and fully entered into the 13915 13916character of his friend. It is something to be appreciated, even in 13917 13918knavery. This silent homage to his superior abilities, no less than a 13919 13920sense of the power with which the dwarf's quick perception had already 13921 13922invested him, inclined the young man towards that ugly worthy, and 13923 13924determined him to profit by his aid.<br><br> 13925 13926It being now Mr Quilp's cue to change the subject with all convenient 13927 13928expedition, lest Richard Swiveller in his heedlessness should reveal 13929 13930anything which it was inexpedient for the women to know, he proposed a 13931 13932game at four-handed cribbage, and partners being cut for, Mrs Quilp 13933 13934fell to Frederick Trent, and Dick himself to Quilp. Mrs Jiniwin being 13935 13936very fond of cards was carefully excluded by her son-in-law from any 13937 13938participation in the game, and had assigned to her the duty of 13939 13940occasionally replenishing the glasses from the case-bottle; Mr Quilp 13941 13942from that moment keeping one eye constantly upon her, lest she should 13943 13944by any means procure a taste of the same, and thereby tantalising the 13945 13946wretched old lady (who was as much attached to the case-bottle as the 13947 13948cards) in a double degree and most ingenious manner.<br><br> 13949 13950But it was not to Mrs Jiniwin alone that Mr Quilp's attention was 13951 13952restricted, as several other matters required his constant vigilance. 13953 13954Among his various eccentric habits he had a humorous one of always 13955 13956cheating at cards, which rendered necessary on his part, not only a 13957 13958close observance of the game, and a sleight-of-hand in counting and 13959 13960scoring, but also involved the constant correction, by looks, and 13961 13962frowns, and kicks under the table, of Richard Swiveller, who being 13963 13964bewildered by the rapidity with which his cards were told, and the rate 13965 13966at which the pegs travelled down the board, could not be prevented from 13967 13968sometimes expressing his surprise and incredulity. Mrs Quilp too was 13969 13970the partner of young Trent, and for every look that passed between 13971 13972them, and every word they spoke, and every card they played, the dwarf 13973 13974had eyes and ears; not occupied alone with what was passing above the 13975 13976table, but with signals that might be exchanging beneath it, which he 13977 13978laid all kinds of traps to detect; besides often treading on his wife's 13979 13980toes to see whether she cried out or remained silent under the 13981 13982infliction, in which latter case it would have been quite clear that 13983 13984Trent had been treading on her toes before. Yet, in the most of all 13985 13986these distractions, the one eye was upon the old lady always, and if 13987 13988she so much as stealthily advanced a tea-spoon towards a neighbouring 13989 13990glass (which she often did), for the purpose of abstracting but one sup 13991 13992of its sweet contents, Quilp's hand would overset it in the very moment 13993 13994of her triumph, and Quilp's mocking voice implore her to regard her 13995 13996precious health. And in any one of these his many cares, from first to 13997 13998last, Quilp never flagged nor faltered.<br><br> 13999 14000At length, when they had played a great many rubbers and drawn pretty 14001 14002freely upon the case-bottle, Mr Quilp warned his lady to retire to 14003 14004rest, and that submissive wife complying, and being followed by her 14005 14006indignant mother, Mr Swiveller fell asleep. The dwarf beckoning his 14007 14008remaining companion to the other end of the room, held a short 14009 14010conference with him in whispers.<br><br> 14011 14012'It's as well not to say more than one can help before our worthy 14013 14014friend,' said Quilp, making a grimace towards the slumbering Dick. 'Is 14015 14016it a bargain between us, Fred? Shall he marry little rosy Nell 14017 14018by-and-by?'<br><br> 14019 14020'You have some end of your own to answer, of course,' returned the 14021 14022other.<br><br> 14023 14024'Of course I have, dear Fred,' said Quilp, grinning to think how little 14025 14026he suspected what the real end was. 'It's retaliation perhaps; perhaps 14027 14028whim. I have influence, Fred, to help or oppose. Which way shall I 14029 14030use it? There are a pair of scales, and it goes into one.'<br><br> 14031 14032'Throw it into mine then,' said Trent.<br><br> 14033 14034'It's done, Fred,' rejoined Quilp, stretching out his clenched hand and 14035 14036opening it as if he had let some weight fall out. 'It's in the scale 14037 14038from this time, and turns it, Fred. Mind that.'<br><br> 14039 14040'Where have they gone?' asked Trent.<br><br> 14041 14042Quilp shook his head, and said that point remained to be discovered, 14043 14044which it might be, easily. When it was, they would begin their 14045 14046preliminary advances. He would visit the old man, or even Richard 14047 14048Swiveller might visit him, and by affecting a deep concern in his 14049 14050behalf, and imploring him to settle in some worthy home, lead to the 14051 14052child's remembering him with gratitude and favour. Once impressed to 14053 14054this extent, it would be easy, he said, to win her in a year or two, 14055 14056for she supposed the old man to be poor, as it was a part of his 14057 14058jealous policy (in common with many other misers) to feign to be so, to 14059 14060those about him.<br><br> 14061 14062'He has feigned it often enough to me, of late,' said Trent.<br><br> 14063 14064'Oh! and to me too!' replied the dwarf. 'Which is more extraordinary, 14065 14066as I know how rich he really is.'<br><br> 14067 14068'I suppose you should,' said Trent.<br><br> 14069 14070'I think I should indeed,' rejoined the dwarf; and in that, at least, 14071 14072he spoke the truth.<br><br> 14073 14074After a few more whispered words, they returned to the table, and the 14075 14076young man rousing Richard Swiveller informed him that he was waiting to 14077
14078depart. This was welcome news to Dick, who started up directly. After 14079 14080a few words of confidence in the result of their project had been 14081 14082exchanged, they bade the grinning Quilp good night.<br><br> 14083 14084Quilp crept to the window as they passed in the street below, and 14085 14086listened. Trent was pronouncing an encomium upon his wife, and they 14087 14088were both wondering by what enchantment she had been brought to marry 14089 14090such a misshapen wretch as he. The dwarf after watching their 14091 14092retreating shadows with a wider grin than his face had yet displayed, 14093 14094stole softly in the dark to bed.<br><br> 14095 14096In this hatching of their scheme, neither Trent nor Quilp had had one 14097 14098thought about the happiness or misery of poor innocent Nell. It would 14099 14100have been strange if the careless profligate, who was the butt of both, 14101 14102had been harassed by any such consideration; for his high opinion of 14103 14104his own merits and deserts rendered the project rather a laudable one 14105 14106than otherwise; and if he had been visited by so unwonted a guest as 14107 14108reflection, he would--being a brute only in the gratification of his 14109 14110appetites--have soothed his conscience with the plea that he did not 14111 14112mean to beat or kill his wife, and would therefore, after all said and 14113 14114done, be a very tolerable, average husband.<br><br> 14115 14116CHAPTER 24<br><br> 14117 14118It was not until they were quite exhausted and could no longer maintain 14119 14120the pace at which they had fled from the race-ground, that the old man 14121 14122and the child ventured to stop, and sit down to rest upon the borders 14123 14124of a little wood. Here, though the course was hidden from their view, 14125 14126they could yet faintly distinguish the noise of distant shouts, the hum 14127 14128of voices, and the beating of drums. Climbing the eminence which lay 14129 14130between them and the spot they had left, the child could even discern 14131 14132the fluttering flags and white tops of booths; but no person was 14133 14134approaching towards them, and their resting-place was solitary and 14135 14136still.<br><br> 14137 14138Some time elapsed before she could reassure her trembling companion, or 14139 14140restore him to a state of moderate tranquillity. His disordered 14141 14142imagination represented to him a crowd of persons stealing towards them 14143 14144beneath the cover of the bushes, lurking in every ditch, and peeping 14145 14146from the boughs of every rustling tree. He was haunted by 14147 14148apprehensions of being led captive to some gloomy place where he would 14149 14150be chained and scourged, and worse than all, where Nell could never 14151 14152come to see him, save through iron bars and gratings in the wall. His 14153 14154terrors affected the child. Separation from her grandfather was the 14155 14156greatest evil she could dread; and feeling for the time as though, go 14157 14158where they would, they were to be hunted down, and could never be safe 14159 14160but in hiding, her heart failed her, and her courage drooped.<br><br> 14161 14162In one so young, and so unused to the scenes in which she had lately 14163 14164moved, this sinking of the spirit was not surprising. But, Nature 14165 14166often enshrines gallant and noble hearts in weak bosoms--oftenest, God 14167 14168bless her, in female breasts--and when the child, casting her tearful 14169 14170eyes upon the old man, remembered how weak he was, and how destitute 14171 14172and helpless he would be if she failed him, her heart swelled within 14173 14174her, and animated her with new strength and fortitude.<br><br> 14175 14176'We are quite safe now, and have nothing to fear indeed, dear 14177 14178grandfather,' she said.<br><br> 14179 14180'Nothing to fear!' returned the old man. 'Nothing to fear if they took 14181 14182me from thee! Nothing to fear if they parted us! Nobody is true to 14183 14184me. No, not one. Not even Nell!'<br><br> 14185 14186'Oh! do not say that,' replied the child, 'for if ever anybody was true 14187 14188at heart, and earnest, I am. I am sure you know I am.'<br><br> 14189 14190'Then how,' said the old man, looking fearfully round, 'how can you 14191 14192bear to think that we are safe, when they are searching for me 14193 14194everywhere, and may come here, and steal upon us, even while we're 14195 14196talking?'<br><br> 14197 14198'Because I'm sure we have not been followed,' said the child. 'Judge 14199 14200for yourself, dear grandfather: look round, and see how quiet and still 14201 14202it is. We are alone together, and may ramble where we like. Not safe! 14203 14204Could I feel easy--did I feel at ease--when any danger threatened you?'<br><br> 14205 14206'True, too,' he answered, pressing her hand, but still looking 14207 14208anxiously about. 'What noise was that?'<br><br> 14209 14210'A bird,' said the child, 'flying into the wood, and leading the way 14211 14212for us to follow.' You remember that we said we would walk in woods 14213 14214and fields, and by the side of rivers, and how happy we would be--you 14215 14216remember that? But here, while the sun shines above our heads, and 14217 14218everything is bright and happy, we are sitting sadly down, and losing 14219 14220time. See what a pleasant path; and there's the bird--the same 14221 14222bird--now he flies to another tree, and stays to sing. Come!'<br><br> 14223 14224When they rose up from the ground, and took the shady track which led 14225 14226them through the wood, she bounded on before, printing her tiny 14227 14228footsteps in the moss, which rose elastic from so light a pressure and 14229 14230gave it back as mirrors throw off breath; and thus she lured the old 14231 14232man on, with many a backward look and merry beck, now pointing 14233 14234stealthily to some lone bird as it perched and twittered on a branch 14235 14236that strayed across their path, now stopping to listen to the songs 14237 14238that broke the happy silence, or watch the sun as it trembled through 14239 14240the leaves, and stealing in among the ivied trunks of stout old trees, 14241 14242opened long paths of light. As they passed onward, parting the boughs 14243 14244that clustered in their way, the serenity which the child had first 14245 14246assumed, stole into her breast in earnest; the old man cast no longer 14247 14248fearful looks behind, but felt at ease and cheerful, for the further 14249 14250they passed into the deep green shade, the more they felt that the 14251 14252tranquil mind of God was there, and shed its peace on them.<br><br> 14253 14254At length the path becoming clearer and less intricate, brought them to 14255 14256the end of the wood, and into a public road. Taking their way along it 14257 14258for a short distance, they came to a lane, so shaded by the trees on 14259 14260either hand that they met together over-head, and arched the narrow 14261 14262way. A broken finger-post announced that this led to a village three 14263 14264miles off; and thither they resolved to bend their steps.<br><br> 14265 14266The miles appeared so long that they sometimes thought they must have 14267 14268missed their road. But at last, to their great joy, it led downwards 14269
14270in a steep descent, with overhanging banks over which the footpaths 14271 14272led; and the clustered houses of the village peeped from the woody 14273 14274hollow below.<br><br> 14275 14276It was a very small place. The men and boys were playing at cricket on 14277 14278the green; and as the other folks were looking on, they wandered up and 14279 14280down, uncertain where to seek a humble lodging. There was but one old 14281 14282man in the little garden before his cottage, and him they were timid of 14283 14284approaching, for he was the schoolmaster, and had 'School' written up 14285 14286over his window in black letters on a white board. He was a pale, 14287 14288simple-looking man, of a spare and meagre habit, and sat among his 14289 14290flowers and beehives, smoking his pipe, in the little porch before his 14291 14292door.<br><br> 14293 14294'Speak to him, dear,' the old man whispered.<br><br> 14295 14296'I am almost afraid to disturb him,' said the child timidly. 'He does 14297 14298not seem to see us. Perhaps if we wait a little, he may look this way.'<br><br> 14299 14300They waited, but the schoolmaster cast no look towards them, and still 14301 14302sat, thoughtful and silent, in the little porch. He had a kind face. 14303 14304In his plain old suit of black, he looked pale and meagre. They 14305 14306fancied, too, a lonely air about him and his house, but perhaps that 14307 14308was because the other people formed a merry company upon the green, and 14309 14310he seemed the only solitary man in all the place.<br><br> 14311 14312They were very tired, and the child would have been bold enough to 14313 14314address even a schoolmaster, but for something in his manner which 14315 14316seemed to denote that he was uneasy or distressed. As they stood 14317 14318hesitating at a little distance, they saw that he sat for a few minutes 14319 14320at a time like one in a brown study, then laid aside his pipe and took 14321 14322a few turns in his garden, then approached the gate and looked towards 14323 14324the green, then took up his pipe again with a sigh, and sat down 14325 14326thoughtfully as before.<br><br> 14327 14328As nobody else appeared and it would soon be dark, Nell at length took 14329 14330courage, and when he had resumed his pipe and seat, ventured to draw 14331 14332near, leading her grandfather by the hand. The slight noise they made 14333 14334in raising the latch of the wicket-gate, caught his attention. He 14335 14336looked at them kindly but seemed disappointed too, and slightly shook 14337 14338his head.<br><br> 14339 14340Nell dropped a curtsey, and told him they were poor travellers who 14341 14342sought a shelter for the night which they would gladly pay for, so far 14343 14344as their means allowed. The schoolmaster looked earnestly at her as 14345 14346she spoke, laid aside his pipe, and rose up directly.<br><br> 14347 14348'If you could direct us anywhere, sir,' said the child, 'we should take 14349 14350it very kindly.'<br><br> 14351 14352'You have been walking a long way,' said the schoolmaster.<br><br> 14353 14354'A long way, Sir,' the child replied.<br><br> 14355 14356'You're a young traveller, my child,' he said, laying his hand gently 14357 14358on her head. 'Your grandchild, friend?'<br><br> 14359 14360'Aye, Sir,' cried the old man, 'and the stay and comfort of my life.'<br><br> 14361 14362'Come in,' said the schoolmaster.<br><br> 14363 14364Without further preface he conducted them into his little school-room, 14365 14366which was parlour and kitchen likewise, and told them that they were 14367 14368welcome to remain under his roof till morning. Before they had done 14369 14370thanking him, he spread a coarse white cloth upon the table, with 14371 14372knives and platters; and bringing out some bread and cold meat and a 14373 14374jug of beer, besought them to eat and drink.<br><br> 14375 14376The child looked round the room as she took her seat. There were a 14377 14378couple of forms, notched and cut and inked all over; a small deal desk 14379 14380perched on four legs, at which no doubt the master sat; a few 14381 14382dog's-eared books upon a high shelf; and beside them a motley 14383 14384collection of peg-tops, balls, kites, fishing-lines, marbles, 14385 14386half-eaten apples, and other confiscated property of idle urchins. 14387 14388Displayed on hooks upon the wall in all their terrors, were the cane 14389 14390and ruler; and near them, on a small shelf of its own, the dunce's cap, 14391 14392made of old newspapers and decorated with glaring wafers of the largest 14393 14394size. But, the great ornaments of the walls were certain moral 14395 14396sentences fairly copied in good round text, and well-worked sums in 14397 14398simple addition and multiplication, evidently achieved by the same 14399
14400hand, which were plentifully pasted all round the room: for the double 14401 14402purpose, as it seemed, of bearing testimony to the excellence of the 14403 14404school, and kindling a worthy emulation in the bosoms of the scholars.<br><br> 14405 14406'Yes,' said the old schoolmaster, observing that her attention was 14407 14408caught by these latter specimens. 'That's beautiful writing, my dear.'<br><br> 14409 14410'Very, Sir,' replied the child modestly, 'is it yours?'<br><br> 14411 14412'Mine!' he returned, taking out his spectacles and putting them on, to 14413 14414have a better view of the triumphs so dear to his heart. 'I couldn't 14415 14416write like that, now-a-days. No. They're all done by one hand; a 14417 14418little hand it is, not so old as yours, but a very clever one.'<br><br> 14419 14420As the schoolmaster said this, he saw that a small blot of ink had been 14421 14422thrown on one of the copies, so he took a penknife from his pocket, and 14423 14424going up to the wall, carefully scraped it out. When he had finished, 14425 14426he walked slowly backward from the writing, admiring it as one might 14427 14428contemplate a beautiful picture, but with something of sadness in his 14429 14430voice and manner which quite touched the child, though she was 14431 14432unacquainted with its cause.<br><br> 14433 14434'A little hand indeed,' said the poor schoolmaster. 'Far beyond all 14435 14436his companions, in his learning and his sports too, how did he ever 14437 14438come to be so fond of me! That I should love him is no wonder, but 14439 14440that he should love me--' and there the schoolmaster stopped, and took 14441 14442off his spectacles to wipe them, as though they had grown dim.<br><br> 14443 14444'I hope there is nothing the matter, sir,' said Nell anxiously.<br><br> 14445 14446'Not much, my dear,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I hoped to have seen 14447 14448him on the green to-night. He was always foremost among them. But 14449 14450he'll be there to-morrow.'<br><br> 14451 14452'Has he been ill?' asked the child, with a child's quick sympathy.<br><br> 14453 14454'Not very. They said he was wandering in his head yesterday, dear boy, 14455 14456and so they said the day before. But that's a part of that kind of 14457 14458disorder; it's not a bad sign--not at all a bad sign.' The child was 14459 14460silent. He walked to the door, and looked wistfully out. The shadows 14461 14462of night were gathering, and all was still.<br><br> 14463 14464'If he could lean upon anybody's arm, he would come to me, I know,' he 14465 14466said, returning into the room. 'He always came into the garden to
14466say 14467 14468good night. But perhaps his illness has only just taken a favourable 14469 14470turn, and it's too late for him to come out, for it's very damp and 14471 14472there's a heavy dew. It's much better he shouldn't come to-night.'<br><br> 14473 14474The schoolmaster lighted a candle, fastened the window-shutter, and 14475 14476closed the door. But after he had done this, and sat silent a little 14477 14478time, he took down his hat, and said he would go and satisfy himself, 14479 14480if Nell would sit up till he returned. The child readily complied, and 14481 14482he went out.<br><br> 14483 14484She sat there half-an-hour or more, feeling the place very strange and 14485 14486lonely, for she had prevailed upon the old man to go to bed, and there 14487 14488was nothing to be heard but the ticking of an old clock, and the 14489 14490whistling of the wind among the trees. When he returned, he took his 14491 14492seat in the chimney corner, but remained silent for a long time. At 14493 14494length he turned to her, and speaking very gently, hoped she would say 14495 14496a prayer that night for a sick child.<br><br> 14497 14498'My favourite scholar!' said the poor schoolmaster, smoking a pipe he 14499 14500had forgotten to light, and looking mournfully round upon the walls. 14501 14502'It is a little hand to have done all that, and waste away with 14503 14504sickness. It is a very, very little hand!'<br><br> 14505 14506CHAPTER 25<br><br> 14507 14508After a sound night's rest in a chamber in the thatched roof, in which 14509 14510it seemed the sexton had for some years been a lodger, but which he had 14511 14512lately deserted for a wife and a cottage of his own, the child rose 14513 14514early in the morning and descended to the room where she had supped 14515 14516last night. As the schoolmaster had already left his bed and gone out, 14517 14518she bestirred herself to make it neat and comfortable, and had just 14519 14520finished its arrangement when the kind host returned.<br><br> 14521 14522He thanked her many times, and said that the old dame who usually did 14523 14524such offices for him had gone to nurse the little scholar whom he had 14525 14526told her of. The child asked how he was, and hoped he was better.<br><br> 14527 14528'No,' rejoined the schoolmaster shaking his head sorrowfully, 'no 14529 14530better. They even say he is worse.'<br><br> 14531 14532'I am very sorry for that, Sir,' said the child.<br><br> 14533 14534The poor schoolmaster appeared to be gratified by her earnest manner, 14535 14536but yet rendered more uneasy by it, for he added hastily that anxious 14537 14538people often magnified an evil and thought it greater than it was; 'for 14539 14540my part,' he said, in his quiet, patient way, 'I hope it's not so. I 14541 14542don't think he can be worse.'<br><br> 14543 14544The child asked his leave to prepare breakfast, and her grandfather 14545 14546coming down stairs, they all three partook of it together. While the 14547 14548meal was in progress, their host remarked that the old man seemed much 14549 14550fatigued, and evidently stood in need of rest.<br><br> 14551 14552'If the journey you have before you is a long one,' he said, 'and don't 14553 14554press you for one day, you're very welcome to pass another night here. 14555 14556I should really be glad if you would, friend.'<br><br> 14557 14558He saw that the old man looked at Nell, uncertain whether to accept or 14559 14560decline his offer; and added,<br><br> 14561 14562'I shall be glad to have your young companion with me for one day. If 14563 14564you can do a charity to a lone man, and rest yourself at the same time, 14565 14566do so. If you must proceed upon your journey, I wish you well through 14567 14568it, and will walk a little way with you before school begins.'<br><br> 14569 14570'What are we to do, Nell?' said the old man irresolutely, 'say what 14571 14572we're to do, dear.'<br><br> 14573 14574It required no great persuasion to induce the child to answer that they 14575 14576had better accept the invitation and remain. She was happy to show her 14577 14578gratitude to the kind schoolmaster by busying herself in the 14579 14580performance of such household duties as his little cottage stood in 14581 14582need of. When these were done, she took some needle-work from her 14583 14584basket, and sat herself down upon a stool beside the lattice, where the 14585 14586honeysuckle and woodbine entwined their tender stems, and stealing into 14587 14588the room filled it with their delicious breath. Her grandfather was 14589 14590basking in the sun outside, breathing the perfume of the flowers, and 14591 14592idly watching the clouds as they floated on before the light summer 14593 14594wind.<br><br> 14595 14596As the schoolmaster, after arranging the two forms in due order, took 14597 14598his seat behind his desk and made other preparations for school, the 14599 14600child was apprehensive that she might be in the way, and offered to 14601 14602withdraw to her little bedroom. But this he would not allow, and as he 14603 14604seemed pleased to have her there, she remained, busying herself with 14605 14606her work.<br><br> 14607 14608'Have you many scholars, sir?' she asked.<br><br> 14609 14610The poor schoolmaster shook his head, and said that they barely filled 14611 14612the two forms.<br><br> 14613 14614'Are the others clever, sir?' asked the child, glancing at the trophies 14615 14616on the wall.<br><br> 14617 14618'Good boys,' returned the schoolmaster, 'good boys enough, my dear, but 14619 14620they'll never do like that.'<br><br> 14621 14622A small white-headed boy with a sunburnt face appeared at the door 14623 14624while he was speaking, and stopping there to make a rustic bow, came in 14625 14626and took his seat upon one of the forms. The white-headed boy then put 14627 14628an open book, astonishingly dog's-eared upon his knees, and thrusting 14629 14630his hands into his pockets began counting the marbles with which they 14631 14632were filled; displaying in the expression of his face a remarkable 14633 14634capacity of totally abstracting his mind from the spelling on which his 14635 14636eyes were fixed. Soon afterwards another white-headed little boy came 14637 14638straggling in, and after him a red-headed lad, and after him two more 14639 14640with white heads, and then one with a flaxen poll, and so on until the 14641 14642forms were occupied by a dozen boys or thereabouts, with heads of every 14643 14644colour but grey, and ranging in their ages from four years old to 14645 14646fourteen years or more; for the legs of the youngest were a long way 14647 14648from the floor when he sat upon the form, and the eldest was a heavy 14649 14650good-tempered foolish fellow, about half a head taller than the 14651 14652schoolmaster.<br><br> 14653 14654At the top of the first form--the post of honour in the school--was the 14655 14656vacant place of the little sick scholar, and at the head of the row of 14657 14658pegs on which those who came in hats or caps were wont to hang them up, 14659 14660one was left empty. No boy attempted to violate the sanctity of seat 14661 14662or peg, but many a one looked from the empty spaces to the 14663 14664schoolmaster, and whispered his idle neighbour behind his hand.<br><br> 14665 14666Then began the hum of conning over lessons and getting them by heart, 14667 14668the whispered jest and stealthy game, and all the noise and drawl of 14669 14670school; and in the midst of the din sat the poor schoolmaster, the very 14671 14672image of meekness and simplicity, vainly attempting to fix his mind 14673 14674upon the duties of the day, and to forget his little friend. But the 14675 14676tedium of his office reminded him more strongly of the willing scholar, 14677 14678and his thoughts were rambling from his pupils--it was plain.<br><br> 14679 14680None knew this better than the idlest boys, who, growing bolder with 14681 14682impunity, waxed louder and more daring; playing odd-or-even under the 14683 14684master's eye, eating apples openly and without rebuke, pinching each 14685 14686other in sport or malice without the least reserve, and cutting their 14687 14688autographs in the very legs of his desk. The puzzled dunce, who stood 14689
14690beside it to say his lesson out of book, looked no longer at the 14691 14692ceiling for forgotten words, but drew closer to the master's elbow and 14693 14694boldly cast his eye upon the page; the wag of the little troop squinted 14695 14696and made grimaces (at the smallest boy of course), holding no book 14697 14698before his face, and his approving audience knew no constraint in their 14699 14700delight. If the master did chance to rouse himself and seem alive to 14701 14702what was going on, the noise subsided for a moment and no eyes met his 14703 14704but wore a studious and a deeply humble look; but the instant he 14705 14706relapsed again, it broke out afresh, and ten times louder than before.<br><br> 14707 14708Oh! how some of those idle fellows longed to be outside, and how they 14709 14710looked at the open door and window, as if they half meditated rushing 14711 14712violently out, plunging into the woods, and being wild boys and savages 14713 14714from that time forth. What rebellious thoughts of the cool river, and 14715 14716some shady bathing-place beneath willow trees with branches dipping in 14717 14718the water, kept tempting and urging that sturdy boy, who, with his 14719 14720shirt-collar unbuttoned and flung back as far as it could go, sat 14721 14722fanning his flushed face with a spelling-book, wishing himself a whale, 14723 14724or a tittlebat, or a fly, or anything but a boy at school on that hot, 14725 14726broiling day! Heat! ask that other boy, whose seat being nearest to 14727 14728the door gave him opportunities of gliding out into the garden and 14729 14730driving his companions to madness by dipping his face into the bucket 14731 14732of the well and then rolling on the grass--ask him if there were ever 14733 14734such a day as that, when even the bees were diving deep down into the 14735 14736cups of flowers and stopping there, as if they had made up their minds 14737 14738to retire from business and be manufacturers of honey no more. The day 14739 14740was made for laziness, and lying on one's back in green places, and 14741 14742staring at the sky till its brightness forced one to shut one's eyes 14743 14744and go to sleep; and was this a time to be poring over musty books in a 14745 14746dark room, slighted by the very sun itself? Monstrous!<br><br> 14747 14748Nell sat by the window occupied with her work, but attentive still to 14749 14750all that passed, though sometimes rather timid of the boisterous boys. 14751 14752The lessons over, writing time began; and there being but one desk and 14753 14754that the master's, each boy sat at it in turn and laboured at his 14755 14756crooked copy, while the master walked about. This was a quieter time; 14757 14758for he would come and look over the writer's shoulder, and tell him 14759 14760mildly to observe how such a letter was turned in such a copy on the 14761 14762wall, praise such an up-stroke here and such a down-stroke there, and 14763 14764bid him take it for his model. Then he would stop and tell them what 14765 14766the sick child had said last night, and how he had longed to be among 14767 14768them once again; and such was the poor schoolmaster's gentle and 14769 14770affectionate manner, that the boys seemed quite remorseful that they 14771 14772had worried him so much, and were absolutely quiet; eating no apples, 14773 14774cutting no names, inflicting no pinches, and making no grimaces, for 14775 14776full two minutes afterwards.<br><br> 14777 14778'I think, boys,' said the schoolmaster when the clock struck twelve, 14779 14780'that I shall give an extra half-holiday this afternoon.'<br><br> 14781 14782At this intelligence, the boys, led on and headed by the tall boy, 14783 14784raised a great shout, in the midst of which the master was seen to 14785 14786speak, but could not be heard. As he held up his hand, however, in 14787 14788token of his wish that they should be silent, they were considerate 14789 14790enough to leave off, as soon as the longest-winded among them were 14791 14792quite out of breath.<br><br> 14793 14794'You must promise me first,' said the schoolmaster, 'that you'll not be 14795 14796noisy, or at least, if you are, that you'll go away and be so--away out 14797 14798of the village I mean. I'm sure you wouldn't disturb your old playmate 14799 14800and companion.'<br><br> 14801 14802There was a general murmur (and perhaps a very sincere one, for they 14803 14804were but boys) in the negative; and the tall boy, perhaps as sincerely 14805 14806as any of them, called those about him to witness that he had only 14807 14808shouted in a whisper.<br><br> 14809 14810'Then pray don't forget, there's my dear scholars,' said the 14811 14812schoolmaster, 'what I have asked you, and do it as a favour to me. Be 14813 14814as happy as you can, and don't be unmindful that you are blessed with 14815 14816health. Good-bye all!'<br><br> 14817 14818'Thank'ee, Sir,' and 'good-bye, Sir,' were said a good many times in a 14819 14820variety of voices, and the boys went out very slowly and softly. But 14821 14822there was the sun shining and there were the birds singing, as the sun 14823 14824only shines and the birds only sing on holidays and half-holidays; 14825 14826there were the trees waving to all free boys to climb and nestle among 14827 14828their leafy branches; the hay, entreating them to come and scatter it 14829 14830to the pure air; the green corn, gently beckoning towards wood and 14831 14832stream; the smooth ground, rendered smoother still by blending lights 14833 14834and shadows, inviting to runs and leaps, and long walks God knows 14835 14836whither. It was more than boy could bear, and with a joyous whoop the 14837 14838whole cluster took to their heels and spread themselves about, shouting 14839 14840and laughing as they went.<br><br> 14841 14842'It's natural, thank Heaven!' said the poor schoolmaster, looking after 14843 14844them. 'I'm very glad they didn't mind me!'<br><br> 14845 14846It is difficult, however, to please everybody, as most of us would have 14847 14848discovered, even without the fable which bears that moral, and in the 14849 14850course of the afternoon several mothers and aunts of pupils looked in 14851 14852to express their entire disapproval of the schoolmaster's proceeding. 14853 14854A few confined themselves to hints, such as politely inquiring what 14855 14856red-letter day or saint's day the almanack said it was; a few (these 14857 14858were the profound village politicians) argued that it was a slight to 14859 14860the throne and an affront to church and state, and savoured of 14861 14862revolutionary principles, to grant a half-holiday upon any lighter 14863 14864occasion than the birthday of the Monarch; but the majority expressed 14865 14866their displeasure on private grounds and in plain terms, arguing that 14867 14868to put the pupils on this short allowance of learning was nothing but 14869 14870an act of downright robbery and fraud: and one old lady, finding that 14871
14872she could not inflame or irritate the peaceable schoolmaster by talking 14873 14874to him, bounced out of his house and talked at him for half-an-hour 14875 14876outside his own window, to another old lady, saying that of course he 14877 14878would deduct this half-holiday from his weekly charge, or of course he 14879 14880would naturally expect to have an opposition started against him; there 14881 14882was no want of idle chaps in that neighbourhood (here the old lady 14883 14884raised her voice), and some chaps who were too idle even to be 14885 14886schoolmasters, might soon find that there were other chaps put over 14887 14888their heads, and so she would have them take care, and look pretty 14889 14890sharp about them. But all these taunts and vexations failed to elicit 14891 14892one word from the meek schoolmaster, who sat with the child by his 14893 14894side--a little more dejected perhaps, but quite silent and 14895 14896uncomplaining.<br><br> 14897 14898Towards night an old woman came tottering up the garden as speedily as 14899 14900she could, and meeting the schoolmaster at the door, said he was to go 14901 14902to Dame West's directly, and had best run on before her. He and the 14903 14904child were on the point of going out together for a walk, and without 14905 14906relinquishing her hand, the schoolmaster hurried away, leaving the 14907 14908messenger to follow as she might.<br><br> 14909 14910They stopped at a cottage-door, and the schoolmaster knocked softly at 14911 14912it with his hand. It was opened without loss of time. They entered a 14913 14914room where a little group of women were gathered about one, older than 14915 14916the rest, who was crying very bitterly, and sat wringing her hands and 14917 14918rocking herself to and fro.<br><br> 14919 14920'Oh, dame!' said the schoolmaster, drawing near her chair, 'is it so 14921 14922bad as this?'<br><br> 14923 14924'He's going fast,' cried the old woman; 'my grandson's dying. It's all 14925 14926along of you. You shouldn't see him now, but for his being so earnest 14927 14928on it. This is what his learning has brought him to. Oh dear, dear, 14929 14930dear, what can I do!'<br><br> 14931 14932'Do not say that I am in any fault,' urged the gentle school-master. 14933 14934'I am not hurt, dame. No, no. You are in great distress of mind, and 14935 14936don't mean what you say. I am sure you don't.'<br><br> 14937 14938'I do,' returned the old woman. 'I mean it all. If he hadn't been 14939 14940poring over his books out of fear of you, he would have been well and 14941 14942merry now, I know he would.'<br><br> 14943 14944The schoolmaster looked round upon the other women as if to entreat 14945 14946some one among them to say a kind word for him, but they shook their 14947 14948heads, and murmured to each other that they never thought there was 14949 14950much good in learning, and that this convinced them. Without saying a 14951 14952word in reply, or giving them a look of reproach, he followed the old 14953 14954woman who had summoned him (and who had now rejoined them) into another 14955 14956room, where his infant friend, half-dressed, lay stretched upon a bed.<br><br> 14957 14958He was a very young boy; quite a little child. His hair still hung in 14959 14960curls about his face, and his eyes were very bright; but their light 14961 14962was of Heaven, not earth. The schoolmaster took a seat beside him, and 14963 14964stooping over the pillow, whispered his name. The boy sprung up, 14965 14966stroked his face with his hand, and threw his wasted arms round his 14967 14968neck, crying out that he was his dear kind friend.<br><br> 14969 14970'I hope I always was. I meant to be, God knows,' said the poor 14971 14972schoolmaster.<br><br> 14973 14974'Who is that?' said the boy, seeing Nell. 'I am afraid to kiss her, 14975 14976lest I should make her ill. Ask her to shake hands with me.' The 14977 14978sobbing child came closer up, and took the little languid hand in hers. 14979 14980Releasing his again after a time, the sick boy laid him gently down.<br><br> 14981 14982'You remember the garden, Harry,' whispered the schoolmaster, anxious 14983 14984to rouse him, for a dulness seemed gathering upon the child, 'and how 14985 14986pleasant it used to be in the evening time? You must make haste to 14987 14988visit it again, for I think the very flowers have missed you, and are 14989 14990less gay than they used to be. You will come soon, my dear, very soon 14991 14992now--won't you?'<br><br> 14993 14994The boy smiled faintly--so very, very faintly--and put his hand upon 14995 14996his friend's grey head. He moved his lips too, but no voice came from 14997 14998them; no, not a sound.<br><br> 14999 15000In the silence that ensued, the hum of distant voices borne upon the 15001 15002evening air came floating through the open window. 'What's that?' said 15003 15004the sick child, opening his eyes.<br><br> 15005 15006'The boys at play upon the green.'<br><br> 15007 15008He took a handkerchief from his pillow, and tried to wave it above his 15009 15010head. But the feeble arm dropped powerless down.<br><br> 15011 15012'Shall I do it?' said the schoolmaster.<br><br> 15013 15014'Please wave it at the window,' was the faint reply. 'Tie it to the 15015 15016lattice. Some of them may see it there. Perhaps they'll think of me, 15017 15018and look this way.'<br><br> 15019 15020He raised his head, and glanced from the fluttering signal to his idle 15021 15022bat, that lay with slate and book and other boyish property upon a 15023 15024table in the room. And then he laid him softly down once more, and 15025 15026asked if the little girl were there, for he could not see her.<br><br> 15027 15028She stepped forward, and pressed the passive hand that lay upon the 15029 15030coverlet. The two old friends and companions--for such they were, 15031 15032though they were man and child--held each other in a long embrace, and 15033 15034then the little scholar turned his face towards the wall, and fell 15035 15036asleep.<br><br> 15037 15038The poor schoolmaster sat in the same place, holding the small cold 15039 15040hand in his, and chafing it. It was but the hand of a dead child. He 15041 15042felt that; and yet he chafed it still, and could not lay it down.<br><br> 15043 15044CHAPTER 26<br><br> 15045 15046Almost broken-hearted, Nell withdrew with the schoolmaster from the 15047 15048bedside and returned to his cottage. In the midst of her grief and 15049
15050tears she was yet careful to conceal their real cause from the old man, 15051 15052for the dead boy had been a grandchild, and left but one aged relative 15053 15054to mourn his premature decay.<br><br> 15055 15056She stole away to bed as quickly as she could, and when she was alone, 15057 15058gave free vent to the sorrow with which her breast was overcharged. 15059 15060But the sad scene she had witnessed, was not without its lesson of 15061 15062content and gratitude; of content with the lot which left her health 15063 15064and freedom; and gratitude that she was spared to the one relative and 15065 15066friend she loved, and to live and move in a beautiful world, when so 15067 15068many young creatures--as young and full of hope as she--were stricken 15069 15070down and gathered to their graves. How many of the mounds in that old 15071 15072churchyard where she had lately strayed, grew green above the graves of 15073 15074children! And though she thought as a child herself, and did not 15075 15076perhaps sufficiently consider to what a bright and happy existence 15077 15078those who die young are borne, and how in death they lose the pain of 15079 15080seeing others die around them, bearing to the tomb some strong 15081 15082affection of their hearts (which makes the old die many times in one 15083 15084long life), still she thought wisely enough, to draw a plain and easy 15085 15086moral from what she had seen that night, and to store it, deep in her 15087 15088mind.<br><br> 15089 15090Her dreams were of the little scholar: not coffined and covered up, but 15091 15092mingling with angels, and smiling happily. The sun darting his 15093 15094cheerful rays into the room, awoke her; and now there remained but to 15095 15096take leave of the poor schoolmaster and wander forth once more.<br><br> 15097 15098By the time they were ready to depart, school had begun. In the 15099 15100darkened room, the din of yesterday was going on again: a little 15101 15102sobered and softened down, perhaps, but only a very little, if at all. 15103 15104The schoolmaster rose from his desk and walked with them to the gate.<br><br> 15105 15106It was with a trembling and reluctant hand, that the child held out to 15107 15108him the money which the lady had given her at the races for her 15109 15110flowers: faltering in her thanks as she thought how small the sum was, 15111 15112and blushing as she offered it. But he bade her put it up, and 15113 15114stooping to kiss her cheek, turned back into his house.<br><br> 15115 15116They had not gone half-a-dozen paces when he was at the door again; the 15117 15118old man retraced his steps to shake hands, and the child did the same.<br><br> 15119 15120'Good fortune and happiness go with you!' said the poor schoolmaster. 15121 15122'I am quite a solitary man now. If you ever pass this way again, 15123 15124you'll not forget the little village-school.'<br><br> 15125 15126'We shall never forget it, sir,' rejoined Nell; 'nor ever forget to be 15127 15128grateful to you for your kindness to us.'<br><br> 15129 15130'I have heard such words from the lips of children very often,' said 15131 15132the schoolmaster, shaking his head, and smiling thoughtfully, 'but they 15133 15134were soon forgotten. I had attached one young friend to me, the better 15135 15136friend for being young--but that's over--God bless you!'<br><br> 15137 15138They bade him farewell very many times, and turned away, walking slowly 15139 15140and often looking back, until they could see him no more. At length 15141 15142they had left the village far behind, and even lost sight of the smoke 15143 15144among the trees. They trudged onward now, at a quicker pace, resolving 15145 15146to keep the main road, and go wherever it might lead them.<br><br> 15147 15148But main roads stretch a long, long way. With the exception of two or 15149 15150three inconsiderable clusters of cottages which they passed, without 15151 15152stopping, and one lonely road-side public-house where they had some 15153 15154bread and cheese, this highway had led them to nothing--late in the 15155 15156afternoon--and still lengthened out, far in the distance, the same 15157 15158dull, tedious, winding course, that they had been pursuing all day. As 15159 15160they had no resource, however, but to go forward, they still kept on, 15161 15162though at a much slower pace, being very weary and fatigued.<br><br> 15163 15164The afternoon had worn away into a beautiful evening, when they arrived 15165 15166at a point where the road made a sharp turn and struck across a common. 15167 15168On the border of this common, and close to the hedge which divided it 15169 15170from the cultivated fields, a caravan was drawn up to rest; upon which, 15171 15172by reason of its situation, they came so suddenly that they could not 15173 15174have avoided it if they would.<br><br> 15175 15176It was not a shabby, dingy, dusty cart, but a smart little house upon 15177 15178wheels, with white dimity curtains festooning the windows, and 15179 15180window-shutters of green picked out with panels of a staring red, in 15181 15182which happily-contrasted colours the whole concern shone brilliant. 15183 15184Neither was it a poor caravan drawn by a single donkey or emaciated 15185 15186horse, for a pair of horses in pretty good condition were released from 15187 15188the shafts and grazing on the frouzy grass. Neither was it a gipsy 15189 15190caravan, for at the open door (graced with a bright brass knocker) sat 15191
15192a Christian lady, stout and comfortable to look upon, who wore a large 15193 15194bonnet trembling with bows. And that it was not an unprovided or 15195 15196destitute caravan was clear from this lady's occupation, which was the 15197 15198very pleasant and refreshing one of taking tea. The tea-things, 15199 15200including a bottle of rather suspicious character and a cold knuckle of 15201 15202ham, were set forth upon a drum, covered with a white napkin; and 15203 15204there, as if at the most convenient round-table in all the world, sat 15205 15206this roving lady, taking her tea and enjoying the prospect.<br><br> 15207 15208It happened that at that moment the lady of the caravan had her cup 15209 15210(which, that everything about her might be of a stout and comfortable 15211 15212kind, was a breakfast cup) to her lips, and that having her eyes lifted 15213 15214to the sky in her enjoyment of the full flavour of the tea, not 15215 15216unmingled possibly with just the slightest dash or gleam of something 15217 15218out of the suspicious bottle--but this is mere speculation and not 15219 15220distinct matter of history--it happened that being thus agreeably 15221 15222engaged, she did not see the travellers when they first came up. It 15223 15224was not until she was in the act of getting down the cup, and drawing a 15225 15226long breath after the exertion of causing its contents to disappear, 15227 15228that the lady of the caravan beheld an old man and a young child 15229 15230walking slowly by, and glancing at her proceedings with eyes of modest 15231 15232but hungry admiration.<br><br> 15233 15234'Hey!' cried the lady of the caravan, scooping the crumbs out of her 15235 15236lap and swallowing the same before wiping her lips. 'Yes, to be 15237 15238sure--Who won the Helter-Skelter Plate, child?'<br><br> 15239 15240'Won what, ma'am?' asked Nell.<br><br> 15241 15242'The Helter-Skelter Plate at the races, child--the plate that was run 15243 15244for on the second day.'<br><br> 15245 15246'On the second day, ma'am?'<br><br> 15247 15248'Second day! Yes, second day,' repeated the lady with an air of 15249 15250impatience. 'Can't you say who won the Helter-Skelter Plate when 15251 15252you're asked the question civilly?'<br><br> 15253 15254'I don't know, ma'am.'<br><br> 15255 15256'Don't know!' repeated the lady of the caravan; 'why, you were there. 15257 15258I saw you with my own eyes.'<br><br> 15259 15260Nell was not a little alarmed to hear this, supposing that the lady 15261 15262might be intimately acquainted with the firm of Short and Codlin; but 15263 15264what followed tended to reassure her.<br><br> 15265 15266'And very sorry I was,' said the lady of the caravan, 'to see you in 15267 15268company with a Punch; a low, practical, wulgar wretch, that people 15269 15270should scorn to look at.'<br><br> 15271 15272'I was not there by choice,' returned the child; 'we didn't know our 15273 15274way, and the two men were very kind to us, and let us travel with them. 15275 15276Do you--do you know them, ma'am?'<br><br> 15277 15278'Know 'em, child!' cried the lady of the caravan in a sort of shriek. 15279 15280'Know them! But you're young and inexperienced, and that's your excuse 15281 15282for asking sich a question. Do I look as if I know'd 'em, does the 15283 15284caravan look as if it know'd 'em?'<br><br> 15285 15286'No, ma'am, no,' said the child, fearing she had committed some 15287 15288grievous fault. 'I beg your pardon.'<br><br> 15289 15290It was granted immediately, though the lady still appeared much ruffled 15291 15292and discomposed by the degrading supposition. The child then explained 15293 15294that they had left the races on the first day, and were travelling to 15295 15296the next town on that road, where they purposed to spend the night. As 15297 15298the countenance of the stout lady began to clear up, she ventured to 15299 15300inquire how far it was. The reply--which the stout lady did not come 15301 15302to, until she had thoroughly explained that she went to the races on 15303 15304the first day in a gig, and as an expedition of pleasure, and that her 15305 15306presence there had no connexion with any matters of business or 15307 15308profit--was, that the town was eight miles off.<br><br> 15309 15310This discouraging information a little dashed the child, who could 15311 15312scarcely repress a tear as she glanced along the darkening road. Her 15313 15314grandfather made no complaint, but he sighed heavily as he leaned upon 15315 15316his staff, and vainly tried to pierce the dusty distance.<br><br> 15317 15318The lady of the caravan was in the act of gathering her tea equipage 15319 15320together preparatory to clearing the table, but noting the child's 15321 15322anxious manner she hesitated and stopped. The child curtseyed, thanked 15323 15324her for her information, and giving her hand to the old man had already 15325 15326got some fifty yards or so away, when the lady of the caravan called to 15327 15328her to return.<br><br> 15329 15330'Come nearer, nearer still,' said she, beckoning to her to ascend the 15331 15332steps. 'Are you hungry, child?'<br><br> 15333 15334'Not very, but we are tired, and it's--it IS a long way.'<br><br> 15335 15336'Well, hungry or not, you had better have some tea,' rejoined her new 15337 15338acquaintance. 'I suppose you are agreeable to that, old gentleman?'<br><br> 15339 15340The grandfather humbly pulled off his hat and thanked her. The lady of 15341 15342the caravan then bade him come up the steps likewise, but the drum 15343 15344proving an inconvenient table for two, they descended again, and sat 15345 15346upon the grass, where she handed down to them the tea-tray, the bread 15347 15348and butter, the knuckle of ham, and in short everything of which she 15349 15350had partaken herself, except the bottle which she had already embraced 15351 15352an opportunity of slipping into her pocket.<br><br> 15353 15354'Set 'em out near the hind wheels, child, that's the best place,' said 15355 15356their friend, superintending the arrangements from above. 'Now hand up 15357 15358the teapot for a little more hot water, and a pinch of fresh tea, and 15359 15360then both of you eat and drink as much as you can, and don't spare 15361 15362anything; that's all I ask of you.'<br><br> 15363 15364They might perhaps have carried out the lady's wish, if it had been 15365 15366less freely expressed, or even if it had not been expressed at all. 15367 15368But as this direction relieved them from any shadow of delicacy or 15369 15370uneasiness, they made a hearty meal and enjoyed it to the utmost.<br><br> 15371 15372While they were thus engaged, the lady of the caravan alighted on the 15373 15374earth, and with her hands clasped behind her, and her large bonnet 15375 15376trembling excessively, walked up and down in a measured tread and very 15377 15378stately manner, surveying the caravan from time to time with an air of 15379 15380calm delight, and deriving particular gratification from the red panels 15381 15382and the brass knocker. When she had taken this gentle exercise for 15383 15384some time, she sat down upon the steps and called 'George'; whereupon a 15385 15386man in a carter's frock, who had been so shrouded in a hedge up to this 15387 15388time as to see everything that passed without being seen himself, 15389 15390parted the twigs that concealed him, and appeared in a sitting 15391 15392attitude, supporting on his legs a baking-dish and a half-gallon stone 15393 15394bottle, and bearing in his right hand a knife, and in his left a fork.<br><br> 15395 15396'Yes, Missus,' said George.<br><br> 15397 15398'How did you find the cold pie, George?'<br><br> 15399 15400'It warn't amiss, mum.'<br><br> 15401 15402'And the beer,' said the lady of the caravan, with an appearance of 15403 15404being more interested in this question than the last; 'is it passable, 15405 15406George?'<br><br> 15407 15408'It's more flatterer than it might be,' George returned, 'but it an't 15409 15410so bad for all that.'<br><br> 15411 15412To set the mind of his mistress at rest, he took a sip (amounting in 15413 15414quantity to a pint or thereabouts) from the stone bottle, and then 15415
15416smacked his lips, winked his eye, and nodded his head. No doubt with 15417 15418the same amiable desire, he immediately resumed his knife and fork, as 15419 15420a practical assurance that the beer had wrought no bad effect upon his 15421 15422appetite.<br><br> 15423 15424The lady of the caravan looked on approvingly for some time, and then 15425 15426said,<br><br> 15427 15428'Have you nearly finished?'<br><br> 15429 15430'Wery nigh, mum.' And indeed, after scraping the dish all round with 15431 15432his knife and carrying the choice brown morsels to his mouth, and after 15433 15434taking such a scientific pull at the stone bottle that, by degrees 15435 15436almost imperceptible to the sight, his head went further and further 15437 15438back until he lay nearly at his full length upon the ground, this 15439 15440gentleman declared himself quite disengaged, and came forth from his 15441 15442retreat.<br><br> 15443 15444'I hope I haven't hurried you, George,' said his mistress, who appeared 15445 15446to have a great sympathy with his late pursuit.<br><br> 15447 15448'If you have,' returned the follower, wisely reserving himself for any 15449 15450favourable contingency that might occur, 'we must make up for it next 15451 15452time, that's all.'<br><br> 15453 15454'We are not a heavy load, George?'<br><br> 15455 15456'That's always what the ladies say,' replied the man, looking a long 15457 15458way round, as if he were appealing to Nature in general against such 15459 15460monstrous propositions. 'If you see a woman a driving, you'll always 15461 15462perceive that she never will keep her whip still; the horse can't go 15463 15464fast enough for her. If cattle have got their proper load, you never 15465 15466can persuade a woman that they'll not bear something more. What is the 15467 15468cause of this here?'<br><br> 15469 15470'Would these two travellers make much difference to the horses, if we 15471 15472took them with us?' asked his mistress, offering no reply to the 15473 15474philosophical inquiry, and pointing to Nell and the old man, who were 15475 15476painfully preparing to resume their journey on foot.<br><br> 15477 15478'They'd make a difference in course,' said George doggedly.<br><br> 15479 15480'Would they make much difference?' repeated his mistress. 'They can't 15481 15482be very heavy.'<br><br> 15483 15484'The weight o' the pair, mum,' said George, eyeing them with the look 15485 15486of a man who was calculating within half an ounce or so, 'would be a 15487 15488trifle under that of Oliver Cromwell.'<br><br> 15489 15490Nell was very much surprised that the man should be so accurately 15491 15492acquainted with the weight of one whom she had read of in books as 15493 15494having lived considerably before their time, but speedily forgot the 15495 15496subject in the joy of hearing that they were to go forward in the 15497 15498caravan, for which she thanked its lady with unaffected earnestness. 15499 15500She helped with great readiness and alacrity to put away the tea-things 15501 15502and other matters that were lying about, and, the horses being by that 15503 15504time harnessed, mounted into the vehicle, followed by her delighted 15505 15506grandfather. Their patroness then shut the door and sat herself down 15507 15508by her drum at an open window; and, the steps being struck by George 15509 15510and stowed under the carriage, away they went, with a great noise of 15511 15512flapping and creaking and straining, and the bright brass knocker, 15513 15514which nobody ever knocked at, knocking one perpetual double knock of 15515 15516its own accord as they jolted heavily along.<br><br> 15517 15518CHAPTER 27<br><br> 15519 15520When they had travelled slowly forward for some short distance, Nell 15521 15522ventured to steal a look round the caravan and observe it more closely. 15523 15524One half of it--that moiety in which the comfortable proprietress was 15525 15526then seated--was carpeted, and so partitioned off at the further end as 15527 15528to accommodate a sleeping-place, constructed after the fashion of a 15529 15530berth on board ship, which was shaded, like the little windows, with 15531 15532fair white curtains, and looked comfortable enough, though by what kind 15533 15534of gymnastic exercise the lady of the caravan ever contrived to get 15535 15536into it, was an unfathomable mystery. The other half served for a 15537 15538kitchen, and was fitted up with a stove whose small chimney passed 15539 15540through the roof. It held also a closet or larder, several chests, a 15541 15542great pitcher of water, and a few cooking-utensils and articles of 15543 15544crockery. These latter necessaries hung upon the walls, which, in that 15545 15546portion of the establishment devoted to the lady of the caravan, were 15547 15548ornamented with such gayer and lighter decorations as a triangle and a 15549 15550couple of well-thumbed tambourines.<br><br> 15551 15552The lady of the caravan sat at one window in all the pride and poetry 15553 15554of the musical instruments, and little Nell and her grandfather sat at 15555 15556the other in all the humility of the kettle and saucepans, while the 15557 15558machine jogged on and shifted the darkening prospect very slowly. At 15559 15560first the two travellers spoke little, and only in whispers, but as 15561 15562they grew more familiar with the place they ventured to converse with 15563 15564greater freedom, and talked about the country through which they were 15565 15566passing, and the different objects that presented themselves, until the 15567 15568old man fell asleep; which the lady of the caravan observing, invited 15569 15570Nell to come and sit beside her.<br><br> 15571 15572'Well, child,' she said, 'how do you like this way of travelling?'<br><br> 15573 15574Nell replied that she thought it was very pleasant indeed, to which the 15575
15576lady assented in the case of people who had their spirits. For 15577 15578herself, she said, she was troubled with a lowness in that respect 15579 15580which required a constant stimulant; though whether the aforesaid 15581 15582stimulant was derived from the suspicious bottle of which mention has 15583 15584been already made or from other sources, she did not say.<br><br> 15585 15586'That's the happiness of you young people,' she continued. 'You don't 15587 15588know what it is to be low in your feelings. You always have your 15589 15590appetites too, and what a comfort that is.'<br><br> 15591 15592Nell thought that she could sometimes dispense with her own appetite 15593 15594very conveniently; and thought, moreover, that there was nothing either 15595 15596in the lady's personal appearance or in her manner of taking tea, to 15597 15598lead to the conclusion that her natural relish for meat and drink had 15599 15600at all failed her. She silently assented, however, as in duty bound, 15601 15602to what the lady had said, and waited until she should speak again.<br><br> 15603 15604Instead of speaking, however, she sat looking at the child for a long 15605 15606time in silence, and then getting up, brought out from a corner a large 15607 15608roll of canvas about a yard in width, which she laid upon the floor and 15609 15610spread open with her foot until it nearly reached from one end of the 15611 15612caravan to the other.<br><br> 15613 15614'There, child,' she said, 'read that.'<br><br> 15615 15616Nell walked down it, and read aloud, in enormous black letters, the 15617 15618inscription, 'Jarley's WAX-WORK.'<br><br> 15619 15620'Read it again,' said the lady, complacently.<br><br> 15621 15622'Jarley's Wax-Work,' repeated Nell.<br><br> 15623 15624'That's me,' said the lady. 'I am Mrs Jarley.'<br><br> 15625 15626Giving the child an encouraging look, intended to reassure her and let 15627 15628her know, that, although she stood in the presence of the original 15629 15630Jarley, she must not allow herself to be utterly overwhelmed and borne 15631 15632down, the lady of the caravan unfolded another scroll, whereon was the 15633 15634inscription, 'One hundred figures the full size of life,' and then 15635 15636another scroll, on which was written, 'The only stupendous collection 15637 15638of real wax-work in the world,' and then several smaller scrolls with 15639 15640such inscriptions as 'Now exhibiting within'--'The genuine and only 15641 15642Jarley'--'Jarley's unrivalled collection'--'Jarley is the delight of 15643 15644the Nobility and Gentry'--'The Royal Family are the patrons of Jarley.' 15645 15646When she had exhibited these leviathans of public announcement to the 15647 15648astonished child, she brought forth specimens of the lesser fry in the 15649 15650shape of hand-bills, some of which were couched in the form of parodies 15651 15652on popular melodies, as 'Believe me if all Jarley's wax-work so 15653 15654rare'--'I saw thy show in youthful prime'--'Over the water to Jarley;' 15655 15656while, to consult all tastes, others were composed with a view to the 15657 15658lighter and more facetious spirits, as a parody on the favourite air of 15659 15660'If I had a donkey,' beginning,<br><br> 15661 15662 If I know'd a donkey wot wouldn't go 15663 15664 To see Mrs JARLEY'S wax-work show, 15665 15666 Do you think I'd acknowledge him? Oh no no! 15667 15668 Then run to Jarley's--<br><br> 15669 15670--besides several compositions in prose, purporting to be dialogues 15671 15672between the Emperor of China and an oyster, or the Archbishop of 15673 15674Canterbury and a dissenter on the subject of church-rates, but all 15675 15676having the same moral, namely, that the reader must make haste to 15677 15678Jarley's, and that children and servants were admitted at half-price. 15679 15680When she had brought all these testimonials of her important position 15681 15682in society to bear upon her young companion, Mrs Jarley rolled them up, 15683 15684and having put them carefully away, sat down again, and looked at the 15685 15686child in triumph.<br><br> 15687 15688'Never go into the company of a filthy Punch any more,' said Mrs 15689 15690Jarley, 'after this.'<br><br> 15691 15692'I never saw any wax-work, ma'am,' said Nell. 'Is it funnier than 15693 15694Punch?'<br><br> 15695 15696'Funnier!' said Mrs Jarley in a shrill voice. 'It is not funny at all.'<br><br> 15697 15698'Oh!' said Nell, with all possible humility.<br><br> 15699 15700'It isn't funny at all,' repeated Mrs Jarley. 'It's calm and--what's 15701 15702that word again--critical?--no--classical, that's it--it's calm and 15703 15704classical. No low beatings and knockings about, no jokings and 15705 15706squeakings like your precious Punches, but always the same, with a 15707 15708constantly unchanging air of coldness and gentility; and so like life, 15709 15710that if wax-work only spoke and walked about, you'd hardly know the 15711 15712difference. I won't go so far as to say, that, as it is, I've seen 15713 15714wax-work quite like life, but I've certainly seen some life that was 15715 15716exactly like wax-work.'<br><br> 15717 15718'Is it here, ma'am?' asked Nell, whose curiosity was awakened by this 15719 15720description.<br><br> 15721 15722'Is what here, child?'<br><br> 15723 15724'The wax-work, ma'am.'<br><br> 15725 15726'Why, bless you, child, what are you thinking of? How could such a 15727 15728collection be here, where you see everything except the inside of one 15729 15730little cupboard and a few boxes? It's gone on in the other wans to the 15731 15732assembly-rooms, and there it'll be exhibited the day after to-morrow. 15733 15734You are going to the same town, and you'll see it I dare say. It's 15735 15736natural to expect that you'll see it, and I've no doubt you will. I 15737 15738suppose you couldn't stop away if you was to try ever so much.'<br><br> 15739 15740'I shall not be in the town, I think, ma'am,' said the child.<br><br> 15741 15742'Not there!' cried Mrs Jarley. 'Then where will you be?'<br><br> 15743 15744'I--I--don't quite know. I am not certain.'<br><br> 15745 15746'You don't mean to say that you're travelling about the country without 15747 15748knowing where you're going to?' said the lady of the caravan. 'What 15749 15750curious people you are! What line are you in? You looked to me at the 15751 15752races, child, as if you were quite out of your element, and had got 15753 15754there by accident.'<br><br> 15755 15756'We were there quite by accident,' returned Nell, confused by this 15757 15758abrupt questioning. 'We are poor people, ma'am, and are only wandering 15759 15760about. We have nothing to do;--I wish we had.'<br><br> 15761 15762'You amaze me more and more,' said Mrs Jarley, after remaining for some 15763 15764time as mute as one of her own figures. 'Why, what do you call 15765 15766yourselves? Not beggars?'<br><br> 15767
15768'Indeed, ma'am, I don't know what else we are,' returned the child.<br><br> 15769 15770'Lord bless me,' said the lady of the caravan. 'I never heard of such 15771 15772a thing. Who'd have thought it!'<br><br> 15773 15774She remained so long silent after this exclamation, that Nell feared 15775 15776she felt her having been induced to bestow her protection and 15777 15778conversation upon one so poor, to be an outrage upon her dignity that 15779 15780nothing could repair. This persuasion was rather confirmed than 15781 15782otherwise by the tone in which she at length broke silence and said,<br><br> 15783 15784'And yet you can read. And write too, I shouldn't wonder?'<br><br> 15785 15786'Yes, ma'am,' said the child, fearful of giving new offence by the 15787 15788confession.<br><br> 15789 15790'Well, and what a thing that is,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'I can't!'<br><br> 15791 15792Nell said 'indeed' in a tone which might imply, either that she was 15793 15794reasonably surprised to find the genuine and only Jarley, who was the 15795 15796delight of the Nobility and Gentry and the peculiar pet of the Royal 15797 15798Family, destitute of these familiar arts; or that she presumed so great 15799 15800a lady could scarcely stand in need of such ordinary accomplishments. 15801 15802In whatever way Mrs Jarley received the response, it did not provoke 15803 15804her to further questioning, or tempt her into any more remarks at the 15805 15806time, for she relapsed into a thoughtful silence, and remained in that 15807 15808state so long that Nell withdrew to the other window and rejoined her 15809 15810grandfather, who was now awake.<br><br> 15811 15812At length the lady of the caravan shook off her fit of meditation, and, 15813 15814summoning the driver to come under the window at which she was seated, 15815 15816held a long conversation with him in a low tone of voice, as if she 15817 15818were asking his advice on an important point, and discussing the pros 15819 15820and cons of some very weighty matter. This conference at length 15821 15822concluded, she drew in her head again, and beckoned Nell to approach.<br><br> 15823 15824'And the old gentleman too,' said Mrs Jarley; 'for I want to have a 15825 15826word with him. Do you want a good situation for your grand-daughter, 15827 15828master? If you do, I can put her in the way of getting one. What do 15829 15830you say?'<br><br> 15831 15832'I can't leave her,' answered the old man. 'We can't separate. What 15833 15834would become of me without her?'<br><br> 15835 15836'I should have thought you were old enough to take care of yourself, if 15837 15838you ever will be,' retorted Mrs Jarley sharply.<br><br> 15839 15840'But he never will be,' said the child in an earnest whisper. 'I fear 15841 15842he never will be again. Pray do not speak harshly to him. We are very 15843 15844thankful to you,' she added aloud; 'but neither of us could part from 15845 15846the other if all the wealth of the world were halved between us.'<br><br> 15847 15848Mrs Jarley was a little disconcerted by this reception of her proposal, 15849 15850and looked at the old man, who tenderly took Nell's hand and detained 15851 15852it in his own, as if she could have very well dispensed with his 15853 15854company or even his earthly existence. After an awkward pause, she 15855 15856thrust her head out of the window again, and had another conference 15857 15858with the driver upon some point on which they did not seem to agree 15859 15860quite so readily as on their former topic of discussion; but they 15861 15862concluded at last, and she addressed the grandfather again.<br><br> 15863 15864'If you're really disposed to employ yourself,' said Mrs Jarley, 'there 15865 15866would be plenty for you to do in the way of helping to dust the 15867 15868figures, and take the checks, and so forth. What I want your 15869 15870grand-daughter for, is to point 'em out to the company; they would be 15871 15872soon learnt, and she has a way with her that people wouldn't think 15873 15874unpleasant, though she does come after me; for I've been always 15875 15876accustomed to go round with visitors myself, which I should keep on 15877 15878doing now, only that my spirits make a little ease absolutely 15879 15880necessary. It's not a common offer, bear in mind,' said the lady, 15881 15882rising into the tone and manner in which she was accustomed to address 15883 15884her audiences; 'it's Jarley's wax-work, remember. The duty's very 15885 15886light and genteel, the company particularly select, the exhibition 15887 15888takes place in assembly-rooms, town-halls, large rooms at inns, or 15889 15890auction galleries. There is none of your open-air wagrancy at 15891 15892Jarley's, recollect; there is no tarpaulin and sawdust at Jarley's, 15893 15894remember. Every expectation held out in the handbills is realised to 15895 15896the utmost, and the whole forms an effect of imposing brilliancy 15897 15898hitherto unrivalled in this kingdom. Remember that the price of 15899 15900admission is only sixpence, and that this is an opportunity which may 15901 15902never occur again!'<br><br> 15903 15904Descending from the sublime when she had reached this point, to the 15905
15906details of common life, Mrs Jarley remarked that with reference to 15907 15908salary she could pledge herself to no specific sum until she had 15909 15910sufficiently tested Nell's abilities, and narrowly watched her in the 15911 15912performance of her duties. But board and lodging, both for her and her 15913 15914grandfather, she bound herself to provide, and she furthermore passed 15915 15916her word that the board should always be good in quality, and in 15917 15918quantity plentiful.<br><br> 15919 15920Nell and her grandfather consulted together, and while they were so 15921 15922engaged, Mrs Jarley with her hands behind her walked up and down the 15923 15924caravan, as she had walked after tea on the dull earth, with uncommon 15925 15926dignity and self-esteem. Nor will this appear so slight a circumstance 15927 15928as to be unworthy of mention, when it is remembered that the caravan 15929 15930was in uneasy motion all the time, and that none but a person of great 15931 15932natural stateliness and acquired grace could have forborne to stagger.<br><br> 15933 15934'Now, child?' cried Mrs Jarley, coming to a halt as Nell turned towards 15935 15936her.<br><br> 15937 15938'We are very much obliged to you, ma'am,' said Nell, 'and thankfully 15939 15940accept your offer.'<br><br> 15941 15942'And you'll never be sorry for it,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'I'm pretty 15943 15944sure of that. So as that's all settled, let us have a bit of supper.'<br><br> 15945 15946In the meanwhile, the caravan blundered on as if it too had been 15947 15948drinking strong beer and was drowsy, and came at last upon the paved 15949 15950streets of a town which were clear of passengers, and quiet, for it was 15951 15952by this time near midnight, and the townspeople were all abed. As it 15953 15954was too late an hour to repair to the exhibition room, they turned 15955 15956aside into a piece of waste ground that lay just within the old 15957 15958town-gate, and drew up there for the night, near to another caravan, 15959 15960which, notwithstanding that it bore on the lawful panel the great name 15961 15962of Jarley, and was employed besides in conveying from place to place 15963 15964the wax-work which was its country's pride, was designated by a 15965 15966grovelling stamp-office as a 'Common Stage Waggon,' and numbered 15967 15968too--seven thousand odd hundred--as though its precious freight were 15969 15970mere flour or coals!<br><br> 15971 15972This ill-used machine being empty (for it had deposited its burden at 15973 15974the place of exhibition, and lingered here until its services were 15975 15976again required) was assigned to the old man as his sleeping-place for 15977 15978the night; and within its wooden walls, Nell made him up the best bed 15979 15980she could, from the materials at hand. For herself, she was to sleep 15981 15982in Mrs Jarley's own travelling-carriage, as a signal mark of that 15983 15984lady's favour and confidence.<br><br> 15985 15986She had taken leave of her grandfather and was returning to the other 15987 15988waggon, when she was tempted by the coolness of the night to linger for 15989 15990a little while in the air. The moon was shining down upon the old 15991 15992gateway of the town, leaving the low archway very black and dark; and 15993 15994with a mingled sensation of curiosity and fear, she slowly approached 15995 15996the gate, and stood still to look up at it, wondering to see how dark, 15997 15998and grim, and old, and cold, it looked.<br><br> 15999 16000There was an empty niche from which some old statue had fallen or been 16001 16002carried away hundreds of years ago, and she was thinking what strange 16003 16004people it must have looked down upon when it stood there, and how many 16005 16006hard struggles might have taken place, and how many murders might have 16007 16008been done, upon that silent spot, when there suddenly emerged from the 16009 16010black shade of the arch, a man. The instant he appeared, she 16011 16012recognised him--Who could have failed to recognise, in that instant, 16013 16014the ugly misshapen Quilp!<br><br> 16015 16016The street beyond was so narrow, and the shadow of the houses on one 16017 16018side of the way so deep, that he seemed to have risen out of the earth. 16019 16020But there he was. The child withdrew into a dark corner, and saw him 16021 16022pass close to her. He had a stick in his hand, and, when he had got 16023 16024clear of the shadow of the gateway, he leant upon it, looked 16025 16026back--directly, as it seemed, towards where she stood--and beckoned.<br><br> 16027 16028To her? oh no, thank God, not to her; for as she stood, in an 16029 16030extremity of fear, hesitating whether to scream for help, or come from 16031 16032her hiding-place and fly, before he should draw nearer, there issued 16033 16034slowly forth from the arch another figure--that of a boy--who carried 16035 16036on his back a trunk.<br><br> 16037 16038'Faster, sirrah!' cried Quilp, looking up at the old gateway, and 16039 16040showing in the moonlight like some monstrous image that had come down 16041 16042from its niche and was casting a backward glance at its old house, 16043 16044'faster!'<br><br> 16045 16046'It's a dreadful heavy load, Sir,' the boy pleaded. 'I've come on very 16047 16048fast, considering.'<br><br> 16049 16050'YOU have come fast, considering!' retorted Quilp; 'you creep, you dog, 16051 16052you crawl, you measure distance like a worm. There are the chimes now, 16053 16054half-past twelve.'<br><br> 16055 16056He stopped to listen, and then turning upon the boy with a suddenness 16057 16058and ferocity that made him start, asked at what hour that London coach 16059 16060passed the corner of the road. The boy replied, at one.<br><br> 16061 16062'Come on then,' said Quilp, 'or I shall be too late. Faster--do you 16063 16064hear me? Faster.'<br><br> 16065 16066The boy made all the speed he could, and Quilp led onward, constantly 16067 16068turning back to threaten him, and urge him to greater haste. Nell did 16069 16070not dare to move until they were out of sight and hearing, and then 16071 16072hurried to where she had left her grandfather, feeling as if the very 16073 16074passing of the dwarf so near him must have filled him with alarm and 16075 16076terror. But he was sleeping soundly, and she softly withdrew.<br><br> 16077 16078As she was making her way to her own bed, she determined to say nothing 16079
16080of this adventure, as upon whatever errand the dwarf had come (and she 16081 16082feared it must have been in search of them) it was clear by his inquiry 16083 16084about the London coach that he was on his way homeward, and as he had 16085 16086passed through that place, it was but reasonable to suppose that they 16087 16088were safer from his inquiries there, than they could be elsewhere. 16089 16090These reflections did not remove her own alarm, for she had been too 16091 16092much terrified to be easily composed, and felt as if she were hemmed in 16093 16094by a legion of Quilps, and the very air itself were filled with them.<br><br> 16095 16096The delight of the Nobility and Gentry and the patronised of Royalty 16097 16098had, by some process of self-abridgment known only to herself, got into 16099 16100her travelling bed, where she was snoring peacefully, while the large 16101 16102bonnet, carefully disposed upon the drum, was revealing its glories by 16103 16104the light of a dim lamp that swung from the roof. The child's bed was 16105 16106already made upon the floor, and it was a great comfort to her to hear 16107 16108the steps removed as soon as she had entered, and to know that all easy 16109 16110communication between persons outside and the brass knocker was by this 16111 16112means effectually prevented. Certain guttural sounds, too, which from 16113 16114time to time ascended through the floor of the caravan, and a rustling 16115 16116of straw in the same direction, apprised her that the driver was 16117 16118couched upon the ground beneath, and gave her an additional feeling of 16119 16120security.<br><br> 16121 16122Notwithstanding these protections, she could get none but broken sleep 16123 16124by fits and starts all night, for fear of Quilp, who throughout her 16125 16126uneasy dreams was somehow connected with the wax-work, or was wax-work 16127 16128himself, or was Mrs Jarley and wax-work too, or was himself, Mrs 16129 16130Jarley, wax-work, and a barrel organ all in one, and yet not exactly 16131 16132any of them either. At length, towards break of day, that deep sleep 16133 16134came upon her which succeeds to weariness and over-watching, and which 16135 16136has no consciousness but one of overpowering and irresistible enjoyment.<br><br> 16137 16138CHAPTER 28<br><br> 16139 16140Sleep hung upon the eyelids of the child so long, that, when she awoke, 16141 16142Mrs Jarley was already decorated with her large bonnet, and actively 16143 16144engaged in preparing breakfast. She received Nell's apology for being 16145 16146so late with perfect good humour, and said that she should not have 16147 16148roused her if she had slept on until noon.<br><br> 16149 16150'Because it does you good,' said the lady of the caravan, 'when you're 16151 16152tired, to sleep as long as ever you can, and get the fatigue quite off; 16153 16154and that's another blessing of your time of life--you can sleep so very 16155 16156sound.'<br><br> 16157 16158'Have you had a bad night, ma'am?' asked Nell.<br><br> 16159 16160'I seldom have anything else, child,' replied Mrs Jarley, with the air 16161 16162of a martyr. 'I sometimes wonder how I bear it.'<br><br> 16163 16164Remembering the snores which had proceeded from that cleft in the 16165 16166caravan in which the proprietress of the wax-work passed the night, 16167 16168Nell rather thought she must have been dreaming of lying awake. 16169 16170However, she expressed herself very sorry to hear such a dismal account 16171 16172of her state of health, and shortly afterwards sat down with her 16173 16174grandfather and Mrs Jarley to breakfast. The meal finished, Nell 16175 16176assisted to wash the cups and saucers, and put them in their proper 16177 16178places, and these household duties performed, Mrs Jarley arrayed 16179 16180herself in an exceedingly bright shawl for the purpose of making a 16181 16182progress through the streets of the town.<br><br> 16183 16184'The wan will come on to bring the boxes,' said Mrs Jarley, and you had 16185 16186better come in it, child. I am obliged to walk, very much against my 16187 16188will; but the people expect it of me, and public characters can't be 16189 16190their own masters and mistresses in such matters as these. How do I 16191 16192look, child?'<br><br> 16193 16194Nell returned a satisfactory reply, and Mrs Jarley, after sticking a 16195 16196great many pins into various parts of her figure, and making several 16197 16198abortive attempts to obtain a full view of her own back, was at last 16199 16200satisfied with her appearance, and went forth majestically.<br><br> 16201 16202The caravan followed at no great distance. As it went jolting through 16203 16204the streets, Nell peeped from the window, curious to see in what kind 16205 16206of place they were, and yet fearful of encountering at every turn the 16207 16208dreaded face of Quilp. It was a pretty large town, with an open square 16209 16210which they were crawling slowly across, and in the middle of which was 16211 16212the Town-Hall, with a clock-tower and a weather-cock. There were 16213 16214houses of stone, houses of red brick, houses of yellow brick, houses of 16215 16216lath and plaster; and houses of wood, many of them very old, with 16217 16218withered faces carved upon the beams, and staring down into the street. 16219 16220These had very little winking windows, and low-arched doors, and, in 16221 16222some of the narrower ways, quite overhung the pavement. The streets 16223 16224were very clean, very sunny, very empty, and very dull. A few idle men 16225 16226lounged about the two inns, and the empty market-place, and the 16227 16228tradesmen's doors, and some old people were dozing in chairs outside an 16229 16230alms-house wall; but scarcely any passengers who seemed bent on going 16231 16232anywhere, or to have any object in view, went by; and if perchance some 16233 16234straggler did, his footsteps echoed on the hot bright pavement for 16235 16236minutes afterwards. Nothing seemed to be going on but the clocks, and 16237 16238they had such drowzy faces, such heavy lazy hands, and such cracked 16239 16240voices that they surely must have been too slow. The very dogs were 16241 16242all asleep, and the flies, drunk with moist sugar in the grocer's shop, 16243 16244forgot their wings and briskness, and baked to death in dusty corners 16245 16246of the window.<br><br> 16247 16248Rumbling along with most unwonted noise, the caravan stopped at last at 16249 16250the place of exhibition, where Nell dismounted amidst an admiring group 16251 16252of children, who evidently supposed her to be an important item of the 16253 16254curiosities, and were fully impressed with the belief that her 16255 16256grandfather was a cunning device in wax. The chests were taken out 16257 16258with all convenient despatch, and taken in to be unlocked by Mrs 16259 16260Jarley, who, attended by George and another man in velveteen shorts and 16261 16262a drab hat ornamented with turnpike tickets, were waiting to dispose 16263 16264their contents (consisting of red festoons and other ornamental devices 16265 16266in upholstery work) to the best advantage in the decoration of the room.<br><br> 16267 16268They all got to work without loss of time, and very busy they were. As 16269 16270the stupendous collection were yet concealed by cloths, lest the 16271 16272envious dust should injure their complexions, Nell bestirred herself to 16273 16274assist in the embellishment of the room, in which her grandfather also 16275 16276was of great service. The two men being well used to it, did a great 16277 16278deal in a short time; and Mrs Jarley served out the tin tacks from a 16279 16280linen pocket like a toll-collector's which she wore for the purpose, 16281 16282and encouraged her assistants to renewed exertion.<br><br> 16283 16284While they were thus employed, a tallish gentleman with a hook nose and 16285 16286black hair, dressed in a military surtout very short and tight in the 16287 16288sleeves, and which had once been frogged and braided all over, but was 16289 16290now sadly shorn of its garniture and quite threadbare--dressed too in 16291 16292ancient grey pantaloons fitting tight to the leg, and a pair of pumps 16293 16294in the winter of their existence--looked in at the door and smiled 16295 16296affably. Mrs Jarley's back being then towards him, the military 16297 16298gentleman shook his forefinger as a sign that her myrmidons were not to 16299 16300apprise her of his presence, and stealing up close behind her, tapped 16301 16302her on the neck, and cried playfully 'Boh!'<br><br> 16303 16304'What, Mr Slum!' cried the lady of the wax-work. 'Lot! who'd have 16305 16306thought of seeing you here!'<br><br> 16307 16308''Pon my soul and honour,' said Mr Slum, 'that's a good remark. 'Pon 16309 16310my soul and honour that's a wise remark. Who would have thought it! 16311 16312George, my faithful feller, how are you?'<br><br> 16313 16314George received this advance with a surly indifference, observing that 16315 16316he was well enough for the matter of that, and hammering lustily all 16317 16318the time.<br><br> 16319 16320'I came here,' said the military gentleman turning to Mrs Jarley--''pon 16321 16322my soul and honour I hardly know what I came here for. It would 16323 16324puzzle me to tell you, it would by Gad. I wanted a little inspiration, 16325 16326a little freshening up, a little change of ideas, and-- 'Pon my soul 16327 16328and honour,' said the military gentleman, checking himself and looking 16329 16330round the room, 'what a devilish classical thing this is! by Gad, it's 16331 16332quite Minervian.'<br><br> 16333 16334'It'll look well enough when it comes to be finished,' observed Mrs 16335 16336Jarley.<br><br> 16337 16338'Well enough!' said Mr Slum. 'Will you believe me when I say it's the 16339
16340delight of my life to have dabbled in poetry, when I think I've 16341 16342exercised my pen upon this charming theme? By the way--any orders? Is 16343 16344there any little thing I can do for you?'<br><br> 16345 16346'It comes so very expensive, sir,' replied Mrs Jarley, 'and I really 16347 16348don't think it does much good.'<br><br> 16349 16350'Hush! No, no!' returned Mr Slum, elevating his hand. 'No fibs. I'll 16351 16352not hear it. Don't say it don't do good. Don't say it. I know 16353 16354better!'<br><br> 16355 16356'I don't think it does,' said Mrs Jarley.<br><br> 16357 16358'Ha, ha!' cried Mr Slum, 'you're giving way, you're coming down. Ask 16359 16360the perfumers, ask the blacking-makers, ask the hatters, ask the old 16361 16362lottery-office-keepers--ask any man among 'em what my poetry has done 16363 16364for him, and mark my words, he blesses the name of Slum. If he's an 16365 16366honest man, he raises his eyes to heaven, and blesses the name of 16367 16368Slum--mark that! You are acquainted with Westminster Abbey, Mrs 16369 16370Jarley?'<br><br> 16371 16372'Yes, surely.'<br><br> 16373 16374'Then upon my soul and honour, ma'am, you'll find in a certain angle of 16375 16376that dreary pile, called Poets' Corner, a few smaller names than Slum,' 16377 16378retorted that gentleman, tapping himself expressively on the forehead 16379
16380to imply that there was some slight quantity of brain behind it. 'I've 16381 16382got a little trifle here, now,' said Mr Slum, taking off his hat which 16383 16384was full of scraps of paper, 'a little trifle here, thrown off in the 16385 16386heat of the moment, which I should say was exactly the thing you wanted 16387 16388to set this place on fire with. It's an acrostic--the name at this 16389 16390moment is Warren, and the idea's a convertible one, and a positive 16391 16392inspiration for Jarley. Have the acrostic.'<br><br> 16393 16394'I suppose it's very dear,' said Mrs Jarley.<br><br> 16395 16396'Five shillings,' returned Mr Slum, using his pencil as a toothpick. 16397 16398'Cheaper than any prose.'<br><br> 16399 16400'I couldn't give more than three,' said Mrs Jarley.<br><br> 16401 16402'--And six,' retorted Slum. 'Come. Three-and-six.'<br><br> 16403 16404Mrs Jarley was not proof against the poet's insinuating manner, and Mr 16405 16406Slum entered the order in a small note-book as a three-and-sixpenny 16407 16408one. Mr Slum then withdrew to alter the acrostic, after taking a most 16409 16410affectionate leave of his patroness, and promising to return, as soon 16411 16412as he possibly could, with a fair copy for the printer.<br><br> 16413 16414As his presence had not interfered with or interrupted the 16415 16416preparations, they were now far advanced, and were completed shortly 16417 16418after his departure. When the festoons were all put up as tastily as 16419 16420they might be, the stupendous collection was uncovered, and there were 16421 16422displayed, on a raised platform some two feet from the floor, running 16423 16424round the room and parted from the rude public by a crimson rope breast 16425 16426high, divers sprightly effigies of celebrated characters, singly and in 16427 16428groups, clad in glittering dresses of various climes and times, and 16429 16430standing more or less unsteadily upon their legs, with their eyes very 16431 16432wide open, and their nostrils very much inflated, and the muscles of 16433 16434their legs and arms very strongly developed, and all their countenances 16435 16436expressing great surprise. All the gentlemen were very pigeon-breasted 16437 16438and very blue about the beards; and all the ladies were miraculous 16439 16440figures; and all the ladies and all the gentlemen were looking 16441 16442intensely nowhere, and staring with extraordinary earnestness at 16443 16444nothing.<br><br> 16445 16446When Nell had exhausted her first raptures at this glorious sight, Mrs 16447 16448Jarley ordered the room to be cleared of all but herself and the child, 16449 16450and, sitting herself down in an arm-chair in the centre, formally 16451 16452invested Nell with a willow wand, long used by herself for pointing out 16453 16454the characters, and was at great pains to instruct her in her duty.<br><br> 16455 16456'That,' said Mrs Jarley in her exhibition tone, as Nell touched a 16457 16458figure at the beginning of the platform, 'is an unfortunate Maid of 16459 16460Honour in the Time of Queen Elizabeth, who died from pricking her 16461 16462finger in consequence of working upon a Sunday. Observe the blood 16463 16464which is trickling from her finger; also the gold-eyed needle of the 16465 16466period, with which she is at work.'<br><br> 16467 16468All this, Nell repeated twice or thrice: pointing to the finger and the 16469 16470needle at the right times: and then passed on to the next.<br><br> 16471 16472'That, ladies and gentlemen,' said Mrs Jarley, 'is Jasper Packlemerton 16473 16474of atrocious memory, who courted and married fourteen wives, and 16475 16476destroyed them all, by tickling the soles of their feet when they were 16477 16478sleeping in the consciousness of innocence and virtue. On being 16479 16480brought to the scaffold and asked if he was sorry for what he had done, 16481 16482he replied yes, he was sorry for having let 'em off so easy, and hoped 16483 16484all Christian husbands would pardon him the offence. Let this be a 16485 16486warning to all young ladies to be particular in the character of the 16487 16488gentlemen of their choice. Observe that his fingers are curled as if 16489 16490in the act of tickling, and that his face is represented with a wink, 16491 16492as he appeared when committing his barbarous murders.'<br><br> 16493 16494When Nell knew all about Mr Packlemerton, and could say it without 16495 16496faltering, Mrs Jarley passed on to the fat man, and then to the thin 16497 16498man, the tall man, the short man, the old lady who died of dancing at a 16499 16500hundred and thirty-two, the wild boy of the woods, the woman who 16501 16502poisoned fourteen families with pickled walnuts, and other historical 16503 16504characters and interesting but misguided individuals. And so well did 16505 16506Nell profit by her instructions, and so apt was she to remember them, 16507 16508that by the time they had been shut up together for a couple of hours, 16509 16510she was in full possession of the history of the whole establishment, 16511 16512and perfectly competent to the enlightenment of visitors.<br><br> 16513 16514Mrs Jarley was not slow to express her admiration at this happy result, 16515 16516and carried her young friend and pupil to inspect the remaining 16517 16518arrangements within doors, by virtue of which the passage had been 16519 16520already converted into a grove of green-baize hung with the inscription 16521 16522she had already seen (Mr Slum's productions), and a highly ornamented 16523 16524table placed at the upper end for Mrs Jarley herself, at which she was 16525 16526to preside and take the money, in company with his Majesty King George 16527 16528the Third, Mr Grimaldi as clown, Mary Queen of Scots, an anonymous 16529 16530gentleman of the Quaker persuasion, and Mr Pitt holding in his hand a 16531 16532correct model of the bill for the imposition of the window duty. The 16533 16534preparations without doors had not been neglected either; a nun of 16535 16536great personal attractions was telling her beads on the little portico 16537 16538over the door; and a brigand with the blackest possible head of hair, 16539 16540and the clearest possible complexion, was at that moment going round 16541 16542the town in a cart, consulting the miniature of a lady.<br><br> 16543 16544It now only remained that Mr Slum's compositions should be judiciously 16545 16546distributed; that the pathetic effusions should find their way to all 16547 16548private houses and tradespeople; and that the parody commencing 'If I 16549 16550know'd a donkey,' should be confined to the taverns, and circulated 16551 16552only among the lawyers' clerks and choice spirits of the place. When 16553 16554this had been done, and Mrs Jarley had waited upon the boarding-schools 16555 16556in person, with a handbill composed expressly for them, in which it was 16557 16558distinctly proved that wax-work refined the mind, cultivated the taste, 16559 16560and enlarged the sphere of the human understanding, that indefatigable 16561 16562lady sat down to dinner, and drank out of the suspicious bottle to a 16563 16564flourishing campaign.<br><br> 16565 16566CHAPTER 29<br><br> 16567 16568Unquestionably Mrs Jarley had an inventive genius. In the midst of the 16569 16570various devices for attracting visitors to the exhibition, little Nell 16571 16572was not forgotten. The light cart in which the Brigand usually made 16573 16574his perambulations being gaily dressed with flags and streamers, and 16575 16576the Brigand placed therein, contemplating the miniature of his beloved 16577 16578as usual, Nell was accommodated with a seat beside him, decorated with 16579 16580artificial flowers, and in this state and ceremony rode slowly through 16581 16582the town every morning, dispersing handbills from a basket, to the 16583 16584sound of drum and trumpet. The beauty of the child, coupled with her 16585 16586gentle and timid bearing, produced quite a sensation in the little 16587 16588country place. The Brigand, heretofore a source of exclusive interest 16589 16590in the streets, became a mere secondary consideration, and to be 16591 16592important only as a part of the show of which she was the chief 16593 16594attraction. Grown-up folks began to be interested in the bright-eyed 16595 16596girl, and some score of little boys fell desperately in love, and 16597 16598constantly left enclosures of nuts and apples, directed in small-text, 16599 16600at the wax-work door.<br><br> 16601 16602This desirable impression was not lost on Mrs Jarley, who, lest Nell 16603 16604should become too cheap, soon sent the Brigand out alone again, and 16605 16606kept her in the exhibition room, where she described the figures every 16607 16608half-hour to the great satisfaction of admiring audiences. And these 16609 16610audiences were of a very superior description, including a great many 16611 16612young ladies' boarding-schools, whose favour Mrs Jarley had been at 16613 16614great pains to conciliate, by altering the face and costume of Mr 16615 16616Grimaldi as clown to represent Mr Lindley Murray as he appeared when 16617 16618engaged in the composition of his English Grammar, and turning a 16619 16620murderess of great renown into Mrs Hannah More--both of which 16621 16622likenesses were admitted by Miss Monflathers, who was at the head of 16623 16624the head Boarding and Day Establishment in the town, and who 16625 16626condescended to take a Private View with eight chosen young ladies, to 16627 16628be quite startling from their extreme correctness. Mr Pitt in a 16629 16630nightcap and bedgown, and without his boots, represented the poet 16631 16632Cowper with perfect exactness; and Mary Queen of Scots in a dark wig, 16633
16634white shirt-collar, and male attire, was such a complete image of Lord 16635 16636Byron that the young ladies quite screamed when they saw it. Miss 16637 16638Monflathers, however, rebuked this enthusiasm, and took occasion to 16639 16640reprove Mrs Jarley for not keeping her collection more select: 16641 16642observing that His Lordship had held certain opinions quite 16643 16644incompatible with wax-work honours, and adding something about a Dean 16645 16646and Chapter, which Mrs Jarley did not understand.<br><br> 16647 16648Although her duties were sufficiently laborious, Nell found in the lady 16649 16650of the caravan a very kind and considerate person, who had not only a 16651 16652peculiar relish for being comfortable herself, but for making everybody 16653 16654about her comfortable also; which latter taste, it may be remarked, is, 16655 16656even in persons who live in much finer places than caravans, a far more 16657 16658rare and uncommon one than the first, and is not by any means its 16659 16660necessary consequence. As her popularity procured her various little 16661 16662fees from the visitors on which her patroness never demanded any toll, 16663 16664and as her grandfather too was well-treated and useful, she had no 16665 16666cause of anxiety in connexion with the wax-work, beyond that which 16667 16668sprung from her recollection of Quilp, and her fears that he might 16669 16670return and one day suddenly encounter them.<br><br> 16671 16672Quilp indeed was a perpetual night-mare to the child, who was 16673 16674constantly haunted by a vision of his ugly face and stunted figure. 16675 16676She slept, for their better security, in the room where the wax-work 16677 16678figures were, and she never retired to this place at night but she 16679 16680tortured herself--she could not help it--with imagining a resemblance, 16681 16682in some one or other of their death-like faces, to the dwarf, and this 16683 16684fancy would sometimes so gain upon her that she would almost believe he 16685 16686had removed the figure and stood within the clothes. Then there were 16687 16688so many of them with their great glassy eyes--and, as they stood one 16689 16690behind the other all about her bed, they looked so like living 16691 16692creatures, and yet so unlike in their grim stillness and silence, that 16693 16694she had a kind of terror of them for their own sakes, and would often 16695 16696lie watching their dusky figures until she was obliged to rise and 16697 16698light a candle, or go and sit at the open window and feel a 16699 16700companionship in the bright stars. At these times, she would recall 16701 16702the old house and the window at which she used to sit alone; and then 16703 16704she would think of poor Kit and all his kindness, until the tears came 16705 16706into her eyes, and she would weep and smile together.<br><br> 16707 16708Often and anxiously at this silent hour, her thoughts reverted to her 16709 16710grandfather, and she would wonder how much he remembered of their 16711 16712former life, and whether he was ever really mindful of the change in 16713 16714their condition and of their late helplessness and destitution. When 16715 16716they were wandering about, she seldom thought of this, but now she 16717 16718could not help considering what would become of them if he fell sick, 16719 16720or her own strength were to fail her. He was very patient and willing, 16721 16722happy to execute any little task, and glad to be of use; but he was in 16723 16724the same listless state, with no prospect of improvement--a mere 16725 16726child--a poor, thoughtless, vacant creature--a harmless fond old man, 16727 16728susceptible of tender love and regard for her, and of pleasant and 16729 16730painful impressions, but alive to nothing more. It made her very sad 16731 16732to know that this was so--so sad to see it that sometimes when he sat 16733 16734idly by, smiling and nodding to her when she looked round, or when he 16735 16736caressed some little child and carried it to and fro, as he was fond of 16737 16738doing by the hour together, perplexed by its simple questions, yet 16739 16740patient under his own infirmity, and seeming almost conscious of it 16741 16742too, and humbled even before the mind of an infant--so sad it made her 16743 16744to see him thus, that she would burst into tears, and, withdrawing into 16745 16746some secret place, fall down upon her knees and pray that he might be 16747 16748restored.<br><br> 16749 16750But, the bitterness of her grief was not in beholding him in this 16751 16752condition, when he was at least content and tranquil, nor in her 16753 16754solitary meditations on his altered state, though these were trials for 16755
16756a young heart. Cause for deeper and heavier sorrow was yet to come.<br><br> 16757 16758One evening, a holiday night with them, Nell and her grandfather went 16759 16760out to walk. They had been rather closely confined for some days, and 16761 16762the weather being warm, they strolled a long distance. Clear of the 16763 16764town, they took a footpath which struck through some pleasant fields, 16765 16766judging that it would terminate in the road they quitted and enable 16767 16768them to return that way. It made, however, a much wider circuit than 16769 16770they had supposed, and thus they were tempted onward until sunset, when 16771 16772they reached the track of which they were in search, and stopped to 16773 16774rest.<br><br> 16775 16776It had been gradually getting overcast, and now the sky was dark and 16777 16778lowering, save where the glory of the departing sun piled up masses of 16779 16780gold and burning fire, decaying embers of which gleamed here and there 16781 16782through the black veil, and shone redly down upon the earth. The wind 16783 16784began to moan in hollow murmurs, as the sun went down carrying glad day 16785 16786elsewhere; and a train of dull clouds coming up against it, menaced 16787 16788thunder and lightning. Large drops of rain soon began to fall, and, as 16789 16790the storm clouds came sailing onward, others supplied the void they 16791 16792left behind and spread over all the sky. Then was heard the low 16793 16794rumbling of distant thunder, then the lightning quivered, and then the 16795 16796darkness of an hour seemed to have gathered in an instant.<br><br> 16797 16798Fearful of taking shelter beneath a tree or hedge, the old man and the 16799 16800child hurried along the high road, hoping to find some house in which 16801 16802they could seek a refuge from the storm, which had now burst forth in 16803 16804earnest, and every moment increased in violence. Drenched with the 16805 16806pelting rain, confused by the deafening thunder, and bewildered by the 16807 16808glare of the forked lightning, they would have passed a solitary house 16809 16810without being aware of its vicinity, had not a man, who was standing at 16811 16812the door, called lustily to them to enter.<br><br> 16813 16814'Your ears ought to be better than other folks' at any rate, if you 16815 16816make so little of the chance of being struck blind,' he said, 16817 16818retreating from the door and shading his eyes with his hands as the 16819 16820jagged lightning came again. 'What were you going past for, eh?' he 16821 16822added, as he closed the door and led the way along a passage to a room 16823 16824behind.<br><br> 16825 16826'We didn't see the house, sir, till we heard you calling,' Nell replied.<br><br> 16827 16828'No wonder,' said the man, 'with this lightning in one's eyes, 16829 16830by-the-by. You had better stand by the fire here, and dry yourselves a 16831 16832bit. You can call for what you like if you want anything. If you 16833 16834don't want anything, you are not obliged to give an order. Don't be 16835 16836afraid of that. This is a public-house, that's all. The Valiant 16837 16838Soldier is pretty well known hereabouts.'<br><br> 16839 16840'Is this house called the Valiant Soldier, Sir?' asked Nell.<br><br> 16841 16842'I thought everybody knew that,' replied the landlord. 'Where have you 16843 16844come from, if you don't know the Valiant Soldier as well as the church 16845 16846catechism? This is the Valiant Soldier, by James Groves--Jem 16847 16848Groves--honest Jem Groves, as is a man of unblemished moral character, 16849 16850and has a good dry skittle-ground. If any man has got anything to say 16851 16852again Jem Groves, let him say it TO Jem Groves, and Jem Groves can 16853 16854accommodate him with a customer on any terms from four pound a side to 16855 16856forty.<br><br> 16857 16858With these words, the speaker tapped himself on the waistcoat to 16859 16860intimate that he was the Jem Groves so highly eulogized; sparred 16861 16862scientifically at a counterfeit Jem Groves, who was sparring at society 16863 16864in general from a black frame over the chimney-piece; and, applying a 16865 16866half-emptied glass of spirits and water to his lips, drank Jem Groves's 16867 16868health.<br><br> 16869 16870The night being warm, there was a large screen drawn across the room, 16871 16872for a barrier against the heat of the fire. It seemed as if somebody 16873 16874on the other side of this screen had been insinuating doubts of Mr 16875 16876Groves's prowess, and had thereby given rise to these egotistical 16877 16878expressions, for Mr Groves wound up his defiance by giving a loud knock 16879 16880upon it with his knuckles and pausing for a reply from the other side.<br><br> 16881 16882'There an't many men,' said Mr Groves, no answer being returned, 'who 16883 16884would ventur' to cross Jem Groves under his own roof. There's only one 16885 16886man, I know, that has nerve enough for that, and that man's not a 16887 16888hundred mile from here neither. But he's worth a dozen men, and I let 16889 16890him say of me whatever he likes in consequence--he knows that.'<br><br> 16891 16892In return for this complimentary address, a very gruff hoarse voice 16893 16894bade Mr Groves 'hold his noise and light a candle.' And the same voice 16895 16896remarked that the same gentleman 'needn't waste his breath in brag, for 16897 16898most people knew pretty well what sort of stuff he was made of.'<br><br> 16899 16900'Nell, they're--they're playing cards,' whispered the old man, suddenly 16901 16902interested. 'Don't you hear them?'<br><br> 16903 16904'Look sharp with that candle,' said the voice; 'it's as much as I can 16905 16906do to see the pips on the cards as it is; and get this shutter closed 16907 16908as quick as you can, will you? Your beer will be the worse for 16909 16910to-night's thunder I expect.--Game! Seven-and-sixpence to me, old 16911 16912Isaac. Hand over.'<br><br> 16913 16914'Do you hear, Nell, do you hear them?' whispered the old man again, 16915 16916with increased earnestness, as the money chinked upon the table.<br><br> 16917 16918'I haven't seen such a storm as this,' said a sharp cracked voice of 16919 16920most disagreeable quality, when a tremendous peal of thunder had died 16921 16922away, 'since the night when old Luke Withers won thirteen times running 16923 16924on the red. We all said he had the Devil's luck and his own, and as it 16925 16926was the kind of night for the Devil to be out and busy, I suppose he 16927 16928was looking over his shoulder, if anybody could have seen him.'<br><br> 16929 16930'Ah!' returned the gruff voice; 'for all old Luke's winning through 16931 16932thick and thin of late years, I remember the time when he was the 16933 16934unluckiest and unfortunatest of men. He never took a dice-box in his 16935 16936hand, or held a card, but he was plucked, pigeoned, and cleaned out 16937 16938completely.'<br><br> 16939 16940'Do you hear what he says?' whispered the old man. 'Do you hear that, 16941 16942Nell?'<br><br> 16943 16944The child saw with astonishment and alarm that his whole appearance had 16945 16946undergone a complete change. His face was flushed and eager, his eyes 16947 16948were strained, his teeth set, his breath came short and thick, and the 16949 16950hand he laid upon her arm trembled so violently that she shook beneath 16951 16952its grasp.<br><br> 16953 16954'Bear witness,' he muttered, looking upward, 'that I always said it; 16955 16956that I knew it, dreamed of it, felt it was the truth, and that it must 16957 16958be so! What money have we, Nell? Come! I saw you with money 16959 16960yesterday. What money have we? Give it to me.'<br><br> 16961 16962'No, no, let me keep it, grandfather,' said the frightened child. 'Let 16963 16964us go away from here. Do not mind the rain. Pray let us go.'<br><br> 16965 16966'Give it to me, I say,' returned the old man fiercely. 'Hush, hush, 16967
16968don't cry, Nell. If I spoke sharply, dear, I didn't mean it. It's for 16969 16970thy good. I have wronged thee, Nell, but I will right thee yet, I will 16971 16972indeed. Where is the money?'<br><br> 16973 16974'Do not take it,' said the child. 'Pray do not take it, dear. For 16975 16976both our sakes let me keep it, or let me throw it away--better let me 16977 16978throw it away, than you take it now. Let us go; do let us go.'<br><br> 16979 16980'Give me the money,' returned the old man, 'I must have it. 16981 16982There--there--that's my dear Nell. I'll right thee one day, child, 16983 16984I'll right thee, never fear!'<br><br> 16985 16986She took from her pocket a little purse. He seized it with the same 16987 16988rapid impatience which had characterised his speech, and hastily made 16989 16990his way to the other side of the screen. It was impossible to restrain 16991 16992him, and the trembling child followed close behind.<br><br> 16993 16994The landlord had placed a light upon the table, and was engaged in 16995 16996drawing the curtain of the window. The speakers whom they had heard 16997 16998were two men, who had a pack of cards and some silver money between 16999 17000them, while upon the screen itself the games they had played were 17001 17002scored in chalk. The man with the rough voice was a burly fellow of 17003 17004middle age, with large black whiskers, broad cheeks, a coarse wide 17005 17006mouth, and bull neck, which was pretty freely displayed as his shirt 17007 17008collar was only confined by a loose red neckerchief. He wore his hat, 17009 17010which was of a brownish-white, and had beside him a thick knotted 17011 17012stick. The other man, whom his companion had called Isaac, was of a 17013 17014more slender figure--stooping, and high in the shoulders--with a very 17015 17016ill-favoured face, and a most sinister and villainous squint.<br><br> 17017 17018'Now old gentleman,' said Isaac, looking round. 'Do you know either of 17019 17020us? This side of the screen is private, sir.'<br><br> 17021 17022'No offence, I hope,' returned the old man.<br><br> 17023 17024'But by G--, sir, there is offence,' said the other, interrupting him, 17025 17026'when you intrude yourself upon a couple of gentlemen who are 17027 17028particularly engaged.'<br><br> 17029 17030'I had no intention to offend,' said the old man, looking anxiously at 17031 17032the cards. 'I thought that--'<br><br> 17033 17034'But you had no right to think, sir,' retorted the other. 'What the 17035 17036devil has a man at your time of life to do with thinking?'<br><br> 17037 17038'Now bully boy,' said the stout man, raising his eyes from his cards 17039 17040for the first time, 'can't you let him speak?'<br><br> 17041 17042The landlord, who had apparently resolved to remain neutral until he 17043 17044knew which side of the question the stout man would espouse, chimed in 17045 17046at this place with 'Ah, to be sure, can't you let him speak, Isaac 17047 17048List?'<br><br> 17049 17050'Can't I let him speak,' sneered Isaac in reply, mimicking as nearly as 17051 17052he could, in his shrill voice, the tones of the landlord. 'Yes, I can 17053 17054let him speak, Jemmy Groves.'<br><br> 17055 17056'Well then, do it, will you?' said the landlord.<br><br> 17057 17058Mr List's squint assumed a portentous character, which seemed to 17059 17060threaten a prolongation of this controversy, when his companion, who 17061 17062had been looking sharply at the old man, put a timely stop to it.<br><br> 17063 17064'Who knows,' said he, with a cunning look, 'but the gentleman may have 17065 17066civilly meant to ask if he might have the honour to take a hand with 17067 17068us!'<br><br> 17069 17070'I did mean it,' cried the old man. 'That is what I mean. That is 17071 17072what I want now!'<br><br> 17073 17074'I thought so,' returned the same man. 'Then who knows but the 17075 17076gentleman, anticipating our objection to play for love, civilly desired 17077 17078to play for money?'<br><br> 17079 17080The old man replied by shaking the little purse in his eager hand, and 17081 17082then throwing it down upon the table, and gathering up the cards as a 17083 17084miser would clutch at gold.<br><br> 17085 17086'Oh! That indeed,' said Isaac; 'if that's what the gentleman meant, I 17087 17088beg the gentleman's pardon. Is this the gentleman's little purse? A 17089 17090very pretty little purse. Rather a light purse,' added Isaac, throwing 17091 17092it into the air and catching it dexterously, 'but enough to amuse a 17093 17094gentleman for half an hour or so.'<br><br> 17095 17096'We'll make a four-handed game of it, and take in Groves,' said the 17097 17098stout man. 'Come, Jemmy.'<br><br> 17099 17100The landlord, who conducted himself like one who was well used to such 17101 17102little parties, approached the table and took his seat. The child, in 17103 17104a perfect agony, drew her grandfather aside, and implored him, even 17105 17106then, to come away.<br><br> 17107 17108'Come; and we may be so happy,' said the child.<br><br> 17109 17110'We WILL be happy,' replied the old man hastily. 'Let me go, Nell. 17111 17112The means of happiness are on the cards and the dice. We must rise 17113 17114from little winnings to great. There's little to be won here; but 17115 17116great will come in time. I shall but win back my own, and it's all for 17117 17118thee, my darling.'<br><br> 17119 17120'God help us!' cried the child. 'Oh! what hard fortune brought us 17121 17122here?'<br><br> 17123 17124'Hush!' rejoined the old man laying his hand upon her mouth, 'Fortune 17125 17126will not bear chiding. We must not reproach her, or she shuns us; I 17127 17128have found that out.'<br><br> 17129 17130'Now, mister,' said the stout man. 'If you're not coming yourself, 17131 17132give us the cards, will you?'<br><br> 17133 17134'I am coming,' cried the old man. 'Sit thee down, Nell, sit thee down 17135 17136and look on. Be of good heart, it's all for thee--all--every penny. 17137 17138I don't tell them, no, no, or else they wouldn't play, dreading the 17139 17140chance that such a cause must give me. Look at them. See what they 17141 17142are and what thou art. Who doubts that we must win!'<br><br> 17143 17144'The gentleman has thought better of it, and isn't coming,' said Isaac, 17145 17146making as though he would rise from the table. 'I'm sorry the 17147 17148gentleman's daunted--nothing venture, nothing have--but the gentleman 17149 17150knows best.'<br><br> 17151 17152'Why I am ready. You have all been slow but me,' said the old man. 'I 17153 17154wonder who is more anxious to begin than I.'<br><br> 17155 17156As he spoke he drew a chair to the table; and the other three closing 17157 17158round it at the same time, the game commenced.<br><br> 17159 17160The child sat by, and watched its progress with a troubled mind. 17161 17162Regardless of the run of luck, and mindful only of the desperate 17163 17164passion which had its hold upon her grandfather, losses and gains were 17165 17166to her alike. Exulting in some brief triumph, or cast down by a 17167 17168defeat, there he sat so wild and restless, so feverishly and intensely 17169 17170anxious, so terribly eager, so ravenous for the paltry stakes, that she 17171 17172could have almost better borne to see him dead. And yet she was the 17173 17174innocent cause of all this torture, and he, gambling with such a savage 17175 17176thirst for gain as the most insatiable gambler never felt, had not one 17177 17178selfish thought!<br><br> 17179
17180On the contrary, the other three--knaves and gamesters by their 17181 17182trade--while intent upon their game, were yet as cool and quiet as if 17183 17184every virtue had been centered in their breasts. Sometimes one would 17185 17186look up to smile to another, or to snuff the feeble candle, or to 17187 17188glance at the lightning as it shot through the open window and 17189 17190fluttering curtain, or to listen to some louder peal of thunder than 17191 17192the rest, with a kind of momentary impatience, as if it put him out; 17193 17194but there they sat, with a calm indifference to everything but their 17195 17196cards, perfect philosophers in appearance, and with no greater show of 17197 17198passion or excitement than if they had been made of stone.<br><br> 17199 17200The storm had raged for full three hours; the lightning had grown 17201 17202fainter and less frequent; the thunder, from seeming to roll and break 17203 17204above their heads, had gradually died away into a deep hoarse distance; 17205 17206and still the game went on, and still the anxious child was quite 17207 17208forgotten.<br><br> 17209 17210CHAPTER 30<br><br> 17211 17212At length the play came to an end, and Mr Isaac List rose the only 17213 17214winner. Mat and the landlord bore their losses with professional 17215 17216fortitude. Isaac pocketed his gains with the air of a man who had 17217 17218quite made up his mind to win, all along, and was neither surprised nor 17219 17220pleased.<br><br> 17221 17222Nell's little purse was exhausted; but although it lay empty by his 17223 17224side, and the other players had now risen from the table, the old man 17225 17226sat poring over the cards, dealing them as they had been dealt before, 17227 17228and turning up the different hands to see what each man would have held 17229 17230if they had still been playing. He was quite absorbed in this 17231 17232occupation, when the child drew near and laid her hand upon his 17233 17234shoulder, telling him it was near midnight.<br><br> 17235 17236'See the curse of poverty, Nell,' he said, pointing to the packs he had 17237 17238spread out upon the table. 'If I could have gone on a little longer, 17239 17240only a little longer, the luck would have turned on my side. Yes, it's 17241 17242as plain as the marks upon the cards. See here--and there--and here 17243 17244again.'<br><br> 17245 17246'Put them away,' urged the child. 'Try to forget them.'<br><br> 17247 17248'Try to forget them!' he rejoined, raising his haggard face to hers, 17249 17250and regarding her with an incredulous stare. 'To forget them! How are 17251 17252we ever to grow rich if I forget them?'<br><br> 17253 17254The child could only shake her head.<br><br> 17255 17256'No, no, Nell,' said the old man, patting her cheek; 'they must not be 17257 17258forgotten. We must make amends for this as soon as we can. 17259 17260Patience--patience, and we'll right thee yet, I promise thee. Lose 17261 17262to-day, win to-morrow. And nothing can be won without anxiety and 17263 17264care--nothing. Come, I am ready.'<br><br> 17265 17266'Do you know what the time is?' said Mr Groves, who was smoking with 17267 17268his friends. 'Past twelve o'clock--'<br><br> 17269 17270'--And a rainy night,' added the stout man.<br><br> 17271 17272'The Valiant Soldier, by James Groves. Good beds. Cheap entertainment 17273 17274for man and beast,' said Mr Groves, quoting his sign-board. 'Half-past 17275 17276twelve o'clock.'<br><br> 17277 17278'It's very late,' said the uneasy child. 'I wish we had gone before. 17279 17280What will they think of us! It will be two o'clock by the time we get 17281 17282back. What would it cost, sir, if we stopped here?'<br><br> 17283 17284'Two good beds, one-and-sixpence; supper and beer one shilling; total 17285 17286two shillings and sixpence,' replied the Valiant Soldier.<br><br> 17287 17288Now, Nell had still the piece of gold sewn in her dress; and when she 17289 17290came to consider the lateness of the hour, and the somnolent habits of 17291 17292Mrs Jarley, and to imagine the state of consternation in which they 17293 17294would certainly throw that good lady by knocking her up in the middle 17295 17296of the night--and when she reflected, on the other hand, that if they 17297 17298remained where they were, and rose early in the morning, they might get 17299 17300back before she awoke, and could plead the violence of the storm by 17301 17302which they had been overtaken, as a good apology for their absence--she 17303 17304decided, after a great deal of hesitation, to remain. She therefore 17305 17306took her grandfather aside, and telling him that she had still enough 17307 17308left to defray the cost of their lodging, proposed that they should 17309 17310stay there for the night.<br><br> 17311 17312'If I had had but that money before--If I had only known of it a few 17313 17314minutes ago!' muttered the old man.<br><br> 17315 17316'We will decide to stop here if you please,' said Nell, turning hastily 17317 17318to the landlord.<br><br> 17319 17320'I think that's prudent,' returned Mr Groves. 'You shall have your 17321 17322suppers directly.'<br><br> 17323 17324Accordingly, when Mr Groves had smoked his pipe out, knocked out the 17325 17326ashes, and placed it carefully in a corner of the fire-place, with the 17327 17328bowl downwards, he brought in the bread and cheese, and beer, with many 17329 17330high encomiums upon their excellence, and bade his guests fall to, and 17331 17332make themselves at home. Nell and her grandfather ate sparingly, for 17333 17334both were occupied with their own reflections; the other gentlemen, for 17335 17336whose constitutions beer was too weak and tame a liquid, consoled 17337 17338themselves with spirits and tobacco.<br><br> 17339 17340As they would leave the house very early in the morning, the child was 17341 17342anxious to pay for their entertainment before they retired to bed. But 17343 17344as she felt the necessity of concealing her little hoard from her 17345 17346grandfather, and had to change the piece of gold, she took it secretly 17347 17348from its place of concealment, and embraced an opportunity of following 17349 17350the landlord when he went out of the room, and tendered it to him in 17351 17352the little bar.<br><br> 17353 17354'Will you give me the change here, if you please?' said the child.<br><br> 17355
17356Mr James Groves was evidently surprised, and looked at the money, and 17357 17358rang it, and looked at the child, and at the money again, as though he 17359 17360had a mind to inquire how she came by it. The coin being genuine, 17361 17362however, and changed at his house, he probably felt, like a wise 17363 17364landlord, that it was no business of his. At any rate, he counted out 17365 17366the change, and gave it her. The child was returning to the room where 17367 17368they had passed the evening, when she fancied she saw a figure just 17369 17370gliding in at the door. There was nothing but a long dark passage 17371 17372between this door and the place where she had changed the money, and, 17373 17374being very certain that no person had passed in or out while she stood 17375 17376there, the thought struck her that she had been watched.<br><br> 17377 17378But by whom? When she re-entered the room, she found its inmates 17379 17380exactly as she had left them. The stout fellow lay upon two chairs, 17381 17382resting his head on his hand, and the squinting man reposed in a 17383 17384similar attitude on the opposite side of the table. Between them sat 17385 17386her grandfather, looking intently at the winner with a kind of hungry 17387 17388admiration, and hanging upon his words as if he were some superior 17389 17390being. She was puzzled for a moment, and looked round to see if any 17391 17392else were there. No. Then she asked her grandfather in a whisper 17393 17394whether anybody had left the room while she was absent. 'No,' he said, 17395 17396'nobody.'<br><br> 17397 17398It must have been her fancy then; and yet it was strange, that, without 17399 17400anything in her previous thoughts to lead to it, she should have 17401 17402imagined this figure so very distinctly. She was still wondering and 17403 17404thinking of it, when a girl came to light her to bed.<br><br> 17405 17406The old man took leave of the company at the same time, and they went 17407 17408up stairs together. It was a great, rambling house, with dull 17409 17410corridors and wide staircases which the flaring candles seemed to make 17411 17412more gloomy. She left her grandfather in his chamber, and followed her 17413 17414guide to another, which was at the end of a passage, and approached by 17415 17416some half-dozen crazy steps. This was prepared for her. The girl 17417 17418lingered a little while to talk, and tell her grievances. She had not 17419 17420a good place, she said; the wages were low, and the work was hard. She 17421 17422was going to leave it in a fortnight; the child couldn't recommend her 17423 17424to another, she supposed? Instead she was afraid another would be 17425 17426difficult to get after living there, for the house had a very 17427 17428indifferent character; there was far too much card-playing, and such 17429 17430like. She was very much mistaken if some of the people who came there 17431 17432oftenest were quite as honest as they might be, but she wouldn't have 17433 17434it known that she had said so, for the world. Then there were some 17435 17436rambling allusions to a rejected sweetheart, who had threatened to go a 17437 17438soldiering--a final promise of knocking at the door early in the 17439 17440morning--and 'Good night.'<br><br> 17441 17442The child did not feel comfortable when she was left alone. She could 17443 17444not help thinking of the figure stealing through the passage down 17445 17446stairs;
17446 and what the girl had said did not tend to reassure her. The 17447 17448men were very ill-looking. They might get their living by robbing and 17449 17450murdering travellers. Who could tell?<br><br> 17451 17452Reasoning herself out of these fears, or losing sight of them for a 17453 17454little while, there came the anxiety to which the adventures of the 17455 17456night gave rise. Here was the old passion awakened again in her 17457 17458grandfather's breast, and to what further distraction it might tempt 17459 17460him Heaven only knew. What fears their absence might have occasioned 17461 17462already! Persons might be seeking for them even then. Would they be 17463 17464forgiven in the morning, or turned adrift again! Oh! why had they 17465 17466stopped in that strange place? It would have been better, under any 17467 17468circumstances, to have gone on!<br><br> 17469 17470At last, sleep gradually stole upon her--a broken, fitful sleep, 17471 17472troubled by dreams of falling from high towers, and waking with a start 17473 17474and in great terror. A deeper slumber followed this--and then--What! 17475 17476That figure in the room.<br><br> 17477 17478A figure was there. Yes, she had drawn up the blind to admit the light 17479 17480when it should be dawn, and there, between the foot of the bed and the 17481 17482dark casement, it crouched and slunk along, groping its way with 17483 17484noiseless hands, and stealing round the bed. She had no voice to cry 17485 17486for help, no power to move, but lay still, watching it.<br><br> 17487 17488On it came--on, silently and stealthily, to the bed's head. The breath 17489 17490so near her pillow, that she shrunk back into it, lest those wandering 17491 17492hands should light upon her face. Back again it stole to the 17493 17494window--then turned its head towards her.<br><br> 17495 17496The dark form was a mere blot upon the lighter darkness of the room, 17497 17498but she saw the turning of the head, and felt and knew how the eyes 17499 17500looked and the ears listened. There it remained, motionless as she. 17501 17502At length, still keeping the face towards her, it busied its hands in 17503 17504something, and she heard the chink of money.<br><br> 17505 17506Then, on it came again, silent and stealthy as before, and replacing 17507 17508the garments it had taken from the bedside, dropped upon its hands and 17509 17510knees, and crawled away. How slowly it seemed to move, now that she 17511 17512could hear but not see it, creeping along the floor! It reached the 17513 17514door at last, and stood upon its feet. The steps creaked beneath its 17515 17516noiseless tread, and it was gone.<br><br> 17517 17518The first impulse of the child was to fly from the terror of being by 17519 17520herself in that room--to have somebody by--not to be alone--and then 17521 17522her power of speech would be restored. With no consciousness of having 17523 17524moved, she gained the door.<br><br> 17525 17526There was the dreadful shadow, pausing at the bottom of the steps.<br><br> 17527 17528She could not pass it; she might have done so, perhaps, in the darkness 17529 17530without being seized, but her blood curdled at the thought. The figure 17531 17532stood quite still, and so did she; not boldly, but of necessity; for 17533 17534going back into the room was hardly less terrible than going on.<br><br> 17535 17536The rain beat fast and furiously without, and ran down in plashing 17537 17538streams from the thatched roof. Some summer insect, with no escape 17539 17540into the air, flew blindly to and fro, beating its body against the 17541 17542walls and ceiling, and filling the silent place with murmurs. The 17543 17544figure moved again. The child involuntarily did the same. Once in her 17545 17546grandfather's room, she would be safe.<br><br> 17547 17548It crept along the passage until it came to the very door she longed so 17549 17550ardently to reach. The child, in the agony of being so near, had 17551 17552almost darted forward with the design of bursting into the room and 17553 17554closing it behind her, when the figure stopped again.<br><br> 17555 17556The idea flashed suddenly upon her--what if it entered there, and had a 17557 17558design upon the old man's life! She turned faint and sick. It did. 17559 17560It went in. There was a light inside. The figure was now within the 17561 17562chamber, and she, still dumb--quite dumb, and almost senseless--stood 17563 17564looking on.<br><br> 17565 17566The door was partly open. Not knowing what she meant to do, but 17567 17568meaning to preserve him or be killed herself, she staggered forward and 17569 17570looked in.<br><br> 17571 17572What sight was that which met her view!<br><br> 17573 17574The bed had not been lain on, but was smooth and empty. And at a table 17575 17576sat the old man himself; the only living creature there; his white face 17577 17578pinched and sharpened by the greediness which made his eyes unnaturally 17579 17580bright--counting the money of which his hands had robbed her.<br><br> 17581 17582CHAPTER 31<br><br> 17583 17584With steps more faltering and unsteady than those with which she had 17585 17586approached the room, the child withdrew from the door, and groped her 17587 17588way back to her own chamber. The terror she had lately felt was 17589 17590nothing compared with that which now oppressed her. No strange robber, 17591 17592no treacherous host conniving at the plunder of his guests, or stealing 17593 17594to their beds to kill them in their sleep, no nightly prowler, however 17595 17596terrible and cruel, could have awakened in her bosom half the dread 17597 17598which the recognition of her silent visitor inspired. The grey-headed 17599 17600old man gliding like a ghost into her room and acting the thief while 17601 17602he supposed her fast asleep, then bearing off his prize and hanging 17603 17604over it with the ghastly exultation she had witnessed, was 17605 17606worse--immeasurably worse, and far more dreadful, for the moment, to 17607 17608reflect upon--than anything her wildest fancy could have suggested. 17609 17610If he should return--there was no lock or bolt upon the door, and if, 17611 17612distrustful of having left some money yet behind, he should come back 17613 17614to seek for more--a vague awe and horror surrounded the idea of his 17615 17616slinking in again with stealthy tread, and turning his face toward the 17617 17618empty bed, while she shrank down close at his feet to avoid his touch, 17619 17620which was almost insupportable. She sat and listened. Hark! A 17621 17622footstep on the stairs, and now the door was slowly opening. It was 17623 17624but imagination, yet imagination had all the terrors of reality; nay, 17625 17626it was worse, for the reality would have come and gone, and there an 17627 17628end, but in imagination it was always coming, and never went away.<br><br> 17629 17630The feeling which beset the child was one of dim uncertain horror. She 17631 17632had no fear of the dear old grandfather, in whose love for her this 17633 17634disease of the brain had been engendered; but the man she had seen that 17635 17636night, wrapt in the game of chance, lurking in her room, and counting 17637 17638the money by the glimmering light, seemed like another creature in his 17639
17640shape, a monstrous distortion of his image, a something to recoil from, 17641 17642and be the more afraid of, because it bore a likeness to him, and kept 17643 17644close about her, as he did. She could scarcely connect her own 17645 17646affectionate companion, save by his loss, with this old man, so like 17647 17648yet so unlike him. She had wept to see him dull and quiet. How much 17649 17650greater cause she had for weeping now!<br><br> 17651 17652The child sat watching and thinking of these things, until the phantom 17653 17654in her mind so increased in gloom and terror, that she felt it would be 17655 17656a relief to hear the old man's voice, or, if he were asleep, even to 17657 17658see him, and banish some of the fears that clustered round his image. 17659 17660She stole down the stairs and passage again. The door was still ajar 17661 17662as she had left it, and the candle burning as before.<br><br> 17663 17664She had her own candle in her hand, prepared to say, if he were waking, 17665 17666that she was uneasy and could not rest, and had come to see if his were 17667 17668still alight. Looking into the room, she saw him lying calmly on his 17669 17670bed, and so took courage to enter.<br><br> 17671 17672Fast asleep. No passion in the face, no avarice, no anxiety, no wild 17673 17674desire; all gentle, tranquil, and at peace. This was not the gambler, 17675 17676or the shadow in her room; this was not even the worn and jaded man 17677 17678whose face had so often met her own in the grey morning light; this was 17679 17680her dear old friend, her harmless fellow-traveller, her good, kind 17681 17682grandfather.<br><br> 17683 17684She had no fear as she looked upon his slumbering features, but she had 17685 17686a deep and weighty sorrow, and it found its relief in tears.<br><br> 17687 17688'God bless him!' said the child, stooping softly to kiss his placid 17689 17690cheek. 'I see too well now, that they would indeed part us if they 17691 17692found us out, and shut him up from the light of the sun and sky. He 17693 17694has only me to help him. God bless us both!'<br><br> 17695 17696Lighting her candle, she retreated as silently as she had come, and, 17697 17698gaining her own room once more, sat up during the remainder of that 17699 17700long, long, miserable night.<br><br> 17701 17702At last the day turned her waning candle pale, and she fell asleep. 17703 17704She was quickly roused by the girl who had shown her up to bed; and, as 17705 17706soon as she was dressed, prepared to go down to her grandfather. But 17707 17708first she searched her pocket and found that her money was all 17709 17710gone--not a sixpence remained.<br><br> 17711 17712The old man was ready, and in a few seconds they were on their road. 17713 17714The child thought he rather avoided her eye, and appeared to expect 17715 17716that she would tell him of her loss. She felt she must do that, or he 17717 17718might suspect the truth.<br><br> 17719 17720'Grandfather,' she said in a tremulous voice, after they had walked 17721 17722about a mile in silence, 'do you think they are honest people at the 17723 17724house yonder?'<br><br> 17725 17726'Why?' returned the old man trembling. 'Do I think them honest--yes, 17727 17728they played honestly.'<br><br> 17729 17730'I'll tell you why I ask,' rejoined Nell. 'I lost some money last 17731 17732night--out of my bedroom, I am sure. Unless it was taken by somebody 17733 17734in jest--only in jest, dear grandfather, which would make me laugh 17735 17736heartily if I could but know it--'<br><br> 17737 17738'Who would take money in jest?' returned the old man in a hurried 17739 17740manner. 'Those who take money, take it to keep. Don't talk of jest.'<br><br> 17741 17742'Then it was stolen out of my room, dear,' said the child, whose last 17743 17744hope was destroyed by the manner of this reply.<br><br> 17745 17746'But is there no more, Nell?' said the old man; 'no more anywhere? Was 17747 17748it all taken--every farthing of it--was there nothing left?'<br><br> 17749 17750'Nothing,' replied the child.<br><br> 17751 17752'We must get more,' said the old man, 'we must earn it, Nell, hoard it 17753 17754up, scrape it together, come by it somehow. Never mind this loss. 17755 17756Tell nobody of it, and perhaps we may regain it. Don't ask how;--we 17757 17758may regain it, and a great deal more;--but tell nobody, or trouble may 17759 17760come of it. And so they took it out of thy room, when thou wert 17761 17762asleep!' he added in a compassionate tone, very different from the 17763 17764secret, cunning way in which he had spoken until now. 'Poor Nell, poor 17765 17766little Nell!'<br><br> 17767 17768The child hung down her head and wept. The sympathising tone in which 17769 17770he spoke, was quite sincere; she was sure of that. It was not the 17771 17772lightest part of her sorrow to know that this was done for her.<br><br> 17773 17774'Not a word about it to any one but me,' said the old man, 'no, not 17775
17776even to me,' he added hastily, 'for it can do no good. All the losses 17777 17778that ever were, are not worth tears from thy eyes, darling. Why should 17779 17780they be, when we will win them back?'<br><br> 17781 17782'Let them go,' said the child looking up. 'Let them go, once and for 17783 17784ever, and I would never shed another tear if every penny had been a 17785 17786thousand pounds.'<br><br> 17787 17788'Well, well,' returned the old man, checking himself as some impetuous 17789 17790answer rose to his lips, 'she knows no better. I ought to be thankful 17791 17792of it.'<br><br> 17793 17794'But listen to me,' said the child earnestly, 'will you listen to me?'<br><br> 17795 17796'Aye, aye, I'll listen,' returned the old man, still without looking at 17797 17798her; 'a pretty voice. It has always a sweet sound to me. It always 17799 17800had when it was her mother's, poor child.'<br><br> 17801 17802'Let me persuade you, then--oh, do let me persuade you,' said the 17803 17804child, 'to think no more of gains or losses, and to try no fortune but 17805 17806the fortune we pursue together.'<br><br> 17807 17808'We pursue this aim together,' retorted her grandfather, still looking 17809 17810away and seeming to confer with himself. 'Whose image sanctifies the 17811 17812game?'<br><br> 17813 17814'Have we been worse off,' resumed the child, 'since you forgot these 17815 17816cares, and we have been travelling on together? Have we not been much 17817 17818better and happier without a home to shelter us, than ever we were in 17819 17820that unhappy house, when they were on your mind?'<br><br> 17821 17822'She speaks the truth,' murmured the old man in the same tone as 17823 17824before. 'It must not turn me, but it is the truth; no doubt it is.'<br><br> 17825 17826'Only remember what we have been since that bright morning when we 17827 17828turned our backs upon it for the last time,' said Nell, 'only remember 17829 17830what we have been since we have been free of all those miseries--what 17831 17832peaceful days and quiet nights we have had--what pleasant times we have 17833 17834known--what happiness we have enjoyed. If we have been tired or 17835 17836hungry, we have been soon refreshed, and slept the sounder for it. 17837 17838Think what beautiful things we have seen, and how contented we have 17839 17840felt. And why was this blessed change?'<br><br> 17841 17842He stopped her with a motion of his hand, and bade her talk to him no 17843 17844more just then, for he was busy. After a time he kissed her cheek, 17845 17846still motioning her to silence, and walked on, looking far before him, 17847 17848and sometimes stopping and gazing with a puckered brow upon the ground, 17849 17850as if he were painfully trying to collect his disordered thoughts. 17851 17852Once she saw tears in his eyes. When he had gone on thus for some 17853 17854time, he took her hand in his as he was accustomed to do, with nothing 17855 17856of the violence or animation of his late manner; and so, by degrees so 17857 17858fine that the child could not trace them, he settled down into his 17859 17860usual quiet way, and suffered her to lead him where she would.<br><br> 17861 17862When they presented themselves in the midst of the stupendous 17863 17864collection, they found, as Nell had anticipated, that Mrs Jarley was 17865 17866not yet out of bed, and that, although she had suffered some uneasiness 17867 17868on their account overnight, and had indeed sat up for them until past 17869 17870eleven o'clock, she had retired in the persuasion, that, being 17871 17872overtaken by storm at some distance from home, they had sought the 17873 17874nearest shelter, and would not return before morning. Nell immediately 17875 17876applied herself with great assiduity to the decoration and preparation 17877 17878of the room, and had the satisfaction of completing her task, and 17879 17880dressing herself neatly, before the beloved of the Royal Family came 17881 17882down to breakfast.<br><br> 17883 17884'We haven't had,' said Mrs Jarley when the meal was over, 'more than 17885 17886eight of Miss Monflathers's young ladies all the time we've been here, 17887 17888and there's twenty-six of 'em, as I was told by the cook when I asked 17889 17890her a question or two and put her on the free-list. We must try 'em 17891 17892with a parcel of new bills, and you shall take it, my dear, and see 17893 17894what effect that has upon 'em.'<br><br> 17895 17896The proposed expedition being one of paramount importance, Mrs Jarley 17897 17898adjusted Nell's bonnet with her own hands, and declaring that she 17899 17900certainly did look very pretty, and reflected credit on the 17901 17902establishment, dismissed her with many commendations, and certain 17903 17904needful directions as to the turnings on the right which she was to 17905 17906take, and the turnings on the left which she was to avoid. Thus 17907
17908instructed, Nell had no difficulty in finding out Miss Monflathers's 17909 17910Boarding and Day Establishment, which was a large house, with a high 17911 17912wall, and a large garden-gate with a large brass plate, and a small 17913 17914grating through which Miss Monflathers's parlour-maid inspected all 17915 17916visitors before admitting them; for nothing in the shape of a man--no, 17917 17918not even a milkman--was suffered, without special license, to pass that 17919 17920gate. Even the tax-gatherer, who was stout, and wore spectacles and a 17921 17922broad-brimmed hat, had the taxes handed through the grating. More 17923 17924obdurate than gate of adamant or brass, this gate of Miss Monflathers's 17925 17926frowned on all mankind. The very butcher respected it as a gate of 17927 17928mystery, and left off whistling when he rang the bell.<br><br> 17929 17930As Nell approached the awful door, it turned slowly upon its hinges 17931 17932with a creaking noise, and, forth from the solemn grove beyond, came a 17933 17934long file of young ladies, two and two, all with open books in their 17935 17936hands, and some with parasols likewise. And last of the goodly 17937 17938procession came Miss Monflathers, bearing herself a parasol of lilac 17939 17940silk, and supported by two smiling teachers, each mortally envious of 17941 17942the other, and devoted unto Miss Monflathers.<br><br> 17943 17944Confused by the looks and whispers of the girls, Nell stood with 17945 17946downcast eyes and suffered the procession to pass on, until Miss 17947 17948Monflathers, bringing up the rear, approached her, when she curtseyed 17949 17950and presented her little packet; on receipt whereof Miss Monflathers 17951 17952commanded that the line should halt.<br><br> 17953 17954'You're the wax-work child, are you not?' said Miss Monflathers.<br><br> 17955 17956'Yes, ma'am,' replied Nell, colouring deeply, for the young ladies had 17957 17958collected about her, and she was the centre on which all eyes were 17959 17960fixed.<br><br> 17961 17962'And don't you think you must be a very wicked little child,' said Miss 17963 17964Monflathers, who was of rather uncertain temper, and lost no 17965 17966opportunity of impressing moral truths upon the tender minds of the 17967 17968young ladies, 'to be a wax-work child at all?'<br><br> 17969 17970Poor Nell had never viewed her position in this light, and not knowing 17971 17972what to say, remained silent, blushing more deeply than before.<br><br> 17973 17974'Don't you know,' said Miss Monflathers, 'that it's very naughty and 17975 17976unfeminine, and a perversion of the properties wisely and benignantly 17977 17978transmitted to us, with expansive powers to be roused from their 17979 17980dormant state through the medium of cultivation?'<br><br> 17981 17982The two teachers murmured their respectful approval of this 17983 17984home-thrust, and looked at Nell as though they would have said that 17985 17986there indeed Miss Monflathers had hit her very hard. Then they smiled 17987 17988and glanced at Miss Monflathers, and then, their eyes meeting, they 17989 17990exchanged looks which plainly said that each considered herself smiler 17991 17992in ordinary to Miss Monflathers, and regarded the other as having no 17993 17994right to smile, and that her so doing was an act of presumption and 17995 17996impertinence.<br><br> 17997 17998'Don't you feel how naughty it is of you,' resumed Miss Monflathers, 17999 18000'to be a wax-work child, when you might have the proud consciousness of 18001 18002assisting, to the extent of your infant powers, the manufactures of 18003 18004your country; of improving your mind by the constant contemplation of 18005 18006the steam-engine; and of earning a comfortable and independent 18007 18008subsistence of from two-and-ninepence to three shillings per week? 18009 18010Don't you know that the harder you are at work, the happier you are?'<br><br> 18011 18012'"How doth the little--"' murmured one of the teachers, in quotation 18013 18014from Doctor Watts.<br><br> 18015 18016'Eh?' said Miss Monflathers, turning smartly round. 'Who said that?'<br><br> 18017 18018Of course the teacher who had not said it, indicated the rival who had, 18019 18020whom Miss Monflathers frowningly requested to hold her peace; by that 18021 18022means throwing the informing teacher into raptures of joy.<br><br> 18023 18024'The little busy bee,' said Miss Monflathers, drawing herself up, 'is 18025 18026applicable only to genteel children.<br><br> 18027 18028 "In books, or work, or healthful play"<br><br> 18029 18030is quite right as far as they are concerned; and the work means 18031 18032painting on velvet, fancy needle-work, or embroidery. In such cases as 18033 18034these,' pointing to Nell, with her parasol, 'and in the case of all 18035 18036poor people's children, we should read it thus:<br><br> 18037 18038 "In work, work, work. In work alway 18039 18040 Let my first years be past, 18041 18042 That I may give for ev'ry day 18043 18044 Some good account at last."'<br><br> 18045 18046A deep hum of applause rose not only from the two teachers, but from 18047 18048all the pupils, who were equally astonished to hear Miss Monflathers 18049 18050improvising after this brilliant style; for although she had been long 18051 18052known as a politician, she had never appeared before as an original 18053 18054poet. Just then somebody happened to discover that Nell was crying, 18055 18056and all eyes were again turned towards her.<br><br> 18057 18058There were indeed tears in her eyes, and drawing out her handkerchief 18059 18060to brush them away, she happened to let it fall. Before she could 18061 18062stoop to pick it up, one young lady of about fifteen or sixteen, who 18063 18064had been standing a little apart from the others, as though she had no 18065 18066recognised place among them, sprang forward and put it in her hand. 18067 18068She was gliding timidly away again, when she was arrested by the 18069 18070governess.<br><br> 18071 18072'It was Miss Edwards who did that, I KNOW,' said Miss Monflathers 18073 18074predictively. 'Now I am sure that was Miss Edwards.'<br><br> 18075 18076It was Miss Edwards, and everybody said it was Miss Edwards, and Miss 18077 18078Edwards herself admitted that it was.<br><br> 18079
18080'Is it not,' said Miss Monflathers, putting down her parasol to take a 18081 18082severer view of the offender, 'a most remarkable thing, Miss Edwards, 18083 18084that you have an attachment to the lower classes which always draws you 18085 18086to their sides; or, rather, is it not a most extraordinary thing that 18087 18088all I say and do will not wean you from propensities which your 18089 18090original station in life have unhappily rendered habitual to you, you 18091 18092extremely vulgar-minded girl?'<br><br> 18093 18094'I really intended no harm, ma'am,' said a sweet voice. 'It was a 18095 18096momentary impulse, indeed.'<br><br> 18097 18098'An impulse!' repeated Miss Monflathers scornfully. 'I wonder that you 18099 18100presume to speak of impulses to me'--both the teachers assented--'I am 18101 18102astonished'--both the teachers were astonished--'I suppose it is an 18103 18104impulse which induces you to take the part of every grovelling and 18105 18106debased person that comes in your way'--both the teachers supposed so 18107 18108too.<br><br> 18109 18110'But I would have you know, Miss Edwards,' resumed the governess in a 18111 18112tone of increased severity, 'that you cannot be permitted--if it be 18113 18114only for the sake of preserving a proper example and decorum in this 18115 18116establishment--that you cannot be permitted, and that you shall not be 18117 18118permitted, to fly in the face of your superiors in this exceedingly 18119 18120gross manner. If you have no reason to feel a becoming pride before 18121 18122wax-work children, there are young ladies here who have, and you must 18123 18124either defer to those young ladies or leave the establishment, Miss 18125 18126Edwards.'<br><br> 18127 18128This young lady, being motherless and poor, was apprenticed at the 18129 18130school--taught for nothing--teaching others what she learnt, for 18131 18132nothing--boarded for nothing--lodged for nothing--and set down and 18133 18134rated as something immeasurably less than nothing, by all the dwellers 18135 18136in the house. The servant-maids felt her inferiority, for they were 18137 18138better treated; free to come and go, and regarded in their stations 18139 18140with much more respect. The teachers were infinitely superior, for 18141 18142they had paid to go to school in their time, and were paid now. The 18143 18144pupils cared little for a companion who had no grand stories to tell 18145 18146about home; no friends to come with post-horses, and be received in all 18147 18148humility, with cake and wine, by the governess; no deferential servant 18149 18150to attend and bear her home for the holidays; nothing genteel to talk 18151 18152about, and nothing to display. But why was Miss Monflathers always 18153 18154vexed and irritated with the poor apprentice--how did that come to pass?<br><br> 18155 18156Why, the gayest feather in Miss Monflathers's cap, and the brightest 18157 18158glory of Miss Monflathers's school, was a baronet's daughter--the real 18159 18160live daughter of a real live baronet--who, by some extraordinary 18161 18162reversal of the Laws of Nature, was not only plain in features but dull 18163 18164in intellect, while the poor apprentice had both a ready wit, and a 18165 18166handsome face and figure. It seems incredible. Here was Miss Edwards, 18167 18168who only paid a small premium which had been spent long ago, every day 18169 18170outshining and excelling the baronet's daughter, who learned all the 18171 18172extras (or was taught them all) and whose half-yearly bill came to 18173 18174double that of any other young lady's in the school, making no account 18175 18176of the honour and reputation of her pupilage. Therefore, and because 18177 18178she was a dependent, Miss Monflathers had a great dislike to Miss 18179 18180Edwards, and was spiteful to her, and aggravated by her, and, when she 18181 18182had compassion on little Nell, verbally fell upon and maltreated her as 18183 18184we have already seen.<br><br> 18185 18186'You will not take the air to-day, Miss Edwards,' said Miss 18187 18188Monflathers. 'Have the goodness to retire to your own room, and not to 18189 18190leave it without permission.'<br><br> 18191 18192The poor girl was moving hastily away, when she was suddenly, in 18193 18194nautical phrase, 'brought to' by a subdued shriek from Miss Monflathers.<br><br> 18195 18196'She has passed me without any salute!' cried the governess, raising 18197 18198her eyes to the sky. 'She has actually passed me without the slightest 18199 18200acknowledgment of my presence!'<br><br> 18201 18202The young lady turned and curtsied. Nell could see that she raised her 18203 18204dark eyes to the face of her superior, and that their expression, and 18205 18206that of her whole attitude for the instant, was one of mute but most 18207 18208touching appeal against this ungenerous usage. Miss Monflathers only 18209 18210tossed her head in reply, and the great gate closed upon a bursting 18211 18212heart.<br><br> 18213 18214'As for you, you wicked child,' said Miss Monflathers, turning to Nell, 18215 18216'tell your mistress that if she presumes to take the liberty of sending 18217 18218to me any more, I will write to the legislative authorities and have 18219 18220her put in the stocks, or compelled to do penance in a white sheet; and 18221 18222you may depend upon it that you shall certainly experience the 18223 18224treadmill if you dare to come here again. Now ladies, on.'<br><br> 18225 18226The procession filed off, two and two, with the books and parasols, and 18227 18228Miss Monflathers, calling the Baronet's daughter to walk with her and 18229 18230smooth her ruffled feelings, discarded the two teachers--who by this 18231 18232time had exchanged their smiles for looks of sympathy--and left them 18233 18234to bring up the rear, and hate each other a little more for being 18235 18236obliged to walk together.<br><br> 18237 18238CHAPTER 32<br><br> 18239 18240Mrs Jarley's wrath on first learning that she had been threatened with 18241 18242the indignity of Stocks and Penance, passed all description. The 18243 18244genuine and only Jarley exposed to public scorn, jeered by children, 18245 18246and flouted by beadles! The delight of the Nobility and Gentry shorn 18247 18248of a bonnet which a Lady Mayoress might have sighed to wear, and 18249 18250arrayed in a white sheet as a spectacle of mortification and humility! 18251 18252And Miss Monflathers, the audacious creature who presumed, even in the 18253 18254dimmest and remotest distance of her imagination, to conjure up the 18255 18256degrading picture, 'I am a'most inclined,' said Mrs Jarley, bursting 18257 18258with the fulness of her anger and the weakness of her means of revenge, 18259 18260'to turn atheist when I think of it!'<br><br> 18261 18262But instead of adopting this course of retaliation, Mrs Jarley, on 18263 18264second thoughts, brought out the suspicious bottle, and ordering 18265 18266glasses to be set forth upon her favourite drum, and sinking into a 18267 18268chair behind it, called her satellites about her, and to them several 18269 18270times recounted, word for word, the affronts she had received. This 18271 18272done, she begged them in a kind of deep despair to drink; then laughed, 18273 18274then cried, then took a little sip herself, then laughed and cried 18275 18276again, and took a little more;
18276 and so, by degrees, the worthy lady went 18277 18278on, increasing in smiles and decreasing in tears, until at last she 18279 18280could not laugh enough at Miss Monflathers, who, from being an object 18281 18282of dire vexation, became one of sheer ridicule and absurdity.<br><br> 18283 18284'For which of us is best off, I wonder,' quoth Mrs Jarley, 'she or me! 18285 18286It's only talking, when all is said and done, and if she talks of me in 18287 18288the stocks, why I can talk of her in the stocks, which is a good deal 18289 18290funnier if we come to that. Lord, what does it matter, after all!'<br><br> 18291 18292Having arrived at this comfortable frame of mind (to which she had been 18293 18294greatly assisted by certain short interjectional remarks of the 18295 18296philosophical George), Mrs Jarley consoled Nell with many kind words, 18297 18298and requested as a personal favour that whenever she thought of Miss 18299 18300Monflathers, she would do nothing else but laugh at her, all the days 18301 18302of her life.<br><br> 18303 18304So ended Mrs Jarley's wrath, which subsided long before the going down 18305 18306of the sun. Nell's anxieties, however, were of a deeper kind, and the 18307 18308checks they imposed upon her cheerfulness were not so easily removed.<br><br> 18309 18310That evening, as she had dreaded, her grandfather stole away, and did 18311 18312not come back until the night was far spent. Worn out as she was, and 18313 18314fatigued in mind and body, she sat up alone, counting the minutes, 18315 18316until he returned--penniless, broken-spirited, and wretched, but still 18317 18318hotly bent upon his infatuation.<br><br> 18319 18320'Get me money,' he said wildly, as they parted for the night. 'I must 18321 18322have money, Nell. It shall be paid thee back with gallant interest one 18323 18324day, but all the money that comes into thy hands, must be mine--not for 18325 18326myself, but to use for thee. Remember, Nell, to use for thee!'<br><br> 18327 18328What could the child do with the knowledge she had, but give him every 18329 18330penny that came into her hands, lest he should be tempted on to rob 18331 18332their benefactress? If she told the truth (so thought the child) he 18333 18334would be treated as a madman; if she did not supply him with money, he 18335 18336would supply himself; supplying him, she fed the fire that burnt him 18337 18338up, and put him perhaps beyond recovery. Distracted by these thoughts, 18339 18340borne down by the weight of the sorrow which she dared not tell, 18341 18342tortured by a crowd of apprehensions whenever the old man was absent, 18343 18344and dreading alike his stay and his return, the colour forsook her 18345 18346cheek, her eye grew dim, and her heart was oppressed and heavy. All 18347 18348her old sorrows had come back upon her, augmented by new fears and 18349 18350doubts; by day they were ever present to her mind; by night they 18351 18352hovered round her pillow, and haunted her in dreams.<br><br> 18353 18354It was natural that, in the midst of her affliction, she should often 18355 18356revert to that sweet young lady of whom she had only caught a hasty 18357 18358glance, but whose sympathy, expressed in one slight brief action, dwelt 18359 18360in her memory like the kindnesses of years. She would often think, if 18361 18362she had such a friend as that to whom to tell her griefs, how much 18363 18364lighter her heart would be--that if she were but free to hear that 18365 18366voice, she would be happier. Then she would wish that she were 18367 18368something better, that she were not quite so poor and humble, that she 18369 18370dared address her without fearing a repulse; and then feel that there 18371 18372was an immeasurable distance between them, and have no hope that the 18373 18374young lady thought of her any more.<br><br> 18375 18376It was now holiday-time at the schools, and the young ladies had gone 18377 18378home, and Miss Monflathers was reported to be flourishing in London, 18379 18380and damaging the hearts of middle-aged gentlemen, but nobody said 18381 18382anything about Miss Edwards, whether she had gone home, or whether she 18383 18384had any home to go to, whether she was still at the school, or anything 18385 18386about her. But one evening, as Nell was returning from a lonely walk, 18387 18388she happened to pass the inn where the stage-coaches stopped, just as 18389 18390one drove up, and there was the beautiful girl she so well remembered, 18391 18392pressing forward to embrace a young child whom they were helping down 18393 18394from the roof.<br><br> 18395 18396Well, this was her sister, her little sister, much younger than Nell, 18397 18398whom she had not seen (so the story went afterwards) for five years, 18399 18400and to bring whom to that place on a short visit, she had been saving 18401 18402her poor means all that time. Nell felt as if her heart would break 18403 18404when she saw them meet. They went a little apart from the knot of 18405 18406people who had congregated about the coach, and fell upon each other's 18407 18408neck, and sobbed, and wept with joy. Their plain and simple dress, the 18409 18410distance which the child had come alone, their agitation and delight, 18411 18412and the tears they shed, would have told their history by themselves.<br><br> 18413 18414They became a little more composed in a short time, and went away, not 18415 18416so much hand in hand as clinging to each other. 'Are you sure you're 18417 18418happy, sister?' said the child as they passed where Nell was standing. 18419 18420'Quite happy now,' she answered. 'But always?' said the child. 'Ah, 18421 18422sister, why do you turn away your face?'<br><br> 18423 18424Nell could not help following at a little distance. They went to the 18425 18426house of an old nurse, where the elder sister had engaged a bed-room 18427 18428for the child. 'I shall come to you early every morning,' she said, 18429
18430'and we can be together all the day.-'-'Why not at night-time too? 18431 18432Dear sister, would they be angry with you for that?'<br><br> 18433 18434Why were the eyes of little Nell wet, that night, with tears like those 18435 18436of the two sisters? Why did she bear a grateful heart because they had 18437 18438met, and feel it pain to think that they would shortly part? Let us 18439 18440not believe that any selfish reference--unconscious though it might 18441 18442have been--to her own trials awoke this sympathy, but thank God that 18443 18444the innocent joys of others can strongly move us, and that we, even in 18445 18446our fallen nature, have one source of pure emotion which must be prized 18447 18448in Heaven!<br><br> 18449 18450By morning's cheerful glow, but oftener still by evening's gentle 18451 18452light, the child, with a respect for the short and happy intercourse of 18453 18454these two sisters which forbade her to approach and say a thankful 18455 18456word, although she yearned to do so, followed them at a distance in 18457 18458their walks and rambles, stopping when they stopped, sitting on the 18459 18460grass when they sat down, rising when they went on, and feeling it a 18461 18462companionship and delight to be so near them. Their evening walk was 18463 18464by a river's side. Here, every night, the child was too, unseen by 18465 18466them, unthought of, unregarded; but feeling as if they were her 18467 18468friends, as if they had confidences and trusts together, as if her load 18469 18470were lightened and less hard to bear; as if they mingled their sorrows, 18471 18472and found mutual consolation. It was a weak fancy perhaps, the 18473 18474childish fancy of a young and lonely creature; but night after night, 18475 18476and still the sisters loitered in the same place, and still the child 18477 18478followed with a mild and softened heart.<br><br> 18479 18480She was much startled, on returning home one night, to find that Mrs 18481 18482Jarley had commanded an announcement to be prepared, to the effect that 18483 18484the stupendous collection would only remain in its present quarters one 18485 18486day longer; in fulfilment of which threat (for all announcements 18487 18488connected with public amusements are well known to be irrevocable and 18489 18490most exact), the stupendous collection shut up next day.<br><br> 18491 18492'Are we going from this place directly, ma'am?' said Nell.<br><br> 18493 18494'Look here, child,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'That'll inform you.' And so 18495 18496saying Mrs Jarley produced another announcement, wherein it was stated, 18497 18498that, in consequence of numerous inquiries at the wax-work door, and in 18499 18500consequence of crowds having been disappointed in obtaining admission,
18501 18502the Exhibition would be continued for one week longer, and would 18503 18504re-open next day.<br><br> 18505 18506'For now that the schools are gone, and the regular sight-seers 18507 18508exhausted,' said Mrs Jarley, 'we come to the General Public, and they 18509 18510want stimulating.'<br><br> 18511 18512Upon the following day at noon, Mrs Jarley established herself behind 18513 18514the highly-ornamented table, attended by the distinguished effigies 18515 18516before mentioned, and ordered the doors to be thrown open for the 18517 18518readmission of a discerning and enlightened public. But the first 18519 18520day's operations were by no means of a successful character, inasmuch 18521 18522as the general public, though they manifested a lively interest in Mrs 18523 18524Jarley personally, and such of her waxen satellites as were to be seen 18525 18526for nothing, were not affected by any impulses moving them to the 18527 18528payment of sixpence a head. Thus, notwithstanding that a great many 18529 18530people continued to stare at the entry and the figures therein 18531 18532displayed; and remained there with great perseverance, by the hour at a 18533 18534time, to hear the barrel-organ played and to read the bills; and 18535 18536notwithstanding that they were kind enough to recommend their friends 18537 18538to patronise the exhibition in the like manner, until the door-way was 18539 18540regularly blockaded by half the population of the town, who, when they 18541 18542went off duty, were relieved by the other half; it was not found that 18543 18544the treasury was any the richer, or that the prospects of the 18545 18546establishment were at all encouraging.<br><br> 18547 18548In this depressed state of the classical market, Mrs Jarley made 18549 18550extraordinary efforts to stimulate the popular taste, and whet the 18551 18552popular curiosity. Certain machinery in the body of the nun on the 18553 18554leads over the door was cleaned up and put in motion, so that the 18555 18556figure shook its head paralytically all day long, to the great 18557 18558admiration of a drunken, but very Protestant, barber over the way, who 18559 18560looked upon the said paralytic motion as typical of the degrading 18561 18562effect wrought upon the human mind by the ceremonies of the Romish 18563 18564Church and discoursed upon that theme with great eloquence and 18565 18566morality. The two carters constantly passed in and out of the 18567 18568exhibition-room, under various disguises, protesting aloud that the 18569 18570sight was better worth the money than anything they had beheld in all 18571 18572their lives, and urging the bystanders, with tears in their eyes, not 18573 18574to neglect such a brilliant gratification. Mrs Jarley sat in the 18575 18576pay-place, chinking silver moneys from noon till night, and solemnly 18577 18578calling upon the crowd to take notice that the price of admission was 18579 18580only sixpence, and that the departure of the whole collection, on a 18581 18582short tour among the Crowned Heads of Europe, was positively fixed for 18583 18584that day week.<br><br> 18585 18586'So be in time, be in time, be in time,' said Mrs Jarley at the close 18587 18588of every such address. 'Remember that this is Jarley's stupendous 18589 18590collection of upwards of One Hundred Figures, and that it is the only 18591 18592collection in the world; all others being imposters and deceptions. Be 18593 18594in time, be in time, be in time!'<br><br> 18595 18596CHAPTER 33<br><br> 18597 18598As the course of this tale requires that we should become acquainted, 18599 18600somewhere hereabouts, with a few particulars connected with the 18601 18602domestic economy of Mr Sampson Brass, and as a more convenient place 18603 18604than the present is not likely to occur for that purpose, the historian 18605 18606takes the friendly reader by the hand, and springing with him into the 18607 18608air, and cleaving the same at a greater rate than ever Don Cleophas 18609 18610Leandro Perez Zambullo and his familiar travelled through that pleasant 18611 18612region in company, alights with him upon the pavement of Bevis Marks.<br><br> 18613 18614The intrepid aeronauts alight before a small dark house, once the 18615 18616residence of Mr Sampson Brass.<br><br> 18617 18618In the parlour window of this little habitation, which is so close upon 18619 18620the footway that the passenger who takes the wall brushes the dim glass 18621 18622with his coat sleeve--much to its improvement, for it is very dirty--in 18623 18624this parlour window in the days of its occupation by Sampson Brass, 18625 18626there hung, all awry and slack, and discoloured by the sun, a curtain 18627 18628of faded green, so threadbare from long service as by no means to 18629 18630intercept the view of the little dark room, but rather to afford a 18631 18632favourable medium through which to observe it accurately. There was 18633 18634not much to look at. A rickety table, with spare bundles of papers, 18635 18636yellow and ragged from long carriage in the pocket, ostentatiously 18637 18638displayed upon its top; a couple of stools set face to face on opposite 18639 18640sides of this crazy piece of furniture; a treacherous old chair by the 18641 18642fire-place, whose withered arms had hugged full many a client and 18643 18644helped to squeeze him dry; a second-hand wig box, used as a depository 18645 18646for blank writs and declarations and other small forms of law, once the 18647 18648sole contents of the head which belonged to the wig which belonged to 18649 18650the box, as they were now of the box itself; two or three common books 18651 18652of practice; a jar of ink, a pounce box, a stunted hearth-broom, a 18653 18654carpet trodden to shreds but still clinging with the tightness of 18655 18656desperation to its tacks--these, with the yellow wainscot of the walls, 18657 18658the smoke-discoloured ceiling, the dust and cobwebs, were among the 18659 18660most prominent decorations of the office of Mr Sampson Brass.<br><br> 18661 18662But this was mere still-life, of no greater importance than the plate, 18663 18664'BRASS, Solicitor,' upon the door, and the bill, 'First floor to let to 18665 18666a single gentleman,' which was tied to the knocker. The office 18667 18668commonly held two examples of animated nature, more to the purpose of 18669 18670this history, and in whom it has a stronger interest and more 18671 18672particular concern.<br><br> 18673 18674Of these, one was Mr Brass himself, who has already appeared in these 18675 18676pages. The other was his clerk, assistant, housekeeper, secretary, 18677 18678confidential plotter, adviser, intriguer, and bill of cost increaser, 18679 18680Miss Brass--a kind of amazon at common law, of whom it may be desirable 18681 18682to offer a brief description.<br><br> 18683 18684Miss Sally Brass, then, was a lady of thirty-five or thereabouts, of a 18685 18686gaunt and bony figure, and a resolute bearing, which if it repressed 18687 18688the softer emotions of love, and kept admirers at a distance, certainly 18689 18690inspired a feeling akin to awe in the breasts of those male strangers 18691 18692who had the happiness to approach her. In face she bore a striking 18693 18694resemblance to her brother, Sampson--so exact, indeed, was the likeness 18695 18696between them, that had it consorted with Miss Brass's maiden modesty 18697 18698and gentle womanhood to have assumed her brother's clothes in a frolic 18699 18700and sat down beside him, it would have been difficult for the oldest 18701 18702friend of the family to determine which was Sampson and which Sally, 18703 18704especially as the lady carried upon her upper lip certain reddish 18705 18706demonstrations, which, if the imagination had been assisted by her 18707 18708attire, might have been mistaken for a beard. These were, however, in 18709 18710all probability, nothing more than eyelashes in a wrong place, as the 18711 18712eyes of Miss Brass were quite free from any such natural 18713 18714impertinencies. In complexion Miss Brass was sallow--rather a dirty 18715 18716sallow, so to speak--but this hue was agreeably relieved by the healthy 18717 18718glow which mantled in the extreme tip of her laughing nose. Her voice 18719 18720was exceedingly impressive--deep and rich in quality, and, once heard, 18721 18722not easily forgotten. Her usual dress was a green gown, in colour not 18723 18724unlike the curtain of the office window, made tight to the figure, and 18725 18726terminating at the throat, where it was fastened behind by a peculiarly 18727 18728large and massive button. Feeling, no doubt, that simplicity and 18729 18730plainness are the soul of elegance, Miss Brass wore no collar or 18731 18732kerchief except upon her head, which was invariably ornamented with a 18733 18734brown gauze scarf, like the wing of the fabled vampire, and which, 18735 18736twisted into any form that happened to suggest itself, formed an easy 18737 18738and graceful head-dress.<br><br> 18739 18740Such was Miss Brass in person. In mind, she was of a strong and 18741 18742vigorous turn, having from her earliest youth devoted herself with 18743 18744uncommon ardour to the study of law; not wasting her speculations upon 18745 18746its eagle flights, which are rare, but tracing it attentively through 18747 18748all the slippery and eel-like crawlings in which it commonly pursues 18749 18750its way. Nor had she, like many persons of great intellect, confined 18751 18752herself to theory, or stopped short where practical usefulness begins; 18753 18754inasmuch as she could ingross, fair-copy, fill up printed forms with 18755 18756perfect accuracy, and, in short, transact any ordinary duty of the 18757 18758office down to pouncing a skin of parchment or mending a pen. It is 18759 18760difficult to understand how, possessed of these combined attractions, 18761 18762she should remain Miss Brass; but whether she had steeled her heart 18763 18764against mankind, or whether those who might have wooed and won her, 18765 18766were deterred by fears that, being learned in the law, she might have 18767 18768too near her fingers' ends those particular statutes which regulate 18769 18770what are familiarly termed actions for breach, certain it is that she 18771 18772was still in a state of celibacy, and still in daily occupation of her 18773 18774old stool opposite to that of her brother Sampson. And equally certain 18775 18776it is, by the way, that between these two stools a great many people 18777 18778had come to the ground.<br><br> 18779 18780One morning Mr Sampson Brass sat upon his stool copying some legal 18781 18782process, and viciously digging his pen deep into the paper, as if he 18783 18784were writing upon the very heart of the party against whom it was 18785 18786directed; and Miss Sally Brass sat upon her stool making a new pen 18787 18788preparatory to drawing out a little bill, which was her favourite 18789 18790occupation; and so they sat in silence for a long time, until Miss 18791 18792Brass broke silence.<br><br> 18793 18794'Have you nearly done, Sammy?' said Miss Brass; for in her mild and 18795 18796feminine lips, Sampson became Sammy, and all things were softened down.<br><br> 18797 18798'No,' returned her brother. 'It would have been all done though, if 18799 18800you had helped at the right time.'<br><br> 18801 18802'Oh yes, indeed,' cried Miss Sally; 'you want my help, don't you?--YOU, 18803 18804too, that are going to keep a clerk!'<br><br> 18805 18806'Am I going to keep a clerk for my own pleasure, or because of my own 18807 18808wish, you provoking rascal!' said Mr Brass, putting his pen in his 18809 18810mouth, and grinning spitefully at his sister. 'What do you taunt me 18811 18812about going to keep a clerk for?'<br><br> 18813 18814It may be observed in this place, lest the fact of Mr Brass calling a 18815 18816lady a rascal, should occasion any wonderment or surprise, that he was 18817 18818so habituated to having her near him in a man's capacity, that he had 18819 18820gradually accustomed himself to talk to her as though she were really a 18821 18822man. And this feeling was so perfectly reciprocal, that not only did 18823 18824Mr Brass often call Miss Brass a rascal, or even put an adjective 18825 18826before the rascal, but Miss Brass looked upon it as quite a matter of 18827 18828course, and was as little moved as any other lady would be by being 18829 18830called an angel.<br><br> 18831 18832'What do you taunt me, after three hours' talk last night, with going 18833 18834to keep a clerk for?' repeated Mr Brass, grinning again with the pen in 18835 18836his mouth, like some nobleman's or gentleman's crest. Is it my fault?'<br><br> 18837 18838'All I know is,' said Miss Sally, smiling drily, for she delighted in 18839 18840nothing so much as irritating her brother, 'that if every one of your 18841 18842clients is to force us to keep a clerk, whether we want to or not, you 18843 18844had better leave off business, strike yourself off the roll, and get 18845 18846taken in execution, as soon as you can.'<br><br> 18847 18848'Have we got any other client like him?' said Brass. 'Have we got 18849 18850another client like him now--will you answer me that?'<br><br> 18851 18852'Do you mean in the face!' said his sister.<br><br> 18853 18854'Do I mean in the face!' sneered Sampson Brass, reaching over to take 18855 18856up the bill-book, and fluttering its leaves rapidly. 'Look 18857 18858here--Daniel Quilp, Esquire--Daniel Quilp, Esquire--Daniel Quilp, 18859 18860Esquire--all through. Whether should I take a clerk that he 18861 18862recommends, and says, "this is the man for you," or lose all this, eh?'<br><br> 18863 18864Miss Sally deigned to make no reply, but smiled again, and went on with 18865 18866her work.<br><br> 18867 18868'But I know what it is,' resumed Brass after a short silence. 'You're 18869 18870afraid you won't have as long a finger in the business as you've been 18871 18872used to have. Do you think I don't see through that?'<br><br> 18873 18874'The business wouldn't go on very long, I expect, without me,' returned 18875 18876his sister composedly. 'Don't you be a fool and provoke me, Sammy, but 18877 18878mind what you're doing, and do it.'<br><br> 18879 18880Sampson Brass, who was at heart in great fear of his sister, sulkily 18881 18882bent over his writing again, and listened as she said:<br><br> 18883 18884'If I determined that the clerk ought not to come, of course he 18885 18886wouldn't be allowed to come. You know that well enough, so don't talk 18887 18888nonsense.'<br><br> 18889 18890Mr Brass received this observation with increased meekness, merely 18891 18892remarking, under his breath, that he didn't like that kind of joking, 18893 18894and that Miss Sally would be 'a much better fellow' if she forbore to 18895 18896aggravate him. To this compliment Miss Sally replied, that she had a 18897 18898relish for the amusement, and had no intention to forego its 18899 18900gratification. Mr Brass not caring, as it seemed, to pursue the 18901 18902subject any further, they both plied their pens at a great pace, and 18903 18904there the discussion ended.<br><br> 18905 18906While they were thus employed, the window was suddenly darkened, as by 18907 18908some person standing close against it. As Mr Brass and Miss Sally 18909 18910looked up to ascertain the cause, the top sash was nimbly lowered from 18911 18912without, and Quilp thrust in his head.<br><br> 18913 18914'Hallo!' he said, standing on tip-toe on the window-sill, and looking 18915 18916down into the room. 'Is there anybody at home? Is there any of the 18917 18918Devil's ware here? Is Brass at a premium, eh?'<br><br> 18919 18920'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed the lawyer in an affected ecstasy. 'Oh, very 18921 18922good, Sir! Oh, very good indeed! Quite eccentric! Dear me, what 18923 18924humour he has!'<br><br> 18925 18926'Is that my Sally?' croaked the dwarf, ogling the fair Miss Brass. 'Is 18927 18928it Justice with the bandage off her eyes, and without the sword and 18929 18930scales? Is it the Strong Arm of the Law? Is it the Virgin of Bevis?'<br><br> 18931 18932'What an amazing flow of spirits!' cried Brass. 'Upon my word, it's 18933 18934quite extraordinary!'<br><br> 18935 18936'Open the door,' said Quilp, 'I've got him here. Such a clerk for you, 18937 18938Brass, such a prize, such an ace of trumps. Be quick and open the 18939 18940door, or if there's another lawyer near and he should happen to look 18941 18942out of window, he'll snap him up before your eyes, he will.'<br><br> 18943 18944It is probable that the loss of the phoenix of clerks, even to a rival 18945 18946practitioner, would not have broken Mr Brass's heart; but, pretending 18947 18948great alacrity, he rose from his seat, and going to the door, returned, 18949 18950introducing his client, who led by the hand no less a person than Mr 18951 18952Richard Swiveller.<br><br> 18953 18954'There she is,' said Quilp, stopping short at the door, and wrinkling 18955 18956up his eyebrows as he looked towards Miss Sally; 'there is the woman I 18957 18958ought to have married--there is the beautiful Sarah--there is the 18959 18960female who has all the charms of her sex and none of their weaknesses. 18961 18962Oh Sally, Sally!'<br><br> 18963 18964To this amorous address Miss Brass briefly responded 'Bother!'<br><br> 18965 18966'Hard-hearted as the metal from which she takes her name,' said Quilp. 18967 18968'Why don't she change it--melt down the brass, and take another name?'<br><br> 18969 18970'Hold your nonsense, Mr Quilp, do,' returned Miss Sally, with a grim 18971 18972smile. 'I wonder you're not ashamed of yourself before a strange young 18973 18974man.'<br><br> 18975 18976'The strange young man,' said Quilp, handing Dick Swiveller forward, 18977 18978'is too susceptible himself not to understand me well. This is Mr 18979 18980Swiveller, my intimate friend--a gentleman of good family and great 18981 18982expectations, but who, having rather involved himself by youthful 18983 18984indiscretion, is content for a time to fill the humble station of a 18985
18986clerk--humble, but here most enviable. What a delicious atmosphere!'<br><br> 18987 18988If Mr Quilp spoke figuratively, and meant to imply that the air 18989 18990breathed by Miss Sally Brass was sweetened and rarefied by that dainty 18991 18992creature, he had doubtless good reason for what he said. But if he 18993 18994spoke of the delights of the atmosphere of Mr Brass's office in a 18995 18996literal sense, he had certainly a peculiar taste, as it was of a close 18997 18998and earthy kind, and, besides being frequently impregnated with strong 18999 19000whiffs of the second-hand wearing apparel exposed for sale in Duke's 19001 19002Place and Houndsditch, had a decided flavour of rats and mice, and a 19003 19004taint of mouldiness. Perhaps some doubts of its pure delight presented 19005 19006themselves to Mr Swiveller, as he gave vent to one or two short abrupt 19007 19008sniffs, and looked incredulously at the grinning dwarf.<br><br> 19009 19010'Mr Swiveller,' said Quilp, 'being pretty well accustomed to the 19011 19012agricultural pursuits of sowing wild oats, Miss Sally, prudently 19013 19014considers that half a loaf is better than no bread. To be out of 19015 19016harm's way he prudently thinks is something too, and therefore he 19017 19018accepts your brother's offer. Brass, Mr Swiveller is yours.'<br><br> 19019 19020'I am very glad, Sir,' said Mr Brass, 'very glad indeed. Mr Swiveller, 19021 19022Sir, is fortunate enough to have your friendship. You may be very 19023 19024proud, Sir, to have the friendship of Mr Quilp.'<br><br> 19025 19026Dick murmured something about never wanting a friend or a bottle to 19027 19028give him, and also gasped forth his favourite allusion to the wing of 19029 19030friendship and its never moulting a feather; but his faculties appeared 19031 19032to be absorbed in the contemplation of Miss Sally Brass, at whom he 19033 19034stared with blank and rueful looks, which delighted the watchful dwarf 19035 19036beyond measure. As to the divine Miss Sally herself, she rubbed her 19037 19038hands as men of business do, and took a few turns up and down the 19039 19040office with her pen behind her ear.<br><br> 19041 19042'I suppose,' said the dwarf, turning briskly to his legal friend, 'that 19043 19044Mr Swiveller enters upon his duties at once? It's Monday morning.'<br><br> 19045 19046'At once, if you please, Sir, by all means,' returned Brass.<br><br> 19047 19048'Miss Sally will teach him law, the delightful study of the law,' said 19049 19050Quilp; 'she'll be his guide, his friend, his companion, his Blackstone, 19051 19052his Coke upon Littleton, his Young Lawyer's Best Companion.'<br><br> 19053 19054'He is exceedingly eloquent,' said Brass, like a man abstracted, and 19055 19056looking at the roofs of the opposite houses, with his hands in his 19057 19058pockets; 'he has an extraordinary flow of language. Beautiful, really.'<br><br> 19059 19060'With Miss Sally,' Quilp went on, 'and the beautiful fictions of the 19061 19062law, his days will pass like minutes. Those charming creations of the 19063 19064poet, John Doe and Richard Roe, when they first dawn upon him, will 19065 19066open a new world for the enlargement of his mind and the improvement of 19067 19068his heart.'<br><br> 19069 19070'Oh, beautiful, beautiful! Beau-ti-ful indeed!' cried Brass. 'It's a 19071 19072treat to hear him!'<br><br> 19073 19074'Where will Mr Swiveller sit?' said Quilp, looking round.<br><br> 19075 19076'Why, we'll buy another stool, sir,' returned Brass. 'We hadn't any 19077 19078thoughts of having a gentleman with us, sir, until you were kind enough 19079 19080to suggest it, and our accommodation's not extensive. We'll look about 19081 19082for a second-hand stool, sir. In the meantime, if Mr Swiveller will 19083 19084take my seat, and try his hand at a fair copy of this ejectment, as I 19085 19086shall be out pretty well all the morning--'<br><br> 19087 19088'Walk with me,' said Quilp. 'I have a word or two to say to you on 19089 19090points of business. Can you spare the time?'<br><br> 19091 19092'Can I spare the time to walk with you, sir? You're joking, sir, 19093 19094you're joking with me,' replied the lawyer, putting on his hat. 'I'm 19095 19096ready, sir, quite ready. My time must be fully occupied indeed, sir, 19097 19098not to leave me time to walk with you. It's not everybody, sir, who 19099 19100has an opportunity of improving himself by the conversation of Mr 19101 19102Quilp.'<br><br> 19103 19104The dwarf glanced sarcastically at his brazen friend, and, with a short 19105 19106dry cough, turned upon his heel to bid adieu to Miss Sally. After a 19107
19108very gallant parting on his side, and a very cool and gentlemanly sort 19109 19110of one on hers, he nodded to Dick Swiveller, and withdrew with the 19111 19112attorney.<br><br> 19113 19114Dick stood at the desk in a state of utter stupefaction, staring with 19115 19116all his might at the beauteous Sally, as if she had been some curious 19117 19118animal whose like had never lived. When the dwarf got into the street, 19119 19120he mounted again upon the window-sill, and looked into the office for a 19121 19122moment with a grinning face, as a man might peep into a cage. Dick 19123 19124glanced upward at him, but without any token of recognition; and long 19125 19126after he had disappeared, still stood gazing upon Miss Sally Brass, 19127 19128seeing or thinking of nothing else, and rooted to the spot.<br><br> 19129 19130Miss Brass being by this time deep in the bill of costs, took no notice 19131 19132whatever of Dick, but went scratching on, with a noisy pen, scoring 19133 19134down the figures with evident delight, and working like a steam-engine. 19135 19136There stood Dick, gazing now at the green gown, now at the brown 19137 19138head-dress, now at the face, and now at the rapid pen, in a state of 19139 19140stupid perplexity, wondering how he got into the company of that 19141 19142strange monster, and whether it was a dream and he would ever wake. At 19143 19144last he heaved a deep sigh, and began slowly pulling off his coat.<br><br> 19145 19146Mr Swiveller pulled off his coat, and folded it up with great 19147 19148elaboration, staring at Miss Sally all the time; then put on a blue 19149 19150jacket with a double row of gilt buttons, which he had originally 19151 19152ordered for aquatic expeditions, but had brought with him that morning 19153 19154for office purposes; and, still keeping his eye upon her, suffered 19155 19156himself to drop down silently upon Mr Brass's stool. Then he underwent 19157 19158a relapse, and becoming powerless again, rested his chin upon his hand, 19159 19160and opened his eyes so wide, that it appeared quite out of the question 19161 19162that he could ever close them any more.<br><br> 19163 19164When he had looked so long that he could see nothing, Dick took his 19165 19166eyes off the fair object of his amazement, turned over the leaves of 19167 19168the draft he was to copy, dipped his pen into the inkstand, and at 19169 19170last, and by slow approaches, began to write. But he had not written 19171 19172half-a-dozen words when, reaching over to the inkstand to take a fresh 19173 19174dip, he happened to raise his eyes. There was the intolerable brown 19175 19176head-dress--there was the green gown--there, in short, was Miss Sally 19177 19178Brass, arrayed in all her charms, and more tremendous than ever.<br><br> 19179 19180This happened so often, that Mr Swiveller by degrees began to feel 19181 19182strange influences creeping over him--horrible desires to annihilate 19183 19184this Sally Brass--mysterious promptings to knock her head-dress off and 19185 19186try how she looked without it. There was a very large ruler on the 19187 19188table; a large, black, shining ruler. Mr Swiveller took it up and 19189 19190began to rub his nose with it.<br><br> 19191 19192From rubbing his nose with the ruler, to poising it in his hand and 19193 19194giving it an occasional flourish after the tomahawk manner, the 19195 19196transition was easy and natural. In some of these flourishes it went 19197 19198close to Miss Sally's head; the ragged edges of the head-dress 19199 19200fluttered with the wind it raised; advance it but an inch, and that 19201 19202great brown knot was on the ground: yet still the unconscious maiden 19203 19204worked away, and never raised her eyes.<br><br> 19205 19206Well, this was a great relief. It was a good thing to write doggedly 19207 19208and obstinately until he was desperate, and then snatch up the ruler 19209 19210and whirl it about the brown head-dress with the consciousness that he 19211 19212could have it off if he liked. It was a good thing to draw it back, 19213 19214and rub his nose very hard with it, if he thought Miss Sally was going 19215 19216to look up, and to recompense himself with more hardy flourishes when 19217 19218he found she was still absorbed. By these means Mr Swiveller calmed 19219 19220the agitation of his feelings, until his applications to the ruler 19221 19222became less fierce and frequent, and he could even write as many as 19223 19224half-a-dozen consecutive lines without having recourse to it--which was 19225 19226a great victory.<br><br> 19227 19228CHAPTER 34<br><br> 19229 19230In course of time, that is to say, after a couple of hours or so, of 19231
19232diligent application, Miss Brass arrived at the conclusion of her task, 19233 19234and recorded the fact by wiping her pen upon the green gown, and taking 19235 19236a pinch of snuff from a little round tin box which she carried in her 19237 19238pocket. Having disposed of this temperate refreshment, she arose from 19239 19240her stool, tied her papers into a formal packet with red tape, and 19241 19242taking them under her arm, marched out of the office.<br><br> 19243 19244Mr Swiveller had scarcely sprung off his seat and commenced the 19245 19246performance of a maniac hornpipe, when he was interrupted, in the 19247 19248fulness of his joy at being again alone, by the opening of the door, 19249 19250and the reappearance of Miss Sally's head.<br><br> 19251 19252'I am going out,' said Miss Brass.<br><br> 19253 19254'Very good, ma'am,' returned Dick. 'And don't hurry yourself on my 19255 19256account to come back, ma'am,' he added inwardly.<br><br> 19257 19258'If anybody comes on office business, take their messages, and say that 19259 19260the gentleman who attends to that matter isn't in at present, will 19261 19262you?' said Miss Brass.<br><br> 19263 19264'I will, ma'am,' replied Dick.<br><br> 19265 19266'I shan't be very long,' said Miss Brass, retiring.<br><br> 19267 19268'I'm sorry to hear it, ma'am,' rejoined Dick when she had shut the 19269 19270door. 'I hope you may be unexpectedly detained, ma'am. If you could 19271 19272manage to be run over, ma'am, but not seriously, so much the better.'<br><br> 19273 19274Uttering these expressions of good-will with extreme gravity, Mr 19275 19276Swiveller sat down in the client's chair and pondered; then took a few 19277 19278turns up and down the room and fell into the chair again.<br><br> 19279 19280'So I'm Brass's clerk, am I?' said Dick. 'Brass's clerk, eh? And the 19281 19282clerk of Brass's sister--clerk to a female Dragon. Very good, very 19283 19284good! What shall I be next? Shall I be a convict in a felt hat and a 19285 19286grey suit, trotting about a dockyard with my number neatly embroidered 19287 19288on my uniform, and the order of the garter on my leg, restrained from 19289 19290chafing my ankle by a twisted belcher handkerchief? Shall I be that? 19291 19292Will that do, or is it too genteel? Whatever you please, have it your 19293 19294own way, of course.'<br><br> 19295 19296As he was entirely alone, it may be presumed that, in these remarks, Mr 19297 19298Swiveller addressed himself to his fate or destiny, whom, as we learn 19299 19300by the precedents, it is the custom of heroes to taunt in a very bitter 19301 19302and ironical manner when they find themselves in situations of an 19303 19304unpleasant nature. This is the more probable from the circumstance of 19305 19306Mr Swiveller directing his observations to the ceiling, which these 19307 19308bodily personages are usually supposed to inhabit--except in theatrical 19309 19310cases, when they live in the heart of the great chandelier.<br><br> 19311 19312'Quilp offers me this place, which he says he can insure me,' resumed 19313 19314Dick after a thoughtful silence, and telling off the circumstances of 19315 19316his position, one by one, upon his fingers; 'Fred, who, I could have 19317 19318taken my affidavit, would not have heard of such a thing, backs Quilp 19319 19320to my astonishment, and urges me to take it also--staggerer, number 19321 19322one! My aunt in the country stops the supplies, and writes an 19323 19324affectionate note to say that she has made a new will, and left me out 19325 19326of it--staggerer, number two. No money; no credit; no support from 19327 19328Fred, who seems to turn steady all at once; notice to quit the old 19329 19330lodgings--staggerers, three, four, five, and six! Under an 19331 19332accumulation of staggerers, no man can be considered a free agent. No 19333 19334man knocks himself down; if his destiny knocks him down, his destiny 19335 19336must pick him up again. Then I'm very glad that mine has brought all 19337 19338this upon itself, and I shall be as careless as I can, and make myself 19339 19340quite at home to spite it. So go on my buck,' said Mr Swiveller, 19341 19342taking his leave of the ceiling with a significant nod, 'and let us see 19343 19344which of us will be tired first!'<br><br> 19345 19346Dismissing the subject of his downfall with these reflections, which 19347 19348were no doubt very profound, and are indeed not altogether unknown in 19349 19350certain systems of moral philosophy, Mr Swiveller shook off his 19351 19352despondency and assumed the cheerful ease of an irresponsible clerk.<br><br> 19353 19354As a means towards his composure and self-possession, he entered into a 19355 19356more minute examination of the office than he had yet had time to make; 19357 19358looked into the wig-box, the books, and ink-bottle; untied and 19359 19360inspected all the papers; carved a few devices on the table with a 19361 19362sharp blade of Mr Brass's penknife;
19362 and wrote his name on the inside of 19363 19364the wooden coal-scuttle. Having, as it were, taken formal possession 19365 19366of his clerkship in virtue of these proceedings, he opened the window 19367 19368and leaned negligently out of it until a beer-boy happened to pass, 19369 19370whom he commanded to set down his tray and to serve him with a pint of 19371 19372mild porter, which he drank upon the spot and promptly paid for, with 19373 19374the view of breaking ground for a system of future credit and opening a 19375 19376correspondence tending thereto, without loss of time. Then, three or 19377 19378four little boys dropped in, on legal errands from three or four 19379 19380attorneys of the Brass grade: whom Mr Swiveller received and dismissed 19381 19382with about as professional a manner, and as correct and comprehensive 19383 19384an understanding of their business, as would have been shown by a clown 19385 19386in a pantomime under similar circumstances. These things done and 19387 19388over, he got upon his stool again and tried his hand at drawing 19389 19390caricatures of Miss Brass with a pen and ink, whistling very cheerfully 19391 19392all the time.<br><br> 19393 19394He was occupied in this diversion when a coach stopped near the door, 19395 19396and presently afterwards there was a loud double-knock. As this was no 19397 19398business of Mr Swiveller's, the person not ringing the office bell, he 19399 19400pursued his diversion with perfect composure, notwithstanding that he 19401 19402rather thought there was nobody else in the house.<br><br> 19403 19404In this, however, he was mistaken; for, after the knock had been 19405 19406repeated with increased impatience, the door was opened, and somebody 19407 19408with a very heavy tread went up the stairs and into the room above. Mr 19409 19410Swiveller was wondering whether this might be another Miss Brass, twin 19411 19412sister to the Dragon, when there came a rapping of knuckles at the 19413 19414office door.<br><br> 19415 19416'Come in!' said Dick. 'Don't stand upon ceremony. The business will 19417 19418get rather complicated if I've many more customers. Come in!'<br><br> 19419 19420'Oh, please,' said a little voice very low down in the doorway, 'will 19421 19422you come and show the lodgings?'<br><br> 19423 19424Dick leant over the table, and descried a small slipshod girl in a 19425 19426dirty coarse apron and bib, which left nothing of her visible but her 19427 19428face and feet. She might as well have been dressed in a violin-case.<br><br> 19429 19430'Why, who are you?' said Dick.<br><br> 19431 19432To which the only reply was, 'Oh, please will you come and show the 19433 19434lodgings?'<br><br> 19435 19436There never was such an old-fashioned child in her looks and manner. 19437 19438She must have been at work from her cradle. She seemed as much afraid 19439 19440of Dick, as Dick was amazed at her.<br><br> 19441 19442'I hav'n't got anything to do with the lodgings,' said Dick. 'Tell 'em 19443 19444to call again.'<br><br> 19445 19446'Oh, but please will you come and show the lodgings,' returned the 19447 19448girl; 'It's eighteen shillings a week and us finding plate and linen. 19449 19450Boots and clothes is extra, and fires in winter-time is eightpence a 19451 19452day.'<br><br> 19453 19454'Why don't you show 'em yourself? You seem to know all about 'em,' 19455 19456said Dick.<br><br> 19457 19458'Miss Sally said I wasn't to, because people wouldn't believe the 19459 19460attendance was good if they saw how small I was first.'<br><br> 19461 19462'Well, but they'll see how small you are afterwards, won't they?' said 19463 19464Dick.<br><br> 19465 19466'Ah! But then they'll have taken 'em for a fortnight certain,' replied 19467 19468the child with a shrewd look; 'and people don't like moving when 19469 19470they're once settled.'<br><br> 19471 19472'This is a queer sort of thing,' muttered Dick, rising. 'What do you 19473 19474mean to say you are--the cook?'<br><br> 19475 19476'Yes, I do plain cooking;' replied the child. 'I'm housemaid too; I do 19477 19478all the work of the house.'<br><br> 19479 19480'I suppose Brass and the Dragon and I do the dirtiest part of it,' 19481 19482thought Dick. And he might have thought much more, being in a doubtful 19483 19484and hesitating mood, but that the girl again urged her request, and 19485 19486certain mysterious bumping sounds on the passage and staircase seemed 19487 19488to give note of the applicant's impatience. Richard Swiveller, 19489 19490therefore, sticking a pen behind each ear, and carrying another in his 19491 19492mouth as a token of his great importance and devotion to business, 19493 19494hurried out to meet and treat with the single gentleman.<br><br> 19495 19496He was a little surprised to perceive that the bumping sounds were 19497 19498occasioned by the progress up-stairs of the single gentleman's trunk, 19499 19500which, being nearly twice as wide as the staircase, and exceedingly 19501 19502heavy withal, it was no easy matter for the united exertions of the 19503 19504single gentleman and the coachman to convey up the steep ascent. But 19505 19506there they were, crushing each other, and pushing and pulling with all 19507 19508their might, and getting the trunk tight and fast in all kinds of 19509 19510impossible angles, and to pass them was out of the question; for which 19511 19512sufficient reason, Mr Swiveller followed slowly behind, entering a new 19513 19514protest on every stair against the house of Mr Sampson Brass being thus 19515 19516taken by storm.<br><br> 19517 19518To these remonstrances, the single gentleman answered not a word, but 19519 19520when the trunk was at last got into the bed-room, sat down upon it and 19521 19522wiped his bald head and face with his handkerchief. He was very warm, 19523 19524and well he might be; for, not to mention the exertion of getting the 19525 19526trunk up stairs, he was closely muffled in winter garments, though the 19527 19528thermometer had stood all day at eighty-one in the shade.<br><br> 19529 19530'I believe, sir,' said Richard Swiveller, taking his pen out of his 19531 19532mouth, 'that you desire to look at these apartments. They are very 19533 19534charming apartments, sir. They command an uninterrupted view of--of 19535 19536over the way, and they are within one minute's walk of--of the corner 19537 19538of the street. There is exceedingly mild porter, sir, in the immediate 19539 19540vicinity, and the contingent advantages are extraordinary.'<br><br> 19541 19542'What's the rent?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 19543 19544'One pound per week,' replied Dick, improving on the terms.<br><br> 19545 19546'I'll take 'em.'<br><br> 19547 19548'The boots and clothes are extras,' said Dick; 'and the fires in winter 19549 19550time are--'<br><br> 19551 19552'Are all agreed to,' answered the single gentleman.<br><br> 19553 19554'Two weeks certain,' said Dick, 'are the--'<br><br> 19555 19556'Two weeks!' cried the single gentleman gruffly, eyeing him from top to 19557 19558toe. 'Two years. I shall live here for two years. Here. Ten pounds 19559 19560down. The bargain's made.'<br><br> 19561 19562'Why you see,' said Dick, 'my name is not Brass, and--'<br><br> 19563 19564'Who said it was? My name's not Brass. What then?'<br><br> 19565 19566'The name of the master of the house is,' said Dick.<br><br> 19567 19568'I'm glad of it,' returned the single gentleman; 'it's a good name for 19569 19570a lawyer. Coachman, you may go. So may you, Sir.'<br><br> 19571 19572Mr Swiveller was so much confounded by the single gentleman riding 19573 19574roughshod over him at this rate, that he stood looking at him almost as 19575 19576hard as he had looked at Miss Sally. The single gentleman, however, 19577 19578was not in the slightest degree affected by this circumstance, but 19579 19580proceeded with perfect composure to unwind the shawl which was tied 19581 19582round his neck, and then to pull off his boots. Freed of these 19583 19584encumbrances, he went on to divest himself of his other clothing, which 19585 19586he folded up, piece by piece, and ranged in order on the trunk. Then, 19587 19588he pulled down the window-blinds, drew the curtains, wound up his 19589 19590watch, and, quite leisurely and methodically, got into bed.<br><br> 19591 19592'Take down the bill,' were his parting words, as he looked out from 19593 19594between the curtains; 'and let nobody call me till I ring the bell.'<br><br> 19595 19596With that the curtains closed, and he seemed to snore immediately.<br><br> 19597 19598'This is a most remarkable and supernatural sort of house!' said Mr 19599 19600Swiveller, as he walked into the office with the bill in his hand. 19601 19602'She-dragons in the business, conducting themselves like professional 19603 19604gentlemen; plain cooks of three feet high appearing mysteriously from 19605 19606under ground; strangers walking in and going to bed without leave or 19607 19608licence in the middle of the day! If he should be one of the 19609 19610miraculous fellows that turn up now and then, and has gone to sleep for 19611 19612two years, I shall be in a pleasant situation. It's my destiny, 19613 19614however, and I hope Brass may like it. I shall be sorry if he don't. 19615 19616But it's no business of mine--I have nothing whatever to do with it!'<br><br> 19617 19618CHAPTER 35<br><br> 19619 19620Mr Brass on returning home received the report of his clerk with much 19621 19622complacency and satisfaction, and was particular in inquiring after the 19623 19624ten-pound note, which, proving on examination to be a good and lawful 19625 19626note of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, increased his 19627 19628good-humour considerably. Indeed he so overflowed with liberality and 19629 19630condescension, that, in the fulness of his heart, he invited Mr 19631 19632Swiveller to partake of a bowl of punch with him at that remote and 19633 19634indefinite period which is currently denominated 'one of these days,' 19635 19636and paid him many handsome compliments on the uncommon aptitude for 19637 19638business which his conduct on the first day of his devotion to it had 19639 19640so plainly evinced.<br><br> 19641 19642It was a maxim with Mr Brass that the habit of paying compliments kept 19643 19644a man's tongue oiled without any expense; and, as that useful member 19645 19646ought never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case 19647 19648of a practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and 19649 19650easy, he lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance 19651 19652of handsome speeches and eulogistic expressions. And this had passed 19653 19654into such a habit with him, that, if he could not be correctly said to 19655 19656have his tongue at his fingers' ends, he might certainly be said to 19657 19658have it anywhere but in his face: which being, as we have already seen, 19659 19660of a harsh and repulsive character, was not oiled so easily, but 19661 19662frowned above all the smooth speeches--one of nature's beacons, warning 19663 19664off those who navigated the shoals and breakers of the World, or of 19665
19666that dangerous strait the Law, and admonishing them to seek less 19667 19668treacherous harbours and try their fortune elsewhere.<br><br> 19669 19670While Mr Brass by turns overwhelmed his clerk with compliments and 19671 19672inspected the ten-pound note, Miss Sally showed little emotion and that 19673 19674of no pleasurable kind, for as the tendency of her legal practice had 19675 19676been to fix her thoughts on small gains and gripings, and to whet and 19677 19678sharpen her natural wisdom, she was not a little disappointed that the 19679 19680single gentleman had obtained the lodgings at such an easy rate, 19681 19682arguing that when he was seen to have set his mind upon them, he should 19683 19684have been at the least charged double or treble the usual terms, and 19685 19686that, in exact proportion as he pressed forward, Mr Swiveller should 19687 19688have hung back. But neither the good opinion of Mr Brass, nor the 19689 19690dissatisfaction of Miss Sally, wrought any impression upon that young 19691 19692gentleman, who, throwing the responsibility of this and all other acts 19693 19694and deeds thereafter to be done by him, upon his unlucky destiny, was 19695 19696quite resigned and comfortable: fully prepared for the worst, and 19697 19698philosophically indifferent to the best.<br><br> 19699 19700'Good morning, Mr Richard,' said Brass, on the second day of Mr 19701 19702Swiveller's clerkship. 'Sally found you a second-hand stool, Sir, 19703 19704yesterday evening, in Whitechapel. She's a rare fellow at a bargain, I 19705 19706can tell you, Mr Richard. You'll find that a first-rate stool, Sir, 19707 19708take my word for it.'<br><br> 19709 19710'It's rather a crazy one to look at,' said Dick.<br><br> 19711 19712'You'll find it a most amazing stool to sit down upon, you may depend,' 19713 19714returned Mr Brass. 'It was bought in the open street just opposite the 19715 19716hospital, and as it has been standing there a month of two, it has got 19717 19718rather dusty and a little brown from being in the sun, that's all.'<br><br> 19719 19720'I hope it hasn't got any fevers or anything of that sort in it,' said 19721 19722Dick, sitting himself down discontentedly, between Mr Sampson and the 19723 19724chaste Sally. 'One of the legs is longer than the others.'<br><br> 19725 19726'Then we get a bit of timber in, Sir,' retorted Brass. 'Ha, ha, ha! 19727 19728We get a bit of timber in, Sir, and that's another advantage of my 19729 19730sister's going to market for us. Miss Brass, Mr Richard is the--'<br><br> 19731 19732'Will you keep quiet?' interrupted the fair subject of these remarks, 19733 19734looking up from her papers. 'How am I to work if you keep on 19735 19736chattering?'<br><br> 19737 19738'What an uncertain chap you are!' returned the lawyer. 'Sometimes 19739 19740you're all for a chat. At another time you're all for work. A man 19741 19742never knows what humour he'll find you in.'<br><br> 19743 19744'I'm in a working humour now,' said Sally, 'so don't disturb me, if you 19745 19746please. And don't take him,' Miss Sally pointed with the feather of 19747 19748her pen to Richard, 'off his business. He won't do more than he can 19749 19750help, I dare say.'<br><br> 19751 19752Mr Brass had evidently a strong inclination to make an angry reply, but 19753 19754was deterred by prudent or timid considerations, as he only muttered 19755 19756something about aggravation and a vagabond; not associating the terms 19757 19758with any individual, but mentioning them as connected with some 19759 19760abstract ideas which happened to occur to him. They went on writing 19761 19762for a long time in silence after this--in such a dull silence that Mr 19763 19764Swiveller (who required excitement) had several times fallen asleep, 19765 19766and written divers strange words in an unknown character with his eyes 19767 19768shut, when Miss Sally at length broke in upon the monotony of the 19769 19770office by pulling out the little tin box, taking a noisy pinch of 19771 19772snuff, and then expressing her opinion that Mr Richard Swiveller had 19773 19774'done it.'<br><br> 19775 19776'Done what, ma'am?' said Richard.<br><br> 19777 19778'Do you know,' returned Miss Brass, 'that the lodger isn't up yet-- 19779 19780that nothing has been seen or heard of him since he went to bed 19781 19782yesterday afternoon?'<br><br> 19783 19784'Well, ma'am,' said Dick, 'I suppose he may sleep his ten pound out, in 19785 19786peace and quietness, if he likes.'<br><br> 19787 19788'Ah! I begin to think he'll never wake,' observed Miss Sally.<br><br> 19789 19790'It's a very remarkable circumstance,' said Brass, laying down his pen; 19791 19792'really, very remarkable. Mr Richard, you'll remember, if this 19793
19794gentleman should be found to have hung himself to the bed-post, or any 19795 19796unpleasant accident of that kind should happen--you'll remember, Mr 19797 19798Richard, that this ten pound note was given to you in part payment of 19799 19800two years' rent? You'll bear that in mind, Mr Richard; you had better 19801 19802make a note of it, sir, in case you should ever be called upon to give 19803 19804evidence.'<br><br> 19805 19806Mr Swiveller took a large sheet of foolscap, and with a countenance of 19807 19808profound gravity, began to make a very small note in one corner.<br><br> 19809 19810'We can never be too cautious,' said Mr Brass. 'There is a deal of 19811 19812wickedness going about the world, a deal of wickedness. Did the 19813 19814gentleman happen to say, Sir--but never mind that at present, sir; 19815 19816finish that little memorandum first.'<br><br> 19817 19818Dick did so, and handed it to Mr Brass, who had dismounted from his 19819 19820stool, and was walking up and down the office.<br><br> 19821 19822'Oh, this is the memorandum, is it?' said Brass, running his eye over 19823 19824the document. 'Very good. Now, Mr Richard, did the gentleman say 19825 19826anything else?'<br><br> 19827 19828'No.'<br><br> 19829 19830'Are you sure, Mr Richard,' said Brass, solemnly, 'that the gentleman 19831 19832said nothing else?'<br><br> 19833 19834'Devil a word, Sir,' replied Dick.<br><br> 19835 19836'Think again, Sir,' said Brass; 'it's my duty, Sir, in the position in 19837 19838which I stand, and as an honourable member of the legal profession--the 19839 19840first profession in this country, Sir, or in any other country, or in 19841 19842any of the planets that shine above us at night and are supposed to be 19843 19844inhabited--it's my duty, Sir, as an honourable member of that 19845 19846profession, not to put to you a leading question in a matter of this 19847 19848delicacy and importance. Did the gentleman, Sir, who took the first 19849 19850floor of you yesterday afternoon, and who brought with him a box of 19851 19852property--a box of property--say anything more than is set down in this 19853 19854memorandum?'<br><br> 19855 19856'Come, don't be a fool,' said Miss Sally.<br><br> 19857 19858Dick looked at her, and then at Brass, and then at Miss Sally again, 19859 19860and still said 'No.'<br><br> 19861 19862'Pooh, pooh! Deuce take it, Mr Richard, how dull you are!' cried 19863 19864Brass, relaxing into a smile. 'Did he say anything about his 19865 19866property?--there!'<br><br> 19867 19868'That's the way to put it,' said Miss Sally, nodding to her brother.<br><br> 19869 19870'Did he say, for instance,' added Brass, in a kind of comfortable, cozy 19871 19872tone--'I don't assert that he did say so, mind; I only ask you, to 19873 19874refresh your memory--did he say, for instance, that he was a stranger 19875 19876in London--that it was not his humour or within his ability to give any 19877 19878references--that he felt we had a right to require them--and that, in 19879 19880case anything should happen to him, at any time, he particularly 19881 19882desired that whatever property he had upon the premises should be 19883 19884considered mine, as some slight recompense for the trouble and 19885 19886annoyance I should sustain--and were you, in short,' added Brass, still 19887 19888more comfortably and cozily than before, 'were you induced to accept 19889 19890him on my behalf, as a tenant, upon those conditions?'<br><br> 19891 19892'Certainly not,' replied Dick.<br><br> 19893 19894'Why then, Mr Richard,' said Brass, darting at him a supercilious and 19895 19896reproachful look, 'it's my opinion that you've mistaken your calling, 19897 19898and will never make a lawyer.'<br><br> 19899 19900'Not if you live a thousand years,' added Miss Sally. Whereupon the 19901 19902brother and sister took each a noisy pinch of snuff from the little tin 19903 19904box, and fell into a gloomy thoughtfulness.<br><br> 19905 19906Nothing further passed up to Mr Swiveller's dinner-time, which was at 19907 19908three o'clock, and seemed about three weeks in coming. At the first 19909 19910stroke of the hour, the new clerk disappeared. At the last stroke of 19911 19912five, he reappeared, and the office, as if by magic, became fragrant 19913 19914with the smell of gin and water and lemon-peel.<br><br> 19915 19916'Mr Richard,' said Brass, 'this man's not up yet. Nothing will wake 19917 19918him, sir. What's to be done?'<br><br> 19919 19920'I should let him have his sleep out,' returned Dick.<br><br> 19921 19922'Sleep out!' cried Brass; 'why he has been asleep now, six-and-twenty 19923 19924hours. We have been moving chests of drawers over his head, we have 19925 19926knocked double knocks at the street-door, we have made the servant-girl 19927 19928fall down stairs several times (she's a light weight, and it don't hurt 19929 19930her much,) but nothing wakes him.'<br><br> 19931 19932'Perhaps a ladder,' suggested Dick, 'and getting in at the first-floor 19933 19934window--'<br><br> 19935 19936'But then there's a door between; besides, the neighbours would be up 19937 19938in arms,' said Brass.<br><br> 19939 19940'What do you say to getting on the roof of the house through the 19941 19942trap-door, and dropping down the chimney?' suggested Dick.<br><br> 19943 19944'That would be an excellent plan,' said Brass, 'if anybody would be--' 19945 19946and here he looked very hard at Mr Swiveller--'would be kind, and 19947 19948friendly, and generous enough, to undertake it. I dare say it would 19949 19950not be anything like as disagreeable as one supposes.'<br><br> 19951 19952Dick had made the suggestion, thinking that the duty might possibly 19953 19954fall within Miss Sally's department. As he said nothing further, and 19955 19956declined taking the hint, Mr Brass was fain to propose that they should 19957 19958go up stairs together, and make a last effort to awaken the sleeper by 19959 19960some less violent means, which, if they failed on this last trial, must 19961 19962positively be succeeded by stronger measures. Mr Swiveller, assenting, 19963 19964armed himself with his stool and the large ruler, and repaired with his 19965 19966employer to the scene of action, where Miss Brass was already ringing a 19967 19968hand-bell with all her might, and yet without producing the smallest 19969 19970effect upon their mysterious lodger.<br><br> 19971 19972'There are his boots, Mr Richard!' said Brass.<br><br> 19973 19974'Very obstinate-looking articles they are too,' quoth Richard 19975 19976Swiveller. And truly, they were as sturdy and bluff a pair of boots as 19977
19978one would wish to see; as firmly planted on the ground as if their 19979 19980owner's legs and feet had been in them; and seeming, with their broad 19981 19982soles and blunt toes, to hold possession of their place by main force.<br><br> 19983 19984'I can't see anything but the curtain of the bed,' said Brass, applying 19985 19986his eye to the keyhole of the door. 'Is he a strong man, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 19987 19988Very,' answered Dick.<br><br> 19989 19990It would be an extremely unpleasant circumstance if he was to bounce 19991 19992out suddenly,' said Brass. 'Keep the stairs clear. I should be more 19993 19994than a match for him, of course, but I'm the master of the house, and 19995 19996the laws of hospitality must be respected.--Hallo there! Hallo, hallo!'<br><br> 19997 19998While Mr Brass, with his eye curiously twisted into the keyhole, 19999 20000uttered these sounds as a means of attracting the lodger's attention, 20001 20002and while Miss Brass plied the hand-bell, Mr Swiveller put his stool 20003 20004close against the wall by the side of the door, and mounting on the top 20005 20006and standing bolt upright, so that if the lodger did make a rush, he 20007 20008would most probably pass him in its onward fury, began a violent 20009 20010battery with the ruler upon the upper panels of the door. Captivated 20011 20012with his own ingenuity, and confident in the strength of his position, 20013 20014which he had taken up after the method of those hardy individuals who 20015 20016open the pit and gallery doors of theatres on crowded nights, Mr 20017 20018Swiveller rained down such a shower of blows, that the noise of the 20019 20020bell was drowned; and the small servant, who lingered on the stairs 20021 20022below, ready to fly at a moment's notice, was obliged to hold her ears 20023 20024lest she should be rendered deaf for life.<br><br> 20025 20026Suddenly the door was unlocked on the inside, and flung violently open. 20027 20028The small servant flew to the coal-cellar; Miss Sally dived into her 20029 20030own bed-room; Mr Brass, who was not remarkable for personal courage, 20031 20032ran into the next street, and finding that nobody followed him, armed 20033 20034with a poker or other offensive weapon, put his hands in his pockets, 20035 20036walked very slowly all at once, and whistled.<br><br> 20037 20038Meanwhile, Mr Swiveller, on the top of the stool, drew himself into as 20039 20040flat a shape as possible against the wall, and looked, not 20041 20042unconcernedly, down upon the single gentleman, who appeared at the door 20043 20044growling and cursing in a very awful manner, and, with the boots in his 20045 20046hand, seemed to have an intention of hurling them down stairs on 20047 20048speculation. This idea, however, he abandoned. He was turning into 20049 20050his room again, still growling vengefully, when his eyes met those of 20051 20052the watchful Richard.<br><br> 20053 20054'Have YOU been making that horrible noise?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 20055 20056'I have been helping, sir,' returned Dick, keeping his eye upon him, 20057 20058and waving the ruler gently in his right hand, as an indication of what 20059 20060the single gentleman had to expect if he attempted any violence.<br><br> 20061 20062'How dare you then,' said the lodger, 'Eh?'<br><br> 20063 20064To this, Dick made no other reply than by inquiring whether the lodger 20065 20066held it to be consistent with the conduct and character of a gentleman 20067 20068to go to sleep for six-and-twenty hours at a stretch, and whether the 20069 20070peace of an amiable and virtuous family was to weigh as nothing in the 20071 20072balance.<br><br> 20073 20074'Is my peace nothing?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 20075 20076'Is their peace nothing, sir?' returned Dick. 'I don't wish to hold 20077 20078out any threats, sir--indeed the law does not allow of threats, for to 20079 20080threaten is an indictable offence--but if ever you do that again, take 20081 20082care you're not sat upon by the coroner and buried in a cross road 20083 20084before you wake. We have been distracted with fears that you were 20085 20086dead, Sir,' said Dick, gently sliding to the ground, 'and the short and 20087 20088the long of it is, that we cannot allow single gentlemen to come into 20089 20090this establishment and sleep like double gentlemen without paying extra 20091 20092for it.'<br><br> 20093 20094'Indeed!' cried the lodger.<br><br> 20095 20096'Yes, Sir, indeed,' returned Dick, yielding to his destiny and saying 20097 20098whatever came uppermost; 'an equal quantity of slumber was never got 20099 20100out of one bed and bedstead, and if you're going to sleep in that way, 20101 20102you must pay for a double-bedded room.'<br><br> 20103 20104Instead of being thrown into a greater passion by these remarks, the 20105 20106lodger lapsed into a broad grin and looked at Mr Swiveller with 20107 20108twinkling eyes. He was a brown-faced sun-burnt man, and appeared 20109
20110browner and more sun-burnt from having a white nightcap on. As it was 20111 20112clear that he was a choleric fellow in some respects, Mr Swiveller was 20113 20114relieved to find him in such good humour, and, to encourage him in it, 20115 20116smiled himself.<br><br> 20117 20118The lodger, in the testiness of being so rudely roused, had pushed his 20119 20120nightcap very much on one side of his bald head. This gave him a 20121 20122rakish eccentric air which, now that he had leisure to observe it, 20123 20124charmed Mr Swiveller exceedingly; therefore, by way of propitiation, he 20125 20126expressed his hope that the gentleman was going to get up, and further 20127 20128that he would never do so any more.<br><br> 20129 20130'Come here, you impudent rascal!' was the lodger's answer as he 20131 20132re-entered his room.<br><br> 20133 20134Mr Swiveller followed him in, leaving the stool outside, but reserving 20135 20136the ruler in case of a surprise. He rather congratulated himself on 20137 20138his prudence when the single gentleman, without notice or explanation 20139 20140of any kind, double-locked the door.<br><br> 20141 20142'Can you drink anything?' was his next inquiry.<br><br> 20143 20144Mr Swiveller replied that he had very recently been assuaging the pangs 20145 20146of thirst, but that he was still open to 'a modest quencher,' if the 20147 20148materials were at hand. Without another word spoken on either side, 20149 20150the lodger took from his great trunk, a kind of temple, shining as of 20151 20152polished silver, and placed it carefully on the table.<br><br> 20153 20154Greatly interested in his proceedings, Mr Swiveller observed him 20155 20156closely. Into one little chamber of this temple, he dropped an egg; 20157 20158into another some coffee; into a third a compact piece of raw steak 20159 20160from a neat tin case; into a fourth, he poured some water. Then, with 20161 20162the aid of a phosphorus-box and some matches, he procured a light and 20163 20164applied it to a spirit-lamp which had a place of its own below the 20165 20166temple; then, he shut down the lids of all the little chambers; then he 20167 20168opened them; and then, by some wonderful and unseen agency, the steak 20169 20170was done, the egg was boiled, the coffee was accurately prepared, and 20171 20172his breakfast was ready.<br><br> 20173 20174'Hot water--' said the lodger, handing it to Mr Swiveller with as much 20175 20176coolness as if he had a kitchen fire before him--'extraordinary 20177 20178rum--sugar--and a travelling glass. Mix for yourself. And make haste.'<br><br> 20179 20180Dick complied, his eyes wandering all the time from the temple on the 20181 20182table, which seemed to do everything, to the great trunk which seemed 20183 20184to hold everything. The lodger took his breakfast like a man who was 20185 20186used to work these miracles, and thought nothing of them.<br><br> 20187 20188'The man of the house is a lawyer, is he not?' said the lodger.<br><br> 20189 20190Dick nodded. The rum was amazing.<br><br> 20191 20192'The woman of the house--what's she?'<br><br> 20193 20194'A dragon,' said Dick.<br><br> 20195 20196The single gentleman, perhaps because he had met with such things in 20197 20198his travels, or perhaps because he WAS a single gentleman, evinced no 20199 20200surprise, but merely inquired 'Wife or Sister?'--'Sister,' said 20201 20202Dick.--'So much the better,' said the single gentleman, 'he can get rid 20203 20204of her when he likes.'<br><br> 20205 20206'I want to do as I like, young man,' he added after a short silence; 20207 20208'to go to bed when I like, get up when I like, come in when I like, go 20209 20210out when I like--to be asked no questions and be surrounded by no 20211 20212spies. In this last respect, servants are the devil. There's only one 20213 20214here.'<br><br> 20215 20216'And a very little one,' said Dick.<br><br> 20217 20218'And a very little one,' repeated the lodger. 'Well, the place will 20219 20220suit me, will it?'<br><br> 20221 20222'Yes,' said Dick.<br><br> 20223 20224'Sharks, I suppose?' said the lodger.<br><br> 20225 20226Dick nodded assent, and drained his glass.<br><br> 20227 20228'Let them know my humour,' said the single gentleman, rising. 'If they 20229 20230disturb me, they lose a good tenant. If they know me to be that, they 20231 20232know enough. If they try to know more, it's a notice to quit. It's 20233 20234better to understand these things at once. Good day.'<br><br> 20235 20236'I beg your pardon,' said Dick, halting in his passage to the door, 20237 20238which the lodger prepared to open. 'When he who adores thee has left 20239 20240but the name--'<br><br> 20241 20242'What do you mean?'<br><br> 20243 20244'--But the name,' said Dick--'has left but the name--in case of letters 20245 20246or parcels--'<br><br> 20247 20248'I never have any,' returned the lodger.<br><br> 20249 20250'Or in the case anybody should call.'<br><br> 20251 20252'Nobody ever calls on me.'<br><br> 20253 20254'If any mistake should arise from not having the name, don't say it was 20255 20256my fault, Sir,' added Dick, still lingering.--'Oh blame not the bard--'<br><br> 20257 20258'I'll blame nobody,' said the lodger, with such irascibility that in a 20259 20260moment Dick found himself on the staircase, and the locked door between 20261 20262them.<br><br> 20263 20264Mr Brass and Miss Sally were lurking hard by, having been, indeed, only 20265 20266routed from the keyhole by Mr Swiveller's abrupt exit. As their utmost 20267
20268exertions had not enabled them to overhear a word of the interview, 20269 20270however, in consequence of a quarrel for precedence, which, though 20271 20272limited of necessity to pushes and pinches and such quiet pantomime, 20273 20274had lasted the whole time, they hurried him down to the office to hear 20275 20276his account of the conversation.<br><br> 20277 20278This Mr Swiveller gave them--faithfully as regarded the wishes and 20279 20280character of the single gentleman, and poetically as concerned the 20281 20282great trunk, of which he gave a description more remarkable for 20283 20284brilliancy of imagination than a strict adherence to truth; declaring, 20285 20286with many strong asseverations, that it contained a specimen of every 20287 20288kind of rich food and wine, known in these times, and in particular 20289 20290that it was of a self-acting kind and served up whatever was required, 20291 20292as he supposed by clock-work. He also gave them to understand that the 20293 20294cooking apparatus roasted a fine piece of sirloin of beef, weighing 20295 20296about six pounds avoir-dupoise, in two minutes and a quarter, as he had 20297 20298himself witnessed, and proved by his sense of taste; and further, that, 20299 20300however the effect was produced, he had distinctly seen water boil and 20301 20302bubble up when the single gentleman winked; from which facts he (Mr 20303 20304Swiveller) was led to infer that the lodger was some great conjuror or 20305 20306chemist, or both, whose residence under that roof could not fail at 20307 20308some future days to shed a great credit and distinction on the name of 20309 20310Brass, and add a new interest to the history of Bevis Marks.<br><br> 20311 20312There was one point which Mr Swiveller deemed it unnecessary to enlarge 20313 20314upon, and that was the fact of the modest quencher, which, by reason of 20315 20316its intrinsic strength and its coming close upon the heels of the 20317 20318temperate beverage he had discussed at dinner, awakened a slight degree 20319 20320of fever, and rendered necessary two or three other modest quenchers at 20321 20322the public-house in the course of the evening.<br><br> 20323 20324CHAPTER 36<br><br> 20325 20326As the single gentleman after some weeks' occupation of his lodgings, 20327 20328still declined to correspond, by word or gesture, either with Mr Brass 20329 20330or his sister Sally, but invariably chose Richard Swiveller as his 20331 20332channel of communication; and as he proved himself in all respects a 20333 20334highly desirable inmate, paying for everything beforehand, giving very 20335 20336little trouble, making no noise, and keeping early hours; Mr Richard 20337 20338imperceptibly rose to an important position in the family, as one who 20339 20340had influence over this mysterious lodger, and could negotiate with 20341 20342him, for good or evil, when nobody else durst approach his person.<br><br> 20343 20344If the truth must be told, even Mr Swiveller's approaches to the single 20345 20346gentleman were of a very distant kind, and met with small 20347 20348encouragement; but, as he never returned from a monosyllabic conference 20349 20350with the unknown, without quoting such expressions as 'Swiveller, I 20351 20352know I can rely upon you,'--'I have no hesitation in saying, Swiveller, 20353 20354that I entertain a regard for you,'--'Swiveller, you are my friend, and 20355 20356will stand by me I am sure,' with many other short speeches of the same 20357 20358familiar and confiding kind, purporting to have been addressed by the 20359 20360single gentleman to himself, and to form the staple of their ordinary 20361 20362discourse, neither Mr Brass nor Miss Sally for a moment questioned the 20363 20364extent of his influence, but accorded to him their fullest and most 20365 20366unqualified belief. But quite apart from, and independent of, this 20367 20368source of popularity, Mr Swiveller had another, which promised to be 20369 20370equally enduring, and to lighten his position considerably.<br><br> 20371 20372He found favour in the eyes of Miss Sally Brass. Let not the light 20373 20374scorners of female fascination erect their ears to listen to a new tale 20375 20376of love which shall serve them for a jest; for Miss Brass, however 20377 20378accurately formed to be beloved, was not of the loving kind. That 20379 20380amiable virgin, having clung to the skirts of the Law from her earliest 20381 20382youth; having sustained herself by their aid, as it were, in her first 20383 20384running alone, and maintained a firm grasp upon them ever since; had 20385 20386passed her life in a kind of legal childhood. She had been remarkable, 20387 20388when a tender prattler for an uncommon talent in counterfeiting the 20389 20390walk and manner of a bailiff: in which character she had learned to tap 20391 20392her little playfellows on the shoulder, and to carry them off to 20393 20394imaginary sponging-houses, with a correctness of imitation which was 20395 20396the surprise and delight of all who witnessed her performances, and 20397
20398which was only to be exceeded by her exquisite manner of putting an 20399 20400execution into her doll's house, and taking an exact inventory of the 20401 20402chairs and tables. These artless sports had naturally soothed and 20403 20404cheered the decline of her widowed father: a most exemplary gentleman 20405 20406(called 'old Foxey' by his friends from his extreme sagacity,) who 20407 20408encouraged them to the utmost, and whose chief regret, on finding that 20409 20410he drew near to Houndsditch churchyard, was, that his daughter could 20411 20412not take out an attorney's certificate and hold a place upon the roll. 20413 20414Filled with this affectionate and touching sorrow, he had solemnly 20415 20416confided her to his son Sampson as an invaluable auxiliary; and from 20417 20418the old gentleman's decease to the period of which we treat, Miss Sally 20419 20420Brass had been the prop and pillar of his business.<br><br> 20421 20422It is obvious that, having devoted herself from infancy to this one 20423 20424pursuit and study, Miss Brass could know but little of the world, 20425 20426otherwise than in connection with the law; and that from a lady gifted 20427 20428with such high tastes, proficiency in those gentler and softer arts in 20429 20430which women usually excel, was scarcely to be looked for. Miss Sally's 20431 20432accomplishments were all of a masculine and strictly legal kind. They 20433 20434began with the practice of an attorney and they ended with it. She was 20435 20436in a state of lawful innocence, so to speak. The law had been her 20437 20438nurse. And, as bandy-legs or such physical deformities in children are 20439 20440held to be the consequence of bad nursing, so, if in a mind so 20441 20442beautiful any moral twist or handiness could be found, Miss Sally 20443 20444Brass's nurse was alone to blame.<br><br> 20445 20446It was on this lady, then, that Mr Swiveller burst in full freshness as 20447 20448something new and hitherto undreamed of, lighting up the office with 20449 20450scraps of song and merriment, conjuring with inkstands and boxes of 20451 20452wafers, catching three oranges in one hand, balancing stools upon his 20453 20454chin and penknives on his nose, and constantly performing a hundred 20455 20456other feats with equal ingenuity; for with such unbendings did Richard, 20457 20458in Mr Brass's absence, relieve the tedium of his confinement. These 20459
20460social qualities, which Miss Sally first discovered by accident, 20461 20462gradually made such an impression upon her, that she would entreat Mr 20463 20464Swiveller to relax as though she were not by, which Mr Swiveller, 20465 20466nothing loth, would readily consent to do. By these means a friendship 20467 20468sprung up between them. Mr Swiveller gradually came to look upon her 20469 20470as her brother Sampson did, and as he would have looked upon any other 20471 20472clerk. He imparted to her the mystery of going the odd man or plain 20473 20474Newmarket for fruit, ginger-beer, baked potatoes, or even a modest 20475 20476quencher, of which Miss Brass did not scruple to partake. He would 20477 20478often persuade her to undertake his share of writing in addition to her 20479 20480own; nay, he would sometimes reward her with a hearty slap on the back, 20481 20482and protest that she was a devilish good fellow, a jolly dog, and so 20483 20484forth; all of which compliments Miss Sally would receive in entire good 20485 20486part and with perfect satisfaction.<br><br> 20487 20488One circumstance troubled Mr Swiveller's mind very much, and that was 20489 20490that the small servant always remained somewhere in the bowels of the 20491 20492earth under Bevis Marks, and never came to the surface unless the 20493 20494single gentleman rang his bell, when she would answer it and 20495 20496immediately disappear again. She never went out, or came into the 20497 20498office, or had a clean face, or took off the coarse apron, or looked 20499 20500out of any one of the windows, or stood at the street-door for a breath 20501 20502of air, or had any rest or enjoyment whatever. Nobody ever came to see 20503 20504her, nobody spoke of her, nobody cared about her. Mr Brass had said 20505 20506once, that he believed she was a 'love-child' (which means anything but 20507 20508a child of love), and that was all the information Richard Swiveller 20509 20510could obtain.<br><br> 20511 20512'It's of no use asking the dragon,' thought Dick one day, as he sat 20513 20514contemplating the features of Miss Sally Brass. 'I suspect if I asked 20515 20516any questions on that head, our alliance would be at an end. I wonder 20517 20518whether she is a dragon by-the-bye, or something in the mermaid way. 20519 20520She has rather a scaly appearance. But mermaids are fond of looking at 20521 20522themselves in the glass, which she can't be. And they have a habit of 20523 20524combing their hair, which she hasn't. No, she's a dragon.'<br><br> 20525 20526'Where are you going, old fellow?' said Dick aloud, as Miss Sally wiped 20527 20528her pen as usual on the green dress, and uprose from her seat.<br><br> 20529 20530'To dinner,' answered the dragon.<br><br> 20531 20532'To dinner!' thought Dick, 'that's another circumstance. I don't 20533 20534believe that small servant ever has anything to eat.'<br><br> 20535 20536'Sammy won't be home,' said Miss Brass. 'Stop till I come back. I 20537 20538sha'n't be long.'<br><br> 20539 20540Dick nodded, and followed Miss Brass--with his eyes to the door, and 20541 20542with his ears to a little back parlour, where she and her brother took 20543 20544their meals.<br><br> 20545 20546'Now,' said Dick, walking up and down with his hands in his pockets, 20547 20548'I'd give something--if I had it--to know how they use that child, and 20549 20550where they keep her. My mother must have been a very inquisitive 20551 20552woman; I have no doubt I'm marked with a note of interrogation 20553 20554somewhere. My feelings I smother, but thou hast been the cause of this 20555 20556anguish, my--upon my word,' said Mr Swiveller, checking himself and 20557 20558falling thoughtfully into the client's chair, 'I should like to know 20559 20560how they use her!'<br><br> 20561 20562After running on, in this way, for some time, Mr Swiveller softly 20563 20564opened the office door, with the intention of darting across the street 20565 20566for a glass of the mild porter. At that moment he caught a parting 20567 20568glimpse of the brown head-dress of Miss Brass flitting down the kitchen 20569 20570stairs. 'And by Jove!' thought Dick, 'she's going to feed the small 20571 20572servant. Now or never!'<br><br> 20573 20574First peeping over the handrail and allowing the head-dress to 20575 20576disappear in the darkness below, he groped his way down, and arrived at 20577 20578the door of a back kitchen immediately after Miss Brass had entered the 20579 20580same, bearing in her hand a cold leg of mutton. It was a very dark 20581 20582miserable place, very low and very damp: the walls disfigured by a 20583 20584thousand rents and blotches. The water was trickling out of a leaky 20585 20586butt, and a most wretched cat was lapping up the drops with the sickly 20587 20588eagerness of starvation. The grate, which was a wide one, was wound 20589 20590and screwed up tight, so as to hold no more than a little thin sandwich 20591 20592of fire. Everything was locked up; the coal-cellar, the candle-box, 20593 20594the salt-box, the meat-safe, were all padlocked. There was nothing 20595 20596that a beetle could have lunched upon. The pinched and meagre aspect 20597 20598of the place would have killed a chameleon. He would have known, at 20599 20600the first mouthful, that the air was not eatable, and must have given 20601 20602up the ghost in despair.<br><br> 20603 20604The small servant stood with humility in presence of Miss Sally, and 20605 20606hung her head.<br><br> 20607 20608'Are you there?' said Miss Sally.<br><br> 20609 20610'Yes, ma'am,' was the answer in a weak voice.<br><br> 20611 20612'Go further away from the leg of mutton, or you'll be picking it, I 20613 20614know,' said Miss Sally.<br><br> 20615 20616The girl withdrew into a corner, while Miss Brass took a key from her 20617 20618pocket, and opening the safe, brought from it a dreary waste of cold 20619 20620potatoes, looking as eatable as Stonehenge. This she placed before the 20621 20622small servant, ordering her to sit down before it, and then, taking up 20623
20624a great carving-knife, made a mighty show of sharpening it upon the 20625 20626carving-fork.<br><br> 20627 20628'Do you see this?' said Miss Brass, slicing off about two square inches 20629 20630of cold mutton, after all this preparation, and holding it out on the 20631 20632point of the fork.<br><br> 20633 20634The small servant looked hard enough at it with her hungry eyes to see 20635 20636every shred of it, small as it was, and answered, 'yes.'<br><br> 20637 20638'Then don't you ever go and say,' retorted Miss Sally, 'that you hadn't 20639 20640meat here. There, eat it up.'<br><br> 20641 20642This was soon done. 'Now, do you want any more?' said Miss Sally.<br><br> 20643 20644The hungry creature answered with a faint 'No.' They were evidently 20645 20646going through an established form.<br><br> 20647 20648'You've been helped once to meat,' said Miss Brass, summing up the 20649 20650facts; 'you have had as much as you can eat, you're asked if you want 20651 20652any more, and you answer, 'no!' Then don't you ever go and say you were 20653 20654allowanced, mind that.'<br><br> 20655 20656With those words, Miss Sally put the meat away and locked the safe, and 20657 20658then drawing near to the small servant, overlooked her while she 20659 20660finished the potatoes.<br><br> 20661 20662It was plain that some extraordinary grudge was working in Miss Brass's 20663 20664gentle breast, and that it was that which impelled her, without the 20665 20666smallest present cause, to rap the child with the blade of the knife, 20667 20668now on her hand, now on her head, and now on her back, as if she found 20669 20670it quite impossible to stand so close to her without administering a 20671 20672few slight knocks. But Mr Swiveller was not a little surprised to see 20673 20674his fellow-clerk, after walking slowly backwards towards the door, as 20675 20676if she were trying to withdraw herself from the room but could not 20677 20678accomplish it, dart suddenly forward, and falling on the small servant 20679 20680give her some hard blows with her clenched hand. The victim cried, but 20681 20682in a subdued manner as if she feared to raise her voice, and Miss 20683 20684Sally, comforting herself with a pinch of snuff, ascended the stairs, 20685 20686just as Richard had safely reached the office.<br><br> 20687 20688CHAPTER 37<br><br> 20689 20690The single gentleman among his other peculiarities--and he had a very 20691 20692plentiful stock, of which he every day furnished some new 20693 20694specimen--took a most extraordinary and remarkable interest in the 20695 20696exhibition of Punch. If the sound of a Punch's voice, at ever so 20697 20698remote a distance, reached Bevis Marks, the single gentleman, though in 20699 20700bed and asleep, would start up, and, hurrying on his clothes, make for 20701 20702the spot with all speed, and presently return at the head of a long 20703 20704procession of idlers, having in the midst the theatre and its 20705 20706proprietors. Straightway, the stage would be set up in front of Mr 20707 20708Brass's house; the single gentleman would establish himself at the 20709 20710first floor window; and the entertainment would proceed, with all its 20711 20712exciting accompaniments of fife and drum and shout, to the excessive 20713 20714consternation of all sober votaries of business in that silent 20715 20716thoroughfare. It might have been expected that when the play was done, 20717 20718both players and audience would have dispersed; but the epilogue was as 20719 20720bad as the play, for no sooner was the Devil dead, than the manager of 20721 20722the puppets and his partner were summoned by the single gentleman to 20723 20724his chamber, where they were regaled with strong waters from his 20725 20726private store, and where they held with him long conversations, the 20727 20728purport of which no human being could fathom. But the secret of these 20729 20730discussions was of little importance. It was sufficient to know that 20731 20732while they were proceeding, the concourse without still lingered round 20733 20734the house; that boys beat upon the drum with their fists, and imitated 20735 20736Punch with their tender voices; that the office-window was rendered 20737 20738opaque by flattened noses, and the key-hole of the street-door luminous 20739 20740with eyes; that every time the single gentleman or either of his guests 20741 20742was seen at the upper window, or so much as the end of one of their 20743 20744noses was visible, there was a great shout of execration from the 20745 20746excluded mob, who remained howling and yelling, and refusing 20747 20748consolation, until the exhibitors were delivered up to them to be 20749 20750attended elsewhere. It was sufficient, in short, to know that Bevis 20751 20752Marks was revolutionised by these popular movements, and that peace and 20753
20754quietness fled from its precincts.<br><br> 20755 20756Nobody was rendered more indignant by these proceedings than Mr Sampson 20757 20758Brass, who, as he could by no means afford to lose so profitable an 20759 20760inmate, deemed it prudent to pocket his lodger's affront along with his 20761 20762cash, and to annoy the audiences who clustered round his door by such 20763 20764imperfect means of retaliation as were open to him, and which were 20765 20766confined to the trickling down of foul water on their heads from unseen 20767 20768watering pots, pelting them with fragments of tile and mortar from the 20769 20770roof of the house, and bribing the drivers of hackney cabriolets to 20771 20772come suddenly round the corner and dash in among them precipitately. 20773 20774It may, at first sight, be matter of surprise to the thoughtless few 20775 20776that Mr Brass, being a professional gentleman, should not have legally 20777 20778indicted some party or parties, active in the promotion of the 20779 20780nuisance, but they will be good enough to remember, that as Doctors 20781 20782seldom take their own prescriptions, and Divines do not always practise 20783 20784what they preach, so lawyers are shy of meddling with the Law on their 20785 20786own account: knowing it to be an edged tool of uncertain application, 20787 20788very expensive in the working, and rather remarkable for its properties 20789 20790of close shaving, than for its always shaving the right person.<br><br> 20791 20792'Come,' said Mr Brass one afternoon, 'this is two days without a Punch. 20793 20794I'm in hopes he has run through 'em all, at last.'<br><br> 20795 20796'Why are you in hopes?' returned Miss Sally. 'What harm do they do?'<br><br> 20797 20798'Here's a pretty sort of a fellow!' cried Brass, laying down his pen in 20799 20800despair. 'Now here's an aggravating animal!'<br><br> 20801 20802'Well, what harm do they do?' retorted Sally.<br><br> 20803 20804'What harm!' cried Brass. 'Is it no harm to have a constant hallooing 20805 20806and hooting under one's very nose, distracting one from business, and 20807 20808making one grind one's teeth with vexation? Is it no harm to be 20809 20810blinded and choked up, and have the king's highway stopped with a set 20811 20812of screamers and roarers whose throats must be made of--of--'<br><br> 20813 20814'Brass,' suggested Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 20815 20816'Ah! of brass,' said the lawyer, glancing at his clerk, to assure 20817 20818himself that he had suggested the word in good faith and without any 20819 20820sinister intention. 'Is that no harm?'<br><br> 20821 20822The lawyer stopped short in his invective, and listening for a moment, 20823 20824and recognising the well-known voice, rested his head upon his hand, 20825 20826raised his eyes to the ceiling, and muttered faintly,<br><br> 20827 20828'There's another!'<br><br> 20829 20830Up went the single gentleman's window directly.<br><br> 20831 20832'There's another,' repeated Brass; 'and if I could get a break and four 20833 20834blood horses to cut into the Marks when the crowd is at its thickest, 20835 20836I'd give eighteen-pence and never grudge it!'<br><br> 20837 20838The distant squeak was heard again. The single gentleman's door burst 20839 20840open. He ran violently down the stairs, out into the street, and so 20841 20842past the window, without any hat, towards the quarter whence the sound 20843 20844proceeded--bent, no doubt, upon securing the strangers' services 20845 20846directly.<br><br> 20847 20848'I wish I only knew who his friends were,' muttered Sampson, filling 20849 20850his pocket with papers; 'if they'd just get up a pretty little 20851 20852Commission de lunatico at the Gray's Inn Coffee House and give me the 20853 20854job, I'd be content to have the lodgings empty for one while, at all 20855 20856events.'<br><br> 20857 20858With which words, and knocking his hat over his eyes as if for the 20859 20860purpose of shutting out even a glimpse of the dreadful visitation, Mr 20861 20862Brass rushed from the house and hurried away.<br><br> 20863 20864As Mr Swiveller was decidedly favourable to these performances, upon 20865 20866the ground that looking at a Punch, or indeed looking at anything out 20867 20868of window, was better than working; and as he had been, for this 20869 20870reason, at some pains to awaken in his fellow clerk a sense of their 20871 20872beauties and manifold deserts; both he and Miss Sally rose as with one 20873 20874accord and took up their positions at the window: upon the sill 20875 20876whereof, as in a post of honour, sundry young ladies and gentlemen who 20877 20878were employed in the dry nurture of babies, and who made a point of 20879 20880being present, with their young charges, on such occasions, had already 20881 20882established themselves as comfortably as the circumstances would allow.<br><br> 20883 20884The glass being dim, Mr Swiveller, agreeably to a friendly custom which 20885 20886he had established between them, hitched off the brown head-dress from 20887 20888Miss Sally's head, and dusted it carefully therewith. By the time he 20889 20890had handed it back, and its beautiful wearer had put it on again (which 20891 20892she did with perfect composure and indifference), the lodger returned 20893 20894with the show and showmen at his heels, and a strong addition to the 20895 20896body of spectators. The exhibitor disappeared with all speed behind 20897 20898the drapery; and his partner, stationing himself by the side of the 20899 20900Theatre, surveyed the audience with a remarkable expression of 20901 20902melancholy, which became more remarkable still when he breathed a 20903 20904hornpipe tune into that sweet musical instrument which is popularly 20905 20906termed a mouth-organ, without at all changing the mournful expression 20907 20908of the upper part of his face, though his mouth and chin were, of 20909 20910necessity, in lively spasms.<br><br> 20911 20912The drama proceeded to its close, and held the spectators enchained in 20913 20914the customary manner. The sensation which kindles in large assemblies, 20915 20916when they are relieved from a state of breathless suspense and are 20917
20918again free to speak and move, was yet rife, when the lodger, as usual, 20919 20920summoned the men up stairs.<br><br> 20921 20922'Both of you,' he called from the window; for only the actual 20923 20924exhibitor--a little fat man--prepared to obey the summons. 'I want to 20925 20926talk to you. Come both of you!'<br><br> 20927 20928Come, Tommy,' said the little man.<br><br> 20929 20930I an't a talker,' replied the other. 'Tell him so. What should I go 20931 20932and talk for?'<br><br> 20933 20934'Don't you see the gentleman's got a bottle and glass up there?' 20935 20936returned the little man.<br><br> 20937 20938'And couldn't you have said so at first?' retorted the other with 20939 20940sudden alacrity. 'Now, what are you waiting for? Are you going to 20941 20942keep the gentleman expecting us all day? haven't you no manners?'<br><br> 20943 20944With this remonstrance, the melancholy man, who was no other than Mr 20945 20946Thomas Codlin, pushed past his friend and brother in the craft, Mr 20947 20948Harris, otherwise Short or Trotters, and hurried before him to the 20949 20950single gentleman's apartment.<br><br> 20951 20952'Now, my men,' said the single gentleman; 'you have done very well. 20953 20954What will you take? Tell that little man behind, to shut the door.'<br><br> 20955 20956'Shut the door, can't you?' said Mr Codlin, turning gruffly to his 20957 20958friend. 'You might have knowed that the gentleman wanted the door 20959 20960shut, without being told, I think.'<br><br> 20961 20962Mr Short obeyed, observing under his breath that his friend seemed 20963 20964unusually 'cranky,' and expressing a hope that there was no dairy in 20965 20966the neighbourhood, or his temper would certainly spoil its contents.<br><br> 20967 20968The gentleman pointed to a couple of chairs, and intimated by an 20969 20970emphatic nod of his head that he expected them to be seated. Messrs 20971 20972Codlin and Short, after looking at each other with considerable doubt 20973 20974and indecision, at length sat down--each on the extreme edge of the 20975 20976chair pointed out to him--and held their hats very tight, while the 20977 20978single gentleman filled a couple of glasses from a bottle on the table 20979 20980beside him, and presented them in due form.<br><br> 20981 20982'You're pretty well browned by the sun, both of you,' said their 20983 20984entertainer. 'Have you been travelling?'<br><br> 20985 20986Mr Short replied in the affirmative with a nod and a smile. Mr Codlin 20987 20988added a corroborative nod and a short groan, as if he still felt the 20989
20990weight of the Temple on his shoulders.<br><br> 20991 20992'To fairs, markets, races, and so forth, I suppose?' pursued the single 20993 20994gentleman.<br><br> 20995 20996'Yes, sir,' returned Short, 'pretty nigh all over the West of England.'<br><br> 20997 20998'I have talked to men of your craft from North, East, and South,' 20999 21000returned their host, in rather a hasty manner; 'but I never lighted on 21001 21002any from the West before.'<br><br> 21003 21004'It's our reg'lar summer circuit is the West, master,' said Short; 21005 21006'that's where it is. We takes the East of London in the spring and 21007 21008winter, and the West of England in the summer time. Many's the hard 21009 21010day's walking in rain and mud, and with never a penny earned, we've had 21011 21012down in the West.'<br><br> 21013 21014'Let me fill your glass again.'<br><br> 21015 21016'Much obleeged to you sir, I think I will,' said Mr Codlin, suddenly 21017 21018thrusting in his own and turning Short's aside. 'I'm the sufferer, 21019 21020sir, in all the travelling, and in all the staying at home. In town or 21021 21022country, wet or dry, hot or cold, Tom Codlin suffers. But Tom Codlin 21023 21024isn't to complain for all that. Oh, no! Short may complain, but if 21025 21026Codlin grumbles by so much as a word--oh dear, down with him, down 21027 21028with him directly. It isn't his place to grumble. That's quite out of 21029 21030the question.'<br><br> 21031 21032'Codlin an't without his usefulness,' observed Short with an arch look, 21033 21034'but he don't always keep his eyes open. He falls asleep sometimes, 21035 21036you know. Remember them last races, Tommy.'<br><br> 21037 21038'Will you never leave off aggravating a man?' said Codlin. 'It's very 21039 21040like I was asleep when five-and-tenpence was collected, in one round, 21041 21042isn't it? I was attending to my business, and couldn't have my eyes in 21043 21044twenty places at once, like a peacock, no more than you could. If I 21045 21046an't a match for an old man and a young child, you an't neither, so 21047 21048don't throw that out against me, for the cap fits your head quite as 21049 21050correct as it fits mine.'<br><br> 21051 21052'You may as well drop the subject, Tom,' said Short. 'It isn't 21053 21054particular agreeable to the gentleman, I dare say.'<br><br> 21055 21056'Then you shouldn't have brought it up,' returned Mr Codlin; 'and I ask 21057 21058the gentleman's pardon on your account, as a giddy chap that likes to 21059 21060hear himself talk, and don't much care what he talks about, so that he 21061 21062does talk.'<br><br> 21063 21064Their entertainer had sat perfectly quiet in the beginning of this 21065 21066dispute, looking first at one man and then at the other, as if he were 21067 21068lying in wait for an opportunity of putting some further question, or 21069 21070reverting to that from which the discourse had strayed. But, from the 21071 21072point where Mr Codlin was charged with sleepiness, he had shown an 21073 21074increasing interest in the discussion: which now attained a very high 21075 21076pitch.<br><br> 21077 21078'You are the two men I want,' he said, 'the two men I have been looking 21079 21080for, and searching after! Where are that old man and that child you 21081 21082speak of?'<br><br> 21083 21084'Sir?' said Short, hesitating, and looking towards his friend.<br><br> 21085 21086'The old man and his grandchild who travelled with you--where are they? 21087 21088It will be worth your while to speak out, I assure you; much better 21089 21090worth your while than you believe. They left you, you say--at those 21091 21092races, as I understand. They have been traced to that place, and there 21093 21094lost sight of. Have you no clue, can you suggest no clue, to their 21095 21096recovery?'<br><br> 21097 21098'Did I always say, Thomas,' cried Short, turning with a look of 21099 21100amazement to his friend, 'that there was sure to be an inquiry after 21101 21102them two travellers?'<br><br> 21103 21104'YOU said!' returned Mr Codlin. 'Did I always say that that 'ere 21105 21106blessed child was the most interesting I ever see? Did I always say I 21107 21108loved her, and doated on her? Pretty creetur, I think I hear her now. 21109 21110"Codlin's my friend," she says, with a tear of gratitude a trickling 21111 21112down her little eye; "Codlin's my friend," she says--"not Short. 21113 21114Short's very well," she says; "I've no quarrel with Short; he means 21115 21116kind, I dare say; but Codlin," she says, "has the feelings for my 21117 21118money, though he mayn't look it."'<br><br> 21119 21120Repeating these words with great emotion, Mr Codlin rubbed the bridge 21121 21122of his nose with his coat-sleeve, and shaking his head mournfully from 21123 21124side to side, left the single gentleman to infer that, from the moment 21125 21126when he lost sight of his dear young charge, his peace of mind and 21127 21128happiness had fled.<br><br> 21129 21130'Good Heaven!' said the single gentleman, pacing up and down the room, 21131 21132'have I found these men at last, only to discover that they can give me 21133 21134no information or assistance! It would have been better to have lived 21135 21136on, in hope, from day to day, and never to have lighted on them, than 21137 21138to have my expectations scattered thus.'<br><br> 21139 21140'Stay a minute,' said Short. 'A man of the name of Jerry--you know 21141 21142Jerry, Thomas?'<br><br> 21143 21144'Oh, don't talk to me of Jerrys,' replied Mr Codlin. 'How can I care a 21145 21146pinch of snuff for Jerrys, when I think of that 'ere darling child? 21147 21148"Codlin's my friend," she says, "dear, good, kind Codlin, as is always 21149 21150a devising pleasures for me! I don't object to Short," she says, "but 21151 21152I cotton to Codlin." Once,' said that gentleman reflectively, 'she 21153 21154called me Father Codlin. I thought I should have bust!'<br><br> 21155 21156'A man of the name of Jerry, sir,' said Short, turning from his selfish 21157 21158colleague to their new acquaintance, 'wot keeps a company of dancing 21159 21160dogs, told me, in a accidental sort of way, that he had seen the old 21161 21162gentleman in connexion with a travelling wax-work, unbeknown to him. 21163 21164As they'd given us the slip, and nothing had come of it, and this was 21165 21166down in the country that he'd been seen, I took no measures about it, 21167 21168and asked no questions--But I can, if you like.'<br><br> 21169 21170'Is this man in town?' said the impatient single gentleman. 'Speak 21171 21172faster.'<br><br> 21173 21174'No he isn't, but he will be to-morrow, for he lodges in our house,' 21175 21176replied Mr Short rapidly.<br><br> 21177 21178'Then bring him here,' said the single gentleman. 'Here's a sovereign 21179 21180a-piece. If I can find these people through your means, it is but a 21181 21182prelude to twenty more. Return to me to-morrow, and keep your own 21183 21184counsel on this subject--though I need hardly tell you that; for you'll 21185 21186do so for your own sakes. Now, give me your address, and leave me.'<br><br> 21187 21188The address was given, the two men departed, the crowd went with them, 21189 21190and the single gentleman for two mortal hours walked in uncommon 21191 21192agitation up and down his room, over the wondering heads of Mr 21193 21194Swiveller and Miss Sally Brass.<br><br> 21195 21196CHAPTER 38<br><br> 21197 21198Kit--for it happens at this juncture, not only that we have breathing 21199 21200time to follow his fortunes, but that the necessities of these 21201 21202adventures so adapt themselves to our ease and inclination as to call 21203 21204upon us imperatively to pursue the track we most desire to take--Kit, 21205
21206while the matters treated of in the last fifteen chapters were yet in 21207 21208progress, was, as the reader may suppose, gradually familiarising 21209 21210himself more and more with Mr and Mrs Garland, Mr Abel, the pony, and 21211 21212Barbara, and gradually coming to consider them one and all as his 21213 21214particular private friends, and Abel Cottage, Finchley, as his own 21215 21216proper home.<br><br> 21217 21218Stay--the words are written, and may go, but if they convey any notion 21219 21220that Kit, in the plentiful board and comfortable lodging of his new 21221 21222abode, began to think slightingly of the poor fare and furniture of his 21223 21224old dwelling, they do their office badly and commit injustice. Who so 21225 21226mindful of those he left at home--albeit they were but a mother and two 21227 21228young babies--as Kit? What boastful father in the fulness of his heart 21229 21230ever related such wonders of his infant prodigy, as Kit never wearied 21231 21232of telling Barbara in the evening time, concerning little Jacob? Was 21233 21234there ever such a mother as Kit's mother, on her son's showing; or was 21235 21236there ever such comfort in poverty as in the poverty of Kit's family, 21237 21238if any correct judgment might be arrived at, from his own glowing 21239 21240account!<br><br> 21241 21242And let me linger in this place, for an instant, to remark that if ever 21243 21244household affections and loves are graceful things, they are graceful 21245 21246in the poor. The ties that bind the wealthy and the proud to home may 21247 21248be forged on earth, but those which link the poor man to his humble 21249 21250hearth are of the truer metal and bear the stamp of Heaven. The man of 21251 21252high descent may love the halls and lands of his inheritance as part of 21253 21254himself: as trophies of his birth and power; his associations with them 21255 21256are associations of pride and wealth and triumph; the poor man's 21257 21258attachment to the tenements he holds, which strangers have held before, 21259 21260and may to-morrow occupy again, has a worthier root, struck deep into a 21261 21262purer soil. His household gods are of flesh and blood, with no alloy 21263 21264of silver, gold, or precious stone; he has no property but in the 21265 21266affections of his own heart; and when they endear bare floors and 21267 21268walls, despite of rags and toil and scanty fare, that man has his love 21269 21270of home from God, and his rude hut becomes a solemn place.<br><br> 21271 21272Oh! if those who rule the destinies of nations would but remember 21273 21274this--if they would but think how hard it is for the very poor to have 21275 21276engendered in their hearts, that love of home from which all domestic 21277 21278virtues spring, when they live in dense and squalid masses where social 21279 21280decency is lost, or rather never found--if they would but turn aside 21281 21282from the wide thoroughfares and great houses, and strive to improve the 21283 21284wretched dwellings in bye-ways where only Poverty may walk--many low 21285 21286roofs would point more truly to the sky, than the loftiest steeple that 21287 21288now rears proudly up from the midst of guilt, and crime, and horrible 21289 21290disease, to mock them by its contrast. In hollow voices from 21291 21292Workhouse, Hospital, and jail, this truth is preached from day to day, 21293 21294and has been proclaimed for years. It is no light matter--no outcry 21295 21296from the working vulgar--no mere question of the people's health and 21297 21298comforts that may be whistled down on Wednesday nights. In love of 21299 21300home, the love of country has its rise;
21300 and who are the truer patriots 21301 21302or the better in time of need--those who venerate the land, owning its 21303 21304wood, and stream, and earth, and all that they produce? or those who 21305 21306love their country, boasting not a foot of ground in all its wide 21307 21308domain!<br><br> 21309 21310Kit knew nothing about such questions, but he knew that his old home 21311 21312was a very poor place, and that his new one was very unlike it, and yet 21313 21314he was constantly looking back with grateful satisfaction and 21315 21316affectionate anxiety, and often indited square-folded letters to his 21317 21318mother, enclosing a shilling or eighteenpence or such other small 21319 21320remittance, which Mr Abel's liberality enabled him to make. Sometimes 21321 21322being in the neighbourhood, he had leisure to call upon her, and then 21323 21324great was the joy and pride of Kit's mother, and extremely noisy the 21325 21326satisfaction of little Jacob and the baby, and cordial the 21327 21328congratulations of the whole court, who listened with admiring ears to 21329 21330the accounts of Abel Cottage, and could never be told too much of its 21331 21332wonders and magnificence.<br><br> 21333 21334Although Kit was in the very highest favour with the old lady and 21335 21336gentleman, and Mr Abel, and Barbara, it is certain that no member of 21337 21338the family evinced such a remarkable partiality for him as the 21339 21340self-willed pony, who, from being the most obstinate and opinionated 21341 21342pony on the face of the earth, was, in his hands, the meekest and most 21343 21344tractable of animals. It is true that in exact proportion as he became 21345 21346manageable by Kit he became utterly ungovernable by anybody else (as if 21347 21348he had determined to keep him in the family at all risks and hazards), 21349 21350and that, even under the guidance of his favourite, he would sometimes 21351 21352perform a great variety of strange freaks and capers, to the extreme 21353 21354discomposure of the old lady's nerves; but as Kit always represented 21355 21356that this was only his fun, or a way he had of showing his attachment 21357 21358to his employers, Mrs Garland gradually suffered herself to be 21359 21360persuaded into the belief, in which she at last became so strongly 21361 21362confirmed, that if, in one of these ebullitions, he had overturned the 21363 21364chaise, she would have been quite satisfied that he did it with the 21365 21366very best intentions.<br><br> 21367 21368Besides becoming in a short time a perfect marvel in all stable 21369 21370matters, Kit soon made himself a very tolerable gardener, a handy 21371 21372fellow within doors, and an indispensable attendant on Mr Abel, who 21373 21374every day gave him some new proof of his confidence and approbation. 21375 21376Mr Witherden the notary, too, regarded him with a friendly eye; and 21377 21378even Mr Chuckster would sometimes condescend to give him a slight nod, 21379 21380or to honour him with that peculiar form of recognition which is called 21381 21382'taking a sight,' or to favour him with some other salute combining 21383 21384pleasantry with patronage.<br><br> 21385 21386One morning Kit drove Mr Abel to the Notary's office, as he sometimes 21387 21388did, and having set him down at the house, was about to drive off to a 21389 21390livery stable hard by, when this same Mr Chuckster emerged from the 21391 21392office door, and cried 'Woa-a-a-a-a-a!'--dwelling upon the note a long 21393 21394time, for the purpose of striking terror into the pony's heart, and 21395 21396asserting the supremacy of man over the inferior animals.<br><br> 21397 21398'Pull up, Snobby,' cried Mr Chuckster, addressing himself to Kit. 21399 21400'You're wanted inside here.'<br><br> 21401 21402'Has Mr Abel forgotten anything, I wonder?' said Kit as he dismounted.<br><br> 21403 21404'Ask no questions, Snobby,' returned Mr Chuckster, 'but go and see. 21405 21406Woa-a-a then, will you? If that pony was mine, I'd break him.'<br><br> 21407 21408'You must be very gentle with him, if you please,' said Kit, 'or you'll 21409 21410find him troublesome. You'd better not keep on pulling his ears, 21411 21412please. I know he won't like it.'<br><br> 21413 21414To this remonstrance Mr Chuckster deigned no other answer, than 21415 21416addressing Kit with a lofty and distant air as 'young feller,' and 21417 21418requesting him to cut and come again with all speed. The 'young 21419 21420feller' complying, Mr Chuckster put his hands in his pockets, and tried 21421 21422to look as if he were not minding the pony, but happened to be lounging 21423 21424there by accident.<br><br> 21425
21426Kit scraped his shoes very carefully (for he had not yet lost his 21427 21428reverence for the bundles of papers and the tin boxes,) and tapped at 21429 21430the office-door, which was quickly opened by the Notary himself.<br><br> 21431 21432'Oh! come in, Christopher,' said Mr Witherden.<br><br> 21433 21434'Is that the lad?' asked an elderly gentleman, but of a stout, bluff 21435 21436figure--who was in the room.<br><br> 21437 21438'That's the lad,' said Mr Witherden. 'He fell in with my client, Mr 21439 21440Garland, sir, at this very door. I have reason to think he is a good 21441 21442lad, sir, and that you may believe what he says. Let me introduce Mr 21443 21444Abel Garland, sir--his young master; my articled pupil, sir, and most 21445 21446particular friend:--my most particular friend, sir,' repeated the 21447 21448Notary, drawing out his silk handkerchief and flourishing it about his 21449 21450face.<br><br> 21451 21452'Your servant, sir,' said the stranger gentleman.<br><br> 21453 21454'Yours, sir, I'm sure,' replied Mr Abel mildly. 'You were wishing to 21455 21456speak to Christopher, sir?'<br><br> 21457 21458'Yes, I was. Have I your permission?'<br><br> 21459 21460'By all means.'<br><br> 21461 21462'My business is no secret; or I should rather say it need be no secret 21463 21464here,' said the stranger, observing that Mr Abel and the Notary were 21465 21466preparing to retire. 'It relates to a dealer in curiosities with whom 21467 21468he lived, and in whom I am earnestly and warmly interested. I have 21469 21470been a stranger to this country, gentlemen, for very many years, and if 21471 21472I am deficient in form and ceremony, I hope you will forgive me.'<br><br> 21473 21474'No forgiveness is necessary, sir;--none whatever,' replied the Notary. 21475 21476And so said Mr Abel.<br><br> 21477 21478'I have been making inquiries in the neighbourhood in which his old 21479 21480master lived,' said the stranger, 'and I learn that he was served by 21481 21482this lad. I have found out his mother's house, and have been directed 21483 21484by her to this place as the nearest in which I should be likely to find 21485 21486him. That's the cause of my presenting myself here this morning.'<br><br> 21487 21488'I am very glad of any cause, sir,' said the Notary, 'which procures me 21489 21490the honour of this visit.'<br><br> 21491 21492'Sir,' retorted the stranger, 'you speak like a mere man of the world, 21493 21494and I think you something better. Therefore, pray do not sink your 21495 21496real character in paying unmeaning compliments to me.'<br><br> 21497 21498'Hem!' coughed the Notary. 'You're a plain speaker, sir.'<br><br> 21499 21500'And a plain dealer,' returned the stranger. 'It may be my long 21501 21502absence and inexperience that lead me to the conclusion; but if plain 21503 21504speakers are scarce in this part of the world, I fancy plain dealers 21505 21506are still scarcer. If my speaking should offend you, sir, my dealing, 21507 21508I hope, will make amends.'<br><br> 21509 21510Mr Witherden seemed a little disconcerted by the elderly gentleman's 21511 21512mode of conducting the dialogue; and as for Kit, he looked at him in 21513 21514open-mouthed astonishment: wondering what kind of language he would 21515 21516address to him, if he talked in that free and easy way to a Notary. It 21517 21518was with no harshness, however, though with something of constitutional 21519 21520irritability and haste, that he turned to Kit and said:<br><br> 21521 21522'If you think, my lad, that I am pursuing these inquiries with any 21523 21524other view than that of serving and reclaiming those I am in search of, 21525 21526you do me a very great wrong, and deceive yourself. Don't be deceived, 21527 21528I beg of you, but rely upon my assurance. The fact is, gentlemen,' he 21529 21530added, turning again to the Notary and his pupil, 'that I am in a very 21531 21532painful and wholly unexpected position. I came to this city with a 21533 21534darling object at my heart, expecting to find no obstacle or difficulty 21535 21536in the way of its attainment. I find myself suddenly checked and 21537 21538stopped short, in the execution of my design, by a mystery which I 21539 21540cannot penetrate. Every effort I have made to penetrate it, has only 21541 21542served to render it darker and more obscure; and I am afraid to stir 21543 21544openly in the matter, lest those whom I anxiously pursue, should fly 21545 21546still farther from me. I assure you that if you could give me any 21547 21548assistance, you would not be sorry to do so, if you knew how greatly I 21549 21550stand in need of it, and what a load it would relieve me from.'<br><br> 21551 21552There was a simplicity in this confidence which occasioned it to find a 21553 21554quick response in the breast of the good-natured Notary, who replied, 21555 21556in the same spirit, that the stranger had not mistaken his desire, and 21557 21558that if he could be of service to him, he would, most readily.<br><br> 21559 21560Kit was then put under examination and closely questioned by the 21561 21562unknown gentleman, touching his old master and the child, their lonely 21563
21564way of life, their retired habits, and strict seclusion. The nightly 21565 21566absence of the old man, the solitary existence of the child at those 21567 21568times, his illness and recovery, Quilp's possession of the house, and 21569 21570their sudden disappearance, were all the subjects of much questioning 21571 21572and answer. Finally, Kit informed the gentleman that the premises were 21573 21574now to let, and that a board upon the door referred all inquirers to Mr 21575 21576Sampson Brass, Solicitor, of Bevis Marks, from whom he might perhaps 21577 21578learn some further particulars.<br><br> 21579 21580'Not by inquiry,' said the gentleman shaking his head. 'I live there.'<br><br> 21581 21582'Live at Brass's the attorney's!' cried Mr Witherden in some surprise: 21583 21584having professional knowledge of the gentleman in question.<br><br> 21585 21586'Aye,' was the reply. 'I entered on his lodgings t'other day, chiefly 21587 21588because I had seen this very board. It matters little to me where I 21589 21590live, and I had a desperate hope that some intelligence might be cast 21591 21592in my way there, which would not reach me elsewhere. Yes, I live at 21593 21594Brass's--more shame for me, I suppose?'<br><br> 21595 21596'That's a mere matter of opinion,' said the Notary, shrugging his 21597 21598shoulders. 'He is looked upon as rather a doubtful character.'<br><br> 21599 21600'Doubtful?' echoed the other. 'I am glad to hear there's any doubt 21601 21602about it. I supposed that had been thoroughly settled, long ago. But 21603 21604will you let me speak a word or two with you in private?'<br><br> 21605 21606Mr Witherden consenting, they walked into that gentleman's private 21607 21608closet, and remained there, in close conversation, for some quarter of 21609 21610an hour, when they returned into the outer office. The stranger had 21611 21612left his hat in Mr Witherden's room, and seemed to have established 21613 21614himself in this short interval on quite a friendly footing.<br><br> 21615 21616'I'll not detain you any longer now,' he said, putting a crown into 21617 21618Kit's hand, and looking towards the Notary. 'You shall hear from me 21619 21620again. Not a word of this, you know, except to your master and 21621 21622mistress.'<br><br> 21623 21624'Mother, sir, would be glad to know--' said Kit, faltering.<br><br> 21625 21626'Glad to know what?'<br><br> 21627 21628'Anything--so that it was no harm--about Miss Nell.'<br><br> 21629 21630'Would she? Well then, you may tell her if she can keep a secret. But 21631 21632mind, not a word of this to anybody else. Don't forget that. Be 21633 21634particular.'<br><br> 21635 21636'I'll take care, sir,' said Kit. 'Thankee, sir, and good morning.'<br><br> 21637 21638Now, it happened that the gentleman, in his anxiety to impress upon Kit 21639 21640that he was not to tell anybody what had passed between them, followed 21641 21642him out to the door to repeat his caution, and it further happened that 21643 21644at that moment the eyes of Mr Richard Swiveller were turned in that 21645 21646direction, and beheld his mysterious friend and Kit together.<br><br> 21647 21648It was quite an accident, and the way in which it came about was this. 21649 21650Mr Chuckster, being a gentleman of a cultivated taste and refined 21651 21652spirit, was one of that Lodge of Glorious Apollos whereof Mr Swiveller 21653 21654was Perpetual Grand. Mr Swiveller, passing through the street in the 21655 21656execution of some Brazen errand, and beholding one of his Glorious 21657 21658Brotherhood intently gazing on a pony, crossed over to give him that 21659 21660fraternal greeting with which Perpetual Grands are, by the very 21661 21662constitution of their office, bound to cheer and encourage their 21663 21664disciples. He had scarcely bestowed upon him his blessing, and 21665 21666followed it with a general remark touching the present state and 21667 21668prospects of the weather, when, lifting up his eyes, he beheld the 21669 21670single gentleman of Bevis Marks in earnest conversation with 21671 21672Christopher Nubbles.<br><br> 21673 21674'Hallo!' said Dick, 'who is that?'<br><br> 21675 21676'He called to see my Governor this morning,' replied Mr Chuckster; 21677 21678'beyond that, I don't know him from Adam.'<br><br> 21679 21680'At least you know his name?' said Dick.<br><br> 21681 21682To which Mr Chuckster replied, with an elevation of speech becoming a 21683 21684Glorious Apollo, that he was 'everlastingly blessed' if he did.<br><br> 21685 21686'All I know, my dear feller,' said Mr Chuckster, running his fingers 21687 21688through his hair, 'is, that he is the cause of my having stood here 21689 21690twenty minutes, for which I hate him with a mortal and undying hatred, 21691 21692and would pursue him to the confines of eternity if I could afford the 21693 21694time.'<br><br> 21695 21696While they were thus discoursing, the subject of their conversation 21697 21698(who had not appeared to recognise Mr Richard Swiveller) re-entered the 21699 21700house, and Kit came down the steps and joined them; to whom Mr 21701 21702Swiveller again propounded his inquiry with no better success.<br><br> 21703 21704'He is a very nice gentleman, Sir,' said Kit, 'and that's all I know 21705 21706about him.'<br><br> 21707 21708Mr Chuckster waxed wroth at this answer, and without applying the 21709 21710remark to any particular case, mentioned, as a general truth, that it 21711 21712was expedient to break the heads of Snobs, and to tweak their noses. 21713 21714Without expressing his concurrence in this sentiment, Mr Swiveller 21715 21716after a few moments of abstraction inquired which way Kit was driving, 21717 21718and, being informed, declared it was his way, and that he would 21719 21720trespass on him for a lift. Kit would gladly have declined the 21721 21722proffered honour, but as Mr Swiveller was already established in the 21723 21724seat beside him, he had no means of doing so, otherwise than by a 21725 21726forcible ejectment, and therefore, drove briskly off--so briskly 21727 21728indeed, as to cut short the leave-taking between Mr Chuckster and his 21729 21730Grand Master, and to occasion the former gentleman some inconvenience 21731 21732from having his corns squeezed by the impatient pony.<br><br> 21733 21734As Whisker was tired of standing, and Mr Swiveller was kind enough to 21735 21736stimulate him by shrill whistles, and various sporting cries, they 21737 21738rattled off at too sharp a pace to admit of much conversation: 21739 21740especially as the pony, incensed by Mr Swiveller's admonitions, took a 21741 21742particular fancy for the lamp-posts and cart-wheels, and evinced a 21743 21744strong desire to run on the pavement and rasp himself against the brick 21745 21746walls. It was not, therefore, until they had arrived at the stable, 21747 21748and the chaise had been extricated from a very small doorway, into 21749 21750which the pony dragged it under the impression that he could take it 21751 21752along with him into his usual stall, that Mr Swiveller found time to 21753 21754talk.<br><br> 21755 21756'It's hard work,' said Richard. 'What do you say to some beer?'<br><br> 21757 21758Kit at first declined, but presently consented, and they adjourned to 21759 21760the neighbouring bar together.<br><br> 21761 21762'We'll drink our friend what's-his-name,' said Dick, holding up the 21763 21764bright frothy pot; '--that was talking to you this morning, you know--I 21765 21766know him--a good fellow, but eccentric--very--here's what's-his-name!'<br><br> 21767 21768Kit pledged him.<br><br> 21769 21770'He lives in my house,' said Dick; 'at least in the house occupied by 21771 21772the firm in which I'm a sort of a--of a managing partner--a difficult 21773 21774fellow to get anything out of, but we like him--we like him.'<br><br> 21775 21776'I must be going, sir, if you please,' said Kit, moving away.<br><br> 21777 21778'Don't be in a hurry, Christopher,' replied his patron, 'we'll drink 21779 21780your mother.'<br><br> 21781
21782'Thank you, sir.'<br><br> 21783 21784'An excellent woman that mother of yours, Christopher,' said Mr 21785 21786Swiveller. 'Who ran to catch me when I fell, and kissed the place to 21787 21788make it well? My mother. A charming woman. He's a liberal sort of 21789 21790fellow. We must get him to do something for your mother. Does he know 21791 21792her, Christopher?'<br><br> 21793 21794Kit shook his head, and glancing slyly at his questioner, thanked him, 21795 21796and made off before he could say another word.<br><br> 21797 21798'Humph!' said Mr Swiveller pondering, 'this is queer. Nothing but 21799 21800mysteries in connection with Brass's house. I'll keep my own counsel, 21801 21802however. Everybody and anybody has been in my confidence as yet, but 21803 21804now I think I'll set up in business for myself. Queer--very queer!'<br><br> 21805 21806After pondering deeply and with a face of exceeding wisdom for some 21807 21808time, Mr Swiveller drank some more of the beer, and summoning a small 21809 21810boy who had been watching his proceedings, poured forth the few 21811 21812remaining drops as a libation on the gravel, and bade him carry the 21813 21814empty vessel to the bar with his compliments, and above all things to 21815 21816lead a sober and temperate life, and abstain from all intoxicating and 21817 21818exciting liquors. Having given him this piece of moral advice for his 21819 21820trouble (which, as he wisely observed, was far better than half-pence) 21821 21822the Perpetual Grand Master of the Glorious Apollos thrust his hands 21823 21824into his pockets and sauntered away: still pondering as he went.<br><br> 21825 21826CHAPTER 39<br><br> 21827 21828All that day, though he waited for Mr Abel until evening, Kit kept 21829 21830clear of his mother's house, determined not to anticipate the pleasures 21831 21832of the morrow, but to let them come in their full rush of delight; for 21833 21834to-morrow was the great and long looked-for epoch in his 21835 21836life--to-morrow was the end of his first quarter--the day of receiving, 21837 21838for the first time, one fourth part of his annual income of Six Pounds 21839 21840in one vast sum of Thirty Shillings--to-morrow was to be a half-holiday 21841 21842devoted to a whirl of entertainments, and little Jacob was to know what 21843 21844oysters meant, and to see a play.<br><br> 21845 21846All manner of incidents combined in favour of the occasion: not only 21847 21848had Mr and Mrs Garland forewarned him that they intended to make no 21849 21850deduction for his outfit from the great amount, but to pay it him 21851 21852unbroken in all its gigantic grandeur; not only had the unknown 21853 21854gentleman increased the stock by the sum of five shillings, which was a 21855 21856perfect god-send and in itself a fortune; not only had these things 21857 21858come to pass which nobody could have calculated upon, or in their 21859 21860wildest dreams have hoped; but it was Barbara's quarter too--Barbara's 21861 21862quarter, that very day--and Barbara had a half-holiday as well as Kit, 21863 21864and Barbara's mother was going to make one of the party, and to take 21865 21866tea with Kit's mother, and cultivate her acquaintance.<br><br> 21867 21868To be sure Kit looked out of his window very early that morning to see 21869 21870which way the clouds were flying, and to be sure Barbara would have 21871 21872been at hers too, if she had not sat up so late over-night, starching 21873 21874and ironing small pieces of muslin, and crimping them into frills, and 21875 21876sewing them on to other pieces to form magnificent wholes for next 21877 21878day's wear. But they were both up very early for all that, and had 21879 21880small appetites for breakfast and less for dinner, and were in a state 21881 21882of great excitement when Barbara's mother came in, with astonishing 21883 21884accounts of the fineness of the weather out of doors (but with a very 21885 21886large umbrella notwithstanding, for people like Barbara's mother seldom 21887 21888make holiday without one), and when the bell rang for them to go up 21889 21890stairs and receive their quarter's money in gold and silver.<br><br> 21891 21892Well, wasn't Mr Garland kind when he said 'Christopher, here's your 21893 21894money, and you have earned it well;' and wasn't Mrs Garland kind when 21895 21896she said 'Barbara, here's yours, and I'm much pleased with you;' and 21897 21898didn't Kit sign his name bold to his receipt, and didn't Barbara sign 21899 21900her name all a trembling to hers; and wasn't it beautiful to see how 21901 21902Mrs Garland poured out Barbara's mother a glass of wine; and didn't 21903 21904Barbara's mother speak up when she said 'Here's blessing you, ma'am, as 21905
21906a good lady, and you, sir, as a good gentleman, and Barbara, my love to 21907 21908you, and here's towards you, Mr Christopher;' and wasn't she as long 21909 21910drinking it as if it had been a tumblerful; and didn't she look 21911 21912genteel, standing there with her gloves on; and wasn't there plenty of 21913 21914laughing and talking among them as they reviewed all these things upon 21915 21916the top of the coach, and didn't they pity the people who hadn't got a 21917 21918holiday!<br><br> 21919 21920But Kit's mother, again--wouldn't anybody have supposed she had come of 21921 21922a good stock and been a lady all her life! There she was, quite ready 21923 21924to receive them, with a display of tea-things that might have warmed 21925 21926the heart of a china-shop; and little Jacob and the baby in such a 21927 21928state of perfection that their clothes looked as good as new, though 21929 21930Heaven knows they were old enough! Didn't she say before they had sat 21931 21932down five minutes that Barbara's mother was exactly the sort of lady 21933 21934she expected, and didn't Barbara's mother say that Kit's mother was the 21935 21936very picture of what she had expected, and didn't Kit's mother 21937 21938compliment Barbara's mother on Barbara, and didn't Barbara's mother 21939 21940compliment Kit's mother on Kit, and wasn't Barbara herself quite 21941 21942fascinated with little Jacob, and did ever a child show off when he was 21943 21944wanted, as that child did, or make such friends as he made!<br><br> 21945 21946'And we are both widows too!' said Barbara's mother. 'We must have 21947 21948been made to know each other.'<br><br> 21949 21950'I haven't a doubt about it,' returned Mrs Nubbles. 'And what a pity 21951 21952it is we didn't know each other sooner.'<br><br> 21953 21954'But then, you know, it's such a pleasure,' said Barbara's mother, 'to 21955 21956have it brought about by one's son and daughter, that it's fully made 21957 21958up for. Now, an't it?'<br><br> 21959 21960To this, Kit's mother yielded her full assent, and tracing things back 21961 21962from effects to causes, they naturally reverted to their deceased 21963 21964husbands, respecting whose lives, deaths, and burials, they compared 21965 21966notes, and discovered sundry circumstances that tallied with wonderful 21967 21968exactness; such as Barbara's father having been exactly four years and 21969 21970ten months older than Kit's father, and one of them having died on a 21971 21972Wednesday and the other on a Thursday, and both of them having been of 21973 21974a very fine make and remarkably good-looking, with other extraordinary 21975 21976coincidences. These recollections being of a kind calculated to cast a 21977 21978shadow on the brightness of the holiday, Kit diverted the conversation 21979 21980to general topics, and they were soon in great force again, and as 21981 21982merry as before. Among other things, Kit told them about his old 21983 21984place, and the extraordinary beauty of Nell (of whom he had talked to 21985 21986Barbara a thousand times already); but the last-named circumstance 21987 21988failed to interest his hearers to anything like the extent he had 21989 21990supposed, and even his mother said (looking accidentally at Barbara at 21991 21992the same time) that there was no doubt Miss Nell was very pretty, but 21993 21994she was but a child after all, and there were many young women quite as 21995 21996pretty as she; and Barbara mildly observed that she should think so, 21997 21998and that she never could help believing Mr Christopher must be under a 21999 22000mistake--which Kit wondered at very much, not being able to conceive 22001 22002what reason she had for doubting him. Barbara's mother too, observed 22003 22004that it was very common for young folks to change at about fourteen or 22005 22006fifteen, and whereas they had been very pretty before, to grow up quite 22007 22008plain; which truth she illustrated by many forcible examples, 22009 22010especially one of a young man, who, being a builder with great 22011 22012prospects, had been particular in his attentions to Barbara, but whom 22013 22014Barbara would have nothing to say to; which (though everything happened 22015 22016for the best) she almost thought was a pity. Kit said he thought so 22017 22018too, and so he did honestly, and he wondered what made Barbara so 22019 22020silent all at once, and why his mother looked at him as if he shouldn't 22021 22022have said it.<br><br> 22023 22024However, it was high time now to be thinking of the play; for which 22025 22026great preparation was required, in the way of shawls and bonnets, not 22027 22028to mention one handkerchief full of oranges and another of apples, 22029 22030which took some time tying up, in consequence of the fruit having a 22031 22032tendency to roll out at the corners. At length, everything was ready, 22033 22034and they went off very fast; Kit's mother carrying the baby, who was 22035 22036dreadfully wide awake, and Kit holding little Jacob in one hand, and 22037 22038escorting Barbara with the other--a state of things which occasioned 22039 22040the two mothers, who walked behind, to declare that they looked quite 22041 22042family folks, and caused Barbara to blush and say, 'Now don't, mother!' 22043
22044But Kit said she had no call to mind what they said; and indeed she 22045 22046need not have had, if she had known how very far from Kit's thoughts 22047 22048any love-making was. Poor Barbara!<br><br> 22049 22050At last they got to the theatre, which was Astley's: and in some two 22051 22052minutes after they had reached the yet unopened door, little Jacob was 22053 22054squeezed flat, and the baby had received divers concussions, and 22055 22056Barbara's mother's umbrella had been carried several yards off and 22057 22058passed back to her over the shoulders of the people, and Kit had hit a 22059 22060man on the head with the handkerchief of apples for 'scrowdging' his 22061 22062parent with unnecessary violence, and there was a great uproar. But, 22063 22064when they were once past the pay-place and tearing away for very life 22065 22066with their checks in their hands, and, above all, when they were fairly 22067 22068in the theatre, and seated in such places that they couldn't have had 22069 22070better if they had picked them out, and taken them beforehand, all this 22071 22072was looked upon as quite a capital joke, and an essential part of the 22073 22074entertainment.<br><br> 22075 22076Dear, dear, what a place it looked, that Astley's; with all the paint, 22077 22078gilding, and looking-glass; the vague smell of horses suggestive of 22079 22080coming wonders; the curtain that hid such gorgeous mysteries; the clean 22081 22082white sawdust down in the circus; the company coming in and taking 22083 22084their places; the fiddlers looking carelessly up at them while they 22085 22086tuned their instruments, as if they didn't want the play to begin, and 22087 22088knew it all beforehand! What a glow was that, which burst upon them 22089 22090all, when that long, clear, brilliant row of lights came slowly up; and 22091 22092what the feverish excitement when the little bell rang and the music 22093 22094began in good earnest, with strong parts for the drums, and sweet 22095 22096effects for the triangles! Well might Barbara's mother say to Kit's 22097 22098mother that the gallery was the place to see from, and wonder it wasn't 22099 22100much dearer than the boxes; well might Barbara feel doubtful whether to 22101 22102laugh or cry, in her flutter of delight.<br><br> 22103 22104Then the play itself! the horses which little Jacob believed from the 22105 22106first to be alive, and the ladies and gentlemen of whose reality he 22107 22108could be by no means persuaded, having never seen or heard anything at 22109 22110all like them--the firing, which made Barbara wink--the forlorn lady, 22111 22112who made her cry--the tyrant, who made her tremble--the man who sang 22113 22114the song with the lady's-maid and danced the chorus, who made her 22115 22116laugh--the pony who reared up on his hind legs when he saw the 22117 22118murderer, and wouldn't hear of walking on all fours again until he was 22119 22120taken into custody--the clown who ventured on such familiarities with 22121 22122the military man in boots--the lady who jumped over the nine-and-twenty 22123 22124ribbons and came down safe upon the horse's back--everything was 22125 22126delightful, splendid, and surprising! Little Jacob applauded till his 22127 22128hands were sore; Kit cried 'an-kor' at the end of everything, the 22129 22130three-act piece included; and Barbara's mother beat her umbrella on the 22131 22132floor, in her ecstasies, until it was nearly worn down to the gingham.<br><br> 22133 22134In the midst of all these fascinations, Barbara's thoughts seemed to 22135 22136have been still running on what Kit had said at tea-time; for, when 22137 22138they were coming out of the play, she asked him, with an hysterical 22139 22140simper, if Miss Nell was as handsome as the lady who jumped over the 22141 22142ribbons.<br><br> 22143 22144'As handsome as her?' said Kit. 'Double as handsome.'<br><br> 22145 22146'Oh Christopher! I'm sure she was the beautifullest creature ever was,' 22147 22148said Barbara.<br><br> 22149 22150'Nonsense!' returned Kit. 'She was well enough, I don't deny that; but 22151 22152think how she was dressed and painted, and what a difference that made. 22153 22154Why YOU are a good deal better looking than her, Barbara.'<br><br> 22155 22156'Oh Christopher!' said Barbara, looking down.<br><br> 22157 22158'You are, any day,' said Kit, '--and so's your mother.'<br><br> 22159 22160Poor Barbara!<br><br> 22161 22162What was all this though--even all this--to the extraordinary 22163 22164dissipation that ensued, when Kit, walking into an oyster-shop as bold 22165 22166as if he lived there, and not so much as looking at the counter or the 22167 22168man behind it, led his party into a box--a private box, fitted up with 22169 22170red curtains, white table-cloth, and cruet-stand complete--and ordered 22171 22172a fierce gentleman with whiskers, who acted as waiter and called him, 22173 22174him Christopher Nubbles, 'sir,' to bring three dozen of his 22175 22176largest-sized oysters, and to look sharp about it! Yes, Kit told this 22177 22178gentleman to look sharp, and he not only said he would look sharp, but 22179 22180he actually did, and presently came running back with the newest 22181 22182loaves, and the freshest butter, and the largest oysters, ever seen. 22183 22184Then said Kit to this gentleman, 'a pot of beer'--just so--and the 22185
22186gentleman, instead of replying, 'Sir, did you address that language to 22187 22188me?' only said, 'Pot o' beer, sir? Yes, sir,' and went off and fetched 22189 22190it, and put it on the table in a small decanter-stand, like those which 22191 22192blind-men's dogs carry about the streets in their mouths, to catch the 22193 22194half-pence in; and both Kit's mother and Barbara's mother declared as 22195 22196he turned away that he was one of the slimmest and gracefullest young 22197 22198men she had ever looked upon.<br><br> 22199 22200Then they fell to work upon the supper in earnest; and there was 22201 22202Barbara, that foolish Barbara, declaring that she could not eat more 22203 22204than two, and wanting more pressing than you would believe before she 22205 22206would eat four: though her mother and Kit's mother made up for it 22207 22208pretty well, and ate and laughed and enjoyed themselves so thoroughly 22209 22210that it did Kit good to see them, and made him laugh and eat likewise 22211 22212from strong sympathy. But the greatest miracle of the night was little 22213 22214Jacob, who ate oysters as if he had been born and bred to the 22215 22216business--sprinkled the pepper and the vinegar with a discretion beyond 22217 22218his years--and afterwards built a grotto on the table with the shells. 22219 22220There was the baby too, who had never closed an eye all night, but had 22221 22222sat as good as gold, trying to force a large orange into his mouth, and 22223 22224gazing intently at the lights in the chandelier--there he was, sitting 22225 22226up in his mother's lap, staring at the gas without winking, and making 22227 22228indentations in his soft visage with an oyster-shell, to that degree 22229 22230that a heart of iron must have loved him! In short, there never was a 22231 22232more successful supper; and when Kit ordered in a glass of something 22233 22234hot to finish with, and proposed Mr and Mrs Garland before sending it 22235 22236round, there were not six happier people in all the world.<br><br> 22237 22238But all happiness has an end--hence the chief pleasure of its next 22239 22240beginning--and as it was now growing late, they agreed it was time to 22241 22242turn their faces homewards. So, after going a little out of their way 22243 22244to see Barbara and Barbara's mother safe to a friend's house where they 22245 22246were to pass the night, Kit and his mother left them at the door, with 22247 22248an early appointment for returning to Finchley next morning, and a 22249 22250great many plans for next quarter's enjoyment. Then, Kit took little 22251 22252Jacob on his back, and giving his arm to his mother, and a kiss to the 22253 22254baby, they all trudged merrily home together.<br><br> 22255 22256CHAPTER 40<br><br> 22257 22258Full of that vague kind of penitence which holidays awaken next 22259 22260morning, Kit turned out at sunrise, and, with his faith in last night's 22261 22262enjoyments a little shaken by cool daylight and the return to every-day 22263 22264duties and occupations, went to meet Barbara and her mother at the 22265 22266appointed place. And being careful not to awaken any of the little 22267 22268household, who were yet resting from their unusual fatigues, Kit left 22269 22270his money on the chimney-piece, with an inscription in chalk calling 22271 22272his mother's attention to the circumstance, and informing her that it 22273 22274came from her dutiful son; and went his way, with a heart something 22275 22276heavier than his pockets, but free from any very great oppression 22277 22278notwithstanding.<br><br> 22279 22280Oh these holidays! why will they leave us some regret? why cannot we 22281 22282push them back, only a week or two in our memories, so as to put them 22283 22284at once at that convenient distance whence they may be regarded either 22285 22286with a calm indifference or a pleasant effort of recollection! why will 22287 22288they hang about us, like the flavour of yesterday's wine, suggestive of 22289 22290headaches and lassitude, and those good intentions for the future, 22291 22292which, under the earth, form the everlasting pavement of a large 22293 22294estate, and, upon it, usually endure until dinner-time or thereabouts!<br><br> 22295 22296Who will wonder that Barbara had a headache, or that Barbara's mother 22297 22298was disposed to be cross, or that she slightly underrated Astley's, and 22299 22300thought the clown was older than they had taken him to be last night? 22301 22302Kit was not surprised to hear her say so--not he. He had already had a 22303 22304misgiving that the inconstant actors in that dazzling vision had been 22305 22306doing the same thing the night before last, and would do it again that 22307 22308night, and the next, and for weeks and months to come, though he would 22309 22310not be there. Such is the difference between yesterday and today. We 22311 22312are all going to the play, or coming home from it.<br><br> 22313 22314However, the Sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers 22315 22316strength and courage as the day gets on. By degrees, they began to 22317 22318recall circumstances more and more pleasant in their nature, until, 22319 22320what between talking, walking, and laughing, they reached Finchley in 22321 22322such good heart, that Barbara's mother declared she never felt less 22323 22324tired or in better spirits. And so said Kit. Barbara had been silent 22325 22326all the way, but she said so too. Poor little Barbara! She was very 22327 22328quiet.<br><br> 22329 22330They were at home in such good time that Kit had rubbed down the pony 22331 22332and made him as spruce as a race-horse, before Mr Garland came down to 22333 22334breakfast; which punctual and industrious conduct the old lady, and the 22335 22336old gentleman, and Mr Abel, highly extolled. At his usual hour (or 22337 22338rather at his usual minute and second, for he was the soul of 22339 22340punctuality) Mr Abel walked out, to be overtaken by the London coach, 22341 22342and Kit and the old gentleman went to work in the garden.<br><br> 22343 22344This was not the least pleasant of Kit's employments. On a fine day 22345 22346they were quite a family party; the old lady sitting hard by with her 22347 22348work-basket on a little table; the old gentleman digging, or pruning, 22349 22350or clipping about with a large pair of shears, or helping Kit in some 22351 22352way or other with great assiduity; and Whisker looking on from his 22353 22354paddock in placid contemplation of them all. To-day they were to trim 22355 22356the grape-vine, so Kit mounted half-way up a short ladder, and began to 22357 22358snip and hammer away, while the old gentleman, with a great interest in 22359 22360his proceedings, handed up the nails and shreds of cloth as he wanted 22361 22362them. The old lady and Whisker looked on as usual.<br><br> 22363 22364'Well, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'and so you have made a new 22365 22366friend, eh?'<br><br> 22367 22368'I beg your pardon, Sir?' returned Kit, looking down from the ladder.<br><br> 22369 22370'You have made a new friend, I hear from Mr Abel,' said the old 22371 22372gentleman, 'at the office!'<br><br> 22373 22374'Oh! Yes Sir, yes. He behaved very handsome, Sir.'<br><br> 22375 22376'I'm glad to hear it,' returned the old gentlemen with a smile. 'He is 22377 22378disposed to behave more handsomely still, though, Christopher.'<br><br> 22379 22380'Indeed, Sir! It's very kind in him, but I don't want him to, I'm 22381 22382sure,' said Kit, hammering stoutly at an obdurate nail.<br><br> 22383 22384'He is rather anxious,' pursued the old gentleman, 'to have you in his 22385 22386own service--take care what you're doing, or you will fall down and 22387 22388hurt yourself.'<br><br> 22389
22390'To have me in his service, Sir?' cried Kit, who had stopped short in 22391 22392his work and faced about on the ladder like some dexterous tumbler. 22393 22394'Why, Sir, I don't think he can be in earnest when he says that.'<br><br> 22395 22396'Oh! But he is indeed,' said Mr Garland. 'And he has told Mr Abel so.'<br><br> 22397 22398'I never heard of such a thing!' muttered Kit, looking ruefully at his 22399 22400master and mistress. 'I wonder at him; that I do.'<br><br> 22401 22402'You see, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'this is a point of much 22403 22404importance to you, and you should understand and consider it in that 22405 22406light. This gentleman is able to give you more money than I--not, I 22407 22408hope, to carry through the various relations of master and servant, 22409 22410more kindness and confidence, but certainly, Christopher, to give you 22411 22412more money.'<br><br> 22413 22414'Well,' said Kit, 'after that, Sir--'<br><br> 22415 22416'Wait a moment,' interposed Mr Garland. 'That is not all. You were a 22417 22418very faithful servant to your old employers, as I understand, and 22419 22420should this gentleman recover them, as it is his purpose to attempt 22421 22422doing by every means in his power, I have no doubt that you, being in 22423 22424his service, would meet with your reward. Besides,' added the old 22425 22426gentleman with stronger emphasis, 'besides having the pleasure of being 22427 22428again brought into communication with those to whom you seem to be very 22429 22430strongly and disinterestedly attached. You must think of all this, 22431 22432Christopher, and not be rash or hasty in your choice.'<br><br> 22433 22434Kit did suffer one twinge, one momentary pang, in keeping the 22435 22436resolution he had already formed, when this last argument passed 22437 22438swiftly into his thoughts, and conjured up the realization of all his 22439 22440hopes and fancies. But it was gone in a minute, and he sturdily 22441 22442rejoined that the gentleman must look out for somebody else, as he did 22443 22444think he might have done at first.<br><br> 22445 22446'He has no right to think that I'd be led away to go to him, sir,' said 22447 22448Kit, turning round again after half a minute's hammering. 'Does he 22449 22450think I'm a fool?'<br><br> 22451 22452'He may, perhaps, Christopher, if you refuse his offer,' said Mr 22453 22454Garland gravely.<br><br> 22455 22456'Then let him, sir,' retorted Kit; 'what do I care, sir, what he 22457 22458thinks? why should I care for his thinking, sir, when I know that I 22459 22460should be a fool, and worse than a fool, sir, to leave the kindest 22461 22462master and mistress that ever was or can be, who took me out of the 22463 22464streets a very poor and hungry lad indeed--poorer and hungrier perhaps 22465 22466than even you think for, sir--to go to him or anybody? If Miss Nell 22467 22468was to come back, ma'am,' added Kit, turning suddenly to his mistress, 22469 22470'why that would be another thing, and perhaps if she wanted me, I might 22471 22472ask you now and then to let me work for her when all was done at home. 22473 22474But when she comes back, I see now that she'll be rich as old master 22475 22476always said she would, and being a rich young lady, what could she want 22477 22478of me? No, no,' added Kit, shaking his head sorrowfully, 'she'll never 22479 22480want me any more, and bless her, I hope she never may, though I should 22481 22482like to see her too!'<br><br> 22483 22484Here Kit drove a nail into the wall, very hard--much harder than was 22485 22486necessary--and having done so, faced about again.<br><br> 22487 22488'There's the pony, sir,' said Kit--'Whisker, ma'am (and he knows so 22489 22490well I'm talking about him that he begins to neigh directly, 22491 22492Sir)--would he let anybody come near him but me, ma'am? Here's the 22493 22494garden, sir, and Mr Abel, ma'am. Would Mr Abel part with me, Sir, or 22495 22496is there anybody that could be fonder of the garden, ma'am? It would 22497 22498break mother's heart, Sir, and even little Jacob would have sense 22499 22500enough to cry his eyes out, ma'am, if he thought that Mr Abel could 22501 22502wish to part with me so soon, after having told me, only the other day, 22503 22504that he hoped we might be together for years to come--'<br><br> 22505 22506There is no telling how long Kit might have stood upon the ladder, 22507 22508addressing his master and mistress by turns, and generally turning 22509 22510towards the wrong person, if Barbara had not at that moment come 22511 22512running up to say that a messenger from the office had brought a note, 22513 22514which, with an expression of some surprise at Kit's oratorical 22515 22516appearance, she put into her master's hand.<br><br> 22517 22518'Oh!' said the old gentleman after reading it, 'ask the messenger to 22519 22520walk this way.' Barbara tripping off to do as she was bid, he turned 22521 22522to Kit and said that they would not pursue the subject any further, and 22523 22524that Kit could not be more unwilling to part with them, than they would 22525 22526be to part with Kit; a sentiment which the old lady very generously 22527 22528echoed.<br><br> 22529 22530'At the same time, Christopher,' added Mr Garland, glancing at the note 22531 22532in his hand, 'if the gentleman should want to borrow you now and then 22533 22534for an hour or so, or even a day or so, at a time, we must consent to 22535 22536lend you, and you must consent to be lent.--Oh! here is the young 22537 22538gentleman. How do you do, Sir?'<br><br> 22539
22540This salutation was addressed to Mr Chuckster, who, with his hat 22541 22542extremely on one side, and his hair a long way beyond it, came 22543 22544swaggering up the walk.<br><br> 22545 22546'Hope I see you well sir,' returned that gentleman. 'Hope I see YOU 22547 22548well, ma'am. Charming box' this, sir. Delicious country to be sure.'<br><br> 22549 22550'You want to take Kit back with you, I find?' observed Mr Garland.<br><br> 22551 22552'I have got a chariot-cab waiting on purpose,' replied the clerk. 'A 22553 22554very spanking grey in that cab, sir, if you're a judge of horse-flesh.'<br><br> 22555 22556Declining to inspect the spanking grey, on the plea that he was but 22557 22558poorly acquainted with such matters, and would but imperfectly 22559 22560appreciate his beauties, Mr Garland invited Mr Chuckster to partake of 22561 22562a slight repast in the way of lunch. That gentleman readily 22563 22564consenting, certain cold viands, flanked with ale and wine, were 22565 22566speedily prepared for his refreshment.<br><br> 22567 22568At this repast, Mr Chuckster exerted his utmost abilities to enchant 22569 22570his entertainers, and impress them with a conviction of the mental 22571 22572superiority of those who dwelt in town; with which view he led the 22573 22574discourse to the small scandal of the day, in which he was justly 22575 22576considered by his friends to shine prodigiously. Thus, he was in a 22577 22578condition to relate the exact circumstances of the difference between 22579 22580the Marquis of Mizzler and Lord Bobby, which it appeared originated in 22581
22582a disputed bottle of champagne, and not in a pigeon-pie, as erroneously 22583 22584reported in the newspapers; neither had Lord Bobby said to the Marquis 22585 22586of Mizzler, 'Mizzler, one of us two tells a lie, and I'm not the man,' 22587 22588as incorrectly stated by the same authorities; but 'Mizzler, you know 22589 22590where I'm to be found, and damme, sir, find me if you want me'--which, 22591 22592of course, entirely changed the aspect of this interesting question, 22593 22594and placed it in a very different light. He also acquainted them with 22595 22596the precise amount of the income guaranteed by the Duke of Thigsberry 22597 22598to Violetta Stetta of the Italian Opera, which it appeared was payable 22599 22600quarterly, and not half-yearly, as the public had been given to 22601 22602understand, and which was EXclusive, and not INclusive (as had been 22603 22604monstrously stated,) of jewellery, perfumery, hair-powder for five 22605 22606footmen, and two daily changes of kid-gloves for a page. Having 22607 22608entreated the old lady and gentleman to set their minds at rest on 22609 22610these absorbing points, for they might rely on his statement being the 22611 22612correct one, Mr Chuckster entertained them with theatrical chit-chat 22613 22614and the court circular; and so wound up a brilliant and fascinating 22615 22616conversation which he had maintained alone, and without any assistance 22617 22618whatever, for upwards of three-quarters of an hour.<br><br> 22619 22620'And now that the nag has got his wind again,' said Mr Chuckster rising 22621 22622in a graceful manner, 'I'm afraid I must cut my stick.'<br><br> 22623 22624Neither Mr nor Mrs Garland offered any opposition to his tearing 22625 22626himself away (feeling, no doubt, that such a man could ill be spared 22627 22628from his proper sphere of action), and therefore Mr Chuckster and Kit 22629 22630were shortly afterwards upon their way to town; Kit being perched upon 22631 22632the box of the cabriolet beside the driver, and Mr Chuckster seated in 22633 22634solitary state inside, with one of his boots sticking out at each of 22635 22636the front windows.<br><br> 22637 22638When they reached the Notary's house, Kit followed into the office, and 22639 22640was desired by Mr Abel to sit down and wait, for the gentleman who 22641 22642wanted him had gone out, and perhaps might not return for some time. 22643 22644This anticipation was strictly verified, for Kit had had his dinner, 22645 22646and his tea, and had read all the lighter matter in the Law-List, and 22647 22648the Post-Office Directory, and had fallen asleep a great many times, 22649 22650before the gentleman whom he had seen before, came in; which he did at 22651 22652last in a very great hurry.<br><br> 22653 22654He was closeted with Mr Witherden for some little time, and Mr Abel had 22655 22656been called in to assist at the conference, before Kit, wondering very 22657 22658much what he was wanted for, was summoned to attend them.<br><br> 22659 22660'Christopher,' said the gentleman, turning to him directly he entered 22661 22662the room, 'I have found your old master and young mistress.'<br><br> 22663 22664'No, Sir! Have you, though?' returned Kit, his eyes sparkling with 22665 22666delight. 'Where are they, Sir? How are they, Sir? Are they--are they 22667 22668near here?'<br><br> 22669 22670'A long way from here,' returned the gentleman, shaking his head. 'But 22671 22672I am going away to-night to bring them back, and I want you to go with 22673 22674me.'<br><br> 22675 22676'Me, Sir?' cried Kit, full of joy and surprise.<br><br> 22677 22678'The place,' said the strange gentleman, turning thoughtfully to the 22679 22680Notary, 'indicated by this man of the dogs, is--how far from 22681 22682here--sixty miles?'<br><br> 22683 22684'From sixty to seventy.'<br><br> 22685 22686'Humph! If we travel post all night, we shall reach there in good time 22687 22688to-morrow morning. Now, the only question is, as they will not know 22689 22690me, and the child, God bless her, would think that any stranger 22691 22692pursuing them had a design upon her grandfather's liberty--can I do 22693 22694better than take this lad, whom they both know and will readily 22695 22696remember, as an assurance to them of my friendly intentions?'<br><br> 22697 22698'Certainly not,' replied the Notary. 'Take Christopher by all means.'<br><br> 22699 22700'I beg your pardon, Sir,' said Kit, who had listened to this discourse 22701 22702with a lengthening countenance, 'but if that's the reason, I'm afraid I 22703 22704should do more harm than good--Miss Nell, Sir, she knows me, and would 22705 22706trust in me, I am sure;
22706 but old master--I don't know why, gentlemen; 22707 22708nobody does--would not bear me in his sight after he had been ill, and 22709 22710Miss Nell herself told me that I must not go near him or let him see me 22711 22712any more. I should spoil all that you were doing if I went, I'm 22713 22714afraid. I'd give the world to go, but you had better not take me, Sir.'<br><br> 22715 22716'Another difficulty!' cried the impetuous gentleman. 'Was ever man so 22717 22718beset as I? Is there nobody else that knew them, nobody else in whom 22719 22720they had any confidence? Solitary as their lives were, is there no one 22721 22722person who would serve my purpose?'<br><br> 22723 22724'IS there, Christopher?' said the Notary.<br><br> 22725 22726'Not one, Sir,' replied Kit.--'Yes, though--there's my mother.'<br><br> 22727 22728'Did they know her?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 22729 22730'Know her, Sir! why, she was always coming backwards and forwards. 22731 22732They were as kind to her as they were to me. Bless you, Sir, she 22733 22734expected they'd come back to her house.'<br><br> 22735 22736'Then where the devil is the woman?' said the impatient gentleman, 22737 22738catching up his hat. 'Why isn't she here? Why is that woman always 22739 22740out of the way when she is most wanted?'<br><br> 22741 22742In a word, the single gentleman was bursting out of the office, bent 22743 22744upon laying violent hands on Kit's mother, forcing her into a 22745 22746post-chaise, and carrying her off, when this novel kind of abduction 22747 22748was with some difficulty prevented by the joint efforts of Mr Abel and 22749 22750the Notary, who restrained him by dint of their remonstrances, and 22751 22752persuaded him to sound Kit upon the probability of her being able and 22753 22754willing to undertake such a journey on so short a notice.<br><br> 22755 22756This occasioned some doubts on the part of Kit, and some violent 22757 22758demonstrations on that of the single gentleman, and a great many 22759 22760soothing speeches on that of the Notary and Mr Abel. The upshot of the 22761 22762business was, that Kit, after weighing the matter in his mind and 22763 22764considering it carefully, promised, on behalf of his mother, that she 22765 22766should be ready within two hours from that time to undertake the 22767 22768expedition, and engaged to produce her in that place, in all respects 22769 22770equipped and prepared for the journey, before the specified period had 22771 22772expired.<br><br> 22773 22774Having given this pledge, which was rather a bold one, and not 22775 22776particularly easy of redemption, Kit lost no time in sallying forth, 22777 22778and taking measures for its immediate fulfilment.<br><br> 22779 22780CHAPTER 41<br><br> 22781 22782Kit made his way through the crowded streets, dividing the stream of 22783 22784people, dashing across the busy road-ways, diving into lanes and 22785 22786alleys, and stopping or turning aside for nothing, until he came in 22787 22788front of the Old Curiosity Shop, when he came to a stand; partly from 22789 22790habit and partly from being out of breath.<br><br> 22791 22792It was a gloomy autumn evening, and he thought the old place had never 22793 22794looked so dismal as in its dreary twilight. The windows broken, the 22795 22796rusty sashes rattling in their frames, the deserted house a dull 22797 22798barrier dividing the glaring lights and bustle of the street into two 22799 22800long lines, and standing in the midst, cold, dark, and empty--presented 22801 22802a cheerless spectacle which mingled harshly with the bright prospects 22803 22804the boy had been building up for its late inmates, and came like a 22805 22806disappointment or misfortune. Kit would have had a good fire roaring 22807 22808up the empty chimneys, lights sparkling and shining through the 22809 22810windows, people moving briskly to and fro, voices in cheerful 22811 22812conversation, something in unison with the new hopes that were astir. 22813 22814He had not expected that the house would wear any different aspect--had 22815 22816known indeed that it could not--but coming upon it in the midst of 22817 22818eager thoughts and expectations, it checked the current in its flow, 22819 22820and darkened it with a mournful shadow.<br><br> 22821 22822Kit, however, fortunately for himself, was not learned enough or 22823 22824contemplative enough to be troubled with presages of evil afar off, 22825 22826and, having no mental spectacles to assist his vision in this respect, 22827 22828saw nothing but the dull house, which jarred uncomfortably upon his 22829 22830previous thoughts. So, almost wishing that he had not passed it, 22831 22832though hardly knowing why, he hurried on again, making up by his 22833 22834increased speed for the few moments he had lost.<br><br> 22835 22836'Now, if she should be out,' thought Kit, as he approached the poor 22837 22838dwelling of his mother, 'and I not able to find her, this impatient 22839 22840gentleman would be in a pretty taking. And sure enough there's no 22841 22842light, and the door's fast. Now, God forgive me for saying so, but if 22843 22844this is Little Bethel's doing, I wish Little Bethel was--was farther 22845 22846off,' said Kit checking himself, and knocking at the door.<br><br> 22847 22848A second knock brought no reply from within the house; but caused a 22849 22850woman over the way to look out and inquire who that was, awanting Mrs 22851 22852Nubbles.<br><br> 22853 22854'Me,' said Kit. 'She's at--at Little Bethel, I suppose?'--getting out 22855 22856the name of the obnoxious conventicle with some reluctance, and laying 22857 22858a spiteful emphasis upon the words.<br><br> 22859
22860The neighbour nodded assent.<br><br> 22861 22862'Then pray tell me where it is,' said Kit, 'for I have come on a 22863 22864pressing matter, and must fetch her out, even if she was in the pulpit.'<br><br> 22865 22866It was not very easy to procure a direction to the fold in question, as 22867 22868none of the neighbours were of the flock that resorted thither, and few 22869 22870knew anything more of it than the name. At last, a gossip of Mrs 22871 22872Nubbles's, who had accompanied her to chapel on one or two occasions 22873 22874when a comfortable cup of tea had preceded her devotions, furnished the 22875 22876needful information, which Kit had no sooner obtained than he started 22877 22878off again.<br><br> 22879 22880Little Bethel might have been nearer, and might have been in a 22881 22882straighter road, though in that case the reverend gentleman who 22883 22884presided over its congregation would have lost his favourite allusion 22885 22886to the crooked ways by which it was approached, and which enabled him 22887 22888to liken it to Paradise itself, in contradistinction to the parish 22889 22890church and the broad thoroughfare leading thereunto. Kit found it, at 22891 22892last, after some trouble, and pausing at the door to take breath that 22893 22894he might enter with becoming decency, passed into the chapel.<br><br> 22895 22896It was not badly named in one respect, being in truth a particularly 22897 22898little Bethel--a Bethel of the smallest dimensions--with a small 22899 22900number of small pews, and a small pulpit, in which a small gentleman 22901 22902(by trade a Shoemaker, and by calling a Divine) was delivering in a by 22903 22904no means small voice, a by no means small sermon, judging of its 22905 22906dimensions by the condition of his audience, which, if their gross 22907 22908amount were but small, comprised a still smaller number of hearers, as 22909 22910the majority were slumbering.<br><br> 22911 22912Among these was Kit's mother, who, finding it matter of extreme 22913 22914difficulty to keep her eyes open after the fatigues of last night, and 22915 22916feeling their inclination to close strongly backed and seconded by the 22917 22918arguments of the preacher, had yielded to the drowsiness that 22919 22920overpowered her, and fallen asleep; though not so soundly but that she 22921 22922could, from time to time, utter a slight and almost inaudible groan, as 22923 22924if in recognition of the orator's doctrines. The baby in her arms was 22925 22926as fast asleep as she; and little Jacob, whose youth prevented him from 22927 22928recognising in this prolonged spiritual nourishment anything half as 22929 22930interesting as oysters, was alternately very fast asleep and very wide 22931 22932awake, as his inclination to slumber, or his terror of being personally 22933 22934alluded to in the discourse, gained the mastery over him.<br><br> 22935 22936'And now I'm here,' thought Kit, gliding into the nearest empty pew 22937 22938which was opposite his mother's, and on the other side of the little 22939 22940aisle, 'how am I ever to get at her, or persuade her to come out! I 22941 22942might as well be twenty miles off. She'll never wake till it's all 22943 22944over, and there goes the clock again! If he would but leave off for a 22945 22946minute, or if they'd only sing!'<br><br> 22947 22948But there was little encouragement to believe that either event would 22949 22950happen for a couple of hours to come. The preacher went on telling 22951 22952them what he meant to convince them of before he had done, and it was 22953 22954clear that if he only kept to one-half of his promises and forgot the 22955 22956other, he was good for that time at least.<br><br> 22957 22958In his desperation and restlessness Kit cast his eyes about the chapel, 22959 22960and happening to let them fall upon a little seat in front of the 22961 22962clerk's desk, could scarcely believe them when they showed him--Quilp!<br><br> 22963 22964He rubbed them twice or thrice, but still they insisted that Quilp was 22965 22966there, and there indeed he was, sitting with his hands upon his knees, 22967 22968and his hat between them on a little wooden bracket, with the 22969 22970accustomed grin on his dirty face, and his eyes fixed upon the ceiling. 22971
22972He certainly did not glance at Kit or at his mother, and appeared 22973 22974utterly unconscious of their presence; still Kit could not help 22975 22976feeling, directly, that the attention of the sly little fiend was 22977 22978fastened upon them, and upon nothing else.<br><br> 22979 22980But, astounded as he was by the apparition of the dwarf among the 22981 22982Little Bethelites, and not free from a misgiving that it was the 22983 22984forerunner of some trouble or annoyance, he was compelled to subdue his 22985 22986wonder and to take active measures for the withdrawal of his parent, as 22987 22988the evening was now creeping on, and the matter grew serious. 22989 22990Therefore, the next time little Jacob woke, Kit set himself to attract 22991 22992his wandering attention, and this not being a very difficult task (one 22993 22994sneeze effected it), he signed to him to rouse his mother.<br><br> 22995 22996Ill-luck would have it, however, that, just then, the preacher, in a 22997 22998forcible exposition of one head of his discourse, leaned over upon the 22999 23000pulpit-desk so that very little more of him than his legs remained 23001 23002inside; and, while he made vehement gestures with his right hand, and 23003 23004held on with his left, stared, or seemed to stare, straight into little 23005 23006Jacob's eyes, threatening him by his strained look and attitude--so it 23007 23008appeared to the child--that if he so much as moved a muscle, he, the 23009 23010preacher, would be literally, and not figuratively, 'down upon him' 23011 23012that instant. In this fearful state of things, distracted by the 23013 23014sudden appearance of Kit, and fascinated by the eyes of the preacher, 23015 23016the miserable Jacob sat bolt upright, wholly incapable of motion, 23017 23018strongly disposed to cry but afraid to do so, and returning his 23019 23020pastor's gaze until his infant eyes seemed starting from their sockets.<br><br> 23021 23022'If I must do it openly, I must,' thought Kit. With that he walked 23023 23024softly out of his pew and into his mother's, and as Mr Swiveller would 23025 23026have observed if he had been present, 'collared' the baby without 23027 23028speaking a word.<br><br> 23029 23030'Hush, mother!' whispered Kit. 'Come along with me, I've got something 23031 23032to tell you.'<br><br> 23033 23034'Where am I?' said Mrs Nubbles.<br><br> 23035 23036'In this blessed Little Bethel,' returned her son, peevishly.<br><br> 23037 23038'Blessed indeed!' cried Mrs Nubbles, catching at the word. 'Oh, 23039 23040Christopher, how have I been edified this night!'<br><br> 23041 23042'Yes, yes, I know,' said Kit hastily; 'but come along, mother, 23043 23044everybody's looking at us. Don't make a noise--bring Jacob--that's 23045 23046right!'<br><br> 23047 23048'Stay, Satan, stay!' cried the preacher, as Kit was moving off.<br><br> 23049 23050'This gentleman says you're to stay, Christopher,' whispered his mother.<br><br> 23051 23052'Stay, Satan, stay!' roared the preacher again. 'Tempt not the woman 23053 23054that doth incline her ear to thee, but harken to the voice of him that 23055 23056calleth. He hath a lamb from the fold!' cried the preacher, raising 23057 23058his voice still higher and pointing to the baby. 'He beareth off a 23059 23060lamb, a precious lamb! He goeth about, like a wolf in the night 23061 23062season, and inveigleth the tender lambs!'<br><br> 23063 23064Kit was the best-tempered fellow in the world, but considering this 23065 23066strong language, and being somewhat excited by the circumstances in 23067 23068which he was placed, he faced round to the pulpit with the baby in his 23069 23070arms, and replied aloud, 'No, I don't. He's my brother.'<br><br> 23071 23072'He's MY brother!' cried the preacher.<br><br> 23073 23074'He isn't,' said Kit indignantly. 'How can you say such a thing? And 23075 23076don't call me names if you please; what harm have I done? I shouldn't 23077 23078have come to take 'em away, unless I was obliged, you may depend upon 23079 23080that. I wanted to do it very quiet, but you wouldn't let me. Now, you 23081 23082have the goodness to abuse Satan and them, as much as you like, Sir, 23083 23084and to let me alone if you please.'<br><br> 23085 23086So saying, Kit marched out of the chapel, followed by his mother and 23087 23088little Jacob, and found himself in the open air, with an indistinct 23089 23090recollection of having seen the people wake up and look surprised, and 23091 23092of Quilp having remained, throughout the interruption, in his old 23093 23094attitude, without moving his eyes from the ceiling, or appearing to 23095 23096take the smallest notice of anything that passed.<br><br> 23097 23098'Oh Kit!' said his mother, with her handkerchief to her eyes, 'what 23099 23100have you done! I never can go there again--never!'<br><br> 23101 23102'I'm glad of it, mother. What was there in the little bit of pleasure 23103 23104you took last night that made it necessary for you to be low-spirited 23105 23106and sorrowful tonight? That's the way you do. If you're happy or 23107 23108merry ever, you come here to say, along with that chap, that you're 23109 23110sorry for it. More shame for you, mother, I was going to say.'<br><br> 23111 23112'Hush, dear!' said Mrs Nubbles; 'you don't mean what you say I know, 23113 23114but you're talking sinfulness.'<br><br> 23115 23116'Don't mean it? But I do mean it!' retorted Kit. 'I don't believe, 23117 23118mother, that harmless cheerfulness and good humour are thought greater 23119 23120sins in Heaven than shirt-collars are, and I do believe that those 23121 23122chaps are just about as right and sensible in putting down the one as 23123 23124in leaving off the other--that's my belief. But I won't say anything 23125 23126more about it, if you'll promise not to cry, that's all; and you take 23127 23128the baby that's a lighter weight, and give me little Jacob; and as we 23129 23130go along (which we must do pretty quick) I'll give you the news I 23131 23132bring, which will surprise you a little, I can tell you. There--that's 23133 23134right. Now you look as if you'd never seen Little Bethel in all your 23135 23136life, as I hope you never will again; and here's the baby; and little 23137 23138Jacob, you get atop of my back and catch hold of me tight round the 23139 23140neck, and whenever a Little Bethel parson calls you a precious lamb or 23141 23142says your brother's one, you tell him it's the truest things he's said 23143 23144for a twelvemonth, and that if he'd got a little more of the lamb 23145 23146himself, and less of the mint-sauce--not being quite so sharp and sour 23147 23148over it--I should like him all the better. That's what you've got to 23149 23150say to him, Jacob.'<br><br> 23151 23152Talking on in this way, half in jest and half in earnest, and cheering 23153 23154up his mother, the children, and himself, by the one simple process of 23155 23156determining to be in a good humour, Kit led them briskly forward; and 23157 23158on the road home, he related what had passed at the Notary's house, and 23159 23160the purpose with which he had intruded on the solemnities of Little 23161 23162Bethel.<br><br> 23163 23164His mother was not a little startled on learning what service was 23165 23166required of her, and presently fell into a confusion of ideas, of which 23167 23168the most prominent were that it was a great honour and dignity to ride 23169 23170in a post-chaise, and that it was a moral impossibility to leave the 23171 23172children behind. But this objection, and a great many others, founded 23173 23174on certain articles of dress being at the wash, and certain other 23175 23176articles having no existence in the wardrobe of Mrs Nubbles, were 23177 23178overcome by Kit, who opposed to each and every of them, the pleasure of 23179 23180recovering Nell, and the delight it would be to bring her back in 23181 23182triumph.<br><br> 23183 23184'There's only ten minutes now, mother,' said Kit when they reached 23185 23186home. 'There's a bandbox. Throw in what you want, and we'll be off 23187 23188directly.'<br><br> 23189 23190To tell how Kit then hustled into the box all sorts of things which 23191 23192could, by no remote contingency, be wanted, and how he left out 23193 23194everything likely to be of the smallest use; how a neighbour was 23195 23196persuaded to come and stop with the children, and how the children at 23197 23198first cried dismally, and then laughed heartily on being promised all 23199 23200kinds of impossible and unheard-of toys; how Kit's mother wouldn't 23201 23202leave off kissing them, and how Kit couldn't make up his mind to be 23203 23204vexed with her for doing it; would take more time and room than you and 23205 23206I can spare. So, passing over all such matters, it is sufficient to 23207 23208say that within a few minutes after the two hours had expired, Kit and 23209 23210his mother arrived at the Notary's door, where a post-chaise was 23211 23212already waiting.<br><br> 23213 23214'With four horses I declare!' said Kit, quite aghast at the 23215 23216preparations. 'Well you ARE going to do it, mother! Here she is, Sir. 23217 23218Here's my mother. She's quite ready, sir.'<br><br> 23219 23220'That's well,' returned the gentleman. 'Now, don't be in a flutter, 23221 23222ma'am;
23222 you'll be taken great care of. Where's the box with the new 23223 23224clothing and necessaries for them?'<br><br> 23225 23226'Here it is,' said the Notary. 'In with it, Christopher.'<br><br> 23227 23228'All right, Sir,' replied Kit. 'Quite ready now, sir.'<br><br> 23229 23230'Then come along,' said the single gentleman. And thereupon he gave 23231 23232his arm to Kit's mother, handed her into the carriage as politely as 23233 23234you please, and took his seat beside her.<br><br> 23235 23236Up went the steps, bang went the door, round whirled the wheels, and 23237 23238off they rattled, with Kit's mother hanging out at one window waving a 23239 23240damp pocket-handkerchief and screaming out a great many messages to 23241 23242little Jacob and the baby, of which nobody heard a word.<br><br> 23243 23244Kit stood in the middle of the road, and looked after them with tears 23245 23246in his eyes--not brought there by the departure he witnessed, but by 23247 23248the return to which he looked forward. 'They went away,' he thought, 23249 23250'on foot with nobody to speak to them or say a kind word at parting, 23251 23252and they'll come back, drawn by four horses, with this rich gentleman 23253 23254for their friend, and all their troubles over! She'll forget that she 23255 23256taught me to write--'<br><br> 23257 23258Whatever Kit thought about after this, took some time to think of, for 23259 23260he stood gazing up the lines of shining lamps, long after the chaise 23261 23262had disappeared, and did not return into the house until the Notary and 23263 23264Mr Abel, who had themselves lingered outside till the sound of the 23265 23266wheels was no longer distinguishable, had several times wondered what 23267 23268could possibly detain him.<br><br> 23269 23270CHAPTER 42<br><br> 23271 23272It behoves us to leave Kit for a while, thoughtful and expectant, and 23273 23274to follow the fortunes of little Nell; resuming the thread of the 23275 23276narrative at the point where it was left, some chapters back.<br><br> 23277 23278In one of those wanderings in the evening time, when, following the two 23279 23280sisters at a humble distance, she felt, in her sympathy with them and 23281 23282her recognition in their trials of something akin to her own loneliness 23283 23284of spirit, a comfort and consolation which made such moments a time of 23285 23286deep delight, though the softened pleasure they yielded was of that 23287 23288kind which lives and dies in tears--in one of those wanderings at the 23289 23290quiet hour of twilight, when sky, and earth, and air, and rippling 23291 23292water, and sound of distant bells, claimed kindred with the emotions of 23293 23294the solitary child, and inspired her with soothing thoughts, but not of 23295 23296a child's world or its easy joys--in one of those rambles which had now 23297 23298become her only pleasure or relief from care, light had faded into 23299 23300darkness and evening deepened into night, and still the young creature 23301 23302lingered in the gloom; feeling a companionship in Nature so serene and 23303 23304still, when noise of tongues and glare of garish lights would have been 23305 23306solitude indeed.<br><br> 23307 23308The sisters had gone home, and she was alone. She raised her eyes to 23309 23310the bright stars, looking down so mildly from the wide worlds of air, 23311 23312and, gazing on them, found new stars burst upon her view, and more 23313 23314beyond, and more beyond again, until the whole great expanse sparkled 23315 23316with shining spheres, rising higher and higher in immeasurable space, 23317 23318eternal in their numbers as in their changeless and incorruptible 23319 23320existence. She bent over the calm river, and saw them shining in the 23321 23322same majestic order as when the dove beheld them gleaming through the 23323 23324swollen waters, upon the mountain tops down far below, and dead 23325 23326mankind, a million fathoms deep.<br><br> 23327 23328The child sat silently beneath a tree, hushed in her very breath by the 23329 23330stillness of the night, and all its attendant wonders. The time and 23331 23332place awoke reflection, and she thought with a quiet hope--less hope, 23333 23334perhaps, than resignation--on the past, and present, and what was yet 23335 23336before her. Between the old man and herself there had come a gradual 23337 23338separation, harder to bear than any former sorrow. Every evening, and 23339 23340often in the day-time too, he was absent, alone; and although she well 23341 23342knew where he went, and why--too well from the constant drain upon her 23343 23344scanty purse and from his haggard looks--he evaded all inquiry, 23345 23346maintained a strict reserve, and even shunned her presence.<br><br> 23347 23348She sat meditating sorrowfully upon this change, and mingling it, as it 23349 23350were, with everything about her, when the distant church-clock bell 23351 23352struck nine. Rising at the sound, she retraced her steps, and turned 23353 23354thoughtfully towards the town.<br><br> 23355 23356She had gained a little wooden bridge, which, thrown across the stream, 23357 23358led into a meadow in her way, when she came suddenly upon a ruddy 23359 23360light, and looking forward more attentively, discerned that it 23361 23362proceeded from what appeared to be an encampment of gipsies, who had 23363 23364made a fire in one corner at no great distance from the path, and were 23365 23366sitting or lying round it. As she was too poor to have any fear of 23367 23368them, she did not alter her course (which, indeed, she could not have 23369 23370done without going a long way round), but quickened her pace a little, 23371 23372and kept straight on.<br><br> 23373 23374A movement of timid curiosity impelled her, when she approached the 23375 23376spot, to glance towards the fire. There was a form between it and her, 23377 23378the outline strongly developed against the light, which caused her to 23379 23380stop abruptly. Then, as if she had reasoned with herself and were 23381 23382assured that it could not be, or had satisfied herself that it was not 23383 23384that of the person she had supposed, she went on again.<br><br> 23385 23386But at that instant the conversation, whatever it was, which had been 23387 23388carrying on near this fire was resumed, and the tones of the voice that 23389 23390spoke--she could not distinguish words--sounded as familiar to her as 23391 23392her own.<br><br> 23393 23394She turned, and looked back. The person had been seated before, but 23395 23396was now in a standing posture, and leaning forward on a stick on which 23397 23398he rested both hands. The attitude was no less familiar to her than 23399 23400the tone of voice had been. It was her grandfather.<br><br> 23401 23402Her first impulse was to call to him; her next to wonder who his 23403 23404associates could be, and for what purpose they were together. Some 23405 23406vague apprehension succeeded, and, yielding to the strong inclination 23407 23408it awakened, she drew nearer to the place; not advancing across the 23409 23410open field, however, but creeping towards it by the hedge.<br><br> 23411 23412In this way she advanced within a few feet of the fire, and standing 23413 23414among a few young trees, could both see and hear, without much danger 23415 23416of being observed.<br><br> 23417 23418There were no women or children, as she had seen in other gipsy camps 23419 23420they had passed in their wayfaring, and but one gipsy--a tall athletic 23421 23422man, who stood with his arms folded, leaning against a tree at a little 23423 23424distance off, looking now at the fire, and now, under his black 23425
23426eyelashes, at three other men who were there, with a watchful but 23427 23428half-concealed interest in their conversation. Of these, her 23429 23430grandfather was one; the others she recognised as the first 23431 23432card-players at the public-house on the eventful night of the 23433 23434storm--the man whom they had called Isaac List, and his gruff 23435 23436companion. One of the low, arched gipsy-tents, common to that people, 23437 23438was pitched hard by, but it either was, or appeared to be, empty.<br><br> 23439 23440'Well, are you going?' said the stout man, looking up from the ground 23441 23442where he was lying at his ease, into her grandfather's face. 'You were 23443 23444in a mighty hurry a minute ago. Go, if you like. You're your own 23445 23446master, I hope?'<br><br> 23447 23448'Don't vex him,' returned Isaac List, who was squatting like a frog on 23449 23450the other side of the fire, and had so screwed himself up that he 23451 23452seemed to be squinting all over; 'he didn't mean any offence.'<br><br> 23453 23454'You keep me poor, and plunder me, and make a sport and jest of me 23455 23456besides,' said the old man, turning from one to the other. 'Ye'll 23457 23458drive me mad among ye.'<br><br> 23459 23460The utter irresolution and feebleness of the grey-haired child, 23461 23462contrasted with the keen and cunning looks of those in whose hands he 23463 23464was, smote upon the little listener's heart. But she constrained 23465 23466herself to attend to all that passed, and to note each look and word.<br><br> 23467 23468'Confound you, what do you mean?' said the stout man rising a little, 23469 23470and supporting himself on his elbow. 'Keep you poor! You'd keep us 23471 23472poor if you could, wouldn't you? That's the way with you whining, 23473 23474puny, pitiful players. When you lose, you're martyrs; but I don't find 23475 23476that when you win, you look upon the other losers in that light. As to 23477 23478plunder!' cried the fellow, raising his voice--'Damme, what do you 23479 23480mean by such ungentlemanly language as plunder, eh?'<br><br> 23481 23482The speaker laid himself down again at full length, and gave one or two 23483 23484short, angry kicks, as if in further expression of his unbounded 23485 23486indignation. It was quite plain that he acted the bully, and his 23487 23488friend the peacemaker, for some particular purpose; or rather, it would 23489 23490have been to any one but the weak old man; for they exchanged glances 23491 23492quite openly, both with each other and with the gipsy, who grinned his 23493 23494approval of the jest until his white teeth shone again.<br><br> 23495 23496The old man stood helplessly among them for a little time, and then 23497 23498said, turning to his assailant:<br><br> 23499 23500'You yourself were speaking of plunder just now, you know. Don't be so 23501 23502violent with me. You were, were you not?'<br><br> 23503 23504'Not of plundering among present company! Honour among--among 23505 23506gentlemen, Sir,' returned the other, who seemed to have been very near 23507 23508giving an awkward termination to the sentence.<br><br> 23509 23510'Don't be hard upon him, Jowl,' said Isaac List. 'He's very sorry for 23511 23512giving offence. There--go on with what you were saying--go on.'<br><br> 23513 23514'I'm a jolly old tender-hearted lamb, I am,' cried Mr Jowl, 'to be 23515 23516sitting here at my time of life giving advice when I know it won't be 23517 23518taken, and that I shall get nothing but abuse for my pains. But that's 23519 23520the way I've gone through life. Experience has never put a chill upon 23521 23522my warm-heartedness.'<br><br> 23523 23524'I tell you he's very sorry, don't I?' remonstrated Isaac List, 'and 23525 23526that he wishes you'd go on.'<br><br> 23527 23528'Does he wish it?' said the other.<br><br> 23529 23530'Ay,' groaned the old man sitting down, and rocking himself to and fro. 23531 23532'Go on, go on. It's in vain to fight with it; I can't do it; go on.'<br><br> 23533 23534'I go on then,' said Jowl, 'where I left off, when you got up so quick. 23535 23536If you're persuaded that it's time for luck to turn, as it certainly 23537 23538is, and find that you haven't means enough to try it (and that's where 23539 23540it is, for you know, yourself, that you never have the funds to keep on 23541 23542long enough at a sitting), help yourself to what seems put in your way 23543 23544on purpose. Borrow it, I say, and, when you're able, pay it back 23545 23546again.'<br><br> 23547 23548'Certainly,' Isaac List struck in, 'if this good lady as keeps the 23549 23550wax-works has money, and does keep it in a tin box when she goes to 23551 23552bed, and doesn't lock her door for fear of fire, it seems a easy thing; 23553 23554quite a Providence, I should call it--but then I've been religiously 23555 23556brought up.'<br><br> 23557 23558'You see, Isaac,' said his friend, growing more eager, and drawing 23559 23560himself closer to the old man, while he signed to the gipsy not to come 23561 23562between them; 'you see, Isaac, strangers are going in and out every 23563 23564hour of the day; nothing would be more likely than for one of these 23565 23566strangers to get under the good lady's bed, or lock himself in the 23567 23568cupboard;
23568 suspicion would be very wide, and would fall a long way from 23569 23570the mark, no doubt. I'd give him his revenge to the last farthing he 23571 23572brought, whatever the amount was.'<br><br> 23573 23574'But could you?' urged Isaac List. 'Is your bank strong enough?'<br><br> 23575 23576'Strong enough!' answered the other, with assumed disdain. 'Here, you 23577 23578Sir, give me that box out of the straw!'<br><br> 23579 23580This was addressed to the gipsy, who crawled into the low tent on all 23581 23582fours, and after some rummaging and rustling returned with a cash-box, 23583 23584which the man who had spoken opened with a key he wore about his person.<br><br> 23585 23586'Do you see this?' he said, gathering up the money in his hand and 23587 23588letting it drop back into the box, between his fingers, like water. 23589 23590'Do you hear it? Do you know the sound of gold? There, put it 23591 23592back--and don't talk about banks again, Isaac, till you've got one of 23593 23594your own.'<br><br> 23595 23596Isaac List, with great apparent humility, protested that he had never 23597 23598doubted the credit of a gentleman so notorious for his honourable 23599 23600dealing as Mr Jowl, and that he had hinted at the production of the 23601 23602box, not for the satisfaction of his doubts, for he could have none, 23603 23604but with a view to being regaled with a sight of so much wealth, which, 23605 23606though it might be deemed by some but an unsubstantial and visionary 23607 23608pleasure, was to one in his circumstances a source of extreme delight, 23609 23610only to be surpassed by its safe depository in his own personal 23611 23612pockets. Although Mr List and Mr Jowl addressed themselves to each 23613 23614other, it was remarkable that they both looked narrowly at the old man, 23615 23616who, with his eyes fixed upon the fire, sat brooding over it, yet 23617 23618listening eagerly--as it seemed from a certain involuntary motion of 23619 23620the head, or twitching of the face from time to time--to all they said.<br><br> 23621 23622'My advice,' said Jowl, lying down again with a careless air, 'is 23623 23624plain--I have given it, in fact. I act as a friend. Why should I help 23625 23626a man to the means perhaps of winning all I have, unless I considered 23627 23628him my friend? It's foolish, I dare say, to be so thoughtful of the 23629 23630welfare of other people, but that's my constitution, and I can't help 23631 23632it; so don't blame me, Isaac List.'<br><br> 23633 23634'I blame you!' returned the person addressed; 'not for the world, Mr 23635 23636Jowl. I wish I could afford to be as liberal as you; and, as you say, 23637 23638he might pay it back if he won--and if he lost--'<br><br> 23639 23640'You're not to take that into consideration at all,' said Jowl.<br><br> 23641 23642'But suppose he did (and nothing's less likely, from all I know of 23643 23644chances), why, it's better to lose other people's money than one's own, 23645 23646I hope?'<br><br> 23647 23648'Ah!' cried Isaac List rapturously, 'the pleasures of winning! The 23649 23650delight of picking up the money--the bright, shining yellow-boys--and 23651 23652sweeping 'em into one's pocket! The deliciousness of having a triumph 23653 23654at last, and thinking that one didn't stop short and turn back, but 23655 23656went half-way to meet it! The--but you're not going, old gentleman?'<br><br> 23657 23658'I'll do it,' said the old man, who had risen and taken two or three 23659 23660hurried steps away, and now returned as hurriedly. 'I'll have it, 23661 23662every penny.'<br><br> 23663 23664'Why, that's brave,' cried Isaac, jumping up and slapping him on the 23665 23666shoulder; 'and I respect you for having so much young blood left. Ha, 23667 23668ha, ha! Joe Jowl's half sorry he advised you now. We've got the laugh 23669 23670against him. Ha, ha, ha!'<br><br> 23671 23672'He gives me my revenge, mind,' said the old man, pointing to him 23673 23674eagerly with his shrivelled hand: 'mind--he stakes coin against coin, 23675 23676down to the last one in the box, be there many or few. Remember that!'<br><br> 23677 23678'I'm witness,' returned Isaac. 'I'll see fair between you.'<br><br> 23679 23680'I have passed my word,' said Jowl with feigned reluctance, 'and I'll 23681 23682keep it. When does this match come off? I wish it was over.-- 23683 23684To-night?'<br><br> 23685 23686'I must have the money first,' said the old man; 'and that I'll have 23687 23688to-morrow--'<br><br> 23689 23690'Why not to-night?' urged Jowl.<br><br> 23691 23692'It's late now, and I should be flushed and flurried,' said the old 23693 23694man. 'It must be softly done. No, to-morrow night.'<br><br> 23695 23696'Then to-morrow be it,' said Jowl. 'A drop of comfort here. Luck to 23697 23698the best man! Fill!' The gipsy produced three tin cups, and filled 23699 23700them to the brim with brandy. The old man turned aside and muttered to 23701 23702himself before he drank. Her own name struck upon the listener's ear, 23703 23704coupled with some wish so fervent, that he seemed to breathe it in an 23705 23706agony of supplication.<br><br> 23707 23708'God be merciful to us!' cried the child within herself, 'and help us 23709 23710in this trying hour! What shall I do to save him!'<br><br> 23711 23712The remainder of their conversation was carried on in a lower tone of 23713 23714voice, and was sufficiently concise; relating merely to the execution 23715 23716of the project, and the best precautions for diverting suspicion. The 23717 23718old man then shook hands with his tempters, and withdrew.<br><br> 23719 23720They watched his bowed and stooping figure as it retreated slowly, and 23721 23722when he turned his head to look back, which he often did, waved their 23723 23724hands, or shouted some brief encouragement. It was not until they had 23725 23726seen him gradually diminish into a mere speck upon the distant road, 23727 23728that they turned to each other, and ventured to laugh aloud.<br><br> 23729 23730'So,' said Jowl, warming his hands at the fire, 'it's done at last. He 23731 23732wanted more persuading than I expected. It's three weeks ago, since we 23733 23734first put this in his head. What'll he bring, do you think?'<br><br> 23735 23736'Whatever he brings, it's halved between us,' returned Isaac List.<br><br> 23737 23738The other man nodded. 'We must make quick work of it,' he said, 'and 23739 23740then cut his acquaintance, or we may be suspected. Sharp's the word.'<br><br> 23741 23742List and the gipsy acquiesced. When they had all three amused 23743 23744themselves a little with their victim's infatuation, they dismissed the 23745 23746subject as one which had been sufficiently discussed, and began to talk 23747 23748in a jargon which the child did not understand. As their discourse 23749 23750appeared to relate to matters in which they were warmly interested, 23751 23752however, she deemed it the best time for escaping unobserved; and crept 23753 23754away with slow and cautious steps, keeping in the shadow of the hedges, 23755 23756or forcing a path through them or the dry ditches, until she could 23757 23758emerge upon the road at a point beyond their range of vision. Then she 23759
23760fled homeward as quickly as she could, torn and bleeding from the 23761 23762wounds of thorns and briars, but more lacerated in mind, and threw 23763 23764herself upon her bed, distracted.<br><br> 23765 23766The first idea that flashed upon her mind was flight, instant flight; 23767 23768dragging him from that place, and rather dying of want upon the 23769 23770roadside, than ever exposing him again to such terrible temptations. 23771 23772Then, she remembered that the crime was not to be committed until next 23773 23774night, and there was the intermediate time for thinking, and resolving 23775 23776what to do. Then, she was distracted with a horrible fear that he 23777 23778might be committing it at that moment; with a dread of hearing shrieks 23779 23780and cries piercing the silence of the night; with fearful thoughts of 23781 23782what he might be tempted and led on to do, if he were detected in the 23783 23784act, and had but a woman to struggle with. It was impossible to bear 23785 23786such torture. She stole to the room where the money was, opened the 23787 23788door, and looked in. God be praised! He was not there, and she was 23789 23790sleeping soundly.<br><br> 23791 23792She went back to her own room, and tried to prepare herself for bed. 23793 23794But who could sleep--sleep! who could lie passively down, distracted by 23795 23796such terrors? They came upon her more and more strongly yet. Half 23797 23798undressed, and with her hair in wild disorder, she flew to the old 23799 23800man's bedside, clasped him by the wrist, and roused him from his sleep.<br><br> 23801 23802'What's this!' he cried, starting up in bed, and fixing his eyes upon 23803 23804her spectral face.<br><br> 23805 23806'I have had a dreadful dream,' said the child, with an energy that 23807 23808nothing but such terrors could have inspired. 'A dreadful, horrible 23809 23810dream. I have had it once before. It is a dream of grey-haired men 23811 23812like you, in darkened rooms by night, robbing sleepers of their gold. 23813 23814Up, up!'<br><br> 23815 23816The old man shook in every joint, and folded his hands like one who 23817 23818prays.<br><br> 23819 23820'Not to me,' said the child, 'not to me--to Heaven, to save us from 23821 23822such deeds! This dream is too real. I cannot sleep, I cannot stay 23823 23824here, I cannot leave you alone under the roof where such dreams come. 23825 23826Up! We must fly.'<br><br> 23827 23828He looked at her as if she were a spirit--she might have been for all 23829 23830the look of earth she had--and trembled more and more.<br><br> 23831 23832'There is no time to lose; I will not lose one minute,' said the child. 23833 23834'Up! and away with me!'<br><br> 23835 23836'To-night?' murmured the old man.<br><br> 23837 23838'Yes, to-night,' replied the child. 'To-morrow night will be too late. 23839 23840The dream will have come again. Nothing but flight can save us. Up!'<br><br> 23841 23842The old man rose from his bed: his forehead bedewed with the cold sweat 23843 23844of fear: and, bending before the child as if she had been an angel 23845 23846messenger sent to lead him where she would, made ready to follow her. 23847 23848She took him by the hand and led him on. As they passed the door of the 23849 23850room he had proposed to rob, she shuddered and looked up into his 23851 23852face. What a white face was that, and with what a look did he meet 23853 23854hers!<br><br> 23855 23856She took him to her own chamber, and, still holding him by the hand as 23857 23858if she feared to lose him for an instant, gathered together the little 23859 23860stock she had, and hung her basket on her arm. The old man took his 23861 23862wallet from her hands and strapped it on his shoulders--his staff, 23863 23864too, she had brought away--and then she led him forth.<br><br> 23865 23866Through the strait streets, and narrow crooked outskirts, their 23867 23868trembling feet passed quickly. Up the steep hill too, crowned by the 23869 23870old grey castle, they toiled with rapid steps, and had not once looked 23871 23872behind.<br><br> 23873 23874But as they drew nearer the ruined walls, the moon rose in all her 23875 23876gentle glory, and, from their venerable age, garlanded with ivy, moss, 23877 23878and waving grass, the child looked back upon the sleeping town, deep in 23879 23880the valley's shade: and on the far-off river with its winding track of 23881 23882light: and on the distant hills; and as she did so, she clasped the 23883 23884hand she held, less firmly, and bursting into tears, fell upon the old 23885 23886man's neck.<br><br> 23887 23888CHAPTER 43<br><br> 23889 23890Her momentary weakness past, the child again summoned the resolution 23891 23892which had until now sustained her, and, endeavouring to keep steadily 23893 23894in her view the one idea that they were flying from disgrace and crime, 23895 23896and that her grandfather's preservation must depend solely on her 23897 23898firmness, unaided by one word of advice or any helping hand, urged him 23899 23900onward and looked back no more.<br><br> 23901 23902While he, subdued and abashed, seemed to crouch before her, and to 23903 23904shrink and cower down, as if in the presence of some superior creature, 23905 23906the child herself was sensible of a new feeling within her, which 23907 23908elevated her nature, and inspired her with an energy and confidence she 23909 23910had never known. There was no divided responsibility now; the whole 23911 23912burden of their two lives had fallen upon her, and henceforth she must 23913 23914think and act for both. 'I have saved him,' she thought. 'In all 23915 23916dangers and distresses, I will remember that.'<br><br> 23917 23918At any other time, the recollection of having deserted the friend who 23919 23920had shown them so much homely kindness, without a word of 23921 23922justification--the thought that they were guilty, in appearance, of 23923 23924treachery and ingratitude--even the having parted from the two 23925 23926sisters--would have filled her with sorrow and regret. But now, all 23927 23928other considerations were lost in the new uncertainties and anxieties 23929 23930of their wild and wandering life; and the very desperation of their 23931 23932condition roused and stimulated her.<br><br> 23933
23934In the pale moonlight, which lent a wanness of its own to the delicate 23935 23936face where thoughtful care already mingled with the winning grace and 23937 23938loveliness of youth, the too bright eye, the spiritual head, the lips 23939 23940that pressed each other with such high resolve and courage of the 23941 23942heart, the slight figure firm in its bearing and yet so very weak, told 23943 23944their silent tale; but told it only to the wind that rustled by, which, 23945 23946taking up its burden, carried, perhaps to some mother's pillow, faint 23947 23948dreams of childhood fading in its bloom, and resting in the sleep that 23949 23950knows no waking.<br><br> 23951 23952The night crept on apace, the moon went down, the stars grew pale and 23953 23954dim, and morning, cold as they, slowly approached. Then, from behind a 23955 23956distant hill, the noble sun rose up, driving the mists in phantom 23957 23958shapes before it, and clearing the earth of their ghostly forms till 23959 23960darkness came again. When it had climbed higher into the sky, and 23961 23962there was warmth in its cheerful beams, they laid them down to sleep, 23963 23964upon a bank, hard by some water.<br><br> 23965 23966But Nell retained her grasp upon the old man's arm, and long after he 23967 23968was slumbering soundly, watched him with untiring eyes. Fatigue stole 23969 23970over her at last; her grasp relaxed, tightened, relaxed again, and they 23971 23972slept side by side.<br><br> 23973 23974A confused sound of voices, mingling with her dreams, awoke her. A man 23975 23976of very uncouth and rough appearance was standing over them, and two of 23977 23978his companions were looking on, from a long heavy boat which had come 23979 23980close to the bank while they were sleeping. The boat had neither oar 23981 23982nor sail, but was towed by a couple of horses, who, with the rope to 23983 23984which they were harnessed slack and dripping in the water, were resting 23985 23986on the path.<br><br> 23987 23988'Holloa!' said the man roughly. 'What's the matter here?'<br><br> 23989 23990'We were only asleep, Sir,' said Nell. 'We have been walking all 23991 23992night.'<br><br> 23993 23994'A pair of queer travellers to be walking all night,' observed the man 23995 23996who had first accosted them. 'One of you is a trifle too old for that 23997 23998sort of work, and the other a trifle too young. Where are you going?'<br><br> 23999 24000Nell faltered, and pointed at hazard towards the West, upon which the 24001 24002man inquired if she meant a certain town which he named. Nell, to 24003 24004avoid more questioning, said 'Yes, that was the place.'<br><br> 24005 24006'Where have you come from?' was the next question; and this being an 24007 24008easier one to answer, Nell mentioned the name of the village in which 24009 24010their friend the schoolmaster dwelt, as being less likely to be known 24011 24012to the men or to provoke further inquiry.<br><br> 24013 24014'I thought somebody had been robbing and ill-using you, might be,' said 24015 24016the man. 'That's all. Good day.'<br><br> 24017 24018Returning his salute and feeling greatly relieved by his departure, 24019 24020Nell looked after him as he mounted one of the horses, and the boat 24021 24022went on. It had not gone very far, when it stopped again, and she saw 24023 24024the men beckoning to her.<br><br> 24025 24026'Did you call to me?' said Nell, running up to them.<br><br> 24027 24028'You may go with us if you like,' replied one of those in the boat. 24029 24030'We're going to the same place.'<br><br> 24031 24032The child hesitated for a moment. Thinking, as she had thought with 24033 24034great trepidation more than once before, that the men whom she had seen 24035 24036with her grandfather might, perhaps, in their eagerness for the booty, 24037 24038follow them, and regaining their influence over him, set hers at 24039 24040nought; and that if they went with these men, all traces of them must 24041 24042surely be lost at that spot; determined to accept the offer. The boat 24043 24044came close to the bank again, and before she had had any more time for 24045 24046consideration, she and her grandfather were on board, and gliding 24047 24048smoothly down the canal.<br><br> 24049 24050The sun shone pleasantly on the bright water, which was sometimes 24051 24052shaded by trees, and sometimes open to a wide extent of country, 24053 24054intersected by running streams, and rich with wooded hills, cultivated 24055 24056land, and sheltered farms. Now and then, a village with its modest 24057 24058spire, thatched roofs, and gable-ends, would peep out from among the 24059 24060trees; and, more than once, a distant town, with great church towers 24061 24062looming through its smoke, and high factories or workshops rising above 24063 24064the mass of houses, would come in view, and, by the length of time it 24065 24066lingered in the distance, show them how slowly they travelled. Their 24067 24068way lay, for the most part, through the low grounds, and open plains; 24069
24070and except these distant places, and occasionally some men working in 24071 24072the fields, or lounging on the bridges under which they passed, to see 24073 24074them creep along, nothing encroached on their monotonous and secluded 24075 24076track.<br><br> 24077 24078Nell was rather disheartened, when they stopped at a kind of wharf late 24079 24080in the afternoon, to learn from one of the men that they would not 24081 24082reach their place of destination until next day, and that, if she had 24083 24084no provision with her, she had better buy it there. She had but a few 24085 24086pence, having already bargained with them for some bread, but even of 24087 24088these it was necessary to be very careful, as they were on their way to 24089 24090an utterly strange place, with no resource whatever. A small loaf and 24091 24092a morsel of cheese, therefore, were all she could afford, and with 24093 24094these she took her place in the boat again, and, after half an hour's 24095 24096delay during which the men were drinking at the public-house, proceeded 24097 24098on the journey.<br><br> 24099 24100They brought some beer and spirits into the boat with them, and what 24101 24102with drinking freely before, and again now, were soon in a fair way of 24103 24104being quarrelsome and intoxicated. Avoiding the small cabin, 24105 24106therefore, which was very dark and filthy, and to which they often 24107 24108invited both her and her grandfather, Nell sat in the open air with the 24109 24110old man by her side: listening to their boisterous hosts with a 24111 24112palpitating heart, and almost wishing herself safe on shore again 24113 24114though she should have to walk all night.<br><br> 24115 24116They were, in truth, very rugged, noisy fellows, and quite brutal among 24117 24118themselves, though civil enough to their two passengers. Thus, when a 24119 24120quarrel arose between the man who was steering and his friend in the 24121 24122cabin, upon the question who had first suggested the propriety of 24123 24124offering Nell some beer, and when the quarrel led to a scuffle in which 24125 24126they beat each other fearfully, to her inexpressible terror, neither 24127 24128visited his displeasure upon her, but each contented himself with 24129 24130venting it on his adversary, on whom, in addition to blows, he bestowed 24131 24132a variety of compliments, which, happily for the child, were conveyed 24133 24134in terms, to her quite unintelligible. The difference was finally 24135 24136adjusted, by the man who had come out of the cabin knocking the other 24137 24138into it head first, and taking the helm into his own hands, without 24139 24140evincing the least discomposure himself, or causing any in his friend, 24141 24142who, being of a tolerably strong constitution and perfectly inured to 24143 24144such trifles, went to sleep as he was, with his heels upwards, and in a 24145 24146couple of minutes or so was snoring comfortably.<br><br> 24147 24148By this time it was night again, and though the child felt cold, being 24149 24150but poorly clad, her anxious thoughts were far removed from her own 24151 24152suffering or uneasiness, and busily engaged in endeavouring to devise 24153 24154some scheme for their joint subsistence. The same spirit which had 24155 24156supported her on the previous night, upheld and sustained her now. Her 24157 24158grandfather lay sleeping safely at her side, and the crime to which his 24159 24160madness urged him, was not committed. That was her comfort.<br><br> 24161 24162How every circumstance of her short, eventful life, came thronging into 24163 24164her mind, as they travelled on! Slight incidents, never thought of or 24165 24166remembered until now; faces, seen once and ever since forgotten; words 24167 24168scarcely heeded at the time; scenes, of a year ago and those of 24169 24170yesterday, mixing up and linking themselves together; familiar places 24171 24172shaping themselves out in the darkness from things which, when 24173 24174approached, were, of all others, the most remote and most unlike them; 24175 24176sometimes, a strange confusion in her mind relative to the occasion of 24177 24178her being there, and the place to which she was going, and the people 24179 24180she was with; and imagination suggesting remarks and questions which 24181 24182sounded so plainly in her ears, that she would start, and turn, and be 24183 24184almost tempted to reply;--all the fancies and contradictions common in 24185 24186watching and excitement and restless change of place, beset the child.<br><br> 24187 24188She happened, while she was thus engaged, to encounter the face of the 24189 24190man on deck, in whom the sentimental stage of drunkenness had now 24191 24192succeeded to the boisterous, and who, taking from his mouth a short 24193 24194pipe, quilted over with string for its longer preservation, requested 24195 24196that she would oblige him with a song.<br><br> 24197 24198'You've got a very pretty voice, a very soft eye, and a very strong 24199 24200memory,' said this gentleman; 'the voice and eye I've got evidence for, 24201 24202and the memory's an opinion of my own. And I'm never wrong. Let me 24203 24204hear a song this minute.'<br><br> 24205 24206'I don't think I know one, sir,' returned Nell.<br><br> 24207 24208'You know forty-seven songs,' said the man, with a gravity which 24209 24210admitted of no altercation on the subject. 'Forty-seven's your number. 24211 24212Let me hear one of 'em--the best. Give me a song this minute.'<br><br> 24213 24214Not knowing what might be the consequences of irritating her friend, 24215 24216and trembling with the fear of doing so, poor Nell sang him some little 24217 24218ditty which she had learned in happier times, and which was so 24219 24220agreeable to his ear, that on its conclusion he in the same peremptory 24221 24222manner requested to be favoured with another, to which he was so 24223 24224obliging as to roar a chorus to no particular tune, and with no words 24225 24226at all, but which amply made up in its amazing energy for its 24227 24228deficiency in other respects. The noise of this vocal performance 24229 24230awakened the other man, who, staggering upon deck and shaking his late 24231
24232opponent by the hand, swore that singing was his pride and joy and 24233 24234chief delight, and that he desired no better entertainment. With a 24235 24236third call, more imperative than either of the two former, Nell felt 24237 24238obliged to comply, and this time a chorus was maintained not only by 24239 24240the two men together, but also by the third man on horseback, who being 24241 24242by his position debarred from a nearer participation in the revels of 24243 24244the night, roared when his companions roared, and rent the very air. 24245 24246In this way, with little cessation, and singing the same songs again 24247 24248and again, the tired and exhausted child kept them in good humour all 24249 24250that night; and many a cottager, who was roused from his soundest sleep 24251 24252by the discordant chorus as it floated away upon the wind, hid his head 24253 24254beneath the bed-clothes and trembled at the sounds.<br><br> 24255 24256At length the morning dawned. It was no sooner light than it began to 24257 24258rain heavily. As the child could not endure the intolerable vapours of 24259 24260the cabin, they covered her, in return for her exertions, with some 24261 24262pieces of sail-cloth and ends of tarpaulin, which sufficed to keep her 24263 24264tolerably dry and to shelter her grandfather besides. As the day 24265 24266advanced the rain increased. At noon it poured down more hopelessly 24267 24268and heavily than ever without the faintest promise of abatement.<br><br> 24269 24270They had, for some time, been gradually approaching the place for which 24271 24272they were bound. The water had become thicker and dirtier; other 24273 24274barges, coming from it, passed them frequently; the paths of coal-ash 24275 24276and huts of staring brick, marked the vicinity of some great 24277 24278manufacturing town; while scattered streets and houses, and smoke from 24279 24280distant furnaces, indicated that they were already in the outskirts. 24281 24282Now, the clustered roofs, and piles of buildings, trembling with the 24283 24284working of engines, and dimly resounding with their shrieks and 24285 24286throbbings; the tall chimneys vomiting forth a black vapour, which hung 24287 24288in a dense ill-favoured cloud above the housetops and filled the air 24289 24290with gloom; the clank of hammers beating upon iron, the roar of busy 24291 24292streets and noisy crowds, gradually augmenting until all the various 24293 24294sounds blended into one and none was distinguishable for itself, 24295 24296announced the termination of their journey.<br><br> 24297 24298The boat floated into the wharf to which it belonged. The men were 24299 24300occupied directly. The child and her grandfather, after waiting in 24301 24302vain to thank them or ask them whither they should go, passed through a 24303 24304dirty lane into a crowded street, and stood, amid its din and tumult, 24305 24306and in the pouring rain, as strange, bewildered, and confused, as if 24307 24308they had lived a thousand years before, and were raised from the dead 24309 24310and placed there by a miracle.<br><br> 24311 24312CHAPTER 44<br><br> 24313 24314The throng of people hurried by, in two opposite streams, with no 24315 24316symptom of cessation or exhaustion; intent upon their own affairs; and 24317 24318undisturbed in their business speculations, by the roar of carts and 24319 24320waggons laden with clashing wares, the slipping of horses' feet upon 24321 24322the wet and greasy pavement, the rattling of the rain on windows and 24323 24324umbrella-tops, the jostling of the more impatient passengers, and all 24325 24326the noise and tumult of a crowded street in the high tide of its 24327 24328occupation: while the two poor strangers, stunned and bewildered by the 24329 24330hurry they beheld but had no part in, looked mournfully on; feeling, 24331 24332amidst the crowd, a solitude which has no parallel but in the thirst of 24333 24334the shipwrecked mariner, who, tost to and fro upon the billows of a 24335 24336mighty ocean, his red eyes blinded by looking on the water which hems 24337 24338him in on every side, has not one drop to cool his burning tongue.<br><br> 24339 24340They withdrew into a low archway for shelter from the rain, and watched 24341 24342the faces of those who passed, to find in one among them a ray of 24343 24344encouragement or hope. Some frowned, some smiled, some muttered to 24345 24346themselves, some made slight gestures, as if anticipating the 24347 24348conversation in which they would shortly be engaged, some wore the 24349 24350cunning look of bargaining and plotting, some were anxious and eager, 24351 24352some slow and dull; in some countenances, were written gain; in others, 24353 24354loss. It was like being in the confidence of all these people to stand 24355 24356quietly there, looking into their faces as they flitted past. In busy 24357 24358places, where each man has an object of his own, and feels assured that 24359 24360every other man has his, his character and purpose are written broadly 24361 24362in his face. In the public walks and lounges of a town, people go to 24363 24364see and to be seen, and there the same expression, with little variety, 24365 24366is repeated a hundred times. The working-day faces come nearer to the 24367 24368truth, and let it out more plainly.<br><br> 24369 24370Falling into that kind of abstraction which such a solitude awakens, 24371 24372the child continued to gaze upon the passing crowd with a wondering 24373 24374interest, amounting almost to a temporary forgetfulness of her own 24375 24376condition. But cold, wet, hunger, want of rest, and lack of any place 24377 24378in which to lay her aching head, soon brought her thoughts back to the 24379 24380point whence they had strayed. No one passed who seemed to notice 24381 24382them, or to whom she durst appeal. After some time, they left the
24382ir 24383 24384place of refuge from the weather, and mingled with the concourse.<br><br> 24385 24386Evening came on. They were still wandering up and down, with fewer 24387 24388people about them, but with the same sense of solitude in their own 24389 24390breasts, and the same indifference from all around. The lights in the 24391 24392streets and shops made them feel yet more desolate, for with their 24393 24394help, night and darkness seemed to come on faster. Shivering with the 24395 24396cold and damp, ill in body, and sick to death at heart, the child 24397 24398needed her utmost firmness and resolution even to creep along.<br><br> 24399 24400Why had they ever come to this noisy town, when there were peaceful 24401 24402country places, in which, at least, they might have hungered and 24403 24404thirsted, with less suffering than in its squalid strife! They were 24405 24406but an atom, here, in a mountain heap of misery, the very sight of 24407 24408which increased their hopelessness and suffering.<br><br> 24409 24410The child had not only to endure the accumulated hardships of their 24411 24412destitute condition, but to bear the reproaches of her grandfather, who 24413 24414began to murmur at having been led away from their late abode, and 24415 24416demand that they should return to it. Being now penniless, and no 24417 24418relief or prospect of relief appearing, they retraced their steps 24419 24420through the deserted streets, and went back to the wharf, hoping to 24421 24422find the boat in which they had come, and to be allowed to sleep on 24423 24424board that night. But here again they were disappointed, for the gate 24425 24426was closed, and some fierce dogs, barking at their approach, obliged 24427 24428them to retreat.<br><br> 24429 24430'We must sleep in the open air to-night, dear,' said the child in a 24431 24432weak voice, as they turned away from this last repulse; 'and to-morrow 24433 24434we will beg our way to some quiet part of the country, and try to earn 24435 24436our bread in very humble work.'<br><br> 24437 24438'Why did you bring me here?' returned the old man fiercely. 'I cannot 24439 24440bear these close eternal streets. We came from a quiet part. Why did 24441 24442you force me to leave it?'<br><br> 24443 24444'Because I must have that dream I told you of, no more,' said the 24445 24446child, with a momentary firmness that lost itself in tears; 'and we 24447 24448must live among poor people, or it will come again. Dear grandfather, 24449 24450you are old and weak, I know;
24450 but look at me. I never will complain if 24451 24452you will not, but I have some suffering indeed.'<br><br> 24453 24454'Ah! poor, houseless, wandering, motherless child!' cried the old man, 24455 24456clasping his hands and gazing as if for the first time upon her anxious 24457 24458face, her travel-stained dress, and bruised and swollen feet; 'has all 24459 24460my agony of care brought her to this at last! Was I a happy man once, 24461 24462and have I lost happiness and all I had, for this!'<br><br> 24463 24464'If we were in the country now,' said the child, with assumed 24465 24466cheerfulness, as they walked on looking about them for a shelter, we 24467 24468should find some good old tree, stretching out his green arms as if he 24469 24470loved us, and nodding and rustling as if he would have us fall asleep, 24471 24472thinking of him while he watched. Please God, we shall be there 24473 24474soon--to-morrow or next day at the farthest--and in the meantime let us 24475 24476think, dear, that it was a good thing we came here; for we are lost in 24477 24478the crowd and hurry of this place, and if any cruel people should 24479 24480pursue us, they could surely never trace us further. There's comfort 24481 24482in that. And here's a deep old doorway--very dark, but quite dry, and 24483 24484warm too, for the wind don't blow in here--What's that!'<br><br> 24485 24486Uttering a half shriek, she recoiled from a black figure which came 24487 24488suddenly out of the dark recess in which they were about to take 24489 24490refuge, and stood still, looking at them.<br><br> 24491 24492'Speak again,' it said; 'do I know the voice?'<br><br> 24493 24494'No,' replied the child timidly; 'we are strangers, and having no money 24495 24496for a night's lodging, were going to rest here.'<br><br> 24497 24498There was a feeble lamp at no great distance; the only one in the 24499 24500place, which was a kind of square yard, but sufficient to show how poor 24501 24502and mean it was. To this, the figure beckoned them; at the same time 24503 24504drawing within its rays, as if to show that it had no desire to conceal 24505 24506itself or take them at an advantage. The form was that of a man, 24507 24508miserably clad and begrimed with smoke, which, perhaps by its contrast 24509 24510with the natural colour of his skin, made him look paler than he really 24511 24512was. That he was naturally of a very wan and pallid aspect, however, 24513 24514his hollow cheeks, sharp features, and sunken eyes, no less than a 24515 24516certain look of patient endurance, sufficiently testified. His voice 24517 24518was harsh by nature, but not brutal; and though his face, besides 24519 24520possessing the characteristics already mentioned, was overshadowed by a 24521 24522quantity of long dark hair, its expression was neither ferocious nor 24523 24524bad.<br><br> 24525 24526'How came you to think of resting there?' he said. 'Or how,' he added, 24527 24528looking more attentively at the child, 'do you come to want a place of 24529 24530rest at this time of night?'<br><br> 24531 24532'Our misfortunes,' the grandfather answered, 'are the cause.'<br><br> 24533 24534'Do you know,' said the man, looking still more earnestly at Nell, 'how 24535 24536wet she is, and that the damp streets are not a place for her?'<br><br> 24537 24538'I know it well, God help me,' he replied. 'What can I do!'<br><br> 24539 24540The man looked at Nell again, and gently touched her garments, from 24541 24542which the rain was running off in little streams. 'I can give you 24543 24544warmth,' he said, after a pause; 'nothing else. Such lodging as I 24545 24546have, is in that house,' pointing to the doorway from which he had 24547 24548emerged, 'but she is safer and better there than here. The fire is in 24549 24550a rough place, but you can pass the night beside it safely, if you'll 24551 24552trust yourselves to me. You see that red light yonder?'<br><br> 24553 24554They raised their eyes, and saw a lurid glare hanging in the dark sky; 24555 24556the dull reflection of some distant fire.<br><br> 24557 24558'It's not far,' said the man. 'Shall I take you there? You were going 24559 24560to sleep upon cold bricks; I can give you a bed of warm ashes--nothing 24561 24562better.'<br><br> 24563 24564Without waiting for any further reply than he saw in their looks, he 24565 24566took Nell in his arms, and bade the old man follow.<br><br> 24567 24568Carrying her as tenderly, and as easily too, as if she had been an 24569 24570infant, and showing himself both swift and sure of foot, he led the way 24571 24572through what appeared to be the poorest and most wretched quarter of 24573 24574the town; and turning aside to avoid the overflowing kennels or running 24575 24576waterspouts, but holding his course, regardless of such obstructions, 24577 24578and making his way straight through them. They had proceeded thus, in 24579 24580silence, for some quarter of an hour, and had lost sight of the glare 24581 24582to which he had pointed, in the dark and narrow ways by which they had 24583 24584come, when it suddenly burst upon them again, streaming up from the 24585 24586high chimney of a building close before them.<br><br> 24587 24588'This is the place,' he said, pausing at a door to put Nell down and 24589 24590take her hand. 'Don't be afraid. There's nobody here will harm you.'<br><br> 24591
24592It needed a strong confidence in this assurance to induce them to 24593 24594enter, and what they saw inside did not diminish their apprehension and 24595 24596alarm. In a large and lofty building, supported by pillars of iron, 24597 24598with great black apertures in the upper walls, open to the external 24599 24600air; echoing to the roof with the beating of hammers and roar of 24601 24602furnaces, mingled with the hissing of red-hot metal plunged in water, 24603 24604and a hundred strange unearthly noises never heard elsewhere; in this 24605 24606gloomy place, moving like demons among the flame and smoke, dimly and 24607 24608fitfully seen, flushed and tormented by the burning fires, and wielding 24609 24610great weapons, a faulty blow from any one of which must have crushed 24611 24612some workman's skull, a number of men laboured like giants. Others, 24613 24614reposing upon heaps of coals or ashes, with their faces turned to the 24615 24616black vault above, slept or rested from their toil. Others again, 24617 24618opening the white-hot furnace-doors, cast fuel on the flames, which 24619 24620came rushing and roaring forth to meet it, and licked it up like oil. 24621 24622Others drew forth, with clashing noise, upon the ground, great sheets 24623 24624of glowing steel, emitting an insupportable heat, and a dull deep light 24625 24626like that which reddens in the eyes of savage beasts.<br><br> 24627 24628Through these bewildering sights and deafening sounds, their conductor 24629 24630led them to where, in a dark portion of the building, one furnace burnt 24631 24632by night and day--so, at least, they gathered from the motion of his 24633 24634lips, for as yet they could only see him speak: not hear him. The man 24635 24636who had been watching this fire, and whose task was ended for the 24637 24638present, gladly withdrew, and left them with their friend, who, 24639 24640spreading Nell's little cloak upon a heap of ashes, and showing her 24641 24642where she could hang her outer-clothes to dry, signed to her and the 24643 24644old man to lie down and sleep. For himself, he took his station on a 24645 24646rugged mat before the furnace-door, and resting his chin upon his 24647 24648hands, watched the flame as it shone through the iron chinks, and the 24649 24650white ashes as they fell into their bright hot grave below.<br><br> 24651 24652The warmth of her bed, hard and humble as it was, combined with the 24653 24654great fatigue she had undergone, soon caused the tumult of the place to 24655 24656fall with a gentler sound upon the child's tired ears, and was not long 24657 24658in lulling her to sleep. The old man was stretched beside her, and 24659 24660with her hand upon his neck she lay and dreamed.<br><br> 24661 24662It was yet night when she awoke, nor did she know how long, or for how 24663 24664short a time, she had slept. But she found herself protected, both 24665 24666from any cold air that might find its way into the building, and from 24667 24668the scorching heat, by some of the workmen's clothes; and glancing at 24669 24670their friend saw that he sat in exactly the same attitude, looking with 24671 24672a fixed earnestness of attention towards the fire, and keeping so very 24673 24674still that he did not even seem to breathe. She lay in the state 24675 24676between sleeping and waking, looking so long at his motionless figure 24677 24678that at length she almost feared he had died as he sat there; and 24679 24680softly rising and drawing close to him, ventured to whisper in his ear.<br><br> 24681 24682He moved, and glancing from her to the place she had lately occupied, 24683 24684as if to assure himself that it was really the child so near him, 24685 24686looked inquiringly into her face.<br><br> 24687 24688'I feared you were ill,' she said. 'The other men are all in motion, 24689 24690and you are so very quiet.'<br><br> 24691 24692'They leave me to myself,' he replied. 'They know my humour. They 24693 24694laugh at me, but don't harm me in it. See yonder there--that's my 24695 24696friend.'<br><br> 24697 24698'The fire?' said the child.<br><br> 24699 24700'It has been alive as long as I have,' the man made answer. 'We talk 24701 24702and think together all night long.'<br><br> 24703 24704The child glanced quickly at him in her surprise, but he had turned his 24705 24706eyes in their former direction, and was musing as before.<br><br> 24707 24708'It's like a book to me,' he said--'the only book I ever learned to 24709 24710read; and many an old story it tells me. It's music, for I should know 24711 24712its voice among a thousand, and there are other voices in its roar. It 24713 24714has its pictures too. You don't know how many strange faces and 24715 24716different scenes I trace in the red-hot coals. It's my memory, that 24717 24718fire, and shows me all my life.'<br><br> 24719 24720The child, bending down to listen to his words, could not help 24721 24722remarking with what brightened eyes he continued to speak and muse.<br><br> 24723 24724'Yes,' he said, with a faint smile, 'it was the same when I was quite a 24725 24726baby, and crawled about it, till I fell asleep. My father watched it 24727 24728then.'<br><br> 24729 24730'Had you no mother?' asked the child.<br><br> 24731 24732'No, she was dead. Women work hard in these parts. She worked herself 24733 24734to death they told me, and, as they said so then, the fire has gone on 24735 24736saying the same thing ever since. I suppose it was true. I have 24737 24738always believed it.'<br><br> 24739 24740'Were you brought up here, then?' said the child.<br><br> 24741 24742'Summer and winter,' he replied. 'Secretly at first, but when they 24743 24744found it out, they let him keep me here. So the fire nursed me--the 24745 24746same fire. It has never gone out.'<br><br> 24747 24748'You are fond of it?' said the child.<br><br> 24749 24750'Of course I am. He died before it. I saw him fall down--just there, 24751 24752where those ashes are burning now--and wondered, I remember, why it 24753 24754didn't help him.'<br><br> 24755 24756'Have you been here ever since?' asked the child.<br><br> 24757 24758'Ever since I came to watch it; but there was a while between, and a 24759 24760very cold dreary while it was. It burned all the time though, and 24761 24762roared and leaped when I came back, as it used to do in our play days. 24763 24764You may guess, from looking at me, what kind of child I was, but for 24765 24766all the difference between us I was a child, and when I saw you in the 24767 24768street to-night, you put me in mind of myself, as I was after he died, 24769 24770and made me wish to bring you to the fire. I thought of those old 24771 24772times again, when I saw you sleeping by it. You should be sleeping 24773 24774now. Lie down again, poor child, lie down again!'<br><br> 24775 24776With that, he led her to her rude couch, and covering her with the 24777 24778clothes with which she had found herself enveloped when she woke, 24779 24780returned to his seat, whence he moved no more unless to feed the 24781 24782furnace, but remained motionless as a statue. The child continued to 24783 24784watch him for a little time, but soon yielded to the drowsiness that 24785 24786came upon her, and, in the dark strange place and on the heap of ashes, 24787 24788slept as peacefully as if the room had been a palace chamber, and the 24789 24790bed, a bed of down.<br><br> 24791 24792When she awoke again, broad day was shining through the lofty openings 24793 24794in the walls, and, stealing in slanting rays but midway down, seemed to 24795
24796make the building darker than it had been at night. The clang and 24797 24798tumult were still going on, and the remorseless fires were burning 24799 24800fiercely as before; for few changes of night and day brought rest or 24801 24802quiet there.<br><br> 24803 24804Her friend parted his breakfast--a scanty mess of coffee and some 24805 24806coarse bread--with the child and her grandfather, and inquired whither 24807 24808they were going. She told him that they sought some distant country 24809 24810place remote from towns or even other villages, and with a faltering 24811 24812tongue inquired what road they would do best to take.<br><br> 24813 24814'I know little of the country,' he said, shaking his head, 'for such as 24815 24816I, pass all our lives before our furnace doors, and seldom go forth to 24817 24818breathe. But there are such places yonder.'<br><br> 24819 24820'And far from here?' said Nell.<br><br> 24821 24822'Aye surely. How could they be near us, and be green and fresh? The 24823 24824road lies, too, through miles and miles, all lighted up by fires like 24825 24826ours--a strange black road, and one that would frighten you by night.'<br><br> 24827 24828'We are here and must go on,' said the child boldly; for she saw that 24829 24830the old man listened with anxious ears to this account.<br><br> 24831 24832'Rough people--paths never made for little feet like yours--a dismal 24833 24834blighted way--is there no turning back, my child?'<br><br> 24835 24836'There is none,' cried Nell, pressing forward. 'If you can direct us, 24837 24838do. If not, pray do not seek to turn us from our purpose. Indeed you 24839 24840do not know the danger that we shun, and how right and true we are in 24841 24842flying from it, or you would not try to stop us, I am sure you would 24843 24844not.'<br><br> 24845 24846'God forbid, if it is so!' said their uncouth protector, glancing from 24847 24848the eager child to her grandfather, who hung his head and bent his eyes 24849 24850upon the ground. 'I'll direct you from the door, the best I can. I 24851 24852wish I could do more.'<br><br> 24853 24854He showed them, then, by which road they must leave the town, and what 24855 24856course they should hold when they had gained it. He lingered so long 24857 24858on these instructions, that the child, with a fervent blessing, tore 24859 24860herself away, and stayed to hear no more.<br><br> 24861 24862But, before they had reached the corner of the lane, the man came 24863 24864running after them, and, pressing her hand, left something in it--two 24865 24866old, battered, smoke-encrusted penny pieces. Who knows but they shone 24867 24868as brightly in the eyes of angels, as golden gifts that have been 24869 24870chronicled on tombs?<br><br> 24871 24872And thus they separated; the child to lead her sacred charge farther 24873 24874from guilt and shame; the labourer to attach a fresh interest to the 24875 24876spot where his guests had slept, and read new histories in his furnace 24877 24878fire.<br><br> 24879 24880CHAPTER 45<br><br> 24881 24882In all their journeying, they had never longed so ardently, they had 24883 24884never so pined and wearied, for the freedom of pure air and open 24885 24886country, as now. No, not even on that memorable morning, when, 24887 24888deserting their old home, they abandoned themselves to the mercies of a 24889 24890strange world, and left all the dumb and senseless things they had 24891 24892known and loved, behind--not even then, had they so yearned for the 24893 24894fresh solitudes of wood, hillside, and field, as now, when the noise 24895 24896and dirt and vapour, of the great manufacturing town reeking with lean 24897 24898misery and hungry wretchedness, hemmed them in on every side, and 24899 24900seemed to shut out hope, and render escape impossible.<br><br> 24901 24902'Two days and nights!' thought the child. 'He said two days and nights 24903 24904we should have to spend among such scenes as these. Oh! if we live to 24905 24906reach the country once again, if we get clear of these dreadful places, 24907 24908though it is only to lie down and die, with what a grateful heart I 24909 24910shall thank God for so much mercy!'<br><br> 24911 24912With thoughts like this, and with some vague design of travelling to a 24913 24914great distance among streams and mountains, where only very poor and 24915 24916simple people lived, and where they might maintain themselves by very 24917 24918humble helping work in farms, free from such terrors as that from which 24919 24920they fled--the child, with no resource but the poor man's gift, and no 24921 24922encouragement but that which flowed from her own heart, and its sense 24923 24924of the truth and right of what she did, nerved herself to this last 24925 24926journey and boldly pursued her task.<br><br> 24927 24928'We shall be very slow to-day, dear,' she said, as they toiled 24929 24930painfully through the streets; 'my feet are sore, and I have pains in 24931 24932all my limbs from the wet of yesterday. I saw that he looked at us and 24933 24934thought of that, when he said how long we should be upon the road.'<br><br> 24935 24936'It was a dreary way he told us of,' returned her grandfather, 24937 24938piteously. 'Is there no other road? Will you not let me go some other 24939 24940way than this?'<br><br> 24941 24942'Places lie beyond these,' said the child, firmly, 'where we may live 24943 24944in peace, and be tempted to do no harm. We will take the road that 24945 24946promises to have that end, and we would not turn out of it, if it were 24947 24948a hundred times worse than our fears lead us to expect. We would not, 24949 24950dear, would we?'<br><br> 24951 24952'No,' replied the old man, wavering in his voice, no less than in his 24953 24954manner. 'No. Let us go on. I am ready. I am quite ready, Nell.'<br><br> 24955 24956The child walked with more difficulty than she had led her companion to 24957 24958expect, for the pains that racked her joints were of no common 24959 24960severity, and every exertion increased them. But they wrung from her 24961 24962no complaint, or look of suffering; and, though the two travellers 24963 24964proceeded very slowly, they did proceed. Clearing the town in course 24965 24966of time, they began to feel that they were fairly on their way.<br><br> 24967 24968A long suburb of red brick houses--some with patches of garden-ground, 24969 24970where coal-dust and factory smoke darkened the shrinking leaves, and 24971 24972coarse rank flowers, and where the struggling vegetation sickened and 24973 24974sank under the hot breath of kiln and furnace, making them by its 24975 24976presence seem yet more blighting and unwholesome than in the town 24977 24978itself--a long, flat, straggling suburb passed, they came, by slow 24979
24980degrees, upon a cheerless region, where not a blade of grass was seen 24981 24982to grow, where not a bud put forth its promise in the spring, where 24983 24984nothing green could live but on the surface of the stagnant pools, 24985 24986which here and there lay idly sweltering by the black road-side.<br><br> 24987 24988Advancing more and more into the shadow of this mournful place, its 24989 24990dark depressing influence stole upon their spirits, and filled them 24991 24992with a dismal gloom. On every side, and far as the eye could see into 24993 24994the heavy distance, tall chimneys, crowding on each other, and 24995 24996presenting that endless repetition of the same dull, ugly form, which 24997 24998is the horror of oppressive dreams, poured out their plague of smoke, 24999 25000obscured the light, and made foul the melancholy air. On mounds of 25001 25002ashes by the wayside, sheltered only by a few rough boards, or rotten 25003 25004pent-house roofs, strange engines spun and writhed like tortured 25005 25006creatures; clanking their iron chains, shrieking in their rapid whirl 25007 25008from time to time as though in torment unendurable, and making the 25009
25010ground tremble with their agonies. Dismantled houses here and there 25011 25012appeared, tottering to the earth, propped up by fragments of others 25013 25014that had fallen down, unroofed, windowless, blackened, desolate, but 25015 25016yet inhabited. Men, women, children, wan in their looks and ragged in 25017 25018attire, tended the engines, fed their tributary fire, begged upon the 25019 25020road, or scowled half-naked from the doorless houses. Then came more 25021 25022of the wrathful monsters, whose like they almost seemed to be in their 25023 25024wildness and their untamed air, screeching and turning round and round 25025 25026again; and still, before, behind, and to the right and left, was the 25027 25028same interminable perspective of brick towers, never ceasing in their 25029 25030black vomit, blasting all things living or inanimate, shutting out the 25031 25032face of day, and closing in on all these horrors with a dense dark 25033 25034cloud.<br><br> 25035 25036But night-time in this dreadful spot!--night, when the smoke was 25037 25038changed to fire; when every chimney spirited up its flame; and places, 25039 25040that had been dark vaults all day, now shone red-hot, with figures 25041 25042moving to and fro within their blazing jaws, and calling to one another 25043 25044with hoarse cries--night, when the noise of every strange machine was 25045 25046aggravated by the darkness; when the people near them looked wilder and 25047 25048more savage; when bands of unemployed labourers paraded the roads, or 25049 25050clustered by torch-light round their leaders, who told them, in stern 25051 25052language, of their wrongs, and urged them on to frightful cries and 25053 25054threats; when maddened men, armed with sword and firebrand, spurning 25055 25056the tears and prayers of women who would restrain them, rushed forth on 25057 25058errands of terror and destruction, to work no ruin half so surely as 25059 25060their own--night, when carts came rumbling by, filled with rude 25061 25062coffins (for contagious disease and death had been busy with the living 25063 25064crops); when orphans cried, and distracted women shrieked and followed 25065 25066in their wake--night, when some called for bread, and some for drink to 25067 25068drown their cares, and some with tears, and some with staggering feet, 25069 25070and some with bloodshot eyes, went brooding home--night, which, unlike 25071 25072the night that Heaven sends on earth, brought with it no peace, nor 25073 25074quiet, nor signs of blessed sleep--who shall tell the terrors of the 25075 25076night to the young wandering child!<br><br> 25077 25078And yet she lay down, with nothing between her and the sky; and, with 25079 25080no fear for herself, for she was past it now, put up a prayer for the 25081 25082poor old man. So very weak and spent, she felt, so very calm and 25083 25084unresisting, that she had no thought of any wants of her own, but 25085 25086prayed that God would raise up some friend for him. She tried to 25087 25088recall the way they had come, and to look in the direction where the 25089 25090fire by which they had slept last night was burning. She had forgotten 25091 25092to ask the name of the poor man, their friend, and when she had 25093 25094remembered him in her prayers, it seemed ungrateful not to turn one 25095 25096look towards the spot where he was watching.<br><br> 25097 25098A penny loaf was all they had had that day. It was very little, but 25099 25100even hunger was forgotten in the strange tranquillity that crept over 25101 25102her senses. She lay down, very gently, and, with a quiet smile upon 25103 25104her face, fell into a slumber. It was not like sleep--and yet it must 25105 25106have been, or why those pleasant dreams of the little scholar all night 25107 25108long! Morning came. Much weaker, diminished powers even of sight and 25109 25110hearing, and yet the child made no complaint--perhaps would have made 25111 25112none, even if she had not had that inducement to be silent, travelling 25113 25114by her side. She felt a hopelessness of their ever being extricated 25115 25116together from that forlorn place; a dull conviction that she was very 25117 25118ill, perhaps dying; but no fear or anxiety.<br><br> 25119 25120A loathing of food that she was not conscious of until they expended 25121 25122their last penny in the purchase of another loaf, prevented her 25123 25124partaking even of this poor repast. Her grandfather ate greedily, 25125 25126which she was glad to see.<br><br> 25127 25128Their way lay through the same scenes as yesterday, with no variety or 25129 25130improvement. There was the same thick air, difficult to breathe; the 25131 25132same blighted ground, the same hopeless prospect, the same misery and 25133 25134distress. Objects appeared more dim, the noise less, the path more 25135 25136rugged and uneven, for sometimes she stumbled, and became roused, as it 25137 25138were, in the effort to prevent herself from falling. Poor child! the 25139 25140cause was in her tottering feet.<br><br> 25141 25142Towards the afternoon, her grandfather complained bitterly of hunger. 25143 25144She approached one of the wretched hovels by the way-side, and knocked 25145 25146with her hand upon the door.<br><br> 25147 25148'What would you have here?' said a gaunt man, opening it.<br><br> 25149 25150'Charity. A morsel of bread.'<br><br> 25151 25152'Do you see that?' returned the man hoarsely, pointing to a kind of 25153 25154bundle on the ground. 'That's a dead child. I and five hundred other 25155 25156men were thrown out of work, three months ago. That is my third dead 25157 25158child, and last. Do you think I have charity to bestow, or a morsel of 25159 25160bread to spare?'<br><br> 25161 25162The child recoiled from the door, and it closed upon her. Impelled by 25163 25164strong necessity, she knocked at another: a neighbouring one, which, 25165 25166yielding to the slight pressure of her hand, flew open.<br><br> 25167 25168It seemed that a couple of poor families lived in this hovel, for two 25169 25170women, each among children of her own, occupied different portions of 25171 25172the room. In the centre, stood a grave gentleman in black who appeared 25173
25174to have just entered, and who held by the arm a boy.<br><br> 25175 25176'Here, woman,' he said, 'here's your deaf and dumb son. You may thank 25177 25178me for restoring him to you. He was brought before me, this morning, 25179 25180charged with theft; and with any other boy it would have gone hard, I 25181 25182assure you. But, as I had compassion on his infirmities, and thought 25183 25184he might have learnt no better, I have managed to bring him back to 25185 25186you. Take more care of him for the future.'<br><br> 25187 25188'And won't you give me back MY son!' said the other woman, hastily 25189 25190rising and confronting him. 'Won't you give me back MY son, Sir, who 25191 25192was transported for the same offence!'<br><br> 25193 25194'Was he deaf and dumb, woman?' asked the gentleman sternly.<br><br> 25195 25196'Was he not, Sir?'<br><br> 25197 25198'You know he was not.'<br><br> 25199 25200'He was,' cried the woman. 'He was deaf, dumb, and blind, to all that 25201 25202was good and right, from his cradle. Her boy may have learnt no 25203 25204better! where did mine learn better? where could he? who was there to 25205 25206teach him better, or where was it to be learnt?'<br><br> 25207 25208'Peace, woman,' said the gentleman, 'your boy was in possession of all 25209 25210his senses.'<br><br> 25211 25212'He was,' cried the mother; 'and he was the more easy to be led astray 25213 25214because he had them. If you save this boy because he may not know 25215 25216right from wrong, why did you not save mine who was never taught the 25217 25218difference? You gentlemen have as good a right to punish her boy, that 25219 25220God has kept in ignorance of sound and speech, as you have to punish 25221 25222mine, that you kept in ignorance yourselves. How many of the girls and 25223 25224boys--ah, men and women too--that are brought before you and you don't 25225 25226pity, are deaf and dumb in their minds, and go wrong in that state, and 25227 25228are punished in that state, body and soul, while you gentlemen are 25229 25230quarrelling among yourselves whether they ought to learn this or 25231 25232that?--Be a just man, Sir, and give me back my son.'<br><br> 25233 25234'You are desperate,' said the gentleman, taking out his snuff-box, 'and 25235 25236I am sorry for you.'<br><br> 25237 25238'I AM desperate,' returned the woman, 'and you have made me so. Give 25239 25240me back my son, to work for these helpless children. Be a just man, 25241 25242Sir, and, as you have had mercy upon this boy, give me back my son!'<br><br> 25243 25244The child had seen and heard enough to know that this was not a place 25245 25246at which to ask for alms. She led the old man softly from the door, 25247 25248and they pursued their journey.<br><br> 25249 25250With less and less of hope or strength, as they went on, but with an 25251 25252undiminished resolution not to betray by any word or sigh her sinking 25253 25254state, so long as she had energy to move, the child, throughout the 25255 25256remainder of that hard day, compelled herself to proceed: not even 25257 25258stopping to rest as frequently as usual, to compensate in some measure 25259 25260for the tardy pace at which she was obliged to walk. Evening was 25261 25262drawing on, but had not closed in, when--still travelling among the 25263 25264same dismal objects--they came to a busy town.<br><br> 25265 25266Faint and spiritless as they were, its streets were insupportable. 25267 25268After humbly asking for relief at some few doors, and being repulsed, 25269 25270they agreed to make their way out of it as speedily as they could, and 25271 25272try if the inmates of any lone house beyond, would have more pity on 25273 25274their exhausted state.<br><br> 25275 25276They were dragging themselves along through the last street, and the 25277 25278child felt that the time was close at hand when her enfeebled powers 25279 25280would bear no more. There appeared before them, at this juncture, 25281 25282going in the same direction as themselves, a traveller on foot, who, 25283 25284with a portmanteau strapped to his back, leaned upon a stout stick as 25285 25286he walked, and read from a book which he held in his other hand.<br><br> 25287 25288It was not an easy matter to come up with him, and beseech his aid, for 25289 25290he walked fast, and was a little distance in advance. At length, he 25291 25292stopped, to look more attentively at some passage in his book. 25293 25294Animated with a ray of hope, the child shot on before her grandfather, 25295 25296and, going close to the stranger without rousing him by the sound of 25297 25298her footsteps, began, in a few faint words, to implore his help.
25298<br><br> 25299 25300He turned his head. The child clapped her hands together, uttered a 25301 25302wild shriek, and fell senseless at his feet.<br><br> 25303 25304CHAPTER 46<br><br> 25305 25306It was the poor schoolmaster. No other than the poor schoolmaster. 25307 25308Scarcely less moved and surprised by the sight of the child than she 25309 25310had been on recognising him, he stood, for a moment, silent and 25311 25312confounded by this unexpected apparition, without even the presence of 25313 25314mind to raise her from the ground.<br><br> 25315 25316But, quickly recovering his self-possession, he threw down his stick 25317 25318and book, and dropping on one knee beside her, endeavoured, by such 25319 25320simple means as occurred to him, to restore her to herself; while her 25321 25322grandfather, standing idly by, wrung his hands, and implored her with 25323 25324many endearing expressions to speak to him, were it only a word.<br><br> 25325 25326'She is quite exhausted,' said the schoolmaster, glancing upward into 25327 25328his face. 'You have taxed her powers too far, friend.'<br><br> 25329 25330'She is perishing of want,' rejoined the old man. 'I never thought how 25331 25332weak and ill she was, till now.'<br><br> 25333 25334Casting a look upon him, half-reproachful and half-compassionate, the 25335 25336schoolmaster took the child in his arms, and, bidding the old man 25337 25338gather up her little basket and follow him directly, bore her away at 25339 25340his utmost speed.<br><br> 25341 25342There was a small inn within sight, to which, it would seem, he had 25343 25344been directing his steps when so unexpectedly overtaken. Towards this 25345 25346place he hurried with his unconscious burden, and rushing into the 25347 25348kitchen, and calling upon the company there assembled to make way for 25349 25350God's sake, deposited it on a chair before the fire.<br><br> 25351 25352The company, who rose in confusion on the schoolmaster's entrance, did 25353 25354as people usually do under such circumstances. Everybody called for 25355 25356his or her favourite remedy, which nobody brought; each cried for more 25357 25358air, at the same time carefully excluding what air there was, by 25359 25360closing round the object of sympathy; and all wondered why somebody 25361 25362else didn't do what it never appeared to occur to them might be done by 25363 25364themselves.<br><br> 25365 25366The landlady, however, who possessed more readiness and activity than 25367 25368any of them, and who had withal a quicker perception of the merits of 25369 25370the case, soon came running in, with a little hot brandy and water, 25371 25372followed by her servant-girl, carrying vinegar, hartshorn, 25373 25374smelling-salts, and such other restoratives; which, being duly 25375 25376administered, recovered the child so far as to enable her to thank them 25377 25378in a faint voice, and to extend her hand to the poor schoolmaster, who 25379 25380stood, with an anxious face, hard by. Without suffering her to speak 25381 25382another word, or so much as to stir a finger any more, the women 25383 25384straightway carried her off to bed; and, having covered her up warm, 25385 25386bathed her cold feet, and wrapped them in flannel, they despatched a 25387 25388messenger for the doctor.<br><br> 25389 25390The doctor, who was a red-nosed gentleman with a great bunch of seals 25391 25392dangling below a waistcoat of ribbed black satin, arrived with all 25393 25394speed, and taking his seat by the bedside of poor Nell, drew out his 25395 25396watch, and felt her pulse. Then he looked at her tongue, then he felt 25397 25398her pulse again, and while he did so, he eyed the half-emptied 25399 25400wine-glass as if in profound abstraction.<br><br> 25401 25402'I should give her,' said the doctor at length, 'a tea-spoonful, every 25403 25404now and then, of hot brandy and water.'<br><br> 25405 25406'Why, that's exactly what we've done, sir!' said the delighted landlady.<br><br> 25407 25408'I should also,' observed the doctor, who had passed the foot-bath on 25409 25410the stairs, 'I should also,' said the doctor, in the voice of an 25411 25412oracle, 'put her feet in hot water, and wrap them up in flannel. I 25413 25414should likewise,' said the doctor with increased solemnity, 'give her 25415 25416something light for supper--the wing of a roasted fowl now--'<br><br> 25417 25418'Why, goodness gracious me, sir, it's cooking at the kitchen fire this 25419 25420instant!' cried the landlady. And so indeed it was, for the 25421 25422schoolmaster had ordered it to be put down, and it was getting on so 25423 25424well that the doctor might have smelt it if he had tried; perhaps he 25425 25426did.<br><br> 25427 25428'You may then,' said the doctor, rising gravely, 'give her a glass of 25429 25430hot mulled port wine, if she likes wine--'<br><br> 25431 25432'And a toast, Sir?' suggested the landlady. 'Ay,' said the doctor, in 25433 25434the tone of a man who makes a dignified concession. 'And a toast--of 25435 25436bread. But be very particular to make it of bread, if you please, 25437 25438ma'am.'<br><br> 25439 25440With which parting injunction, slowly and portentously delivered, the 25441 25442doctor departed, leaving the whole house in admiration of that wisdom 25443 25444which tallied so closely with their own. Everybody said he was a very 25445 25446shrewd doctor indeed, and knew perfectly what people's constitutions 25447 25448were; which there appears some reason to suppose he did.<br><br> 25449 25450While her supper was preparing, the child fell into a refreshing sleep, 25451 25452from which they were obliged to rouse her when it was ready. As she 25453 25454evinced extraordinary uneasiness on learning that her grandfather was 25455 25456below stairs, and as she was greatly troubled at the thought of their 25457 25458being apart, he took his supper with her. Finding her still very 25459 25460restless on this head, they made him up a bed in an inner room, to 25461 25462which he presently retired. The key of this chamber happened by good 25463 25464fortune to be on that side of the door which was in Nell's room; she 25465
25466turned it on him when the landlady had withdrawn, and crept to bed 25467 25468again with a thankful heart.<br><br> 25469 25470The schoolmaster sat for a long time smoking his pipe by the kitchen 25471 25472fire, which was now deserted, thinking, with a very happy face, on the 25473 25474fortunate chance which had brought him so opportunely to the child's 25475 25476assistance, and parrying, as well as in his simple way he could, the 25477 25478inquisitive cross-examination of the landlady, who had a great 25479 25480curiosity to be made acquainted with every particular of Nell's life 25481 25482and history. The poor schoolmaster was so open-hearted, and so little 25483 25484versed in the most ordinary cunning or deceit, that she could not have 25485 25486failed to succeed in the first five minutes, but that he happened to be 25487 25488unacquainted with what she wished to know; and so he told her. The 25489 25490landlady, by no means satisfied with this assurance, which she 25491 25492considered an ingenious evasion of the question, rejoined that he had 25493 25494his reasons of course. Heaven forbid that she should wish to pry into 25495 25496the affairs of her customers, which indeed were no business of hers, 25497 25498who had so many of her own. She had merely asked a civil question, and 25499 25500to be sure she knew it would meet with a civil answer. She was quite 25501 25502satisfied--quite. She had rather perhaps that he would have said at 25503 25504once that he didn't choose to be communicative, because that would have 25505 25506been plain and intelligible. However, she had no right to be offended 25507 25508of course. He was the best judge, and had a perfect right to say what 25509 25510he pleased; nobody could dispute that for a moment. Oh dear, no!<br><br> 25511 25512'I assure you, my good lady,' said the mild schoolmaster, 'that I have 25513 25514told you the plain truth. As I hope to be saved, I have told you the 25515 25516truth.'<br><br> 25517 25518'Why then, I do believe you are in earnest,' rejoined the landlady, 25519 25520with ready good-humour, 'and I'm very sorry I have teazed you. But 25521 25522curiosity you know is the curse of our sex, and that's the fact.' The 25523 25524landlord scratched his head, as if he thought the curse sometimes 25525 25526involved the other sex likewise; but he was prevented from making any 25527 25528remark to that effect, if he had it in contemplation to do so, by the 25529 25530schoolmaster's rejoinder.<br><br> 25531 25532'You should question me for half-a-dozen hours at a sitting, and 25533 25534welcome, and I would answer you patiently for the kindness of heart you 25535 25536have shown to-night, if I could,' he said. 'As it is, please to take 25537 25538care of her in the morning, and let me know early how she is; and to 25539 25540understand that I am paymaster for the three.'<br><br> 25541 25542So, parting with them on most friendly terms (not the less cordial 25543 25544perhaps for this last direction), the schoolmaster went to his bed, and 25545 25546the host and hostess to theirs.<br><br> 25547 25548The report in the morning was, that the child was better, but was 25549 25550extremely weak, and would at least require a day's rest, and careful 25551 25552nursing, before she could proceed upon her journey. The schoolmaster 25553 25554received this communication with perfect cheerfulness, observing that 25555 25556he had a day to spare--two days for that matter--and could very well 25557 25558afford to wait. As the patient was to sit up in the evening, he 25559 25560appointed to visit her in her room at a certain hour, and rambling out 25561 25562with his book, did not return until the hour arrived.<br><br> 25563 25564Nell could not help weeping when they were left alone; whereat, and at 25565 25566sight of her pale face and wasted figure, the simple schoolmaster shed 25567 25568a few tears himself, at the same time showing in very energetic 25569 25570language how foolish it was to do so, and how very easily it could be 25571 25572avoided, if one tried.<br><br> 25573 25574'It makes me unhappy even in the midst of all this kindness' said the 25575 25576child, 'to think that we should be a burden upon you. How can I ever 25577 25578thank you? If I had not met you so far from home, I must have died, 25579 25580and he would have been left alone.'<br><br> 25581 25582'We'll not talk about dying,' said the schoolmaster; 'and as to 25583 25584burdens, I have made my fortune since you slept at my cottage.'<br><br> 25585 25586'Indeed!' cried the child joyfully.<br><br> 25587 25588'Oh yes,' returned her friend. 'I have been appointed clerk and 25589 25590schoolmaster to a village a long way from here--and a long way from the 25591 25592old one as you may suppose--at five-and-thirty pounds a year. 25593 25594Five-and-thirty pounds!'<br><br> 25595 25596'I am very glad,' said the child, 'so very, very glad.'<br><br> 25597 25598'I am on my way there now,' resumed the schoolmaster. 'They allowed me 25599 25600the stage-coach-hire--outside stage-coach-hire all the way. Bless you, 25601 25602they grudge me nothing. But as the time at which I am expected there, 25603 25604left me ample leisure, I determined to walk instead. How glad I am, to 25605
25606think I did so!'<br><br> 25607 25608'How glad should we be!'<br><br> 25609 25610'Yes, yes,' said the schoolmaster, moving restlessly in his chair, 25611 25612'certainly, that's very true. But you--where are you going, where are 25613 25614you coming from, what have you been doing since you left me, what had 25615 25616you been doing before? Now, tell me--do tell me. I know very little 25617 25618of the world, and perhaps you are better fitted to advise me in its 25619 25620affairs than I am qualified to give advice to you; but I am very 25621 25622sincere, and I have a reason (you have not forgotten it) for loving 25623 25624you. I have felt since that time as if my love for him who died, had 25625 25626been transferred to you who stood beside his bed. If this,' he added, 25627 25628looking upwards, 'is the beautiful creation that springs from ashes, 25629 25630let its peace prosper with me, as I deal tenderly and compassionately 25631 25632by this young child!'<br><br> 25633 25634The plain, frank kindness of the honest schoolmaster, the affectionate 25635 25636earnestness of his speech and manner, the truth which was stamped upon 25637 25638his every word and look, gave the child a confidence in him, which the 25639 25640utmost arts of treachery and dissimulation could never have awakened in 25641 25642her breast. She told him all--that they had no friend or 25643 25644relative--that she had fled with the old man, to save him from a 25645 25646madhouse and all the miseries he dreaded--that she was flying now, to 25647 25648save him from himself--and that she sought an asylum in some remote 25649 25650and primitive place, where the temptation before which he fell would 25651 25652never enter, and her late sorrows and distresses could have no place.<br><br> 25653 25654The schoolmaster heard her with astonishment. 'This child!'--he 25655 25656thought--'Has this child heroically persevered under all doubts and 25657 25658dangers, struggled with poverty and suffering, upheld and sustained by 25659 25660strong affection and the consciousness of rectitude alone! And yet the 25661 25662world is full of such heroism. Have I yet to learn that the hardest 25663 25664and best-borne trials are those which are never chronicled in any 25665 25666earthly record, and are suffered every day! And should I be surprised 25667 25668to hear the story of this child!'<br><br> 25669 25670What more he thought or said, matters not. It was concluded that Nell 25671 25672and her grandfather should accompany him to the village whither he was 25673 25674bound, and that he should endeavour to find them some humble occupation 25675 25676by which they could subsist. 'We shall be sure to succeed,' said the 25677 25678schoolmaster, heartily. 'The cause is too good a one to fail.'<br><br> 25679 25680They arranged to proceed upon their journey next evening, as a 25681 25682stage-waggon, which travelled for some distance on the same road as 25683 25684they must take, would stop at the inn to change horses, and the driver 25685 25686for a small gratuity would give Nell a place inside. A bargain was 25687 25688soon struck when the waggon came; and in due time it rolled away; with 25689 25690the child comfortably bestowed among the softer packages, her 25691 25692grandfather and the schoolmaster walking on beside the driver, and the 25693 25694landlady and all the good folks of the inn screaming out their good 25695 25696wishes and farewells.<br><br> 25697 25698What a soothing, luxurious, drowsy way of travelling, to lie inside 25699 25700that slowly-moving mountain, listening to the tinkling of the horses' 25701 25702bells, the occasional smacking of the carter's whip, the smooth rolling 25703 25704of the great broad wheels, the rattle of the harness, the cheery 25705 25706good-nights of passing travellers jogging past on little short-stepped 25707 25708horses--all made pleasantly indistinct by the thick awning, which 25709 25710seemed made for lazy listening under, till one fell asleep! The very 25711 25712going to sleep, still with an indistinct idea, as the head jogged to 25713 25714and fro upon the pillow, of moving onward with no trouble or fatigue, 25715 25716and hearing all these sounds like dreamy music, lulling to the 25717 25718senses--and the slow waking up, and finding one's self staring out 25719 25720through the breezy curtain half-opened in the front, far up into the 25721 25722cold bright sky with its countless stars, and downward at the driver's 25723 25724lantern dancing on like its namesake Jack of the swamps and marshes, 25725 25726and sideways at the dark grim trees, and forward at the long bare road 25727 25728rising up, up, up, until it stopped abruptly at a sharp high ridge as 25729 25730if there were no more road, and all beyond was sky--and the stopping at 25731 25732the inn to bait, and being helped out, and going into a room with fire 25733 25734and candles, and winking very much, and being agreeably reminded that 25735 25736the night was cold, and anxious for very comfort's sake to think it 25737
25738colder than it was!--What a delicious journey was that journey in the 25739 25740waggon.<br><br> 25741 25742Then the going on again--so fresh at first, and shortly afterwards so 25743 25744sleepy. The waking from a sound nap as the mail came dashing past like 25745 25746a highway comet, with gleaming lamps and rattling hoofs, and visions of 25747 25748a guard behind, standing up to keep his feet warm, and of a gentleman 25749 25750in a fur cap opening his eyes and looking wild and stupefied--the 25751 25752stopping at the turnpike where the man was gone to bed, and knocking at 25753 25754the door until he answered with a smothered shout from under the 25755 25756bed-clothes in the little room above, where the faint light was 25757 25758burning, and presently came down, night-capped and shivering, to throw 25759 25760the gate wide open, and wish all waggons off the road except by day. 25761 25762The cold sharp interval between night and morning--the distant streak 25763 25764of light widening and spreading, and turning from grey to white, and 25765 25766from white to yellow, and from yellow to burning red--the presence of 25767 25768day, with all its cheerfulness and life--men and horses at the 25769 25770plough--birds in the trees and hedges, and boys in solitary fields, 25771 25772frightening them away with rattles. The coming to a town--people busy 25773 25774in the markets; light carts and chaises round the tavern yard; 25775 25776tradesmen standing at their doors; men running horses up and down the 25777 25778street for sale; pigs plunging and grunting in the dirty distance, 25779 25780getting off with long strings at their legs, running into clean 25781 25782chemists' shops and being dislodged with brooms by 'prentices; the 25783 25784night coach changing horses--the passengers cheerless, cold, ugly, and 25785 25786discontented, with three months' growth of hair in one night--the 25787 25788coachman fresh as from a band-box, and exquisitely beautiful by 25789 25790contrast:--so much bustle, so many things in motion, such a variety of 25791 25792incidents--when was there a journey with so many delights as that 25793 25794journey in the waggon!<br><br> 25795 25796Sometimes walking for a mile or two while her grandfather rode inside, 25797 25798and sometimes even prevailing upon the schoolmaster to take her place 25799 25800and lie down to rest, Nell travelled on very happily until they came to 25801 25802a large town, where the waggon stopped, and where they spent a night. 25803 25804They passed a large church; and in the streets were a number of old 25805 25806houses, built of a kind of earth or plaster, crossed and re-crossed in 25807 25808a great many directions with black beams, which gave them a remarkable 25809 25810and very ancient look. The doors, too, were arched and low, some with 25811 25812oaken portals and quaint benches, where the former inhabitants had sat 25813 25814on summer evenings. The windows were latticed in little diamond panes, 25815 25816that seemed to wink and blink upon the passengers as if they were dim 25817 25818of sight. They had long since got clear of the smoke and furnaces, 25819 25820except in one or two solitary instances, where a factory planted among 25821 25822fields withered the space about it, like a burning mountain. When they 25823 25824had passed through this town, they entered again upon the country, and 25825 25826began to draw near their place of destination.<br><br> 25827 25828It was not so near, however, but that they spent another night upon the 25829 25830road; not that their doing so was quite an act of necessity, but that 25831 25832the schoolmaster, when they approached within a few miles of his 25833 25834village, had a fidgety sense of his dignity as the new clerk, and was 25835 25836unwilling to make his entry in dusty shoes, and travel-disordered 25837 25838dress. It was a fine, clear, autumn morning, when they came upon the 25839 25840scene of his promotion, and stopped to contemplate its beauties.<br><br> 25841 25842'See--here's the church!' cried the delighted schoolmaster in a low 25843 25844voice; 'and that old building close beside it, is the schoolhouse, I'll 25845 25846be sworn. Five-and-thirty pounds a-year in this beautiful place!'<br><br> 25847 25848They admired everything--the old grey porch, the mullioned windows, the 25849 25850venerable gravestones dotting the green churchyard, the ancient tower, 25851 25852the very weathercock; the brown thatched roofs of cottage, barn, and 25853 25854homestead, peeping from among the trees; the stream that rippled by the 25855 25856distant water-mill; the blue Welsh mountains far away. It was for such 25857 25858a spot the child had wearied in the dense, dark, miserable haunts of 25859 25860labour. Upon her bed of ashes, and amidst the squalid horrors through 25861 25862which they had forced their way, visions of such scenes--beautiful 25863 25864indeed, but not more beautiful than this sweet reality--had been always 25865 25866present to her mind. They had seemed to melt into a dim and airy 25867 25868distance, as the prospect of ever beholding them again grew fainter; 25869 25870but, as they receded, she had loved and panted for them more.<br><br> 25871 25872'I must leave you somewhere for a few minutes,' said the schoolmaster, 25873 25874at length breaking the silence into which they had fallen in their 25875 25876gladness. 'I have a letter to present, and inquiries to make, you 25877 25878know. Where shall I take you? To the little inn yonder?'<br><br> 25879 25880'Let us wait here,' rejoined Nell. 'The gate is open. We will sit in 25881 25882the church porch till you come back.'<br><br> 25883 25884'A good place too,' said the schoolmaster, leading the way towards it, 25885 25886disencumbering himself of his portmanteau, and placing it on the stone 25887 25888seat. 'Be sure that I come back with good news, and am not long gone!'<br><br> 25889 25890So, the happy schoolmaster put on a bran-new pair of gloves which he 25891 25892had carried in a little parcel in his pocket all the way, and hurried 25893 25894off, full of ardour and excitement.<br><br> 25895
25896The child watched him from the porch until the intervening foliage hid 25897 25898him from her view, and then stepped softly out into the old 25899 25900churchyard--so solemn and quiet that every rustle of her dress upon the 25901 25902fallen leaves, which strewed the path and made her footsteps noiseless, 25903 25904seemed an invasion of its silence. It was a very aged, ghostly place; 25905 25906the church had been built many hundreds of years ago, and had once had 25907 25908a convent or monastery attached; for arches in ruins, remains of oriel 25909 25910windows, and fragments of blackened walls, were yet standing-, while 25911 25912other portions of the old building, which had crumbled away and fallen 25913 25914down, were mingled with the churchyard earth and overgrown with grass, 25915 25916as if they too claimed a burying-place and sought to mix their ashes 25917 25918with the dust of men. Hard by these gravestones of dead years, and 25919 25920forming a part of the ruin which some pains had been taken to render 25921 25922habitable in modern times, were two small dwellings with sunken windows 25923 25924and oaken doors, fast hastening to decay, empty and desolate.<br><br> 25925 25926Upon these tenements, the attention of the child became exclusively 25927 25928riveted. She knew not why. The church, the ruin, the antiquated 25929 25930graves, had equal claims at least upon a stranger's thoughts, but from 25931 25932the moment when her eyes first rested on these two dwellings, she could 25933 25934turn to nothing else. Even when she had made the circuit of the 25935 25936enclosure, and, returning to the porch, sat pensively waiting for their 25937 25938friend, she took her station where she could still look upon them, and 25939 25940felt as if fascinated towards that spot.<br><br> 25941 25942CHAPTER 47<br><br> 25943 25944Kit's mother and the single gentleman--upon whose track it is expedient 25945 25946to follow with hurried steps, lest this history should be chargeable 25947 25948with inconstancy, and the offence of leaving its characters in 25949 25950situations of uncertainty and doubt--Kit's mother and the single 25951 25952gentleman, speeding onward in the post-chaise-and-four whose departure 25953 25954from the Notary's door we have already witnessed, soon left the town 25955 25956behind them, and struck fire from the flints of the broad highway.<br><br> 25957 25958The good woman, being not a little embarrassed by the novelty of her 25959 25960situation, and certain material apprehensions that perhaps by this time 25961 25962little Jacob, or the baby, or both, had fallen into the fire, or 25963 25964tumbled down stairs, or had been squeezed behind doors, or had scalded 25965 25966their windpipes in endeavouring to allay their thirst at the spouts of 25967 25968tea-kettles, preserved an uneasy silence; and meeting from the window 25969 25970the eyes of turnpike-men, omnibus-drivers, and others, felt in the new 25971 25972dignity of her position like a mourner at a funeral, who, not being 25973 25974greatly afflicted by the loss of the departed, recognizes his every-day 25975 25976acquaintance from the window of the mourning coach, but is constrained 25977 25978to preserve a decent solemnity, and the appearance of being indifferent 25979 25980to all external objects.<br><br> 25981 25982To have been indifferent to the companionship of the single gentleman 25983 25984would have been tantamount to being gifted with nerves of steel. Never 25985 25986did chaise inclose, or horses draw, such a restless gentleman as he. 25987 25988He never sat in the same position for two minutes together, but was 25989 25990perpetually tossing his arms and legs about, pulling up the sashes and 25991 25992letting them violently down, or thrusting his head out of one window to 25993 25994draw it in again and thrust it out of another. He carried in his 25995 25996pocket, too, a fire-box of mysterious and unknown construction; and as 25997 25998sure as ever Kit's mother closed her eyes, so surely--whisk, rattle, 25999 26000fizz--there was the single gentleman consulting his watch by a flame of 26001 26002fire, and letting the sparks fall down among the straw as if there were 26003 26004no such thing as a possibility of himself and Kit's mother being 26005 26006roasted alive before the boys could stop their horses. Whenever they 26007 26008halted to change, there he was--out of the carriage without letting 26009 26010down the steps, bursting about the inn-yard like a lighted cracker, 26011 26012pulling out his watch by lamp-light and forgetting to look at it before 26013 26014he put it up again, and in short committing so many extravagances that 26015 26016Kit's mother was quite afraid of him. Then, when the horses were to, 26017 26018in he came like a Harlequin, and before they had gone a mile, out came 26019 26020the watch and the fire-box together, and Kit's mother as wide awake 26021 26022again, with no hope of a wink of sleep for that stage.<br><br> 26023 26024'Are you comfortable?' the single gentleman would say after one of 26025 26026these exploits, turning sharply round.<br><br> 26027 26028'Quite, Sir, thank you.'<br><br> 26029 26030'Are you sure? An't you cold?'<br><br> 26031 26032'It is a little chilly, Sir,' Kit's mother would reply.<br><br> 26033 26034'I knew it!' cried the single gentleman, letting down one of the front 26035 26036glasses. 'She wants some brandy and water! Of course she does. How 26037 26038could I forget it? Hallo! Stop at the next inn, and call out for a 26039 26040glass of hot brandy and water.'<br><br> 26041 26042It was in vain for Kit's mother to protest that she stood in need of 26043 26044nothing of the kind. The single gentleman was inexorable; and whenever 26045 26046he had exhausted all other modes and fashions of restlessness, it 26047 26048invariably occurred to him that Kit's mother wanted brandy and water.<br><br> 26049 26050In this way they travelled on until near midnight, when they stopped to 26051 26052supper, for which meal the single gentleman ordered everything eatable 26053 26054that the house contained; and because Kit's mother didn't eat 26055 26056everything at once, and eat it all, he took it into his head that she 26057 26058must be ill.<br><br> 26059 26060'You're faint,' said the single gentleman, who did nothing himself but 26061
26062walk about the room. 'I see what's the matter with you, ma'am. You're 26063 26064faint.'<br><br> 26065 26066'Thank you, sir, I'm not indeed.'<br><br> 26067 26068'I know you are. I'm sure of it. I drag this poor woman from the 26069 26070bosom of her family at a minute's notice, and she goes on getting 26071 26072fainter and fainter before my eyes. I'm a pretty fellow! How many 26073 26074children have you got, ma'am?'<br><br> 26075 26076'Two, sir, besides Kit.'<br><br> 26077 26078'Boys, ma'am?'<br><br> 26079 26080'Yes, sir.'<br><br> 26081 26082'Are they christened?'<br><br> 26083 26084'Only half baptised as yet, sir.'<br><br> 26085 26086'I'm godfather to both of 'em. Remember that, if you please, ma'am. 26087 26088You had better have some mulled wine.'<br><br> 26089 26090'I couldn't touch a drop indeed, sir.'<br><br> 26091 26092'You must,' said the single gentleman. 'I see you want it. I ought to 26093 26094have thought of it before.'<br><br> 26095 26096Immediately flying to the bell, and calling for mulled wine as 26097 26098impetuously as if it had been wanted for instant use in the recovery of 26099 26100some person apparently drowned, the single gentleman made Kit's mother 26101 26102swallow a bumper of it at such a high temperature that the tears ran 26103 26104down her face, and then hustled her off to the chaise again, where--not 26105 26106impossibly from the effects of this agreeable sedative--she soon became 26107 26108insensible to his restlessness, and fell fast asleep. Nor were the 26109 26110happy effects of this prescription of a transitory nature, as, 26111 26112notwithstanding that the distance was greater, and the journey longer, 26113 26114than the single gentleman had anticipated, she did not awake until it 26115 26116was broad day, and they were clattering over the pavement of a town.<br><br> 26117 26118'This is the place!' cried her companion, letting down all the glasses. 26119 26120'Drive to the wax-work!'<br><br> 26121 26122The boy on the wheeler touched his hat, and setting spurs to his horse, 26123 26124to the end that they might go in brilliantly, all four broke into a 26125 26126smart canter, and dashed through the streets with a noise that brought 26127 26128the good folks wondering to their doors and windows, and drowned the 26129 26130sober voices of the town-clocks as they chimed out half-past eight. 26131 26132They drove up to a door round which a crowd of persons were collected, 26133 26134and there stopped.<br><br> 26135 26136'What's this?' said the single gentleman thrusting out his head. 'Is 26137 26138anything the matter here?'<br><br> 26139 26140'A wedding Sir, a wedding!' cried several voices. 'Hurrah!'<br><br> 26141 26142The single gentleman, rather bewildered by finding himself the centre 26143 26144of this noisy throng, alighted with the assistance of one of the 26145 26146postilions, and handed out Kit's mother, at sight of whom the populace 26147 26148cried out, 'Here's another wedding!' and roared and leaped for joy.<br><br> 26149 26150'The world has gone mad, I think,' said the single gentleman, pressing 26151 26152through the concourse with his supposed bride. 'Stand back here, will 26153 26154you, and let me knock.'<br><br> 26155 26156Anything that makes a noise is satisfactory to a crowd. A score of 26157 26158dirty hands were raised directly to knock for him, and seldom has a 26159 26160knocker of equal powers been made to produce more deafening sounds than 26161 26162this particular engine on the occasion in question. Having rendered 26163 26164these voluntary services, the throng modestly retired a little, 26165 26166preferring that the single gentleman should bear their consequences 26167 26168alone.<br><br> 26169 26170'Now, sir, what do you want!' said a man with a large white bow at his 26171 26172button-hole, opening the door, and confronting him with a very stoical 26173 26174aspect.<br><br> 26175 26176'Who has been married here, my friend?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 26177 26178'I have.'<br><br> 26179 26180'You! and to whom in the devil's name?'<br><br> 26181 26182'What right have you to ask?' returned the bridegroom, eyeing him from 26183 26184top to toe.<br><br> 26185 26186'What right!' cried the single gentleman, drawing the arm of Kit's 26187 26188mother more tightly through his own, for that good woman evidently had 26189 26190it in contemplation to run away. 'A right you little dream of. Mind, 26191 26192good people, if this fellow has been marrying a minor--tut, tut, that 26193 26194can't be. Where is the child you have here, my good fellow. You call 26195 26196her Nell. Where is she?'<br><br> 26197 26198As he propounded this question, which Kit's mother echoed, somebody in 26199 26200a room near at hand, uttered a great shriek, and a stout lady in a 26201 26202white dress came running to the door, and supported herself upon the 26203 26204bridegroom's arm.<br><br> 26205 26206'Where is she!' cried this lady. 'What news have you brought me? What 26207 26208has become of her?'<br><br> 26209 26210The single gentleman started back, and gazed upon the face of the late 26211 26212Mrs Jarley (that morning wedded to the philosophic George, to the 26213 26214eternal wrath and despair of Mr Slum the poet), with looks of 26215 26216conflicting apprehension, disappointment, and incredulity. At length 26217 26218he stammered out,<br><br> 26219 26220'I ask YOU where she is? What do you mean?'<br><br> 26221 26222'Oh sir!' cried the bride, 'If you have come here to do her any good, 26223 26224why weren't you here a week ago?'<br><br> 26225 26226'She is not--not dead?' said the person to whom she addressed herself, 26227
26228turning very pale.<br><br> 26229 26230'No, not so bad as that.'<br><br> 26231 26232'I thank God!' cried the single gentleman feebly. 'Let me come in.'<br><br> 26233 26234They drew back to admit him, and when he had entered, closed the door.<br><br> 26235 26236'You see in me, good people,' he said, turning to the newly-married 26237 26238couple, 'one to whom life itself is not dearer than the two persons 26239 26240whom I seek. They would not know me. My features are strange to them, 26241 26242but if they or either of them are here, take this good woman with you, 26243 26244and let them see her first, for her they both know. If you deny them 26245 26246from any mistaken regard or fear for them, judge of my intentions by 26247 26248their recognition of this person as their old humble friend.'<br><br> 26249 26250'I always said it!' cried the bride, 'I knew she was not a common 26251 26252child! Alas, sir! we have no power to help you, for all that we could 26253 26254do, has been tried in vain.'<br><br> 26255 26256With that, they related to him, without disguise or concealment, all 26257 26258that they knew of Nell and her grandfather, from their first meeting 26259 26260with them, down to the time of their sudden disappearance; adding 26261 26262(which was quite true) that they had made every possible effort to 26263 26264trace them, but without success; having been at first in great alarm 26265 26266for their safety, as well as on account of the suspicions to which they 26267 26268themselves might one day be exposed in consequence of their abrupt 26269 26270departure. They dwelt upon the old man's imbecility of mind, upon the 26271 26272uneasiness the child had always testified when he was absent, upon the 26273 26274company he had been supposed to keep, and upon the increased depression 26275 26276which had gradually crept over her and changed her both in health and 26277 26278spirits. Whether she had missed the old man in the night, and knowing 26279 26280or conjecturing whither he had bent his steps, had gone in pursuit, or 26281 26282whether they had left the house together, they had no means of 26283 26284determining. Certain they considered it, that there was but slender 26285 26286prospect left of hearing of them again, and that whether their flight 26287 26288originated with the old man, or with the child, there was now no hope 26289 26290of their return. To all this, the single gentleman listened with the 26291 26292air of a man quite borne down by grief and disappointment. He shed 26293 26294tears when they spoke of the grandfather, and appeared in deep 26295 26296affliction.<br><br> 26297 26298Not to protract this portion of our narrative, and to make short work 26299 26300of a long story, let it be briefly written that before the interview 26301 26302came to a close, the single gentleman deemed he had sufficient evidence 26303 26304of having been told the truth, and that he endeavoured to force upon 26305 26306the bride and bridegroom an acknowledgment of their kindness to the 26307 26308unfriended child, which, however, they steadily declined accepting. In 26309 26310the end, the happy couple jolted away in the caravan to spend their 26311 26312honeymoon in a country excursion; and the single gentleman and Kit's 26313 26314mother stood ruefully before their carriage-door.<br><br> 26315 26316'Where shall we drive you, sir?' said the post-boy.<br><br> 26317 26318'You may drive me,' said the single gentleman, 'to the--' He was not 26319 26320going to add 'inn,' but he added it for the sake of Kit's mother; and 26321 26322to the inn they went.<br><br> 26323 26324Rumours had already got abroad that the little girl who used to show 26325 26326the wax-work, was the child of great people who had been stolen from 26327 26328her parents in infancy, and had only just been traced. Opinion was 26329 26330divided whether she was the daughter of a prince, a duke, an earl, a 26331 26332viscount, or a baron, but all agreed upon the main fact, and that the 26333 26334single gentleman was her father; and all bent forward to catch a 26335 26336glimpse, though it were only of the tip of his noble nose, as he rode 26337 26338away, desponding, in his four-horse chaise.<br><br> 26339 26340What would he have given to know, and what sorrow would have been saved 26341 26342if he had only known, that at that moment both child and grandfather 26343 26344were seated in the old church porch, patiently awaiting the 26345 26346schoolmaster's return!<br><br> 26347 26348CHAPTER 48<br><br> 26349 26350Popular rumour concerning the single gentleman and his errand, 26351 26352travelling from mouth to mouth, and waxing stronger in the marvellous 26353
26354as it was bandied about--for your popular rumour, unlike the rolling 26355 26356stone of the proverb, is one which gathers a deal of moss in its 26357 26358wanderings up and down--occasioned his dismounting at the inn-door to 26359 26360be looked upon as an exciting and attractive spectacle, which could 26361 26362scarcely be enough admired; and drew together a large concourse of 26363 26364idlers, who having recently been, as it were, thrown out of employment 26365 26366by the closing of the wax-work and the completion of the nuptial 26367 26368ceremonies, considered his arrival as little else than a special 26369 26370providence, and hailed it with demonstrations of the liveliest joy.<br><br> 26371 26372Not at all participating in the general sensation, but wearing the 26373 26374depressed and wearied look of one who sought to meditate on his 26375 26376disappointment in silence and privacy, the single gentleman alighted, 26377 26378and handed out Kit's mother with a gloomy politeness which impressed 26379 26380the lookers-on extremely. That done, he gave her his arm and escorted 26381 26382her into the house, while several active waiters ran on before as a 26383 26384skirmishing party, to clear the way and to show the room which was 26385 26386ready for their reception.<br><br> 26387 26388'Any room will do,' said the single gentleman. 'Let it be near at 26389 26390hand, that's all.'<br><br> 26391 26392'Close here, sir, if you please to walk this way.'<br><br> 26393 26394'Would the gentleman like this room?' said a voice, as a little 26395 26396out-of-the-way door at the foot of the well staircase flew briskly open 26397 26398and a head popped out. 'He's quite welcome to it. He's as welcome as 26399 26400flowers in May, or coals at Christmas. Would you like this room, sir? 26401 26402Honour me by walking in. Do me the favour, pray.'<br><br> 26403 26404'Goodness gracious me!' cried Kit's mother, falling back in extreme 26405 26406surprise, 'only think of this!'<br><br> 26407 26408She had some reason to be astonished, for the person who proffered the 26409 26410gracious invitation was no other than Daniel Quilp. The little door 26411 26412out of which he had thrust his head was close to the inn larder; and 26413 26414there he stood, bowing with grotesque politeness; as much at his ease 26415 26416as if the door were that of his own house; blighting all the legs of 26417 26418mutton and cold roast fowls by his close companionship, and looking 26419 26420like the evil genius of the cellars come from underground upon some 26421 26422work of mischief.<br><br> 26423 26424'Would you do me the honour?' said Quilp.<br><br> 26425 26426'I prefer being alone,' replied the single gentleman.<br><br> 26427 26428'Oh!' said Quilp. And with that, he darted in again with one jerk and 26429 26430clapped the little door to, like a figure in a Dutch clock when the 26431 26432hour strikes.<br><br> 26433 26434'Why it was only last night, sir,' whispered Kit's mother, 'that I left 26435 26436him in Little Bethel.'<br><br> 26437 26438'Indeed!' said her fellow-passenger. 'When did that person come here, 26439 26440waiter?'<br><br> 26441 26442'Come down by the night-coach, this morning, sir.'<br><br> 26443 26444'Humph! And when is he going?'<br><br> 26445 26446'Can't say, sir, really. When the chambermaid asked him just now if he 26447 26448should want a bed, sir, he first made faces at her, and then wanted to 26449 26450kiss her.'<br><br> 26451 26452'Beg him to walk this way,' said the single gentleman. 'I should be 26453 26454glad to exchange a word with him, tell him. Beg him to come at once, 26455 26456do you hear?'<br><br> 26457 26458The man stared on receiving these instructions, for the single 26459 26460gentleman had not only displayed as much astonishment as Kit's mother 26461 26462at sight of the dwarf, but, standing in no fear of him, had been at 26463 26464less pains to conceal his dislike and repugnance. He departed on his 26465 26466errand, however, and immediately returned, ushering in its object.<br><br> 26467 26468'Your servant, sir,' said the dwarf, 'I encountered your messenger 26469 26470half-way. I thought you'd allow me to pay my compliments to you. I 26471 26472hope you're well. I hope you're very well.'<br><br> 26473 26474There was a short pause, while the dwarf, with half-shut eyes and 26475 26476puckered face, stood waiting for an answer. Receiving none, he turned 26477 26478towards his more familiar acquaintance.<br><br> 26479 26480'Christopher's mother!' he cried. 'Such a dear lady, such a worthy 26481 26482woman, so blest in her honest son! How is Christopher's mother? Have 26483 26484change of air and scene improved her? Her little family too, and 26485 26486Christopher? Do they thrive? Do they flourish? Are they growing into 26487 26488worthy citizens, eh?'<br><br> 26489 26490Making his voice ascend in the scale with every succeeding question, Mr 26491 26492Quilp finished in a shrill squeak, and subsided into the panting look 26493 26494which was customary with him, and which, whether it were assumed or 26495 26496natural, had equally the effect of banishing all expression from his 26497 26498face, and rendering it, as far as it afforded any index to his mood or 26499 26500meaning, a perfect blank.<br><br> 26501 26502'Mr Quilp,' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 26503 26504The dwarf put his hand to his great flapped ear, and counterfeited the 26505 26506closest attention.<br><br> 26507 26508'We two have met before--'<br><br> 26509 26510'Surely,' cried Quilp, nodding his head. 'Oh surely, sir. Such an 26511 26512honour and pleasure--it's both, Christopher's mother, it's both--is 26513 26514not to be forgotten so soon. By no means!'<br><br> 26515 26516'You may remember that the day I arrived in London, and found the house 26517 26518to which I drove, empty and deserted, I was directed by some of the 26519 26520neighbours to you, and waited upon you without stopping for rest or 26521 26522refreshment?'<br><br> 26523
26524'How precipitate that was, and yet what an earnest and vigorous 26525 26526measure!' said Quilp, conferring with himself, in imitation of his 26527 26528friend Mr Sampson Brass.<br><br> 26529 26530'I found,' said the single gentleman, 'you most unaccountably, in 26531 26532possession of everything that had so recently belonged to another man, 26533 26534and that other man, who up to the time of your entering upon his 26535 26536property had been looked upon as affluent, reduced to sudden beggary, 26537 26538and driven from house and home.'<br><br> 26539 26540'We had warrant for what we did, my good sir,' rejoined Quilp, 'we had 26541 26542our warrant. Don't say driven either. He went of his own 26543 26544accord--vanished in the night, sir.'<br><br> 26545 26546'No matter,' said the single gentleman angrily. 'He was gone.'<br><br> 26547 26548'Yes, he was gone,' said Quilp, with the same exasperating composure. 26549 26550'No doubt he was gone. The only question was, where. And it's a 26551 26552question still.'<br><br> 26553 26554'Now, what am I to think,' said the single gentleman, sternly regarding 26555 26556him, 'of you, who, plainly indisposed to give me any
26556information 26557 26558then--nay, obviously holding back, and sheltering yourself with all 26559 26560kinds of cunning, trickery, and evasion--are dogging my footsteps now?'<br><br> 26561 26562'I dogging!' cried Quilp.<br><br> 26563 26564'Why, are you not?' returned his questioner, fretted into a state of 26565 26566the utmost irritation. 'Were you not a few hours since, sixty miles 26567 26568off, and in the chapel to which this good woman goes to say her 26569 26570prayers?'<br><br> 26571 26572'She was there too, I think?' said Quilp, still perfectly unmoved. 'I 26573 26574might say, if I was inclined to be rude, how do I know but you are 26575 26576dogging MY footsteps. Yes, I was at chapel. What then? I've read in 26577 26578books that pilgrims were used to go to chapel before they went on 26579 26580journeys, to put up petitions for their safe return. Wise men! 26581 26582journeys are very perilous--especially outside the coach. Wheels come 26583 26584off, horses take fright, coachmen drive too fast, coaches overturn. I 26585 26586always go to chapel before I start on journeys. It's the last thing I 26587 26588do on such occasions, indeed.'<br><br> 26589 26590That Quilp lied most heartily in this speech, it needed no very great 26591 26592penetration to discover, although for anything that he suffered to 26593 26594appear in his face, voice, or manner, he might have been clinging to 26595 26596the truth with the quiet constancy of a martyr.<br><br> 26597 26598'In the name of all that's calculated to drive one crazy, man,' said 26599 26600the unfortunate single gentleman, 'have you not, for some reason of 26601
26602your own, taken upon yourself my errand? don't you know with what 26603 26604object I have come here, and if you do know, can you throw no light 26605 26606upon it?'<br><br> 26607 26608'You think I'm a conjuror, sir,' replied Quilp, shrugging up his 26609 26610shoulders. 'If I was, I should tell my own fortune--and make it.'<br><br> 26611 26612'Ah! we have said all we need say, I see,' returned the other, throwing 26613 26614himself impatiently upon a sofa. 'Pray leave us, if you please.'<br><br> 26615 26616'Willingly,' returned Quilp. 'Most willingly. Christopher's mother, 26617 26618my good soul, farewell. A pleasant journey--back, sir. Ahem!'<br><br> 26619 26620With these parting words, and with a grin upon his features altogether 26621 26622indescribable, but which seemed to be compounded of every monstrous 26623 26624grimace of which men or monkeys are capable, the dwarf slowly retreated 26625 26626and closed the door behind him.<br><br> 26627 26628'Oho!' he said when he had regained his own room, and sat himself down 26629 26630in a chair with his arms akimbo. 'Oho! Are you there, my friend? 26631 26632In-deed!'<br><br> 26633 26634Chuckling as though in very great glee, and recompensing himself for 26635 26636the restraint he had lately put upon his countenance by twisting it 26637 26638into all imaginable varieties of ugliness, Mr Quilp, rocking himself to 26639 26640and fro in his chair and nursing his left leg at the same time, fell 26641 26642into certain meditations, of which it may be necessary to relate the 26643 26644substance.<br><br> 26645 26646First, he reviewed the circumstances which had led to his repairing to 26647 26648that spot, which were briefly these. Dropping in at Mr Sampson Brass's 26649 26650office on the previous evening, in the absence of that gentleman and 26651 26652his learned sister, he had lighted upon Mr Swiveller, who chanced at 26653 26654the moment to be sprinkling a glass of warm gin and water on the dust 26655 26656of the law, and to be moistening his clay, as the phrase goes, rather 26657 26658copiously. But as clay in the abstract, when too much moistened, 26659 26660becomes of a weak and uncertain consistency, breaking down in 26661 26662unexpected places, retaining impressions but faintly, and preserving no 26663 26664strength or steadiness of character, so Mr Swiveller's clay, having 26665 26666imbibed a considerable quantity of moisture, was in a very loose and 26667 26668slippery state, insomuch that the various ideas impressed upon it were 26669 26670fast losing their distinctive character, and running into each other. 26671 26672It is not uncommon for human clay in this condition to value itself 26673 26674above all things upon its great prudence and sagacity; and Mr 26675 26676Swiveller, especially prizing himself upon these qualities, took 26677 26678occasion to remark that he had made strange discoveries in connection 26679 26680with the single gentleman who lodged above, which he had determined to 26681 26682keep within his own bosom, and which neither tortures nor cajolery 26683 26684should ever induce him to reveal. Of this determination Mr Quilp 26685 26686expressed his high approval, and setting himself in the same breath to 26687 26688goad Mr Swiveller on to further hints, soon made out that the single 26689 26690gentleman had been seen in communication with Kit, and that this was 26691 26692the secret which was never to be disclosed.<br><br> 26693 26694Possessed of this piece of information, Mr Quilp directly supposed that 26695 26696the single gentleman above stairs must be the same individual who had 26697 26698waited on him, and having assured himself by further inquiries that 26699 26700this surmise was correct, had no difficulty in arriving at the 26701 26702conclusion that the intent and object of his correspondence with Kit 26703 26704was the recovery of his old client and the child. Burning with 26705 26706curiosity to know what proceedings were afoot, he resolved to pounce 26707 26708upon Kit's mother as the person least able to resist his arts, and 26709 26710consequently the most likely to be entrapped into such revelations as 26711 26712he sought; so taking an abrupt leave of Mr Swiveller, he hurried to her 26713 26714house. The good woman being from home, he made inquiries of a 26715 26716neighbour, as Kit himself did soon afterwards, and being directed to 26717 26718the chapel be took himself there, in order to waylay her, at the 26719 26720conclusion of the service.<br><br> 26721 26722He had not sat in the chapel more than a quarter of an hour, and with 26723 26724his eyes piously fixed upon the ceiling was chuckling inwardly over the 26725 26726joke of his being there at all, when Kit himself appeared. Watchful as 26727 26728a lynx, one glance showed the dwarf that he had come on business. 26729
26730Absorbed in appearance, as we have seen, and feigning a profound 26731 26732abstraction, he noted every circumstance of his behaviour, and when he 26733 26734withdrew with his family, shot out after him. In fine, he traced them 26735 26736to the notary's house; learnt the destination of the carriage from one 26737 26738of the postilions; and knowing that a fast night-coach started for the 26739 26740same place, at the very hour which was on the point of striking, from a 26741 26742street hard by, darted round to the coach-office without more ado, and 26743 26744took his seat upon the roof. After passing and repassing the carriage 26745 26746on the road, and being passed and repassed by it sundry times in the 26747 26748course of the night, according as their stoppages were longer or 26749 26750shorter; or their rate of travelling varied, they reached the town 26751 26752almost together. Quilp kept the chaise in sight, mingled with the 26753 26754crowd, learnt the single gentleman's errand, and its failure, and 26755 26756having possessed himself of all that it was material to know, hurried 26757 26758off, reached the inn before him, had the interview just now detailed, 26759 26760and shut himself up in the little room in which he hastily reviewed all 26761 26762these occurrences.<br><br> 26763 26764'You are there, are you, my friend?' he repeated, greedily biting his 26765 26766nails. 'I am suspected and thrown aside, and Kit's the confidential 26767 26768agent, is he? I shall have to dispose of him, I fear. If we had come 26769 26770up with them this morning,' he continued, after a thoughtful pause, 'I 26771 26772was ready to prove a pretty good claim. I could have made my profit. 26773 26774But for these canting hypocrites, the lad and his mother, I could get 26775 26776this fiery gentleman as comfortably into my net as our old friend--our 26777 26778mutual friend, ha! ha!--and chubby, rosy Nell. At the worst, it's a 26779 26780golden opportunity, not to be lost. Let us find them first, and I'll 26781 26782find means of draining you of some of your superfluous cash, sir, while 26783 26784there are prison bars, and bolts, and locks, to keep your friend or 26785 26786kinsman safely. I hate your virtuous people!' said the dwarf, throwing 26787 26788off a bumper of brandy, and smacking his lips, 'ah! I hate 'em every 26789 26790one!'<br><br> 26791 26792This was not a mere empty vaunt, but a deliberate avowal of his real 26793 26794sentiments; for Mr Quilp, who loved nobody, had by little and little 26795 26796come to hate everybody nearly or remotely connected with his ruined 26797 26798client:--the old man himself, because he had been able to deceive him 26799 26800and elude his vigilance--the child, because she was the object of Mrs 26801 26802Quilp's commiseration and constant self-reproach--the single gentleman, 26803 26804because of his unconcealed aversion to himself--Kit and his mother, 26805 26806most mortally, for the reasons shown. Above and beyond that general 26807 26808feeling of opposition to them, which would have been inseparable from 26809 26810his ravenous desire to enrich himself by these altered circumstances, 26811 26812Daniel Quilp hated them every one.<br><br> 26813 26814In this amiable mood, Mr Quilp enlivened himself and his hatreds with 26815 26816more brandy, and then, changing his quarters, withdrew to an obscure 26817 26818alehouse, under cover of which seclusion he instituted all possible 26819 26820inquiries that might lead to the discovery of the old man and his 26821 26822grandchild. But all was in vain. Not the slightest trace or clue 26823 26824could be obtained. They had left the town by night; no one had seen 26825 26826them go; no one had met them on the road; the driver of no coach, cart, 26827 26828or waggon, had seen any travellers answering their description; nobody 26829 26830had fallen in with them, or heard of them. Convinced at last that for 26831 26832the present all such attempts were hopeless, he appointed two or three 26833 26834scouts, with promises of large rewards in case of their forwarding him 26835 26836any intelligence, and returned to London by next day's coach.<br><br> 26837 26838It was some gratification to Mr Quilp to find, as he took his place 26839 26840upon the roof, that Kit's mother was alone inside; from which 26841 26842circumstance he derived in the course of the journey much cheerfulness 26843 26844of spirit, inasmuch as her solitary condition enabled him to terrify 26845 26846her with many extraordinary annoyances; such as hanging over the side 26847 26848of the coach at the risk of his life, and staring in with his great 26849 26850goggle eyes, which seemed in hers the more horrible from his face being 26851 26852upside down; dodging her in this way from one window to another; 26853 26854getting nimbly down whenever they changed horses and thrusting his head 26855 26856in at the window with a dismal squint: which ingenious tortures had 26857 26858such an effect upon Mrs Nubbles, that she was quite unable for the time 26859 26860to resist the belief that Mr Quilp did in his own person represent and 26861 26862embody that Evil Power, who was so vigorously attacked at Little 26863 26864Bethel, and who, by reason of her backslidings in respect of Astley's 26865 26866and oysters, was now frolicsome and rampant.<br><br> 26867 26868Kit, having been apprised by letter of his mother's intended return, 26869 26870was waiting for her at the coach-office; and great was his surprise 26871 26872when he saw, leering over the coachman's shoulder like some familiar 26873 26874demon, invisible to all eyes but his, the well-known face of Quilp.<br><br> 26875 26876'How are you, Christopher?' croaked the dwarf from the coach-top. 'All 26877
26878right, Christopher. Mother's inside.'<br><br> 26879 26880'Why, how did he come here, mother?' whispered Kit.<br><br> 26881 26882'I don't know how he came or why, my dear,' rejoined Mrs Nubbles, 26883 26884dismounting with her son's assistance, 'but he has been a terrifying of 26885 26886me out of my seven senses all this blessed day.'<br><br> 26887 26888'He has?' cried Kit.<br><br> 26889 26890'You wouldn't believe it, that you wouldn't,' replied his mother, 'but 26891 26892don't say a word to him, for I really don't believe he's human. Hush! 26893 26894Don't turn round as if I was talking of him, but he's a squinting at me 26895 26896now in the full blaze of the coach-lamp, quite awful!'<br><br> 26897 26898In spite of his mother's injunction, Kit turned sharply round to look. 26899 26900Mr Quilp was serenely gazing at the stars, quite absorbed in celestial 26901 26902contemplation.<br><br> 26903 26904'Oh, he's the artfullest creetur!' cried Mrs Nubbles. 'But come away. 26905 26906Don't speak to him for the world.'<br><br> 26907 26908'Yes I will, mother. What nonsense. I say, sir--'<br><br> 26909 26910Mr Quilp affected to start, and looked smilingly round.<br><br> 26911 26912'You let my mother alone, will you?' said Kit. 'How dare you tease a 26913 26914poor lone woman like her, making her miserable and melancholy as if she 26915 26916hadn't got enough to make her so, without you. An't you ashamed of 26917 26918yourself, you little monster?'<br><br> 26919 26920'Monster!' said Quilp inwardly, with a smile. 'Ugliest dwarf that 26921 26922could be seen anywhere for a penny--monster--ah!'<br><br> 26923 26924'You show her any of your impudence again,' resumed Kit, shouldering 26925 26926the bandbox, 'and I tell you what, Mr Quilp, I won't bear with you any 26927 26928more. You have no right to do it; I'm sure we never interfered with 26929 26930you. This isn't the first time; and if ever you worry or frighten her 26931 26932again, you'll oblige me (though I should be very sorry to do it, on 26933 26934account of your size) to beat you.'<br><br> 26935 26936Quilp said not a word in reply, but walking so close to Kit as to bring 26937 26938his eyes within two or three inches of his face, looked fixedly at him, 26939 26940retreated a little distance without averting his gaze, approached 26941 26942again, again withdrew, and so on for half-a-dozen times, like a head in 26943 26944a phantasmagoria. Kit stood his ground as if in expectation of an 26945 26946immediate assault, but finding that nothing came of these gestures, 26947 26948snapped his fingers and walked away; his mother dragging him off as 26949 26950fast as she could, and, even in the midst of his news of little Jacob 26951 26952and the baby, looking anxiously over her shoulder to see if Quilp were 26953 26954following.<br><br> 26955 26956CHAPTER 49<br><br> 26957 26958Kit's mother might have spared herself the trouble of looking back so 26959 26960often, for nothing was further from Mr Quilp's thoughts than any 26961 26962intention of pursuing her and her son, or renewing the quarrel with 26963 26964which they had parted. He went his way, whistling from time to time 26965 26966some fragments of a tune; and with a face quite tranquil and composed, 26967 26968jogged pleasantly towards home; entertaining himself as he went with 26969 26970visions of the fears and terrors of Mrs Quilp, who, having received no 26971 26972intelligence of him for three whole days and two nights, and having had 26973 26974no previous notice of his absence, was doubtless by that time in a 26975 26976state of distraction, and constantly fainting away with anxiety and 26977 26978grief.<br><br> 26979 26980This facetious probability was so congenial to the dwarf's humour, and 26981 26982so exquisitely amusing to him, that he laughed as he went along until 26983 26984the tears ran down his cheeks; and more than once, when he found 26985 26986himself in a bye-street, vented his delight in a shrill scream, which 26987 26988greatly terrifying any lonely passenger, who happened to be walking on 26989 26990before him expecting nothing so little, increased his mirth, and made 26991 26992him remarkably cheerful and light-hearted.<br><br> 26993 26994In this happy flow of spirits, Mr Quilp reached Tower Hill, when, 26995 26996gazing up at the window of his own sitting-room, he thought he descried 26997 26998more light than is usual in a house of mourning. Drawing nearer, and 26999 27000listening attentively, he could hear several voices in earnest 27001 27002conversation, among which he could distinguish, not only those of his 27003 27004wife and mother-in-law, but the tongues of men.<br><br> 27005 27006'Ha!' cried the jealous dwarf, 'What's this! Do they entertain 27007 27008visitors while I'm away!'<br><br> 27009 27010A smothered cough from above, was the reply. He felt in his pockets 27011 27012for his latch-key, but had forgotten it. There was no resource but to 27013 27014knock at the door.<br><br> 27015 27016'A light in the passage,' said Quilp, peeping through the keyhole. 'A 27017 27018very soft knock; and, by your leave, my lady, I may yet steal upon you 27019 27020unawares. Soho!'<br><br> 27021 27022A very low and gentle rap received no answer from within. But after a 27023 27024second application to the knocker, no louder than the first, the door 27025 27026was softly opened by the boy from the wharf, whom Quilp instantly 27027 27028gagged with one hand, and dragged into the street with the other.<br><br> 27029 27030'You'll throttle me, master,' whispered the boy. 'Let go, will you.'<br><br> 27031 27032'Who's up stairs, you dog?' retorted Quilp in the same tone. 'Tell me. 27033 27034And don't speak above your breath, or I'll choke you in good earnest.'<br><br> 27035 27036The boy could only point to the window, and reply with a stifled 27037 27038giggle, expressive of such intense enjoyment, that Quilp clutched him 27039 27040by the throat and might have carried his threat into execution, or at 27041 27042least have made very good progress towards that end, but for the boy's 27043 27044nimbly extricating himself from his grasp, and fortifying himself 27045 27046behind the nearest post, at which, after some fruitless attempts to 27047 27048catch him by the hair of the head, his master was obliged to come to a 27049 27050parley.<br><br> 27051 27052'Will you answer me?' said Quilp. 'What's going on, above?'<br><br> 27053 27054'You won't let one speak,' replied the boy. 'They--ha, ha, ha!--they 27055 27056think you're--you're dead. Ha ha ha!'<br><br> 27057 27058'Dead!' cried Quilp, relaxing into a grim laugh himself. 'No. Do 27059 27060they? Do they really, you dog?'<br><br> 27061 27062'They think you're--you're drowned,' replied the boy, who in his 27063 27064malicious nature had a strong infusion of his master. 'You was last 27065 27066seen on the brink of the wharf, and they think you tumbled over. Ha 27067 27068ha!'<br><br> 27069 27070The prospect of playing the spy under such delicious circumstances, and 27071 27072of disappointing them all by walking in alive, gave more delight to 27073 27074Quilp than the greatest stroke of good fortune could possibly have 27075 27076inspired him with. He was no less tickled than his hopeful assistant, 27077 27078and they both stood for some seconds, grinning and gasping and wagging 27079 27080their heads at each other, on either side of the post, like an 27081 27082unmatchable pair of Chinese idols.<br><br> 27083 27084'Not a word,' said Quilp, making towards the door on tiptoe. 'Not a 27085 27086sound, not so much as a creaking board, or a stumble against a cobweb. 27087 27088Drowned, eh, Mrs Quilp! Drowned!'<br><br> 27089 27090So saying, he blew out the candle, kicked off his shoes, and groped his 27091 27092way up stairs; leaving his delighted young friend in an ecstasy of 27093 27094summersets on the pavement.<br><br> 27095 27096The bedroom-door on the staircase being unlocked, Mr Quilp slipped in, 27097 27098and planted himself behind the door of communication between that 27099 27100chamber and the sitting-room, which standing ajar to render both more 27101 27102airy, and having a very convenient chink (of which he had often availed 27103 27104himself for purposes of espial, and had indeed enlarged with his 27105 27106pocket-knife), enabled him not only to hear, but to see distinctly, 27107 27108what was passing.<br><br> 27109 27110Applying his eye to this convenient place, he descried Mr Brass seated 27111 27112at the table with pen, ink, and paper, and the case-bottle of rum--his 27113 27114own case-bottle, and his own particular Jamaica--convenient to his 27115 27116hand; with hot water, fragrant lemons, white lump sugar, and all things 27117 27118fitting; from which choice materials, Sampson, by no means insensible 27119 27120to their claims upon his attention, had compounded a mighty glass of 27121
27122punch reeking hot; which he was at that very moment stirring up with a 27123 27124teaspoon, and contemplating with looks in which a faint assumption of 27125 27126sentimental regret, struggled but weakly with a bland and comfortable 27127 27128joy. At the same table, with both her elbows upon it, was Mrs Jiniwin; 27129 27130no longer sipping other people's punch feloniously with teaspoons, but 27131 27132taking deep draughts from a jorum of her own; while her daughter--not 27133 27134exactly with ashes on her head, or sackcloth on her back, but 27135 27136preserving a very decent and becoming appearance of sorrow 27137 27138nevertheless--was reclining in an easy chair, and soothing her grief 27139 27140with a smaller allowance of the same glib liquid. There were also 27141 27142present, a couple of water-side men, bearing between them certain 27143 27144machines called drags; even these fellows were accommodated with a 27145 27146stiff glass a-piece; and as they drank with a great relish, and were 27147 27148naturally of a red-nosed, pimple-faced, convivial look, their presence 27149 27150rather increased than detracted from that decided appearance of 27151 27152comfort, which was the great characteristic of the party.<br><br> 27153 27154'If I could poison that dear old lady's rum and water,' murmured Quilp, 27155 27156'I'd die happy.'<br><br> 27157 27158'Ah!' said Mr Brass, breaking the silence, and raising his eyes to the 27159 27160ceiling with a sigh, 'Who knows but he may be looking down upon us now! 27161 27162Who knows but he may be surveying of us from--from somewheres or 27163
27164another, and contemplating us with a watchful eye! Oh Lor!'<br><br> 27165 27166Here Mr Brass stopped to drink half his punch, and then resumed; 27167 27168looking at the other half, as he spoke, with a dejected smile.<br><br> 27169 27170'I can almost fancy,' said the lawyer shaking his head, 'that I see his 27171 27172eye glistening down at the very bottom of my liquor. When shall we 27173 27174look upon his like again? Never, never!' One minute we are 27175 27176here'--holding his tumbler before his eyes--'the next we are 27177 27178there'--gulping down its contents, and striking himself emphatically a 27179 27180little below the chest--'in the silent tomb. To think that I should be 27181 27182drinking his very rum! It seems like a dream.'<br><br> 27183 27184With the view, no doubt, of testing the reality of his position, Mr 27185 27186Brass pushed his tumbler as he spoke towards Mrs Jiniwin for the 27187 27188purpose of being replenished; and turned towards the attendant mariners.<br><br> 27189 27190'The search has been quite unsuccessful then?'<br><br> 27191 27192'Quite, master. But I should say that if he turns up anywhere, he'll 27193 27194come ashore somewhere about Grinidge to-morrow, at ebb tide, eh, mate?'<br><br> 27195 27196The other gentleman assented, observing that he was expected at the 27197 27198Hospital, and that several pensioners would be ready to receive him 27199 27200whenever he arrived.<br><br> 27201 27202'Then we have nothing for it but resignation,' said Mr Brass; 'nothing 27203 27204but resignation and expectation. It would be a comfort to have his 27205 27206body; it would be a dreary comfort.'<br><br> 27207 27208'Oh, beyond a doubt,' assented Mrs Jiniwin hastily; 'if we once had 27209 27210that, we should be quite sure.'<br><br> 27211 27212'With regard to the descriptive advertisement,' said Sampson Brass, 27213 27214taking up his pen. 'It is a melancholy pleasure to recall his traits. 27215 27216Respecting his legs now--?'<br><br> 27217 27218'Crooked, certainly,' said Mrs Jiniwin. 'Do you think they WERE 27219 27220crooked?' said Brass, in an insinuating tone. 'I think I see them now 27221 27222coming up the street very wide apart, in nankeen' pantaloons a little 27223 27224shrunk and without straps. Ah! what a vale of tears we live in. Do we 27225 27226say crooked?'<br><br> 27227 27228'I think they were a little so,' observed Mrs Quilp with a sob.<br><br> 27229 27230'Legs crooked,' said Brass, writing as he spoke. 'Large head, short 27231 27232body, legs crooked--'<br><br> 27233 27234Very crooked,' suggested Mrs Jiniwin.<br><br> 27235 27236'We'll not say very crooked, ma'am,' said Brass piously. 'Let us not 27237 27238bear hard upon the weaknesses of the deceased. He is gone, ma'am, to 27239 27240where his legs will never come in question.--We will content ourselves 27241 27242with crooked, Mrs Jiniwin.'<br><br> 27243 27244'I thought you wanted the truth,' said the old lady. 'That's all.'<br><br> 27245 27246'Bless your eyes, how I love you,' muttered Quilp. 'There she goes 27247 27248again. Nothing but punch!'<br><br> 27249 27250'This is an occupation,' said the lawyer, laying down his pen and 27251 27252emptying his glass, 'which seems to bring him before my eyes like the 27253 27254Ghost of Hamlet's father, in the very clothes that he wore on 27255 27256work-a-days. His coat, his waistcoat, his shoes and stockings, his 27257 27258trousers, his hat, his wit and humour, his pathos and his umbrella, all 27259 27260come before me like visions of my youth. His linen!' said Mr Brass 27261 27262smiling fondly at the wall, 'his linen which was always of a particular 27263 27264colour, for such was his whim and fancy--how plain I see his linen now!'<br><br> 27265 27266'You had better go on, sir,' said Mrs Jiniwin impatiently.<br><br> 27267 27268'True, ma'am, true,' cried Mr Brass. 'Our faculties must not freeze 27269 27270with grief. I'll trouble you for a little more of that, ma'am. A 27271 27272question now arises, with relation to his nose.'<br><br> 27273 27274'Flat,' said Mrs Jiniwin.<br><br> 27275 27276'Aquiline!' cried Quilp, thrusting in his head, and striking the 27277 27278feature with his fist. 'Aquiline, you hag. Do you see it? Do you 27279 27280call this flat? Do you? Eh?'<br><br> 27281 27282'Oh capital, capital!' shouted Brass, from the mere force of habit. 27283 27284'Excellent! How very good he is! He's a most remarkable man--so 27285 27286extremely whimsical! Such an amazing power of taking people by 27287 27288surprise!'<br><br> 27289 27290Quilp paid no regard whatever to these compliments, nor to the dubious 27291 27292and frightened look into which the lawyer gradually subsided, nor to 27293 27294the shrieks of his wife and mother-in-law, nor to the latter's running 27295 27296from the room, nor to the former's fainting away. Keeping his eye 27297 27298fixed on Sampson Brass, he walked up to the table, and beginning with 27299 27300his glass, drank off the contents, and went regularly round until he 27301 27302had emptied the other two, when he seized the case-bottle, and hugging 27303 27304it under his arm, surveyed him with a most extraordinary leer.<br><br> 27305 27306'Not yet, Sampson,' said Quilp. 'Not just yet!'<br><br> 27307 27308'Oh very good indeed!' cried Brass, recovering his spirits a little. 27309 27310'Ha ha ha! Oh exceedingly good! There's not another man alive who 27311 27312could carry it off like that. A most difficult position to carry off. 27313 27314But he has such a flow of good-humour, such an amazing flow!'<br><br> 27315 27316'Good night,' said the dwarf, nodding expressively.<br><br> 27317 27318'Good night, sir, good night,' cried the lawyer, retreating backwards 27319 27320towards the door. 'This is a joyful occasion indeed, extremely joyful. 27321 27322Ha ha ha! oh very rich, very rich indeed, remarkably so!'<br><br> 27323 27324Waiting until Mr Brass's ejaculations died away in the distance (for he 27325 27326continued to pour them out, all the way down stairs), Quilp advanced 27327 27328towards the two men, who yet lingered in a kind of stupid amazement.<br><br> 27329 27330'Have you been dragging the river all day, gentlemen?' said the dwarf, 27331 27332holding the door open with great politeness.<br><br> 27333 27334'And yesterday too, master.'<br><br> 27335 27336'Dear me, you've had a deal of trouble. Pray consider everything yours 27337 27338that you find upon the--upon the body. Good night!'<br><br> 27339 27340The men looked at each other, but had evidently no inclination to argue 27341 27342the point just then, and shuffled out of the room. The speedy 27343
27344clearance effected, Quilp locked the doors; and still embracing the 27345 27346case-bottle with shrugged-up shoulders and folded arms, stood looking 27347 27348at his insensible wife like a dismounted nightmare.<br><br> 27349 27350CHAPTER 50<br><br> 27351 27352Matrimonial differences are usually discussed by the parties concerned 27353 27354in the form of dialogue, in which the lady bears at least her full half 27355 27356share. Those of Mr and Mrs Quilp, however, were an exception to the 27357 27358general rule; the remarks which they occasioned being limited to a long 27359 27360soliloquy on the part of the gentleman, with perhaps a few deprecatory 27361 27362observations from the lady, not extending beyond a trembling 27363 27364monosyllable uttered at long intervals, and in a very submissive and 27365 27366humble tone. On the present occasion, Mrs Quilp did not for a long 27367 27368time venture even on this gentle defence, but when she had recovered 27369 27370from her fainting-fit, sat in a tearful silence, meekly listening to 27371 27372the reproaches of her lord and master.<br><br> 27373 27374Of these Mr Quilp delivered himself with the utmost animation and 27375 27376rapidity, and with so many distortions of limb and feature, that even 27377 27378his wife, although tolerably well accustomed to his proficiency in 27379 27380these respects, was well-nigh beside herself with alarm. But the 27381 27382Jamaica rum, and the joy of having occasioned a heavy disappointment, 27383 27384by degrees cooled Mr Quilp's wrath; which from being at savage heat, 27385 27386dropped slowly to the bantering or chuckling point, at which it 27387 27388steadily remained.<br><br> 27389 27390'So you thought I was dead and gone, did you?' said Quilp. 'You 27391 27392thought you were a widow, eh? Ha, ha, ha, you jade.'<br><br> 27393 27394'Indeed, Quilp,' returned his wife. 'I'm very sorry--'<br><br> 27395 27396'Who doubts it!' cried the dwarf. 'You very sorry! to be sure you are. 27397 27398Who doubts that you're VERY sorry!'<br><br> 27399 27400'I don't mean sorry that you have come home again alive and well,' said 27401 27402his wife, 'but sorry that I should have been led into such a belief. I 27403 27404am glad to see you, Quilp; indeed I am.'<br><br> 27405 27406In truth Mrs Quilp did seem a great deal more glad to behold her lord 27407 27408than might have been expected, and did evince a degree of interest in 27409 27410his safety which, all things considered, was rather unaccountable. 27411 27412Upon Quilp, however, this circumstance made no impression, farther than 27413 27414as it moved him to snap his fingers close to his wife's eyes, with 27415 27416divers grins of triumph and derision.<br><br> 27417 27418'How could you go away so long, without saying a word to me or letting 27419 27420me hear of you or know anything about you?' asked the poor little 27421 27422woman, sobbing. 'How could you be so cruel, Quilp?'<br><br> 27423 27424'How could I be so cruel! cruel!' cried the dwarf. 'Because I was in 27425 27426the humour. I'm in the humour now. I shall be cruel when I like. I'm 27427 27428going away again.'<br><br> 27429 27430'Not again!'<br><br> 27431 27432'Yes, again. I'm going away now. I'm off directly. I mean to go and 27433 27434live wherever the fancy seizes me--at the wharf--at the 27435 27436counting-house--and be a jolly bachelor. You were a widow in 27437 27438anticipation. Damme,' screamed the dwarf, 'I'll be a bachelor in 27439 27440earnest.'<br><br> 27441 27442'You can't be serious, Quilp,' sobbed his wife.<br><br> 27443 27444'I tell you,' said the dwarf, exulting in his project, 'that I'll be a 27445 27446bachelor, a devil-may-care bachelor; and I'll have my bachelor's hall 27447 27448at the counting-house, and at such times come near it if you dare. And 27449 27450mind too that I don't pounce in upon you at unseasonable hours again, 27451 27452for I'll be a spy upon you, and come and go like a mole or a weazel. 27453 27454Tom Scott--where's Tom Scott?'<br><br> 27455 27456'Here I am, master,' cried the voice of the boy, as Quilp threw up the 27457 27458window.<br><br> 27459 27460'Wait there, you dog,' returned the dwarf, 'to carry a bachelor's 27461 27462portmanteau. Pack it up, Mrs Quilp. Knock up the dear old lady to 27463 27464help; knock her up. Halloa there! Halloa!'<br><br> 27465 27466With these exclamations, Mr Quilp caught up the poker, and hurrying to 27467 27468the door of the good lady's sleeping-closet, beat upon it therewith 27469 27470until she awoke in inexpressible terror, thinking that her amiable 27471 27472son-in-law surely intended to murder her in justification of the legs 27473 27474she had slandered. Impressed with this idea, she was no sooner fairly 27475 27476awake than she screamed violently, and would have quickly precipitated 27477 27478herself out of the window and through a neighbouring skylight, if her 27479 27480daughter had not hastened in to undeceive her, and implore her 27481 27482assistance. Somewhat reassured by her account of the service she was 27483 27484required to render, Mrs Jiniwin made her appearance in a flannel 27485 27486dressing-gown; and both mother and daughter, trembling with terror and 27487 27488cold--for the night was now far advanced--obeyed Mr Quilp's directions 27489 27490in submissive silence. Prolonging his preparations as much as 27491 27492possible, for their greater comfort, that eccentric gentleman 27493 27494superintended the packing of his wardrobe, and having added to it with 27495 27496his own hands, a plate, knife and fork, spoon, teacup and saucer, and 27497 27498other small household matters of that nature, strapped up the 27499
27500portmanteau, took it on his shoulders, and actually marched off without 27501 27502another word, and with the case-bottle (which he had never once put 27503 27504down) still tightly clasped under his arm. Consigning his heavier 27505 27506burden to the care of Tom Scott when he reached the street, taking a 27507 27508dram from the bottle for his own encouragement, and giving the boy a 27509 27510rap on the head with it as a small taste for himself, Quilp very 27511 27512deliberately led the way to the wharf, and reached it at between three 27513 27514and four o'clock in the morning.<br><br> 27515 27516'Snug!' said Quilp, when he had groped his way to the wooden 27517 27518counting-house, and opened the door with a key he carried about with 27519 27520him. 'Beautifully snug! Call me at eight, you dog.'<br><br> 27521 27522With no more formal leave-taking or explanation, he clutched the 27523 27524portmanteau, shut the door on his attendant, and climbing on the desk, 27525 27526and rolling himself up as round as a hedgehog, in an old boat-cloak, 27527 27528fell fast asleep.<br><br> 27529 27530Being roused in the morning at the appointed time, and roused with 27531 27532difficulty, after his late fatigues, Quilp instructed Tom Scott to make 27533 27534a fire in the yard of sundry pieces of old timber, and to prepare some 27535 27536coffee for breakfast; for the better furnishing of which repast he 27537 27538entrusted him with certain small moneys, to be expended in the purchase 27539 27540of hot rolls, butter, sugar, Yarmouth bloaters, and other articles of 27541 27542housekeeping; so that in a few minutes a savoury meal was smoking on 27543 27544the board. With this substantial comfort, the dwarf regaled himself to 27545 27546his heart's content; and being highly satisfied with this free and 27547 27548gipsy mode of life (which he had often meditated, as offering, whenever 27549 27550he chose to avail himself of it, an agreeable freedom from the 27551 27552restraints of matrimony, and a choice means of keeping Mrs Quilp and 27553 27554her mother in a state of incessant agitation and suspense), bestirred 27555 27556himself to improve his retreat, and render it more commodious and 27557 27558comfortable.<br><br> 27559 27560With this view, he issued forth to a place hard by, where sea-stores 27561 27562were sold, purchased a second-hand hammock, and had it slung in 27563 27564seamanlike fashion from the ceiling of the counting-house. He also 27565 27566caused to be erected, in the same mouldy cabin, an old ship's stove 27567 27568with a rusty funnel to carry the smoke through the roof; and these 27569 27570arrangements completed, surveyed them with ineffable delight.<br><br> 27571 27572'I've got a country-house like Robinson Crusoe,' said the dwarf, ogling 27573 27574the accommodations; 'a solitary, sequestered, desolate-island sort of 27575 27576spot, where I can be quite alone when I have business on hand, and be 27577 27578secure from all spies and listeners. Nobody near me here, but rats, 27579 27580and they are fine stealthy secret fellows. I shall be as merry as a 27581 27582grig among these gentry. I'll look out for one like Christopher, and 27583 27584poison him--ha, ha, ha! Business though--business--we must be mindful 27585 27586of business in the midst of pleasure, and the time has flown this 27587 27588morning, I declare.'<br><br> 27589 27590Enjoining Tom Scott to await his return, and not to stand upon his 27591 27592head, or throw a summerset, or so much as walk upon his hands 27593 27594meanwhile, on pain of lingering torments, the dwarf threw himself into 27595 27596a boat, and crossing to the other side of the river, and then speeding 27597 27598away on foot, reached Mr Swiveller's usual house of entertainment in 27599 27600Bevis Marks, just as that gentleman sat down alone to dinner in its 27601 27602dusky parlour.<br><br> 27603 27604'Dick,' said the dwarf, thrusting his head in at the door, 'my pet, my 27605 27606pupil, the apple of my eye, hey, hey!'<br><br> 27607 27608'Oh you're there, are you?' returned Mr Swiveller; 'how are you?'<br><br> 27609 27610'How's Dick?' retorted Quilp. 'How's the cream of clerkship, eh?'<br><br> 27611 27612'Why, rather sour, sir,' replied Mr Swiveller. 'Beginning to border 27613 27614upon cheesiness, in fact.'<br><br> 27615 27616'What's the matter?' said the dwarf, advancing. 'Has Sally proved 27617 27618unkind. "Of all the girls that are so smart, there's none like--" eh, 27619 27620Dick!'<br><br> 27621 27622'Certainly not,' replied Mr Swiveller, eating his dinner with great 27623 27624gravity, 'none like her. She's the sphynx of private life, is Sally B.'<br><br> 27625 27626'You're out of spirits,' said Quilp, drawing up a chair. 'What's the 27627 27628matter?'<br><br> 27629 27630'The law don't agree with me,' returned Dick. 'It isn't moist enough, 27631 27632and there's too much confinement. I have been thinking of running 27633 27634away.'<br><br> 27635 27636'Bah!' said the dwarf. 'Where would you run to, Dick?'<br><br> 27637 27638'I don't know' returned Mr Swiveller. 'Towards Highgate, I suppose. 27639 27640Perhaps the bells might strike up "Turn again Swiveller, Lord Mayor of 27641 27642London." Whittington's name was Dick. I wish cats were scarcer.'<br><br> 27643 27644Quilp looked at his companion with his eyes screwed up into a comical 27645 27646expression of curiosity, and patiently awaited his further explanation; 27647 27648upon which, however, Mr Swiveller appeared in no hurry to enter, as he 27649
27650ate a very long dinner in profound silence, finally pushed away his 27651 27652plate, threw himself back into his chair, folded his arms, and stared 27653 27654ruefully at the fire, in which some ends of cigars were smoking on 27655 27656their own account, and sending up a fragrant odour.<br><br> 27657 27658'Perhaps you'd like a bit of cake'--said Dick, at last turning to the 27659 27660dwarf. 'You're quite welcome to it. You ought to be, for it's of your 27661 27662making.'<br><br> 27663 27664'What do you mean?' said Quilp.<br><br> 27665 27666Mr Swiveller replied by taking from his pocket a small and very greasy 27667 27668parcel, slowly unfolding it, and displaying a little slab of plum-cake 27669 27670extremely indigestible in appearance, and bordered with a paste of 27671 27672white sugar an inch and a half deep.<br><br> 27673 27674'What should you say this was?' demanded Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 27675 27676'It looks like bride-cake,' replied the dwarf, grinning.<br><br> 27677 27678'And whose should you say it was?' inquired Mr Swiveller, rubbing the 27679 27680pastry against his nose with a dreadful calmness. 'Whose?'<br><br> 27681 27682'Not--'<br><br> 27683 27684'Yes,' said Dick, 'the same. You needn't mention her name. There's no 27685 27686such name now. Her name is Cheggs now, Sophy Cheggs. Yet loved I as 27687 27688man never loved that hadn't wooden legs, and my heart, my heart is 27689 27690breaking for the love of Sophy Cheggs.'<br><br> 27691 27692With this extemporary adaptation of a popular ballad to the distressing 27693 27694circumstances of his own case, Mr Swiveller folded up the parcel again, 27695 27696beat it very flat between the palms of his hands, thrust it into his 27697 27698breast, buttoned his coat over it, and folded his arms upon the whole.<br><br> 27699 27700'Now, I hope you're satisfied, sir,' said Dick; 'and I hope Fred's 27701 27702satisfied. You went partners in the mischief, and I hope you like it. 27703 27704This is the triumph I was to have, is it? It's like the old 27705 27706country-dance of that name, where there are two gentlemen to one lady, 27707 27708and one has her, and the other hasn't, but comes limping up behind to 27709 27710make out the figure. But it's Destiny, and mine's a crusher.'<br><br> 27711 27712Disguising his secret joy in Mr Swiveller's defeat, Daniel Quilp 27713 27714adopted the surest means of soothing him, by ringing the bell, and 27715 27716ordering in a supply of rosy wine (that is to say, of its usual 27717 27718representative), which he put about with great alacrity, calling upon 27719 27720Mr Swiveller to pledge him in various toasts derisive of Cheggs, and 27721 27722eulogistic of the happiness of single men. Such was their impression 27723 27724on Mr Swiveller, coupled with the reflection that no man could oppose 27725 27726his destiny, that in a very short space of time his spirits rose 27727 27728surprisingly, and he was enabled to give the dwarf an account of the 27729 27730receipt of the cake, which, it appeared, had been brought to Bevis 27731 27732Marks by the two surviving Miss Wackleses in person, and delivered at 27733 27734the office door with much giggling and joyfulness.<br><br> 27735 27736'Ha!' said Quilp. 'It will be our turn to giggle soon. And that 27737 27738reminds me--you spoke of young Trent--where is he?'<br><br> 27739 27740Mr Swiveller explained that his respectable friend had recently 27741 27742accepted a responsible situation in a locomotive gaming-house, and was 27743 27744at that time absent on a professional tour among the adventurous 27745 27746spirits of Great Britain.<br><br> 27747 27748'That's unfortunate,' said the dwarf, 'for I came, in fact, to ask you 27749 27750about him. A thought has occurred to me, Dick; your friend over the 27751 27752way--'<br><br> 27753 27754'Which friend?'<br><br> 27755 27756'In the first floor.'<br><br> 27757 27758'Yes?'<br><br> 27759 27760'Your friend in the first floor, Dick, may know him.'<br><br> 27761 27762'No, he don't,' said Mr Swiveller, shaking his head.<br><br> 27763 27764'Don't! No, because he has never seen him,' rejoined Quilp; 'but if we 27765 27766were to bring them together, who knows, Dick, but Fred, properly 27767 27768introduced, would serve his turn almost as well as little Nell or her 27769 27770grandfather--who knows but it might make the young fellow's fortune, 27771 27772and, through him, yours, eh?'<br><br> 27773 27774'Why, the fact is, you see,' said Mr Swiveller, 'that they HAVE been 27775 27776brought together.'<br><br> 27777 27778'Have been!' cried the dwarf, looking suspiciously at his companion. 27779 27780'Through whose means?' 'Through mine,' said Dick, slightly confused. 27781 27782'Didn't I mention it to you the last time you called over yonder?'<br><br> 27783 27784'You know you didn't,' returned the dwarf.<br><br> 27785 27786'I believe you're right,' said Dick. 'No. I didn't, I recollect. Oh 27787 27788yes, I brought 'em together that very day. It was Fred's suggestion.'<br><br> 27789 27790'And what came of it?'<br><br> 27791 27792'Why, instead of my friend's bursting into tears when he knew who Fred 27793 27794was, embracing him kindly, and telling him that he was his grandfather, 27795 27796or his grandmother in disguise (which we fully expected), he flew into 27797 27798a tremendous passion; called him all manner of names; said it was in a 27799 27800great measure his fault that little Nell and the old gentleman had ever 27801 27802been brought to poverty; didn't hint at our taking anything to drink; 27803 27804and--and in short rather turned us out of the room than otherwise.'<br><br> 27805 27806'That's strange,' said the dwarf, musing.<br><br> 27807 27808'So we remarked to each other at the time,' returned Dick coolly, 'but 27809 27810quite true.'<br><br> 27811 27812Quilp was plainly staggered by this intelligence, over which he brooded 27813 27814for some time in moody silence, often raising his eyes to Mr 27815 27816Swiveller's face, and sharply scanning its expression. As he could 27817 27818read in it, however, no additional information or anything to lead him 27819 27820to believe he had spoken falsely; and as Mr Swiveller, left to his own 27821 27822meditations, sighed deeply, and was evidently growing maudlin on the 27823 27824subject of Mrs Cheggs; the dwarf soon broke up the conference and took 27825 27826his departure, leaving the bereaved one to his melancholy ruminations.<br><br> 27827 27828'Have been brought together, eh?' said the dwarf as he walked the 27829 27830streets alone. 'My friend has stolen a march upon me. It led him to 27831 27832nothing, and therefore is no great matter, save in the intention. I'm 27833 27834glad he has lost his mistress. Ha ha! The blockhead mustn't leave the 27835 27836law at present. I'm sure of him where he is, whenever I want him for 27837 27838my own purposes, and, besides, he's a good unconscious spy on Brass, 27839 27840and tells, in his cups, all that he sees and hears. You're useful to 27841 27842me, Dick, and cost nothing but a little treating now and then. I am 27843 27844not sure that it may not be worth while, before long, to take credit 27845 27846with the stranger, Dick, by discovering your designs upon the child; 27847 27848but for the present we'll remain the best friends in the world, with 27849 27850your good leave.'<br><br> 27851
27852Pursuing these thoughts, and gasping as he went along, after his own 27853 27854peculiar fashion, Mr Quilp once more crossed the Thames, and shut 27855 27856himself up in his Bachelor's Hall, which, by reason of its 27857 27858newly-erected chimney depositing the smoke inside the room and carrying 27859 27860none of it off, was not quite so agreeable as more fastidious people 27861 27862might have desired. Such inconveniences, however, instead of 27863 27864disgusting the dwarf with his new abode, rather suited his humour; so, 27865 27866after dining luxuriously from the public-house, he lighted his pipe, 27867 27868and smoked against the chimney until nothing of him was visible through 27869 27870the mist but a pair of red and highly inflamed eyes, with sometimes a 27871 27872dim vision of his head and face, as, in a violent fit of coughing, he 27873 27874slightly stirred the smoke and scattered the heavy wreaths by which 27875 27876they were obscured. In the midst of this atmosphere, which must 27877 27878infallibly have smothered any other man, Mr Quilp passed the evening 27879 27880with great cheerfulness; solacing himself all the time with the pipe 27881 27882and the case-bottle; and occasionally entertaining himself with a 27883 27884melodious howl, intended for a song, but bearing not the faintest 27885 27886resemblance to any scrap of any piece of music, vocal or instrumental, 27887 27888ever invented by man. Thus he amused himself until nearly midnight, 27889 27890when he turned into his hammock with the utmost satisfaction.<br><br> 27891 27892The first sound that met his ears in the morning--as he half opened his 27893 27894eyes, and, finding himself so unusually near the ceiling, entertained a 27895 27896drowsy idea that he must have been transformed into a fly or 27897 27898blue-bottle in the course of the night,--was that of a stifled sobbing 27899 27900and weeping in the room. Peeping cautiously over the side of his 27901 27902hammock, he descried Mrs Quilp, to whom, after contemplating her for 27903 27904some time in silence, he communicated a violent start by suddenly 27905 27906yelling out--'Halloa!'<br><br> 27907 27908'Oh, Quilp!' cried his poor little wife, looking up. 'How you 27909 27910frightened me!'<br><br> 27911 27912'I meant to, you jade,' returned the dwarf. 'What do you want here? 27913 27914I'm dead, an't I?'<br><br> 27915 27916'Oh, please come home, do come home,' said Mrs Quilp, sobbing; 'we'll 27917 27918never do so any more, Quilp, and after all it was only a mistake that 27919 27920grew out of our anxiety.'<br><br> 27921 27922'Out of your anxiety,' grinned the dwarf. 'Yes, I know that--out of 27923 27924your anxiety for my death. I shall come home when I please, I tell 27925 27926you. I shall come home when I please, and go when I please. I'll be a 27927 27928Will o' the Wisp, now here, now there, dancing about you always, 27929 27930starting up when you least expect me, and keeping you in a constant 27931 27932state of restlessness and irritation. Will you begone?'<br><br> 27933 27934Mrs Quilp durst only make a gesture of entreaty.<br><br> 27935 27936'I tell you no,' cried the dwarf. 'No. If you dare to come here again 27937 27938unless you're sent for, I'll keep watch-dogs in the yard that'll growl 27939 27940and bite--I'll have man-traps, cunningly altered and improved for 27941 27942catching women--I'll have spring guns, that shall explode when you 27943 27944tread upon the wires, and blow you into little pieces. Will you 27945 27946begone?'<br><br> 27947 27948'Do forgive me. Do come back,' said his wife, earnestly.<br><br> 27949 27950'No-o-o-o-o!' roared Quilp. 'Not till my own good time, and then I'll 27951 27952return again as often as I choose, and be accountable to nobody for my 27953 27954goings or comings. You see the door there. Will you go?'<br><br> 27955 27956Mr Quilp delivered this last command in such a very energetic voice, 27957 27958and moreover accompanied it with such a sudden gesture, indicative of 27959 27960an intention to spring out of his hammock, and, night-capped as he was, 27961 27962bear his wife home again through the public streets, that she sped away 27963 27964like an arrow. Her worthy lord stretched his neck and eyes until she 27965 27966had crossed the yard, and then, not at all sorry to have had this 27967 27968opportunity of carrying his point, and asserting the sanctity of his 27969 27970castle, fell into an immoderate fit of laughter, and laid himself down 27971 27972to sleep again.<br><br> 27973 27974CHAPTER 51<br><br> 27975 27976The bland and open-hearted proprietor of Bachelor's Hall slept on 27977 27978amidst the congenial accompaniments of rain, mud, dirt, damp, fog, and 27979 27980rats, until late in the day; when, summoning his valet Tom Scott to 27981 27982assist him to rise, and to prepare breakfast, he quitted his couch, and 27983 27984made his toilet. This duty performed, and his repast ended, he again 27985 27986betook himself to Bevis Marks.<br><br> 27987 27988This visit was not intended for Mr Swiveller, but for his friend and 27989 27990employer Mr Sampson Brass. Both gentlemen however were from home, nor 27991 27992was the life and light of law, Miss Sally, at her post either. The 27993 27994fact of their joint desertion of the office was made known to all 27995 27996comers by a scrap of paper in the hand-writing of Mr Swiveller, which 27997 27998was attached to the bell-handle, and which, giving the reader no clue 27999 28000to the time of day when it was first posted, furnished him with the 28001 28002rather vague and unsatisfactory information that that gentleman would 28003 28004'return in an hour.'<br><br> 28005 28006'There's a servant, I suppose,' said the dwarf, knocking at the 28007 28008house-door. 'She'll do.'<br><br> 28009 28010After a sufficiently long interval, the door was opened, and a small 28011 28012voice immediately accosted him with, 'Oh please will you leave a card 28013 28014or message?'<br><br> 28015 28016'Eh?' said the dwarf, looking down, (it was something quite new to him) 28017 28018upon the small servant.<br><br> 28019 28020To this, the child, conducting her conversation as upon the occasion of 28021 28022her first interview with Mr Swiveller, again replied, 'Oh please will 28023 28024you leave a card or message?'<br><br> 28025 28026'I'll write a note,' said the dwarf, pushing past her into the office; 28027 28028'and mind your master has it directly he comes home.' So Mr Quilp 28029 28030climbed up to the top of a tall stool to write the note, and the small 28031
28032servant, carefully tutored for such emergencies, looked on with her 28033 28034eyes wide open, ready, if he so much as abstracted a wafer, to rush 28035 28036into the street and give the alarm to the police.<br><br> 28037 28038As Mr Quilp folded his note (which was soon written: being a very short 28039 28040one) he encountered the gaze of the small servant. He looked at her, 28041 28042long and earnestly.<br><br> 28043 28044'How are you?' said the dwarf, moistening a wafer with horrible 28045 28046grimaces.<br><br> 28047 28048The small servant, perhaps frightened by his looks, returned no audible 28049 28050reply; but it appeared from the motion of her lips that she was 28051 28052inwardly repeating the same form of expression concerning the note or 28053 28054message.<br><br> 28055 28056'Do they use you ill here? is your mistress a Tartar?' said Quilp with 28057 28058a chuckle.<br><br> 28059 28060In reply to the last interrogation, the small servant, with a look of 28061 28062infinite cunning mingled with fear, screwed up her mouth very tight and 28063 28064round, and nodded violently. Whether there was anything in the 28065 28066peculiar slyness of her action which fascinated Mr Quilp, or anything 28067 28068in the expression of her features at the moment which attracted his 28069 28070attention for some other reason; or whether it merely occurred to him 28071 28072as a pleasant whim to stare the small servant out of countenance; 28073 28074certain it is, that he planted his elbows square and firmly on the 28075 28076desk, and squeezing up his cheeks with his hands, looked at her fixedly.<br><br> 28077 28078'Where do you come from?' he said after a long pause, stroking his chin.<br><br> 28079 28080'I don't know.'<br><br> 28081 28082'What's your name?'<br><br> 28083 28084'Nothing.'<br><br> 28085 28086'Nonsense!' retorted Quilp. 'What does your mistress call you when she 28087 28088wants you?'<br><br> 28089 28090'A little devil,' said the child.<br><br> 28091 28092She added in the same breath, as if fearful of any further questioning, 28093 28094'But please will you leave a card or message?'<br><br> 28095 28096These unusual answers might naturally have provoked some more 28097 28098inquiries. Quilp, however, without uttering another word, withdrew his 28099 28100eyes from the small servant, stroked his chin more thoughtfully than 28101 28102before, and then, bending over the note as if to direct it with 28103 28104scrupulous and hair-breadth nicety, looked at her, covertly but very 28105 28106narrowly, from under his bushy eyebrows. The result of this secret 28107 28108survey was, that he shaded his face with his hands, and laughed slyly 28109 28110and noiselessly, until every vein in it was swollen almost to bursting. 28111 28112Pulling his hat over his brow to conceal his mirth and its effects, he 28113 28114tossed the letter to the child, and hastily withdrew.<br><br> 28115 28116Once in the street, moved by some secret impulse, he laughed, and held 28117 28118his sides, and laughed again, and tried to peer through the dusty area 28119 28120railings as if to catch another glimpse of the child, until he was 28121 28122quite tired out. At last, he travelled back to the Wilderness, which 28123 28124was within rifle-shot of his bachelor retreat, and ordered tea in the 28125 28126wooden summer-house that afternoon for three persons; an invitation to 28127 28128Miss Sally Brass and her brother to partake of that entertainment at 28129 28130that place, having been the object both of his journey and his note.<br><br> 28131 28132It was not precisely the kind of weather in which people usually take 28133 28134tea in summer-houses, far less in summer-houses in an advanced state of 28135 28136decay, and overlooking the slimy banks of a great river at low water. 28137 28138Nevertheless, it was in this choice retreat that Mr Quilp ordered a 28139 28140cold collation to be prepared, and it was beneath its cracked and leaky 28141 28142roof that he, in due course of time, received Mr Sampson and his sister 28143 28144Sally.<br><br> 28145 28146'You're fond of the beauties of nature,' said Quilp with a grin. 'Is 28147 28148this charming, Brass? Is it unusual, unsophisticated, primitive?'<br><br> 28149 28150'It's delightful indeed, sir,' replied the lawyer.<br><br> 28151 28152'Cool?' said Quilp.<br><br> 28153 28154'N-not particularly so, I think, sir,' rejoined Brass, with his teeth 28155 28156chattering in his head.<br><br> 28157 28158'Perhaps a little damp and ague-ish?' said Quilp.<br><br> 28159 28160'Just damp enough to be cheerful, sir,' rejoined Brass. 'Nothing more, 28161 28162sir, nothing more.'<br><br> 28163 28164'And Sally?' said the delighted dwarf. 'Does she like it?'<br><br> 28165 28166'She'll like it better,' returned that strong-minded lady, 'when she 28167 28168has tea; so let us have it, and don't bother.'<br><br> 28169 28170'Sweet Sally!' cried Quilp, extending his arms as if about to embrace 28171 28172her. 'Gentle, charming, overwhelming Sally.'<br><br> 28173 28174'He's a very remarkable man indeed!' soliloquised Mr Brass. 'He's 28175 28176quite a Troubadour, you know; quite a Troubadour!'<br><br> 28177 28178These complimentary expressions were uttered in a somewhat absent and 28179 28180distracted manner; for the unfortunate lawyer, besides having a bad 28181 28182cold in his head, had got wet in coming, and would have willingly borne 28183 28184some pecuniary sacrifice if he could have shifted his present raw 28185 28186quarters to a warm room, and dried himself at a fire. Quilp, 28187 28188however--who, beyond the gratification of his demon whims, owed Sampson 28189 28190some acknowledgment of the part he had played in the mourning scene of 28191 28192which he had been a hidden witness, marked these symptoms of uneasiness 28193 28194with a delight past all expression, and derived from them a secret joy 28195 28196which the costliest banquet could never have afforded him.<br><br> 28197
28198It is worthy of remark, too, as illustrating a little feature in the 28199 28200character of Miss Sally Brass, that, although on her own account she 28201 28202would have borne the discomforts of the Wilderness with a very ill 28203 28204grace, and would probably, indeed, have walked off before the tea 28205 28206appeared, she no sooner beheld the latent uneasiness and misery of her 28207 28208brother than she developed a grim satisfaction, and began to enjoy 28209 28210herself after her own manner. Though the wet came stealing through the 28211 28212roof and trickling down upon their heads, Miss Brass uttered no 28213 28214complaint, but presided over the tea equipage with imperturbable 28215 28216composure. While Mr Quilp, in his uproarious hospitality, seated 28217 28218himself upon an empty beer-barrel, vaunted the place as the most 28219 28220beautiful and comfortable in the three kingdoms, and elevating his 28221 28222glass, drank to their next merry-meeting in that jovial spot; and Mr 28223 28224Brass, with the rain plashing down into his tea-cup, made a dismal 28225 28226attempt to pluck up his spirits and appear at his ease; and Tom Scott, 28227 28228who was in waiting at the door under an old umbrella, exulted in his 28229 28230agonies, and bade fair to split his sides with laughing; while all this 28231 28232was passing, Miss Sally Brass, unmindful of the wet which dripped down 28233 28234upon her own feminine person and fair apparel, sat placidly behind the 28235 28236tea-board, erect and grizzly, contemplating the unhappiness of her 28237 28238brother with a mind at ease, and content, in her amiable disregard of 28239 28240self, to sit there all night, witnessing the torments which his 28241 28242avaricious and grovelling nature compelled him to endure and forbade 28243 28244him to resent. And this, it must be observed, or the illustration 28245 28246would be incomplete, although in a business point of view she had the 28247 28248strongest sympathy with Mr Sampson, and would have been beyond measure 28249 28250indignant if he had thwarted their client in any one respect.<br><br> 28251 28252In the height of his boisterous merriment, Mr Quilp, having on some 28253 28254pretence dismissed his attendant sprite for the moment, resumed his 28255 28256usual manner all at once, dismounted from his cask, and laid his hand 28257 28258upon the lawyer's sleeve.<br><br> 28259 28260'A word,' said the dwarf, 'before we go farther. Sally, hark'ee for a 28261 28262minute.'<br><br> 28263 28264Miss Sally drew closer, as if accustomed to business conferences with 28265 28266their host which were the better for not having air.<br><br> 28267 28268'Business,' said the dwarf, glancing from brother to sister. 'Very 28269 28270private business. Lay your heads together when you're by yourselves.'<br><br> 28271 28272'Certainly, sir,' returned Brass, taking out his pocket-book and 28273 28274pencil. 'I'll take down the heads if you please, sir. Remarkable 28275 28276documents,' added the lawyer, raising his eyes to the ceiling, 'most 28277 28278remarkable documents. He states his points so clearly that it's a 28279 28280treat to have 'em! I don't know any act of parliament that's equal to 28281 28282him in clearness.'<br><br> 28283 28284'I shall deprive you of a treat,' said Quilp. 'Put up your book. We 28285 28286don't want any documents. So. There's a lad named Kit--'<br><br> 28287 28288Miss Sally nodded, implying that she knew of him.<br><br> 28289 28290'Kit!' said Mr Sampson.--'Kit! Ha! I've heard the name before, but I 28291 28292don't exactly call to mind--I don't exactly--'<br><br> 28293 28294'You're as slow as a tortoise, and more thick-headed than a 28295 28296rhinoceros,' returned his obliging client with an impatient gesture.<br><br> 28297 28298'He's extremely pleasant!' cried the obsequious Sampson. 'His 28299 28300acquaintance with Natural History too is surprising. Quite a Buffoon, 28301 28302quite!'<br><br> 28303 28304There is no doubt that Mr Brass intended some compliment or other; and 28305 28306it has been argued with show of reason that he would have said Buffon, 28307 28308but made use of a superfluous vowel. Be this as it may, Quilp gave him 28309 28310no time for correction, as he performed that office himself by more 28311 28312than tapping him on the head with the handle of his umbrella.<br><br> 28313 28314'Don't let's have any wrangling,' said Miss Sally, staying his hand. 28315 28316'I've showed you that I know him, and that's enough.'<br><br> 28317 28318'She's always foremost!' said the dwarf, patting her on the back and 28319 28320looking contemptuously at Sampson. 'I don't like Kit, Sally.'<br><br> 28321 28322'Nor I,' rejoined Miss Brass.<br><br> 28323 28324'Nor I,' said Sampson.<br><br> 28325 28326'Why, that's right!' cried Quilp. 'Half our work is done already. 28327 28328This Kit is one of your honest people; one of your fair characters; a 28329 28330prowling prying hound; a hypocrite; a double-faced, white-livered, 28331 28332sneaking spy; a crouching cur to those that feed and coax him, and a 28333 28334barking yelping dog to all besides.'<br><br> 28335 28336'Fearfully eloquent!' cried Brass with a sneeze. 'Quite appalling!'<br><br> 28337 28338'Come to the point,' said Miss Sally, 'and don't talk so much.'<br><br> 28339 28340'Right again!' exclaimed Quilp, with another contemptuous look at 28341 28342Sampson, 'always foremost! I say, Sally, he is a yelping, insolent dog 28343 28344to all besides, and most of all, to me. In short, I owe him a grudge.' 28345 28346'That's enough, sir,' said Sampson.<br><br> 28347 28348'No, it's not enough, sir,' sneered Quilp; 'will you hear me out? 28349 28350Besides that I owe him a grudge on that account, he thwarts me at this 28351 28352minute, and stands between me and an end which might otherwise prove a 28353 28354golden one to us all. Apart from that, I repeat that he crosses my 28355 28356humour, and I hate him. Now, you know the lad, and can guess the rest. 28357 28358Devise your own means of putting him out of my way, and execute them. 28359 28360Shall it be done?'<br><br> 28361 28362'It shall, sir,' said Sampson.<br><br> 28363 28364'Then give me your hand,' retorted Quilp. 'Sally, girl, yours. I rely 28365 28366as much, or more, on you than him. Tom Scott comes back. Lantern, 28367 28368pipes, more grog, and a jolly night of it!'<br><br> 28369 28370No other word was spoken, no other look exchanged, which had the 28371 28372slightest reference to this, the real occasion of their meeting. The 28373 28374trio were well accustomed to act together, and were linked to each 28375 28376other by ties of mutual interest and advantage, and nothing more was 28377 28378needed. Resuming his boisterous manner with the same ease with which 28379 28380he had thrown it off, Quilp was in an instant the same uproarious, 28381 28382reckless little savage he had been a few seconds before. It was ten 28383 28384o'clock at night before the amiable Sally supported her beloved and 28385 28386loving brother from the Wilderness, by which time he needed the utmost 28387
28388support her tender frame could render; his walk being from some unknown 28389 28390reason anything but steady, and his legs constantly doubling up in 28391 28392unexpected places.<br><br> 28393 28394Overpowered, notwithstanding his late prolonged slumbers, by the 28395 28396fatigues of the last few days, the dwarf lost no time in creeping to 28397 28398his dainty house, and was soon dreaming in his hammock. Leaving him to 28399 28400visions, in which perhaps the quiet figures we quitted in the old 28401 28402church porch were not without their share, be it our task to rejoin 28403 28404them as they sat and watched.<br><br> 28405 28406CHAPTER 52<br><br> 28407 28408After a long time, the schoolmaster appeared at the wicket-gate of the 28409 28410churchyard, and hurried towards them, Tingling in his hand, as he came 28411 28412along, a bundle of rusty keys. He was quite breathless with pleasure 28413 28414and haste when he reached the porch, and at first could only point 28415 28416towards the old building which the child had been contemplating so 28417 28418earnestly.<br><br> 28419 28420'You see those two old houses,' he said at last.<br><br> 28421 28422'Yes, surely,' replied Nell. 'I have been looking at them nearly all 28423 28424the time you have been away.'<br><br> 28425 28426'And you would have looked at them more curiously yet, if you could 28427 28428have guessed what I have to tell you,' said her friend. 'One of those 28429 28430houses is mine.'<br><br> 28431 28432Without saying any more, or giving the child time to reply, the 28433 28434schoolmaster took her hand, and, his honest face quite radiant with 28435 28436exultation, led her to the place of which he spoke.<br><br> 28437 28438They stopped before its low arched door. After trying several of the 28439 28440keys in vain, the schoolmaster found one to fit the huge lock, which 28441 28442turned back, creaking, and admitted them into the house.<br><br> 28443 28444The room into which they entered was a vaulted chamber once nobly 28445 28446ornamented by cunning architects, and still retaining, in its beautiful 28447 28448groined roof and rich stone tracery, choice remnants of its ancient 28449 28450splendour. Foliage carved in the stone, and emulating the mastery of 28451 28452Nature's hand, yet remained to tell how many times the leaves outside 28453 28454had come and gone, while it lived on unchanged. The broken figures 28455 28456supporting the burden of the chimney-piece, though mutilated, were 28457 28458still distinguishable for what they had been--far different from the 28459 28460dust without--and showed sadly by the empty hearth, like creatures who 28461 28462had outlived their kind, and mourned their own too slow decay.<br><br> 28463 28464In some old time--for even change was old in that old place--a wooden 28465 28466partition had been constructed in one part of the chamber to form a 28467 28468sleeping-closet, into which the light was admitted at the same period 28469 28470by a rude window, or rather niche, cut in the solid wall. This screen, 28471 28472together with two seats in the broad chimney, had at some forgotten 28473 28474date been part of the church or convent; for the oak, hastily 28475 28476appropriated to its present purpose, had been little altered from its 28477 28478former shape, and presented to the eye a pile of fragments of rich 28479 28480carving from old monkish stalls.<br><br> 28481 28482An open door leading to a small room or cell, dim with the light that 28483 28484came through leaves of ivy, completed the interior of this portion of 28485 28486the ruin. It was not quite destitute of furniture. A few strange 28487 28488chairs, whose arms and legs looked as though they had dwindled away 28489 28490with age; a table, the very spectre of its race: a great old chest that 28491 28492had once held records in the church, with other quaintly-fashioned 28493 28494domestic necessaries, and store of fire-wood for the winter, were 28495 28496scattered around, and gave evident tokens of its occupation as a 28497 28498dwelling-place at no very distant time.<br><br> 28499 28500The child looked around her, with that solemn feeling with which we 28501 28502contemplate the work of ages that have become but drops of water in the 28503 28504great ocean of eternity. The old man had followed them, but they were 28505 28506all three hushed for a space, and drew their breath softly, as if they 28507 28508feared to break the silence even by so slight a sound.<br><br> 28509 28510'It is a very beautiful place!' said the child, in a low voice.<br><br> 28511 28512'I almost feared you thought otherwise,' returned the schoolmaster. 28513
28514'You shivered when we first came in, as if you felt it cold or gloomy.'<br><br> 28515 28516'It was not that,' said Nell, glancing round with a slight shudder. 28517 28518'Indeed I cannot tell you what it was, but when I saw the outside, from 28519 28520the church porch, the same feeling came over me. It is its being so 28521 28522old and grey perhaps.'<br><br> 28523 28524'A peaceful place to live in, don't you think so?' said her friend.<br><br> 28525 28526'Oh yes,' rejoined the child, clasping her hands earnestly. 'A quiet, 28527 28528happy place--a place to live and learn to die in!' She would have said 28529 28530more, but that the energy of her thoughts caused her voice to falter, 28531 28532and come in trembling whispers from her lips.<br><br> 28533 28534'A place to live, and learn to live, and gather health of mind and body 28535 28536in,' said the schoolmaster; 'for this old house is yours.'<br><br> 28537 28538'Ours!' cried the child.<br><br> 28539 28540'Ay,' returned the schoolmaster gaily, 'for many a merry year to come, 28541 28542I hope. I shall be a close neighbour--only next door--but this house 28543 28544is yours.'<br><br> 28545 28546Having now disburdened himself of his great surprise, the schoolmaster 28547 28548sat down, and drawing Nell to his side, told her how he had learnt that 28549 28550ancient tenement had been occupied for a very long time by an old 28551 28552person, nearly a hundred years of age, who kept the keys of the church, 28553 28554opened and closed it for the services, and showed it to strangers; how 28555 28556she had died not many weeks ago, and nobody had yet been found to fill 28557 28558the office; how, learning all this in an interview with the sexton, who 28559 28560was confined to his bed by rheumatism, he had been bold to make mention 28561 28562of his fellow-traveller, which had been so favourably received by that 28563 28564high authority, that he had taken courage, acting on his advice, to 28565 28566propound the matter to the clergyman. In a word, the result of his 28567 28568exertions was, that Nell and her grandfather were to be carried before 28569 28570the last-named gentleman next day; and, his approval of their conduct 28571 28572and appearance reserved as a matter of form, that they were already 28573 28574appointed to the vacant post.<br><br> 28575 28576'There's a small allowance of money,' said the schoolmaster. 'It is 28577 28578not much, but still enough to live upon in this retired spot. By 28579 28580clubbing our funds together, we shall do bravely; no fear of that.'<br><br> 28581 28582'Heaven bless and prosper you!' sobbed the child.<br><br> 28583 28584'Amen, my dear,' returned her friend cheerfully; 'and all of us, as it 28585 28586will, and has, in leading us through sorrow and trouble to this 28587 28588tranquil life. But we must look at MY house now. Come!'<br><br> 28589 28590They repaired to the other tenement; tried the rusty keys as before; at 28591 28592length found the right one; and opened the worm-eaten door. It led 28593 28594into a chamber, vaulted and old, like that from which they had come, 28595 28596but not so spacious, and having only one other little room attached. 28597 28598It was not difficult to divine that the other house was of right the 28599 28600schoolmaster's, and that he had chosen for himself the least 28601 28602commodious, in his care and regard for them. Like the adjoining 28603 28604habitation, it held such old articles of furniture as were absolutely 28605 28606necessary, and had its stack of fire-wood.<br><br> 28607 28608To make these dwellings as habitable and full of comfort as they could, 28609 28610was now their pleasant care. In a short time, each had its cheerful 28611 28612fire glowing and crackling on the hearth, and reddening the pale old 28613 28614wall with a hale and healthy blush. Nell, busily plying her needle, 28615 28616repaired the tattered window-hangings, drew together the rents that 28617 28618time had worn in the threadbare scraps of carpet, and made them whole 28619 28620and decent. The schoolmaster swept and smoothed the ground before the 28621 28622door, trimmed the long grass, trained the ivy and creeping plants which 28623 28624hung their drooping heads in melancholy neglect; and gave to the outer 28625 28626walls a cheery air of home. The old man, sometimes by his side and 28627 28628sometimes with the child, lent his aid to both, went here and there on 28629 28630little patient services, and was happy. Neighbours, too, as they came 28631 28632from work, proffered their help; or sent their children with such small 28633 28634presents or loans as the strangers needed most. It was a busy day; and 28635 28636night came on, and found them wondering that there was yet so much to 28637 28638do, and that it should be dark so soon.<br><br> 28639 28640They took their supper together, in the house which may be henceforth 28641 28642called the child's; and, when they had finished their meal, drew round 28643 28644the fire, and almost in whispers--their hearts were too quiet and glad 28645 28646for loud expression--discussed their future plans. Before they 28647 28648separated, the schoolmaster read some prayers aloud; and then, full of 28649 28650gratitude and happiness, they parted for the night.<br><br> 28651 28652At that silent hour, when her grandfather was sleeping peacefully in 28653 28654his bed, and every sound was hushed, the child lingered before the 28655 28656dying embers, and thought of her past fortunes as if they had been a 28657 28658dream And she only now awoke. The glare of the sinking flame, 28659 28660reflected in the oaken panels whose carved tops were dimly seen in the 28661 28662dusky roof--the aged walls, where strange shadows came and went with 28663 28664every flickering of the fire--the solemn presence, within, of that 28665 28666decay which falls on senseless things the most enduring in their 28667 28668nature: and, without, and round about on every side, of Death--filled 28669 28670her with deep and thoughtful feelings, but with none of terror or 28671 28672alarm. A change had been gradually stealing over her, in the time of 28673 28674her loneliness and sorrow. With failing strength and heightening 28675 28676resolution, there had sprung up a purified and altered mind; there had 28677 28678grown in her bosom blessed thoughts and hopes, which are the portion of 28679 28680few but the weak and drooping. There were none to see the frail, 28681 28682perishable figure, as it glided from the fire and leaned pensively at 28683 28684the open casement; none but the stars, to look into the upturned face 28685 28686and read its history. The old church bell rang out the hour with a 28687 28688mournful sound, as if it had grown sad from so much communing with the 28689 28690dead and unheeded warning to the living; the fallen leaves rustled; the 28691 28692grass stirred upon the graves; all else was still and sleeping.<br><br> 28693 28694Some of those dreamless sleepers lay close within the shadow of the 28695 28696church--touching the wall, as if they clung to it for comfort and 28697 28698protection. Others had chosen to lie beneath the changing shade of 28699 28700trees; others by the path, that footsteps might come near them; others, 28701 28702among the graves of little children. Some had desired to rest beneath 28703 28704the very ground they had trodden in their daily walks; some, where the 28705 28706setting sun might shine upon their beds; some, where its light would 28707 28708fall upon them when it rose. Perhaps not one of the imprisoned souls 28709 28710had been able quite to separate itself in living thought from its old 28711 28712companion. If any had, it had still felt for it a love like that which 28713 28714captives have been known to bear towards the cell in which they have 28715 28716been long confined, and, even at parting, hung upon its narrow bounds 28717 28718affectionately.<br><br> 28719 28720It was long before the child closed the window, and approached her bed. 28721 28722Again something of the same sensation as before--an involuntary 28723 28724chill--a momentary feeling akin to fear--but vanishing directly, and 28725 28726leaving no alarm behind. Again, too, dreams of the little scholar; of 28727 28728the roof opening, and a column of bright faces, rising far away into 28729 28730the sky, as she had seen in some old scriptural picture once, and 28731 28732looking down on her, asleep. It was a sweet and happy dream. The 28733 28734quiet spot, outside, seemed to remain the same, saving that there was 28735 28736music in the air, and a sound of angels' wings. After a time the 28737 28738sisters came there, hand in hand, and stood among the graves. And then 28739 28740the dream grew dim, and faded.<br><br> 28741 28742With the brightness and joy of morning, came the renewal of yesterday's 28743 28744labours, the revival of its pleasant thoughts, the restoration of its 28745
28746energies, cheerfulness, and hope. They worked gaily in ordering and 28747 28748arranging their houses until noon, and then went to visit the clergyman.<br><br> 28749 28750He was a simple-hearted old gentleman, of a shrinking, subdued spirit, 28751 28752accustomed to retirement, and very little acquainted with the world, 28753 28754which he had left many years before to come and settle in that place. 28755 28756His wife had died in the house in which he still lived, and he had long 28757 28758since lost sight of any earthly cares or hopes beyond it.<br><br> 28759 28760He received them very kindly, and at once showed an interest in Nell; 28761 28762asking her name, and age, her birthplace, the circumstances which had 28763 28764led her there, and so forth. The schoolmaster had already told her 28765 28766story. They had no other friends or home to leave, he said, and had 28767 28768come to share his fortunes. He loved the child as though she were his 28769 28770own.<br><br> 28771 28772'Well, well,' said the clergyman. 'Let it be as you desire. She is 28773 28774very young.' 'Old in adversity and trial, sir,' replied the 28775 28776schoolmaster.<br><br> 28777 28778'God help her. Let her rest, and forget them,' said the old gentleman. 28779 28780'But an old church is a dull and gloomy place for one so young as you, 28781 28782my child.'<br><br> 28783 28784'Oh no, sir,' returned Nell. 'I have no such thoughts, indeed.'<br><br> 28785 28786'I would rather see her dancing on the green at nights,' said the old 28787 28788gentleman, laying his hand upon her head, and smiling sadly, 'than have 28789 28790her sitting in the shadow of our mouldering arches. You must look to 28791 28792this, and see that her heart does not grow heavy among these solemn 28793 28794ruins. Your request is granted, friend.'<br><br> 28795 28796After more kind words, they withdrew, and repaired to the child's 28797 28798house; where they were yet in conversation on their happy fortune, when 28799 28800another friend appeared.<br><br> 28801 28802This was a little old gentleman, who lived in the parsonage-house, and 28803 28804had resided there (so they learnt soon afterwards) ever since the death 28805 28806of the clergyman's wife, which had happened fifteen years before. He 28807 28808had been his college friend and always his close companion; in the 28809 28810first shock of his grief he had come to console and comfort him; and 28811 28812from that time they had never parted company. The little old gentleman 28813 28814was the active spirit of the place, the adjuster of all differences, 28815 28816the promoter of all merry-makings, the dispenser of his friend's 28817 28818bounty, and of no small charity of his own besides; the universal 28819 28820mediator, comforter, and friend. None of the simple villagers had 28821 28822cared to ask his name, or, when they knew it, to store it in their 28823 28824memory. Perhaps from some vague rumour of his college honours which 28825 28826had been whispered abroad on his first arrival, perhaps because he was 28827 28828an unmarried, unencumbered gentleman, he had been called the bachelor. 28829 28830The name pleased him, or suited him as well as any other, and the 28831 28832Bachelor he had ever since remained. And the bachelor it was, it may 28833 28834be added, who with his own hands had laid in the stock of fuel which 28835 28836the wanderers had found in their new habitation.<br><br> 28837 28838The bachelor, then--to call him by his usual appellation--lifted the 28839 28840latch, showed his little round mild face for a moment at the door, and 28841 28842stepped into the room like one who was no stranger to it.<br><br> 28843 28844'You are Mr Marton, the new schoolmaster?' he said, greeting Nell's 28845 28846kind friend.<br><br> 28847 28848'I am, sir.'<br><br> 28849 28850'You come well recommended, and I am glad to see you. I should have 28851 28852been in the way yesterday, expecting you, but I rode across the country 28853 28854to carry a message from a sick mother to her daughter in service some 28855 28856miles off, and have but just now returned. This is our young 28857 28858church-keeper? You are not the less welcome, friend, for her sake, or 28859 28860for this old man's; nor the worse teacher for having learnt humanity.' 28861 28862'She has been ill, sir, very lately,' said the schoolmaster, in answer 28863 28864to the look with which their visitor regarded Nell when he had kissed 28865 28866her cheek.<br><br> 28867 28868'Yes, yes. I know she has,' he rejoined. 'There have been suffering 28869 28870and heartache here.'<br><br> 28871 28872'Indeed there have, sir.'<br><br> 28873 28874The little old gentleman glanced at the grandfather, and back again at 28875 28876the child, whose hand he took tenderly in his, and held.<br><br> 28877 28878'You will be happier here,' he said; 'we will try, at least, to make 28879 28880you so. You have made great improvements here already. Are they the 28881 28882work of your hands?'<br><br> 28883 28884'Yes, sir.'<br><br> 28885 28886'We may make some others--not better in themselves, but with better 28887 28888means perhaps,' said the bachelor. 'Let us see now, let us see.'<br><br> 28889 28890Nell accompanied him into the other little rooms, and over both the 28891 28892houses, in which he found various small comforts wanting, which he 28893 28894engaged to supply from a certain collection of odds and ends he had at 28895
28896home, and which must have been a very miscellaneous and extensive one, 28897 28898as it comprehended the most opposite articles imaginable. They all 28899 28900came, however, and came without loss of time; for the little old 28901 28902gentleman, disappearing for some five or ten minutes, presently 28903 28904returned, laden with old shelves, rugs, blankets, and other household 28905 28906gear, and followed by a boy bearing a similar load. These being cast 28907 28908on the floor in a promiscuous heap, yielded a quantity of occupation in 28909 28910arranging, erecting, and putting away; the superintendence of which 28911 28912task evidently afforded the old gentleman extreme delight, and engaged 28913 28914him for some time with great briskness and activity. When nothing more 28915 28916was left to be done, he charged the boy to run off and bring his 28917 28918schoolmates to be marshalled before their new master, and solemnly 28919 28920reviewed.<br><br> 28921 28922'As good a set of fellows, Marton, as you'd wish to see,' he said, 28923 28924turning to the schoolmaster when the boy was gone; 'but I don't let 'em 28925 28926know I think so. That wouldn't do, at all.'<br><br> 28927 28928The messenger soon returned at the head of a long row of urchins, great 28929 28930and small, who, being confronted by the bachelor at the house door, 28931 28932fell into various convulsions of politeness; clutching their hats and 28933 28934caps, squeezing them into the smallest possible dimensions, and making 28935 28936all manner of bows and scrapes, which the little old gentleman 28937 28938contemplated with excessive satisfaction, and expressed his approval of 28939 28940by a great many nods and smiles. Indeed, his approbation of the boys 28941 28942was by no means so scrupulously disguised as he had led the 28943 28944schoolmaster to suppose, inasmuch as it broke out in sundry loud 28945 28946whispers and confidential remarks which were perfectly audible to them 28947 28948every one. 'This first boy, schoolmaster,' said the bachelor, 'is John 28949 28950Owen; a lad of good parts, sir, and frank, honest temper; but too 28951 28952thoughtless, too playful, too light-headed by far. That boy, my good 28953 28954sir, would break his neck with pleasure, and deprive his parents of 28955 28956their chief comfort--and between ourselves, when you come to see him at 28957 28958hare and hounds, taking the fence and ditch by the finger-post, and 28959 28960sliding down the face of the little quarry, you'll never forget it. 28961 28962It's beautiful!'<br><br> 28963 28964John Owen having been thus rebuked, and being in perfect possession of 28965 28966the speech aside, the bachelor singled out another boy.<br><br> 28967 28968'Now, look at that lad, sir,' said the bachelor. 'You see that fellow? 28969 28970Richard Evans his name is, sir. An amazing boy to learn, blessed with 28971 28972a good memory, and a ready understanding, and moreover with a good 28973 28974voice and ear for psalm-singing, in which he is the best among us. 28975 28976Yet, sir, that boy will come to a bad end; he'll never die in his bed; 28977 28978he's always falling asleep in sermon-time--and to tell you the truth, 28979 28980Mr Marton, I always did the same at his age, and feel quite certain 28981 28982that it was natural to my constitution and I couldn't help it.'<br><br> 28983 28984This hopeful pupil edified by the above terrible reproval, the bachelor 28985 28986turned to another.<br><br> 28987 28988'But if we talk of examples to be shunned,' said he, 'if we come to 28989 28990boys that should be a warning and a beacon to all their fellows, here's 28991 28992the one, and I hope you won't spare him. This is the lad, sir; this 28993 28994one with the blue eyes and light hair. This is a swimmer, sir, this 28995 28996fellow--a diver, Lord save us! This is a boy, sir, who had a fancy for 28997 28998plunging into eighteen feet of water, with his clothes on, and bringing 28999 29000up a blind man's dog, who was being drowned by the weight of his chain 29001 29002and collar, while his master stood wringing his hands upon the bank, 29003 29004bewailing the loss of his guide and friend. I sent the boy two guineas 29005 29006anonymously, sir,' added the bachelor, in his peculiar whisper, 29007 29008'directly I heard of it; but never mention it on any account, for he 29009 29010hasn't the least idea that it came from me.'<br><br> 29011 29012Having disposed of this culprit, the bachelor turned to another, and 29013 29014from him to another, and so on through the whole array, laying, for 29015 29016their wholesome restriction within due bounds, the same cutting 29017 29018emphasis on such of their propensities as were dearest to his heart and 29019 29020were unquestionably referrable to his own precept and example. 29021 29022Thoroughly persuaded, in the end, that he had made them miserable by 29023 29024his severity, he dismissed them with a small present, and an admonition 29025 29026to walk quietly home, without any leapings, scufflings, or turnings out 29027 29028of the way; which injunction, he informed the schoolmaster in the same 29029 29030audible confidence, he did not think he could have obeyed when he was a 29031 29032boy, had his life depended on it.<br><br> 29033 29034Hailing these little tokens of the bachelor's disposition as so many 29035 29036assurances of his own welcome course from that time, the schoolmaster 29037
29038parted from him with a light heart and joyous spirits, and deemed 29039 29040himself one of the happiest men on earth. The windows of the two old 29041 29042houses were ruddy again, that night, with the reflection of the 29043 29044cheerful fires that burnt within; and the bachelor and his friend, 29045 29046pausing to look upon them as they returned from their evening walk, 29047 29048spoke softly together of the beautiful child, and looked round upon the 29049 29050churchyard with a sigh.<br><br> 29051 29052CHAPTER 53<br><br> 29053 29054Nell was stirring early in the morning, and having discharged her 29055 29056household tasks, and put everything in order for the good schoolmaster 29057 29058(though sorely against his will, for he would have spared her the 29059 29060pains), took down, from its nail by the fireside, a little bundle of 29061 29062keys with which the bachelor had formally invested her on the previous 29063 29064day, and went out alone to visit the old church.<br><br> 29065 29066The sky was serene and bright, the air clear, perfumed with the fresh 29067 29068scent of newly fallen leaves, and grateful to every sense. The 29069 29070neighbouring stream sparkled, and rolled onward with a tuneful sound; 29071 29072the dew glistened on the green mounds, like tears shed by Good Spirits 29073 29074over the dead. Some young children sported among the tombs, and hid 29075 29076from each other, with laughing faces. They had an infant with them, 29077 29078and had laid it down asleep upon a child's grave, in a little bed of 29079 29080leaves. It was a new grave--the resting-place, perhaps, of some little 29081 29082creature, who, meek and patient in its illness, had often sat and 29083 29084watched them, and now seemed, to their minds, scarcely changed.<br><br> 29085 29086She drew near and asked one of them whose grave it was. The child 29087 29088answered that that was not its name; it was a garden--his brother's. 29089 29090It was greener, he said, than all the other gardens, and the birds 29091 29092loved it better because he had been used to feed them. When he had 29093 29094done speaking, he looked at her with a smile, and kneeling down and 29095 29096nestling for a moment with his cheek against the turf, bounded merrily 29097 29098away.<br><br> 29099 29100She passed the church, gazing upward at its old tower, went through the 29101 29102wicket gate, and so into the village. The old sexton, leaning on a 29103 29104crutch, was taking the air at his cottage door, and gave her good 29105 29106morrow.<br><br> 29107 29108'You are better?' said the child, stopping to speak with him.<br><br> 29109 29110'Ay surely,' returned the old man. 'I'm thankful to say, much better.'<br><br> 29111 29112'YOU will be quite well soon.'<br><br> 29113 29114'With Heaven's leave, and a little patience. But come in, come in!' 29115 29116The old man limped on before, and warning her of the downward step, 29117 29118which he achieved himself with no small difficulty, led the way into 29119 29120his little cottage.<br><br> 29121 29122'It is but one room you see. There is another up above, but the stair 29123 29124has got harder to climb o' late years, and I never use it. I'm 29125 29126thinking of taking to it again, next summer, though.'<br><br> 29127 29128The child wondered how a grey-headed man like him--one of his trade 29129 29130too--could talk of time so easily. He saw her eyes wandering to the 29131 29132tools that hung upon the wall, and smiled.<br><br> 29133 29134'I warrant now,' he said, 'that you think all those are used in making 29135 29136graves.'<br><br> 29137 29138'Indeed, I wondered that you wanted so many.'<br><br> 29139 29140'And well you might. I am a gardener. I dig the ground, and plant 29141 29142things that are to live and grow. My works don't all moulder away, and 29143 29144rot in the earth. You see that spade in the centre?'<br><br> 29145 29146'The very old one--so notched and worn? Yes.'<br><br> 29147 29148'That's the sexton's spade, and it's a well-used one, as you see. 29149 29150We're healthy people here, but it has done a power of work. If it 29151 29152could speak now, that spade, it would tell you of many an unexpected 29153 29154job that it and I have done together; but I forget 'em, for my memory's 29155 29156a poor one.--That's nothing new,' he added hastily. 'It always was.'<br><br> 29157 29158'There are flowers and shrubs to speak to your other work,' said the 29159 29160child.<br><br> 29161 29162'Oh yes. And tall trees. But they are not so separate from the 29163 29164sexton's labours as you think.'<br><br> 29165 29166'No!'<br><br> 29167 29168'Not in my mind, and recollection--such as it is,' said the old man. 29169 29170'Indeed they often help it. For say that I planted such a tree for 29171 29172such a man. There it stands, to remind me that he died. When I look 29173 29174at its broad shadow, and remember what it was in his time, it helps me 29175 29176to the age of my other work, and I can tell you pretty nearly when I 29177 29178made his grave.'<br><br> 29179 29180'But it may remind you of one who is still alive,' said the child.<br><br> 29181 29182'Of twenty that are dead, in connexion with that one who lives, then,' 29183 29184rejoined the old man; 'wife, husband, parents, brothers, sisters, 29185 29186children, friends--a score at least. So it happens that the sexton's 29187 29188spade gets worn and battered. I shall need a new one--next summer.'<br><br> 29189 29190The child looked quickly towards him, thinking that he jested with his 29191 29192age and infirmity: but the unconscious sexton was quite in earnest.<br><br> 29193 29194'Ah!' he said, after a brief silence. 'People never learn. They never 29195 29196learn. It's only we who turn up the ground, where nothing grows and 29197 29198everything decays, who think of such things as these--who think of 29199 29200them properly, I mean. You have been into the church?'<br><br> 29201 29202'I am going there now,' the child replied.<br><br> 29203 29204'There's an old well there,' said the sexton, 'right underneath the 29205 29206belfry; a deep, dark, echoing well. Forty year ago, you had only to 29207
29208let down the bucket till the first knot in the rope was free of the 29209 29210windlass, and you heard it splashing in the cold dull water. By little 29211 29212and little the water fell away, so that in ten year after that, a 29213 29214second knot was made, and you must unwind so much rope, or the bucket 29215 29216swung tight and empty at the end. In ten years' time, the water fell 29217 29218again, and a third knot was made. In ten years more, the well dried 29219 29220up; and now, if you lower the bucket till your arms are tired, and let 29221 29222out nearly all the cord, you'll hear it, of a sudden, clanking and 29223 29224rattling on the ground below; with a sound of being so deep and so far 29225 29226down, that your heart leaps into your mouth, and you start away as if 29227 29228you were falling in.'<br><br> 29229 29230'A dreadful place to come on in the dark!' exclaimed the child, who had 29231 29232followed the old man's looks and words until she seemed to stand upon 29233 29234its brink.<br><br> 29235 29236'What is it but a grave!' said the sexton. 'What else! And which of 29237 29238our old folks, knowing all this, thought, as the spring subsided, of 29239 29240their own failing strength, and lessening life? Not one!'<br><br> 29241 29242'Are you very old yourself?' asked the child, involuntarily.<br><br> 29243 29244'I shall be seventy-nine--next summer.'<br><br> 29245 29246'You still work when you are well?'<br><br> 29247 29248'Work! To be sure. You shall see my gardens hereabout. Look at the 29249 29250window there. I made, and have kept, that plot of ground entirely with 29251 29252my own hands. By this time next year I shall hardly see the sky, the 29253 29254boughs will have grown so thick. I have my winter work at night 29255 29256besides.'<br><br> 29257 29258He opened, as he spoke, a cupboard close to where he sat, and produced 29259 29260some miniature boxes, carved in a homely manner and made of old wood.<br><br> 29261 29262'Some gentlefolks who are fond of ancient days, and what belongs to 29263 29264them,' he said, 'like to buy these keepsakes from our church and ruins. 29265 29266Sometimes, I make them of scraps of oak, that turn up here and there; 29267 29268sometimes of bits of coffins which the vaults have long preserved. See 29269 29270here--this is a little chest of the last kind, clasped at the edges 29271 29272with fragments of brass plates that had writing on 'em once, though it 29273 29274would be hard to read it now. I haven't many by me at this time of 29275 29276year, but these shelves will be full--next summer.'<br><br> 29277 29278The child admired and praised his work, and shortly afterwards 29279 29280departed; thinking, as she went, how strange it was, that this old man, 29281 29282drawing from his pursuits, and everything around him, one stern moral, 29283 29284never contemplated its application to himself; and, while he dwelt upon 29285 29286the uncertainty of human life, seemed both in word and deed to deem 29287 29288himself immortal. But her musings did not stop here, for she was wise 29289 29290enough to think that by a good and merciful adjustment this must be 29291 29292human nature, and that the old sexton, with his plans for next summer, 29293 29294was but a type of all mankind.<br><br> 29295 29296Full of these meditations, she reached the church. It was easy to find 29297 29298the key belonging to the outer door, for each was labelled on a scrap 29299 29300of yellow parchment. Its very turning in the lock awoke a hollow 29301 29302sound, and when she entered with a faltering step, the echoes that it 29303 29304raised in closing, made her start.<br><br> 29305 29306If the peace of the simple village had moved the child more strongly, 29307 29308because of the dark and troubled ways that lay beyond, and through 29309 29310which she had journeyed with such failing feet, what was the deep 29311 29312impression of finding herself alone in that solemn building, where the 29313 29314very light, coming through sunken windows, seemed old and grey, and the 29315 29316air, redolent of earth and mould, seemed laden with decay, purified by 29317 29318time of all its grosser particles, and sighing through arch and aisle, 29319 29320and clustered pillars, like the breath of ages gone! Here was the 29321 29322broken pavement, worn, so long ago, by pious feet, that Time, stealing 29323 29324on the pilgrims' steps, had trodden out their track, and left but 29325 29326crumbling stones. Here were the rotten beam, the sinking arch, the 29327 29328sapped and mouldering wall, the lowly trench of earth, the stately tomb 29329 29330on which no epitaph remained--all--marble, stone, iron, wood, and 29331 29332dust--one common monument of ruin. The best work and the worst, the 29333 29334plainest and the richest, the stateliest and the least imposing--both 29335 29336of Heaven's work and Man's--all found one common level here, and told 29337 29338one common tale.<br><br> 29339 29340Some part of the edifice had been a baronial chapel, and here were 29341 29342effigies of warriors stretched upon their beds of stone with folded 29343 29344hands--cross-legged, those who had fought in the Holy Wars--girded 29345 29346with their swords, and cased in armour as they had lived. Some of 29347 29348these knights had their own weapons, helmets, coats of mail, hanging 29349 29350upon the walls hard by, and dangling from rusty hooks. Broken and 29351 29352dilapidated as they were, they yet retained their ancient form, and 29353 29354something of their ancient aspect. Thus violent deeds live after men 29355 29356upon the earth, and traces of war and bloodshed will survive in 29357 29358mournful shapes long after those who worked the desolation are but 29359 29360atoms of earth themselves.<br><br> 29361 29362The child sat down, in this old, silent place, among the stark figures 29363 29364on the tombs--they made it more quiet there, than elsewhere, to her 29365 29366fancy--and gazing round with a feeling of awe, tempered with a calm 29367 29368delight, felt that now she was happy, and at rest. She took a Bible 29369 29370from the shelf, and read; then, laying it down, thought of the summer 29371 29372days and the bright springtime that would come--of the rays of sun that 29373 29374would fall in aslant, upon the sleeping forms--of the leaves that would 29375 29376flutter at the window, and play in glistening shadows on the 29377 29378pavement--of the songs of birds, and growth of buds and blossoms out of 29379 29380doors--of the sweet air, that would steal in, and gently wave the 29381 29382tattered banners overhead. What if the spot awakened thoughts of 29383 29384death! Die who would, it would still remain the same; these sights and 29385 29386sounds would still go on, as happily as ever. It would be no pain to 29387 29388sleep amidst them.<br><br> 29389 29390She left the chapel--very slowly and often turning back to gaze 29391
29392again--and coming to a low door, which plainly led into the tower, 29393 29394opened it, and climbed the winding stair in darkness; save where she 29395 29396looked down, through narrow loopholes, on the place she had left, or 29397 29398caught a glimmering vision of the dusty bells. At length she gained 29399 29400the end of the ascent and stood upon the turret top.<br><br> 29401 29402Oh! the glory of the sudden burst of light; the freshness of the fields 29403 29404and woods, stretching away on every side, and meeting the bright blue 29405 29406sky; the cattle grazing in the pasturage; the smoke, that, coming from 29407 29408among the trees, seemed to rise upward from the green earth; the 29409 29410children yet at their gambols down below--all, everything, so beautiful 29411 29412and happy! It was like passing from death to life; it was drawing 29413 29414nearer Heaven.<br><br> 29415 29416The children were gone, when she emerged into the porch, and locked the 29417 29418door. As she passed the school-house she could hear the busy hum of 29419 29420voices. Her friend had begun his labours only on that day. The noise 29421 29422grew louder, and, looking back, she saw the boys come trooping out and 29423 29424disperse themselves with merry shouts and play. 'It's a good thing,' 29425 29426thought the child, 'I am very glad they pass the church.' And then she 29427 29428stopped, to fancy how the noise would sound inside, and how gently it 29429 29430would seem to die away upon the ear.<br><br> 29431 29432Again that day, yes, twice again, she stole back to the old chapel, and 29433 29434in her former seat read from the same book, or indulged the same quiet 29435 29436train of thought. Even when it had grown dusk, and the shadows of 29437 29438coming night made it more solemn still, the child remained, like one 29439 29440rooted to the spot, and had no fear or thought of stirring.<br><br> 29441 29442They found her there, at last, and took her home. She looked pale but 29443 29444very happy, until they separated for the night; and then, as the poor 29445 29446schoolmaster stooped down to kiss her cheek, he thought he felt a tear 29447 29448upon his face.<br><br> 29449 29450CHAPTER 54<br><br> 29451 29452The bachelor, among his various occupations, found in the old church a 29453 29454constant source of interest and amusement. Taking that pride in it 29455 29456which men conceive for the wonders of their own little world, he had 29457 29458made its history his study; and many a summer day within its walls, and 29459 29460many a winter's night beside the parsonage fire, had found the bachelor 29461 29462still poring over, and adding to, his goodly store of tale and legend.<br><br> 29463 29464As he was not one of those rough spirits who would strip fair Truth of 29465 29466every little shadowy vestment in which time and teeming fancies love to 29467 29468array her--and some of which become her pleasantly enough, serving, 29469 29470like the waters of her well, to add new graces to the charms they half 29471 29472conceal and half suggest, and to awaken interest and pursuit rather 29473 29474than languor and indifference--as, unlike this stern and obdurate 29475 29476class, he loved to see the goddess crowned with those garlands of wild 29477 29478flowers which tradition wreathes for her gentle wearing, and which are 29479 29480often freshest in their homeliest shapes--he trod with a light step and 29481 29482bore with a light hand upon the dust of centuries, unwilling to 29483 29484demolish any of the airy shrines that had been raised above it, if any 29485 29486good feeling or affection of the human heart were hiding thereabouts. 29487 29488Thus, in the case of an ancient coffin of rough stone, supposed, for 29489 29490many generations, to contain the bones of a certain baron, who, after 29491 29492ravaging, with cut, and thrust, and plunder, in foreign lands, came 29493 29494back with a penitent and sorrowing heart to die at home, but which had 29495 29496been lately shown by learned antiquaries to be no such thing, as the 29497 29498baron in question (so they contended) had died hard in battle, gnashing 29499 29500his teeth and cursing with his latest breath--the bachelor stoutly 29501 29502maintained that the old tale was the true one; that the baron, 29503 29504repenting him of the evil, had done great charities and meekly given up 29505 29506the ghost; and that, if ever baron went to heaven, that baron was then 29507 29508at peace. In like manner, when the aforesaid antiquaries did argue and 29509 29510contend that a certain secret vault was not the tomb of a grey-haired 29511 29512lady who had been hanged and drawn and quartered by glorious Queen Bess 29513 29514for succouring a wretched priest who fainted of thirst and hunger at 29515 29516her door, the bachelor did solemnly maintain, against all comers, that 29517 29518the church was hallowed by the said poor lady's ashes; that her remains 29519 29520had been collected in the night from four of the city's gates, and 29521 29522thither in secret brought, and there deposited; and the bachelor did 29523 29524further (being highly excited at such times) deny the glory of Queen 29525 29526Bess, and assert the immeasurably greater glory of the meanest woman in 29527 29528her realm, who had a merciful and tender heart. As to the assertion 29529 29530that the flat stone near the door was not the grave of the miser who 29531 29532had disowned his only child and left a sum of money to the church to 29533 29534buy a peal of bells, the bachelor did readily admit the same, and that 29535 29536the place had given birth to no such man. In a word, he would have had 29537 29538every stone, and plate of brass, the monument only of deeds whose 29539 29540memory should survive. All others he was willing to forget. They 29541 29542might be buried in consecrated ground, but he would have had them
29543 29544buried deep, and never brought to light again.<br><br> 29545 29546It was from the lips of such a tutor, that the child learnt her easy 29547 29548task. Already impressed, beyond all telling, by the silent building 29549 29550and the peaceful beauty of the spot in which it stood--majestic age 29551 29552surrounded by perpetual youth--it seemed to her, when she heard these 29553 29554things, sacred to all goodness and virtue. It was another world, where 29555 29556sin and sorrow never came; a tranquil place of rest, where nothing evil 29557 29558entered.<br><br> 29559 29560When the bachelor had given her in connection with almost every tomb 29561 29562and flat grave-stone some history of its own, he took her down into the 29563 29564old crypt, now a mere dull vault, and showed her how it had been 29565 29566lighted up in the time of the monks, and how, amid lamps depending from 29567 29568the roof, and swinging censers exhaling scented odours, and habits 29569 29570glittering with gold and silver, and pictures, and precious stuffs, and 29571 29572jewels all flashing and glistening through the low arches, the chaunt 29573 29574of aged voices had been many a time heard there, at midnight, in old 29575 29576days, while hooded figures knelt and prayed around, and told their 29577 29578rosaries of beads. Thence, he took her above ground again, and showed 29579 29580her, high up in the old walls, small galleries, where the nuns had been 29581 29582wont to glide along--dimly seen in their dark dresses so far off--or 29583 29584to pause like gloomy shadows, listening to the prayers. He showed her 29585 29586too, how the warriors, whose figures rested on the tombs, had worn 29587 29588those rotting scraps of armour up above--how this had been a helmet, 29589 29590and that a shield, and that a gauntlet--and how they had wielded the 29591 29592great two-handed swords, and beaten men down, with yonder iron mace. 29593 29594All that he told the child she treasured in her mind; and sometimes, 29595 29596when she awoke at night from dreams of those old times, and rising from 29597 29598her bed looked out at the dark church, she almost hoped to see the 29599 29600windows lighted up, and hear the organ's swell, and sound of voices, on 29601 29602the rushing wind.<br><br> 29603 29604The old sexton soon got better, and was about again. From him the 29605 29606child learnt many other things, though of a different kind. He was not 29607 29608able to work, but one day there was a grave to be made, and he came to 29609 29610overlook the man who dug it. He was in a talkative mood; and the 29611 29612child, at first standing by his side, and afterwards sitting on the 29613 29614grass at his feet, with her thoughtful face raised towards his, began 29615 29616to converse with him.<br><br> 29617 29618Now, the man who did the sexton's duty was a little older than he, 29619 29620though much more active. But he was deaf; and when the sexton (who 29621 29622peradventure, on a pinch, might have walked a mile with great 29623 29624difficulty in half-a-dozen hours) exchanged a remark with him about his 29625 29626work, the child could not help noticing that he did so with an 29627 29628impatient kind of pity for his infirmity, as if he were himself the 29629 29630strongest and heartiest man alive.<br><br> 29631 29632'I'm sorry to see there is this to do,' said the child when she 29633 29634approached. 'I heard of no one having died.'<br><br> 29635 29636'She lived in another hamlet, my dear,' returned the sexton. 'Three 29637 29638mile away.'<br><br> 29639 29640'Was she young?'<br><br> 29641 29642'Ye-yes' said the sexton; not more than sixty-four, I think. David, 29643 29644was she more than sixty-four?'<br><br> 29645 29646David, who was digging hard, heard nothing of the question. The 29647 29648sexton, as he could not reach to touch him with his crutch, and was too 29649 29650infirm to rise without assistance, called his attention by throwing a 29651 29652little mould upon his red nightcap.<br><br> 29653 29654'What's the matter now?' said David, looking up.<br><br> 29655 29656'How old was Becky Morgan?' asked the sexton.<br><br> 29657 29658'Becky Morgan?' repeated David.<br><br> 29659 29660'Yes,' replied the sexton; adding in a half compassionate, half 29661 29662irritable tone, which the old man couldn't hear, 'you're getting very 29663 29664deaf, Davy, very deaf to be sure!'<br><br> 29665 29666The old man stopped in his work, and cleansing his spade with a piece 29667 29668of slate he had by him for the purpose--and scraping off, in the 29669 29670process, the essence of Heaven knows how many Becky Morgans--set 29671 29672himself to consider the subject.<br><br> 29673 29674'Let me think' quoth he. 'I saw last night what they had put upon the 29675 29676coffin--was it seventy-nine?'<br><br> 29677 29678'No, no,' said the sexton.<br><br> 29679 29680'Ah yes, it was though,' returned the old man with a sigh. 'For I 29681 29682remember thinking she was very near our age. Yes, it was seventy-nine.'<br><br> 29683 29684'Are you sure you didn't mistake a figure, Davy?' asked the sexton, 29685 29686with signs of some emotion.<br><br> 29687 29688'What?' said the old man. 'Say that again.'<br><br> 29689 29690'He's very deaf. He's very deaf indeed,' cried the sexton petulantly; 29691 29692'are you sure you're right about the figures?'<br><br> 29693 29694'Oh quite,' replied the old man. 'Why not?'<br><br> 29695 29696'He's exceedingly deaf,' muttered the sexton to himself. 'I think he's 29697 29698getting foolish.'<br><br> 29699 29700The child rather wondered what had led him to this belief, as, to say 29701 29702the truth, the old man seemed quite as sharp as he, and was infinitely 29703 29704more robust. As the sexton said nothing more just then, however, she 29705 29706forgot it for the time, and spoke again.<br><br> 29707 29708'You were telling me,' she said, 'about your gardening. Do you ever 29709 29710plant things here?'<br><br> 29711 29712'In the churchyard?' returned the sexton, 'Not I.'<br><br> 29713 29714'I have seen some flowers and little shrubs about,' the child rejoined; 29715 29716'there are some over there, you see. I thought they were of your 29717 29718rearing, though indeed they grow but poorly.'<br><br> 29719 29720'They grow as Heaven wills,' said the old man; 'and it kindly ordains 29721 29722that they shall never flourish here.'<br><br> 29723
29724'I do not understand you.'<br><br> 29725 29726'Why, this it is,' said the sexton. 'They mark the graves of those who 29727 29728had very tender, loving friends.'<br><br> 29729 29730'I was sure they did!' the child exclaimed. 'I am very glad to know 29731 29732they do!'<br><br> 29733 29734'Aye,' returned the old man, 'but stay. Look at them. See how they 29735 29736hang their heads, and droop, and wither. Do you guess the reason?'<br><br> 29737 29738'No,' the child replied.<br><br> 29739 29740'Because the memory of those who lie below, passes away so soon. At 29741 29742first they tend them, morning, noon, and night; they soon begin to come 29743 29744less frequently; from once a day, to once a week; from once a week to 29745 29746once a month; then, at long and uncertain intervals; then, not at all. 29747 29748Such tokens seldom flourish long. I have known the briefest summer 29749 29750flowers outlive them.'<br><br> 29751 29752'I grieve to hear it,' said the child.<br><br> 29753 29754'Ah! so say the gentlefolks who come down here to look about them,' 29755 29756returned the old man, shaking his head, 'but I say otherwise. "It's a 29757 29758pretty custom you have in this part of the country," they say to me 29759 29760sometimes, "to plant the graves, but it's melancholy to see these 29761 29762things all withering or dead." I crave their pardon and tell them that, 29763 29764as I take it, 'tis a good sign for the happiness of the living. And so 29765 29766it is. It's nature.'<br><br> 29767 29768'Perhaps the mourners learn to look to the blue sky by day, and to the 29769 29770stars by night, and to think that the dead are there, and not in 29771 29772graves,' said the child in an earnest voice.<br><br> 29773 29774'Perhaps so,' replied the old man doubtfully. 'It may be.'<br><br> 29775 29776'Whether it be as I believe it is, or no,' thought the child within 29777 29778herself, 'I'll make this place my garden. It will be no harm at least 29779 29780to work here day by day, and pleasant thoughts will come of it, I am 29781 29782sure.'<br><br> 29783 29784Her glowing cheek and moistened eye passed unnoticed by the sexton, who 29785 29786turned towards old David, and called him by his name. It was plain 29787 29788that Becky Morgan's age still troubled him; though why, the child could 29789 29790scarcely understand.<br><br> 29791 29792The second or third repetition of his name attracted the old man's 29793 29794attention. Pausing from his work, he leant on his spade, and put his 29795 29796hand to his dull ear.<br><br> 29797 29798'Did you call?' he said.<br><br> 29799 29800'I have been thinking, Davy,' replied the sexton, 'that she,' he 29801 29802pointed to the grave, 'must have been a deal older than you or me.'<br><br> 29803 29804'Seventy-nine,' answered the old man with a shake of the head, 'I tell 29805 29806you that I saw it.'<br><br> 29807 29808'Saw it?' replied the sexton; 'aye, but, Davy, women don't always tell 29809 29810the truth about their age.'<br><br> 29811 29812'That's true indeed,' said the other old man, with a sudden sparkle in 29813 29814his eye. 'She might have been older.'<br><br> 29815 29816'I'm sure she must have been. Why, only think how old she looked. You 29817 29818and I seemed but boys to her.'<br><br> 29819 29820'She did look old,' rejoined David. 'You're right. She did look old.'<br><br> 29821 29822'Call to mind how old she looked for many a long, long year, and say if 29823
29824she could be but seventy-nine at last--only our age,' said the sexton.<br><br> 29825 29826'Five year older at the very least!' cried the other.<br><br> 29827 29828'Five!' retorted the sexton. 'Ten. Good eighty-nine. I call to mind 29829 29830the time her daughter died. She was eighty-nine if she was a day, and 29831 29832tries to pass upon us now, for ten year younger. Oh! human vanity!'<br><br> 29833 29834The other old man was not behindhand with some moral reflections on 29835 29836this fruitful theme, and both adduced a mass of evidence, of such 29837 29838weight as to render it doubtful--not whether the deceased was of the 29839 29840age suggested, but whether she had not almost reached the patriarchal 29841 29842term of a hundred. When they had settled this question to their mutual 29843 29844satisfaction, the sexton, with his friend's assistance, rose to go.<br><br> 29845 29846'It's chilly, sitting here, and I must be careful--till the summer,' he 29847 29848said, as he prepared to limp away.<br><br> 29849 29850'What?' asked old David.<br><br> 29851 29852'He's very deaf, poor fellow!' cried the sexton. 'Good-bye!' 'Ah!' 29853 29854said old David, looking after him. 'He's failing very fast. He ages 29855 29856every day.'<br><br> 29857 29858And so they parted; each persuaded that the other had less life in him 29859 29860than himself; and both greatly consoled and comforted by the little 29861 29862fiction they had agreed upon, respecting Becky Morgan, whose decease 29863 29864was no longer a precedent of uncomfortable application, and would be no 29865 29866business of theirs for half a score of years to come.<br><br> 29867 29868The child remained, for some minutes, watching the deaf old man as he 29869 29870threw out the earth with his shovel, and, often stopping to cough and 29871 29872fetch his breath, still muttered to himself, with a kind of sober 29873 29874chuckle, that the sexton was wearing fast. At length she turned away, 29875 29876and walking thoughtfully through the churchyard, came unexpectedly upon 29877 29878the schoolmaster, who was sitting on a green grave in the sun, reading.<br><br> 29879 29880'Nell here?' he said cheerfully, as he closed his book. 'It does me 29881 29882good to see you in the air and light. I feared you were again in the 29883 29884church, where you so often are.'<br><br> 29885 29886'Feared!' replied the child, sitting down beside him. 'Is it not a 29887 29888good place?'<br><br> 29889 29890'Yes, yes,' said the schoolmaster. 'But you must be gay 29891 29892sometimes--nay, don't shake your head and smile so sadly.'<br><br> 29893 29894'Not sadly, if you knew my heart. Do not look at me as if you thought 29895 29896me sorrowful. There is not a happier creature on earth, than I am now.'<br><br> 29897 29898Full of grateful tenderness, the child took his hand, and folded it 29899 29900between her own. 'It's God's will!' she said, when they had been 29901 29902silent for some time.<br><br> 29903 29904'What?'<br><br> 29905 29906'All this,' she rejoined; 'all this about us. But which of us is sad 29907 29908now? You see that I am smiling.'<br><br> 29909 29910'And so am I,' said the schoolmaster; 'smiling to think how often we 29911 29912shall laugh in this same place. Were you not talking yonder?'<br><br> 29913 29914'Yes,'the child rejoined.<br><br> 29915 29916'Of something that has made you sorrowful?'<br><br> 29917 29918There was a long pause.<br><br> 29919 29920'What was it?' said the schoolmaster, tenderly. 'Come. Tell me what 29921 29922it was.'<br><br> 29923 29924'I rather grieve--I do rather grieve to think,' said the child, 29925 29926bursting into tears, 'that those who die about us, are so soon 29927 29928forgotten.'<br><br> 29929 29930'And do you think,' said the schoolmaster, marking the glance she had 29931 29932thrown around, 'that an unvisited grave, a withered tree, a faded 29933 29934flower or two, are tokens of forgetfulness or cold neglect? Do you 29935 29936think there are no deeds, far away from here, in which these dead may 29937 29938be best remembered? Nell, Nell, there may be people busy in the world, 29939 29940at this instant, in whose good actions and good thoughts these very 29941 29942graves--neglected as they look to us--are the chief instruments.'<br><br> 29943 29944'Tell me no more,' said the child quickly. 'Tell me no more. I feel, 29945 29946I know it. How could I be unmindful of it, when I thought of you?'<br><br> 29947 29948'There is nothing,' cried her friend, 'no, nothing innocent or good, 29949 29950that dies, and is forgotten. Let us hold to that faith, or none. An 29951 29952infant, a prattling child, dying in its cradle, will live again in the 29953 29954better thoughts of those who loved it, and will play its part, through 29955 29956them, in the redeeming actions of the world, though its body be burnt 29957 29958to ashes or drowned in the deepest sea. There is not an angel added to 29959 29960the Host of Heaven but does its blessed work on earth in those that 29961 29962loved it here. Forgotten! oh, if the good deeds of human creatures 29963 29964could be traced to their source, how beautiful would even death appear; 29965 29966for how much charity, mercy, and purified affection, would be seen to 29967 29968have their growth in dusty graves!'<br><br> 29969 29970'Yes,' said the child, 'it is the truth; I know it is. Who should feel 29971 29972its force so much as I, in whom your little scholar lives again! Dear, 29973 29974dear, good friend, if you knew the comfort you have given me!'<br><br> 29975 29976The poor schoolmaster made her no answer, but bent over her in silence; 29977 29978for his heart was full.<br><br> 29979 29980They were yet seated in the same place, when the grandfather 29981 29982approached. Before they had spoken many words together, the church 29983 29984clock struck the hour of school, and their friend withdrew.<br><br> 29985 29986'A good man,' said the grandfather, looking after him; 'a kind man. 29987 29988Surely he will never harm us, Nell. We are safe here, at last, eh? We 29989 29990will never go away from here?'<br><br> 29991 29992The child shook her head and smiled.<br><br> 29993 29994'She needs rest,' said the old man, patting her cheek; 'too pale--too 29995 29996pale. She is not like what she was.'<br><br> 29997 29998When?' asked the child.<br><br> 29999 30000'Ha!' said the old man, 'to be sure--when? How many weeks ago? Could 30001 30002I count them on my fingers? Let them rest though; they're better 30003 30004gone.' 'Much better, dear,' replied the child. 'We will forget them; 30005 30006or, if we ever call them to mind, it shall be only as some uneasy dream 30007 30008that has passed away.'<br><br> 30009 30010'Hush!' said the old man, motioning hastily to her with his hand and 30011 30012looking over his shoulder; 'no more talk of the dream, and all the 30013 30014miseries it brought. There are no dreams here. 'Tis a quiet place, 30015 30016and they keep away. Let us never think about them, lest they should 30017 30018pursue us again. Sunken eyes and hollow cheeks--wet, cold, and 30019 30020famine--and horrors before them all, that were even worse--we must 30021 30022forget such things if we would be tranquil here.'<br><br> 30023 30024'Thank Heaven!' inwardly exclaimed the child, 'for this most happy 30025 30026change!'<br><br> 30027 30028'I will be patient,' said the old man, 'humble, very thankful, and 30029 30030obedient, if you will let me stay. But do not hide from me; do not 30031 30032steal away alone; let me keep beside you. Indeed, I will be very true 30033 30034and faithful, Nell.'<br><br> 30035 30036'I steal away alone! why that,' replied the child, with assumed gaiety, 30037 30038'would be a pleasant jest indeed. See here, dear grandfather, we'll 30039 30040make this place our garden--why not! It is a very good one--and 30041 30042to-morrow we'll begin, and work together, side by side.'<br><br> 30043 30044'It is a brave thought!' cried her grandfather. 'Mind, darling--we 30045 30046begin to-morrow!'<br><br> 30047 30048Who so delighted as the old man, when they next day began their labour! 30049 30050Who so unconscious of all associations connected with the spot, as he! 30051 30052They plucked the long grass and nettles from the tombs, thinned the 30053 30054poor shrubs and roots, made the turf smooth, and cleared it of the 30055 30056leaves and weeds. They were yet in the ardour of their work, when the 30057 30058child, raising her head from the ground over which she bent, observed 30059 30060that the bachelor was sitting on the stile close by, watching them in 30061 30062silence.<br><br> 30063 30064'A kind office,' said the little gentleman, nodding to Nell as she 30065 30066curtseyed to him. 'Have you done all that, this morning?'<br><br> 30067 30068'It is very little, sir,' returned the child, with downcast eyes, 'to 30069 30070what we mean to do.'<br><br> 30071 30072'Good work, good work,' said the bachelor. 'But do you only labour at 30073 30074the graves of children, and young people?'<br><br> 30075 30076'We shall come to the others in good time, sir,' replied Nell, turning 30077 30078her head aside, and speaking softly.<br><br> 30079 30080It was a slight incident, and might have been design or accident, or 30081 30082the child's unconscious sympathy with youth. But it seemed to strike 30083 30084upon her grandfather, though he had not noticed it before. He looked 30085 30086in a hurried manner at the graves, then anxiously at the child, then 30087
30088pressed her to his side, and bade her stop to rest. Something he had 30089 30090long forgotten, appeared to struggle faintly in his mind. It did not 30091 30092pass away, as weightier things had done; but came uppermost again, and 30093 30094yet again, and many times that day, and often afterwards. Once, while 30095 30096they were yet at work, the child, seeing that he often turned and 30097 30098looked uneasily at her, as though he were trying to resolve some 30099 30100painful doubts or collect some scattered thoughts, urged him to tell 30101 30102the reason. But he said it was nothing--nothing--and, laying her head 30103 30104upon his arm, patted her fair cheek with his hand, and muttered that 30105 30106she grew stronger every day, and would be a woman, soon.<br><br> 30107 30108CHAPTER 55<br><br> 30109 30110From that time, there sprung up in the old man's mind, a solicitude 30111 30112about the child which never slept or left him. There are chords in the 30113 30114human heart--strange, varying strings--which are only struck by 30115 30116accident; which will remain mute and senseless to appeals the most 30117 30118passionate and earnest, and respond at last to the slightest casual 30119 30120touch. In the most insensible or childish minds, there is some train 30121 30122of reflection which art can seldom lead, or skill assist, but which 30123 30124will reveal itself, as great truths have done, by chance, and when the 30125 30126discoverer has the plainest end in view. From that time, the old man 30127 30128never, for a moment, forgot the weakness and devotion of the child; 30129 30130from the time of that slight incident, he who had seen her toiling by 30131 30132his side through so much difficulty and suffering, and had scarcely 30133 30134thought of her otherwise than as the partner of miseries which he felt 30135 30136severely in his own person, and deplored for his own sake at least as 30137 30138much as hers, awoke to a sense of what he owed her, and what those 30139 30140miseries had made her. Never, no, never once, in one unguarded moment 30141 30142from that time to the end, did any care for himself, any thought of his 30143 30144own comfort, any selfish consideration or regard distract his thoughts 30145 30146from the gentle object of his love.<br><br> 30147 30148He would follow her up and down, waiting till she should tire and lean 30149 30150upon his arm--he would sit opposite to her in the chimney-corner, 30151 30152content to watch, and look, until she raised her head and smiled upon 30153 30154him as of old--he would discharge by stealth, those household duties 30155 30156which tasked her powers too heavily--he would rise, in the cold dark 30157 30158nights, to listen to her breathing in her sleep, and sometimes crouch 30159 30160for hours by her bedside only to touch her hand. He who knows all, can 30161 30162only know what hopes, and fears, and thoughts of deep affection, were 30163 30164in that one disordered brain, and what a change had fallen on the poor 30165 30166old man. Sometimes--weeks had crept on, then--the child, exhausted, 30167 30168though with little fatigue, would pass whole evenings on a couch beside 30169 30170the fire. At such times, the schoolmaster would bring in books, and 30171 30172read to her aloud; and seldom an evening passed, but the bachelor came 30173 30174in, and took his turn of reading. The old man sat and listened--with 30175 30176little understanding for the words, but with his eyes fixed upon the 30177 30178child--and if she smiled or brightened with the story, he would say it 30179 30180was a good one, and conceive a fondness for the very book. When, in 30181 30182their evening talk, the bachelor told some tale that pleased her (as 30183 30184his tales were sure to do), the old man would painfully try to store it 30185 30186in his mind; nay, when the bachelor left them, he would sometimes slip 30187 30188out after him, and humbly beg that he would tell him such a part again, 30189 30190that he might learn to win a smile from Nell.<br><br> 30191 30192But these were rare occasions, happily; for the child yearned to be out 30193 30194of doors, and walking in her solemn garden. Parties, too, would come 30195 30196to see the church; and those who came, speaking to others of the child, 30197 30198sent more; so even at that season of the year they had visitors almost 30199 30200daily. The old man would follow them at a little distance through the 30201 30202building, listening to the voice he loved so well; and when the 30203 30204strangers left, and parted from Nell, he would mingle with them to 30205 30206catch up fragments of their conversation; or he would stand for the 30207 30208same purpose, with his grey head uncovered, at the gate as they passed 30209 30210through.<br><br> 30211 30212They always praised the child, her sense and beauty, and he was proud 30213 30214to hear them! But what was that, so often added, which wrung his 30215 30216heart, and made him sob and weep alone, in some dull corner! Alas! 30217 30218even careless strangers--they who had no feeling for her, but the 30219 30220interest of the moment--they who would go away and forget next week 30221 30222that such a being lived--even they saw it--even they pitied her--even 30223 30224they bade him good day compassionately, and whispered as they passed.<br><br> 30225 30226The people of the village, too, of whom there was not one but grew to 30227 30228have a fondness for poor Nell; even among them, there was the same 30229 30230feeling; a tenderness towards her--a compassionate regard for her, 30231 30232increasing every day. The very schoolboys, light-hearted and 30233 30234thoughtless as they were, even they cared for her. The roughest among 30235 30236them was sorry if he missed her in the usual place upon his way to 30237 30238school, and would turn out of the path to ask for her at the latticed 30239 30240window. If she were sitting in the church, they perhaps might peep in 30241 30242softly at the open door; but they never spoke to her, unless she rose 30243 30244and went to speak to them. Some feeling was abroad which raised the 30245 30246child above them all.<br><br> 30247 30248So, when Sunday came. They were all poor country people in the church, 30249 30250for the castle in which the old family had lived, was an empty ruin, 30251 30252and there were none but humble folks for seven miles around. There, as 30253 30254elsewhere, they had an interest in Nell. They would gather round her 30255 30256in the porch, before and after service; young children would cluster at 30257 30258her skirts; and aged men and women forsake their gossips, to give her 30259 30260kindly greeting. None of them, young or old, thought of passing the 30261 30262child without a friendly word. Many who came from three or four miles 30263 30264distant, brought her little presents; the humblest and rudest had good 30265 30266wishes to bestow.<br><br> 30267 30268She had sought out the young children whom she first saw playing in the 30269 30270churchyard. One of these--he who had spoken of his brother--was her 30271 30272little favourite and friend, and often sat by her side in the church, 30273 30274or climbed with her to the tower-top. It was his delight to help her, 30275 30276or to fancy that he did so, and they soon became close companions.<br><br> 30277 30278It happened, that, as she was reading in the old spot by herself one 30279 30280day, this child came running in with his eyes full of tears, and after 30281 30282holding her from him, and looking at her eagerly for a moment, clasped 30283 30284his little arms passionately about her neck.<br><br> 30285 30286'What now?' said Nell, soothing him. 'What is the matter?'<br><br> 30287 30288'She is not one yet!' cried the boy, embracing her still more closely. 30289 30290'No, no. Not yet.'<br><br> 30291 30292She looked at him wonderingly, and putting his hair back from his face, 30293 30294and kissing him, asked what he meant.<br><br> 30295 30296'You must not be one, dear Nell,' cried the boy. 'We can't see them. 30297 30298They never come to play with us, or talk to us. Be what you are. You 30299 30300are better so.'<br><br> 30301
30302'I do not understand you,' said the child. 'Tell me what you mean.'<br><br> 30303 30304'Why, they say,' replied the boy, looking up into her face, that you 30305 30306will be an Angel, before the birds sing again. But you won't be, will 30307 30308you? Don't leave us Nell, though the sky is bright. Do not leave us!'<br><br> 30309 30310The child dropped her head, and put her hands before her face.<br><br> 30311 30312'She cannot bear the thought!' cried the boy, exulting through his 30313 30314tears. 'You will not go. You know how sorry we should be. Dear Nell, 30315 30316tell me that you'll stay amongst us. Oh! Pray, pray, tell me that you 30317 30318will.'<br><br> 30319 30320The little creature folded his hands, and knelt down at her feet.<br><br> 30321 30322'Only look at me, Nell,' said the boy, 'and tell me that you'll stop, 30323 30324and then I shall know that they are wrong, and will cry no more. Won't 30325 30326you say yes, Nell?'<br><br> 30327 30328Still the drooping head and hidden face, and the child quite 30329 30330silent--save for her sobs.<br><br> 30331 30332'After a time,' pursued the boy, trying to draw away her hand, the kind 30333 30334angels will be glad to think that you are not among them, and that you 30335 30336stayed here to be with us. Willy went away, to join them; but if he 30337 30338had known how I should miss him in our little bed at night, he never 30339 30340would have left me, I am sure.'<br><br> 30341 30342Yet the child could make him no answer, and sobbed as though her heart 30343 30344were bursting. 'Why would you go, dear Nell? I know you would not be 30345 30346happy when you heard that we were crying for your loss. They say that 30347 30348Willy is in Heaven now, and that it's always summer there, and yet I'm 30349 30350sure he grieves when I lie down upon his garden bed, and he cannot turn 30351 30352to kiss me. But if you do go, Nell,' said the boy, caressing her, and 30353 30354pressing his face to hers, 'be fond of him for my sake. Tell him how I 30355 30356love him still, and how much I loved you; and when I think that you two 30357 30358are together, and are happy, I'll try to bear it, and never give you 30359 30360pain by doing wrong--indeed I never will!'<br><br> 30361 30362The child suffered him to move her hands, and put them round his neck. 30363 30364There was a tearful silence, but it was not long before she looked upon 30365 30366him with a smile, and promised him, in a very gentle, quiet voice, that 30367 30368she would stay, and be his friend, as long as Heaven would let her. He 30369 30370clapped his hands for joy, and thanked her many times; and being 30371 30372charged to tell no person what had passed between them, gave her an 30373 30374earnest promise that he never would.<br><br> 30375 30376Nor did he, so far as the child could learn; but was her quiet 30377 30378companion in all her walks and musings, and never again adverted to the 30379 30380theme, which he felt had given her pain, although he was unconscious of 30381 30382its cause. Something of distrust lingered about him still; for he 30383 30384would often come, even in the dark evenings, and call in a timid voice 30385 30386outside the door to know if she were safe within; and being answered 30387 30388yes, and bade to enter, would take his station on a low stool at her 30389 30390feet, and sit there patiently until they came to seek, and take him 30391 30392home. Sure as the morning came, it found him lingering near the house 30393 30394to ask if she were well; and, morning, noon, or night, go where she 30395 30396would, he would forsake his playmates and his sports to bear her 30397 30398company.<br><br> 30399 30400'And a good little friend he is, too,' said the old sexton to her once. 30401 30402'When his elder brother died--elder seems a strange word, for he was 30403 30404only seven years old--I remember this one took it sorely to heart.'<br><br> 30405 30406The child thought of what the schoolmaster had told her, and felt how 30407 30408its truth was shadowed out even in this infant.<br><br> 30409 30410'It has given him something of a quiet way, I think,' said the old man, 30411 30412'though for that he is merry enough at times. I'd wager now that you 30413 30414and he have been listening by the old well.'<br><br> 30415 30416'Indeed we have not,' the child replied. 'I have been afraid to go 30417 30418near it; for I am not often down in that part of the church, and do not 30419 30420know the ground.'<br><br> 30421 30422'Come down with me,' said the old man. 'I have known it from a boy. 30423 30424Come!'<br><br> 30425 30426They descended the narrow steps which led into the crypt, and paused 30427 30428among the gloomy arches, in a dim and murky spot.<br><br> 30429 30430'This is the place,' said the old man. 'Give me your hand while you 30431 30432throw back the cover, lest you should stumble and fall in. I am too 30433 30434old--I mean rheumatic--to stoop, myself.'<br><br> 30435 30436'A black and dreadful place!' exclaimed the child.<br><br> 30437 30438'Look in,' said the old man, pointing downward with his finger.<br><br> 30439 30440The child complied, and gazed down into the pit.<br><br> 30441 30442'It looks like a grave itself,' said the old man.<br><br> 30443 30444'It does,' replied the child.<br><br> 30445 30446'I have often had the fancy,' said the sexton, 'that it might have been 30447 30448dug at first to make the old place more gloomy, and the old monks more 30449 30450religious. It's to be closed up, and built over.'<br><br> 30451 30452The child still stood, looking thoughtfully into the vault.<br><br> 30453 30454'We shall see,' said the sexton, 'on what gay heads other earth will 30455 30456have closed, when the light is shut out from here. God knows! They'll 30457 30458close it up, next spring.'<br><br> 30459 30460'The birds sing again in spring,' thought the child, as she leaned at 30461 30462her casement window, and gazed at the declining sun. 'Spring! a 30463 30464beautiful and happy time!'<br><br> 30465 30466CHAPTER 56<br><br> 30467 30468A day or two after the Quilp tea-party at the Wilderness, Mr Swiveller 30469 30470walked into Sampson Brass's office at the usual hour, and being alone 30471 30472in that Temple of Probity, placed his hat upon the desk, and taking 30473 30474from his pocket a small parcel of black crape, applied himself to 30475 30476folding and pinning the same upon it, after the manner of a hatband. 30477 30478Having completed the construction of this appendage, he surveyed his 30479 30480work with great complacency, and put his hat on again--very much over 30481 30482one eye, to increase the mournfulness of the effect. These 30483 30484arrangements perfected to his entire satisfaction, he thrust his hands 30485 30486into his pockets, and walked up and down the office with measured steps.<br><br> 30487 30488'It has always been the same with me,' said Mr Swiveller, 'always. 30489 30490'Twas ever thus--from childhood's hour I've seen my fondest hopes 30491 30492decay, I never loved a tree or flower but 'twas the first to fade away; 30493 30494I never nursed a dear Gazelle, to glad me with its soft black eye, but 30495 30496when it came to know me well, and love me, it was sure to marry a 30497 30498market-gardener.'<br><br> 30499 30500Overpowered by these reflections, Mr Swiveller stopped short at the 30501 30502clients' chair, and flung himself into its open arms.<br><br> 30503 30504'And this,' said Mr Swiveller, with a kind of bantering composure, 'is 30505 30506life, I believe. Oh, certainly. Why not! I'm quite satisfied. I 30507 30508shall wear,' added Richard, taking off his hat again and looking hard 30509 30510at it, as if he were only deterred by pecuniary considerations from 30511 30512spurning it with his foot, 'I shall wear this emblem of woman's 30513 30514perfidy, in remembrance of her with whom I shall never again thread the 30515 30516windings of the mazy; whom I shall never more pledge in the rosy; who, 30517 30518during the short remainder of my existence, will murder the balmy. Ha, 30519 30520ha, ha!'<br><br> 30521 30522It may be necessary to observe, lest there should appear any 30523 30524incongruity in the close of this soliloquy, that Mr Swiveller did not 30525 30526wind up with a cheerful hilarious laugh, which would have been 30527 30528undoubtedly at variance with his solemn reflections, but that, being in 30529 30530a theatrical mood, he merely achieved that performance which is 30531 30532designated in melodramas 'laughing like a fiend,'--for it seems that 30533 30534your fiends always laugh in syllables, and always in three syllables, 30535 30536never more nor less, which is a remarkable property in such gentry, and 30537 30538one worthy of remembrance.<br><br> 30539 30540The baleful sounds had hardly died away, and Mr Swiveller was still 30541 30542sitting in a very grim state in the clients' chair, when there came a 30543 30544ring--or, if we may adapt the sound to his then humour, a knell--at 30545 30546the office bell. Opening the door with all speed, he beheld the 30547 30548expressive countenance of Mr Chuckster, between whom and himself a 30549 30550fraternal greeting ensued.<br><br> 30551 30552'You're devilish early at this pestiferous old slaughter-house,' said 30553 30554that gentleman, poising himself on one leg, and shaking the other in an 30555 30556easy manner.<br><br> 30557 30558'Rather,' returned Dick.<br><br> 30559 30560'Rather!' retorted Mr Chuckster, with that air of graceful trifling 30561 30562which so well became him. 'I should think so. Why, my good feller, do 30563
30564you know what o'clock it is--half-past nine a.m. in the morning?'<br><br> 30565 30566'Won't you come in?' said Dick. 'All alone. Swiveller solus. 'Tis 30567 30568now the witching--'<br><br> 30569 30570'"Hour of night!"'<br><br> 30571 30572'"When churchyards yawn,"'<br><br> 30573 30574'"And graves give up their dead."'<br><br> 30575 30576At the end of this quotation in dialogue, each gentleman struck an 30577 30578attitude, and immediately subsiding into prose walked into the office. 30579 30580Such morsels of enthusiasm are common among the Glorious Apollos, and 30581 30582were indeed the links that bound them together, and raised them above 30583 30584the cold dull earth.<br><br> 30585 30586'Well, and how are you my buck?' said Mr Chuckster, taking a stool. 'I 30587 30588was forced to come into the City upon some little private matters of my 30589 30590own, and couldn't pass the corner of the street without looking in, but 30591 30592upon my soul I didn't expect to find you. It is so everlastingly 30593 30594early.'<br><br> 30595 30596Mr Swiveller expressed his acknowledgments; and it appearing on further 30597 30598conversation that he was in good health, and that Mr Chuckster was in 30599 30600the like enviable condition, both gentlemen, in compliance with a 30601 30602solemn custom of the ancient Brotherhood to which they belonged, joined 30603 30604in a fragment of the popular duet of 'All's Well,' with a long shake' 30605 30606at the end.<br><br> 30607 30608'And what's the news?' said Richard.<br><br> 30609 30610'The town's as flat, my dear feller,' replied Mr Chuckster, 'as the 30611 30612surface of a Dutch oven. There's no news. By-the-bye, that lodger of 30613 30614yours is a most extraordinary person. He quite eludes the most 30615 30616vigorous comprehension, you know. Never was such a feller!'<br><br> 30617 30618'What has he been doing now?' said Dick.<br><br> 30619 30620'By Jove, Sir,' returned Mr Chuckster, taking out an oblong snuff-box, 30621 30622the lid whereof was ornamented with a fox's head curiously carved in 30623 30624brass, 'that man is an unfathomable. Sir, that man has made friends 30625 30626with our articled clerk. There's no harm in him, but he is so 30627 30628amazingly slow and soft. Now, if he wanted a friend, why couldn't he 30629 30630have one that knew a thing or two, and could do him some good by his 30631 30632manners and conversation. I have my faults, sir,' said Mr Chuckster--<br><br> 30633 30634'No, no,' interposed Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 30635 30636'Oh yes I have, I have my faults, no man knows his faults better than I 30637 30638know mine. But,' said Mr Chuckster, 'I'm not meek. My worst 30639 30640enemies--every man has his enemies, Sir, and I have mine--never 30641 30642accused me of being meek. And I tell you what, Sir, if I hadn't more 30643 30644of these qualities that commonly endear man to man, than our articled 30645 30646clerk has, I'd steal a Cheshire cheese, tie it round my neck, and drown 30647 30648myself. I'd die degraded, as I had lived. I would upon my honour.'<br><br> 30649 30650Mr Chuckster paused, rapped the fox's head exactly on the nose with the 30651 30652knuckle of the fore-finger, took a pinch of snuff, and looked steadily 30653 30654at Mr Swiveller, as much as to say that if he thought he was going to 30655 30656sneeze, he would find himself mistaken.<br><br> 30657 30658'Not contented, Sir,' said Mr Chuckster, 'with making friends with 30659 30660Abel, he has cultivated the acquaintance of his father and mother. 30661 30662Since he came home from that wild-goose chase, he has been there-- 30663 30664actually been there. He patronises young Snobby besides; you'll find, 30665 30666Sir, that he'll be constantly coming backwards and forwards to this 30667 30668place: yet I don't suppose that beyond the common forms of civility, he 30669 30670has ever exchanged half-a-dozen words with me. Now, upon my soul, you 30671 30672know,' said Mr Chuckster, shaking his head gravely, as men are wont to 30673 30674do when they consider things are going a little too far, 'this is 30675 30676altogether such a low-minded affair, that if I didn't feel for the 30677 30678governor, and know that he could never get on without me, I should be 30679 30680obliged to cut the connection. I should have no alternative.'<br><br> 30681 30682Mr Swiveller, who sat on another stool opposite to his friend, stirred 30683 30684the fire in an excess of sympathy, but said nothing.<br><br> 30685 30686'As to young Snob, sir,' pursued Mr Chuckster with a prophetic look, 30687 30688'you'll find he'll turn out bad. In our profession we know something 30689 30690of human nature, and take my word for it, that the feller that came 30691 30692back to work out that shilling, will show himself one of these days in 30693 30694his true colours. He's a low thief, sir. He must be.'<br><br> 30695 30696Mr Chuckster being roused, would probably have pursued this subject 30697 30698further, and in more emphatic language, but for a tap at the door, 30699
30700which seeming to announce the arrival of somebody on business, caused 30701 30702him to assume a greater appearance of meekness than was perhaps quite 30703 30704consistent with his late declaration. Mr Swiveller, hearing the same 30705 30706sound, caused his stool to revolve rapidly on one leg until it brought 30707 30708him to his desk, into which, having forgotten in the sudden flurry of 30709 30710his spirits to part with the poker, he thrust it as he cried 'Come in!'<br><br> 30711 30712Who should present himself but that very Kit who had been the theme of 30713 30714Mr Chuckster's wrath! Never did man pluck up his courage so quickly, 30715 30716or look so fierce, as Mr Chuckster when he found it was he. Mr 30717 30718Swiveller stared at him for a moment, and then leaping from his stool, 30719 30720and drawing out the poker from its place of concealment, performed the 30721 30722broad-sword exercise with all the cuts and guards complete, in a 30723 30724species of frenzy.<br><br> 30725 30726'Is the gentleman at home?' said Kit, rather astonished by this 30727 30728uncommon reception.<br><br> 30729 30730Before Mr Swiveller could make any reply, Mr Chuckster took occasion to 30731 30732enter his indignant protest against this form of inquiry; which he held 30733 30734to be of a disrespectful and snobbish tendency, inasmuch as the 30735 30736inquirer, seeing two gentlemen then and there present, should have 30737 30738spoken of the other gentleman; or rather (for it was not impossible 30739 30740that the object of his search might be of inferior quality) should have 30741 30742mentioned his name, leaving it to his hearers to determine his degree 30743 30744as they thought proper. Mr Chuckster likewise remarked, that he had 30745 30746some reason to believe this form of address was personal to himself, 30747 30748and that he was not a man to be trifled with--as certain snobs (whom he 30749 30750did not more particularly mention or describe) might find to their cost.<br><br> 30751 30752'I mean the gentleman up-stairs,' said Kit, turning to Richard 30753 30754Swiveller. 'Is he at home?'<br><br> 30755 30756'Why?' rejoined Dick.<br><br> 30757 30758'Because if he is, I have a letter for him.'<br><br> 30759 30760'From whom?' said Dick.<br><br> 30761 30762'From Mr Garland.'<br><br> 30763 30764'Oh!' said Dick, with extreme politeness. 'Then you may hand it over, 30765 30766Sir. And if you're to wait for an answer, Sir, you may wait in the 30767 30768passage, Sir, which is an airy and well-ventilated apartment, sir.'<br><br> 30769 30770'Thank you,' returned Kit. 'But I am to give it to himself, if you 30771 30772please.'<br><br> 30773 30774The excessive audacity of this retort so overpowered Mr Chuckster, and 30775 30776so moved his tender regard for his friend's honour, that he declared, 30777 30778if he were not restrained by official considerations, he must certainly 30779 30780have annihilated Kit upon the spot; a resentment of the affront which 30781 30782he did consider, under the extraordinary circumstances of aggravation 30783 30784attending it, could but have met with the proper sanction and approval 30785 30786of a jury of Englishmen, who, he had no doubt, would have returned a 30787 30788verdict of justifiable Homicide, coupled with a high testimony to the 30789 30790morals and character of the Avenger. Mr Swiveller, without being quite 30791 30792so hot upon the matter, was rather shamed by his friend's excitement, 30793 30794and not a little puzzled how to act (Kit being quite cool and 30795 30796good-humoured), when the single gentleman was heard to call violently 30797 30798down the stairs.<br><br> 30799 30800'Didn't I see somebody for me, come in?' cried the lodger.<br><br> 30801 30802'Yes, Sir,' replied Dick. 'Certainly, Sir.'<br><br> 30803 30804'Then where is he?' roared the single gentleman.<br><br> 30805 30806'He's here, sir,' rejoined Mr Swiveller. 'Now young man, don't you 30807 30808hear you're to go up-stairs? Are you deaf?'<br><br> 30809 30810Kit did not appear to think it worth his while to enter into any 30811 30812altercation, but hurried off and left the Glorious Apollos gazing at 30813 30814each other in silence.<br><br> 30815 30816'Didn't I tell you so?' said Mr Chuckster. 'What do you think of that?'<br><br> 30817 30818Mr Swiveller being in the main a good-natured fellow, and not 30819 30820perceiving in the conduct of Kit any villany of enormous magnitude, 30821 30822scarcely knew what answer to return. He was relieved from his 30823 30824perplexity, however, by the entrance of Mr Sampson and his sister, 30825 30826Sally, at sight of whom Mr Chuckster precipitately retired.<br><br> 30827 30828Mr Brass and his lovely companion appeared to have been holding a 30829 30830consultation over their temperate breakfast, upon some matter of great 30831 30832interest and importance. On the occasion of such conferences, they 30833 30834generally appeared in the office some half an hour after their usual 30835 30836time, and in a very smiling state, as though their late plots and 30837 30838designs had tranquillised their minds and shed a light upon their 30839 30840toilsome way. In the present instance, they seemed particularly gay; 30841 30842Miss Sally's aspect being of a most oily kind, and Mr Brass rubbing his 30843 30844hands in an exceedingly jocose and light-hearted manner. 'Well, Mr 30845 30846Richard,' said Brass. 'How are we this morning? Are we pretty fresh 30847 30848and cheerful sir--eh, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 30849 30850'Pretty well, sir,' replied Dick.<br><br> 30851 30852'That's well,' said Brass. 'Ha ha! We should be as gay as larks, Mr 30853
30854Richard--why not? It's a pleasant world we live in sir, a very 30855 30856pleasant world. There are bad people in it, Mr Richard, but if there 30857 30858were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers. Ha ha! Any 30859 30860letters by the post this morning, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 30861 30862Mr Swiveller answered in the negative.<br><br> 30863 30864'Ha!' said Brass, 'no matter. If there's little business to-day, 30865 30866there'll be more to-morrow. A contented spirit, Mr Richard, is the 30867 30868sweetness of existence. Anybody been here, sir?'<br><br> 30869 30870'Only my friend'--replied Dick. 'May we ne'er want a--'<br><br> 30871 30872'Friend,' Brass chimed in quickly, 'or a bottle to give him.' Ha ha! 30873 30874That's the way the song runs, isn't it? A very good song, Mr Richard, 30875 30876very good. I like the sentiment of it. Ha ha! Your friend's the 30877 30878young man from Witherden's office I think--yes--May we ne'er want a-- 30879 30880Nobody else at all, been, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 30881 30882'Only somebody to the lodger,' replied Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 30883 30884'Oh indeed!' cried Brass. 'Somebody to the lodger eh? Ha ha! May we 30885 30886ne'er want a friend, or a---- Somebody to the lodger, eh, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 30887 30888'Yes,' said Dick, a little disconcerted by the excessive buoyancy of 30889 30890spirits which his employer displayed. 'With him now.'<br><br> 30891 30892'With him now!' cried Brass; 'Ha ha! There let 'em be, merry and free, 30893 30894toor rul rol le. Eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha!'<br><br> 30895 30896'Oh certainly,' replied Dick.<br><br> 30897 30898'And who,' said Brass, shuffling among his papers, 'who is the lodger's 30899 30900visitor--not a lady visitor, I hope, eh, Mr Richard? The morals of the 30901 30902Marks you know, sir--"when lovely women stoops to folly"--and all 30903 30904that--eh, Mr Richard?'<br><br> 30905 30906'Another young man, who belongs to Witherden's too, or half belongs 30907 30908there,' returned Richard. 'Kit, they call him.'<br><br> 30909 30910'Kit, eh!' said Brass. 'Strange name--name of a dancing-master's 30911 30912fiddle, eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha! Kit's there, is he? Oh!'<br><br> 30913 30914Dick looked at Miss Sally, wondering that she didn't check this 30915 30916uncommon exuberance on the part of Mr Sampson; but as she made no 30917 30918attempt to do so, and rather appeared to exhibit a tacit acquiescence 30919 30920in it, he concluded that they had just been cheating somebody, and 30921 30922receiving the bill.<br><br> 30923 30924'Will you have the goodness, Mr Richard,' said Brass, taking a letter 30925 30926from his desk, 'just to step over to Peckham Rye with that? There's no 30927 30928answer, but it's rather particular and should go by hand. Charge the 30929 30930office with your coach-hire back, you know; don't spare the office; get 30931 30932as much out of it as you can--clerk's motto--Eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha!'<br><br> 30933 30934Mr Swiveller solemnly doffed the aquatic jacket, put on his coat, took 30935 30936down his hat from its peg, pocketed the letter, and departed. As soon 30937 30938as he was gone, up rose Miss Sally Brass, and smiling sweetly at her 30939 30940brother (who nodded and smote his nose in return) withdrew also.<br><br> 30941 30942Sampson Brass was no sooner left alone, than he set the office-door 30943 30944wide open, and establishing himself at his desk directly opposite, so 30945 30946that he could not fail to see anybody who came down-stairs and passed 30947 30948out at the street door, began to write with extreme cheerfulness and 30949 30950assiduity; humming as he did so, in a voice that was anything but 30951 30952musical, certain vocal snatches which appeared to have reference to the 30953 30954union between Church and State, inasmuch as they were compounded of the 30955 30956Evening Hymn and God save the King.<br><br> 30957 30958Thus, the attorney of Bevis Marks sat, and wrote, and hummed, for a 30959 30960long time, except when he stopped to listen with a very cunning face, 30961 30962and hearing nothing, went on humming louder, and writing slower than 30963 30964ever. At length, in one of these pauses, he heard his lodger's door 30965 30966opened and shut, and footsteps coming down the stairs. Then, Mr Brass 30967 30968left off writing entirely, and, with his pen in his hand, hummed his 30969 30970very loudest; shaking his head meanwhile from side to side, like a man 30971 30972whose whole soul was in the music, and smiling in a manner quite 30973 30974seraphic.<br><br> 30975 30976It was towards this moving spectacle that the staircase and the sweet 30977 30978sounds guided Kit; on whose arrival before his door, Mr Brass stopped 30979 30980his singing, but not his smiling, and nodded affably: at the same time 30981 30982beckoning to him with his pen.<br><br> 30983 30984'Kit,' said Mr Brass, in the pleasantest way imaginable, 'how do you 30985 30986do?'<br><br> 30987 30988Kit, being rather shy of his friend, made a suitable reply, and had his 30989 30990hand upon the lock of the street door when Mr Brass called him softly 30991 30992back.<br><br> 30993 30994'You are not to go, if you please, Kit,' said the attorney in a 30995 30996mysterious and yet business-like way. 'You are to step in here, if you 30997 30998please. Dear me, dear me! When I look at you,' said the lawyer, 30999 31000quitting his stool, and standing before the fire with his back towards 31001 31002it, 'I am reminded of the sweetest little face that ever my eyes 31003 31004beheld. I remember your coming there, twice or thrice, when we were in 31005 31006possession. Ah Kit, my dear fellow, gentleman in my profession have 31007 31008such painful duties to perform sometimes, that you needn't envy us--you 31009 31010needn't indeed!'<br><br> 31011 31012'I don't, sir,' said Kit, 'though it isn't for the like of me to judge.'<br><br> 31013 31014'Our only consolation, Kit,' pursued the lawyer, looking at him in a 31015 31016sort of pensive abstraction, 'is, that although we cannot turn away the 31017 31018wind, we can soften it; we can temper it, if I may say so, to the shorn 31019 31020lambs.'<br><br> 31021 31022'Shorn indeed!' thought Kit. 'Pretty close!' But he didn't say SO.<br><br> 31023 31024'On that occasion, Kit,' said Mr Brass, 'on that occasion that I have 31025 31026just alluded to, I had a hard battle with Mr Quilp (for Mr Quilp is a 31027 31028very hard man) to obtain them the indulgence they had. It might have 31029 31030cost me a client. But suffering virtue inspired me, and I prevailed.'<br><br> 31031 31032'He's not so bad after all,' thought honest Kit, as the attorney pursed 31033 31034up his lips and looked like a man who was struggling with his better 31035 31036feelings.<br><br> 31037 31038'I respect you, Kit,' said Brass with emotion. 'I saw enough of your 31039 31040conduct, at that time, to respect you, though your station is humble, 31041 31042and your fortune lowly. It isn't the waistcoat that I look at. It is 31043 31044the heart. The checks in the waistcoat are but the wires of the cage. 31045 31046But the heart is the bird. Ah! How many sich birds are perpetually 31047 31048moulting, and putting their beaks through the wires to peck at all 31049 31050mankind!'<br><br> 31051 31052This poetic figure, which Kit took to be in a special allusion to his 31053 31054own checked waistcoat, quite overcame him; Mr Brass's voice and manner 31055 31056added not a little to its effect, for he discoursed with all the mild 31057 31058austerity of a hermit, and wanted but a cord round the waist of his 31059 31060rusty surtout, and a skull on the chimney-piece, to be completely set 31061 31062up in that line of business.<br><br> 31063 31064'Well, well,' said Sampson, smiling as good men smile when they 31065 31066compassionate their own weakness or that of their fellow-creatures, 31067 31068'this is wide of the bull's-eye. You're to take that, if you please.' 31069 31070As he spoke, he pointed to a couple of half-crowns on the desk.<br><br> 31071 31072Kit looked at the coins, and then at Sampson, and hesitated.<br><br> 31073 31074'For yourself,' said Brass. 'From--'<br><br> 31075 31076'No matter about the person they came from,' replied the lawyer. 'Say 31077 31078me, if you like. We have eccentric friends overhead, Kit, and we 31079 31080mustn't ask questions or talk too much--you understand? You're to take 31081 31082them, that's all; and between you and me, I don't think they'll be the 31083 31084last you'll have to take from the same place. I hope not. Good bye, 31085 31086Kit. Good bye!'<br><br> 31087 31088With many thanks, and many more self-reproaches for having on such 31089 31090slight grounds suspected one who in their very first conversation 31091 31092turned out such a different man from what he had supposed, Kit took the 31093 31094money and made the best of his way home. Mr Brass remained airing 31095 31096himself at the fire, and resumed his vocal exercise, and his seraphic 31097 31098smile, simultaneously.<br><br> 31099 31100'May I come in?' said Miss Sally, peeping.<br><br> 31101 31102'Oh yes, you may come in,' returned her brother.<br><br> 31103 31104'Ahem!' coughed Miss Brass interrogatively.<br><br> 31105
31106'Why, yes,' returned Sampson, 'I should say as good as done.'<br><br> 31107 31108CHAPTER 57<br><br> 31109 31110Mr Chuckster's indignant apprehensions were not without foundation. 31111 31112Certainly the friendship between the single gentleman and Mr Garland 31113 31114was not suffered to cool, but had a rapid growth and flourished 31115 31116exceedingly. They were soon in habits of constant intercourse and 31117 31118communication; and the single gentleman labouring at this time under a 31119 31120slight attack of illness--the consequence most probably of his late 31121 31122excited feelings and subsequent disappointment--furnished a reason for 31123 31124their holding yet more frequent correspondence; so that some one of the 31125 31126inmates of Abel Cottage, Finchley, came backwards and forwards between 31127 31128that place and Bevis Marks, almost every day.<br><br> 31129 31130As the pony had now thrown off all disguise, and without any mincing of 31131 31132the matter or beating about the bush, sturdily refused to be driven by 31133 31134anybody but Kit, it generally happened that whether old Mr Garland 31135 31136came, or Mr Abel, Kit was of the party. Of all messages and inquiries, 31137 31138Kit was, in right of his position, the bearer; thus it came about that, 31139 31140while the single gentleman remained indisposed, Kit turned into Bevis 31141 31142Marks every morning with nearly as much regularity as the General 31143 31144Postman.<br><br> 31145 31146Mr Sampson Brass, who no doubt had his reasons for looking sharply 31147 31148about him, soon learnt to distinguish the pony's trot and the clatter 31149 31150of the little chaise at the corner of the street. Whenever the sound 31151 31152reached his ears, he would immediately lay down his pen and fall to 31153 31154rubbing his hands and exhibiting the greatest glee.<br><br> 31155 31156'Ha ha!' he would cry. 'Here's the pony again! Most remarkable pony, 31157 31158extremely docile, eh, Mr Richard, eh sir?'<br><br> 31159 31160Dick would return some matter-of-course reply, and Mr Brass standing on 31161 31162the bottom rail of his stool, so as to get a view of the street over 31163 31164the top of the window-blind, would take an observation of the visitors.<br><br> 31165 31166'The old gentleman again!' he would exclaim, 'a very prepossessing old 31167 31168gentleman, Mr Richard--charming countenance sir--extremely 31169 31170calm--benevolence in every feature, sir. He quite realises my idea of 31171 31172King Lear, as he appeared when in possession of his kingdom, Mr 31173 31174Richard--the same good humour, the same white hair and partial 31175 31176baldness, the same liability to be imposed upon. Ah! A sweet subject 31177 31178for contemplation, sir, very sweet!'<br><br> 31179 31180Then Mr Garland having alighted and gone up-stairs, Sampson would nod 31181 31182and smile to Kit from the window, and presently walk out into the 31183 31184street to greet him, when some such conversation as the following would 31185 31186ensue.<br><br> 31187 31188'Admirably groomed, Kit'--Mr Brass is patting the pony--'does you great 31189 31190credit--amazingly sleek and bright to be sure. He literally looks as 31191 31192if he had been varnished all over.'<br><br> 31193 31194Kit touches his hat, smiles, pats the pony himself, and expresses his 31195 31196conviction, 'that Mr Brass will not find many like him.'<br><br> 31197 31198'A beautiful animal indeed!' cries Brass. 'Sagacious too?'<br><br> 31199 31200'Bless you!' replies Kit, 'he knows what you say to him as well as a 31201 31202Christian does.'<br><br> 31203 31204'Does he indeed!' cries Brass, who has heard the same thing in the same 31205 31206place from the same person in the same words a dozen times, but is 31207 31208paralysed with astonishment notwithstanding. 'Dear me!'<br><br> 31209 31210'I little thought the first time I saw him, Sir,' says Kit, pleased 31211 31212with the attorney's strong interest in his favourite, 'that I should 31213 31214come to be as intimate with him as I am now.'<br><br> 31215 31216'Ah!' rejoins Mr Brass, brim-full of moral precepts and love of virtue. 31217 31218'A charming subject of reflection for you, very charming. A subject of 31219 31220proper pride and congratulation, Christopher. Honesty is the best 31221 31222policy.--I always find it so myself. I lost forty-seven pound ten by 31223 31224being honest this morning. But it's all gain, it's gain!'<br><br> 31225 31226Mr Brass slyly tickles his nose with his pen, and looks at Kit with the 31227 31228water standing in his eyes. Kit thinks that if ever there was a good 31229 31230man who belied his appearance, that man is Sampson Brass.<br><br> 31231 31232'A man,' says Sampson, 'who loses forty-seven pound ten in one morning 31233 31234by his honesty, is a man to be envied. If it had been eighty pound, 31235 31236the luxuriousness of feeling would have been increased. Every pound 31237 31238lost, would have been a hundredweight of happiness gained. The still 31239 31240small voice, Christopher,' cries Brass, smiling, and tapping himself on 31241 31242the bosom, 'is a-singing comic songs within me, and all is happiness 31243 31244and joy!'<br><br> 31245 31246Kit is so improved by the conversation, and finds it go so completely 31247 31248home to his feelings, that he is considering what he shall say, when Mr 31249 31250Garland appears. The old gentleman is helped into the chaise with 31251 31252great obsequiousness by Mr Sampson Brass; and the pony, after shaking 31253 31254his head several times, and standing for three or four minutes with all 31255 31256his four legs planted firmly on the ground, as if he had made up his 31257 31258mind never to stir from that spot, but there to live and die, suddenly 31259 31260darts off, without the smallest notice, at the rate of twelve English 31261
31262miles an hour. Then, Mr Brass and his sister (who has joined him at 31263 31264the door) exchange an odd kind of smile--not at all a pleasant one in 31265 31266its expression--and return to the society of Mr Richard Swiveller, 31267 31268who, during their absence, has been regaling himself with various feats 31269 31270of pantomime, and is discovered at his desk, in a very flushed and 31271 31272heated condition, violently scratching out nothing with half a penknife.<br><br> 31273 31274Whenever Kit came alone, and without the chaise, it always happened 31275 31276that Sampson Brass was reminded of some mission, calling Mr Swiveller, 31277 31278if not to Peckham Rye again, at all events to some pretty distant place 31279 31280from Which he could not be expected to return for two or three hours, 31281 31282or in all probability a much longer period, as that gentleman was not, 31283 31284to say the truth, renowned for using great expedition on such 31285 31286occasions, but rather for protracting and spinning out the time to the 31287 31288very utmost limit of possibility. Mr Swiveller out of sight, Miss 31289 31290Sally immediately withdrew. Mr Brass would then set the office-door 31291 31292wide open, hum his old tune with great gaiety of heart, and smile 31293 31294seraphically as before. Kit coming down-stairs would be called in; 31295 31296entertained with some moral and agreeable conversation; perhaps 31297 31298entreated to mind the office for an instant while Mr Brass stepped over 31299 31300the way; and afterwards presented with one or two half-crowns as the 31301 31302case might be. This occurred so often, that Kit, nothing doubting but 31303 31304that they came from the single gentleman who had already rewarded his 31305 31306mother with great liberality, could not enough admire his generosity; 31307 31308and bought so many cheap presents for her, and for little Jacob, and 31309 31310for the baby, and for Barbara to boot, that one or other of them was 31311 31312having some new trifle every day of their lives.<br><br> 31313 31314While these acts and deeds were in progress in and out of the office of 31315 31316Sampson Brass, Richard Swiveller, being often left alone therein, began 31317 31318to find the time hang heavy on his hands. For the better preservation 31319 31320of his cheerfulness therefore, and to prevent his faculties from 31321 31322rusting, he provided himself with a cribbage-board and pack of cards, 31323 31324and accustomed himself to play at cribbage with a dummy, for twenty, 31325 31326thirty, or sometimes even fifty thousand pounds aside, besides many 31327 31328hazardous bets to a considerable amount.<br><br> 31329 31330As these games were very silently conducted, notwithstanding the 31331 31332magnitude of the interests involved, Mr Swiveller began to think that 31333 31334on those evenings when Mr and Miss Brass were out (and they often went 31335 31336out now) he heard a kind of snorting or hard-breathing sound in the 31337 31338direction of the door, which it occurred to him, after some reflection, 31339 31340must proceed from the small servant, who always had a cold from damp 31341 31342living. Looking intently that way one night, he plainly distinguished 31343 31344an eye gleaming and glistening at the keyhole; and having now no doubt 31345 31346that his suspicions were correct, he stole softly to the door, and 31347 31348pounced upon her before she was aware of his approach.<br><br> 31349 31350'Oh! I didn't mean any harm indeed, upon my word I didn't,' cried the 31351 31352small servant, struggling like a much larger one. 'It's so very dull, 31353 31354down-stairs, Please don't you tell upon me, please don't.'<br><br> 31355 31356'Tell upon you!' said Dick. 'Do you mean to say you were looking 31357 31358through the keyhole for company?'<br><br> 31359 31360'Yes, upon my word I was,' replied the small servant.<br><br> 31361 31362'How long have you been cooling your eye there?' said Dick.<br><br> 31363 31364'Oh ever since you first began to play them cards, and long before.'<br><br> 31365 31366Vague recollections of several fantastic exercises with which he had 31367 31368refreshed himself after the fatigues of business, and to all of which, 31369 31370no doubt, the small servant was a party, rather disconcerted Mr 31371 31372Swiveller; but he was not very sensitive on such points, and recovered 31373 31374himself speedily.<br><br> 31375 31376'Well--come in'--he said, after a little consideration. 'Here--sit 31377 31378down, and I'll teach you how to play.'<br><br> 31379 31380'Oh! I durstn't do it,' rejoined the small servant; 'Miss Sally 'ud 31381 31382kill me, if she know'd I come up here.'<br><br> 31383 31384'Have you got a fire down-stairs?' said Dick.<br><br> 31385 31386'A very little one,' replied the small servant.<br><br> 31387 31388'Miss Sally couldn't kill me if she know'd I went down there, so I'll 31389 31390come,' said Richard, putting the cards into his pocket. 'Why, how thin 31391 31392you are! What do you mean by it?'<br><br> 31393 31394'It ain't my fault.'<br><br> 31395 31396'Could you eat any bread and meat?' said Dick, taking down his hat. 31397 31398'Yes? Ah! I thought so. Did you ever taste beer?' 'I had a sip of it 31399 31400once,' said the small servant.<br><br> 31401 31402'Here's a state of things!' cried Mr Swiveller, raising his eyes to the 31403 31404ceiling. 'She never tasted it--it can't be tasted in a sip! Why, how 31405 31406old are you?'<br><br> 31407 31408'I don't know.'<br><br> 31409 31410Mr Swiveller opened his eyes very wide, and appeared thoughtful for a 31411 31412moment; then, bidding the child mind the door until he came back,
31413 31414vanished straightway.<br><br> 31415 31416Presently, he returned, followed by the boy from the public-house, who 31417 31418bore in one hand a plate of bread and beef, and in the other a great 31419 31420pot, filled with some very fragrant compound, which sent forth a 31421 31422grateful steam, and was indeed choice purl, made after a particular 31423 31424recipe which Mr Swiveller had imparted to the landlord, at a period 31425 31426when he was deep in his books and desirous to conciliate his 31427 31428friendship. Relieving the boy of his burden at the door, and charging 31429 31430his little companion to fasten it to prevent surprise, Mr Swiveller 31431 31432followed her into the kitchen.<br><br> 31433 31434'There!' said Richard, putting the plate before her. 'First of all 31435 31436clear that off, and then you'll see what's next.'<br><br> 31437 31438The small servant needed no second bidding, and the plate was soon 31439 31440empty.<br><br> 31441 31442'Next,' said Dick, handing the purl, 'take a pull at that; but moderate 31443 31444your transports, you know, for you're not used to it. Well, is it 31445 31446good?'<br><br> 31447 31448'Oh! isn't it?' said the small servant.<br><br> 31449 31450Mr Swiveller appeared gratified beyond all expression by this reply, 31451 31452and took a long draught himself, steadfastly regarding his companion 31453 31454while he did so. These preliminaries disposed of, he applied himself 31455 31456to teaching her the game, which she soon learnt tolerably well, being 31457 31458both sharp-witted and cunning.<br><br> 31459 31460'Now,' said Mr Swiveller, putting two sixpences into a saucer, and 31461 31462trimming the wretched candle, when the cards had been cut and dealt, 31463 31464'those are the stakes. If you win, you get 'em all. If I win, I get 31465 31466'em. To make it seem more real and pleasant, I shall call you the 31467 31468Marchioness, do you hear?'<br><br> 31469 31470The small servant nodded.<br><br> 31471 31472'Then, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'fire away!'<br><br> 31473 31474The Marchioness, holding her cards very tight in both hands, considered 31475 31476which to play, and Mr Swiveller, assuming the gay and fashionable air 31477 31478which such society required, took another pull at the tankard, and 31479 31480waited for her lead.<br><br> 31481 31482CHAPTER 58<br><br> 31483 31484Mr Swiveller and his partner played several rubbers with varying 31485 31486success, until the loss of three sixpences, the gradual sinking of the 31487 31488purl, and the striking of ten o'clock, combined to render that 31489 31490gentleman mindful of the flight of Time, and the expediency of 31491 31492withdrawing before Mr Sampson and Miss Sally Brass returned.<br><br> 31493 31494'With which object in view, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller gravely, 'I 31495 31496shall ask your ladyship's permission to put the board in my pocket, and 31497 31498to retire from the presence when I have finished this tankard; merely 31499 31500observing, Marchioness, that since life like a river is flowing, I care 31501 31502not how fast it rolls on, ma'am, on, while such purl on the bank still 31503 31504is growing, and such eyes light the waves as they run. Marchioness, 31505 31506your health. You will excuse my wearing my hat, but the palace is 31507 31508damp, and the marble floor is--if I may be allowed the 31509 31510expression--sloppy.'<br><br> 31511 31512As a precaution against this latter inconvenience, Mr Swiveller had 31513 31514been sitting for some time with his feet on the hob, in which attitude 31515 31516he now gave utterance to these apologetic observations, and slowly 31517 31518sipped the last choice drops of nectar.<br><br> 31519 31520'The Baron Sampsono Brasso and his fair sister are (you tell me) at the 31521 31522Play?' said Mr Swiveller, leaning his left arm heavily upon the table, 31523 31524and raising his voice and his right leg after the manner of a 31525 31526theatrical bandit.<br><br> 31527 31528The Marchioness nodded.<br><br> 31529 31530'Ha!' said Mr Swiveller, with a portentous frown. ''Tis well. 31531 31532Marchioness!--but no matter. Some wine there. Ho!' He illustrated 31533 31534these melodramatic morsels by handing the tankard to himself with great 31535 31536humility, receiving it haughtily, drinking from it thirstily, and 31537 31538smacking his lips fiercely.<br><br> 31539 31540The small servant, who was not so well acquainted with theatrical 31541 31542conventionalities as Mr Swiveller (having indeed never seen a play, or 31543 31544heard one spoken of, except by chance through chinks of doors and in 31545 31546other forbidden places), was rather alarmed by demonstrations so novel 31547 31548in their nature, and showed her concern so plainly in her looks, that 31549 31550Mr Swiveller felt it necessary to discharge his brigand manner for one 31551 31552more suitable to private life, as he asked,<br><br> 31553 31554'Do they often go where glory waits 'em, and leave you here?'<br><br> 31555 31556'Oh, yes; I believe you they do,' returned the small servant. 'Miss 31557 31558Sally's such a one-er for that, she is.'<br><br> 31559 31560'Such a what?' said Dick.<br><br> 31561 31562'Such a one-er,' returned the Marchioness.<br><br> 31563 31564After a moment's reflection, Mr Swiveller determined to forego his 31565 31566responsible duty of setting her right, and to suffer her to talk on; as 31567 31568it was evident that her tongue was loosened by the purl, and her 31569 31570opportunities for conversation were not so frequent as to render a 31571 31572momentary check of little consequence.<br><br> 31573 31574'They sometimes go to see Mr Quilp,' said the small servant with a 31575 31576shrewd look; 'they go to a many places, bless you!'<br><br> 31577 31578'Is Mr Brass a wunner?' said Dick.<br><br> 31579 31580'Not half what Miss Sally is, he isn't,' replied the small servant, 31581 31582shaking her head. 'Bless you, he'd never do anything without her.'<br><br> 31583 31584'Oh! He wouldn't, wouldn't he?' said Dick.<br><br> 31585 31586'Miss Sally keeps him in such order,' said the small servant; 'he 31587 31588always asks her advice, he does;
31588 and he catches it sometimes. Bless 31589 31590you, you wouldn't believe how much he catches it.'<br><br> 31591 31592'I suppose,' said Dick, 'that they consult together, a good deal, and 31593 31594talk about a great many people--about me for instance, sometimes, eh, 31595 31596Marchioness?'<br><br> 31597 31598The Marchioness nodded amazingly.<br><br> 31599 31600'Complimentary?' said Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 31601 31602The Marchioness changed the motion of her head, which had not yet left 31603 31604off nodding, and suddenly began to shake it from side to side, with a 31605 31606vehemence which threatened to dislocate her neck.<br><br> 31607 31608'Humph!' Dick muttered. 'Would it be any breach of confidence, 31609 31610Marchioness, to relate what they say of the humble individual who has 31611 31612now the honour to--?'<br><br> 31613 31614'Miss Sally says you're a funny chap,' replied his friend.<br><br> 31615 31616'Well, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'that's not uncomplimentary. 31617 31618Merriment, Marchioness, is not a bad or a degrading quality. Old King 31619 31620Cole was himself a merry old soul, if we may put any faith in the pages 31621 31622of history.'<br><br> 31623 31624'But she says,' pursued his companion, 'that you an't to be trusted.'<br><br> 31625 31626'Why, really Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, thoughtfully; 'several 31627 31628ladies and gentlemen--not exactly professional persons, but 31629 31630tradespeople, ma'am, tradespeople--have made the same remark. The 31631 31632obscure citizen who keeps the hotel over the way, inclined strongly to 31633 31634that opinion to-night when I ordered him to prepare the banquet. It's 31635 31636a popular prejudice, Marchioness; and yet I am sure I don't know why, 31637 31638for I have been trusted in my time to a considerable amount, and I can 31639 31640safely say that I never forsook my trust until it deserted me--never. 31641 31642Mr Brass is of the same opinion, I suppose?'<br><br> 31643 31644His friend nodded again, with a cunning look which seemed to hint that 31645 31646Mr Brass held stronger opinions on the subject than his sister; and 31647 31648seeming to recollect herself, added imploringly, 'But don't you ever 31649 31650tell upon me, or I shall be beat to death.'<br><br> 31651 31652'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, rising, 'the word of a gentleman is 31653 31654as good as his bond--sometimes better, as in the present case, where 31655 31656his bond might prove but a doubtful sort of security. I am your 31657 31658friend, and I hope we shall play many more rubbers together in this 31659 31660same saloon. But, Marchioness,' added Richard, stopping in his way to 31661 31662the door, and wheeling slowly round upon the small servant, who was 31663 31664following with the candle; 'it occurs to me that you must be in the 31665 31666constant habit of airing your eye at keyholes, to know all this.'<br><br> 31667 31668'I only wanted,' replied the trembling Marchioness, 'to know where the 31669 31670key of the safe was hid; that was all; and I wouldn't have taken much, 31671 31672if I had found it--only enough to squench my hunger.'<br><br> 31673 31674'You didn't find it then?' said Dick. 'But of course you didn't, or 31675 31676you'd be plumper. Good night, Marchioness. Fare thee well, and if for 31677 31678ever, then for ever fare thee well--and put up the chain, Marchioness, 31679 31680in case of accidents.'<br><br> 31681 31682With this parting injunction, Mr Swiveller emerged from the house; and 31683 31684feeling that he had by this time taken quite as much to drink as 31685 31686promised to be good for his constitution (purl being a rather strong 31687 31688and heady compound), wisely resolved to betake himself to his lodgings, 31689 31690and to bed at once. Homeward he went therefore; and his apartments 31691 31692(for he still retained the plural fiction) being at no great distance 31693 31694from the office, he was soon seated in his own bed-chamber, where, 31695 31696having pulled off one boot and forgotten the other, he fell into deep 31697 31698cogitation.<br><br> 31699 31700'This Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, folding his arms, 'is a very 31701 31702extraordinary person--surrounded by mysteries, ignorant of the taste of 31703 31704beer, unacquainted with her own name (which is less remarkable), and 31705 31706taking a limited view of society through the keyholes of doors--can 31707 31708these things be her destiny, or has some unknown person started an 31709 31710opposition to the decrees of fate? It is a most inscrutable and 31711 31712unmitigated staggerer!'<br><br> 31713 31714When his meditations had attained this satisfactory point, he became 31715 31716aware of his remaining boot, of which, with unimpaired solemnity he 31717 31718proceeded to divest himself; shaking his head with exceeding gravity 31719 31720all the time, and sighing deeply.<br><br> 31721 31722'These rubbers,' said Mr Swiveller, putting on his nightcap in exactly 31723 31724the same style as he wore his hat, 'remind me of the matrimonial 31725 31726fireside. Cheggs's wife plays cribbage; all-fours likewise. She rings 31727 31728the changes on 'em now. From sport to sport they hurry her to banish 31729 31730her regrets, and when they win a smile from her, they think that she 31731 31732forgets--but she don't. By this time, I should say,' added Richard, 31733 31734getting his left cheek into profile, and looking complacently at the 31735 31736reflection of a very little scrap of whisker in the looking-glass; 'by 31737 31738this time, I should say, the iron has entered into her soul. It serves 31739
31740her right!'<br><br> 31741 31742Melting from this stern and obdurate, into the tender and pathetic 31743 31744mood, Mr Swiveller groaned a little, walked wildly up and down, and 31745 31746even made a show of tearing his hair, which, however, he thought better 31747 31748of, and wrenched the tassel from his nightcap instead. At last, 31749 31750undressing himself with a gloomy resolution, he got into bed.<br><br> 31751 31752Some men in his blighted position would have taken to drinking; but as 31753 31754Mr Swiveller had taken to that before, he only took, on receiving the 31755 31756news that Sophy Wackles was lost to him for ever, to playing the flute; 31757 31758thinking after mature consideration that it was a good, sound, dismal 31759 31760occupation, not only in unison with his own sad thoughts, but 31761 31762calculated to awaken a fellow-feeling in the bosoms of his neighbours. 31763 31764In pursuance of this resolution, he now drew a little table to his 31765 31766bedside, and arranging the light and a small oblong music-book to the 31767 31768best advantage, took his flute from its box, and began to play most 31769 31770mournfully.<br><br> 31771 31772The air was 'Away with melancholy'--a composition, which, when it is 31773 31774played very slowly on the flute, in bed, with the further disadvantage 31775 31776of being performed by a gentleman but imperfectly acquainted with the 31777 31778instrument, who repeats one note a great many times before he can find 31779 31780the next, has not a lively effect. Yet, for half the night, or more, 31781 31782Mr Swiveller, lying sometimes on his back with his eyes upon the 31783 31784ceiling, and sometimes half out of bed to correct himself by the book, 31785 31786played this unhappy tune over and over again; never leaving off, save 31787 31788for a minute or two at a time to take breath and soliloquise about the 31789 31790Marchioness, and then beginning again with renewed vigour. It was not 31791 31792until he had quite exhausted his several subjects of meditation, and 31793 31794had breathed into the flute the whole sentiment of the purl down to its 31795 31796very dregs, and had nearly maddened the people of the house, and at 31797 31798both the next doors, and over the way--that he shut up the music-book, 31799 31800extinguished the candle, and finding himself greatly lightened and 31801 31802relieved in his mind, turned round and fell asleep.<br><br> 31803 31804He awoke in the morning, much refreshed; and having taken half an 31805 31806hour's exercise at the flute, and graciously received a notice to quit 31807 31808from his landlady, who had been in waiting on the stairs for that 31809 31810purpose since the dawn of day, repaired to Bevis Marks; where the 31811 31812beautiful Sally was already at her post, bearing in her looks a 31813 31814radiance, mild as that which beameth from the virgin moon.<br><br> 31815 31816Mr Swiveller acknowledged her presence by a nod, and exchanged his coat 31817 31818for the aquatic jacket; which usually took some time fitting on, for in 31819 31820consequence of a tightness in the sleeves, it was only to be got into 31821 31822by a series of struggles. This difficulty overcome, he took his seat 31823 31824at the desk.<br><br> 31825 31826'I say'--quoth Miss Brass, abruptly breaking silence, 'you haven't seen 31827 31828a silver pencil-case this morning, have you?'<br><br> 31829 31830'I didn't meet many in the street,' rejoined Mr Swiveller. 'I saw 31831 31832one--a stout pencil-case of respectable appearance--but as he was in 31833 31834company with an elderly penknife, and a young toothpick with whom he 31835 31836was in earnest conversation, I felt a delicacy in speaking to him.'<br><br> 31837 31838'No, but have you?' returned Miss Brass. 'Seriously, you know.'<br><br> 31839 31840'What a dull dog you must be to ask me such a question seriously,' said 31841 31842Mr Swiveller. 'Haven't I this moment come?'<br><br> 31843 31844'Well, all I know is,' replied Miss Sally, 'that it's not to be found, 31845 31846and that it disappeared one day this week, when I left it on the desk.'<br><br> 31847 31848'Halloa!' thought Richard, 'I hope the Marchioness hasn't been at work 31849 31850here.'<br><br> 31851 31852'There was a knife too,' said Miss Sally, 'of the same pattern. They 31853 31854were given to me by my father, years ago, and are both gone. You 31855 31856haven't missed anything yourself, have you?'<br><br> 31857 31858Mr Swiveller involuntarily clapped his hands to the jacket to be quite 31859 31860sure that it WAS a jacket and not a skirted coat; and having satisfied 31861 31862himself of the safety of this, his only moveable in Bevis Marks, made 31863 31864answer in the negative.<br><br> 31865 31866'It's a very unpleasant thing, Dick,' said Miss Brass, pulling out the 31867 31868tin box and refreshing herself with a pinch of snuff; 'but between you 31869 31870and me--between friends you know, for if Sammy knew it, I should never 31871 31872hear the last of it--some of the office-money, too, that has been left 31873 31874about, has gone in the same way. In particular, I have missed three 31875 31876half-crowns at three different times.'<br><br> 31877 31878'You don't mean that?' cried Dick. 'Be careful what you say, old boy, 31879 31880for this is a serious matter. Are you quite sure? Is there no 31881 31882mistake?'<br><br> 31883 31884'It is so, and there can't be any mistake at all,' rejoined Miss Brass 31885 31886emphatically.<br><br> 31887 31888'Then by Jove,' thought Richard, laying down his pen, 'I am afraid the 31889 31890Marchioness is done for!'<br><br> 31891 31892The more he discussed the subject in his thoughts, the more probable it 31893 31894appeared to Dick that the miserable little servant was the culprit. 31895 31896When he considered on what a spare allowance of food she lived, how 31897 31898neglected and untaught she was, and how her natural cunning had been 31899 31900sharpened by necessity and privation, he scarcely doubted it. And yet 31901 31902he pitied her so much, and felt so unwilling to have a matter of such 31903 31904gravity disturbing the oddity of their acquaintance, that he thought, 31905 31906and thought truly, that rather than receive fifty pounds down, he would 31907 31908have the Marchioness proved innocent.<br><br> 31909 31910While he was plunged in very profound and serious meditation upon this 31911 31912theme, Miss Sally sat shaking her head with an air of great mystery and 31913 31914doubt; when the voice of her brother Sampson, carolling a cheerful 31915 31916strain, was heard in the passage, and that gentleman himself, beaming 31917 31918with virtuous smiles, appeared.<br><br> 31919 31920'Mr Richard, sir, good morning! Here we are again, sir, entering upon 31921 31922another day, with our bodies strengthened by slumber and breakfast, and 31923 31924our spirits fresh and flowing. Here we are, Mr Richard, rising with 31925 31926the sun to run our little course--our course of duty, sir--and, like 31927 31928him, to get through our day's work with credit to ourselves and 31929 31930advantage to our fellow-creatures. A charming reflection sir, very 31931 31932charming!'<br><br> 31933 31934While he addressed his clerk in these words, Mr Brass was, somewhat 31935 31936ostentatiously, engaged in minutely examining and holding up against 31937 31938the light a five-pound bank note, which he had brought in, in his hand.<br><br> 31939 31940Mr Richard not receiving his remarks with anything like enthusiasm, his 31941 31942employer turned his eyes to his face, and observed that it wore a 31943 31944troubled expression.<br><br> 31945 31946'You're out of spirits, sir,' said Brass. 'Mr Richard, sir, we should 31947 31948fall to work cheerfully, and not in a despondent state. It becomes us, 31949 31950Mr Richard, sir, to--'<br><br> 31951 31952Here the chaste Sarah heaved a loud sigh.<br><br> 31953 31954'Dear me!' said Mr Sampson, 'you too! Is anything the matter? Mr 31955 31956Richard, sir--'<br><br> 31957 31958Dick, glancing at Miss Sally, saw that she was making signals to him, 31959 31960to acquaint her brother with the subject of their recent conversation. 31961 31962As his own position was not a very pleasant one until the matter was 31963 31964set at rest one way or other, he did so; and Miss Brass, plying her 31965 31966snuff-box at a most wasteful rate, corroborated his account.<br><br> 31967 31968The countenance of Sampson fell, and anxiety overspread his features. 31969 31970Instead of passionately bewailing the loss of his money, as Miss Sally 31971 31972had expected, he walked on tiptoe to the door, opened it, looked 31973 31974outside, shut it softly, returned on tiptoe, and said in a whisper,<br><br> 31975 31976'This is a most extraordinary and painful circumstance--Mr Richard, 31977 31978sir, a most painful circumstance. The fact is, that I myself have 31979 31980missed several small sums from the desk, of late, and have refrained 31981 31982from mentioning it, hoping that accident would discover the offender; 31983 31984but it has not done so--it has not done so. Sally--Mr Richard, 31985 31986sir--this is a particularly distressing affair!'<br><br> 31987 31988As Sampson spoke, he laid the bank-note upon the desk among some 31989 31990papers, in an absent manner, and thrust his hands into his pockets. 31991
31992Richard Swiveller pointed to it, and admonished him to take it up.<br><br> 31993 31994'No, Mr Richard, sir,' rejoined Brass with emotion, 'I will not take it 31995 31996up. I will let it lie there, sir. To take it up, Mr Richard, sir, 31997 31998would imply a doubt of you; and in you, sir, I have unlimited 31999 32000confidence. We will let it lie there, Sir, if you please, and we will 32001 32002not take it up by any means.' With that, Mr Brass patted him twice or 32003 32004thrice on the shoulder, in a most friendly manner, and entreated him to 32005 32006believe that he had as much faith in his honesty as he had in his own.<br><br> 32007 32008Although at another time Mr Swiveller might have looked upon this as a 32009 32010doubtful compliment, he felt it, under the then-existing circumstances, 32011 32012a great relief to be assured that he was not wrongfully suspected. 32013 32014When he had made a suitable reply, Mr Brass wrung him by the hand, and 32015 32016fell into a brown study, as did Miss Sally likewise. Richard too 32017 32018remained in a thoughtful state; fearing every moment to hear the 32019 32020Marchioness impeached, and unable to resist the conviction that she 32021 32022must be guilty.<br><br> 32023 32024When they had severally remained in this condition for some minutes, 32025 32026Miss Sally all at once gave a loud rap upon the desk with her clenched 32027 32028fist, and cried, 'I've hit it!'--as indeed she had, and chipped a piece 32029 32030out of it too; but that was not her meaning.<br><br> 32031 32032'Well,' cried Brass anxiously. 'Go on, will you!'<br><br> 32033 32034'Why,' replied his sister with an air of triumph, 'hasn't there been 32035 32036somebody always coming in and out of this office for the last three or 32037 32038four weeks; hasn't that somebody been left alone in it 32039 32040sometimes--thanks to you; and do you mean to tell me that that somebody 32041 32042isn't the thief!'<br><br> 32043 32044'What somebody?' blustered Brass.<br><br> 32045 32046'Why, what do you call him--Kit.'<br><br> 32047 32048'Mr Garland's young man?'<br><br> 32049 32050'To be sure.'<br><br> 32051 32052'Never!' cried Brass. 'Never. I'll not hear of it. Don't tell 32053 32054me'--said Sampson, shaking his head, and working with both his hands as 32055 32056if he were clearing away ten thousand cobwebs. 'I'll never believe it 32057 32058of him. Never!'<br><br> 32059 32060'I say,' repeated Miss Brass, taking another pinch of snuff, 'that he's 32061 32062the thief.'<br><br> 32063
32064'I say,' returned Sampson violently, 'that he is not. What do you 32065 32066mean? How dare you? Are characters to be whispered away like this? 32067 32068Do you know that he's the honestest and faithfullest fellow that ever 32069 32070lived, and that he has an irreproachable good name? Come in, come in!'<br><br> 32071 32072These last words were not addressed to Miss Sally, though they partook 32073 32074of the tone in which the indignant remonstrances that preceded them had 32075 32076been uttered. They were addressed to some person who had knocked at 32077 32078the office-door; and they had hardly passed the lips of Mr Brass, when 32079 32080this very Kit himself looked in.<br><br> 32081 32082'Is the gentleman up-stairs, sir, if you please?'<br><br> 32083 32084'Yes, Kit,' said Brass, still fired with an honest indignation, and 32085 32086frowning with knotted brows upon his sister; 'Yes Kit, he is. I am 32087 32088glad to see you Kit, I am rejoiced to see you. Look in again, as you 32089 32090come down-stairs, Kit. That lad a robber!' cried Brass when he had 32091 32092withdrawn, 'with that frank and open countenance! I'd trust him with 32093 32094untold gold. Mr Richard, sir, have the goodness to step directly to 32095 32096Wrasp and Co.'s in Broad Street, and inquire if they have had 32097 32098instructions to appear in Carkem and Painter. THAT lad a robber,' 32099 32100sneered Sampson, flushed and heated with his wrath. 'Am I blind, deaf, 32101 32102silly; do I know nothing of human nature when I see it before me? Kit 32103 32104a robber! Bah!'<br><br> 32105 32106Flinging this final interjection at Miss Sally with immeasurable scorn 32107 32108and contempt, Sampson Brass thrust his head into his desk, as if to 32109 32110shut the base world from his view, and breathed defiance from under its 32111 32112half-closed lid.<br><br> 32113 32114CHAPTER 59<br><br> 32115 32116When Kit, having discharged his errand, came down-stairs from the 32117 32118single gentleman's apartment after the lapse of a quarter of an hour or 32119 32120so, Mr Sampson Brass was alone in the office. He was not singing as 32121 32122usual, nor was he seated at his desk. The open door showed him 32123 32124standing before the fire with his back towards it, and looking so very 32125 32126strange that Kit supposed he must have been suddenly taken ill.<br><br> 32127 32128'Is anything the matter, sir?' said Kit.<br><br> 32129 32130'Matter!' cried Brass. 'No. Why anything the matter?'<br><br> 32131 32132'You are so very pale,' said Kit, 'that I should hardly have known you.'<br><br> 32133 32134'Pooh pooh! mere fancy,' cried Brass, stooping to throw up the cinders. 32135 32136'Never better, Kit, never better in all my life. Merry too. Ha ha! 32137 32138How's our friend above-stairs, eh?'<br><br> 32139 32140'A great deal better,' said Kit.<br><br> 32141 32142'I'm glad to hear it,' rejoined Brass; 'thankful, I may say. An 32143 32144excellent gentleman--worthy, liberal, generous, gives very little 32145 32146trouble--an admirable lodger. Ha ha! Mr Garland--he's well I hope, 32147 32148Kit--and the pony--my friend, my particular friend you know. Ha ha!'<br><br> 32149 32150Kit gave a satisfactory account of all the little household at Abel 32151 32152Cottage. Mr Brass, who seemed remarkably inattentive and impatient, 32153 32154mounted on his stool, and beckoning him to come nearer, took him by the 32155 32156button-hole.<br><br> 32157 32158'I have been thinking, Kit,' said the lawyer, 'that I could throw some 32159 32160little emoluments in your mother's way--You have a mother, I think? If 32161 32162I recollect right, you told me--'<br><br> 32163 32164'Oh yes, Sir, yes certainly.'<br><br> 32165 32166'A widow, I think? an industrious widow?'<br><br> 32167 32168'A harder-working woman or a better mother never lived, Sir.'<br><br> 32169 32170'Ah!' cried Brass. 'That's affecting, truly affecting. A poor widow 32171 32172struggling to maintain her orphans in decency and comfort, is a 32173 32174delicious picture of human goodness.--Put down your hat, Kit.'<br><br> 32175 32176'Thank you Sir, I must be going directly.'<br><br> 32177 32178'Put it down while you stay, at any rate,' said Brass, taking it from 32179 32180him and making some confusion among the papers, in finding a place for 32181 32182it on the desk. 'I was thinking, Kit, that we have often houses to let 32183 32184for people we are concerned for, and matters of that sort. Now you 32185 32186know we're obliged to put people into those houses to take care of 32187 32188'em--very often undeserving people that we can't depend upon. What's 32189
32190to prevent our having a person that we CAN depend upon, and enjoying 32191 32192the delight of doing a good action at the same time? I say, what's to 32193 32194prevent our employing this worthy woman, your mother? What with one 32195 32196job and another, there's lodging--and good lodging too--pretty well 32197 32198all the year round, rent free, and a weekly allowance besides, Kit, 32199 32200that would provide her with a great many comforts she don't at present 32201 32202enjoy. Now what do you think of that? Do you see any objection? My 32203 32204only desire is to serve you, Kit; therefore if you do, say so freely.'<br><br> 32205 32206As Brass spoke, he moved the hat twice or thrice, and shuffled among 32207 32208the papers again, as if in search of something.<br><br> 32209 32210'How can I see any objection to such a kind offer, sir?' replied Kit 32211 32212with his whole heart. 'I don't know how to thank you sir, I don't 32213 32214indeed.'<br><br> 32215 32216'Why then,' said Brass, suddenly turning upon him and thrusting his 32217 32218face close to Kit's with such a repulsive smile that the latter, even 32219 32220in the very height of his gratitude, drew back, quite startled. 'Why 32221 32222then, it's done.'<br><br> 32223 32224Kit looked at him in some confusion.<br><br> 32225 32226'Done, I say,' added Sampson, rubbing his hands and veiling himself 32227 32228again in his usual oily manner. 'Ha ha! and so you shall find Kit, so 32229 32230you shall find. But dear me,' said Brass, 'what a time Mr Richard is 32231 32232gone! A sad loiterer to be sure! Will you mind the office one minute, 32233 32234while I run up-stairs? Only one minute. I'll not detain you an 32235 32236instant longer, on any account, Kit.'<br><br> 32237 32238Talking as he went, Mr Brass bustled out of the office, and in a very 32239 32240short time returned. Mr Swiveller came back, almost at the same 32241 32242instant; and as Kit was leaving the room hastily, to make up for lost 32243 32244time, Miss Brass herself encountered him in the doorway.<br><br> 32245 32246'Oh!' sneered Sally, looking after him as she entered. 'There goes 32247 32248your pet, Sammy, eh?'<br><br> 32249 32250'Ah! There he goes,' replied Brass. 'My pet, if you please. An 32251 32252honest fellow, Mr Richard, sir--a worthy fellow indeed!'<br><br> 32253 32254'Hem!' coughed Miss Brass.<br><br> 32255 32256'I tell you, you aggravating vagabond,' said the angry Sampson, 'that 32257 32258I'd stake my life upon his honesty. Am I never to hear the last of 32259 32260this? Am I always to be baited, and beset, by your mean suspicions? 32261 32262Have you no regard for true merit, you malignant fellow? If you come 32263 32264to that, I'd sooner suspect your honesty than his.'<br><br> 32265 32266Miss Sally pulled out the tin snuff-box, and took a long, slow pinch, 32267 32268regarding her brother with a steady gaze all the time.<br><br> 32269 32270'She drives me wild, Mr Richard, sir,' said Brass, 'she exasperates me 32271 32272beyond all bearing. I am heated and excited, sir, I know I am. These 32273 32274are not business manners, sir, nor business looks, but she carries me 32275 32276out of myself.'<br><br> 32277 32278'Why don't you leave him alone?' said Dick.<br><br> 32279 32280'Because she can't, sir,' retorted Brass; 'because to chafe and vex me 32281 32282is a part of her nature, Sir, and she will and must do it, or I don't 32283 32284believe she'd have her health. But never mind,' said Brass, 'never 32285 32286mind. I've carried my point. I've shown my confidence in the lad. He 32287 32288has minded the office again. Ha ha! Ugh, you viper!'<br><br> 32289 32290The beautiful virgin took another pinch, and put the snuff-box in her 32291 32292pocket; still looking at her brother with perfect composure.<br><br> 32293 32294'He has minded the office again,' said Brass triumphantly; 'he has had 32295 32296my confidence, and he shall continue to have it; he--why, where's the--'<br><br> 32297 32298'What have you lost?' inquired Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 32299 32300'Dear me!' said Brass, slapping all his pockets, one after another, and 32301 32302looking into his desk, and under it, and upon it, and wildly tossing 32303 32304the papers about, 'the note, Mr Richard, sir, the five-pound note--what 32305 32306can have become of it? I laid it down here--God bless me!'<br><br> 32307 32308'What!' cried Miss Sally, starting up, clapping her hands, and 32309 32310scattering the papers on the floor. 'Gone! Now who's right? Now 32311 32312who's got it? Never mind five pounds--what's five pounds? He's 32313 32314honest, you know, quite honest. It would be mean to suspect him. 32315 32316Don't run after him. No, no, not for the world!'<br><br> 32317 32318'Is it really gone though?' said Dick, looking at Brass with a face as 32319 32320pale as his own.<br><br> 32321 32322'Upon my word, Mr Richard, Sir,' replied the lawyer, feeling in all his 32323 32324pockets with looks of the greatest agitation, 'I fear this is a black 32325 32326business. It's certainly gone, Sir. What's to be done?'<br><br> 32327 32328'Don't run after him,' said Miss Sally, taking more snuff. 'Don't run 32329 32330after him on any account. Give him time to get rid of it, you know. 32331 32332It would be cruel to find him out!'<br><br> 32333 32334Mr Swiveller and Sampson Brass looked from Miss Sally to each other, in 32335 32336a state of bewilderment, and then, as by one impulse, caught up their 32337 32338hats and rushed out into the street--darting along in the middle of the 32339 32340road, and dashing aside all obstructions, as though they were running 32341 32342for their lives.<br><br> 32343 32344It happened that Kit had been running too, though not so fast, and 32345 32346having the start of them by some few minutes, was a good distance 32347 32348ahead. As they were pretty certain of the road he must have taken, 32349 32350however, and kept on at a great pace, they came up with him, at the 32351 32352very moment when he had taken breath, and was breaking into a run again.<br><br> 32353 32354'Stop!' cried Sampson, laying his hand on one shoulder, while Mr 32355 32356Swiveller pounced upon the other. 'Not so fast sir. You're in a 32357 32358hurry?'<br><br> 32359 32360'Yes, I am,' said Kit, looking from one to the other in great surprise.<br><br> 32361 32362'I--I--can hardly believe it,' panted Sampson, 'but something of value 32363
32364is missing from the office. I hope you don't know what.'<br><br> 32365 32366'Know what! good Heaven, Mr Brass!' cried Kit, trembling from head to 32367 32368foot; 'you don't suppose--'<br><br> 32369 32370'No, no,' rejoined Brass quickly, 'I don't suppose anything. Don't say 32371 32372I said you did. You'll come back quietly, I hope?'<br><br> 32373 32374'Of course I will,' returned Kit. 'Why not?'<br><br> 32375 32376'To be sure!' said Brass. 'Why not? I hope there may turn out to be 32377 32378no why not. If you knew the trouble I've been in, this morning, 32379 32380through taking your part, Christopher, you'd be sorry for it.'<br><br> 32381 32382'And I am sure you'll be sorry for having suspected me sir,' replied 32383 32384Kit. 'Come. Let us make haste back.'<br><br> 32385 32386'Certainly!' cried Brass, 'the quicker, the better. Mr Richard--have 32387 32388the goodness, sir, to take that arm. I'll take this one. It's not 32389 32390easy walking three abreast, but under these circumstances it must be 32391 32392done, sir; there's no help for it.'<br><br> 32393 32394Kit did turn from white to red, and from red to white again, when they 32395 32396secured him thus, and for a moment seemed disposed to resist. But, 32397 32398quickly recollecting himself, and remembering that if he made any 32399 32400struggle, he would perhaps be dragged by the collar through the public 32401 32402streets, he only repeated, with great earnestness and with the tears 32403 32404standing in his eyes, that they would be sorry for this--and suffered 32405 32406them to lead him off. While they were on the way back, Mr Swiveller, 32407 32408upon whom his present functions sat very irksomely, took an opportunity 32409 32410of whispering in his ear that if he would confess his guilt, even by so 32411 32412much as a nod, and promise not to do so any more, he would connive at 32413 32414his kicking Sampson Brass on the shins and escaping up a court; but Kit 32415 32416indignantly rejecting this proposal, Mr Richard had nothing for it, but 32417 32418to hold him tight until they reached Bevis Marks, and ushered him into 32419 32420the presence of the charming Sarah, who immediately took the precaution 32421 32422of locking the door.<br><br> 32423 32424'Now, you know,' said Brass, 'if this is a case of innocence, it is a 32425 32426case of that description, Christopher, where the fullest disclosure is 32427 32428the best satisfaction for everybody. Therefore if you'll consent to an 32429 32430examination,' he demonstrated what kind of examination he meant by 32431 32432turning back the cuffs of his coat, 'it will be a comfortable and 32433 32434pleasant thing for all parties.'<br><br> 32435 32436'Search me,' said Kit, proudly holding up his arms. 'But mind, sir--I 32437 32438know you'll be sorry for this, to the last day of your life.'<br><br> 32439 32440'It is certainly a very painful occurrence,' said Brass with a sigh, as 32441 32442he dived into one of Kit's pockets, and fished up a miscellaneous 32443 32444collection of small articles; 'very painful. Nothing here, Mr Richard, 32445 32446Sir, all perfectly satisfactory. Nor here, sir. Nor in the waistcoat, 32447 32448Mr Richard, nor in the coat tails. So far, I am rejoiced, I am sure.'<br><br> 32449 32450Richard Swiveller, holding Kit's hat in his hand, was watching the 32451 32452proceedings with great interest, and bore upon his face the slightest 32453 32454possible indication of a smile, as Brass, shutting one of his eyes, 32455 32456looked with the other up the inside of one of the poor fellow's sleeves 32457 32458as if it were a telescope--when Sampson turning hastily to him, bade 32459 32460him search the hat.<br><br> 32461 32462'Here's a handkerchief,' said Dick.<br><br> 32463 32464'No harm in that sir,' rejoined Brass, applying his eye to the other 32465 32466sleeve, and speaking in the voice of one who was contemplating an 32467 32468immense extent of prospect. 'No harm in a handkerchief Sir, whatever. 32469 32470The faculty don't consider it a healthy custom, I believe, Mr Richard, 32471 32472to carry one's handkerchief in one's hat--I have heard that it keeps 32473 32474the head too warm--but in every other point of view, its being there, 32475 32476is extremely satisfactory--extremely so.'<br><br> 32477 32478An exclamation, at once from Richard Swiveller, Miss Sally, and Kit 32479 32480himself, cut the lawyer short. He turned his head, and saw Dick 32481 32482standing with the bank-note in his hand.<br><br> 32483 32484'In the hat?' cried Brass in a sort of shriek.<br><br> 32485 32486'Under the handkerchief, and tucked beneath the lining,' said Dick, 32487 32488aghast at the discovery.<br><br> 32489 32490Mr Brass looked at him, at his sister, at the walls, at the ceiling, at 32491 32492the floor--everywhere but at Kit, who stood quite stupefied and 32493 32494motionless.<br><br> 32495 32496'And this,' cried Sampson, clasping his hands, 'is the world that turns 32497 32498upon its own axis, and has Lunar influences, and revolutions round 32499 32500Heavenly Bodies, and various games of that sort! This is human natur, 32501 32502is it! Oh natur, natur! This is the miscreant that I was going to 32503 32504benefit with all my little arts, and that, even now, I feel so much 32505 32506for, as to wish to let him go! But,' added Mr Brass with greater 32507 32508fortitude, 'I am myself a lawyer, and bound to set an example in 32509 32510carrying the laws of my happy country into effect. Sally my dear, 32511 32512forgive me, and catch hold of him on the other side. Mr Richard, sir, 32513 32514have the goodness to run and fetch a constable. The weakness is past 32515 32516and over sir, and moral strength returns. A constable, sir, if you 32517 32518please!'<br><br> 32519 32520CHAPTER 60<br><br> 32521 32522Kit stood as one entranced, with his eyes opened wide and fixed upon 32523
32524the ground, regardless alike of the tremulous hold which Mr Brass 32525 32526maintained on one side of his cravat, and of the firmer grasp of Miss 32527 32528Sally upon the other; although this latter detention was in itself no 32529 32530small inconvenience, as that fascinating woman, besides screwing her 32531 32532knuckles inconveniently into his throat from time to time, had fastened 32533 32534upon him in the first instance with so tight a grip that even in the 32535 32536disorder and distraction of his thoughts he could not divest himself of 32537 32538an uneasy sense of choking. Between the brother and sister he remained 32539 32540in this posture, quite unresisting and passive, until Mr Swiveller 32541 32542returned, with a police constable at his heels.<br><br> 32543 32544This functionary, being, of course, well used to such scenes; looking 32545 32546upon all kinds of robbery, from petty larceny up to housebreaking or 32547 32548ventures on the highway, as matters in the regular course of business; 32549 32550and regarding the perpetrators in the light of so many customers coming 32551 32552to be served at the wholesale and retail shop of criminal law where he 32553 32554stood behind the counter; received Mr Brass's statement of facts with 32555 32556about as much interest and surprise, as an undertaker might evince if 32557 32558required to listen to a circumstantial account of the last illness of a 32559 32560person whom he was called in to wait upon professionally; and took Kit 32561 32562into custody with a decent indifference.<br><br> 32563 32564'We had better,' said this subordinate minister of justice, 'get to the 32565 32566office while there's a magistrate sitting. I shall want you to come 32567 32568along with us, Mr Brass, and the--' he looked at Miss Sally as if in 32569 32570some doubt whether she might not be a griffin or other fabulous monster.<br><br> 32571 32572'The lady, eh?' said Sampson.<br><br> 32573 32574'Ah!' replied the constable. 'Yes--the lady. Likewise the young man 32575 32576that found the property.'<br><br> 32577 32578'Mr Richard, Sir,' said Brass in a mournful voice. 'A sad necessity. 32579 32580But the altar of our country sir--'<br><br> 32581 32582'You'll have a hackney-coach, I suppose?' interrupted the constable, 32583 32584holding Kit (whom his other captors had released) carelessly by the 32585 32586arm, a little above the elbow. 'Be so good as send for one, will you?'<br><br> 32587 32588'But, hear me speak a word,' cried Kit, raising his eyes and looking 32589 32590imploringly about him. 'Hear me speak a word. I am no more guilty 32591 32592than any one of you. Upon my soul I am not. I a thief! Oh, Mr Brass, 32593 32594you know me better. I am sure you know me better. This is not right 32595 32596of you, indeed.'<br><br> 32597 32598'I give you my word, constable--' said Brass. But here the constable 32599 32600interposed with the constitutional principle 'words be blowed;' 32601 32602observing that words were but spoon-meat for babes and sucklings, and 32603 32604that oaths were the food for strong men.<br><br> 32605 32606'Quite true, constable,' assented Brass in the same mournful tone. 32607 32608'Strictly correct. I give you my oath, constable, that down to a few 32609 32610minutes ago, when this fatal discovery was made, I had such confidence 32611 32612in that lad, that I'd have trusted him with--a hackney-coach, Mr 32613 32614Richard, sir; you're very slow, Sir.'<br><br> 32615 32616'Who is there that knows me,' cried Kit, 'that would not trust me-- 32617 32618that does not? ask anybody whether they have ever doubted me; whether I 32619 32620have ever wronged them of a farthing. Was I ever once dishonest when I 32621 32622was poor and hungry, and is it likely I would begin now! Oh consider 32623 32624what you do. How can I meet the kindest friends that ever human 32625 32626creature had, with this dreadful charge upon me!'<br><br> 32627 32628Mr Brass rejoined that it would have been well for the prisoner if he 32629 32630had thought of that, before, and was about to make some other gloomy 32631 32632observations when the voice of the single gentleman was heard, 32633 32634demanding from above-stairs what was the matter, and what was the cause 32635 32636of all that noise and hurry. Kit made an involuntary start towards the 32637 32638door in his anxiety to answer for himself, but being speedily detained 32639 32640by the constable, had the agony of seeing Sampson Brass run out alone 32641 32642to tell the story in his own way.<br><br> 32643 32644'And he can hardly believe it, either,' said Sampson, when he returned, 32645 32646'nor nobody will. I wish I could doubt the evidence of my senses, but 32647 32648their depositions are unimpeachable. It's of no use cross-examining my 32649 32650eyes,' cried Sampson, winking and rubbing them, 'they stick to their 32651 32652first account, and will. Now, Sarah, I hear the coach in the Marks; 32653 32654get on your bonnet, and we'll be off. A sad errand! a moral funeral, 32655 32656quite!'<br><br> 32657 32658'Mr Brass,' said Kit. 'Do me one favour. Take me to Mr Witherden's 32659 32660first.'<br><br> 32661 32662Sampson shook his head irresolutely.<br><br> 32663 32664'Do,' said Kit. 'My master's there. For Heaven's sake, take me there, 32665 32666first.'<br><br> 32667 32668'Well, I don't know,' stammered Brass, who perhaps had his reasons for 32669 32670wishing to show as fair as possible in the eyes of the notary. 'How do 32671 32672we stand in point of time, constable, eh?'<br><br> 32673 32674The constable, who had been chewing a straw all this while with great 32675 32676philosophy, replied that if they went away at once they would have time 32677
32678enough, but that if they stood shilly-shallying there, any longer, they 32679 32680must go straight to the Mansion House; and finally expressed his 32681 32682opinion that that was where it was, and that was all about it.<br><br> 32683 32684Mr Richard Swiveller having arrived inside the coach, and still 32685 32686remaining immoveable in the most commodious corner with his face to the 32687 32688horses, Mr Brass instructed the officer to remove his prisoner, and 32689 32690declared himself quite ready. Therefore, the constable, still holding 32691 32692Kit in the same manner, and pushing him on a little before him, so as 32693 32694to keep him at about three-quarters of an arm's length in advance 32695 32696(which is the professional mode), thrust him into the vehicle and 32697 32698followed himself. Miss Sally entered next; and there being now four 32699 32700inside, Sampson Brass got upon the box, and made the coachman drive on.<br><br> 32701 32702Still completely stunned by the sudden and terrible change which had 32703 32704taken place in his affairs, Kit sat gazing out of the coach window, 32705 32706almost hoping to see some monstrous phenomenon in the streets which 32707 32708might give him reason to believe he was in a dream. Alas! Everything 32709 32710was too real and familiar: the same succession of turnings, the same 32711 32712houses, the same streams of people running side by side in different 32713 32714directions upon the pavement, the same bustle of carts and carriages in 32715 32716the road, the same well-remembered objects in the shop windows: a 32717 32718regularity in the very noise and hurry which no dream ever mirrored. 32719 32720Dream-like as the story was, it was true. He stood charged with 32721 32722robbery; the note had been found upon him, though he was innocent in 32723 32724thought and deed; and they were carrying him back, a prisoner.<br><br> 32725 32726Absorbed in these painful ruminations, thinking with a drooping heart 32727 32728of his mother and little Jacob, feeling as though even the 32729 32730consciousness of innocence would be insufficient to support him in the 32731 32732presence of his friends if they believed him guilty, and sinking in 32733 32734hope and courage more and more as they drew nearer to the notary's, 32735 32736poor Kit was looking earnestly out of the window, observant of 32737 32738nothing,--when all at once, as though it had been conjured up by magic, 32739 32740he became aware of the face of Quilp.<br><br> 32741 32742And what a leer there was upon the face! It was from the open window 32743 32744of a tavern that it looked out; and the dwarf had so spread himself 32745 32746over it, with his elbows on the window-sill and his head resting on 32747 32748both his hands, that what between this attitude and his being swoln 32749 32750with suppressed laughter, he looked puffed and bloated into twice his 32751 32752usual breadth. Mr Brass, on recognising him, immediately stopped the 32753 32754coach. As it came to a halt directly opposite to where he stood, the 32755 32756dwarf pulled off his hat, and saluted the party with a hideous and 32757 32758grotesque politeness. 'Aha!' he cried. 'Where now, Brass? where now? 32759 32760Sally with you too? Sweet Sally! And Dick? Pleasant Dick! And Kit! 32761 32762Honest Kit!'<br><br> 32763 32764'He's extremely cheerful!' said Brass to the coachman. 'Very much so! 32765 32766Ah, sir--a sad business! Never believe in honesty any more, sir.'<br><br> 32767 32768'Why not?' returned the dwarf. 'Why not, you rogue of a lawyer, why 32769 32770not?'<br><br> 32771 32772'Bank-note lost in our office sir,' said Brass, shaking his head. 32773 32774'Found in his hat sir--he previously left alone there--no mistake at 32775 32776all sir--chain of evidence complete--not a link wanting.'<br><br> 32777 32778'What!' cried the dwarf, leaning half his body out of window. 'Kit a 32779 32780thief! Kit a thief! Ha ha ha! Why, he's an uglier-looking thief than 32781 32782can be seen anywhere for a penny. Eh, Kit--eh? Ha ha ha! Have you 32783 32784taken Kit into custody before he had time and opportunity to beat me! 32785 32786Eh, Kit, eh?' And with that, he burst into a yell of laughter, 32787 32788manifestly to the great terror of the coachman, and pointed to a dyer's 32789 32790pole hard by, where a dangling suit of clothes bore some resemblance to 32791 32792a man upon a gibbet.<br><br> 32793 32794'Is it coming to that, Kit!' cried the dwarf, rubbing his hands 32795 32796violently. 'Ha ha ha ha! What a disappointment for little Jacob, and 32797 32798for his darling mother! Let him have the Bethel minister to comfort 32799 32800and console him, Brass. Eh, Kit, eh? Drive on coachey, drive on. Bye 32801 32802bye, Kit; all good go with you; keep up your spirits; my love to the 32803 32804Garlands--the dear old lady and gentleman. Say I inquired after 'em, 32805 32806will you? Blessings on 'em, on you, and on everybody, Kit. Blessings 32807 32808on all the world!'<br><br> 32809 32810With such good wishes and farewells, poured out in a rapid torrent 32811 32812until they were out of hearing, Quilp suffered them to depart; and when 32813 32814he could see the coach no longer, drew in his head, and rolled upon the 32815 32816ground in an ecstacy of enjoyment.<br><br> 32817 32818When they reached the notary's, which they were not long in doing, for 32819 32820they had encountered the dwarf in a bye street at a very little 32821 32822distance from the house, Mr Brass dismounted; and opening the coach 32823 32824door with a melancholy visage, requested his sister to accompany him 32825 32826into the office, with the view of preparing the good people within, for 32827 32828the mournful intelligence that awaited them. Miss Sally complying, he 32829 32830desired Mr Swiveller to accompany them. So, into the office they went; 32831 32832Mr Sampson and his sister arm-in-arm; and Mr Swiveller following, alone.<br><br> 32833 32834The notary was standing before the fire in the outer office, talking to 32835 32836Mr Abel and the elder Mr Garland, while Mr Chuckster sat writing at the 32837 32838desk, picking up such crumbs of their conversation as happened to fall 32839 32840in his way. This posture of affairs Mr Brass observed through the 32841 32842glass-door as he was turning the handle, and seeing that the notary 32843 32844recognised him, he began to shake his head and sigh deeply while that 32845 32846partition yet divided them.<br><br> 32847 32848'Sir,' said Sampson, taking off his hat, and kissing the two 32849 32850fore-fingers of his right hand beaver glove, 'my name is Brass--Brass 32851 32852of Bevis Marks, Sir. I have had the honour and pleasure, Sir, of being 32853 32854concerned against you in some little testamentary matters. How do you 32855 32856do, sir?'<br><br> 32857 32858'My clerk will attend to any business you may have come upon, Mr 32859 32860Brass,' said the notary, turning away.<br><br> 32861
32862'Thank you Sir,' said Brass, 'thank you, I am sure. Allow me, Sir, to 32863 32864introduce my sister--quite one of us Sir, although of the weaker 32865 32866sex--of great use in my business Sir, I assure you. Mr Richard, sir, 32867 32868have the goodness to come foward if you please--No really,' said Brass, 32869 32870stepping between the notary and his private office (towards which he 32871 32872had begun to retreat), and speaking in the tone of an injured man, 32873 32874'really Sir, I must, under favour, request a word or two with you, 32875 32876indeed.'<br><br> 32877 32878'Mr Brass,' said the other, in a decided tone, 'I am engaged. You see 32879 32880that I am occupied with these gentlemen. If you will communicate your 32881 32882business to Mr Chuckster yonder, you will receive every attention.'<br><br> 32883 32884'Gentlemen,' said Brass, laying his right hand on his waistcoat, and 32885 32886looking towards the father and son with a smooth smile--'Gentlemen, I 32887 32888appeal to you--really, gentlemen--consider, I beg of you. I am of the 32889 32890law. I am styled "gentleman" by Act of Parliament. I maintain the 32891 32892title by the annual payment of twelve pound sterling for a certificate. 32893 32894I am not one of your players of music, stage actors, writers of books, 32895 32896or painters of pictures, who assume a station that the laws of their 32897 32898country don't recognise. I am none of your strollers or vagabonds. If 32899 32900any man brings his action against me, he must describe me as a 32901 32902gentleman, or his action is null and void. I appeal to you--is this 32903 32904quite respectful? Really gentlemen--'<br><br> 32905 32906'Well, will you have the goodness to state your business then, Mr 32907 32908Brass?' said the notary.<br><br> 32909 32910'Sir,' rejoined Brass, 'I will. Ah Mr Witherden! you little know 32911 32912the--but I will not be tempted to travel from the point, sir, I believe 32913 32914the name of one of these gentlemen is Garland.'<br><br> 32915 32916'Of both,' said the notary.<br><br> 32917 32918'In-deed!' rejoined Brass, cringing excessively. 'But I might have 32919 32920known that, from the uncommon likeness. Extremely happy, I am sure, to 32921 32922have the honour of an introduction to two such gentlemen, although the 32923 32924occasion is a most painful one. One of you gentlemen has a servant 32925 32926called Kit?'<br><br> 32927 32928'Both,' replied the notary. 'Two Kits?' said Brass smiling. 'Dear me!'<br><br> 32929 32930'One Kit, sir,' returned Mr Witherden angrily, 'who is employed by both 32931 32932gentlemen. What of him?'<br><br> 32933 32934'This of him, sir,' rejoined Brass, dropping his voice impressively. 32935 32936'That young man, sir, that I have felt unbounded and unlimited 32937 32938confidence in, and always behaved to as if he was my equal--that young 32939 32940man has this morning committed a robbery in my office, and been taken 32941 32942almost in the fact.'<br><br> 32943 32944'This must be some falsehood!' cried the notary.<br><br> 32945 32946'It is not possible,' said Mr Abel.<br><br> 32947 32948'I'll not believe one word of it,' exclaimed the old gentleman.<br><br> 32949 32950Mr Brass looked mildly round upon them, and rejoined,<br><br> 32951 32952'Mr Witherden, sir, YOUR words are actionable, and if I was a man of 32953 32954low and mean standing, who couldn't afford to be slandered, I should 32955 32956proceed for damages. Hows'ever, sir, being what I am, I merely scorn 32957 32958such expressions. The honest warmth of the other gentleman I respect, 32959 32960and I'm truly sorry to be the messenger of such unpleasant news. I 32961 32962shouldn't have put myself in this painful position, I assure you, but 32963 32964that the lad himself desired to be brought here in the first instance, 32965 32966and I yielded to his prayers. Mr Chuckster, sir, will you have the 32967 32968goodness to tap at the window for the constable that's waiting in the 32969 32970coach?'<br><br> 32971 32972The three gentlemen looked at each other with blank faces when these 32973 32974words were uttered, and Mr Chuckster, doing as he was desired, and 32975 32976leaping off his stool with something of the excitement of an inspired 32977 32978prophet whose foretellings had in the fulness of time been realised, 32979 32980held the door open for the entrance of the wretched captive.<br><br> 32981 32982Such a scene as there was, when Kit came in, and bursting into the rude 32983 32984eloquence with which Truth at length inspired him, called Heaven to 32985 32986witness that he was innocent, and that how the property came to be 32987 32988found upon him he knew not! Such a confusion of tongues, before the 32989 32990circumstances were related, and the proofs disclosed! Such a dead 32991 32992silence when all was told, and his three friends exchanged looks of 32993 32994doubt and amazement!<br><br> 32995 32996'Is it not possible,' said Mr Witherden, after a long pause, 'that this 32997
32998note may have found its way into the hat by some accident,--such as 32999 33000the removal of papers on the desk, for instance?'<br><br> 33001 33002But this was clearly shown to be quite impossible. Mr Swiveller, 33003 33004though an unwilling witness, could not help proving to demonstration, 33005 33006from the position in which it was found, that it must have been 33007 33008designedly secreted.<br><br> 33009 33010'It's very distressing,' said Brass, 'immensely distressing, I am sure. 33011 33012When he comes to be tried, I shall be very happy to recommend him to 33013 33014mercy on account of his previous good character. I did lose money 33015 33016before, certainly, but it doesn't quite follow that he took it. The 33017 33018presumption's against him--strongly against him--but we're Christians, 33019 33020I hope?'<br><br> 33021 33022'I suppose,' said the constable, looking round, 'that no gentleman here 33023 33024can give evidence as to whether he's been flush of money of late, Do 33025 33026you happen to know, Sir?'<br><br> 33027 33028'He has had money from time to time, certainly,' returned Mr Garland, 33029 33030to whom the man had put the question. 'But that, as he always told me, 33031 33032was given him by Mr Brass himself.'<br><br> 33033 33034'Yes to be sure,' said Kit eagerly. 'You can bear me out in that, Sir?'<br><br> 33035 33036'Eh?' cried Brass, looking from face to face with an expression of 33037 33038stupid amazement.<br><br> 33039 33040'The money you know, the half-crowns, that you gave me--from the 33041 33042lodger,' said Kit.<br><br> 33043 33044'Oh dear me!' cried Brass, shaking his head and frowning heavily. 33045 33046'This is a bad case, I find; a very bad case indeed.'<br><br> 33047 33048'What! Did you give him no money on account of anybody, Sir?' asked Mr 33049 33050Garland, with great anxiety.<br><br> 33051 33052'I give him money, Sir!' returned Sampson. 'Oh, come you know, this is 33053 33054too barefaced. Constable, my good fellow, we had better be going.'<br><br> 33055 33056'What!' shrieked Kit. 'Does he deny that he did? ask him, somebody, 33057 33058pray. Ask him to tell you whether he did or not!'<br><br> 33059 33060'Did you, sir?' asked the notary.<br><br> 33061 33062'I tell you what, gentlemen,' replied Brass, in a very grave manner, 33063 33064'he'll not serve his case this way, and really, if you feel any 33065 33066interest in him, you had better advise him to go upon some other tack. 33067 33068Did I, sir? Of course I never did.'<br><br> 33069 33070'Gentlemen,' cried Kit, on whom a light broke suddenly, 'Master, Mr 33071 33072Abel, Mr Witherden, every one of you--he did it! What I have done to 33073 33074offend him, I don't know, but this is a plot to ruin me. Mind, 33075 33076gentlemen, it's a plot, and whatever comes of it, I will say with my 33077 33078dying breath that he put that note in my hat himself! Look at him, 33079 33080gentlemen! see how he changes colour. Which of us looks the guilty 33081 33082person--he, or I?'<br><br> 33083 33084'You hear him, gentlemen?' said Brass, smiling, 'you hear him. Now, 33085 33086does this case strike you as assuming rather a black complexion, or 33087 33088does it not? Is it at all a treacherous case, do you think, or is it 33089 33090one of mere ordinary guilt? Perhaps, gentlemen, if he had not said 33091 33092this in your presence and I had reported it, you'd have held this to be 33093 33094impossible likewise, eh?'<br><br> 33095 33096With such pacific and bantering remarks did Mr Brass refute the foul 33097 33098aspersion on his character; but the virtuous Sarah, moved by stronger 33099 33100feelings, and having at heart, perhaps, a more jealous regard for the 33101 33102honour of her family, flew from her brother's side, without any 33103 33104previous intimation of her design, and darted at the prisoner with the 33105 33106utmost fury. It would undoubtedly have gone hard with Kit's face, but 33107 33108that the wary constable, foreseeing her design, drew him aside at the 33109 33110critical moment, and thus placed Mr Chuckster in circumstances of some 33111 33112jeopardy; for that gentleman happening to be next the object of Miss 33113 33114Brass's wrath; and rage being, like love and fortune, blind; was 33115 33116pounced upon by the fair enslaver, and had a false collar plucked up by 33117 33118the roots, and his hair very much dishevelled, before the exertions of 33119 33120the company could make her sensible of her mistake.<br><br> 33121 33122The constable, taking warning by this desperate attack, and thinking 33123 33124perhaps that it would be more satisfactory to the ends of justice if 33125 33126the prisoner were taken before a magistrate, whole, rather than
33126in 33127 33128small pieces, led him back to the hackney-coach without more ado, and 33129 33130moreover insisted on Miss Brass becoming an outside passenger; to which 33131 33132proposal the charming creature, after a little angry discussion, 33133 33134yielded her consent; and so took her brother Sampson's place upon the 33135 33136box: Mr Brass with some reluctance agreeing to occupy her seat inside. 33137 33138These arrangements perfected, they drove to the justice-room with all 33139 33140speed, followed by the notary and his two friends in another coach. Mr 33141 33142Chuckster alone was left behind--greatly to his indignation; for he 33143 33144held the evidence he could have given, relative to Kit's returning to 33145 33146work out the shilling, to be so very material as bearing upon his 33147 33148hypocritical and designing character, that he considered its 33149 33150suppression little better than a compromise of felony.<br><br> 33151 33152At the justice-room, they found the single gentleman, who had gone 33153 33154straight there, and was expecting them with desperate impatience. But 33155 33156not fifty single gentlemen rolled into one could have helped poor Kit, 33157 33158who in half an hour afterwards was committed for trial, and was assured 33159 33160by a friendly officer on his way to prison that there was no occasion 33161 33162to be cast down, for the sessions would soon be on, and he would, in 33163 33164all likelihood, get his little affair disposed of, and be comfortably 33165 33166transported, in less than a fortnight.<br><br> 33167 33168CHAPTER 61<br><br> 33169 33170Let moralists and philosophers say what they may, it is very 33171 33172questionable whether a guilty man would have felt half as much misery 33173 33174that night, as Kit did, being innocent. The world, being in the 33175 33176constant commission of vast quantities of injustice, is a little too 33177 33178apt to comfort itself with the idea that if the victim of its falsehood 33179 33180and malice have a clear conscience, he cannot fail to be sustained 33181 33182under his trials, and somehow or other to come right at last; 'in which 33183 33184case,' say they who have hunted him down, '--though we certainly don't 33185 33186expect it--nobody will be better pleased than we.' Whereas, the world 33187 33188would do well to reflect, that injustice is in itself, to every 33189 33190generous and properly constituted mind, an injury, of all others the 33191 33192most insufferable, the most torturing, and the most hard to bear; and 33193 33194that many clear consciences have gone to their account elsewhere, and 33195 33196many sound hearts have broken, because of this very reason; the 33197 33198knowledge of their own deserts only aggravating their sufferings, and 33199 33200rendering them the less endurable.<br><br> 33201 33202The world, however, was not in fault in Kit's case. But Kit was 33203 33204innocent; and knowing this, and feeling that his best friends deemed 33205 33206him guilty--that Mr and Mrs Garland would look upon him as a monster of 33207 33208ingratitude--that Barbara would associate him with all that was bad and 33209 33210criminal--that the pony would consider himself forsaken--and that even 33211 33212his own mother might perhaps yield to the strong appearances against 33213 33214him, and believe him to be the wretch he seemed--knowing and feeling 33215 33216all this, he experienced, at first, an agony of mind which no words can 33217 33218describe, and walked up and down the little cell in which he was locked 33219 33220up for the night, almost beside himself with grief.<br><br> 33221 33222Even when the violence of these emotions had in some degree subsided, 33223 33224and he was beginning to grow more calm, there came into his mind a new 33225 33226thought, the anguish of which was scarcely less. The child--the bright 33227 33228star of the simple fellow's life--she, who always came back upon him 33229 33230like a beautiful dream--who had made the poorest part of his existence, 33231 33232the happiest and best--who had ever been so gentle, and considerate, 33233 33234and good--if she were ever to hear of this, what would she think! As 33235 33236this idea occurred to him, the walls of the prison seemed to melt away, 33237 33238and the old place to reveal itself in their stead, as it was wont to be 33239 33240on winter nights--the fireside, the little supper table, the old man's 33241 33242hat, and coat, and stick--the half-opened door, leading to her little 33243 33244room--they were all there. And Nell herself was there, and he--both 33245 33246laughing heartily as they had often done--and when he had got as far as 33247 33248this, Kit could go no farther, but flung himself upon his poor bedstead 33249 33250and wept.<br><br> 33251 33252It was a long night, which seemed as though it would have no end; but 33253 33254he slept too, and dreamed--always of being at liberty, and roving 33255 33256about, now with one person and now with another, but ever with a vague 33257 33258dread of being recalled to prison; not that prison, but one which was 33259 33260in itself a dim idea--not of a place, but of a care and sorrow: of 33261 33262something oppressive and always present, and yet impossible to define. 33263 33264At last, the morning dawned, and there was the jail itself--cold, 33265 33266black, and dreary, and very real indeed. He was left to himself, 33267 33268however, and there was comfort in that. He had liberty to walk in a 33269 33270small paved yard at a certain hour, and learnt from the turnkey, who 33271 33272came to unlock his cell and show him where to wash, that there was a 33273 33274regular time for visiting, every day, and that if any of his friends 33275 33276came to see him, he would be fetched down to the grate. When he had 33277 33278given him this information, and a tin porringer containing his 33279 33280breakfast, the man locked him up again; and went clattering along the 33281 33282stone passage, opening and shutting a great many other doors, and 33283 33284raising numberless loud echoes which resounded through the building for 33285 33286a long time, as if they were in prison too, and unable to get out.<br><br> 33287 33288This turnkey had given him to understand that he was lodged, like some 33289 33290few others in the jail, apart from the mass of prisoners; because he 33291 33292was not supposed to be utterly depraved and irreclaimable, and had 33293 33294never occupied apartments in that mansion before. Kit was thankful for 33295 33296this indulgence, and sat reading the church catechism very attentively 33297 33298(though he had known it by heart from a little child), until he heard 33299 33300the key in the lock, and the man entered again.<br><br> 33301 33302'Now then,' he said, 'come on!'<br><br> 33303 33304'Where to, Sir?' asked Kit.<br><br> 33305 33306The man contented himself by briefly replying 'Wisitors;' and taking 33307 33308him by the arm in exactly the same manner as the constable had done the 33309 33310day before, led him, through several winding ways and strong gates, 33311 33312into a passage, where he placed him at a grating and turned upon his 33313 33314heel. Beyond this grating, at the distance of about four or five feet, 33315 33316was another exactly like it. In the space between, sat a turnkey 33317 33318reading a newspaper, and outside the further railing, Kit saw, with a 33319 33320palpitating heart, his mother with the baby in her arms; Barbara's 33321 33322mother with her never-failing umbrella; and poor little Jacob, staring 33323 33324in with all his might, as though he were looking for the bird, or the 33325 33326wild beast, and thought the men were mere accidents with whom the bars 33327 33328could have no possible concern.<br><br> 33329 33330But when little Jacob saw his brother, and, thrusting his arms between 33331 33332the rails to hug him, found that he came no nearer, but still stood 33333 33334afar off with his head resting on the arm by which he held to one of 33335 33336the bars, he began to cry most piteously; whereupon, Kit's mother and 33337 33338Barbara's mother, who had restrained themselves as much as possible, 33339 33340burst out sobbing and weeping afresh. Poor Kit could not help joining 33341 33342them, and not one of them could speak a word. During this melancholy 33343 33344pause, the turnkey read his newspaper with a waggish look (he had 33345 33346evidently got among the facetious paragraphs) until, happening to take 33347 33348his eyes off for an instant, as if to get by dint of contemplation at 33349 33350the very marrow of some joke of a deeper sort than the rest, it 33351 33352appeared to occur to him, for the first time, that somebody was crying.<br><br> 33353 33354'Now, ladies, ladies,' he said, looking round with surprise, 'I'd 33355 33356advise you not to waste time like this. It's allowanced here, you 33357 33358know. You mustn't let that child make that noise either. It's against 33359 33360all rules.'<br><br> 33361 33362'I'm his poor mother, sir,'--sobbed Mrs Nubbles, curtseying humbly, 33363 33364'and this is his brother, sir. Oh dear me, dear me!'<br><br> 33365 33366'Well!' replied the turnkey, folding his paper on his knee, so as to 33367 33368get with greater convenience at the top of the next column. 'It can't 33369 33370be helped you know. He ain't the only one in the same fix. You 33371 33372mustn't make a noise about it!'<br><br> 33373 33374With that he went on reading. The man was not unnaturally cruel or 33375 33376hard-hearted. He had come to look upon felony as a kind of disorder, 33377 33378like the scarlet fever or erysipelas: some people had it--some 33379 33380hadn't--just as it might be.<br><br> 33381 33382'Oh! my darling Kit,' said his mother, whom Barbara's mother had 33383 33384charitably relieved of the baby, 'that I should see my poor boy here!'<br><br> 33385 33386'You don't believe that I did what they accuse me of, mother dear?' 33387 33388cried Kit, in a choking voice.<br><br> 33389 33390'I believe it!' exclaimed the poor woman, 'I that never knew you tell a 33391 33392lie, or do a bad action from your cradle--that have never had a 33393 33394moment's sorrow on your account, except it was the poor meals that you 33395 33396have taken with such good humour and content, that I forgot how little 33397 33398there was, when I thought how kind and thoughtful you were, though you 33399 33400were but a child!--I believe it of the son that's been a comfort to me 33401 33402from the hour of his birth until this time, and that I never laid down 33403 33404one night in anger with! I believe it of you Kit!--'<br><br> 33405 33406'Why then, thank God!' said Kit, clutching the bars with an earnestness 33407 33408that shook them, 'and I can bear it, mother! Come what may, I shall 33409 33410always have one drop of happiness in my heart when I think that you 33411 33412said that.'<br><br> 33413 33414At this the poor woman fell a-crying again, and Barbara's mother too. 33415 33416And little Jacob, whose disjointed thoughts had by this time resolved 33417 33418themselves into a pretty distinct impression that Kit couldn't go out 33419 33420for a walk if he wanted, and that there were no birds, lions, tigers or 33421 33422other natural curiosities behind those bars--nothing indeed, but a 33423 33424caged brother--added his tears to theirs with as little noise as 33425 33426possible.<br><br> 33427 33428Kit's mother, drying her eyes (and moistening them, poor soul, more 33429 33430than she dried them), now took from the ground a small basket, and 33431 33432submissively addressed herself to the turnkey, saying, would he please 33433 33434to listen to her for a minute? The turnkey, being in the very crisis 33435 33436and passion of a joke, motioned to her with his hand to keep silent one 33437 33438minute longer, for her life. Nor did he remove his hand into its 33439 33440former posture, but kept it in the same warning attitude until he had 33441 33442finished the paragraph, when he paused for a few seconds, with a smile 33443 33444upon his face, as who should say 'this editor is a comical blade--a 33445 33446funny dog,' and then asked her what she wanted.<br><br> 33447 33448'I have brought him a little something to eat,' said the good woman. 33449 33450'If you please, Sir, might he have it?'<br><br> 33451 33452'Yes,--he may have it. There's no rule against that. Give it to me 33453 33454when you go, and I'll take care he has it.'<br><br> 33455 33456'No, but if you please sir--don't be angry with me sir--I am his 33457 33458mother, and you had a mother once--if I might only see him eat a little 33459 33460bit, I should go away, so much more satisfied that he was all 33461 33462comfortable.'<br><br> 33463 33464And again the tears of Kit's mother burst forth, and of Barbara's 33465 33466mother, and of little Jacob. As to the baby, it was crowing and 33467 33468laughing with its might--under the idea, apparently, that the whole 33469 33470scene had been invented and got up for its particular satisfaction.<br><br> 33471 33472The turnkey looked as if he thought the request a strange one and 33473 33474rather out of the common way, but nevertheless he laid down his paper, 33475 33476and coming round where Kit's mother stood, took the basket from her, 33477 33478and after inspecting its contents, handed it to Kit, and went back to 33479 33480his place. It may be easily conceived that the prisoner had no great 33481 33482appetite, but he sat down on the ground, and ate as hard as he could, 33483 33484while, at every morsel he put into his mouth, his mother sobbed and 33485 33486wept afresh, though with a softened grief that bespoke the satisfaction 33487 33488the sight afforded her.<br><br> 33489 33490While he was thus engaged, Kit made some anxious inquiries about his 33491 33492employers, and whether they had expressed any opinion concerning him; 33493 33494but all he could learn was that Mr Abel had himself broken the 33495 33496intelligence to his mother, with great kindness and delicacy, late on 33497 33498the previous night, but had himself expressed no opinion of his 33499 33500innocence or guilt. Kit was on the point of mustering courage to ask 33501 33502Barbara's mother about Barbara, when the turnkey who had conducted him, 33503 33504reappeared, a second turnkey appeared behind his visitors, and the 33505
33506third turnkey with the newspaper cried 'Time's up!'--adding in the same 33507 33508breath 'Now for the next party!' and then plunging deep into his 33509 33510newspaper again. Kit was taken off in an instant, with a blessing from 33511 33512his mother, and a scream from little Jacob, ringing in his ears. As he 33513 33514was crossing the next yard with the basket in his hand, under the 33515 33516guidance of his former conductor, another officer called to them to 33517 33518stop, and came up with a pint pot of porter in his hand.<br><br> 33519 33520'This is Christopher Nubbles, isn't it, that come in last night for 33521 33522felony?' said the man.<br><br> 33523 33524His comrade replied that this was the chicken in question.<br><br> 33525 33526'Then here's your beer,' said the other man to Christopher. 'What are 33527 33528you looking at? There an't a discharge in it.'<br><br> 33529 33530'I beg your pardon,' said Kit. 'Who sent it me?'<br><br> 33531 33532'Why, your friend,' replied the man. 'You're to have it every day, he 33533 33534says. And so you will, if he pays for it.'<br><br> 33535 33536'My friend!' repeated Kit.<br><br> 33537 33538'You're all abroad, seemingly,' returned the other man. 'There's his 33539 33540letter. Take hold!'<br><br> 33541 33542Kit took it, and when he was locked up again, read as follows.<br><br> 33543 33544'Drink of this cup, you'll find there's a spell in its every drop 33545 33546'gainst the ills of mortality. Talk of the cordial that sparkled for 33547 33548Helen! HER cup was a fiction, but this is reality (Barclay and 33549 33550Co.'s).--If they ever send it in a flat state, complain to the 33551 33552Governor. Yours, R. S.'<br><br> 33553 33554'R. S.!' said Kit, after some consideration. 'It must be Mr Richard 33555 33556Swiveller. Well, its very kind of him, and I thank him heartily.'<br><br> 33557 33558CHAPTER 62<br><br> 33559 33560A faint light, twinkling from the window of the counting-house on 33561 33562Quilp's wharf, and looking inflamed and red through the night-fog, as 33563 33564though it suffered from it like an eye, forewarned Mr Sampson Brass, as 33565 33566he approached the wooden cabin with a cautious step, that the excellent 33567 33568proprietor, his esteemed client, was inside, and probably waiting with 33569 33570his accustomed patience and sweetness of temper the fulfilment of the 33571 33572appointment which now brought Mr Brass within his fair domain.<br><br> 33573 33574'A treacherous place to pick one's steps in, of a dark night,' muttered 33575 33576Sampson, as he stumbled for the twentieth time over some stray lumber, 33577 33578and limped in pain. 'I believe that boy strews the ground differently 33579 33580every day, on purpose to bruise and maim one; unless his master does it 33581 33582with his own hands, which is more than likely. I hate to come to this 33583 33584place without Sally. She's more protection than a dozen men.'<br><br> 33585 33586As he paid this compliment to the merit of the absent charmer, Mr Brass 33587 33588came to a halt; looking doubtfully towards the light, and over his 33589 33590shoulder.<br><br> 33591 33592'What's he about, I wonder?' murmured the lawyer, standing on tiptoe, 33593 33594and endeavouring to obtain a glimpse of what was passing inside, which 33595 33596at that distance was impossible--'drinking, I suppose,--making himself 33597 33598more fiery and furious, and heating his malice and mischievousness till 33599 33600they boil. I'm always afraid to come here by myself, when his 33601 33602account's a pretty large one. I don't believe he'd mind throttling me, 33603 33604and dropping me softly into the river when the tide was at its 33605 33606strongest, any more than he'd mind killing a rat--indeed I don't know 33607 33608whether he wouldn't consider it a pleasant joke. Hark! Now he's 33609 33610singing!'<br><br> 33611 33612Mr Quilp was certainly entertaining himself with vocal exercise, but it 33613 33614was rather a kind of chant than a song; being a monotonous repetition 33615 33616of one sentence in a very rapid manner, with a long stress upon the 33617 33618last word, which he swelled into a dismal roar. Nor did the burden of 33619 33620this performance bear any reference to love, or war, or wine, or 33621 33622loyalty, or any other, the standard topics of song, but to a subject 33623 33624not often set to music or generally known in ballads; the words being 33625 33626these:--'The worthy magistrate, after remarking that the prisoner would 33627 33628find some difficulty in persuading a jury to believe his tale, 33629 33630committed him to take his trial at the approaching sessions; and 33631 33632directed the customary recognisances to be entered into for the 33633 33634pros-e-cu-tion.'<br><br> 33635 33636Every time he came to this concluding word, and had exhausted all 33637 33638possible stress upon it, Quilp burst into a shriek of laughter, and 33639 33640began again.<br><br> 33641 33642'He's dreadfully imprudent,' muttered Brass, after he had listened to 33643 33644two or three repetitions of the chant. 'Horribly imprudent. I wish he 33645 33646was dumb. I wish he was deaf. I wish he was blind. Hang him,' cried 33647 33648Brass, as the chant began again. 'I wish he was dead!'<br><br> 33649 33650Giving utterance to these friendly aspirations in behalf of his client, 33651 33652Mr Sampson composed his face into its usual state of smoothness, and 33653 33654waiting until the shriek came again and was dying away, went up to the 33655 33656wooden house, and knocked at the door.<br><br> 33657 33658'Come in!' cried the dwarf.<br><br> 33659 33660'How do you do to-night sir?' said Sampson, peeping in. 'Ha ha ha! 33661 33662How do you do sir? Oh dear me, how very whimsical! Amazingly 33663 33664whimsical to be sure!'<br><br> 33665 33666'Come in, you fool!' returned the dwarf, 'and don't stand there shaking 33667 33668your head and showing your teeth. Come in, you false witness, you 33669 33670perjurer, you suborner of evidence, come in!'<br><br> 33671 33672'He has the richest humour!' cried Brass, shutting the door behind him; 33673 33674'the most amazing vein of comicality! But isn't it rather injudicious, 33675 33676sir--?'<br><br> 33677 33678'What?' demanded Quilp. 'What, Judas?'<br><br> 33679 33680'Judas!' cried Brass. 'He has such extraordinary spirits! His humour 33681 33682is so extremely playful! Judas! Oh yes--dear me, how very good! Ha 33683 33684ha ha!' All this time, Sampson was rubbing his hands, and staring, with 33685 33686ludicrous surprise and dismay, at a great, goggle-eyed, blunt-nosed 33687 33688figure-head of some old ship, which was reared up against the wall in a 33689 33690corner near the stove, looking like a goblin or hideous idol whom the 33691 33692dwarf worshipped. A mass of timber on its head, carved into the dim 33693 33694and distant semblance of a cocked hat, together with a representation 33695 33696of a star on the left breast and epaulettes on the shoulders, denoted 33697 33698that it was intended for the effigy of some famous admiral; but, 33699 33700without those helps, any observer might have supposed it the authentic 33701 33702portrait of a distinguished merman, or great sea-monster. Being 33703 33704originally much too large for the apartment which it was now employed 33705 33706to decorate, it had been sawn short off at the waist. Even in this 33707 33708state it reached from floor to ceiling; and thrusting itself forward, 33709 33710with that excessively wide-awake aspect, and air of somewhat obtrusive 33711 33712politeness, by which figure-heads are usually characterised, seemed to 33713 33714reduce everything else to mere pigmy proportions.<br><br> 33715 33716'Do you know it?' said the dwarf, watching Sampson's eyes. 'Do you see 33717 33718the likeness?'<br><br> 33719 33720'Eh?' said Brass, holding his head on one side, and throwing it a 33721 33722little back, as connoisseurs do. 'Now I look at it again, I fancy I 33723 33724see a--yes, there certainly is something in the smile that reminds me 33725 33726of--and yet upon my word I--'<br><br> 33727 33728Now, the fact was, that Sampson, having never seen anything in the 33729 33730smallest degree resembling this substantial phantom, was much 33731 33732perplexed; being uncertain whether Mr Quilp considered it like himself, 33733 33734and had therefore bought it for a family portrait; or whether he was 33735 33736pleased to consider it as the likeness of some enemy. He was not very 33737 33738long in doubt; for, while he was surveying it with that knowing look 33739 33740which people assume when they are contemplating for the first time 33741
33742portraits which they ought to recognise but don't, the dwarf threw down 33743 33744the newspaper from which he had been chanting the words already quoted, 33745 33746and seizing a rusty iron bar, which he used in lieu of poker, dealt the 33747 33748figure such a stroke on the nose that it rocked again.<br><br> 33749 33750'Is it like Kit--is it his picture, his image, his very self?' cried 33751 33752the dwarf, aiming a shower of blows at the insensible countenance, and 33753 33754covering it with deep dimples. 'Is it the exact model and counterpart 33755 33756of the dog--is it--is it--is it?' And with every repetition of the 33757 33758question, he battered the great image, until the perspiration streamed 33759 33760down his face with the violence of the exercise.<br><br> 33761 33762Although this might have been a very comical thing to look at from a 33763 33764secure gallery, as a bull-fight is found to be a comfortable spectacle 33765 33766by those who are not in the arena, and a house on fire is better than a 33767 33768play to people who don't live near it, there was something in the 33769 33770earnestness of Mr Quilp's manner which made his legal adviser feel that 33771 33772the counting-house was a little too small, and a deal too lonely, for 33773 33774the complete enjoyment of these humours. Therefore, he stood as far 33775 33776off as he could, while the dwarf was thus engaged; whimpering out but 33777 33778feeble applause; and when Quilp left off and sat down again from pure 33779 33780exhaustion, approached with more obsequiousness than ever.<br><br> 33781 33782'Excellent indeed!' cried Brass. 'He he! Oh, very good Sir. You 33783 33784know,' said Sampson, looking round as if in appeal to the bruised 33785 33786animal, 'he's quite a remarkable man--quite!'<br><br> 33787 33788'Sit down,' said the dwarf. 'I bought the dog yesterday. I've been 33789 33790screwing gimlets into him, and sticking forks in his eyes, and cutting 33791 33792my name on him. I mean to burn him at last.'<br><br> 33793 33794'Ha ha!' cried Brass. 'Extremely entertaining, indeed!'<br><br> 33795 33796'Come here,' said Quilp, beckoning him to draw near. 'What's 33797 33798injudicious, hey?'<br><br> 33799 33800'Nothing Sir--nothing. Scarcely worth mentioning Sir; but I thought 33801 33802that song--admirably humorous in itself you know--was perhaps rather--'<br><br> 33803 33804'Yes,' said Quilp, 'rather what?'<br><br> 33805 33806'Just bordering, or as one may say remotely verging, upon the confines 33807 33808of injudiciousness perhaps, Sir,' returned Brass, looking timidly at 33809 33810the dwarf's cunning eyes, which were turned towards the fire and 33811 33812reflected its red light.<br><br> 33813 33814'Why?' inquired Quilp, without looking up.<br><br> 33815 33816'Why, you know, sir,' returned Brass, venturing to be more familiar: 33817 33818'--the fact is, sir, that any allusion to these little combinings 33819 33820together, of friends, for objects in themselves extremely laudable, but 33821 33822which the law terms conspiracies, are--you take me, sir?--best kept 33823 33824snug and among friends, you know.'<br><br> 33825 33826'Eh!' said Quilp, looking up with a perfectly vacant countenance. 33827 33828'What do you mean?'<br><br> 33829 33830'Cautious, exceedingly cautious, very right and proper!' cried Brass, 33831 33832nodding his head. 'Mum, sir, even here--my meaning, sir, exactly.'<br><br> 33833 33834'YOUR meaning exactly, you brazen scarecrow,--what's your meaning?' 33835 33836retorted Quilp. 'Why do you talk to me of combining together? Do I 33837 33838combine? Do I know anything about your combinings?'<br><br> 33839 33840'No no, sir--certainly not; not by any means,' returned Brass.<br><br> 33841 33842'If you so wink and nod at me,' said the dwarf, looking about him as if 33843 33844for his poker, 'I'll spoil the expression of your monkey's face, I 33845 33846will.' 'Don't put yourself out of the way I beg, sir,' rejoined Brass, 33847 33848checking himself with great alacrity. 'You're quite right, sir, quite 33849 33850right. I shouldn't have mentioned the subject, sir. It's much better 33851 33852not to. You're quite right, sir. Let us change it, if you please. 33853 33854You were asking, sir, Sally told me, about our lodger. He has not 33855 33856returned, sir.'<br><br> 33857 33858'No?' said Quilp, heating some rum in a little saucepan, and watching 33859 33860it to prevent its boiling over. 'Why not?'<br><br> 33861 33862'Why, sir,' returned Brass, 'he--dear me, Mr Quilp, sir--'<br><br> 33863 33864'What's the matter?' said the dwarf, stopping his hand in the act of 33865 33866carrying the saucepan to his mouth.<br><br> 33867 33868'You have forgotten the water, sir,' said Brass. 'And--excuse me, 33869 33870sir--but it's burning hot.'<br><br> 33871 33872Deigning no other than a practical answer to this remonstrance, Mr
33873 33874Quilp raised the hot saucepan to his lips, and deliberately drank off 33875 33876all the spirit it contained, which might have been in quantity about 33877 33878half a pint, and had been but a moment before, when he took it off the 33879 33880fire, bubbling and hissing fiercely. Having swallowed this gentle 33881 33882stimulant, and shaken his fist at the admiral, he bade Mr Brass proceed.<br><br> 33883 33884'But first,' said Quilp, with his accustomed grin, 'have a drop 33885 33886yourself--a nice drop--a good, warm, fiery drop.'<br><br> 33887 33888'Why, sir,' replied Brass, 'if there was such a thing as a mouthful of 33889 33890water that could be got without trouble--'<br><br> 33891 33892'There's no such thing to be had here,' cried the dwarf. 'Water for 33893 33894lawyers! Melted lead and brimstone, you mean, nice hot blistering 33895 33896pitch and tar--that's the thing for them--eh, Brass, eh?'<br><br> 33897 33898'Ha ha ha!' laughed Mr Brass. 'Oh very biting! and yet it's like being 33899 33900tickled--there's a pleasure in it too, sir!'<br><br> 33901 33902'Drink that,' said the dwarf, who had by this time heated some more. 33903 33904'Toss it off, don't leave any heeltap, scorch your throat and be happy!'<br><br> 33905 33906The wretched Sampson took a few short sips of the liquor, which 33907 33908immediately distilled itself into burning tears, and in that form came 33909 33910rolling down his cheeks into the pipkin again, turning the colour of 33911 33912his face and eyelids to a deep red, and giving rise to a violent fit of 33913 33914coughing, in the midst of which he was still heard to declare, with the 33915 33916constancy of a martyr, that it was 'beautiful indeed!' While he was 33917 33918yet in unspeakable agonies, the dwarf renewed their conversation.<br><br> 33919 33920'The lodger,' said Quilp, '--what about him?' 'He is still, sir,' 33921 33922returned Brass, with intervals of coughing, 'stopping with the Garland 33923 33924family. He has only been home once, Sir, since the day of the 33925 33926examination of that culprit. He informed Mr Richard, sir, that he 33927 33928couldn't bear the house after what had taken place; that he was 33929 33930wretched in it; and that he looked upon himself as being in a certain 33931 33932kind of way the cause of the occurrence.--A very excellent lodger Sir. 33933 33934I hope we may not lose him.'<br><br> 33935 33936'Yah!' cried the dwarf. 'Never thinking of anybody but yourself--why 33937 33938don't you retrench then--scrape up, hoard, economise, eh?'<br><br> 33939 33940'Why, sir,' replied Brass, 'upon my word I think Sarah's as good an 33941 33942economiser as any going. I do indeed, Mr Quilp.'<br><br> 33943 33944'Moisten your clay, wet the other eye, drink, man!' cried the dwarf. 33945 33946'You took a clerk to oblige me.'<br><br> 33947 33948'Delighted, sir, I am sure, at any time,' replied Sampson. 'Yes, Sir, 33949 33950I did.'<br><br> 33951 33952'Then now you may discharge him,' said Quilp. 'There's a means of 33953 33954retrenchment for you at once.'<br><br> 33955 33956'Discharge Mr Richard, sir?' cried Brass.<br><br> 33957 33958'Have you more than one clerk, you parrot, that you ask the question? 33959 33960Yes.'<br><br> 33961 33962'Upon my word, Sir,' said Brass, 'I wasn't prepared for this-'<br><br> 33963 33964'How could you be?' sneered the dwarf, 'when I wasn't? How often am I 33965 33966to tell you that I brought him to you that I might always have my eye 33967 33968on him and know where he was--and that I had a plot, a scheme, a little 33969 33970quiet piece of enjoyment afoot, of which the very cream and essence 33971 33972was, that this old man and grandchild (who have sunk underground I 33973 33974think) should be, while he and his precious friend believed them rich, 33975 33976in reality as poor as frozen rats?'<br><br> 33977 33978'I quite understood that, sir,' rejoined Brass. 'Thoroughly.'<br><br> 33979 33980'Well, Sir,' retorted Quilp, 'and do you understand now, that they're 33981 33982not poor--that they can't be, if they have such men as your lodger 33983 33984searching for them, and scouring the country far and wide?'<br><br> 33985 33986'Of course I do, Sir,' said Sampson.<br><br> 33987 33988'Of course you do,' retorted the dwarf, viciously snapping at his 33989 33990words. 'Of course do you understand then, that it's no matter what 33991 33992comes of this fellow? of course do you understand that for any other 33993 33994purpose he's no man for me, nor for you?'<br><br> 33995 33996'I have frequently said to Sarah, sir,' returned Brass, 'that he was of 33997 33998no use at all in the business. You can't put any confidence in him, 33999 34000sir. If you'll believe me I've found that fellow, in the commonest 34001 34002little matters of the office that have been trusted to him, blurting 34003 34004out the truth, though expressly cautioned. The aggravation of that 34005 34006chap sir, has exceeded anything you can imagine, it has indeed. 34007 34008Nothing but the respect and obligation I owe to you, sir--'<br><br> 34009 34010As it was plain that Sampson was bent on a complimentary harangue, 34011 34012unless he received a timely interruption, Mr Quilp politely tapped him 34013 34014on the crown of his head with the little saucepan, and requested that 34015 34016he would be so obliging as to hold his peace.<br><br> 34017 34018'Practical, sir, practical,' said Brass, rubbing the place and smiling; 34019 34020'but still extremely pleasant--immensely so!'<br><br> 34021 34022'Hearken to me, will you?' returned Quilp, 'or I'll be a little more 34023 34024pleasant, presently. There's no chance of his comrade and friend 34025 34026returning. The scamp has been obliged to fly, as I learn, for some 34027 34028knavery, and has found his way abroad. Let him rot there.'<br><br> 34029 34030'Certainly, sir. Quite proper.--Forcible!' cried Brass, glancing at 34031 34032the admiral again, as if he made a third in company. 'Extremely 34033 34034forcible!'<br><br> 34035 34036'I hate him,' said Quilp between his teeth, 'and have always hated him, 34037 34038for family reasons. Besides, he was an intractable ruffian; otherwise 34039 34040he would have been of use. This fellow is pigeon-hearted and 34041 34042light-headed. I don't want him any longer. Let him hang or 34043 34044drown--starve--go to the devil.'<br><br> 34045 34046'By all means, sir,' returned Brass. 'When would you wish him, sir, 34047 34048to--ha, ha!--to make that little excursion?'<br><br> 34049 34050'When this trial's over,' said Quilp. 'As soon as that's ended, send 34051 34052him about his business.'<br><br> 34053 34054'It shall be done, sir,' returned Brass; 'by all means. It will be 34055 34056rather a blow to Sarah, sir, but she has all her feelings under 34057 34058control. Ah, Mr Quilp, I often think, sir, if it had only pleased 34059 34060Providence to bring you and Sarah together, in earlier life, what 34061 34062blessed results would have flowed from such a union! You never saw our 34063 34064dear father, sir?--A charming gentleman. Sarah was his pride and j
34064oy, 34065 34066sir. He would have closed his eyes in bliss, would Foxey, Mr Quilp, if 34067 34068he could have found her such a partner. You esteem her, sir?'<br><br> 34069 34070'I love her,' croaked the dwarf.<br><br> 34071 34072'You're very good, Sir,' returned Brass, 'I am sure. Is there any 34073 34074other order, sir, that I can take a note of, besides this little matter 34075 34076of Mr Richard?'<br><br> 34077 34078'None,' replied the dwarf, seizing the saucepan. 'Let us drink the 34079 34080lovely Sarah.'<br><br> 34081 34082'If we could do it in something, sir, that wasn't quite boiling,' 34083 34084suggested Brass humbly, 'perhaps it would be better. I think it will 34085 34086be more agreeable to Sarah's feelings, when she comes to hear from me 34087 34088of the honour you have done her, if she learns it was in liquor rather 34089 34090cooler than the last, Sir.'<br><br> 34091 34092But to these remonstrances, Mr Quilp turned a deaf ear. Sampson Brass, 34093 34094who was, by this time, anything but sober, being compelled to take 34095 34096further draughts of the same strong bowl, found that, instead of at all 34097 34098contributing to his recovery, they had the novel effect of making the 34099 34100counting-house spin round and round with extreme velocity, and causing 34101 34102the floor and ceiling to heave in a very distressing manner. After a 34103 34104brief stupor, he awoke to a consciousness of being partly under the 34105 34106table and partly under the grate. This position not being the most 34107 34108comfortable one he could have chosen for himself, he managed to stagger 34109 34110to his feet, and, holding on by the admiral, looked round for his host.<br><br> 34111 34112Mr Brass's first impression was, that his host was gone and had left 34113 34114him there alone--perhaps locked him in for the night. A strong smell 34115 34116of tobacco, however, suggested a new train of ideas, he looked upward, 34117 34118and saw that the dwarf was smoking in his hammock.<br><br> 34119 34120'Good bye, Sir,' cried Brass faintly. 'Good bye, Sir.'<br><br> 34121 34122'Won't you stop all night?' said the dwarf, peeping out. 'Do stop all 34123 34124night!'<br><br> 34125 34126'I couldn't indeed, Sir,' replied Brass, who was almost dead from 34127 34128nausea and the closeness of the room. 'If you'd have the goodness to 34129 34130show me a light, so that I may see my way across the yard, sir--'<br><br> 34131 34132Quilp was out in an instant; not with his legs first, or his head 34133 34134first, or his arms first, but bodily--altogether.<br><br> 34135 34136'To be sure,' he said, taking up a lantern, which was now the only 34137 34138light in the place. 'Be careful how you go, my dear friend. Be sure 34139
34140to pick your way among the timber, for all the rusty nails are upwards. 34141 34142There's a dog in the lane. He bit a man last night, and a woman the 34143 34144night before, and last Tuesday he killed a child--but that was in play. 34145 34146Don't go too near him.'<br><br> 34147 34148'Which side of the road is he, sir?' asked Brass, in great dismay.<br><br> 34149 34150'He lives on the right hand,' said Quilp, 'but sometimes he hides on 34151 34152the left, ready for a spring. He's uncertain in that respect. Mind 34153 34154you take care of yourself. I'll never forgive you if you don't. 34155 34156There's the light out--never mind--you know the way--straight on!' 34157 34158Quilp had slily shaded the light by holding it against his breast, and 34159 34160now stood chuckling and shaking from head to foot in a rapture of 34161 34162delight, as he heard the lawyer stumbling up the yard, and now and then 34163 34164falling heavily down. At length, however, he got quit of the place, 34165 34166and was out of hearing.<br><br> 34167 34168The dwarf shut himself up again, and sprang once more into his hammock.<br><br> 34169 34170CHAPTER 63<br><br> 34171 34172The professional gentleman who had given Kit the consolatory piece of 34173 34174information relative to the settlement of his trifle of business at the 34175 34176Old Bailey, and the probability of its being very soon disposed of, 34177 34178turned out to be quite correct in his prognostications. In eight days' 34179 34180time, the sessions commenced. In one day afterwards, the Grand jury 34181 34182found a True Bill against Christopher Nubbles for felony; and in two 34183 34184days from that finding, the aforesaid Christopher Nubbles was called 34185 34186upon to plead Guilty or Not Guilty to an Indictment for that he the 34187 34188said Christopher did feloniously abstract and steal from the 34189 34190dwelling-house and office of one Sampson Brass, gentleman, one Bank 34191 34192Note for Five Pounds issued by the Governor and Company of the Bank of 34193 34194England; in contravention of the Statutes in that case made and 34195 34196provided, and against the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King, his 34197 34198crown and dignity.<br><br> 34199 34200To this indictment, Christopher Nubbles, in a low and trembling voice, 34201 34202pleaded Not Guilty; and here, let those who are in the habit of forming 34203 34204hasty judgments from appearances, and who would have had Christopher, 34205 34206if innocent, speak out very strong and loud, observe, that confinement 34207 34208and anxiety will subdue the stoutest hearts; and that to one who has 34209 34210been close shut up, though it be only for ten or eleven days, seeing 34211 34212but stone walls and a very few stony faces, the sudden entrance into a 34213 34214great hall filled with life, is a rather disconcerting and startling 34215 34216circumstance. To this, it must be added, that life in a wig is to a 34217 34218large class of people much more terrifying and impressive than life 34219 34220with its own head of hair; and if, in addition to these considerations, 34221 34222there be taken into account Kit's natural emotion on seeing the two Mr 34223 34224Garlands and the little Notary looking on with pale and anxious faces, 34225 34226it will perhaps seem matter of no very great wonder that he should have 34227 34228been rather out of sorts, and unable to make himself quite at home.<br><br> 34229 34230Although he had never seen either of the Mr Garlands, or Mr Witherden, 34231 34232since the time of his arrest, he had been given to understand that they 34233 34234had employed counsel for him. Therefore, when one of the gentlemen in 34235 34236wigs got up and said 'I am for the prisoner, my Lord,' Kit made him a 34237 34238bow; and when another gentleman in a wig got up and said 'And I'm 34239 34240against him, my Lord,' Kit trembled very much, and bowed to him too. 34241 34242And didn't he hope in his own heart that his gentleman was a match for 34243 34244the other gentleman, and would make him ashamed of himself in no time!<br><br> 34245 34246The gentleman who was against him had to speak first, and being in 34247 34248dreadfully good spirits (for he had, in the last trial, very nearly 34249 34250procured the acquittal of a young gentleman who had had the misfortune 34251 34252to murder his father) he spoke up, you may be sure; telling the jury 34253 34254that if they acquitted this prisoner they must expect to suffer no less 34255 34256pangs and agonies than he had told the other jury they would certainly 34257 34258undergo if they convicted that prisoner. And when he had told them all 34259 34260about the case, and that he had never known a worse case, he stopped a 34261 34262little while, like a man who had something terrible to tell them, and 34263 34264then said that he understood an attempt would be made by his learned 34265 34266friend (and here he looked sideways at Kit's gentleman) to impeach the 34267 34268testimony of those immaculate witnesses whom he should call before 34269 34270them; but he did hope and trust that his learned friend would have a 34271 34272greater respect and veneration for the character of the prosecutor; 34273
34274than whom, as he well knew, there did not exist, and never had existed, 34275 34276a more honourable member of that most honourable profession to which he 34277 34278was attached. And then he said, did the jury know Bevis Marks? And if 34279 34280they did know Bevis Marks (as he trusted for their own character, they 34281 34282did) did they know the historical and elevating associations connected 34283 34284with that most remarkable spot? Did they believe that a man like Brass 34285 34286could reside in a place like Bevis Marks, and not be a virtuous and 34287 34288most upright character? And when he had said a great deal to them on 34289 34290this point, he remembered that it was an insult to their understandings 34291 34292to make any remarks on what they must have felt so strongly without 34293 34294him, and therefore called Sampson Brass into the witness-box, 34295 34296straightway.<br><br> 34297 34298Then up comes Mr Brass, very brisk and fresh; and, having bowed to the 34299 34300judge, like a man who has had the pleasure of seeing him before, and 34301 34302who hopes he has been pretty well since their last meeting, folds his 34303 34304arms, and looks at his gentleman as much as to say 'Here I am--full of 34305 34306evidence--Tap me!' And the gentleman does tap him presently, and with 34307 34308great discretion too; drawing off the evidence by little and little, 34309 34310and making it run quite clear and bright in the eyes of all present. 34311 34312Then, Kit's gentleman takes him in hand, but can make nothing of him; 34313 34314and after a great many very long questions and very short answers, Mr 34315 34316Sampson Brass goes down in glory.<br><br> 34317 34318To him succeeds Sarah, who in like manner is easy to be managed by Mr 34319 34320Brass's gentleman, but very obdurate to Kit's. In short, Kit's 34321 34322gentleman can get nothing out of her but a repetition of what she has 34323 34324said before (only a little stronger this time, as against his client), 34325 34326and therefore lets her go, in some confusion. Then, Mr Brass's 34327 34328gentleman calls Richard Swiveller, and Richard Swiveller appears 34329 34330accordingly.<br><br> 34331 34332Now, Mr Brass's gentleman has it whispered in his ear that this witness 34333 34334is disposed to be friendly to the prisoner--which, to say the truth, he 34335 34336is rather glad to hear, as his strength is considered to lie in what is 34337 34338familiarly termed badgering. Wherefore, he begins by requesting the 34339 34340officer to be quite sure that this witness kisses the book, then goes 34341 34342to work at him, tooth and nail.<br><br> 34343 34344'Mr Swiveller,' says this gentleman to Dick, when he had told his tale 34345 34346with evident reluctance and a desire to make the best of it: 'Pray sir, 34347 34348where did you dine yesterday?'--'Where did I dine yesterday?'--'Aye, 34349 34350sir, where did you dine yesterday--was it near here, sir?'--'Oh to be 34351 34352sure--yes--just over the way.'--'To be sure. Yes. Just over the way,' 34353 34354repeats Mr Brass's gentleman, with a glance at the court.--'Alone, 34355 34356sir?'--'I beg your pardon,' says Mr Swiveller, who has not caught the 34357 34358question--'Alone, sir?' repeats Mr Brass's gentleman in a voice of 34359 34360thunder, 'did you dine alone? Did you treat anybody, sir? Come!'--'Oh 34361 34362yes, to be sure--yes, I did,' says Mr Swiveller with a smile.--'Have 34363 34364the goodness to banish a levity, sir, which is very ill-suited to the 34365 34366place in which you stand (though perhaps you have reason to be thankful 34367 34368that it's only that place),' says Mr Brass's gentleman, with a nod of 34369 34370the head, insinuating that the dock is Mr Swiveller's legitimate sphere 34371 34372of action; 'and attend to me. You were waiting about here, yesterday, 34373 34374in expectation that this trial was coming on. You dined over the way. 34375 34376You treated somebody. Now, was that somebody brother to the prisoner 34377 34378at the bar?'--Mr Swiveller is proceeding to explain--'Yes or No, sir,' 34379 34380cries Mr Brass's gentleman--'But will you allow me--'--'Yes or No, 34381 34382sir'--'Yes it was, but--'--'Yes it was,' cries the gentleman, taking 34383 34384him up short. 'And a very pretty witness YOU are!'<br><br> 34385 34386Down sits Mr Brass's gentleman. Kit's gentleman, not knowing how the 34387 34388matter really stands, is afraid to pursue the subject. Richard 34389 34390Swiveller retires abashed. Judge, jury and spectators have visions of 34391 34392his lounging about, with an ill-looking, large-whiskered, dissolute 34393 34394young fellow of six feet high. The reality is, little Jacob, with the 34395
34396calves of his legs exposed to the open air, and himself tied up in a 34397 34398shawl. Nobody knows the truth; everybody believes a falsehood; and all 34399 34400because of the ingenuity of Mr Brass's gentleman.<br><br> 34401 34402Then come the witnesses to character, and here Mr Brass's gentleman 34403 34404shines again. It turns out that Mr Garland has had no character with 34405 34406Kit, no recommendation of him but from his own mother, and that he was 34407 34408suddenly dismissed by his former master for unknown reasons. 'Really 34409 34410Mr Garland,' says Mr Brass's gentleman, 'for a person who has arrived 34411 34412at your time of life, you are, to say the least of it, singularly 34413 34414indiscreet, I think.' The jury think so too, and find Kit guilty. He 34415 34416is taken off, humbly protesting his innocence. The spectators settle 34417 34418themselves in their places with renewed attention, for there are 34419 34420several female witnesses to be examined in the next case, and it has 34421 34422been rumoured that Mr Brass's gentleman will make great fun in 34423 34424cross-examining them for the prisoner.<br><br> 34425 34426Kit's mother, poor woman, is waiting at the grate below stairs, 34427 34428accompanied by Barbara's mother (who, honest soul! never does anything 34429 34430but cry, and hold the baby), and a sad interview ensues. The 34431 34432newspaper-reading turnkey has told them all. He don't think it will be 34433 34434transportation for life, because there's time to prove the good 34435 34436character yet, and that is sure to serve him. He wonders what he did 34437 34438it for. 'He never did it!' cries Kit's mother. 'Well,' says the 34439 34440turnkey, 'I won't contradict you. It's all one, now, whether he did it 34441 34442or not.'<br><br> 34443 34444Kit's mother can reach his hand through the bars, and she clasps it-- 34445 34446God, and those to whom he has given such tenderness, only know in how 34447 34448much agony. Kit bids her keep a good heart, and, under pretence of 34449 34450having the children lifted up to kiss him, prays Barbara's mother in a 34451 34452whisper to take her home.<br><br> 34453 34454'Some friend will rise up for us, mother,' cried Kit, 'I am sure. If 34455
34456not now, before long. My innocence will come out, mother, and I shall 34457 34458be brought back again; I feel confidence in that. You must teach 34459 34460little Jacob and the baby how all this was, for if they thought I had 34461 34462ever been dishonest, when they grew old enough to understand, it would 34463 34464break my heart to know it, if I was thousands of miles away.--Oh! is 34465 34466there no good gentleman here, who will take care of her!'<br><br> 34467 34468The hand slips out of his, for the poor creature sinks down upon the 34469 34470earth, insensible. Richard Swiveller comes hastily up, elbows the 34471 34472bystanders out of the way, takes her (after some trouble) in one arm 34473 34474after the manner of theatrical ravishers, and, nodding to Kit, and 34475 34476commanding Barbara's mother to follow, for he has a coach waiting, 34477 34478bears her swiftly off.<br><br> 34479 34480Well; Richard took her home. And what astonishing absurdities in the 34481 34482way of quotation from song and poem he perpetrated on the road, no man 34483 34484knows. He took her home, and stayed till she was recovered; and, 34485 34486having no money to pay the coach, went back in state to Bevis Marks, 34487 34488bidding the driver (for it was Saturday night) wait at the door while 34489 34490he went in for 'change.'<br><br> 34491 34492'Mr Richard, sir,' said Brass cheerfully, 'Good evening!'<br><br> 34493 34494Monstrous as Kit's tale had appeared, at first, Mr Richard did, that 34495 34496night, half suspect his affable employer of some deep villany. Perhaps 34497 34498it was but the misery he had just witnessed which gave his careless 34499 34500nature this impulse; but, be that as it may, it was very strong upon 34501 34502him, and he said in as few words as possible, what he wanted.<br><br> 34503 34504'Money?' cried Brass, taking out his purse. 'Ha ha! To be sure, Mr 34505 34506Richard, to be sure, sir. All men must live. You haven't change for a 34507 34508five-pound note, have you sir?'<br><br> 34509 34510'No,' returned Dick, shortly.<br><br> 34511 34512'Oh!' said Brass, 'here's the very sum. That saves trouble. You're 34513 34514very welcome I'm sure.--Mr Richard, sir--' Dick, who had by this time 34515 34516reached the door, turned round.<br><br> 34517 34518'You needn't,' said Brass, 'trouble yourself to come back any more, 34519 34520Sir.'<br><br> 34521 34522'Eh?'<br><br> 34523 34524'You see, Mr Richard,' said Brass, thrusting his hands in his pockets, 34525 34526and rocking himself to and fro on his stool, 'the fact is, that a man 34527 34528of your abilities is lost, Sir, quite lost, in our dry and mouldy line. 34529 34530It's terrible drudgery--shocking. I should say, now, that the stage, 34531 34532or the--or the army, Mr Richard--or something very superior in the 34533 34534licensed victualling way--was the kind of thing that would call out the 34535 34536genius of such a man as you. I hope you'll look in to see us now and 34537 34538then. Sally, Sir, will be delighted I'm sure. She's extremely sorry 34539 34540to lose you, Mr Richard, but a sense of her duty to society reconciles 34541 34542her. An amazing creature that, sir! You'll find the money quite 34543 34544correct, I think. There's a cracked window sir, but I've not made any 34545 34546deduction on that account. Whenever we part with friends, Mr Richard, 34547 34548let us part liberally. A delightful sentiment, sir!'<br><br> 34549 34550To all these rambling observations, Mr Swiveller answered not one word, 34551 34552but, returning for the aquatic jacket, rolled it into a tight round 34553 34554ball: looking steadily at Brass meanwhile as if he had some intention 34555 34556of bowling him down with it. He only took it under his arm, however, 34557
34558and marched out of the office in profound silence. When he had closed 34559 34560the door, he re-opened it, stared in again for a few moments with the 34561 34562same portentous gravity, and nodding his head once, in a slow and 34563 34564ghost-like manner, vanished.<br><br> 34565 34566He paid the coachman, and turned his back on Bevis Marks, big with 34567 34568great designs for the comforting of Kit's mother and the aid of Kit 34569 34570himself.<br><br> 34571 34572But the lives of gentlemen devoted to such pleasures as Richard 34573 34574Swiveller, are extremely precarious. The spiritual excitement of the 34575 34576last fortnight, working upon a system affected in no slight degree by 34577 34578the spirituous excitement of some years, proved a little too much for 34579 34580him. That very night, Mr Richard was seized with an alarming illness, 34581 34582and in twenty-four hours was stricken with a raging fever.<br><br> 34583 34584CHAPTER 64<br><br> 34585 34586Tossing to and fro upon his hot, uneasy bed; tormented by a fierce 34587 34588thirst which nothing could appease; unable to find, in any change of 34589 34590posture, a moment's peace or ease; and rambling, ever, through deserts 34591 34592of thought where there was no resting-place, no sight or sound 34593 34594suggestive of refreshment or repose, nothing but a dull eternal 34595 34596weariness, with no change but the restless shiftings of his miserable 34597 34598body, and the weary wandering of his mind, constant still to one 34599 34600ever-present anxiety--to a sense of something left undone, of some 34601 34602fearful obstacle to be surmounted, of some carking care that would not 34603 34604be driven away, and which haunted the distempered brain, now in this 34605 34606form, now in that, always shadowy and dim, but recognisable for the 34607 34608same phantom in every shape it took: darkening every vision like an 34609 34610evil conscience, and making slumber horrible--in these slow tortures 34611 34612of his dread disease, the unfortunate Richard lay wasting and consuming 34613 34614inch by inch, until, at last, when he seemed to fight and struggle to 34615 34616rise up, and to be held down by devils, he sank into a deep sleep, and 34617 34618dreamed no more.<br><br> 34619 34620He awoke. With a sensation of most blissful rest, better than sleep 34621 34622itself, he began gradually to remember something of these sufferings, 34623 34624and to think what a long night it had been, and whether he had not been 34625 34626delirious twice or thrice. Happening, in the midst of these 34627 34628cogitations, to raise his hand, he was astonished to find how heavy it 34629 34630seemed, and yet how thin and light it really was. Still, he felt 34631 34632indifferent and happy; and having no curiosity to pursue the subject, 34633 34634remained in the same waking slumber until his attention was attracted 34635 34636by a cough. This made him doubt whether he had locked his door last 34637 34638night, and feel a little surprised at having a companion in the room. 34639 34640Still, he lacked energy to follow up this train of thought; and 34641 34642unconsciously fell, in a luxury of repose, to staring at some green 34643 34644stripes on the bed-furniture, and associating them strangely with 34645 34646patches of fresh turf, while the yellow ground between made 34647 34648gravel-walks, and so helped out a long perspective of trim gardens.<br><br> 34649 34650He was rambling in imagination on these terraces, and had quite lost 34651 34652himself among them indeed, when he heard the cough once more. The 34653 34654walks shrunk into stripes again at the sound, and raising himself a 34655 34656little in the bed, and holding the curtain open with one hand, he 34657 34658looked out.<br><br> 34659 34660The same room certainly, and still by candlelight; but with what 34661 34662unbounded astonishment did he see all those bottles, and basins, and 34663 34664articles of linen airing by the fire, and such-like furniture of a sick 34665 34666chamber--all very clean and neat, but all quite different from anything 34667 34668he had left there, when he went to bed! The atmosphere, too, filled 34669 34670with a cool smell of herbs and vinegar; the floor newly sprinkled; 34671 34672the--the what? The Marchioness?<br><br> 34673 34674Yes; playing cribbage with herself at the table. There she sat, intent 34675 34676upon her game, coughing now and then in a subdued manner as if she 34677 34678feared to disturb him--shuffling the cards, cutting, dealing, playing, 34679 34680counting, pegging--going through all the mysteries of cribbage as if 34681 34682she had been in full practice from her cradle! Mr Swiveller 34683 34684contemplated these things for a short time, and suffering the curtain 34685
34686to fall into its former position, laid his head on the pillow again.<br><br> 34687 34688'I'm dreaming,' thought Richard, 'that's clear. When I went to bed, my 34689 34690hands were not made of egg-shells; and now I can almost see through 34691 34692'em. If this is not a dream, I have woke up, by mistake, in an Arabian 34693 34694Night, instead of a London one. But I have no doubt I'm asleep. Not 34695 34696the least.'<br><br> 34697 34698Here the small servant had another cough.<br><br> 34699 34700'Very remarkable!' thought Mr Swiveller. 'I never dreamt such a real 34701 34702cough as that before. I don't know, indeed, that I ever dreamt either 34703 34704a cough or a sneeze. Perhaps it's part of the philosophy of dreams 34705 34706that one never does. There's another--and another--I say!--I'm 34707 34708dreaming rather fast!'<br><br> 34709 34710For the purpose of testing his real condition, Mr Swiveller, after some 34711 34712reflection, pinched himself in the arm.<br><br> 34713 34714'Queerer still!' he thought. 'I came to bed rather plump than 34715 34716otherwise, and now there's nothing to lay hold of. I'll take another 34717 34718survey.'<br><br> 34719 34720The result of this additional inspection was, to convince Mr Swiveller 34721 34722that the objects by which he was surrounded were real, and that he saw 34723 34724them, beyond all question, with his waking eyes.<br><br> 34725 34726'It's an Arabian Night; that's what it is,' said Richard. 'I'm in 34727 34728Damascus or Grand Cairo. The Marchioness is a Genie, and having had a 34729 34730wager with another Genie about who is the handsomest young man alive, 34731 34732and the worthiest to be the husband of the Princess of China, has 34733 34734brought me away, room and all, to compare us together. Perhaps,' said 34735 34736Mr Swiveller, turning languidly round on his pillow, and looking on 34737 34738that side of his bed which was next the wall, 'the Princess may be 34739 34740still--No, she's gone.'<br><br> 34741 34742Not feeling quite satisfied with this explanation, as, even taking it 34743 34744to be the correct one, it still involved a little mystery and doubt, Mr 34745 34746Swiveller raised the curtain again, determined to take the first 34747 34748favourable opportunity of addressing his companion. An occasion 34749 34750presented itself. The Marchioness dealt, turned up a knave, and 34751 34752omitted to take the usual advantage; upon which Mr Swiveller called out 34753 34754as loud as he could--'Two for his heels!'<br><br> 34755 34756The Marchioness jumped up quickly and clapped her hands. 'Arabian 34757 34758Night, certainly,' thought Mr Swiveller; 'they always clap their hands 34759 34760instead of ringing the bell. Now for the two thousand black slaves, 34761 34762with jars of jewels on their heads!'<br><br> 34763 34764It appeared, however, that she had only clapped her hands for joy; for 34765 34766directly afterward she began to laugh, and then to cry; declaring, not 34767 34768in choice Arabic but in familiar English, that she was 'so glad, she 34769 34770didn't know what to do.'<br><br> 34771 34772'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, thoughtfully, 'be pleased to draw 34773 34774nearer. First of all, will you have the goodness to inform me where I 34775 34776shall find my voice; and secondly, what has become of my flesh?'<br><br> 34777 34778The Marchioness only shook her head mournfully, and cried again; 34779 34780whereupon Mr Swiveller (being very weak) felt his own eyes affected 34781 34782likewise.<br><br> 34783 34784'I begin to infer, from your manner, and these appearances, 34785 34786Marchioness,' said Richard after a pause, and smiling with a trembling 34787 34788lip, 'that I have been ill.'<br><br> 34789 34790'You just have!' replied the small servant, wiping her eyes. 'And 34791 34792haven't you been a talking nonsense!'<br><br> 34793 34794'Oh!' said Dick. 'Very ill, Marchioness, have I been?'<br><br> 34795 34796'Dead, all but,' replied the small servant. 'I never thought you'd get 34797 34798better. Thank Heaven you have!'<br><br> 34799 34800Mr Swiveller was silent for a long while. By and bye, he began to talk 34801 34802again, inquiring how long he had been there.<br><br> 34803 34804'Three weeks to-morrow,' replied the servant.<br><br> 34805 34806'Three what?' said Dick.<br><br> 34807 34808'Weeks,' returned the Marchioness emphatically; 'three long, slow 34809 34810weeks.'<br><br> 34811 34812The bare thought of having been in such extremity, caused Richard to 34813 34814fall into another silence, and to lie flat down again, at his full 34815 34816length. The Marchioness, having arranged the bed-clothes more 34817 34818comfortably, and felt that his hands and forehead were quite cool--a 34819 34820discovery that filled her with delight--cried a little more, and then 34821 34822applied herself to getting tea ready, and making some thin dry toast.<br><br> 34823 34824While she was thus engaged, Mr Swiveller looked on with a grateful 34825 34826heart, very much astonished to see how thoroughly at home she made 34827 34828herself, and attributing this attention, in its origin, to Sally Brass, 34829 34830whom, in his own mind, he could not thank enough. When the Marchioness 34831 34832had finished her toasting, she spread a clean cloth on a tray, and 34833 34834brought him some crisp slices and a great basin of weak tea, with which 34835 34836(she said) the doctor had left word he might refresh himself when he 34837 34838awoke. She propped him up with pillows, if not as skilfully as if she 34839 34840had been a professional nurse all her life, at least as tenderly; and 34841 34842looked on with unutterable satisfaction while the patient--stopping 34843
34844every now and then to shake her by the hand--took his poor meal with an 34845 34846appetite and relish, which the greatest dainties of the earth, under 34847 34848any other circumstances, would have failed to provoke. Having cleared 34849 34850away, and disposed everything comfortably about him again, she sat down 34851 34852at the table to take her own tea.<br><br> 34853 34854'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'how's Sally?'<br><br> 34855 34856The small servant screwed her face into an expression of the very 34857 34858uttermost entanglement of slyness, and shook her head.<br><br> 34859 34860'What, haven't you seen her lately?' said Dick.<br><br> 34861 34862'Seen her!' cried the small servant. 'Bless you, I've run away!'<br><br> 34863 34864Mr Swiveller immediately laid himself down again quite flat, and so 34865 34866remained for about five minutes. By slow degrees he resumed his 34867 34868sitting posture after that lapse of time, and inquired:<br><br> 34869 34870'And where do you live, Marchioness?'<br><br> 34871 34872'Live!' cried the small servant. 'Here!'<br><br> 34873 34874'Oh!' said Mr Swiveller.<br><br> 34875 34876And with that he fell down flat again, as suddenly as if he had been 34877 34878shot. Thus he remained, motionless and bereft of speech, until she had 34879 34880finished her meal, put everything in its place, and swept the hearth; 34881 34882when he motioned her to bring a chair to the bedside, and, being 34883 34884propped up again, opened a farther conversation.<br><br> 34885 34886'And so,' said Dick, 'you have run away?'<br><br> 34887 34888'Yes,' said the Marchioness, 'and they've been a tizing of me.'<br><br> 34889 34890'Been--I beg your pardon,' said Dick--'what have they been doing?'<br><br> 34891 34892'Been a tizing of me--tizing you know--in the newspapers,' rejoined the 34893 34894Marchioness.<br><br> 34895 34896'Aye, aye,' said Dick, 'advertising?'<br><br> 34897 34898The small servant nodded, and winked. Her eyes were so red with waking 34899 34900and crying, that the Tragic Muse might have winked with greater 34901 34902consistency. And so Dick felt.<br><br> 34903 34904'Tell me,' said he, 'how it was that you thought of coming here.'<br><br> 34905 34906'Why, you see,' returned the Marchioness, 'when you was gone, I hadn't 34907 34908any friend at all, because the lodger he never come back, and I didn't 34909 34910know where either him or you was to be found, you know. But one 34911 34912morning, when I was-'<br><br> 34913 34914'Was near a keyhole?' suggested Mr Swiveller, observing that she 34915 34916faltered.<br><br> 34917 34918'Well then,' said the small servant, nodding; 'when I was near the 34919 34920office keyhole--as you see me through, you know--I heard somebody 34921 34922saying that she lived here, and was the lady whose house you lodged at, 34923 34924and that you was took very bad, and wouldn't nobody come and take care 34925 34926of you. Mr Brass, he says, "It's no business of mine," he says; and 34927 34928Miss Sally, she says, "He's a funny chap, but it's no business of 34929 34930mine;" and the lady went away, and slammed the door to, when she went 34931 34932out, I can tell you. So I run away that night, and come here, and told 34933 34934'em you was my brother, and they believed me, and I've been here ever 34935 34936since.'<br><br> 34937 34938'This poor little Marchioness has been wearing herself to death!' cried 34939 34940Dick.<br><br> 34941 34942'No I haven't,' she returned, 'not a bit of it. Don't you mind about 34943 34944me. I like sitting up, and I've often had a sleep, bless you, in one 34945 34946of them chairs. But if you could have seen how you tried to jump out 34947 34948o' winder, and if you could have heard how you used to keep on singing 34949 34950and making speeches, you wouldn't have believed it--I'm so glad you're 34951 34952better, Mr Liverer.'<br><br> 34953 34954'Liverer indeed!' said Dick thoughtfully. 'It's well I am a liverer. 34955 34956I strongly suspect I should have died, Marchioness, but for you.'<br><br> 34957 34958At this point, Mr Swiveller took the small servant's hand in his again, 34959 34960and being, as we have seen, but poorly, might in struggling to express 34961 34962his thanks have made his eyes as red as hers, but that she quickly 34963 34964changed the theme by making him lie down, and urging him to keep very 34965 34966quiet.<br><br> 34967 34968'The doctor,' she told him, 'said you was to be kept quite still, and 34969 34970there was to be no noise nor nothing. Now, take a rest, and then we'll 34971 34972talk again. I'll sit by you, you know. If you shut your eyes, perhaps 34973 34974you'll go to sleep. You'll be all the better for it, if you do.'<br><br> 34975 34976The Marchioness, in saying these words, brought a little table to the 34977 34978bedside, took her seat at it, and began to work away at the concoction 34979 34980of some cooling drink, with the address of a score of chemists. 34981 34982Richard Swiveller being indeed fatigued, fell into a slumber, and 34983 34984waking in about half an hour, inquired what time it was.<br><br> 34985
34986'Just gone half after six,' replied his small friend, helping him to 34987 34988sit up again.<br><br> 34989 34990'Marchioness,' said Richard, passing his hand over his forehead and 34991 34992turning suddenly round, as though the subject but that moment flashed 34993 34994upon him, 'what has become of Kit?'<br><br> 34995 34996He had been sentenced to transportation for a great many years, she 34997 34998said.<br><br> 34999 35000'Has he gone?' asked Dick--'his mother--how is she,--what has become of 35001 35002her?'<br><br> 35003 35004His nurse shook her head, and answered that she knew nothing about 35005 35006them. 'But, if I thought,' said she, very slowly, 'that you'd keep 35007 35008quiet, and not put yourself into another fever, I could tell you--but 35009 35010I won't now.'<br><br> 35011 35012'Yes, do,' said Dick. 'It will amuse me.'<br><br> 35013 35014'Oh! would it though!' rejoined the small servant, with a horrified 35015 35016look. 'I know better than that. Wait till you're better and then I'll 35017 35018tell you.'<br><br> 35019 35020Dick looked very earnestly at his little friend: and his eyes, being 35021 35022large and hollow from illness, assisted the expression so much, that 35023 35024she was quite frightened, and besought him not to think any more about 35025 35026it. What had already fallen from her, however, had not only piqued his 35027 35028curiosity, but seriously alarmed him, wherefore he urged her to tell 35029 35030him the worst at once.<br><br> 35031 35032'Oh there's no worst in it,' said the small servant. 'It hasn't 35033 35034anything to do with you.'<br><br> 35035 35036'Has it anything to do with--is it anything you heard through chinks or 35037 35038keyholes--and that you were not intended to hear?' asked Dick, in a 35039 35040breathless state.<br><br> 35041 35042'Yes,' replied the small servant.<br><br> 35043 35044'In--in Bevis Marks?' pursued Dick hastily. 'Conversations between 35045 35046Brass and Sally?'<br><br> 35047 35048'Yes,' cried the small servant again.<br><br> 35049 35050Richard Swiveller thrust his lank arm out of bed, and, gripping her by 35051 35052the wrist and drawing her close to him, bade her out with it, and 35053 35054freely too, or he would not answer for the consequences; being wholly 35055 35056unable to endure the state of excitement and expectation. She, seeing 35057 35058that he was greatly agitated, and that the effects of postponing her 35059 35060revelation might be much more injurious than any that were likely to 35061 35062ensue from its being made at once, promised compliance, on condition 35063 35064that the patient kept himself perfectly quiet, and abstained from 35065 35066starting up or tossing about.<br><br> 35067 35068'But if you begin to do that,' said the small servant, 'I'll leave off. 35069 35070And so I tell you.'<br><br> 35071 35072'You can't leave off, till you have gone on,' said Dick. 'And do go 35073 35074on, there's a darling. Speak, sister, speak. Pretty Polly say. Oh 35075 35076tell me when, and tell me where, pray Marchioness, I beseech you!'<br><br> 35077 35078Unable to resist these fervent adjurations, which Richard Swiveller 35079 35080poured out as passionately as if they had been of the most solemn and 35081 35082tremendous nature, his companion spoke thus:<br><br> 35083 35084'Well! Before I run away, I used to sleep in the kitchen--where we 35085 35086played cards, you know. Miss Sally used to keep the key of the kitchen 35087 35088door in her pocket, and she always come down at night to take away the 35089 35090candle and rake out the fire. When she had done that, she left me to 35091 35092go to bed in the dark, locked the door on the outside, put the key in 35093 35094her pocket again, and kept me locked up till she come down in the 35095 35096morning--very early I can tell you--and let me out. I was terrible 35097 35098afraid of being kept like this, because if there was a fire, I thought 35099 35100they might forget me and only take care of themselves you know. So, 35101 35102whenever I see an old rusty key anywhere, I picked it up and tried if 35103 35104it would fit the door, and at last I found in the dust cellar a key 35105 35106that did fit it.'<br><br> 35107 35108Here, Mr Swiveller made a violent demonstration with his legs. But the 35109 35110small servant immediately pausing in her talk, he subsided again, and 35111 35112pleading a momentary forgetfulness of their compact, entreated her to 35113 35114proceed.<br><br> 35115 35116'They kept me very short,' said the small servant. 'Oh! you can't 35117 35118think how short they kept me! So I used to come out at night after 35119 35120they'd gone to bed, and feel about in the dark for bits of biscuit, or 35121 35122sangwitches that you'd left in the office, or even pieces of orange 35123 35124peel to put into cold water and make believe it was wine. Did you ever 35125 35126taste orange peel and water?'<br><br> 35127 35128Mr Swiveller replied that he had never tasted that ardent liquor; and 35129 35130once more urged his friend to resume the thread of her narrative.<br><br> 35131 35132'If you make believe very much, it's quite nice,' said the small 35133 35134servant, 'but if you don't, you know, it seems as if it would bear a 35135 35136little more seasoning, certainly. Well, sometimes I used to come out 35137 35138after they'd gone to bed, and sometimes before, you know; and one or 35139 35140two nights before there was all that precious noise in the office--when 35141 35142the young man was took, I mean--I come upstairs while Mr Brass and Miss 35143 35144Sally was a-sittin' at the office fire; and I tell you the truth, that 35145 35146I come to listen again, about the key of the safe.'<br><br> 35147 35148Mr Swiveller gathered up his knees so as to make a great cone of the 35149 35150bedclothes, and conveyed into his countenance an expression of the 35151 35152utmost concern. But the small servant pausing, and holding up her 35153 35154finger, the cone gently disappeared, though the look of concern did not.<br><br> 35155 35156'There was him and her,' said the small servant, 'a-sittin' by the 35157 35158fire, and talking softly together. Mr Brass says to Miss Sally, "Upon 35159
35160my word," he says "it's a dangerous thing, and it might get us into a 35161 35162world of trouble, and I don't half like it." She says--you know her 35163 35164way--she says, "You're the chickenest-hearted, feeblest, faintest man I 35165 35166ever see, and I think," she says, "that I ought to have been the 35167 35168brother, and you the sister. Isn't Quilp," she says, "our principal 35169 35170support?" "He certainly is," says Mr Brass, "And an't we," she says, 35171 35172"constantly ruining somebody or other in the way of business?" "We 35173 35174certainly are," says Mr Brass. "Then does it signify," she says, 35175 35176"about ruining this Kit when Quilp desires it?" "It certainly does not 35177 35178signify," says Mr Brass. Then they whispered and laughed for a long 35179 35180time about there being no danger if it was well done, and then Mr Brass 35181 35182pulls out his pocket-book, and says, "Well," he says, "here it 35183 35184is--Quilp's own five-pound note. We'll agree that way, then," he says. 35185 35186"Kit's coming to-morrow morning, I know. While he's up-stairs, you'll 35187 35188get out of the way, and I'll clear off Mr Richard. Having Kit alone, 35189 35190I'll hold him in conversation, and put this property in his hat. I'll 35191 35192manage so, besides," he says, "that Mr Richard shall find it there, and 35193 35194be the evidence. And if that don't get Christopher out of Mr Quilp's 35195 35196way, and satisfy Mr Quilp's grudges," he says, "the Devil's in it." 35197 35198Miss Sally laughed, and said that was the plan, and as they seemed to 35199 35200be moving away, and I was afraid to stop any longer, I went down-stairs 35201 35202again.--There!'<br><br> 35203 35204The small servant had gradually worked herself into as much agitation 35205 35206as Mr Swiveller, and therefore made no effort to restrain him when he 35207 35208sat up in bed and hastily demanded whether this story had been told to 35209 35210anybody.<br><br> 35211 35212'How could it be?' replied his nurse. 'I was almost afraid to think 35213 35214about it, and hoped the young man would be let off. When I heard 'em 35215 35216say they had found him guilty of what he didn't do, you was gone, and 35217 35218so was the lodger--though I think I should have been frightened to tell 35219 35220him, even if he'd been there. Ever since I come here, you've been out 35221 35222of your senses, and what would have been the good of telling you then?'<br><br> 35223 35224'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, plucking off his nightcap and 35225 35226flinging it to the other end of the room; 'if you'll do me the favour 35227 35228to retire for a few minutes and see what sort of a night it is, I'll 35229 35230get up.'<br><br> 35231 35232'You mustn't think of such a thing,' cried his nurse.<br><br> 35233 35234'I must indeed,' said the patient, looking round the room. 35235 35236'Whereabouts are my clothes?'<br><br> 35237 35238'Oh, I'm so glad--you haven't got any,' replied the Marchioness.<br><br> 35239 35240'Ma'am!' said Mr Swiveller, in great astonishment.<br><br> 35241 35242'I've been obliged to sell them, every one, to get the things that was 35243 35244ordered for you. But don't take on about that,' urged the Marchioness, 35245 35246as Dick fell back upon his pillow. 'You're too weak to stand, indeed.'<br><br> 35247 35248'I am afraid,' said Richard dolefully, 'that you're right. What ought 35249 35250I to do! what is to be done!'<br><br> 35251 35252It naturally occurred to him on very little reflection, that the first 35253 35254step to take would be to communicate with one of the Mr Garlands 35255 35256instantly. It was very possible that Mr Abel had not yet left the 35257 35258office. In as little time as it takes to tell it, the small servant 35259 35260had the address in pencil on a piece of paper; a verbal description of 35261 35262father and son, which would enable her to recognise either, without 35263 35264difficulty; and a special caution to be shy of Mr Chuckster, in 35265 35266consequence of that gentleman's known antipathy to Kit. Armed with 35267 35268these slender powers, she hurried away, commissioned to bring either 35269 35270old Mr Garland or Mr Abel, bodily, to that apartment.<br><br> 35271 35272'I suppose,' said Dick, as she closed the door slowly, and peeped into 35273 35274the room again, to make sure that he was comfortable, 'I suppose 35275 35276there's nothing left--not so much as a waistcoat even?'<br><br> 35277 35278'No, nothing.'<br><br> 35279 35280'It's embarrassing,' said Mr Swiveller, 'in case of fire--even an 35281 35282umbrella would be something--but you did quite right, dear Marchioness. 35283 35284I should have died without you!'<br><br> 35285 35286CHAPTER 65<br><br> 35287 35288It was well for the small servant that she was of a sharp, quick 35289 35290nature, or the consequence of sending her out alone, from the very 35291 35292neighbourhood in which it was most dangerous for her to appear, would 35293 35294probably have been the restoration of Miss Sally Brass to the supreme 35295 35296authority over her person. Not unmindful of the risk she ran, however, 35297 35298the Marchioness no sooner left the house than she dived into the first 35299 35300dark by-way that presented itself, and, without any present reference 35301 35302to the point to which her journey tended, made it her first business to 35303 35304put two good miles of brick and mortar between herself and Bevis Marks.<br><br> 35305 35306When she had accomplished this object, she began to shape her course 35307 35308for the notary's office, to which--shrewdly inquiring of apple-women 35309
35310and oyster-sellers at street-corners, rather than in lighted shops or 35311 35312of well-dressed people, at the hazard of attracting notice--she easily 35313 35314procured a direction. As carrier-pigeons, on being first let loose in 35315 35316a strange place, beat the air at random for a short time before darting 35317 35318off towards the spot for which they are designed, so did the 35319 35320Marchioness flutter round and round until she believed herself in 35321 35322safety, and then bear swiftly down upon the port for which she was 35323 35324bound.<br><br> 35325 35326She had no bonnet--nothing on her head but a great cap which, in some 35327 35328old time, had been worn by Sally Brass, whose taste in head-dresses 35329 35330was, as we have seen, peculiar--and her speed was rather retarded than 35331 35332assisted by her shoes, which, being extremely large and slipshod, flew 35333 35334off every now and then, and were difficult to find again, among the 35335 35336crowd of passengers. Indeed, the poor little creature experienced so 35337 35338much trouble and delay from having to grope for these articles of dress 35339 35340in mud and kennel, and suffered in these researches so much jostling, 35341 35342pushing, squeezing and bandying from hand to hand, that by the time she 35343 35344reached the street in which the notary lived, she was fairly worn out 35345 35346and exhausted, and could not refrain from tears.<br><br> 35347 35348But to have got there at last was a great comfort, especially as there 35349 35350were lights still burning in the office window, and therefore some hope 35351 35352that she was not too late. So the Marchioness dried her eyes with the 35353 35354backs of her hands, and, stealing softly up the steps, peeped in 35355 35356through the glass door.<br><br> 35357 35358Mr Chuckster was standing behind the lid of his desk, making such 35359 35360preparations towards finishing off for the night, as pulling down his 35361 35362wristbands and pulling up his shirt-collar, settling his neck more 35363 35364gracefully in his stock, and secretly arranging his whiskers by the aid 35365 35366of a little triangular bit of looking glass. Before the ashes of the 35367 35368fire stood two gentlemen, one of whom she rightly judged to be the 35369 35370notary, and the other (who was buttoning his great-coat and was 35371 35372evidently about to depart immediately) Mr Abel Garland.<br><br> 35373 35374Having made these observations, the small spy took counsel with 35375 35376herself, and resolved to wait in the street until Mr Abel came out, as 35377 35378there would be then no fear of having to speak before Mr Chuckster, and 35379 35380less difficulty in delivering her message. With this purpose she 35381 35382slipped out again, and crossing the road, sat down upon a door-step 35383 35384just opposite.<br><br> 35385 35386She had hardly taken this position, when there came dancing up the 35387 35388street, with his legs all wrong, and his head everywhere by turns, a 35389 35390pony. This pony had a little phaeton behind him, and a man in it; but 35391 35392neither man nor phaeton seemed to embarrass him in the least, as he 35393 35394reared up on his hind legs, or stopped, or went on, or stood still 35395 35396again, or backed, or went side-ways, without the smallest reference to 35397 35398them--just as the fancy seized him, and as if he were the freest animal 35399 35400in creation. When they came to the notary's door, the man called out 35401 35402in a very respectful manner, 'Woa then'--intimating that if he might 35403 35404venture to express a wish, it would be that they stopped there. The 35405 35406pony made a moment's pause; but, as if it occurred to him that to stop 35407 35408when he was required might be to establish an inconvenient and 35409 35410dangerous precedent, he immediately started off again, rattled at a 35411 35412fast trot to the street corner, wheeled round, came back, and then 35413 35414stopped of his own accord.<br><br> 35415 35416'Oh! you're a precious creatur!' said the man--who didn't venture by 35417 35418the bye to come out in his true colours until he was safe on the 35419 35420pavement. 'I wish I had the rewarding of you--I do.'<br><br> 35421 35422'What has he been doing?' said Mr Abel, tying a shawl round his neck as 35423 35424he came down the steps.<br><br> 35425 35426'He's enough to fret a man's heart out,' replied the hostler. 'He is 35427 35428the most wicious rascal--Woa then, will you?'<br><br> 35429 35430'He'll never stand still, if you call him names,' said Mr Abel, getting 35431 35432in, and taking the reins. 'He's a very good fellow if you know how to 35433 35434manage him. This is the first time he has been out, this long while, 35435 35436for he has lost his old driver and wouldn't stir for anybody else, till 35437 35438this morning. The lamps are right, are they? That's well. Be here to 35439 35440take him to-morrow, if you please. Good night!'<br><br> 35441
35442And, after one or two strange plunges, quite of his own invention, the 35443 35444pony yielded to Mr Abel's mildness, and trotted gently off.<br><br> 35445 35446All this time Mr Chuckster had been standing at the door, and the small 35447 35448servant had been afraid to approach. She had nothing for it now, 35449 35450therefore, but to run after the chaise, and to call to Mr Abel to stop. 35451 35452Being out of breath when she came up with it, she was unable to make 35453 35454him hear. The case was desperate; for the pony was quickening his 35455 35456pace. The Marchioness hung on behind for a few moments, and, feeling 35457 35458that she could go no farther, and must soon yield, clambered by a 35459 35460vigorous effort into the hinder seat, and in so doing lost one of the 35461 35462shoes for ever.<br><br> 35463 35464Mr Abel being in a thoughtful frame of mind, and having quite enough to 35465 35466do to keep the pony going, went jogging on without looking round: 35467 35468little dreaming of the strange figure that was close behind him, until 35469 35470the Marchioness, having in some degree recovered her breath, and the 35471 35472loss of her shoe, and the novelty of her position, uttered close into 35473 35474his ear, the words--'I say, Sir'--<br><br> 35475 35476He turned his head quickly enough then, and stopping the pony, cried, 35477 35478with some trepidation, 'God bless me, what is this!'<br><br> 35479 35480'Don't be frightened, Sir,' replied the still panting messenger. 'Oh 35481 35482I've run such a way after you!'<br><br> 35483 35484'What do you want with me?' said Mr Abel. 'How did you come here?'<br><br> 35485 35486'I got in behind,' replied the Marchioness. 'Oh please drive on, 35487 35488sir--don't stop--and go towards the City, will you? And oh do please 35489 35490make haste, because it's of consequence. There's somebody wants to see 35491 35492you there. He sent me to say would you come directly, and that he 35493 35494knowed all about Kit, and could save him yet, and prove his innocence.'<br><br> 35495 35496'What do you tell me, child?'<br><br> 35497 35498'The truth, upon my word and honour I do. But please to drive on-- 35499 35500quick, please! I've been such a time gone, he'll think I'm lost.'<br><br> 35501 35502Mr Abel involuntarily urged the pony forward. The pony, impelled by 35503 35504some secret sympathy or some new caprice, burst into a great pace, and 35505 35506neither slackened it, nor indulged in any eccentric performances, until 35507 35508they arrived at the door of Mr Swiveller's lodging, where, marvellous 35509 35510to relate, he consented to stop when Mr Abel checked him.<br><br> 35511 35512'See! It's the room up there,' said the Marchioness, pointing to one 35513 35514where there was a faint light. 'Come!'<br><br> 35515 35516Mr Abel, who was one of the simplest and most retiring creatures in 35517 35518existence, and naturally timid withal, hesitated; for he had heard of 35519 35520people being decoyed into strange places to be robbed and murdered, 35521 35522under circumstances very like the present, and, for anything he knew to 35523 35524the contrary, by guides very like the Marchioness. His regard for Kit, 35525 35526however, overcame every other consideration. So, entrusting Whisker to 35527 35528the charge of a man who was lingering hard by in expectation of the 35529 35530Job, he suffered his companion to take his hand, and to lead him up the 35531 35532dark and narrow stairs.<br><br> 35533 35534He was not a little surprised to find himself conducted into a 35535 35536dimly-lighted sick chamber, where a man was sleeping tranquilly in bed.<br><br> 35537 35538'An't it nice to see him lying there so quiet?' said his guide, in an 35539 35540earnest whisper. 'Oh! you'd say it was, if you had only seen him two 35541 35542or three days ago.'<br><br> 35543 35544Mr Abel made no answer, and, to say the truth, kept a long way from the 35545 35546bed and very near the door. His guide, who appeared to understand his 35547 35548reluctance, trimmed the candle, and taking it in her hand, approached 35549 35550the bed. As she did so, the sleeper started up, and he recognised in 35551 35552the wasted face the features of Richard Swiveller.<br><br> 35553 35554'Why, how is this?' said Mr Abel kindly, as he hurried towards him. 35555 35556'You have been ill?'<br><br> 35557 35558'Very,' replied Dick. 'Nearly dead. You might have chanced to hear of 35559 35560your Richard on his bier, but for the friend I sent to fetch you. 35561 35562Another shake of the hand, Marchioness, if you please. Sit down, Sir.'<br><br> 35563 35564Mr Abel seemed rather astonished to hear of the quality of his guide, 35565 35566and took a chair by the bedside.<br><br> 35567 35568'I have sent for you, Sir,' said Dick--'but she told you on what 35569 35570account?'<br><br> 35571 35572'She did. I am quite bewildered by all this. I really don't know
35572what 35573 35574to say or think,' replied Mr Abel.<br><br> 35575 35576'You'll say that presently,' retorted Dick. 'Marchioness, take a seat 35577 35578on the bed, will you? Now, tell this gentleman all that you told me; 35579 35580and be particular. Don't you speak another word, Sir.'<br><br> 35581 35582The story was repeated; it was, in effect, exactly the same as before, 35583 35584without any deviation or omission. Richard Swiveller kept his eyes 35585 35586fixed on his visitor during its narration, and directly it was 35587 35588concluded, took the word again.<br><br> 35589 35590'You have heard it all, and you'll not forget it. I'm too giddy and 35591 35592too queer to suggest anything; but you and your friends will know what 35593 35594to do. After this long delay, every minute is an age. If ever you 35595 35596went home fast in your life, go home fast to-night. Don't stop to say 35597 35598one word to me, but go. She will be found here, whenever she's wanted; 35599 35600and as to me, you're pretty sure to find me at home, for a week or two. 35601 35602There are more reasons than one for that. Marchioness, a light! If 35603 35604you lose another minute in looking at me, sir, I'll never forgive you!'<br><br> 35605 35606Mr Abel needed no more remonstrance or persuasion. He was gone in an 35607 35608instant; and the Marchioness, returning from lighting him down-stairs, 35609 35610reported that the pony, without any preliminary objection whatever, had 35611 35612dashed away at full gallop.<br><br> 35613 35614'That's right!' said Dick; 'and hearty of him; and I honour him from 35615 35616this time. But get some supper and a mug of beer, for I am sure you 35617 35618must be tired. Do have a mug of beer. It will do me as much good to 35619 35620see you take it as if I might drink it myself.'<br><br> 35621 35622Nothing but this assurance could have prevailed upon the small nurse to 35623 35624indulge in such a luxury. Having eaten and drunk to Mr Swiveller's 35625 35626extreme contentment, given him his drink, and put everything in neat 35627 35628order, she wrapped herself in an old coverlet and lay down upon the rug 35629 35630before the fire.<br><br> 35631 35632Mr Swiveller was by that time murmuring in his sleep, 'Strew then, oh 35633 35634strew, a bed of rushes. Here will we stay, till morning blushes. Good 35635 35636night, Marchioness!'<br><br> 35637 35638CHAPTER 66<br><br> 35639 35640On awaking in the morning, Richard Swiveller became conscious, by slow 35641 35642degrees, of whispering voices in his room. Looking out between the 35643 35644curtains, he espied Mr Garland, Mr Abel, the notary, and the single 35645 35646gentleman, gathered round the Marchioness, and talking to her with 35647 35648great earnestness but in very subdued tones--fearing, no doubt, to 35649 35650disturb him. He lost no time in letting them know that this precaution 35651 35652was unnecessary, and all four gentlemen directly approached his 35653 35654bedside. Old Mr Garland was the first to stretch out his hand, and 35655 35656inquire how he felt.<br><br> 35657 35658Dick was about to answer that he felt much better, though still as weak 35659 35660as need be, when his little nurse, pushing the visitors aside and 35661 35662pressing up to his pillow as if in jealousy of their interference, set 35663 35664his breakfast before him, and insisted on his taking it before he 35665 35666underwent the fatigue of speaking or of being spoken to. Mr Swiveller, 35667 35668who was perfectly ravenous, and had had, all night, amazingly distinct 35669 35670and consistent dreams of mutton chops, double stout, and similar 35671 35672delicacies, felt even the weak tea and dry toast such irresistible 35673 35674temptations, that he consented to eat and drink on one condition.<br><br> 35675 35676'And that is,' said Dick, returning the pressure of Mr Garland's hand, 35677 35678'that you answer me this question truly, before I take a bit or drop. 35679 35680Is it too late?'<br><br> 35681 35682'For completing the work you began so well last night?' returned the 35683 35684old gentleman. 'No. Set your mind at rest on that point. It is not, 35685 35686I assure you.'<br><br> 35687 35688Comforted by this intelligence, the patient applied himself to his food 35689 35690with a keen appetite, though evidently not with a greater zest in the 35691 35692eating than his nurse appeared to have in seeing him eat. The manner 35693 35694of this meal was this:--Mr Swiveller, holding the slice of toast or cup 35695 35696of tea in his left hand, and taking a bite or drink, as the case might 35697 35698be, constantly kept, in his right, one palm of the Marchioness tight 35699 35700locked; and to shake, or even to kiss this imprisoned hand, he would 35701 35702stop every now and then, in the very act of swallowing, with perfect 35703 35704seriousness of intention, and the utmost gravity. As often as he put 35705 35706anything into his mouth, whether for eating or drinking, the face of 35707 35708the Marchioness lighted up beyond all description; but whenever he gave 35709 35710her one or other of these tokens of recognition, her countenance became 35711 35712overshadowed, and she began to sob. Now, whether she was in her 35713 35714laughing joy, or in her crying one, the Marchioness could not help 35715 35716turning to the visitors with an appealing look, which seemed to say, 35717 35718'You see this fellow--can I help this?'--and they, being thus made, as 35719 35720it were, parties to the scene, as regularly answered by another look, 35721 35722'No. Certainly not.' This dumb-show, taking place during the whole 35723 35724time of the invalid's breakfast, and the invalid himself, pale and 35725 35726emaciated, performing no small part in the same, it may be fairly 35727 35728questioned whether at any meal, where no word, good or bad, was spoken 35729 35730from beginning to end, so much was expressed by gestures in themselves 35731 35732so slight and unimportant.<br><br> 35733 35734At length--and to say the truth before very long--Mr Swiveller had 35735 35736despatched as much toast and tea as in that stage of his recovery it 35737 35738was discreet to let him have. But the cares of the Marchioness did not 35739 35740stop here; for, disappearing for an instant and presently returning 35741 35742with a basin of fair water, she laved his face and hands, brushed his 35743 35744hair, and in short made him as spruce and smart as anybody under such 35745 35746circumstances could be made; and all this, in as brisk and 35747 35748business-like a manner, as if he were a very little boy, and she his 35749 35750grown-up nurse. To these various attentions, Mr Swiveller submitted in 35751 35752a kind of grateful astonishment beyond the reach of language. When 35753 35754they were at last brought to an end, and the Marchioness had withdrawn 35755 35756into a distant corner to take her own poor breakfast (cold enough by 35757 35758that time), he turned his face away for some few moments, and shook 35759 35760hands heartily with the air.<br><br> 35761 35762'Gentlemen,' said Dick, rousing himself from this pause, and turning 35763 35764round again, 'you'll excuse me. Men who have been brought so low as I 35765 35766have been, are easily fatigued. I am fresh again now, and fit for 35767 35768talking. We're short of chairs here, among other trifles, but if 35769 35770you'll do me the favour to sit upon the bed--'<br><br> 35771 35772'What can we do for you?' said Mr Garland, kindly.<br><br> 35773 35774'If you could make the Marchioness yonder, a Marchioness, in real, 35775 35776sober earnest,' returned Dick, 'I'd thank you to get it done off-hand. 35777 35778But as you can't, and as the question is not what you will do for me, 35779 35780but what you will do for somebody else who has a better claim upon you, 35781 35782pray sir let me know what you intend doing.'<br><br> 35783 35784'It's chiefly on that account that we have come just now,' said the 35785 35786single gentleman, 'for you will have another visitor presently. We 35787 35788feared you would be anxious unless you knew from ourselves what steps 35789 35790we intended to take, and therefore came to you before we stirred in the 35791 35792matter.'<br><br> 35793 35794'Gentlemen,' returned Dick, 'I thank you. Anybody in the helpless 35795 35796state that you see me in, is naturally anxious. Don't let me interrupt 35797 35798you, sir.'<br><br> 35799 35800'Then, you see, my good fellow,' said the single gentleman, 'that while 35801 35802we have no doubt whatever of the truth of this disclosure, which has so 35803 35804providentially come to light--'<br><br> 35805 35806'Meaning hers?' said Dick, pointing towards the Marchioness.<br><br> 35807 35808'--Meaning hers, of course. While we have no doubt of that, or that a 35809 35810proper use of it would procure the poor lad's immediate pardon and 35811 35812liberation, we have a great doubt whether it would, by itself, enable 35813 35814us to reach Quilp, the chief agent in this villany. I should tell you 35815 35816that this doubt has been confirmed into something very nearly 35817 35818approaching certainty by the best opinions we have been enabled, in 35819 35820this short space of time, to take upon the subject. You'll agree with 35821 35822us, that to give him even the most distant chance of escape, if we 35823 35824could help it, would be monstrous. You say with us, no doubt, if 35825 35826somebody must escape, let it be any one but he.'<br><br> 35827 35828'Yes,' returned Dick, 'certainly. That is if somebody must--but upon 35829
35830my word, I'm unwilling that Anybody should. Since laws were made for 35831 35832every degree, to curb vice in others as well as in me--and so forth 35833 35834you know--doesn't it strike you in that light?'<br><br> 35835 35836The single gentleman smiled as if the light in which Mr Swiveller had 35837 35838put the question were not the clearest in the world, and proceeded to 35839 35840explain that they contemplated proceeding by stratagem in the first 35841 35842instance; and that their design was to endeavour to extort a confession 35843 35844from the gentle Sarah.<br><br> 35845 35846'When she finds how much we know, and how we know it,' he said, 'and 35847 35848that she is clearly compromised already, we are not without strong 35849 35850hopes that we may be enabled through her means to punish the other two 35851 35852effectually. If we could do that, she might go scot-free for aught I 35853 35854cared.'<br><br> 35855 35856Dick received this project in anything but a gracious manner, 35857 35858representing with as much warmth as he was then capable of showing, 35859 35860that they would find the old buck (meaning Sarah) more difficult to 35861 35862manage than Quilp himself--that, for any tampering, terrifying, or 35863 35864cajolery, she was a very unpromising and unyielding subject--that she 35865 35866was of a kind of brass not easily melted or moulded into shape--in 35867 35868short, that they were no match for her, and would be signally defeated. 35869 35870But it was in vain to urge them to adopt some other course. The single 35871 35872gentleman has been described as explaining their joint intentions, but 35873 35874it should have been written that they all spoke together; that if any 35875 35876one of them by chance held his peace for a moment, he stood gasping and 35877 35878panting for an opportunity to strike in again: in a word, that they had 35879 35880reached that pitch of impatience and anxiety where men can neither be 35881 35882persuaded nor reasoned with; and that it would have been as easy to 35883 35884turn the most impetuous wind that ever blew, as to prevail on them to 35885 35886reconsider their determination. So, after telling Mr Swiveller how 35887 35888they had not lost sight of Kit's mother and the children; how they had 35889 35890never once even lost sight of Kit himself, but had been unremitting in 35891 35892their endeavours to procure a mitigation of his sentence; how they had 35893 35894been perfectly distracted between the strong proofs of his guilt, and 35895 35896their own fading hopes of his innocence; and how he, Richard Swiveller, 35897 35898might keep his mind at rest, for everything should be happily adjusted 35899 35900between that time and night;--after telling him all this, and adding a 35901 35902great many kind and cordial expressions, personal to himself, which it 35903 35904is unnecessary to recite, Mr Garland, the notary, and the single 35905 35906gentleman, took their leaves at a very critical time, or Richard 35907 35908Swiveller must assuredly have been driven into another fever, whereof 35909 35910the results might have been fatal.<br><br> 35911 35912Mr Abel remained behind, very often looking at his watch and at the 35913 35914room door, until Mr Swiveller was roused from a short nap, by the 35915 35916setting-down on the landing-place outside, as from the shoulders of a 35917 35918porter, of some giant load, which seemed to shake the house, and made 35919 35920the little physic bottles on the mantel-shelf ring again. Directly 35921 35922this sound reached his ears, Mr Abel started up, and hobbled to the 35923 35924door, and opened it; and behold! there stood a strong man, with a 35925 35926mighty hamper, which, being hauled into the room and presently 35927 35928unpacked, disgorged such treasures as tea, and coffee, and wine, and 35929 35930rusks, and oranges, and grapes, and fowls ready trussed for boiling, 35931 35932and calves'-foot jelly, and arrow-root, and sago, and other delicate 35933 35934restoratives, that the small servant, who had never thought it possible 35935 35936that such things could be, except in shops, stood rooted to the spot in 35937 35938her one shoe, with her mouth and eyes watering in unison, and her power 35939 35940of speech quite gone. But, not so Mr Abel; or the strong man who 35941 35942emptied the hamper, big as it was, in a twinkling; and not so the nice 35943 35944old lady, who appeared so suddenly that she might have come out of the 35945 35946hamper too (it was quite large enough), and who, bustling about on 35947 35948tiptoe and without noise--now here, now there, now everywhere at 35949 35950once--began to fill out the jelly in tea-cups, and to make chicken 35951 35952broth in small saucepans, and to peel oranges for the sick man and to 35953 35954cut them up in little pieces, and to ply the small servant with glasses 35955 35956of wine and choice bits of everything until more substantial meat could 35957 35958be prepared for her refreshment. The whole of which appearances were 35959 35960so unexpected and bewildering, that Mr Swiveller, when he had taken two 35961 35962oranges and a little jelly, and had seen the strong man walk off with 35963 35964the empty basket, plainly leaving all that abundance for his use and 35965 35966benefit, was fain to lie down and fall asleep again, from sheer 35967 35968inability to entertain such wonders in his mind.<br><br> 35969 35970Meanwhile, the single gentleman, the Notary, and Mr Garland, repaired 35971 35972to a certain coffee-house, and from that place indited and sent a 35973 35974letter to Miss Sally Brass, requesting her, in terms mysterious and 35975 35976brief, to favour an unknown friend who wished to consult her, with her 35977 35978company there, as speedily as possible. The communication performed 35979 35980its errand so well, that within ten minutes of the messenger's return 35981 35982and report of its delivery, Miss Brass herself was announced.<br><br> 35983 35984'Pray ma'am,' said the single gentleman, whom she found alone in the 35985 35986room, 'take a chair.'<br><br> 35987 35988Miss Brass sat herself down, in a very stiff and frigid state, and 35989 35990seemed--as indeed she was--not a little astonished to find that the 35991 35992lodger and her mysterious correspondent were one and the same person.<br><br> 35993 35994'You did not expect to see me?' said the single gentleman.<br><br> 35995 35996'I didn't think much about it,' returned the beauty. 'I supposed it
35997 35998was business of some kind or other. If it's about the apartments, of 35999 36000course you'll give my brother regular notice, you know--or money. 36001 36002That's very easily settled. You're a responsible party, and in such a 36003 36004case lawful money and lawful notice are pretty much the same.'<br><br> 36005 36006'I am obliged to you for your good opinion,' retorted the single 36007 36008gentleman, 'and quite concur in these sentiments. But that is not the 36009 36010subject on which I wish to speak with you.'<br><br> 36011 36012'Oh!' said Sally. 'Then just state the particulars, will you? I 36013 36014suppose it's professional business?'<br><br> 36015 36016'Why, it is connected with the law, certainly.'<br><br> 36017 36018'Very well,' returned Miss Brass. 'My brother and I are just the same. 36019 36020I can take any instructions, or give you any advice.'<br><br> 36021 36022'As there are other parties interested besides myself,' said the single 36023 36024gentleman, rising and opening the door of an inner room, 'we had better 36025 36026confer together. Miss Brass is here, gentlemen.' Mr Garland and the 36027 36028Notary walked in, looking very grave; and, drawing up two chairs, one 36029 36030on each side of the single gentleman, formed a kind of fence round the 36031 36032gentle Sarah, and penned her into a corner. Her brother Sampson under 36033 36034such circumstances would certainly have evinced some confusion or 36035 36036anxiety, but she--all composure--pulled out the tin box, and calmly 36037 36038took a pinch of snuff.<br><br> 36039 36040'Miss Brass,' said the Notary, taking the word at this crisis, 'we 36041 36042professional people understand each other, and, when we choose, can say 36043 36044what we have to say, in very few words. You advertised a runaway 36045 36046servant, the other day?'<br><br> 36047 36048'Well,' returned Miss Sally, with a sudden flush overspreading her 36049 36050features, 'what of that?'<br><br> 36051 36052'She is found, ma'am,' said the Notary, pulling out his 36053 36054pocket-handkerchief with a flourish. 'She is found.'<br><br> 36055 36056'Who found her?' demanded Sarah hastily.<br><br> 36057 36058'We did, ma'am--we three. Only last night, or you would have heard 36059 36060from us before.'<br><br> 36061 36062'And now I have heard from you,' said Miss Brass, folding her arms as 36063 36064though she were about to deny something to the death, 'what have you 36065 36066got to say? Something you have got into your heads about her, of 36067 36068course. Prove it, will you--that's all. Prove it. You have found 36069 36070her, you say. I can tell you (if you don't know it) that you have 36071 36072found the most artful, lying, pilfering, devilish little minx that was 36073 36074ever born.--Have you got her here?' she added, looking sharply round.<br><br> 36075 36076'No, she is not here at present,' returned the Notary. 'But she is 36077 36078quite safe.'<br><br> 36079 36080'Ha!' cried Sally, twitching a pinch of snuff out of her box, as 36081 36082spitefully as if she were in the very act of wrenching off the small 36083 36084servant's nose; 'she shall be safe enough from this time, I warrant 36085 36086you.'<br><br> 36087 36088'I hope so,' replied the Notary. 'Did it occur to you for the first 36089 36090time, when you found she had run away, that there were two keys to your 36091 36092kitchen door?'<br><br> 36093 36094Miss Sally took another pinch, and putting her head on one side, looked 36095 36096at her questioner, with a curious kind of spasm about her mouth, but 36097 36098with a cunning aspect of immense expression.<br><br> 36099 36100'Two keys,' repeated the Notary; 'one of which gave her the 36101 36102opportunities of roaming through the house at nights when you supposed 36103 36104her fast locked up, and of overhearing confidential 36105 36106consultations--among others, that particular conference, to be 36107 36108described to-day before a justice, which you will have an opportunity 36109 36110of hearing her relate; that conference which you and Mr Brass held 36111 36112together, on the night before that most unfortunate and innocent young 36113 36114man was accused of robbery, by a horrible device of which I will only 36115 36116say that it may be characterised by the epithets which you have applied 36117 36118to this wretched little witness, and by a few stronger ones besides.'<br><br> 36119 36120Sally took another pinch. Although her face was wonderfully composed, 36121 36122it was apparent that she was wholly taken by surprise, and that what 36123 36124she had expected to be taxed with, in connection with her small 36125 36126servant, was something very different from this.<br><br> 36127 36128'Come, come, Miss Brass,' said the Notary, 'you have great command of 36129 36130feature, but you feel, I see, that by a chance which never entered your 36131 36132imagination, this base design is revealed, and two of its plotters must 36133 36134be brought to justice. Now, you know the pains and penalties you are 36135 36136liable to, and so I need not dilate upon them, but I have a proposal to 36137 36138make to you. You have the honour of being sister to one of the 36139 36140greatest scoundrels unhung; and, if I may venture to say so to a lady, 36141 36142you are in every respect quite worthy of him. But connected with you 36143 36144two is a third party, a villain of the name of Quilp, the prime mover 36145 36146of the whole diabolical device, who I believe to be worse than either. 36147 36148For his sake, Miss Brass, do us the favour to reveal the whole history 36149 36150of this affair. Let me remind you that your doing so, at our instance, 36151 36152will place you in a safe and comfortable position--your present one is 36153 36154not desirable--and cannot injure your brother; for against him and you 36155 36156we have quite sufficient evidence (as you hear) already. I will not 36157 36158say to you that we suggest this course in mercy (for, to tell you the 36159 36160truth, we do not entertain any regard for you), but it is a necessity 36161 36162to which we are reduced, and I recommend it to you as a matter of the 36163 36164very best policy. Time,' said Mr Witherden, pulling out his watch, 'in 36165 36166a business like this, is exceedingly precious. Favour us with your 36167 36168decision as speedily as possible, ma'am.'<br><br> 36169 36170With a smile upon her face, and looking at each of the three by turns, 36171 36172Miss Brass took two or three more pinches of snuff, and having by this 36173 36174time very little left, travelled round and round the box with her 36175 36176forefinger and thumb, scraping up another. Having disposed of this 36177 36178likewise and put the box carefully in her pocket, she said,--<br><br> 36179 36180'I am to accept or reject at once, am I?'<br><br> 36181 36182'Yes,' said Mr Witherden.<br><br> 36183 36184The charming creature was opening her lips to speak in reply, when the 36185 36186door was hastily opened too, and the head of Sampson Brass was thrust 36187 36188into the room.<br><br> 36189 36190'Excuse me,' said the gentleman hastily. 'Wait a bit!'<br><br> 36191 36192So saying, and quite indifferent to the astonishment his presence 36193 36194occasioned, he crept in, shut the door, kissed his greasy glove as 36195 36196servilely as if it were the dust, and made a most abject bow.<br><br> 36197 36198'Sarah,' said Brass, 'hold your tongue if you please, and let me speak. 36199 36200Gentlemen, if I could express the pleasure it gives me to see three 36201 36202such men in a happy unity of feeling and concord of sentiment, I think 36203 36204you would hardly believe me. But though I am unfortunate--nay, 36205 36206gentlemen, criminal, if we are to use harsh expressions in a company 36207 36208like this--still, I have my feelings like other men. I have heard of a 36209 36210poet, who remarked that feelings were the common lot of all. If he 36211 36212could have been a pig, gentlemen, and have uttered that sentiment, he 36213 36214would still have been immortal.'<br><br> 36215 36216'If you're not an idiot,' said Miss Brass harshly, 'hold your peace.'<br><br> 36217 36218'Sarah, my dear,' returned her brother, 'thank you. But I know what I 36219 36220am about, my love, and will take the liberty of expressing myself 36221 36222accordingly. Mr Witherden, Sir, your handkerchief is hanging out of 36223 36224your pocket--would you allow me to--,<br><br> 36225 36226As Mr Brass advanced to remedy this accident, the Notary shrunk from 36227 36228him with an air of disgust. Brass, who over and above his usual 36229 36230prepossessing qualities, had a scratched face, a green shade over one 36231 36232eye, and a hat grievously crushed, stopped short, and looked round with 36233 36234a pitiful smile.<br><br> 36235 36236'He shuns me,' said Sampson, 'even when I would, as I may say, heap 36237 36238coals of fire upon his head. Well! Ah! But I am a falling house, and 36239 36240the rats (if I may be allowed the expression in reference to a 36241 36242gentleman I respect and love beyond everything) fly from me! 36243 36244Gentlemen--regarding your conversation just now, I happened to see my 36245 36246sister on her way here, and, wondering where she could be going to, and 36247 36248being--may I venture to say?--naturally of a suspicious turn, followed 36249 36250her. Since then, I have been listening.'<br><br> 36251 36252'If you're not mad,' interposed Miss Sally, 'stop there, and say no 36253 36254more.'<br><br> 36255 36256'Sarah, my dear,' rejoined Brass with undiminished politeness, 'I thank 36257 36258you kindly, but will still proceed. Mr Witherden, sir, as we have the 36259 36260honour to be members of the same profession--to say nothing of that 36261 36262other gentleman having been my lodger, and having partaken, as one may 36263
36264say, of the hospitality of my roof--I think you might have given me the 36265 36266refusal of this offer in the first instance. I do indeed. Now, my 36267 36268dear Sir,' cried Brass, seeing that the Notary was about to interrupt 36269 36270him, 'suffer me to speak, I beg.'<br><br> 36271 36272Mr Witherden was silent, and Brass went on.<br><br> 36273 36274'If you will do me the favour,' he said, holding up the green shade, 36275 36276and revealing an eye most horribly discoloured, 'to look at this, you 36277 36278will naturally inquire, in your own minds, how did I get it. If you 36279 36280look from that, to my face, you will wonder what could have been the 36281 36282cause of all these scratches. And if from them to my hat, how it came 36283 36284into the state in which you see it. Gentlemen,' said Brass, striking 36285 36286the hat fiercely with his clenched hand, 'to all these questions I 36287 36288answer--Quilp!'<br><br> 36289 36290The three gentlemen looked at each other, but said nothing.<br><br> 36291 36292'I say,' pursued Brass, glancing aside at his sister, as though he were 36293 36294talking for her information, and speaking with a snarling malignity, in 36295 36296violent contrast to his usual smoothness, 'that I answer to all these 36297 36298questions,--Quilp--Quilp, who deludes me into his infernal den, and 36299 36300takes a delight in looking on and chuckling while I scorch, and burn, 36301 36302and bruise, and maim myself--Quilp, who never once, no never once, in 36303 36304all our communications together, has treated me otherwise than as a 36305 36306dog--Quilp, whom I have always hated with my whole heart, but never so 36307 36308much as lately. He gives me the cold shoulder on this very matter as 36309 36310if he had had nothing to do with it, instead of being the first to 36311 36312propose it. I can't trust him. In one of his howling, raving, blazing 36313 36314humours, I believe he'd let it out, if it was murder, and never think 36315 36316of himself so long as he could terrify me. Now,' said Brass, picking 36317 36318up his hat again and replacing the shade over his eye, and actually 36319 36320crouching down, in the excess of his servility, 'What does all this 36321 36322lead to?--what should you say it led me to, gentlemen?--could you guess 36323 36324at all near the mark?'<br><br> 36325 36326Nobody spoke. Brass stood smirking for a little while, as if he had 36327 36328propounded some choice conundrum; and then said:<br><br> 36329 36330'To be short with you, then, it leads me to this. If the truth has 36331 36332come out, as it plainly has in a manner that there's no standing up 36333 36334against--and a very sublime and grand thing is Truth, gentlemen, in its 36335 36336way, though like other sublime and grand things, such as thunder-storms 36337 36338and that, we're not always over and above glad to see it--I had better 36339 36340turn upon this man than let this man turn upon me. It's clear to me 36341 36342that I am done for. Therefore, if anybody is to split, I had better be 36343 36344the person and have the advantage of it. Sarah, my dear, comparatively 36345 36346speaking you're safe. I relate these circumstances for my own profit.'<br><br> 36347 36348With that, Mr Brass, in a great hurry, revealed the whole story; 36349 36350bearing as heavily as possible on his amiable employer, and making 36351 36352himself out to be rather a saint-like and holy character, though 36353 36354subject--he acknowledged--to human weaknesses. He concluded thus:<br><br> 36355 36356'Now, gentlemen, I am not a man who does things by halves. Being in 36357 36358for a penny, I am ready, as the saying is, to be in for a pound. You 36359 36360must do with me what you please, and take me where you please. If you 36361 36362wish to have this in writing, we'll reduce it into manuscript 36363 36364immediately. You will be tender with me, I am sure. I am quite 36365 36366confident you will be tender with me. You are men of honour, and have 36367 36368feeling hearts. I yielded from necessity to Quilp, for though 36369 36370necessity has no law, she has her lawyers. I yield to you from 36371 36372necessity too; from policy besides; and because of feelings that have 36373 36374been a pretty long time working within me. Punish Quilp, gentlemen. 36375 36376Weigh heavily upon him. Grind him down. Tread him under foot. He has 36377 36378done as much by me, for many and many a day.'<br><br> 36379 36380Having now arrived at the conclusion of his discourse, Sampson checked 36381 36382the current of his wrath, kissed his glove again, and smiled as only 36383 36384parasites and cowards can.<br><br> 36385 36386'And this,' said Miss Brass, raising her head, with which she had 36387 36388hitherto sat resting on her hands, and surveying him from head to foot 36389
36390with a bitter sneer, 'this is my brother, is it! This is my brother, 36391 36392that I have worked and toiled for, and believed to have had something 36393 36394of the man in him!'<br><br> 36395 36396'Sarah, my dear,' returned Sampson, rubbing his hands feebly; you 36397 36398disturb our friends. Besides you--you're disappointed, Sarah, and, not 36399 36400knowing what you say, expose yourself.'<br><br> 36401 36402'Yes, you pitiful dastard,' retorted the lovely damsel, 'I understand 36403 36404you. You feared that I should be beforehand with you. But do you 36405 36406think that I would have been enticed to say a word! I'd have scorned 36407 36408it, if they had tried and tempted me for twenty years.'<br><br> 36409 36410'He he!' simpered Brass, who, in his deep debasement, really seemed to 36411 36412have changed sexes with his sister, and to have made over to her any 36413 36414spark of manliness he might have possessed. 'You think so, Sarah, you 36415 36416think so perhaps; but you would have acted quite different, my good 36417 36418fellow. You will not have forgotten that it was a maxim with 36419 36420Foxey--our revered father, gentlemen--"Always suspect everybody." 36421 36422That's the maxim to go through life with! If you were not actually 36423 36424about to purchase your own safety when I showed myself, I suspect you'd 36425 36426have done it by this time. And therefore I've done it myself, and 36427 36428spared you the trouble as well as the shame. The shame, gentlemen,' 36429 36430added Brass, allowing himself to be slightly overcome, 'if there is 36431 36432any, is mine. It's better that a female should be spared it.'<br><br> 36433 36434With deference to the better opinion of Mr Brass, and more particularly 36435 36436to the authority of his Great Ancestor, it may be doubted, with 36437 36438humility, whether the elevating principle laid down by the latter 36439 36440gentleman, and acted upon by his descendant, is always a prudent one, 36441 36442or attended in practice with the desired results. This is, beyond 36443 36444question, a bold and presumptuous doubt, inasmuch as many distinguished 36445 36446characters, called men of the world, long-headed customers, knowing 36447 36448dogs, shrewd fellows, capital hands at business, and the like, have 36449 36450made, and do daily make, this axiom their polar star and compass. 36451 36452Still, the doubt may be gently insinuated. And in illustration it may 36453 36454be observed, that if Mr Brass, not being over-suspicious, had, without 36455 36456prying and listening, left his sister to manage the conference on their 36457 36458joint behalf, or prying and listening, had not been in such a mighty 36459 36460hurry to anticipate her (which he would not have been, but for his 36461 36462distrust and jealousy), he would probably have found himself much 36463 36464better off in the end. Thus, it will always happen that these men of 36465 36466the world, who go through it in armour, defend themselves from quite as 36467 36468much good as evil; to say nothing of the inconvenience and absurdity of 36469 36470mounting guard with a microscope at all times, and of wearing a coat of 36471 36472mail on the most innocent occasions.<br><br> 36473 36474The three gentlemen spoke together apart, for a few moments. At the 36475 36476end of their consultation, which was very brief, the Notary pointed to 36477 36478the writing materials on the table, and informed Mr Brass that if he 36479 36480wished to make any statement in writing, he had the opportunity of 36481 36482doing so. At the same time he felt bound to tell him that they would 36483 36484require his attendance, presently, before a justice of the peace, and 36485 36486that in what he did or said, he was guided entirely by his own 36487 36488discretion.<br><br> 36489 36490'Gentlemen,' said Brass, drawing off his glove, and crawling in spirit 36491 36492upon the ground before them, 'I will justify the tenderness with which 36493 36494I know I shall be treated; and as, without tenderness, I should, now 36495 36496that this discovery has been made, stand in the worst position of the 36497 36498three, you may depend upon it I will make a clean breast. Mr 36499 36500Witherden, sir, a kind of faintness is upon my spirits--if you would 36501 36502do me the favour to ring the bell and order up a glass of something 36503 36504warm and spicy, I shall, notwithstanding what has passed, have a 36505 36506melancholy pleasure in drinking your good health. I had hoped,' said 36507 36508Brass, looking round with a mournful smile, 'to have seen you three 36509 36510gentlemen, one day or another, with your legs under the mahogany in my 36511 36512humble parlour in the Marks. But hopes are fleeting. Dear me!'<br><br> 36513 36514Mr Brass found himself so exceedingly affected, at this point, that he 36515 36516could say or do nothing more until some refreshment arrived. Having 36517 36518partaken of it, pretty freely for one in his agitated state, he sat 36519 36520down to write.<br><br> 36521 36522The lovely Sarah, now with her arms folded, and now with her hands 36523 36524clasped behind her, paced the room with manly strides while her brother 36525 36526was thus employed, and sometimes stopped to pull out her snuff-box and 36527 36528bite the lid. She continued to pace up and down until she was quite 36529 36530tired, and then fell asleep on a chair near the door.<br><br> 36531 36532It has been since supposed, with some reason, that this slumber was a 36533 36534sham or feint, as she contrived to slip away unobserved in the dusk of 36535 36536the afternoon. Whether this was an intentional and waking departure, 36537 36538or a somnambulistic leave-taking and walking in her sleep, may remain a 36539 36540subject of contention; but, on one point (and indeed the main one) all 36541 36542parties are agreed. In whatever state she walked away, she certainly 36543 36544did not walk back again.<br><br> 36545 36546Mention having been made of the dusk of the afternoon, it will be 36547 36548inferred that Mr Brass's task occupied some time in the completion. It 36549 36550was not finished until evening; but, being done at last, that worthy 36551 36552person and the three friends adjourned in a hackney-coach to the 36553 36554private office of a justice, who, giving Mr Brass a warm reception and 36555 36556detaining him in a secure place that he might insure to himself the 36557 36558pleasure of seeing him on the morrow, dismissed the others with the 36559 36560cheering assurance that a warrant could not fail to be granted next day 36561 36562for the apprehension of Mr Quilp, and that a proper application and 36563 36564statement of all the circumstances to the secretary of state (who was 36565 36566fortunately in town), would no doubt procure Kit's free pardon and 36567 36568liberation without delay.<br><br> 36569 36570And now, indeed, it seemed that Quilp's malignant career was drawing to 36571 36572a close, and that retribution, which often travels slowly--especially 36573
36574when heaviest--had tracked his footsteps with a sure and certain scent 36575 36576and was gaining on him fast. Unmindful of her stealthy tread, her 36577 36578victim holds his course in fancied triumph. Still at his heels she 36579 36580comes, and once afoot, is never turned aside!<br><br> 36581 36582Their business ended, the three gentlemen hastened back to the lodgings 36583 36584of Mr Swiveller, whom they found progressing so favourably in his 36585 36586recovery as to have been able to sit up for half an hour, and to have 36587 36588conversed with cheerfulness. Mrs Garland had gone home some time 36589 36590since, but Mr Abel was still sitting with him. After telling him all 36591 36592they had done, the two Mr Garlands and the single gentleman, as if by 36593 36594some previous understanding, took their leaves for the night, leaving 36595 36596the invalid alone with the Notary and the small servant.<br><br> 36597 36598'As you are so much better,' said Mr Witherden, sitting down at the 36599 36600bedside, 'I may venture to communicate to you a piece of news which has 36601 36602come to me professionally.'<br><br> 36603 36604The idea of any professional intelligence from a gentleman connected 36605 36606with legal matters, appeared to afford Richard any-thing but a pleasing 36607 36608anticipation. Perhaps he connected it in his own mind with one or two 36609 36610outstanding accounts, in reference to which he had already received 36611 36612divers threatening letters. His countenance fell as he replied,<br><br> 36613 36614'Certainly, sir. I hope it's not anything of a very disagreeable 36615 36616nature, though?'<br><br> 36617 36618'If I thought it so, I should choose some better time for communicating 36619 36620it,' replied the Notary. 'Let me tell you, first, that my friends who 36621 36622have been here to-day, know nothing of it, and that their kindness to 36623 36624you has been quite spontaneous and with no hope of return. It may do a 36625 36626thoughtless, careless man, good, to know that.'<br><br> 36627 36628Dick thanked him, and said he hoped it would.<br><br> 36629 36630'I have been making some inquiries about you,' said Mr Witherden, 36631 36632'little thinking that I should find you under such circumstances as 36633 36634those which have brought us together. You are the nephew of Rebecca 36635 36636Swiveller, spinster, deceased, of Cheselbourne in Dorsetshire.'<br><br> 36637 36638'Deceased!' cried Dick.<br><br> 36639 36640'Deceased. If you had been another sort of nephew, you would have come 36641 36642into possession (so says the will, and I see no reason to doubt it) of 36643 36644five-and-twenty thousand pounds. As it is, you have fallen into an 36645 36646annuity of one hundred and fifty pounds a year; but I think I may 36647 36648congratulate you even upon that.'<br><br> 36649 36650'Sir,' said Dick, sobbing and laughing together, 'you may. For, please 36651 36652God, we'll make a scholar of the poor Marchioness yet! And she shall 36653 36654walk in silk attire, and siller have to spare, or may I never rise from 36655 36656this bed again!'<br><br> 36657 36658CHAPTER 67<br><br> 36659 36660Unconscious of the proceedings faithfully narrated in the last chapter, 36661 36662and little dreaming of the mine which had been sprung beneath him (for, 36663 36664to the end that he should have no warning of the business a-foot, the 36665 36666profoundest secrecy was observed in the whole transaction), Mr Quilp 36667 36668remained shut up in his hermitage, undisturbed by any suspicion, and 36669 36670extremely well satisfied with the result of his machinations. Being 36671 36672engaged in the adjustment of some accounts--an occupation to which the 36673 36674silence and solitude of his retreat were very favourable--he had not 36675 36676strayed from his den for two whole days. The third day of his devotion 36677 36678to this pursuit found him still hard at work, and little disposed to 36679 36680stir abroad.<br><br> 36681 36682It was the day next after Mr Brass's confession, and consequently, that 36683 36684which threatened the restriction of Mr Quilp's liberty, and the abrupt 36685 36686communication to him of some very unpleasant and unwelcome facts. 36687 36688Having no intuitive perception of the cloud which lowered upon his 36689 36690house, the dwarf was in his ordinary state of cheerfulness; and, when 36691 36692he found he was becoming too much engrossed by business with a due 36693 36694regard to his health and spirits, he varied its monotonous routine with 36695 36696a little screeching, or howling, or some other innocent relaxation of 36697 36698that nature.<br><br> 36699 36700He was attended, as usual, by Tom Scott, who sat crouching over the 36701 36702fire after the manner of a toad, and, from time to time, when his 36703
36704master's back was turned, imitating his grimaces with a fearful 36705 36706exactness. The figure-head had not yet disappeared, but remained in 36707 36708its old place. The face, horribly seared by the frequent application 36709 36710of the red-hot poker, and further ornamented by the insertion, in the 36711 36712tip of the nose, of a tenpenny nail, yet smiled blandly in its less 36713 36714lacerated parts, and seemed, like a sturdy martyr, to provoke its 36715 36716tormentor to the commission of new outrages and insults. The day, in 36717 36718the highest and brightest quarters of the town, was damp, dark, cold 36719 36720and gloomy. In that low and marshy spot, the fog filled every nook and 36721 36722corner with a thick dense cloud. Every object was obscure at one or 36723 36724two yards' distance. The warning lights and fires upon the river were 36725 36726powerless beneath this pall, and, but for a raw and piercing chillness 36727 36728in the air, and now and then the cry of some bewildered boatman as he 36729 36730rested on his oars and tried to make out where he was, the river itself 36731 36732might have been miles away.<br><br> 36733 36734The mist, though sluggish and slow to move, was of a keenly searching 36735 36736kind. No muffling up in furs and broadcloth kept it out. It seemed to 36737 36738penetrate into the very bones of the shrinking wayfarers, and to rack 36739 36740them with cold and pains. Everything was wet and clammy to the touch. 36741 36742The warm blaze alone defied it, and leaped and sparkled merrily. It 36743 36744was a day to be at home, crowding about the fire, telling stories of 36745 36746travellers who had lost their way in such weather on heaths and moors; 36747 36748and to love a warm hearth more than ever.<br><br> 36749 36750The dwarf's humour, as we know, was to have a fireside to himself; and 36751 36752when he was disposed to be convivial, to enjoy himself alone. By no 36753 36754means insensible to the comfort of being within doors, he ordered Tom 36755 36756Scott to pile the little stove with coals, and, dismissing his work for 36757 36758that day, determined to be jovial.<br><br> 36759 36760To this end, he lighted up fresh candles and heaped more fuel on the 36761 36762fire; and having dined off a beefsteak, which he cooked himself in 36763 36764somewhat of a savage and cannibal-like manner, brewed a great bowl of 36765 36766hot punch, lighted his pipe, and sat down to spend the evening.<br><br> 36767 36768At this moment, a low knocking at the cabin-door arrested his 36769 36770attention. When it had been twice or thrice repeated, he softly opened 36771 36772the little window, and thrusting his head out, demanded who was there.<br><br> 36773 36774'Only me, Quilp,' replied a woman's voice.<br><br> 36775 36776'Only you!' cried the dwarf, stretching his neck to obtain a better 36777 36778view of his visitor. 'And what brings you here, you jade? How dare 36779 36780you approach the ogre's castle, eh?'<br><br> 36781 36782'I have come with some news,' rejoined his spouse. 'Don't be angry 36783 36784with me.'<br><br> 36785 36786'Is it good news, pleasant news, news to make a man skip and snap his 36787 36788fingers?' said the dwarf. 'Is the dear old lady dead?'<br><br> 36789 36790'I don't know what news it is, or whether it's good or bad,' rejoined 36791 36792his wife.<br><br> 36793 36794'Then she's alive,' said Quilp, 'and there's nothing the matter with 36795 36796her. Go home again, you bird of evil note, go home!' 'I have brought a 36797 36798letter,' cried the meek little woman.<br><br> 36799 36800'Toss it in at the window here, and go your ways,' said Quilp, 36801 36802interrupting her, 'or I'll come out and scratch you.'<br><br> 36803 36804'No, but please, Quilp--do hear me speak,' urged his submissive wife, 36805 36806in tears. 'Please do!'<br><br> 36807 36808'Speak then,' growled the dwarf with a malicious grin. 'Be quick and 36809 36810short about it. Speak, will you?'<br><br> 36811 36812'It was left at our house this afternoon,' said Mrs Quilp, trembling, 36813 36814'by a boy who said he didn't know from whom it came, but that it was 36815 36816given to him to leave, and that he was told to say it must be brought 36817 36818on to you directly, for it was of the very greatest consequence.--But 36819 36820please,' she added, as her husband stretched out his hand for it, 36821 36822'please let me in. You don't know how wet and cold I am, or how many 36823 36824times I have lost my way in coming here through this thick fog. Let me 36825 36826dry myself at the fire for five minutes. I'll go away directly you 36827 36828tell me to, Quilp. Upon my word I will.'<br><br> 36829 36830Her amiable husband hesitated for a few moments; but, bethinking 36831 36832himself that the letter might require some answer, of which she could 36833 36834be the bearer, closed the window, opened the door, and bade her enter. 36835 36836Mrs Quilp obeyed right willingly, and, kneeling down before the fire to 36837 36838warm her hands, delivered into his a little packet.<br><br> 36839 36840'I'm glad you're wet,' said Quilp, snatching it, and squinting at her. 36841 36842'I'm glad you're cold. I'm glad you lost your way. I'm glad your eyes 36843 36844are red with crying. It does my heart good to see your little nose so 36845 36846pinched and frosty.'<br><br> 36847 36848'Oh Quilp!' sobbed his wife. 'How cruel it is of you!'<br><br> 36849 36850'Did she think I was dead?' said Quilp, wrinkling his face into a most 36851 36852extraordinary series of grimaces. 'Did she think she was going to have 36853 36854all the money, and to marry somebody she liked? Ha ha ha! Did she?'<br><br> 36855 36856These taunts elicited no reply from the poor little woman, who remained 36857 36858on her knees, warming her hands, and sobbing, to Mr Quilp's great 36859 36860delight. But, just as he was contemplating her, and chuckling 36861 36862excessively, he happened to observe that Tom Scott was delighted too; 36863 36864wherefore, that he might have no presumptuous partner in his glee, the 36865 36866dwarf instantly collared him, dragged him to the door, and after a 36867 36868short scuffle, kicked him into the yard. In return for this mark of 36869 36870attention, Tom immediately walked upon his hands to the window, and--if 36871 36872the expression be allowable--looked in with his shoes: besides 36873 36874rattling his feet upon the glass like a Banshee upside down. As a 36875 36876matter of course, Mr Quilp lost no time in resorting to the infallible 36877
36878poker, with which, after some dodging and lying in ambush, he paid his 36879 36880young friend one or two such unequivocal compliments that he vanished 36881 36882precipitately, and left him in quiet possession of the field.<br><br> 36883 36884'So! That little job being disposed of,' said the dwarf, coolly, 'I'll 36885 36886read my letter. Humph!' he muttered, looking at the direction. 'I 36887 36888ought to know this writing. Beautiful Sally!'<br><br> 36889 36890Opening it, he read, in a fair, round, legal hand, as follows:<br><br> 36891 36892'Sammy has been practised upon, and has broken confidence. It has all 36893 36894come out. You had better not be in the way, for strangers are going to 36895 36896call upon you. They have been very quiet as yet, because they mean to 36897 36898surprise you. Don't lose time. I didn't. I am not to be found 36899 36900anywhere. If I was you, I wouldn't either. S. B., late of B. M.'<br><br> 36901 36902To describe the changes that passed over Quilp's face, as he read this 36903 36904letter half-a-dozen times, would require some new language: such, for 36905 36906power of expression, as was never written, read, or spoken. For a long 36907 36908time he did not utter one word; but, after a considerable interval, 36909 36910during which Mrs Quilp was almost paralysed with the alarm his looks 36911 36912engendered, he contrived to gasp out,<br><br> 36913 36914'If I had him here. If I only had him here--'<br><br> 36915 36916'Oh Quilp!' said his wife, 'what's the matter? Who are you angry with?'<br><br> 36917 36918'--I should drown him,' said the dwarf, not heeding her. 'Too easy a 36919 36920death, too short, too quick--but the river runs close at hand. Oh! if 36921 36922I had him here! just to take him to the brink coaxingly and 36923 36924pleasantly,--holding him by the button-hole--joking with him,--and, 36925 36926with a sudden push, to send him splashing down! Drowning men come to 36927 36928the surface three times they say. Ah! To see him those three times, 36929 36930and mock him as his face came bobbing up,--oh, what a rich treat that 36931 36932would be!'<br><br> 36933 36934'Quilp!' stammered his wife, venturing at the same time to touch him on 36935 36936the shoulder: 'what has gone wrong?'<br><br> 36937 36938She was so terrified by the relish with which he pictured this pleasure 36939 36940to himself that she could scarcely make herself intelligible.<br><br> 36941 36942'Such a bloodless cur!' said Quilp, rubbing his hands very slowly, and 36943 36944pressing them tight together. 'I thought his cowardice and servility 36945 36946were the best guarantee for his keeping silence. Oh Brass, Brass--my 36947 36948dear, good, affectionate, faithful, complimentary, charming friend--if 36949 36950I only had you here!'<br><br> 36951 36952His wife, who had retreated lest she should seem to listen to these 36953 36954mutterings, ventured to approach him again, and was about to speak, 36955 36956when he hurried to the door, and called Tom Scott, who, remembering his 36957 36958late gentle admonition, deemed it prudent to appear immediately.<br><br> 36959 36960'There!' said the dwarf, pulling him in. 'Take her home. Don't come 36961 36962here to-morrow, for this place will be shut up. Come back no more till 36963 36964you hear from me or see me. Do you mind?'<br><br> 36965 36966Tom nodded sulkily, and beckoned Mrs Quilp to lead the way.<br><br> 36967 36968'As for you,' said the dwarf, addressing himself to her, 'ask no 36969 36970questions about me, make no search for me, say nothing concerning me. 36971 36972I shall not be dead, mistress, and that'll comfort you. He'll take 36973 36974care of you.'<br><br> 36975 36976'But, Quilp? What is the matter? Where are you going? Do say 36977 36978something more?'<br><br> 36979 36980'I'll say that,' said the dwarf, seizing her by the arm, 'and do that 36981 36982too, which undone and unsaid would be best for you, unless you go 36983 36984directly.'<br><br> 36985 36986'Has anything happened?' cried his wife. 'Oh! Do tell me that?'<br><br> 36987 36988'Yes,' snarled the dwarf. 'No. What matter which? I have told you 36989 36990what to do. Woe betide you if you fail to do it, or disobey me by a 36991 36992hair's breadth. Will you go!'<br><br> 36993 36994'I am going, I'll go directly; but,' faltered his wife, 'answer me one 36995 36996question first. Has this letter any connexion with dear little Nell? 36997 36998I must ask you that--I must indeed, Quilp. You cannot think what days 36999 37000and nights of sorrow I have had through having once deceived that 37001 37002child. I don't know what harm I may have brought about, but, great or 37003 37004little, I did it for you, Quilp. My conscience misgave me when I did 37005 37006it. Do answer me this question, if you please?'<br><br> 37007 37008The exasperated dwarf returned no answer, but turned round and caught 37009 37010up his usual weapon with such vehemence, that Tom Scott dragged his 37011 37012charge away, by main force, and as swiftly as he could. It was well he 37013 37014did so, for Quilp, who was nearly mad with rage, pursued them to the 37015 37016neighbouring lane, and might have prolonged the chase but for the dense 37017 37018mist which obscured them from his view and appeared to thicken every 37019 37020moment.<br><br> 37021 37022'It will be a good night for travelling anonymously,' he said, as he 37023 37024returned slowly, being pretty well breathed with his run. 'Stay. We 37025 37026may look better here. This is too hospitable and free.'<br><br> 37027 37028By a great exertion of strength, he closed the two old gates, which 37029 37030were deeply sunken in the mud, and barred them with a heavy beam. That 37031 37032done, he shook his matted hair from about his eyes, and tried 37033 37034them.--Strong and fast.<br><br> 37035 37036'The fence between this wharf and the next is easily climbed,' said the 37037 37038dwarf, when he had taken these precautions. 'There's a back lane, too, 37039 37040from there. That shall be my way out. A man need know his road well, 37041 37042to find it in this lovely place to-night. I need fear no unwelcome 37043 37044visitors while this lasts, I think.'<br><br> 37045 37046Almost reduced to the necessity of groping his way with his hands (it 37047 37048had grown so dark and the fog had so much increased), he returned to 37049 37050his lair; and, after musing for some time over the fire, busied himself 37051 37052in preparations for a speedy departure.<br><br> 37053 37054While he was collecting a few necessaries and cramming them into his 37055 37056pockets, he never once ceased communing with himself in a low voice, or 37057 37058unclenched his teeth, which he had ground together on finishing Miss 37059
37060Brass's note.<br><br> 37061 37062'Oh Sampson!' he muttered, 'good worthy creature--if I could but hug 37063 37064you! If I could only fold you in my arms, and squeeze your ribs, as I 37065 37066COULD squeeze them if I once had you tight--what a meeting there would 37067 37068be between us! If we ever do cross each other again, Sampson, we'll 37069 37070have a greeting not easily to be forgotten, trust me. This time, 37071 37072Sampson, this moment when all had gone on so well, was so nicely 37073 37074chosen! It was so thoughtful of you, so penitent, so good. Oh, if we 37075 37076were face to face in this room again, my white-livered man of law, how 37077 37078well contented one of us would be!'<br><br> 37079 37080There he stopped; and raising the bowl of punch to his lips, drank a 37081 37082long deep draught, as if it were fair water and cooling to his parched 37083 37084mouth. Setting it down abruptly, and resuming his preparations, he 37085 37086went on with his soliloquy.<br><br> 37087 37088'There's Sally,' he said, with flashing eyes; 'the woman has spirit, 37089 37090determination, purpose--was she asleep, or petrified? She could have 37091 37092stabbed him--poisoned him safely. She might have seen this coming on. 37093 37094Why does she give me notice when it's too late? When he sat 37095 37096there,--yonder there, over there,--with his white face, and red head, 37097 37098and sickly smile, why didn't I know what was passing in his heart? It 37099 37100should have stopped beating, that night, if I had been in his secret, 37101 37102or there are no drugs to lull a man to sleep, or no fire to burn him!'<br><br> 37103 37104Another draught from the bowl; and, cowering over the fire with a 37105 37106ferocious aspect, he muttered to himself again.<br><br> 37107 37108'And this, like every other trouble and anxiety I have had of late 37109 37110times, springs from that old dotard and his darling child--two wretched 37111 37112feeble wanderers! I'll be their evil genius yet. And you, sweet Kit, 37113 37114honest Kit, virtuous, innocent Kit, look to yourself. Where I hate, I 37115 37116bite. I hate you, my darling fellow, with good cause, and proud as you 37117 37118are to-night, I'll have my turn.----What's that?'<br><br> 37119 37120A knocking at the gate he had closed. A loud and violent knocking. 37121 37122Then, a pause; as if those who knocked had stopped to listen. Then, 37123 37124the noise again, more clamorous and importunate than before. 'So 37125 37126soon!' said the dwarf. 'And so eager! I am afraid I shall disappoint 37127 37128you. It's well I'm quite prepared. Sally, I thank you!'<br><br> 37129 37130As he spoke, he extinguished the candle. In his impetuous attempts to 37131 37132subdue the brightness of the fire, he overset the stove, which came 37133 37134tumbling forward, and fell with a crash upon the burning embers it had 37135 37136shot forth in its descent, leaving the room in pitchy darkness. The 37137 37138noise at the gate still continuing, he felt his way to the door, and 37139 37140stepped into the open air.<br><br> 37141 37142At that moment the knocking ceased. It was about eight o'clock; but 37143 37144the dead of the darkest night would have been as noon-day in comparison 37145 37146with the thick cloud which then rested upon the earth, and shrouded 37147 37148everything from view. He darted forward for a few paces, as if into 37149 37150the mouth of some dim, yawning cavern; then, thinking he had gone 37151 37152wrong, changed the direction of his steps; then stood still, not 37153 37154knowing where to turn.<br><br> 37155 37156'If they would knock again,' said Quilp, trying to peer into the gloom 37157 37158by which he was surrounded, 'the sound might guide me! Come! Batter 37159 37160the gate once more!'<br><br> 37161 37162He stood listening intently, but the noise was not renewed. Nothing 37163 37164was to be heard in that deserted place, but, at intervals, the distant 37165 37166barkings of dogs. The sound was far away--now in one quarter, now 37167 37168answered in another--nor was it any guide, for it often came from 37169 37170shipboard, as he knew.<br><br> 37171 37172'If I could find a wall or fence,' said the dwarf, stretching out his 37173 37174arms, and walking slowly on, 'I should know which way to turn. A good, 37175 37176black, devil's night this, to have my dear friend here! If I had but 37177 37178that wish, it might, for anything I cared, never be day again.'<br><br> 37179 37180As the word passed his lips, he staggered and fell--and next moment was 37181 37182fighting with the cold dark water!<br><br> 37183 37184For all its bubbling up and rushing in his ears, he could hear the 37185 37186knocking at the gate again--could hear a shout that followed it--could 37187 37188recognise the voice. For all his struggling and plashing, he could 37189 37190understand that they had lost their way, and had wandered back to the 37191 37192point from which they started; that they were all but looking on, while 37193 37194he was drowned; that they were close at hand, but could not make an 37195 37196effort to save him; that he himself had shut and barred them out. He 37197 37198answered the shout--with a yell, which seemed to make the hundred fires 37199 37200that danced before his eyes tremble and flicker, as if a gust of wind 37201 37202had stirred them. It was of no avail. The strong tide filled his 37203 37204throat, and bore him on, upon its rapid current.<br><br> 37205 37206Another mortal struggle, and he was up again, beating the water with 37207 37208his hands, and looking out, with wild and glaring eyes that showed him 37209 37210some black object he was drifting close upon. The hull of a ship! He 37211 37212could touch its smooth and slippery surface with his hand. One loud 37213 37214cry, now--but the resistless water bore him down before he could give 37215 37216it utterance, and, driving him under it, carried away a corpse.<br><br> 37217 37218It toyed and sported with its ghastly freight, now bruising it against 37219 37220the slimy piles, now hiding it in mud or long rank grass, now dragging 37221 37222it heavily over rough stones and gravel, now feigning to yield it to 37223 37224its own element, and in the same action luring it away, until, tired of 37225 37226the ugly plaything, it flung it on a swamp--a dismal place where 37227 37228pirates had swung in chains through many a wintry night--and left it 37229 37230there to bleach.<br><br> 37231 37232And there it lay alone. The sky was red with flame, and the water that 37233 37234bore it there had been tinged with the sullen light as it flowed along. 37235 37236The place the deserted carcass had left so recently, a living man, was 37237 37238now a blazing ruin. There was something of the glare upon its face. 37239 37240The hair, stirred by the damp breeze, played in a kind of mockery of 37241 37242death--such a mockery as the dead man himself would have delighted in 37243 37244when alive--about its head, and its dress fluttered idly in the night 37245 37246wind.<br><br> 37247 37248CHAPTER 68<br><br> 37249 37250Lighted rooms, bright fires, cheerful faces, the music of glad voices, 37251 37252words of love and welcome, warm hearts, and tears of happiness--what a 37253 37254change is this! But it is to such delights that Kit is hastening. 37255 37256They are awaiting him, he knows. He fears he will die of joy, before 37257 37258he gets among them.<br><br> 37259 37260They have prepared him for this, all day. He is not to be carried off 37261 37262to-morrow with the rest, they tell him first. By degrees they let him 37263 37264know that doubts have arisen, that inquiries are to be made, and 37265 37266perhaps he may be pardoned after all. At last, the evening being come, 37267 37268they bring him to a room where some gentlemen are assembled. Foremost 37269 37270among them is his good old master, who comes and takes him by the hand. 37271 37272He hears that his innocence is established, and that he is pardoned. 37273 37274He cannot see the speaker, but he turns towards the voice, and in 37275 37276trying to answer, falls down insensible.<br><br> 37277 37278They recover him again, and tell him he must be composed, and bear this 37279 37280like a man. Somebody says he must think of his poor mother. It is 37281 37282because he does think of her so much, that the happy news had 37283 37284overpowered him. They crowd about him, and tell him that the truth has 37285 37286gone abroad, and that all the town and country ring with sympathy for 37287 37288his misfortunes. He has no ears for this. His thoughts, as yet, have 37289 37290no wider range than home. Does she know it? what did she say? who 37291 37292told her? He can speak of nothing else.<br><br> 37293 37294They make him drink a little wine, and talk kindly to him for a while, 37295 37296until he is more collected, and can listen, and thank them. He is free 37297 37298to go. Mr Garland thinks, if he feels better, it is time they went 37299 37300away. The gentlemen cluster round him, and shake hands with him. He 37301 37302feels very grateful to them for the interest they have in him, and for 37303 37304the kind promises they make; but the power of speech is gone again, and 37305 37306he has much ado to keep his feet, even though leaning on his master's 37307 37308arm.<br><br> 37309 37310As they come through the dismal passages, some officers of the jail who 37311 37312are in waiting there, congratulate him, in their rough way, on his 37313 37314release. The newsmonger is of the number, but his manner is not quite 37315 37316hearty--there is something of surliness in his compliments. He looks 37317 37318upon Kit as an intruder, as one who has obtained admission to that 37319 37320place on false pretences, who has enjoyed a privilege without being 37321 37322duly qualified. He may be a very good sort of young man, he thinks, 37323 37324but he has no business there, and the sooner he is gone, the better.<br><br> 37325 37326The last door shuts behind them. They have passed the outer wall, and 37327 37328stand in the open air--in the street he has so often pictured to 37329 37330himself when hemmed in by the gloomy stones, and which has been in all 37331 37332his dreams. It seems wider and more busy than it used to be. The 37333 37334night is bad, and yet how cheerful and gay in his eyes! One of the 37335 37336gentlemen, in taking leave of him, pressed some money into his hand. 37337 37338He has not counted it; but when they have gone a few paces beyond the 37339
37340box for poor Prisoners, he hastily returns and drops it in.<br><br> 37341 37342Mr Garland has a coach waiting in a neighbouring street, and, taking 37343 37344Kit inside with him, bids the man drive home. At first, they can only 37345 37346travel at a foot pace, and then with torches going on before, because 37347 37348of the heavy fog. But, as they get farther from the river, and leave 37349 37350the closer portions of the town behind, they are able to dispense with 37351 37352this precaution and to proceed at a brisker rate. On the road, hard 37353 37354galloping would be too slow for Kit; but, when they are drawing near 37355 37356their journey's end, he begs they may go more slowly, and, when the 37357 37358house appears in sight, that they may stop--only for a minute or two, 37359 37360to give him time to breathe.<br><br> 37361 37362But there is no stopping then, for the old gentleman speaks stoutly to 37363 37364him, the horses mend their pace, and they are already at the 37365 37366garden-gate. Next minute, they are at the door. There is a noise of 37367 37368tongues, and tread of feet, inside. It opens. Kit rushes in, and 37369 37370finds his mother clinging round his neck.<br><br> 37371 37372And there, too, is the ever faithful Barbara's mother, still holding 37373 37374the baby as if she had never put it down since that sad day when they 37375 37376little hoped to have such joy as this--there she is, Heaven bless her, 37377 37378crying her eyes out, and sobbing as never woman sobbed before; and 37379 37380there is little Barbara--poor little Barbara, so much thinner and so 37381 37382much paler, and yet so very pretty--trembling like a leaf and 37383 37384supporting herself against the wall; and there is Mrs Garland, neater 37385 37386and nicer than ever, fainting away stone dead with nobody to help her; 37387 37388and there is Mr Abel, violently blowing his nose, and wanting to 37389 37390embrace everybody; and there is the single gentleman hovering round 37391 37392them all, and constant to nothing for an instant; and there is that 37393 37394good, dear, thoughtful little Jacob, sitting all alone by himself on 37395 37396the bottom stair, with his hands on his knees like an old man, roaring 37397 37398fearfully without giving any trouble to anybody; and each and all of 37399 37400them are for the time clean out of their wits, and do jointly and 37401 37402severally commit all manner of follies.<br><br> 37403 37404And even when the rest have in some measure come to themselves again, 37405 37406and can find words and smiles, Barbara--that soft-hearted, gentle, 37407 37408foolish little Barbara--is suddenly missed, and found to be in a swoon 37409 37410by herself in the back parlour, from which swoon she falls into 37411 37412hysterics, and from which hysterics into a swoon again, and is, indeed, 37413 37414so bad, that despite a mortal quantity of vinegar and cold water she is 37415 37416hardly a bit better at last than she was at first. Then, Kit's mother 37417 37418comes in and says, will he come and speak to her; and Kit says 'Yes,' 37419 37420and goes; and he says in a kind voice 'Barbara!' and Barbara's mother 37421 37422tells her that 'it's only Kit;' and Barbara says (with her eyes closed 37423 37424all the time) 'Oh! but is it him indeed?' and Barbara's mother says 'To 37425 37426be sure it is, my dear; there's nothing the matter now.' And in 37427 37428further assurance that he's safe and sound, Kit speaks to her again; 37429 37430and then Barbara goes off into another fit of laughter, and then into 37431 37432another fit of crying; and then Barbara's mother and Kit's mother nod 37433 37434to each other and pretend to scold her--but only to bring her to 37435 37436herself the faster, bless you!--and being experienced matrons, and 37437 37438acute at perceiving the first dawning symptoms of recovery, they 37439 37440comfort Kit with the assurance that 'she'll do now,' and so dismiss him 37441 37442to the place from whence he came.<br><br> 37443 37444Well! In that place (which is the next room) there are decanters of 37445 37446wine, and all that sort of thing, set out as grand as if Kit and his 37447 37448friends were first-rate company; and there is little Jacob, walking, as 37449 37450the popular phrase is, into a home-made plum-cake, at a most surprising 37451 37452pace, and keeping his eye on the figs and oranges which are to follow, 37453 37454and making the best use of his time, you may believe. Kit no sooner 37455 37456comes in, than that single gentleman (never was such a busy gentleman) 37457 37458charges all the glasses--bumpers--and drinks his health, and tells him 37459 37460he shall never want a friend while he lives; and so does Mr Garland, 37461 37462and so does Mrs Garland, and so does Mr Abel. But even this honour and 37463 37464distinction is not all, for the single gentleman forthwith pulls out of 37465 37466his pocket a massive silver watch--going hard, and right to half a 37467
37468second--and upon the back of this watch is engraved Kit's name, with 37469 37470flourishes all over; and in short it is Kit's watch, bought expressly 37471 37472for him, and presented to him on the spot. You may rest assured that 37473 37474Mr and Mrs Garland can't help hinting about their present, in store, 37475 37476and that Mr Abel tells outright that he has his; and that Kit is the 37477 37478happiest of the happy.<br><br> 37479 37480There is one friend he has not seen yet, and as he cannot be 37481 37482conveniently introduced into the family circle, by reason of his being 37483 37484an iron-shod quadruped, Kit takes the first opportunity of slipping 37485 37486away and hurrying to the stable. The moment he lays his hand upon the 37487 37488latch, the pony neighs the loudest pony's greeting; before he has 37489 37490crossed the threshold, the pony is capering about his loose box (for he 37491 37492brooks not the indignity of a halter), mad to give him welcome; and 37493 37494when Kit goes up to caress and pat him, the pony rubs his nose against 37495 37496his coat, and fondles him more lovingly than ever pony fondled man. It 37497 37498is the crowning circumstance of his earnest, heartfelt reception; and 37499 37500Kit fairly puts his arm round Whisker's neck and hugs him.<br><br> 37501 37502But how comes Barbara to trip in there? and how smart she is again! 37503 37504she has been at her glass since she recovered. How comes Barbara in 37505 37506the stable, of all places in the world? Why, since Kit has been away, 37507 37508the pony would take his food from nobody but her, and Barbara, you see, 37509 37510not dreaming that Christopher was there, and just looking in, to see 37511 37512that everything was right, has come upon him unawares. Blushing little 37513 37514Barbara!<br><br> 37515 37516It may be that Kit has caressed the pony enough; it may be that there 37517 37518are even better things to caress than ponies. He leaves him for 37519 37520Barbara at any rate, and hopes she is better. Yes. Barbara is a great 37521 37522deal better. She is afraid--and here Barbara looks down and blushes 37523 37524more--that he must have thought her very foolish. 'Not at all,' says 37525 37526Kit. Barbara is glad of that, and coughs--Hem!--just the slightest 37527 37528cough possible--not more than that.<br><br> 37529 37530What a discreet pony when he chooses! He is as quiet now as if he were 37531 37532of marble. He has a very knowing look, but that he always has. 'We 37533 37534have hardly had time to shake hands, Barbara,' says Kit. Barbara gives 37535 37536him hers. Why, she is trembling now! Foolish, fluttering Barbara!<br><br> 37537 37538Arm's length? The length of an arm is not much. Barbara's was not a 37539 37540long arm, by any means, and besides, she didn't hold it out straight, 37541 37542but bent a little. Kit was so near her when they shook hands, that he 37543 37544could see a small tiny tear, yet trembling on an eyelash. It was 37545 37546natural that he should look at it, unknown to Barbara. It was natural 37547 37548that Barbara should raise her eyes unconsciously, and find him out. 37549 37550Was it natural that at that instant, without any previous impulse or 37551 37552design, Kit should kiss Barbara? He did it, whether or no. Barbara 37553 37554said 'for shame,' but let him do it too--twice. He might have done it 37555 37556thrice, but the pony kicked up his heels and shook his head, as if he 37557 37558were suddenly taken with convulsions of delight, and Barbara being 37559 37560frightened, ran away--not straight to where her mother and Kit's mother 37561 37562were, though, lest they should see how red her cheeks were, and should 37563 37564ask her why. Sly little Barbara!<br><br> 37565 37566When the first transports of the whole party had subsided, and Kit and 37567 37568his mother, and Barbara and her mother, with little Jacob and the baby 37569 37570to boot, had had their suppers together--which there was no hurrying 37571 37572over, for they were going to stop there all night--Mr Garland called 37573 37574Kit to him, and taking him into a room where they could be alone, told 37575 37576him that he had something yet to say, which would surprise him greatly. 37577 37578Kit looked so anxious and turned so pale on hearing this, that the old 37579 37580gentleman hastened to add, he would be agreeably surprised; and asked 37581 37582him if he would be ready next morning for a journey.<br><br> 37583 37584'For a journey, sir!' cried Kit.<br><br> 37585 37586'In company with me and my friend in the next room. Can you guess its 37587 37588purpose?'<br><br> 37589 37590Kit turned paler yet, and shook his head.<br><br> 37591 37592'Oh yes. I think you do already,' said his master. 'Try.'<br><br> 37593 37594Kit murmured something rather rambling and unintelligible, but he 37595 37596plainly pronounced the words 'Miss Nell,' three or four times--shaking 37597 37598his head while he did so, as if he would add that there was no hope of 37599 37600that.<br><br> 37601 37602But Mr Garland, instead of saying 'Try again,' as Kit had made sure he 37603 37604would, told him very seriously, that he had guessed right.<br><br> 37605 37606'The place of their retreat is indeed discovered,' he said, 'at last. 37607 37608And that is our journey's end.'<br><br> 37609 37610Kit faltered out such questions as, where was it, and how had it been 37611 37612found, and how long since, and was she well and happy?<br><br> 37613 37614'Happy she is, beyond all doubt,' said Mr Garland. 'And well, I--I 37615 37616trust she will be soon. She has been weak and ailing, as I learn, but 37617 37618she was better when I heard this morning, and they were full of hope. 37619 37620Sit you down, and you shall hear the rest.'<br><br> 37621 37622Scarcely venturing to draw his breath, Kit did as he was told. Mr 37623 37624Garland then related to him, how he had a brother (of whom he would 37625 37626remember to have heard him speak, and whose picture, taken when he was 37627 37628a young man, hung in the best room), and how this brother lived a long 37629 37630way off, in a country-place, with an old clergyman who had been his 37631 37632early friend. How, although they loved each other as brothers should, 37633 37634they had not met for many years, but had communicated by letter from 37635 37636time to time, always looking forward to some period when they would 37637 37638take each other by the hand once more, and still letting the Present 37639 37640time steal on, as it was the habit for men to do, and suffering the 37641 37642Future to melt into the Past. How this brother, whose temper was very 37643 37644mild and quiet and retiring--such as Mr Abel's--was greatly beloved by 37645 37646the simple people among whom he dwelt, who quite revered the Bachelor 37647 37648(for so they called him), and had every one experienced his charity and 37649 37650benevolence. How even those slight circumstances had come to his 37651 37652knowledge, very slowly and in course of years, for the Bachelor was one 37653 37654of those whose goodness shuns the light, and who have more pleasure in 37655 37656discovering and extolling the good deeds of others, than in trumpeting 37657 37658their own, be they never so commendable. How, for that reason, he 37659 37660seldom told them of his village friends; but how, for all that, his 37661 37662mind had become so full of two among them--a child and an old man, to 37663 37664whom he had been very kind--that, in a letter received a few days 37665 37666before, he had dwelt upon them from first to last, and had told such a 37667 37668tale of their wandering, and mutual love, that few could read it 37669 37670without being moved to tears. How he, the recipient of that letter, 37671 37672was directly led to the belief that these must be the very wanderers 37673 37674for whom so much search had been made, and whom Heaven had directed to 37675 37676his brother's care. How he had written for such further information as 37677 37678would put the fact beyond all doubt; how it had that morning arrived; 37679
37680had confirmed his first impression into a certainty; and was the 37681 37682immediate cause of that journey being planned, which they were to take 37683 37684to-morrow.<br><br> 37685 37686'In the meantime,' said the old gentleman rising, and laying his hand 37687 37688on Kit's shoulder, 'you have a great need of rest; for such a day as 37689 37690this would wear out the strongest man. Good night, and Heaven send our 37691 37692journey may have a prosperous ending!'<br><br> 37693 37694CHAPTER 69<br><br> 37695 37696Kit was no sluggard next morning, but, springing from his bed some time 37697 37698before day, began to prepare for his welcome expedition. The hurry of 37699 37700spirits consequent upon the events of yesterday, and the unexpected 37701 37702intelligence he had heard at night, had troubled his sleep through the 37703 37704long dark hours, and summoned such uneasy dreams about his pillow that 37705 37706it was rest to rise.<br><br> 37707 37708But, had it been the beginning of some great labour with the same end 37709 37710in view--had it been the commencement of a long journey, to be 37711 37712performed on foot in that inclement season of the year, to be pursued 37713 37714under very privation and difficulty, and to be achieved only with great 37715 37716distress, fatigue, and suffering--had it been the dawn of some painful 37717 37718enterprise, certain to task his utmost powers of resolution and 37719 37720endurance, and to need his utmost fortitude, but only likely to end, if 37721 37722happily achieved, in good fortune and delight to Nell--Kit's cheerful 37723 37724zeal would have been as highly roused: Kit's ardour and impatience 37725 37726would have been, at least, the same.<br><br> 37727 37728Nor was he alone excited and eager. Before he had been up a quarter of 37729 37730an hour the whole house were astir and busy. Everybody hurried to do 37731 37732something towards facilitating the preparations. The single gentleman, 37733
37734it is true, could do nothing himself, but he overlooked everybody else 37735 37736and was more locomotive than anybody. The work of packing and making 37737 37738ready went briskly on, and by daybreak every preparation for the 37739 37740journey was completed. Then Kit began to wish they had not been quite 37741 37742so nimble; for the travelling-carriage which had been hired for the 37743 37744occasion was not to arrive until nine o'clock, and there was nothing 37745 37746but breakfast to fill up the intervening blank of one hour and a half. 37747 37748Yes there was, though. There was Barbara. Barbara was busy, to be 37749 37750sure, but so much the better--Kit could help her, and that would pass 37751 37752away the time better than any means that could be devised. Barbara had 37753 37754no objection to this arrangement, and Kit, tracking out the idea which 37755 37756had come upon him so suddenly overnight, began to think that surely 37757 37758Barbara was fond of him, and surely he was fond of Barbara.<br><br> 37759 37760Now, Barbara, if the truth must be told--as it must and ought to 37761 37762be--Barbara seemed, of all the little household, to take least pleasure 37763 37764in the bustle of the occasion; and when Kit, in the openness of his 37765 37766heart, told her how glad and overjoyed it made him, Barbara became more 37767 37768downcast still, and seemed to have even less pleasure in it than before!<br><br> 37769 37770'You have not been home so long, Christopher,' said Barbara--and it is 37771 37772impossible to tell how carelessly she said it--'You have not been home 37773 37774so long, that you need to be glad to go away again, I should think.'<br><br> 37775 37776'But for such a purpose,' returned Kit. 'To bring back Miss Nell! To 37777 37778see her again! Only think of that! I am so pleased too, to think that 37779 37780you will see her, Barbara, at last.'<br><br> 37781 37782Barbara did not absolutely say that she felt no gratification on this 37783 37784point, but she expressed the sentiment so plainly by one little toss of 37785 37786her head, that Kit was quite disconcerted, and wondered, in his 37787 37788simplicity, why she was so cool about it.<br><br> 37789 37790'You'll say she has the sweetest and beautifullest face you ever saw, I 37791 37792know,' said Kit, rubbing his hands. 'I'm sure you'll say that.'<br><br> 37793 37794Barbara tossed her head again.<br><br> 37795 37796'What's the matter, Barbara?' said Kit.<br><br> 37797 37798'Nothing,' cried Barbara. And Barbara pouted--not sulkily, or in an 37799 37800ugly manner, but just enough to make her look more cherry-lipped than 37801 37802ever.<br><br> 37803 37804There is no school in which a pupil gets on so fast, as that in which 37805 37806Kit became a scholar when he gave Barbara the kiss. He saw what 37807 37808Barbara meant now--he had his lesson by heart all at once--she was the 37809 37810book--there it was before him, as plain as print.<br><br> 37811 37812'Barbara,' said Kit, 'you're not cross with me?'<br><br> 37813 37814Oh dear no! Why should Barbara be cross? And what right had she to be 37815 37816cross? And what did it matter whether she was cross or not? Who 37817 37818minded her!<br><br> 37819 37820'Why, I do,' said Kit. 'Of course I do.'<br><br> 37821 37822Barbara didn't see why it was of course, at all.<br><br> 37823 37824Kit was sure she must. Would she think again?<br><br> 37825 37826Certainly, Barbara would think again. No, she didn't see why it was of 37827 37828course. She didn't understand what Christopher meant. And besides she 37829 37830was sure they wanted her up stairs by this time, and she must go, 37831 37832indeed--<br><br> 37833 37834'No, but Barbara,' said Kit, detaining her gently, 'let us part 37835 37836friends. I was always thinking of you, in my troubles. I should have 37837 37838been a great deal more miserable than I was, if it hadn't been for you.'<br><br> 37839 37840Goodness gracious, how pretty Barbara was when she coloured--and when 37841 37842she trembled, like a little shrinking bird!<br><br> 37843 37844'I am telling you the truth, Barbara, upon my word, but not half so 37845 37846strong as I could wish,' said Kit. 'When I want you to be pleased to 37847 37848see Miss Nell, it's only because I like you to be pleased with what 37849 37850pleases me--that's all. As to her, Barbara, I think I could almost die 37851 37852to do her service, but you would think so too, if you knew her as I do. 37853 37854I am sure you would.'<br><br> 37855 37856Barbara was touched, and sorry to have appeared indifferent.<br><br> 37857 37858'I have been used, you see,' said Kit, 'to talk and think of her, 37859 37860almost as if she was an angel. When I look forward to meeting her 37861 37862again, I think of her smiling as she used to do, and being glad to see 37863 37864me, and putting out her hand and saying, "It's my own old Kit," or some 37865 37866such words as those--like what she used to say. I think of seeing her 37867 37868happy, and with friends about her, and brought up as she deserves, and 37869 37870as she ought to be. When I think of myself, it's as her old servant, 37871 37872and one that loved her dearly, as his kind, good, gentle mistress; and 37873 37874who would have gone--yes, and still would go--through any harm to serve 37875
37876her. Once, I couldn't help being afraid that if she came back with 37877 37878friends about her she might forget, or be ashamed of having known, a 37879 37880humble lad like me, and so might speak coldly, which would have cut me, 37881 37882Barbara, deeper than I can tell. But when I came to think again, I 37883 37884felt sure that I was doing her wrong in this; and so I went on, as I 37885 37886did at first, hoping to see her once more, just as she used to be. 37887 37888Hoping this, and remembering what she was, has made me feel as if I 37889 37890would always try to please her, and always be what I should like to 37891 37892seem to her if I was still her servant. If I'm the better for 37893 37894that--and I don't think I'm the worse--I am grateful to her for it, and 37895 37896love and honour her the more. That's the plain honest truth, dear 37897 37898Barbara, upon my word it is!'<br><br> 37899 37900Little Barbara was not of a wayward or capricious nature, and, being 37901 37902full of remorse, melted into tears. To what more conversation this 37903 37904might have led, we need not stop to inquire; for the wheels of the 37905 37906carriage were heard at that moment, and, being followed by a smart ring 37907 37908at the garden gate, caused the bustle in the house, which had laid 37909 37910dormant for a short time, to burst again into tenfold life and vigour.<br><br> 37911 37912Simultaneously with the travelling equipage, arrived Mr Chuckster in a 37913 37914hackney cab, with certain papers and supplies of money for the single 37915 37916gentleman, into whose hands he delivered them. This duty discharged, 37917 37918he subsided into the bosom of the family; and, entertaining himself 37919 37920with a strolling or peripatetic breakfast, watched, with genteel 37921 37922indifference, the process of loading the carriage.<br><br> 37923 37924'Snobby's in this, I see, Sir?' he said to Mr Abel Garland. 'I thought 37925 37926he wasn't in the last trip because it was expected that his presence 37927 37928wouldn't be acceptable to the ancient buffalo.'<br><br> 37929 37930'To whom, Sir?' demanded Mr Abel.<br><br> 37931 37932'To the old gentleman,' returned Mr Chuckster, slightly abashed.<br><br> 37933 37934'Our client prefers to take him now,' said Mr Abel, drily. 'There is 37935 37936no longer any need for that precaution, as my father's relationship to 37937 37938a gentleman in whom the objects of his search have full confidence, 37939 37940will be a sufficient guarantee for the friendly nature of their errand.'<br><br> 37941 37942'Ah!' thought Mr Chuckster, looking out of window, 'anybody but me! 37943 37944Snobby before me, of course. He didn't happen to take that particular 37945 37946five-pound note, but I have not the smallest doubt that he's always up 37947 37948to something of that sort. I always said it, long before this came 37949 37950out. Devilish pretty girl that! 'Pon my soul, an amazing little 37951 37952creature!'<br><br> 37953 37954Barbara was the subject of Mr Chuckster's commendations; and as she was 37955 37956lingering near the carriage (all being now ready for its departure), 37957 37958that gentleman was suddenly seized with a strong interest in the 37959 37960proceedings, which impelled him to swagger down the garden, and take up 37961 37962his position at a convenient ogling distance. Having had great 37963 37964experience of the sex, and being perfectly acquainted with all those 37965 37966little artifices which find the readiest road to their hearts, Mr 37967 37968Chuckster, on taking his ground, planted one hand on his hip, and with 37969 37970the other adjusted his flowing hair. This is a favourite attitude in 37971 37972the polite circles, and, accompanied with a graceful whistling, has 37973 37974been known to do immense execution.<br><br> 37975 37976Such, however, is the difference between town and country, that nobody 37977 37978took the smallest notice of this insinuating figure; the wretches being 37979 37980wholly engaged in bidding the travellers farewell, in kissing hands to 37981 37982each other, waving handkerchiefs, and the like tame and vulgar 37983 37984practices. For now the single gentleman and Mr Garland were in the 37985 37986carriage, and the post-boy was in the saddle, and Kit, well wrapped and 37987 37988muffled up, was in the rumble behind; and Mrs Garland was there, and Mr 37989 37990Abel was there, and Kit's mother was there, and little Jacob was there, 37991 37992and Barbara's mother was visible in remote perspective, nursing the 37993 37994ever-wakeful baby; and all were nodding, beckoning, curtseying, or 37995 37996crying out, 'Good bye!' with all the energy they could express. In 37997 37998another minute, the carriage was out of sight; and Mr Chuckster 37999 38000remained alone on the spot where it had lately been, with a vision of 38001 38002Kit standing up in the rumble waving his hand to Barbara, and of 38003 38004Barbara in the full light and lustre of his eyes--his 38005 38006eyes--Chuckster's--Chuckster the successful--on whom ladies of quality 38007 38008had looked with favour from phaetons in the parks on Sundays--waving 38009 38010hers to Kit!<br><br> 38011 38012How Mr Chuckster, entranced by this monstrous fact, stood for some time 38013 38014rooted to the earth, protesting within himself that Kit was the Prince 38015 38016of felonious characters, and very Emperor or Great Mogul of Snobs, and 38017 38018how he clearly traced this revolting circumstance back to that old 38019 38020villany of the shilling, are matters foreign to our purpose; which is 38021 38022to track the rolling wheels, and bear the travellers company on their 38023 38024cold, bleak journey.<br><br> 38025 38026It was a bitter day. A keen wind was blowing, and rushed against them 38027 38028fiercely: bleaching the hard ground, shaking the white frost from the 38029 38030trees and hedges, and whirling it away like dust. But little cared Kit 38031 38032for weather. There was a freedom and freshness in the wind, as it came 38033 38034howling by, which, let it cut never so sharp, was welcome. As it swept 38035 38036on with its cloud of frost, bearing down the dry twigs and boughs and 38037 38038withered leaves, and carrying them away pell-mell, it seemed as though 38039 38040some general sympathy had got abroad, and everything was in a hurry, 38041 38042like themselves. The harder the gusts, the better progress they 38043 38044appeared to make. It was a good thing to go struggling and fighting 38045 38046forward, vanquishing them one by one; to watch them driving up, 38047 38048gathering strength and fury as they came along; to bend for a moment, 38049 38050as they whistled past; and then to look back and see them speed away, 38051 38052their hoarse noise dying in the distance, and the stout trees cowering 38053 38054down before them.<br><br> 38055 38056All day long, it blew without cessation. The night was clear and 38057 38058starlight, but the wind had not fallen, and the cold was piercing. 38059 38060Sometimes--towards the end of a long stage--Kit could not help wishing 38061 38062it were a little warmer: but when they stopped to change horses, and he 38063 38064had had a good run, and what with that, and the bustle of paying the 38065 38066old postilion, and rousing the new one, and running to and fro again 38067 38068until the horses were put to, he was so warm that the blood tingled and 38069 38070smarted in his fingers' ends--then, he felt as if to have it one 38071 38072degree less cold would be to lose half the delight and glory of the 38073 38074journey: and up he jumped again, right cheerily, singing to the merry 38075 38076music of the wheels as they rolled away, and, leaving the townspeople 38077 38078in their warm beds, pursued their course along the lonely road.<br><br> 38079 38080Meantime the two gentlemen inside, who were little disposed to sleep, 38081 38082beguiled the time with conversation. As both were anxious and 38083 38084expectant, it naturally turned upon the subject of their expedition, on 38085 38086the manner in which it had been brought about, and on the hopes and 38087 38088fears they entertained respecting it. Of the former they had many, of 38089 38090the latter few--none perhaps beyond that indefinable uneasiness which 38091 38092is inseparable from suddenly awakened hope, and protracted expectation.<br><br> 38093 38094In one of the pauses of their discourse, and when half the night had 38095 38096worn away, the single gentleman, who had gradually become more and more 38097 38098silent and thoughtful, turned to his companion and said abruptly:<br><br> 38099 38100'Are you a good listener?'<br><br> 38101 38102'Like most other men, I suppose,' returned Mr Garland, smiling. 'I can 38103 38104be, if I am interested; and if not interested, I should still try to 38105 38106appear so. Why do you ask?'<br><br> 38107 38108'I have a short narrative on my lips,' rejoined his friend, 'and will 38109 38110try you with it. It is very brief.'<br><br> 38111 38112Pausing for no reply, he laid his hand on the old gentleman's sleeve, 38113 38114and proceeded thus:<br><br> 38115 38116'There were once two brothers, who loved each other dearly. There was 38117 38118a disparity in their ages--some twelve years. I am not sure but they 38119 38120may insensibly have loved each other the better for that reason. Wide 38121 38122as the interval between them was, however, they became rivals too soon. 38123 38124The deepest and strongest affection of both their hearts settled upon 38125 38126one object.<br><br> 38127 38128'The youngest--there were reasons for his being sensitive and 38129 38130watchful--was the first to find this out. I will not tell you what 38131 38132misery he underwent, what agony of soul he knew, how great his mental 38133 38134struggle was. He had been a sickly child. His brother, patient and 38135 38136considerate in the midst of his own high health and strength, had many 38137 38138and many a day denied himself the sports he loved, to sit beside his 38139 38140couch, telling him old stories till his pale face lighted up with an 38141 38142unwonted glow; to carry him in his arms to some green spot, where he 38143 38144could tend the poor pensive boy as he looked upon the bright summer 38145 38146day, and saw all nature healthy but himself; to be, in any way, his 38147 38148fond and faithful nurse. I may not dwell on all he did, to make the 38149 38150poor, weak creature love him, or my tale would have no end. But when 38151 38152the time of trial came, the younger brother's heart was full of those 38153 38154old days. Heaven strengthened it to repay the sacrifices of 38155 38156inconsiderate youth by one of thoughtful manhood. He left his brother 38157 38158to be happy. The truth never passed his lips, and he quitted the 38159 38160country, hoping to die abroad.<br><br> 38161 38162'The elder brother married her. She was in Heaven before long, and 38163 38164left him with an infant daughter.<br><br> 38165 38166'If you have seen the picture-gallery of any one old family, you will 38167 38168remember how the same face and figure--often the fairest and slightest 38169
38170of them all--come upon you in different generations; and how you trace 38171 38172the same sweet girl through a long line of portraits--never growing 38173 38174old or changing--the Good Angel of the race--abiding by them in all 38175 38176reverses--redeeming all their sins--<br><br> 38177 38178'In this daughter the mother lived again. You may judge with what 38179 38180devotion he who lost that mother almost in the winning, clung to this 38181 38182girl, her breathing image. She grew to womanhood, and gave her heart 38183 38184to one who could not know its worth. Well! Her fond father could not 38185 38186see her pine and droop. He might be more deserving than he thought 38187 38188him. He surely might become so, with a wife like her. He joined their 38189 38190hands, and they were married.<br><br> 38191 38192'Through all the misery that followed this union; through all the cold 38193 38194neglect and undeserved reproach; through all the poverty he brought 38195 38196upon her; through all the struggles of their daily life, too mean and 38197 38198pitiful to tell, but dreadful to endure; she toiled on, in the deep 38199 38200devotion of her spirit, and in her better nature, as only women can. 38201 38202Her means and substance wasted; her father nearly beggared by her 38203 38204husband's hand, and the hourly witness (for they lived now under one 38205 38206roof) of her ill-usage and unhappiness,--she never, but for him, 38207 38208bewailed her fate. Patient, and upheld by strong affection to the 38209 38210last, she died a widow of some three weeks' date, leaving to her 38211 38212father's care two orphans; one a son of ten or twelve years old; the 38213 38214other a girl--such another infant child--the same in helplessness, in 38215 38216age, in form, in feature--as she had been herself when her young mother 38217 38218died.<br><br> 38219 38220'The elder brother, grandfather to these two children, was now a broken 38221 38222man; crushed and borne down, less by the weight of years than by the 38223 38224heavy hand of sorrow. With the wreck of his possessions, he began to 38225 38226trade--in pictures first, and then in curious ancient things. He had 38227 38228entertained a fondness for such matters from a boy, and the tastes he 38229 38230had cultivated were now to yield him an anxious and precarious 38231 38232subsistence.<br><br> 38233 38234'The boy grew like his father in mind and person; the girl so like her 38235 38236mother, that when the old man had her on his knee, and looked into her 38237 38238mild blue eyes, he felt as if awakening from a wretched dream, and his 38239 38240daughter were a little child again. The wayward boy soon spurned the 38241 38242shelter of his roof, and sought associates more congenial to his taste. 38243 38244The old man and the child dwelt alone together.<br><br> 38245 38246'It was then, when the love of two dead people who had been nearest and 38247 38248dearest to his heart, was all transferred to this slight creature; when 38249 38250her face, constantly before him, reminded him, from hour to hour, of 38251 38252the too early change he had seen in such another--of all the 38253 38254sufferings he had watched and known, and all his child had undergone; 38255 38256when the young man's profligate and hardened course drained him of 38257 38258money as his father's had, and even sometimes occasioned them temporary 38259 38260privation and distress; it was then that there began to beset him, and 38261 38262to be ever in his mind, a gloomy dread of poverty and want. He had no 38263 38264thought for himself in this. His fear was for the child. It was a 38265 38266spectre in his house, and haunted him night and day.<br><br> 38267 38268'The younger brother had been a traveller in many countries, and had 38269 38270made his pilgrimage through life alone. His voluntary banishment had 38271 38272been misconstrued, and he had borne (not without pain) reproach and 38273 38274slight for doing that which had wrung his heart, and cast a mournful 38275 38276shadow on his path. Apart from this, communication between him and the 38277 38278elder was difficult, and uncertain, and often failed; still, it was not 38279 38280so wholly broken off but that he learnt--with long blanks and gaps 38281 38282between each interval of information--all that I have told you now.<br><br> 38283 38284'Then, dreams of their young, happy life--happy to him though laden 38285 38286with pain and early care--visited his pillow yet oftener than before; 38287 38288and every night, a boy again, he was at his brother's side. With the 38289 38290utmost speed he could exert, he settled his affairs; converted into 38291 38292money all the goods he had; and, with honourable wealth enough for 38293 38294both, with open heart and hand, with limbs that trembled as they bore 38295 38296him on, with emotion such as men can hardly bear and live, arrived one 38297 38298evening at his brother's door!'<br><br> 38299 38300The narrator, whose voice had faltered lately, stopped.<br><br> 38301 38302'The rest,' said Mr Garland, pressing his hand after a pause, 'I know.'<br><br> 38303 38304'Yes,' rejoined his friend, 'we may spare ourselves the sequel. You 38305 38306know the poor result of all my search. Even when by dint of such 38307 38308inquiries as the utmost vigilance and sagacity could set on foot, we 38309 38310found they had been seen with two poor travelling showmen--and in time 38311 38312discovered the men themselves--and in time, the actual place of their 38313 38314retreat; even then, we were too late. Pray God, we are not too late 38315 38316again!'<br><br> 38317 38318'We cannot be,' said Mr Garland. 'This time we must succeed.'<br><br> 38319 38320'I have believed and hoped so,' returned the other. 'I try to believe 38321 38322and hope so still. But a heavy weight has fallen on my spirits, my 38323 38324good friend, and the sadness that gathers over me, will yield to 38325 38326neither hope nor reason.'<br><br> 38327 38328'That does not surprise me,' said Mr Garland; 'it is a natural 38329 38330consequence of the events you have recalled; of this dreary time and 38331 38332place; and above all, of this wild and dismal night. A dismal night, 38333 38334indeed! Hark! how the wind is howling!'<br><br> 38335 38336CHAPTER 70<br><br> 38337 38338Day broke, and found them still upon their way. Since leaving home, 38339 38340they had halted here and there for necessary refreshment, and had 38341 38342frequently been delayed, especially in the night time, by waiting for 38343 38344fresh horses. They had made no other stoppages, but the weather 38345 38346continued rough, and the roads were often steep and heavy. It would be 38347 38348night again before they reached their place of destination.<br><br> 38349 38350Kit, all bluff and hardened with the cold, went on manfully; and, 38351 38352having enough to do to keep his blood circulating, to picture to 38353 38354himself the happy end of this adventurous journey, and to look about 38355 38356him and be amazed at everything, had little spare time for thinking of 38357 38358discomforts. Though his impatience, and that of his fellow-travellers, 38359 38360rapidly increased as the day waned, the hours did not stand still. The 38361 38362short daylight of winter soon faded away, and it was dark again when 38363 38364they had yet many miles to travel.<br><br> 38365 38366As it grew dusk, the wind fell; its distant moanings were more low and 38367 38368mournful; and, as it came creeping up the road, and rattling covertly 38369 38370among the dry brambles on either hand, it seemed like some great 38371
38372phantom for whom the way was narrow, whose garments rustled as it 38373 38374stalked along. By degrees it lulled and died away, and then it came on 38375 38376to snow.<br><br> 38377 38378The flakes fell fast and thick, soon covering the ground some inches 38379 38380deep, and spreading abroad a solemn stillness. The rolling wheels were 38381 38382noiseless, and the sharp ring and clatter of the horses' hoofs, became 38383 38384a dull, muffled tramp. The life of their progress seemed to be slowly 38385 38386hushed, and something death-like to usurp its place.<br><br> 38387 38388Shading his eyes from the falling snow, which froze upon their lashes 38389 38390and obscured his sight, Kit often tried to catch the earliest glimpse 38391 38392of twinkling lights, denoting their approach to some not distant town. 38393 38394He could descry objects enough at such times, but none correctly. Now, 38395 38396a tall church spire appeared in view, which presently became a tree, a 38397 38398barn, a shadow on the ground, thrown on it by their own bright lamps. 38399 38400Now, there were horsemen, foot-passengers, carriages, going on before, 38401 38402or meeting them in narrow ways; which, when they were close upon them, 38403 38404turned to shadows too. A wall, a ruin, a sturdy gable end, would rise 38405 38406up in the road; and, when they were plunging headlong at it, would be 38407 38408the road itself. Strange turnings too, bridges, and sheets of water, 38409 38410appeared to start up here and there, making the way doubtful and 38411 38412uncertain; and yet they were on the same bare road, and these things, 38413 38414like the others, as they were passed, turned into dim illusions.<br><br> 38415 38416He descended slowly from his seat--for his limbs were numbed--when 38417 38418they arrived at a lone posting-house, and inquired how far they had to 38419 38420go to reach their journey's end. It was a late hour in such by-places, 38421 38422and the people were abed; but a voice answered from an upper window, 38423 38424Ten miles. The ten minutes that ensued appeared an hour; but at the 38425 38426end of that time, a shivering figure led out the horses they required, 38427 38428and after another brief delay they were again in motion. It was a 38429 38430cross-country road, full, after the first three or four miles, of holes 38431 38432and cart-ruts, which, being covered by the snow, were so many pitfalls 38433 38434to the trembling horses, and obliged them to keep a footpace. As it 38435 38436was next to impossible for men so much agitated as they were by this 38437 38438time, to sit still and move so slowly, all three got out and plodded on 38439 38440behind the carriage. The distance seemed interminable, and the walk 38441 38442was most laborious. As each was thinking within himself that the 38443 38444driver must have lost his way, a church bell, close at hand, struck the 38445 38446hour of midnight, and the carriage stopped. It had moved softly 38447 38448enough, but when it ceased to crunch the snow, the silence was as 38449 38450startling as if some great noise had been replaced by perfect stillness.<br><br> 38451 38452'This is the place, gentlemen,' said the driver, dismounting from his 38453 38454horse, and knocking at the door of a little inn. 'Halloa! Past twelve 38455 38456o'clock is the dead of night here.'<br><br> 38457 38458The knocking was loud and long, but it failed to rouse the drowsy 38459 38460inmates. All continued dark and silent as before. They fell back a 38461 38462little, and looked up at the windows, which were mere black patches in 38463 38464the whitened house front. No light appeared. The house might have 38465 38466been deserted, or the sleepers dead, for any air of life it had about 38467 38468it.<br><br> 38469 38470They spoke together with a strange inconsistency, in whispers; 38471 38472unwilling to disturb again the dreary echoes they had just now raised.<br><br> 38473 38474'Let us go on,' said the younger brother, 'and leave this good fellow 38475 38476to wake them, if he can. I cannot rest until I know that we are not 38477 38478too late. Let us go on, in the name of Heaven!'<br><br> 38479 38480They did so, leaving the postilion to order such accommodation as the 38481 38482house afforded, and to renew his knocking. Kit accompanied them with a 38483 38484little bundle, which he had hung in the carriage when they left home, 38485 38486and had not forgotten since--the bird in his old cage--just as she had 38487 38488left him. She would be glad to see her bird, he knew.<br><br> 38489 38490The road wound gently downward. As they proceeded, they lost sight of 38491 38492the church whose clock they had heard, and of the small village 38493 38494clustering round it. The knocking, which was now renewed, and which in 38495 38496that stillness they could plainly hear, troubled them. They wished the 38497 38498man would forbear, or that they had told him not to break the silence 38499 38500until they returned.<br><br> 38501 38502The old church tower, clad in a ghostly garb of pure cold white, again 38503 38504rose up before them, and a few moments brought them close beside it. A 38505 38506venerable building--grey, even in the midst of the hoary landscape. An 38507 38508ancient sun-dial on the belfry wall was nearly hidden by the 38509 38510snow-drift, and scarcely to be known for what it was. Time itself 38511 38512seemed to have grown dull and old, as if no day were ever to displace 38513 38514the melancholy night.<br><br> 38515 38516A wicket gate was close at hand, but there was more than one path 38517 38518across the churchyard to which it led, and, uncertain which to take, 38519 38520they came to a stand again.<br><br> 38521
38522The village street--if street that could be called which was an 38523 38524irregular cluster of poor cottages of many heights and ages, some with 38525 38526their fronts, some with their backs, and some with gable ends towards 38527 38528the road, with here and there a signpost, or a shed encroaching on the 38529 38530path--was close at hand. There was a faint light in a chamber window 38531 38532not far off, and Kit ran towards that house to ask their way.<br><br> 38533 38534His first shout was answered by an old man within, who presently 38535 38536appeared at the casement, wrapping some garment round his throat as a 38537 38538protection from the cold, and demanded who was abroad at that 38539 38540unseasonable hour, wanting him.<br><br> 38541 38542''Tis hard weather this,' he grumbled, 'and not a night to call me up 38543 38544in. My trade is not of that kind that I need be roused from bed. The 38545 38546business on which folks want me, will keep cold, especially at this 38547 38548season. What do you want?'<br><br> 38549 38550'I would not have roused you, if I had known you were old and ill,' 38551 38552said Kit.<br><br> 38553 38554'Old!' repeated the other peevishly. 'How do you know I am old? Not 38555 38556so old as you think, friend, perhaps. As to being ill, you will find 38557 38558many young people in worse case than I am. More's the pity that it 38559 38560should be so--not that I should be strong and hearty for my years, I 38561 38562mean, but that they should be weak and tender. I ask your pardon 38563 38564though,' said the old man, 'if I spoke rather rough at first. My eyes 38565 38566are not good at night--that's neither age nor illness; they never 38567 38568were--and I didn't see you were a stranger.'<br><br> 38569 38570'I am sorry to call you from your bed,' said Kit, 'but those gentlemen 38571 38572you may see by the churchyard gate, are strangers too, who have just 38573 38574arrived from a long journey, and seek the parsonage-house. You can 38575 38576direct us?'<br><br> 38577 38578'I should be able to,' answered the old man, in a trembling voice, 38579 38580'for, come next summer, I have been sexton here, good fifty years. The 38581 38582right hand path, friend, is the road.--There is no ill news for our 38583 38584good gentleman, I hope?'<br><br> 38585 38586Kit thanked him, and made him a hasty answer in the negative; he was 38587 38588turning back, when his attention was caught by the voice of a child. 38589 38590Looking up, he saw a very little creature at a neighbouring window.<br><br> 38591 38592'What is that?' cried the child, earnestly. 'Has my dream come true? 38593 38594Pray speak to me, whoever that is, awake and up.'<br><br> 38595 38596'Poor boy!' said the sexton, before Kit could answer, 'how goes it, 38597 38598darling?' 'Has my dream come true?' exclaimed the child again, in a 38599 38600voice so fervent that it might have thrilled to the heart of any 38601 38602listener. 'But no, that can never be! How could it be--Oh! how could 38603 38604it!'<br><br> 38605 38606'I guess his meaning,' said the sexton. 'To bed again, poor boy!'<br><br> 38607 38608'Ay!' cried the child, in a burst of despair. 'I knew it could never 38609 38610be, I felt too sure of that, before I asked! But, all to-night, and 38611 38612last night too, it was the same. I never fall asleep, but that cruel 38613 38614dream comes back.'<br><br> 38615 38616'Try to sleep again,' said the old man, soothingly. 'It will go in 38617 38618time.'<br><br> 38619 38620'No no, I would rather that it staid--cruel as it is, I would rather 38621 38622that it staid,' rejoined the child. 'I am not afraid to have it in my 38623 38624sleep, but I am so sad--so very, very sad.'<br><br> 38625 38626The old man blessed him, the child in tears replied Good night, and Kit 38627 38628was again alone.<br><br> 38629 38630He hurried back, moved by what he had heard, though more by the child's 38631 38632manner than by anything he had said, as his meaning was hidden from 38633 38634him. They took the path indicated by the sexton, and soon arrived 38635
38636before the parsonage wall. Turning round to look about them when they 38637 38638had got thus far, they saw, among some ruined buildings at a distance, 38639 38640one single solitary light.<br><br> 38641 38642It shone from what appeared to be an old oriel window, and being 38643 38644surrounded by the deep shadows of overhanging walls, sparkled like a 38645 38646star. Bright and glimmering as the stars above their heads, lonely and 38647 38648motionless as they, it seemed to claim some kindred with the eternal 38649 38650lamps of Heaven, and to burn in fellowship with them.<br><br> 38651 38652'What light is that!' said the younger brother.<br><br> 38653 38654'It is surely,' said Mr Garland, 'in the ruin where they live. I see 38655 38656no other ruin hereabouts.'<br><br> 38657 38658'They cannot,' returned the brother hastily, 'be waking at this late 38659 38660hour--'<br><br> 38661 38662Kit interposed directly, and begged that, while they rang and waited at 38663 38664the gate, they would let him make his way to where this light was 38665 38666shining, and try to ascertain if any people were about. Obtaining the 38667 38668permission he desired, he darted off with breathless eagerness, and, 38669 38670still carrying the birdcage in his hand, made straight towards the spot.<br><br> 38671 38672It was not easy to hold that pace among the graves, and at another time 38673 38674he might have gone more slowly, or round by the path. Unmindful of all 38675 38676obstacles, however, he pressed forward without slackening his speed, 38677 38678and soon arrived within a few yards of the window. He approached as 38679 38680softly as he could, and advancing so near the wall as to brush the 38681 38682whitened ivy with his dress, listened. There was no sound inside. The 38683 38684church itself was not more quiet. Touching the glass with his cheek, 38685 38686he listened again. No. And yet there was such a silence all around, 38687 38688that he felt sure he could have heard even the breathing of a sleeper, 38689 38690if there had been one there.<br><br> 38691 38692A strange circumstance, a light in such a place at that time of night, 38693 38694with no one near it.<br><br> 38695 38696A curtain was drawn across the lower portion of the window, and he 38697 38698could not see into the room. But there was no shadow thrown upon it 38699 38700from within. To have gained a footing on the wall and tried to look in 38701 38702from above, would have been attended with some danger--certainly with 38703 38704some noise, and the chance of terrifying the child, if that really were 38705 38706her habitation. Again and again he listened; again and again the same 38707 38708wearisome blank.<br><br> 38709 38710Leaving the spot with slow and cautious steps, and skirting the ruin 38711 38712for a few paces, he came at length to a door. He knocked. No answer. 38713 38714But there was a curious noise inside. It was difficult to determine 38715 38716what it was. It bore a resemblance to the low moaning of one in pain, 38717 38718but it was not that, being far too regular and constant. Now it seemed 38719 38720a kind of song, now a wail--seemed, that is, to his changing fancy, for 38721 38722the sound itself was never changed or checked. It was unlike anything 38723 38724he had ever heard; and in its tone there was something fearful, 38725 38726chilling, and unearthly.<br><br> 38727 38728The listener's blood ran colder now than ever it had done in frost and 38729 38730snow, but he knocked again. There was no answer, and the sound went on 38731 38732without any interruption. He laid his hand softly upon the latch, and 38733 38734put his knee against the door. It was secured on the inside, but 38735 38736yielded to the pressure, and turned upon its hinges. He saw the 38737 38738glimmering of a fire upon the old walls, and entered.<br><br> 38739 38740CHAPTER 71<br><br> 38741 38742The dull, red glow of a wood fire--for no lamp or candle burnt within 38743 38744the room--showed him a figure, seated on the hearth with its back 38745 38746towards him, bending over the fitful light. The attitude was that of 38747 38748one who sought the heat. It was, and yet was not. The stooping 38749 38750posture and the cowering form were there, but no hands were stretched 38751 38752out to meet the grateful warmth, no shrug or shiver compared its luxury 38753 38754with the piercing cold outside. With limbs huddled together, head 38755 38756bowed down, arms crossed upon the breast, and fingers tightly clenched, 38757 38758it rocked to and fro upon its seat without a moment's pause, 38759 38760accompanying the action with the mournful sound he had heard.<br><br> 38761 38762The heavy door had closed behind him on his entrance, with a crash that 38763 38764made him start. The figure neither spoke, nor turned to look, nor gave 38765 38766in any other way the faintest sign of having heard the noise. The form 38767 38768was that of an old man, his white head akin in colour to the mouldering 38769 38770embers upon which he gazed. He, and the failing light and dying fire, 38771 38772the time-worn room, the solitude, the wasted life, and gloom, were all 38773 38774in fellowship. Ashes, and dust, and ruin!<br><br> 38775 38776Kit tried to speak, and did pronounce some words, though what they were 38777 38778he scarcely knew. Still the same terrible low cry went on--still the 38779 38780same rocking in the chair--the same stricken figure was there, 38781 38782unchanged and heedless of his presence.<br><br> 38783 38784He had his hand upon the latch, when something in the form--distinctly 38785 38786seen as one log broke and fell, and, as it fell, blazed up--arrested 38787 38788it. He returned to where he had stood before--advanced a 38789 38790pace--another--another still. Another, and he saw the face. Yes! 38791 38792Changed as it was, he knew it well.<br><br> 38793 38794'Master!' he cried, stooping on one knee and catching at his hand. 38795 38796'Dear master. Speak to me!'<br><br> 38797 38798The old man turned slowly towards him; and muttered in a hollow voice,<br><br> 38799 38800'This is another!--How many of these spirits there have been to-night!'<br><br> 38801
38802'No spirit, master. No one but your old servant. You know me now, I 38803 38804am sure? Miss Nell--where is she--where is she?'<br><br> 38805 38806'They all say that!' cried the old man. 'They all ask the same 38807 38808question. A spirit!'<br><br> 38809 38810'Where is she?' demanded Kit. 'Oh tell me but that,--but that, dear 38811 38812master!'<br><br> 38813 38814'She is asleep--yonder--in there.'<br><br> 38815 38816'Thank God!'<br><br> 38817 38818'Aye! Thank God!' returned the old man. 'I have prayed to Him, many, 38819 38820and many, and many a livelong night, when she has been asleep, He 38821 38822knows. Hark! Did she call?'<br><br> 38823 38824'I heard no voice.'<br><br> 38825 38826'You did. You hear her now. Do you tell me that you don't hear THAT?'<br><br> 38827 38828He started up, and listened again.<br><br> 38829 38830'Nor that?' he cried, with a triumphant smile, 'Can any body know that 38831 38832voice so well as I? Hush! Hush!' Motioning to him to be silent, he 38833 38834stole away into another chamber. After a short absence (during which 38835 38836he could be heard to speak in a softened soothing tone) he returned, 38837 38838bearing in his hand a lamp.<br><br> 38839 38840'She is still asleep,' he whispered. 'You were right. She did not 38841 38842call--unless she did so in her slumber. She has called to me in her 38843 38844sleep before now, sir; as I have sat by, watching, I have seen her lips 38845 38846move, and have known, though no sound came from them, that she spoke of 38847 38848me. I feared the light might dazzle her eyes and wake her, so I 38849 38850brought it here.'<br><br> 38851 38852He spoke rather to himself than to the visitor, but when he had put the 38853 38854lamp upon the table, he took it up, as if impelled by some momentary 38855 38856recollection or curiosity, and held it near his face. Then, as if 38857 38858forgetting his motive in the very action, he turned away and put it 38859 38860down again.<br><br> 38861 38862'She is sleeping soundly,' he said; 'but no wonder. Angel hands have 38863 38864strewn the ground deep with snow, that the lightest footstep may be 38865 38866lighter yet; and the very birds are dead, that they may not wake her. 38867 38868She used to feed them, Sir. Though never so cold and hungry, the timid 38869 38870things would fly from us. They never flew from her!'<br><br> 38871 38872Again he stopped to listen, and scarcely drawing breath, listened for a 38873 38874long, long time. That fancy past, he opened an old chest, took out 38875 38876some clothes as fondly as if they had been living things, and began to 38877 38878smooth and brush them with his hand.<br><br> 38879 38880'Why dost thou lie so idle there, dear Nell,' he murmured, 'when there 38881 38882are bright red berries out of doors waiting for thee to pluck them! 38883 38884Why dost thou lie so idle there, when thy little friends come creeping 38885 38886to the door, crying "where is Nell--sweet Nell?"--and sob, and weep, 38887 38888because they do not see thee. She was always gentle with children. 38889 38890The wildest would do her bidding--she had a tender way with them, 38891 38892indeed she had!'<br><br> 38893 38894Kit had no power to speak. His eyes were filled with tears.<br><br> 38895 38896'Her little homely dress,--her favourite!' cried the old man, pressing 38897 38898it to his breast, and patting it with his shrivelled hand. 'She will 38899 38900miss it when she wakes. They have hid it here in sport, but she shall 38901 38902have it--she shall have it. I would not vex my darling, for the wide 38903 38904world's riches. See here--these shoes--how worn they are--she kept 38905 38906them to remind her of our last long journey. You see where the little 38907 38908feet went bare upon the ground. They told me, afterwards, that the 38909 38910stones had cut and bruised them. She never told me that. No, no, God 38911 38912bless her! and, I have remembered since, she walked behind me, sir, 38913 38914that I might not see how lame she was--but yet she had my hand in hers, 38915 38916and seemed to lead me still.'<br><br> 38917 38918He pressed them to his lips, and having carefully put them back again, 38919 38920went on communing with himself--looking wistfully from time to time 38921 38922towards the chamber he had lately visited.<br><br> 38923 38924'She was not wont to be a lie-abed; but she was well then. We must 38925 38926have patience. When she is well again, she will rise early, as she 38927 38928used to do, and ramble abroad in the healthy morning time. I often 38929 38930tried to track the way she had gone, but her small footstep left no 38931 38932print upon the dewy ground, to guide me. Who is that? Shut the door. 38933 38934Quick!--Have we not enough to do to drive away that marble cold, and 38935 38936keep her warm!'<br><br> 38937 38938The door was indeed opened, for the entrance of Mr Garland and his 38939 38940friend, accompanied by two other persons. These were the schoolmaster, 38941 38942and the bachelor. The former held a light in his hand. He had, it 38943 38944seemed, but gone to his own cottage to replenish the exhausted lamp, at 38945 38946the moment when Kit came up and found the old man alone.<br><br> 38947 38948He softened again at sight of these two friends, and, laying aside the 38949 38950angry manner--if to anything so feeble and so sad the term can be 38951 38952applied--in which he had spoken when the door opened, resumed his 38953 38954former seat, and subsided, by little and little into the old action, 38955 38956and the old, dull, wandering sound.<br><br> 38957
38958Of the strangers, he took no heed whatever. He had seen them, but 38959 38960appeared quite incapable of interest or curiosity. The younger brother 38961 38962stood apart. The bachelor drew a chair towards the old man, and sat 38963 38964down close beside him. After a long silence, he ventured to speak.<br><br> 38965 38966'Another night, and not in bed!' he said softly; 'I hoped you would be 38967 38968more mindful of your promise to me. Why do you not take some rest?'<br><br> 38969 38970'Sleep has left me,' returned the old man. 'It is all with her!'<br><br> 38971 38972'It would pain her very much to know that you were watching thus,' said 38973 38974the bachelor. 'You would not give her pain?'<br><br> 38975 38976'I am not so sure of that, if it would only rouse her. She has slept 38977 38978so very long. And yet I am rash to say so. It is a good and happy 38979 38980sleep--eh?'<br><br> 38981 38982'Indeed it is,' returned the bachelor. 'Indeed, indeed, it is!'<br><br> 38983 38984'That's well!--and the waking--' faltered the old man.<br><br> 38985 38986'Happy too. Happier than tongue can tell, or heart of man conceive.'<br><br> 38987 38988They watched him as he rose and stole on tiptoe to the other chamber 38989 38990where the lamp had been replaced. They listened as he spoke again 38991 38992within its silent walls. They looked into the faces of each other, and 38993 38994no man's cheek was free from tears. He came back, whispering that she 38995 38996was still asleep, but that he thought she had moved. It was her hand, 38997 38998he said--a little--a very, very little--but he was pretty sure she had 38999 39000moved it--perhaps in seeking his. He had known her do that, before 39001 39002now, though in the deepest sleep the while. And when he had said this, 39003 39004he dropped into his chair again, and clasping his hands above his head, 39005 39006uttered a cry never to be forgotten.<br><br> 39007 39008The poor schoolmaster motioned to the bachelor that he would come on 39009 39010the other side, and speak to him. They gently unlocked his fingers, 39011 39012which he had twisted in his grey hair, and pressed them in their own.<br><br> 39013 39014'He will hear me,' said the schoolmaster, 'I am sure. He will hear 39015 39016either me or you if we beseech him. She would, at all times.'<br><br> 39017 39018'I will hear any voice she liked to hear,' cried the old man. 'I love 39019 39020all she loved!'<br><br> 39021 39022'I know you do,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I am certain of it. 39023 39024Think of her; think of all the sorrows and afflictions you have shared 39025 39026together; of all the trials, and all the peaceful pleasures, you have 39027 39028jointly known.'<br><br> 39029 39030'I do. I do. I think of nothing else.'<br><br> 39031 39032'I would have you think of nothing else to-night--of nothing but those 39033 39034things which will soften your heart, dear friend, and open it to old 39035 39036affections and old times. It is so that she would speak to you 39037 39038herself, and in her name it is that I speak now.'<br><br> 39039 39040'You do well to speak softly,' said the old man. 'We will not wake 39041 39042her. I should be glad to see her eyes again, and to see her smile. 39043 39044There is a smile upon her young face now, but it is fixed and 39045 39046changeless. I would have it come and go. That shall be in Heaven's 39047 39048good time. We will not wake her.'<br><br> 39049 39050'Let us not talk of her in her sleep, but as she used to be when you 39051 39052were Journeying together, far away--as she was at home, in the old 39053 39054house from which you fled together--as she was, in the old cheerful 39055 39056time,' said the schoolmaster.<br><br> 39057 39058'She was always cheerful--very cheerful,' cried the old man, looking 39059 39060steadfastly at him. 'There was ever something mild and quiet about 39061 39062her, I remember, from the first; but she was of a happy nature.'<br><br> 39063 39064'We have heard you say,' pursued the schoolmaster, 'that in this and in 39065 39066all goodness, she was like her mother. You can think of, and remember 39067 39068her?'<br><br> 39069 39070He maintained his steadfast look, but gave no answer.<br><br> 39071 39072'Or even one before her,' said the bachelor. 'It is many years ago, 39073 39074and affliction makes the time longer, but you have not forgotten her 39075 39076whose death contributed to make this child so dear to you, even before 39077 39078you knew her worth or could read her heart? Say, that you could carry 39079 39080back your thoughts to very distant days--to the time of your early 39081 39082life--when, unlike this fair flower, you did not pass your youth alone. 39083 39084Say, that you could remember, long ago, another child who loved you 39085 39086dearly, you being but a child yourself. Say, that you had a brother, 39087 39088long forgotten, long unseen, long separated from you, who now, at last, 39089 39090in your utmost need came back to comfort and console you--'<br><br> 39091 39092'To be to you what you were once to him,' cried the younger, falling on 39093 39094his knee before him; 'to repay your old affection, brother dear, by 39095 39096constant care, solicitude, and love; to be, at your right hand, what he 39097 39098has never ceased to be when oceans rolled between us; to call to 39099 39100witness his unchanging truth and mindfulness of bygone days, whole 39101 39102years of desolation. Give me but one word of recognition, brother--and 39103 39104never--no never, in the brightest moment of our youngest days, when, 39105 39106poor silly boys, we thought to pass our lives together--have we been 39107 39108half as dear and precious to each other as we shall be from this time 39109 39110hence!'<br><br> 39111 39112The old man looked from face to face, and his lips moved; but no sound 39113 39114came from them in reply.<br><br> 39115 39116'If we were knit together then,' pursued the younger brother, 'what 39117 39118will be the bond between us now! Our love and fellowship began in 39119 39120childhood, when life was all before us, and will be resumed when we 39121 39122have proved it, and are but children at the last. As many restless 39123 39124spirits, who have hunted fortune, fame, or pleasure through the world, 39125 39126retire in their decline to where they first drew breath, vainly seeking 39127 39128to be children once again before they die, so we, less fortunate than 39129 39130they in early life, but happier in its closing scenes, will set up our 39131 39132rest again among our boyish haunts, and going home with no hope 39133 39134realised, that had its growth in manhood--carrying back nothing that 39135 39136we brought away, but our old yearnings to each other--saving no 39137 39138fragment from the wreck of life, but that which first endeared it--may 39139 39140be, indeed, but children as at first. And even,' he added in an 39141 39142altered voice, 'even if what I dread to name has come to pass--even if 39143 39144that be so, or is to be (which Heaven forbid and spare us!)--still, 39145 39146dear brother, we are not apart, and have that comfort in our great 39147 39148affliction.'<br><br> 39149 39150By little and little, the old man had drawn back towards the inner 39151 39152chamber, while these words were spoken. He pointed there, as he 39153 39154replied, with trembling lips.<br><br> 39155 39156'You plot among you to wean my heart from her. You never will do 39157 39158that--never while I have life. I have no relative or friend but her--I 39159 39160never had--I never will have. She is all in all to me. It is too late 39161 39162to part us now.'<br><br> 39163 39164Waving them off with his hand, and calling softly to her as he went, he 39165 39166stole into the room. They who were left behind, drew close together, 39167 39168and after a few whispered words--not unbroken by emotion, or easily 39169 39170uttered--followed him. They moved so gently, that their footsteps made 39171
39172no noise; but there were sobs from among the group, and sounds of grief 39173 39174and mourning.<br><br> 39175 39176For she was dead. There, upon her little bed, she lay at rest. The 39177 39178solemn stillness was no marvel now.<br><br> 39179 39180She was dead. No sleep so beautiful and calm, so free from trace of 39181 39182pain, so fair to look upon. She seemed a creature fresh from the hand 39183 39184of God, and waiting for the breath of life; not one who had lived and 39185 39186suffered death.<br><br> 39187 39188Her couch was dressed with here and there some winter berries and green 39189 39190leaves, gathered in a spot she had been used to favour. 'When I die, 39191 39192put near me something that has loved the light, and had the sky above 39193 39194it always.' Those were her words.<br><br> 39195 39196She was dead. Dear, gentle, patient, noble Nell was dead. Her little 39197 39198bird--a poor slight thing the pressure of a finger would have 39199 39200crushed--was stirring nimbly in its cage; and the strong heart of its 39201 39202child mistress was mute and motionless for ever.<br><br> 39203 39204Where were the traces of her early cares, her sufferings, and fatigues? 39205 39206All gone. Sorrow was dead indeed in her, but peace and perfect 39207 39208happiness were born; imaged in her tranquil beauty and profound repose.<br><br> 39209 39210And still her former self lay there, unaltered in this change. Yes. 39211 39212The old fireside had smiled upon that same sweet face; it had passed, 39213 39214like a dream, through haunts of misery and care; at the door of the 39215 39216poor schoolmaster on the summer evening, before the furnace fire upon 39217 39218the cold wet night, at the still bedside of the dying boy, there had 39219 39220been the same mild lovely look. So shall we know the angels in their 39221 39222majesty, after death.<br><br> 39223 39224The old man held one languid arm in his, and had the small hand tight 39225 39226folded to his breast, for warmth. It was the hand she had stretched 39227 39228out to him with her last smile--the hand that had led him on, through 39229 39230all their wanderings. Ever and anon he pressed it to his lips; then 39231 39232hugged it to his breast again, murmuring that it was warmer now; and, 39233 39234as he said it, he looked, in agony, to those who stood around, as if 39235 39236imploring them to help her.<br><br> 39237 39238She was dead, and past all help, or need of it. The ancient rooms she 39239 39240had seemed to fill with life, even while her own was waning fast--the 39241 39242garden she had tended--the eyes she had gladdened--the noiseless haunts 39243 39244of many a thoughtful hour--the paths she had trodden as it were but 39245 39246yesterday--could know her never more.<br><br> 39247 39248'It is not,' said the schoolmaster, as he bent down to kiss her on the 39249 39250cheek, and gave his tears free vent, 'it is not on earth that Heaven's 39251 39252justice ends. Think what earth is, compared with the World to which 39253 39254her young spirit has winged its early flight; and say, if one 39255 39256deliberate wish expressed in solemn terms above this bed could call her 39257 39258back to life, which of us would utter it!'<br><br> 39259 39260CHAPTER 72<br><br> 39261 39262When morning came, and they could speak more calmly on the subject of 39263 39264their grief, they heard how her life had closed.<br><br> 39265 39266She had been dead two days. They were all about her at the time, 39267 39268knowing that the end was drawing on. She died soon after daybreak. 39269 39270They had read and talked to her in the earlier portion of the night, 39271 39272but as the hours crept on, she sunk to sleep. They could tell, by what 39273 39274she faintly uttered in her dreams, that they were of her journeyings 39275 39276with the old man; they were of no painful scenes, but of people who had 39277 39278helped and used them kindly, for she often said 'God bless you!' with 39279 39280great fervour. Waking, she never wandered in her mind but once, and 39281 39282that was of beautiful music which she said was in the air. God knows. 39283 39284It may have been.<br><br> 39285 39286Opening her eyes at last, from a very quiet sleep, she begged that they 39287 39288would kiss her once again. That done, she turned to the old man with a 39289 39290lovely smile upon her face--such, they said, as they had never seen, 39291 39292and never could forget--and clung with both her arms about his neck. 39293 39294They did not know that she was dead, at first.<br><br> 39295 39296She had spoken very often of the two sisters, who, she said, were like 39297 39298dear friends to her. She wished they could be told how much she 39299 39300thought about them, and how she had watched them as they walked 39301 39302together, by the river side at night. She would like to see poor Kit, 39303 39304she had often said of late. She wished there was somebody to take her 39305 39306love to Kit. And, even then, she never thought or spoke about him, but 39307 39308with something of her old, clear, merry laugh.<br><br> 39309 39310For the rest, she had never murmured or complained; but with a quiet 39311 39312mind, and manner quite unaltered--save that she every day became more 39313 39314earnest and more grateful to them--faded like the light upon a summer's 39315 39316evening.<br><br> 39317 39318The child who had been her little friend came there, almost as soon as 39319 39320it was day, with an offering of dried flowers which he begged them to 39321 39322lay upon her breast. It was he who had come to the window overnight 39323 39324and spoken to the sexton, and they saw in the snow traces of small 39325 39326feet, where he had been lingering near the room in which she lay, 39327 39328before he went to bed. He had a fancy, it seemed, that they had left 39329 39330her there alone; and could not bear the thought.<br><br> 39331 39332He told them of his dream again, and that it was of her being restored 39333 39334to them, just as she used to be. He begged hard to see her, saying 39335 39336that he would be very quiet, and that they need not fear his being 39337 39338alarmed, for he had sat alone by his young brother all day long when he 39339 39340was dead, and had felt glad to be so near him. They let him have his 39341 39342wish; and indeed he kept his word, and was, in his childish way, a 39343 39344lesson to them all.<br><br> 39345 39346Up to that time, the old man had not spoken once--except to her--or 39347 39348stirred from the bedside. But, when he saw her little favourite, he 39349 39350was moved as they had not seen him yet, and made as though he would 39351 39352have him come nearer. Then, pointing to the bed, he burst into tears 39353 39354for the first time, and they who stood by, knowing that the sight of 39355 39356this child had done him good, left them alone together.<br><br> 39357 39358Soothing him with his artless talk of her, the child persuaded him to 39359 39360take some rest, to walk abroad, to do almost as he desired him. And 39361 39362when the day came on, which must remove her in her earthly shape from 39363 39364earthly eyes for ever, he led him away, that he might not know when she 39365 39366was taken from him.<br><br> 39367 39368They were to gather fresh leaves and berries for her bed. It was 39369 39370Sunday--a bright, clear, wintry afternoon--and as they traversed the 39371 39372village street, those who were walking in their path drew back to make 39373 39374way for them, and gave them a softened greeting. Some shook the old 39375 39376man kindly by the hand, some stood uncovered while he tottered by, and 39377 39378many cried 'God help him!' as he passed along.<br><br> 39379 39380'Neighbour!' said the old man, stopping at the cottage where his young 39381 39382guide's mother dwelt, 'how is it that the folks are nearly all in black 39383 39384to-day? I have seen a mourning ribbon or a piece of crape on almost 39385 39386every one.'<br><br> 39387 39388She could not tell, the woman said. 'Why, you yourself--you wear the 39389 39390colour too?' he said. 'Windows are closed that never used to be by 39391 39392day. What does this mean?'<br><br> 39393 39394Again the woman said she could not tell.<br><br> 39395 39396'We must go back,' said the old man, hurriedly. 'We must see what this 39397 39398is.'<br><br> 39399 39400'No, no,' cried the child, detaining him. 'Remember what you promised. 39401 39402Our way is to the old green lane, where she and I so often were, and 39403 39404where you found us, more than once, making those garlands for her 39405 39406garden. Do not turn back!'<br><br> 39407 39408'Where is she now?' said the old man. 'Tell me that.'<br><br> 39409 39410'Do you not know?' returned the child. 'Did we not leave her, but just 39411 39412now?'<br><br> 39413 39414'True. True. It was her we left--was it?'<br><br> 39415 39416He pressed his hand upon his brow, looked vacantly round, and as if 39417 39418impelled by a sudden thought, crossed the road, and entered the 39419 39420sexton's house. He and his deaf assistant were sitting before the 39421 39422fire. Both rose up, on seeing who it was.<br><br> 39423 39424The child made a hasty sign to them with his hand. It was the action 39425 39426of an instant, but that, and the old man's look, were quite enough.<br><br> 39427 39428'Do you--do you bury any one to-day?' he said, eagerly.<br><br> 39429 39430'No, no! Who should we bury, Sir?' returned the sexton.<br><br> 39431 39432'Aye, who indeed! I say with you, who indeed!'<br><br> 39433 39434'It is a holiday with us, good Sir,' returned the sexton mildly. 'We 39435 39436have no work to do to-day.'<br><br> 39437 39438'Why then, I'll go where you will,' said the old man, turning to the 39439 39440child. 'You're sure of what you tell me? You would not deceive me? I 39441 39442am changed, even in the little time since you last saw me.'<br><br> 39443 39444'Go thy ways with him, Sir,' cried the sexton, 'and Heaven be with ye 39445 39446both!'<br><br> 39447 39448'I am quite ready,' said the old man, meekly. 'Come, boy, come--' and 39449 39450so submitted to be led away.<br><br> 39451 39452And now the bell--the bell she had so often heard, by night and day, 39453 39454and listened to with solemn pleasure almost as a living voice--rung 39455 39456its remorseless toll, for her, so young, so beautiful, so good. 39457 39458Decrepit age, and vigorous life, and blooming youth, and helpless 39459 39460infancy, poured forth--on crutches, in the pride of strength and 39461 39462health, in the full blush of promise, in the mere dawn of life--to 39463 39464gather round her tomb. Old men were there, whose eyes were dim and 39465 39466senses failing--grandmothers, who might have died ten years ago, and 39467 39468still been old--the deaf, the blind, the lame, the palsied, the living 39469 39470dead in many shapes and forms, to see the closing of that early grave. 39471 39472What was the death it would shut in, to that which still could crawl 39473 39474and creep above it!<br><br> 39475 39476Along the crowded path they bore her now; pure as the newly-fallen snow 39477 39478that covered it; whose day on earth had been as fleeting. Under the 39479 39480porch, where she had sat when Heaven in its mercy brought her to that 39481 39482peaceful spot, she passed again; and the old church received her in its 39483 39484quiet shade.<br><br> 39485 39486They carried her to one old nook, where she had many and many a time 39487 39488sat musing, and laid their burden softly on the pavement. The light 39489 39490streamed on it through the coloured window--a window, where the boughs 39491 39492of trees were ever rustling in the summer, and where the birds sang 39493 39494sweetly all day long. With every breath of air that stirred among 39495 39496those branches in the sunshine, some trembling, changing light, would 39497 39498fall upon her grave.<br><br> 39499 39500Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust! Many a young hand 39501 39502dropped in its little wreath, many a stifled sob was heard. Some--and 39503 39504they were not a few--knelt down. All were sincere and truthful in 39505 39506their sorrow.<br><br> 39507 39508The service done, the mourners stood apart, and the villagers closed 39509 39510round to look into the grave before the pavement-stone should be 39511
39512replaced. One called to mind how he had seen her sitting on that very 39513 39514spot, and how her book had fallen on her lap, and she was gazing with a 39515 39516pensive face upon the sky. Another told, how he had wondered much that 39517 39518one so delicate as she, should be so bold; how she had never feared to 39519 39520enter the church alone at night, but had loved to linger there when all 39521 39522was quiet, and even to climb the tower stair, with no more light than 39523 39524that of the moon rays stealing through the loopholes in the thick old 39525 39526wall. A whisper went about among the oldest, that she had seen and 39527 39528talked with angels; and when they called to mind how she had looked, 39529 39530and spoken, and her early death, some thought it might be so, indeed. 39531 39532Thus, coming to the grave in little knots, and glancing down, and 39533 39534giving place to others, and falling off in whispering groups of three 39535 39536or four, the church was cleared in time, of all but the sexton and the 39537 39538mourning friends.<br><br> 39539 39540They saw the vault covered, and the stone fixed down. Then, when the 39541 39542dusk of evening had come on, and not a sound disturbed the sacred 39543 39544stillness of the place--when the bright moon poured in her light on 39545 39546tomb and monument, on pillar, wall, and arch, and most of all (it 39547 39548seemed to them) upon her quiet grave--in that calm time, when outward 39549 39550things and inward thoughts teem with assurances of immortality, and 39551 39552worldly hopes and fears are humbled in the dust before them--then, with 39553 39554tranquil and submissive hearts they turned away, and left the child 39555 39556with God.<br><br> 39557 39558Oh! it is hard to take to heart the lesson that such deaths will teach, 39559 39560but let no man reject it, for it is one that all must learn, and is a 39561 39562mighty, universal Truth. When Death strikes down the innocent and 39563 39564young, for every fragile form from which he lets the panting spirit 39565 39566free, a hundred virtues rise, in shapes of mercy, charity, and love, to 39567 39568walk the world, and bless it. Of every tear that sorrowing mortals 39569 39570shed on such green graves, some good is born, some gentler nature 39571 39572comes. In the Destroyer's steps there spring up bright creations that 39573 39574defy his power, and his dark path becomes a way of light to Heaven.<br><br> 39575 39576It was late when the old man came home. The boy had led him to his own 39577 39578dwelling, under some pretence, on their way back; and, rendered drowsy 39579 39580by his long ramble and late want of rest, he had sunk into a deep sleep 39581 39582by the fireside. He was perfectly exhausted, and they were careful not 39583 39584to rouse him. The slumber held him a long time, and when he at length 39585 39586awoke the moon was shining.<br><br> 39587 39588The younger brother, uneasy at his protracted absence, was watching at 39589 39590the door for his coming, when he appeared in the pathway with his 39591 39592little guide. He advanced to meet them, and tenderly obliging the old 39593 39594man to lean upon his arm, conducted him with slow and trembling steps 39595 39596towards the house.<br><br> 39597 39598He repaired to her chamber, straight. Not finding what he had left 39599 39600there, he returned with distracted looks to the room in which they were 39601 39602assembled. From that, he rushed into the schoolmaster's cottage, 39603 39604calling her name. They followed close upon him, and when he had vainly 39605 39606searched it, brought him home.<br><br> 39607 39608With such persuasive words as pity and affection could suggest, they 39609 39610prevailed upon him to sit among them and hear what they should tell 39611 39612him. Then endeavouring by every little artifice to prepare his mind 39613 39614for what must come, and dwelling with many fervent words upon the happy 39615 39616lot to which she had been removed, they told him, at last, the truth. 39617 39618The moment it had passed their lips, he fell down among them like a 39619 39620murdered man.<br><br> 39621 39622For many hours, they had little hope of his surviving; but grief is 39623 39624strong, and he recovered.<br><br> 39625 39626If there be any who have never known the blank that follows death--the 39627 39628weary void--the sense of desolation that will come upon the strongest 39629 39630minds, when something familiar and beloved is missed at every turn--the 39631 39632connection between inanimate and senseless things, and the object of 39633 39634recollection, when every household god becomes a monument and every 39635 39636room a grave--if there be any who have not known this, and proved it by 39637 39638their own experience, they can never faintly guess how, for many days, 39639 39640the old man pined and moped away the time, and wandered here and there 39641 39642as seeking something, and had no comfort.<br><br> 39643 39644Whatever power of thought or memory he retained, was all bound up in 39645 39646her. He never understood, or seemed to care to understand, about his 39647 39648brother. To every endearment and attention he continued listless. If 39649 39650they spoke to him on this, or any other theme--save one--he would hear 39651 39652them patiently for awhile, then turn away, and go on seeking as before.<br><br> 39653 39654On that one theme, which was in his and all their minds, it was 39655 39656impossible to touch. Dead! He could not hear or bear the word. The 39657 39658slightest hint of it would throw him into a paroxysm, like that he had 39659 39660had when it was first spoken. In what hope he lived, no man could 39661 39662tell; but that he had some hope of finding her again--some faint and 39663 39664shadowy hope, deferred from day to day, and making him from day to day 39665 39666more sick and sore at heart--was plain to all.<br><br> 39667 39668They bethought them of a removal from the scene of this last sorrow; of 39669 39670trying whether change of place would rouse or cheer him. His brother 39671 39672sought the advice of those who were accounted skilful in such matters, 39673 39674and they came and saw him. Some of the number staid upon the spot, 39675 39676conversed with him when he would converse, and watched him as he 39677 39678wandered up and down, alone and silent. Move him where they might, 39679 39680they said, he would ever seek to get back there. His mind would run 39681 39682upon that spot. If they confined him closely, and kept a strict guard 39683 39684upon him, they might hold him prisoner, but if he could by any means 39685 39686escape, he would surely wander back to that place, or die upon the road.<br><br> 39687 39688The boy, to whom he had submitted at first, had no longer any influence 39689 39690with him. At times he would suffer the child to walk by his side, or 39691
39692would even take such notice of his presence as giving him his hand, or 39693 39694would stop to kiss his cheek, or pat him on the head. At other times, 39695 39696he would entreat him--not unkindly--to be gone, and would not brook him 39697 39698near. But, whether alone, or with this pliant friend, or with those 39699 39700who would have given him, at any cost or sacrifice, some consolation or 39701 39702some peace of mind, if happily the means could have been devised; he 39703 39704was at all times the same--with no love or care for anything in life--a 39705 39706broken-hearted man.<br><br> 39707 39708At length, they found, one day, that he had risen early, and, with his 39709 39710knapsack on his back, his staff in hand, her own straw hat, and little 39711 39712basket full of such things as she had been used to carry, was gone. As 39713 39714they were making ready to pursue him far and wide, a frightened 39715 39716schoolboy came who had seen him, but a moment before, sitting in the 39717 39718church--upon her grave, he said.<br><br> 39719 39720They hastened there, and going softly to the door, espied him in the 39721 39722attitude of one who waited patiently. They did not disturb him then, 39723 39724but kept a watch upon him all that day. When it grew quite dark, he 39725 39726rose and returned home, and went to bed, murmuring to himself, 'She 39727 39728will come to-morrow!'<br><br> 39729 39730Upon the morrow he was there again from sunrise until night; and still 39731 39732at night he laid him down to rest, and murmured, 'She will come 39733 39734to-morrow!'<br><br> 39735 39736And thenceforth, every day, and all day long, he waited at her grave, 39737 39738for her. How many pictures of new journeys over pleasant country, of 39739 39740resting-places under the free broad sky, of rambles in the fields and 39741 39742woods, and paths not often trodden--how many tones of that one 39743 39744well-remembered voice, how many glimpses of the form, the fluttering 39745 39746dress, the hair that waved so gaily in the wind--how many visions of 39747 39748what had been, and what he hoped was yet to be--rose up before him, in 39749 39750the old, dull, silent church! He never told them what he thought, or 39751 39752where he went. He would sit with them at night, pondering with a 39753 39754secret satisfaction, they could see, upon the flight that he and she 39755 39756would take before night came again; and still they would hear him 39757 39758whisper in his prayers, 'Lord! Let her come to-morrow!'<br><br> 39759 39760The last time was on a genial day in spring. He did not return at the 39761 39762usual hour, and they went to seek him. He was lying dead upon the 39763 39764stone.<br><br> 39765 39766They laid him by the side of her whom he had loved so well; and, in the 39767 39768church where they had often prayed, and mused, and lingered hand in 39769 39770hand, the child and the old man slept together.<br><br> 39771 39772CHAPTER 73<br><br> 39773 39774The magic reel, which, rolling on before, has led the chronicler thus 39775 39776far, now slackens in its pace, and stops. It lies before the goal; the 39777 39778pursuit is at an end.<br><br> 39779 39780It remains but to dismiss the leaders of the little crowd who have 39781 39782borne us company upon the road, and so to close the journey.<br><br> 39783 39784Foremost among them, smooth Sampson Brass and Sally, arm in arm, claim 39785 39786our polite attention.<br><br> 39787 39788Mr Sampson, then, being detained, as already has been shown, by the 39789 39790justice upon whom he called, and being so strongly pressed to protract 39791 39792his stay that he could by no means refuse, remained under his 39793 39794protection for a considerable time, during which the great attention of 39795 39796his entertainer kept him so extremely close, that he was quite lost to 39797 39798society, and never even went abroad for exercise saving into a small 39799 39800paved yard. So well, indeed, was his modest and retiring temper 39801 39802understood by those with whom he had to deal, and so jealous were they 39803 39804of his absence, that they required a kind of friendly bond to be 39805 39806entered into by two substantial housekeepers, in the sum of fifteen 39807 39808hundred pounds a-piece, before they would suffer him to quit their 39809 39810hospitable roof--doubting, it appeared, that he would return, if once 39811 39812let loose, on any other terms. Mr Brass, struck with the humour of 39813 39814this jest, and carrying out its spirit to the utmost, sought from his 39815 39816wide connection a pair of friends whose joint possessions fell some 39817 39818halfpence short of fifteen pence, and proffered them as bail--for that 39819 39820was the merry word agreed upon both sides. These gentlemen being 39821 39822rejected after twenty-four hours' pleasantry, Mr Brass consented to 39823 39824remain, and did remain, until a club of choice spirits called a Grand 39825 39826jury (who were in the joke) summoned him to a trial before twelve other 39827 39828wags for perjury and fraud, who in their turn found him guilty with a 39829 39830most facetious joy,--nay, the very populace entered into the whim, and 39831 39832when Mr Brass was moving in a hackney-coach towards the building where 39833 39834these wags assembled, saluted him with rotten eggs and carcases of 39835 39836kittens, and feigned to wish to tear him into shreds, which greatly 39837 39838increased the comicality of the thing, and made him relish it the more, 39839 39840no doubt.<br><br> 39841
39842To work this sportive vein still further, Mr Brass, by his counsel, 39843 39844moved in arrest of judgment that he had been led to criminate himself, 39845 39846by assurances of safety and promises of pardon, and claimed the 39847 39848leniency which the law extends to such confiding natures as are thus 39849 39850deluded. After solemn argument, this point (with others of a technical 39851 39852nature, whose humorous extravagance it would be difficult to 39853 39854exaggerate) was referred to the judges for their decision, Sampson 39855 39856being meantime removed to his former quarters. Finally, some of the 39857 39858points were given in Sampson's favour, and some against him; and the 39859 39860upshot was, that, instead of being desired to travel for a time in 39861 39862foreign parts, he was permitted to grace the mother country under 39863 39864certain insignificant restrictions.<br><br> 39865 39866These were, that he should, for a term of years, reside in a spacious 39867 39868mansion where several other gentlemen were lodged and boarded at the 39869 39870public charge, who went clad in a sober uniform of grey turned up with 39871 39872yellow, had their hair cut extremely short, and chiefly lived on gruel 39873 39874and light soup. It was also required of him that he should partake of 39875 39876their exercise of constantly ascending an endless flight of stairs; 39877 39878and, lest his legs, unused to such exertion, should be weakened by it, 39879 39880that he should wear upon one ankle an amulet or charm of iron. These 39881 39882conditions being arranged, he was removed one evening to his new abode, 39883 39884and enjoyed, in common with nine other gentlemen, and two ladies, the 39885 39886privilege of being taken to his place of retirement in one of Royalty's 39887 39888own carriages.<br><br> 39889 39890Over and above these trifling penalties, his name was erased and 39891 39892blotted out from the roll of attorneys; which erasure has been always 39893 39894held in these latter times to be a great degradation and reproach, and 39895 39896to imply the commission of some amazing villany--as indeed it would 39897 39898seem to be the case, when so many worthless names remain among its 39899 39900better records, unmolested.<br><br> 39901 39902Of Sally Brass, conflicting rumours went abroad. Some said with 39903 39904confidence that she had gone down to the docks in male attire, and had 39905 39906become a female sailor; others darkly whispered that she had enlisted 39907 39908as a private in the second regiment of Foot Guards, and had been seen 39909 39910in uniform, and on duty, to wit, leaning on her musket and looking out 39911 39912of a sentry-box in St james's Park, one evening. There were many such 39913 39914whispers as these in circulation; but the truth appears to be that, 39915 39916after the lapse of some five years (during which there is no direct 39917 39918evidence of her having been seen at all), two wretched people were more 39919 39920than once observed to crawl at dusk from the inmost recesses of St 39921 39922Giles's, and to take their way along the streets, with shuffling steps 39923 39924and cowering shivering forms, looking into the roads and kennels as 39925 39926they went in search of refuse food or disregarded offal. These forms 39927 39928were never beheld but in those nights of cold and gloom, when the 39929 39930terrible spectres, who lie at all other times in the obscene 39931 39932hiding-places of London, in archways, dark vaults and cellars, venture 39933 39934to creep into the streets; the embodied spirits of Disease, and Vice, 39935 39936and Famine. It was whispered by those who should have known, that 39937 39938these were Sampson and his sister Sally; and to this day, it is said, 39939 39940they sometimes pass, on bad nights, in the same loathsome guise, close 39941 39942at the elbow of the shrinking passenger.<br><br> 39943 39944The body of Quilp being found--though not until some days had 39945 39946elapsed--an inquest was held on it near the spot where it had been 39947 39948washed ashore. The general supposition was that he had committed 39949 39950suicide, and, this appearing to be favoured by all the circumstances of 39951 39952his death, the verdict was to that effect. He was left to be buried 39953 39954with a stake through his heart in the centre of four lonely roads.<br><br> 39955 39956It was rumoured afterwards that this horrible and barbarous ceremony 39957 39958had been dispensed with, and that the remains had been secretly given 39959 39960up to Tom Scott. But even here, opinion was divided; for some said Tom 39961 39962dug them up at midnight, and carried them to a place indicated to him 39963 39964by the widow. It is probable that both these stories may have had 39965
39966their origin in the simple fact of Tom's shedding tears upon the 39967 39968inquest--which he certainly did, extraordinary as it may appear. He 39969 39970manifested, besides, a strong desire to assault the jury; and being 39971 39972restrained and conducted out of court, darkened its only window by 39973 39974standing on his head upon the sill, until he was dexterously tilted 39975 39976upon his feet again by a cautious beadle.<br><br> 39977 39978Being cast upon the world by his master's death, he determined to go 39979 39980through it upon his head and hands, and accordingly began to tumble for 39981 39982his bread. Finding, however, his English birth an insurmountable 39983 39984obstacle to his advancement in this pursuit (notwithstanding that his 39985 39986art was in high repute and favour), he assumed the name of an Italian 39987 39988image lad, with whom he had become acquainted; and afterwards tumbled 39989 39990with extraordinary success, and to overflowing audiences. Little Mrs 39991 39992Quilp never quite forgave herself the one deceit that lay so heavy on 39993 39994her conscience, and never spoke or thought of it but with bitter tears. 39995 39996Her husband had no relations, and she was rich. He had made no will, 39997 39998or she would probably have been poor. Having married the first time at 39999 40000her mother's instigation, she consulted in her second choice nobody but 40001 40002herself. It fell upon a smart young fellow enough; and as he made it a 40003 40004preliminary condition that Mrs Jiniwin should be thenceforth an 40005 40006out-pensioner, they lived together after marriage with no more than the 40007 40008average amount of quarrelling, and led a merry life upon the dead 40009 40010dwarf's money.<br><br> 40011 40012Mr and Mrs Garland, and Mr Abel, went out as usual (except that there 40013 40014was a change in their household, as will be seen presently), and in due 40015 40016time the latter went into partnership with his friend the notary, on 40017 40018which occasion there was a dinner, and a ball, and great extent of 40019 40020dissipation. Unto this ball there happened to be invited the most 40021 40022bashful young lady that was ever seen, with whom Mr Abel happened to 40023 40024fall in love. HOW it happened, or how they found it out, or which of 40025 40026them first communicated the discovery to the other, nobody knows. But 40027 40028certain it is that in course of time they were married; and equally 40029 40030certain it is that they were the happiest of the happy; and no less 40031 40032certain it is that they deserved to be so. And it is pleasant to write 40033 40034down that they reared a family; because any propagation of goodness and 40035 40036benevolence is no small addition to the aristocracy of nature, and no 40037 40038small subject of rejoicing for mankind at large.<br><br> 40039 40040The pony preserved his character for independence and principle down to 40041 40042the last moment of his life; which was an unusually long one, and 40043 40044caused him to be looked upon, indeed, as the very Old Parr of ponies. 40045 40046He often went to and fro with the little phaeton between Mr Garland's 40047 40048and his son's, and, as the old people and the young were frequently 40049 40050together, had a stable of his own at the new establishment, into which 40051 40052he would walk of himself with surprising dignity. He condescended to 40053 40054play with the children, as they grew old enough to cultivate his 40055 40056friendship, and would run up and down the little paddock with them like 40057 40058a dog; but though he relaxed so far, and allowed them such small 40059 40060freedoms as caresses, or even to look at his shoes or hang on by his 40061 40062tail, he never permitted any one among them to mount his back or drive 40063 40064him; thus showing that even their familiarity must have its limits, and 40065 40066that there were points between them far too serious for trifling.<br><br> 40067 40068He was not unsusceptible of warm attachments in his later life, for 40069 40070when the good bachelor came to live with Mr Garland upon the 40071 40072clergyman's decease, he conceived a great friendship for him, and 40073 40074amiably submitted to be driven by his hands without the least 40075 40076resistance. He did no work for two or three years before he died, but 40077 40078lived in clover; and his last act (like a choleric old gentleman) was 40079 40080to kick his doctor.<br><br> 40081 40082Mr Swiveller, recovering very slowly from his illness, and entering 40083 40084into the receipt of his annuity, bought for the Marchioness a handsome 40085 40086stock of clothes, and put her to school forthwith, in redemption of the 40087 40088vow he had made upon his fevered bed. After casting about for some 40089 40090time for a name which should be worthy of her, he decided in favour of 40091 40092Sophronia Sphynx, as being euphonious and genteel, and furthermore 40093 40094indicative of mystery. Under this title the Marchioness repaired, in 40095 40096tears, to the school of his selection, from which, as she soon 40097 40098distanced all competitors, she was removed before the lapse of many 40099 40100quarters to one of a higher grade. It is but bare justice to Mr 40101 40102Swiveller to say, that, although the expenses of her education kept him 40103 40104in straitened circumstances for half a dozen years, he never slackened 40105 40106in his zeal, and always held himself sufficiently repaid by the 40107 40108accounts he heard (with great gravity) of her advancement, on his 40109 40110monthly visits to the governess, who looked upon him as a literary 40111 40112gentleman of eccentric habits, and of a most prodigious talent in 40113 40114quotation.<br><br> 40115 40116In a word, Mr Swiveller kept the Marchioness at this establishment 40117 40118until she was, at a moderate guess, full nineteen years of age-- 40119 40120good-looking, clever, and good-humoured; when he began to consider 40121 40122seriously what was to be done next. On one of his periodical visits, 40123 40124while he was revolving this question in his mind, the Marchioness came 40125 40126down to him, alone, looking more smiling and more fresh than ever. 40127 40128Then, it occurred to him, but not for the first time, that if she would 40129 40130marry him, how comfortable they might be! So Richard asked her; 40131 40132whatever she said, it wasn't No; and they were married in good earnest 40133 40134that day week. Which gave Mr Swiveller frequent occasion to remark at 40135 40136divers subsequent periods that there had been a young lady saving up 40137 40138for him after all.<br><br> 40139 40140A little cottage at Hampstead being to let, which had in its garden a 40141 40142smoking-box, the envy of the civilised world, they agreed to become its 40143 40144tenants, and, when the honey-moon was over, entered upon its 40145
40146occupation. To this retreat Mr Chuckster repaired regularly every 40147 40148Sunday to spend the day--usually beginning with breakfast--and here he 40149 40150was the great purveyor of general news and fashionable intelligence. 40151 40152For some years he continued a deadly foe to Kit, protesting that he had 40153 40154a better opinion of him when he was supposed to have stolen the 40155 40156five-pound note, than when he was shown to be perfectly free of the 40157 40158crime; inasmuch as his guilt would have had in it something daring and 40159 40160bold, whereas his innocence was but another proof of a sneaking and 40161 40162crafty disposition. By slow degrees, however, he was reconciled to him 40163 40164in the end; and even went so far as to honour him with his patronage, 40165 40166as one who had in some measure reformed, and was therefore to be 40167 40168forgiven. But he never forgot or pardoned that circumstance of the 40169 40170shilling; holding that if he had come back to get another he would have 40171 40172done well enough, but that his returning to work out the former gift 40173 40174was a stain upon his moral character which no penitence or contrition 40175 40176could ever wash away.<br><br> 40177 40178Mr Swiveller, having always been in some measure of a philosophic and 40179 40180reflective turn, grew immensely contemplative, at times, in the 40181 40182smoking-box, and was accustomed at such periods to debate in his own 40183 40184mind the mysterious question of Sophronia's parentage. Sophronia 40185 40186herself supposed she was an orphan; but Mr Swiveller, putting various 40187 40188slight circumstances together, often thought Miss Brass must know 40189 40190better than that; and, having heard from his wife of her strange 40191 40192interview with Quilp, entertained sundry misgivings whether that 40193 40194person, in his lifetime, might not also have been able to solve the 40195 40196riddle, had he chosen. These speculations, however, gave him no 40197 40198uneasiness; for Sophronia was ever a most cheerful, affectionate, and 40199 40200provident wife to him; and Dick (excepting for an occasional outbreak 40201 40202with Mr Chuckster, which she had the good sense rather to encourage 40203 40204than oppose) was to her an attached and domesticated husband. And they 40205 40206played many hundred thousand games of cribbage together. And let it be 40207 40208added, to Dick's honour, that, though we have called her Sophronia, he 40209 40210called her the Marchioness from first to last; and that upon every 40211 40212anniversary of the day on which he found her in his sick room, Mr 40213 40214Chuckster came to dinner, and there was great glorification.<br><br> 40215 40216The gamblers, Isaac List and Jowl, with their trusty confederate Mr 40217 40218James Groves of unimpeachable memory, pursued their course with varying 40219 40220success, until the failure of a spirited enterprise in the way of their 40221 40222profession, dispersed them in various directions, and caused their 40223 40224career to receive a sudden check from the long and strong arm of the 40225 40226law. This defeat had its origin in the untoward detection of a new 40227 40228associate--young Frederick Trent--who thus became the unconscious 40229 40230instrument of their punishment and his own.<br><br> 40231 40232For the young man himself, he rioted abroad for a brief term, living by 40233 40234his wits--which means by the abuse of every faculty that worthily 40235 40236employed raises man above the beasts, and so degraded, sinks him far 40237 40238below them. It was not long before his body was recognised by a 40239 40240stranger, who chanced to visit that hospital in Paris where the drowned 40241 40242are laid out to be owned; despite the bruises and disfigurements which 40243 40244were said to have been occasioned by some previous scuffle. But the 40245 40246stranger kept his own counsel until he returned home, and it was never 40247 40248claimed or cared for.<br><br> 40249 40250The younger brother, or the single gentleman, for that designation is 40251 40252more familiar, would have drawn the poor schoolmaster from his lone 40253 40254retreat, and made him his companion and friend. But the humble village 40255 40256teacher was timid of venturing into the noisy world, and had become 40257 40258fond of his dwelling in the old churchyard. Calmly happy in his 40259 40260school, and in the spot, and in the attachment of Her little mourner, 40261 40262he pursued his quiet course in peace; and was, through the righteous 40263 40264gratitude of his friend--let this brief mention suffice for that--a 40265 40266POOR school-master no more.<br><br> 40267 40268That friend--single gentleman, or younger brother, which you will--had 40269 40270at his heart a heavy sorrow; but it bred in him no misanthropy or 40271 40272monastic gloom. He went forth into the world, a lover of his kind. 40273 40274For a long, long time, it was his chief delight to travel in the steps 40275 40276of the old man and the child (so far as he could trace them from her 40277 40278last narrative), to halt where they had halted, sympathise where they 40279 40280had suffered, and rejoice where they had been made glad. Those who had 40281 40282been kind to them, did not escape his search. The sisters at the 40283 40284school--they who were her friends, because themselves so 40285 40286friendless--Mrs Jarley of the wax-work, Codlin, Short--he found them 40287 40288all; and trust me, the man who fed the furnace fire was not forgotten.<br><br> 40289 40290Kit's story having got abroad, raised him up a host of friends, and 40291 40292many offers of provision for his future life. He had no idea at first 40293 40294of ever quitting Mr Garland's service; but, after serious remonstrance 40295 40296and advice from that gentleman, began to contemplate the possibility of 40297 40298such a change being brought about in time. A good post was procured 40299 40300for him, with a rapidity which took away his breath, by some of the 40301 40302gentlemen who had believed him guilty of the offence laid to his 40303 40304charge, and who had acted upon that belief. Through the same kind 40305 40306agency, his mother was secured from want, and made quite happy. Thus, 40307 40308as Kit often said, his great misfortune turned out to be the source of 40309 40310all his subsequent prosperity.<br><br> 40311 40312Did Kit live a single man all his days, or did he marry? Of course he 40313 40314married, and who should be his wife but Barbara? And the best of it 40315 40316was, he married so soon that little Jacob was an uncle, before the 40317 40318calves of his legs, already mentioned in this history, had ever been 40319 40320encased in broadcloth pantaloons,--though that was not quite the best 40321 40322either, for of necessity the baby was an uncle too. The delight of 40323 40324Kit's mother and of Barbara's mother upon the great occasion is past 40325 40326all telling; finding they agreed so well on that, and on all other 40327 40328subjects, they took up their abode together, and were a most harmonious 40329 40330pair of friends from that time forth. And hadn't Astley's cause to 40331 40332bless itself for their all going together once a quarter--to the 40333 40334pit--and didn't Kit's mother always say, when they painted the outside, 40335 40336that Kit's last treat had helped to that, and wonder what the manager 40337 40338would feel if he but knew it as they passed his house!<br><br> 40339 40340When Kit had children six and seven years old, there was a Barbara 40341 40342among them, and a pretty Barbara she was. Nor was there wanting an 40343 40344exact facsimile and copy of little Jacob, as he appeared in those 40345 40346remote times when they taught him what oysters meant. Of course there 40347 40348was an Abel, own godson to the Mr Garland of that name; and there was a 40349 40350Dick, whom Mr Swiveller did especially favour. The little group would 40351 40352often gather round him of a night and beg him to tell again that story 40353 40354of good Miss Nell who died. This, Kit would do; and when they cried to 40355 40356hear it, wishing it longer too, he would teach them how she had gone to 40357 40358Heaven, as all good people did; and how, if they were good, like her, 40359 40360they might hope to be there too, one day, and to see and know her as he 40361
40362had done when he was quite a boy. Then, he would relate to them how 40363 40364needy he used to be, and how she had taught him what he was otherwise 40365 40366too poor to learn, and how the old man had been used to say 'she always 40367 40368laughs at Kit;' at which they would brush away their tears, and laugh 40369 40370themselves to think that she had done so, and be again quite merry.<br><br> 40371 40372He sometimes took them to the street where she had lived; but new 40373 40374improvements had altered it so much, it was not like the same. The old 40375 40376house had been long ago pulled down, and a fine broad road was in its 40377 40378place. At first he would draw with his stick a square upon the ground 40379 40380to show them where it used to stand. But he soon became uncertain of 40381 40382the spot, and could only say it was thereabouts, he thought, and these 40383 40384alterations were confusing.<br><br> 40385 40386Such are the changes which a few years bring about, and so do things 40387 40388pass away, like a tale that is told!<br><br> 40389 40390THE END<br><p Align="center"></div> 40391 40392</div></div><font face="Arial Narrow" color="#CC3300"> 40393<p align="center">♥ FINE AREA VOCALIZZATA CON READSPEAKER</font>
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40453 40454 40455<!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../../2/00-AD-RIGHT.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> 40456 40457 40458 40459 40460 40461 40462 40463<font size="1"> 40464 40465 <font face="Arial"> 40466 40467 <hr size="4" color="#FFCC00"> 40468 40469 </font> 40470 40471<p></p> 40472 40473</font> 40474 40475 40476 40477 <font size="1" 40478 40479 40480 40481 40482 40483 40484 40485 40486 40487 40488 40489 40490 40491 40492 40493 40494 40495 40496 40497 40498 40499 40500 40501<font size="1"> 40502 40503 <p align="left"><a href="../../../elingue/landing.htm" 40504 40505 style="text-decoration: none"> 40506 40507 <img border="0" 40508 40509 40510 40511 src="../../../2/elingue-logo.png" width="254" height="57"></a><br> Prodotti straordinari per le tue lingue<font face="Tahoma"><font face="Arial" size="1"><hr size="4" color="#FFCC00"> 40512 40513 </font> 40514 40515 </font><p 40516 40517 40518 40519 align="left"><font size="2" color="#000000"> 40520 40521 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm" 40522 40523style="text-decoration: none"> 40524 40525 <img border="0" 40526 40527 40528 40529 src="http://www.englishgratis.com/imm/eg-elingue-rivista.png" width="238" height="18"></a> </font><font face="Tahoma"> 40530 40531<font size="1" <font> 40532 40533<a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm" 40534 40535style="text-decoration: none"><img border="0" src="../../../2/info.png" width="55" 40536 40537height="20"></a></font><font size="2" color="#000000"><br><br> 40538 40539</font><font size="2" size="1"><a 40540 40541 href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm" 40542 40543style="text-decoration: none"> 40544 40545<img 40546 40547 border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/e4l-rivista6.jpg" width="100" 40548 40549 height="130" align="left" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a></font></font><font size="2" color="#000000">Leggi gratis 40550 40551online il primo numero di <b> 40552 40553 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="../../../elingue/e4l-rivista.htm"> 40554 40555 <font color="#CC3300">English4Life</font></a></b></font><font 40556 40557 40558 40559 size="2" color="#CC3300">,</font><font size="2" color="#000000"> 40560 40561 40562 40563 l'anglorivista che mette il turbo al tuo inglese, l'unica con 40564 40565 pronuncia guidata e doppia traduzione italiana per capire sempre 40566 40567 tutto!</font></font><font size="2" 40568 40569 40570 40571 40572 40573 40574 40575 40576 40577 40578 40579 40580 40581 40582 40583 40584 40585 40586 40587 40588 40589 40590 40591<font> <font face="Arial"> 40592 40593<br> 40594 40595 </font></font><font size="1" 40596 40597 40598 40599 40600 40601 40602 40603 40604 40605 40606 40607 40608 40609 40610 40611 40612 40613 40614 40615 40616 40617 40618 40619<font size="1"><font face="Tahoma"></font><font size="2" 40620 40621 40622 40623 40624 40625 40626 40627 40628 40629 40630 40631 40632 40633 40634 40635 40636 40637 40638 40639 40640 40641 40642 40643<font <li><ol> 40644 40645 <li><strong><a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm" 40646 40647 style="text-decoration: none">A chi serve</a></strong></li> 40648 40649 </font><font face="Arial"> 40650 40651 <font face="Tahoma"> 40652 40653 <font size="1" size="1" face="Verdana" <li <font> 40654 40655 <li><small><strong> 40656 40657 <font color="#0033CC" size="2"> 40658 40659 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm#leggi" style="text-decoration: none"><span style="text-decoration: none">Leggi il n. 1 gratis!</span></a></font></strong></small></li> 40660 40661 <li><small><strong> 40662 40663 <font color="#ffffff" size="2"><span style="text-decoration: none; color: #b67"> 40664 40665 <a style="text-decoration: none" 40666 40667 href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/ordine-rivista.htm"> 40668 40669 <font color="#0033CC">Acquista gli arretrati</font></a></span></font></strong></small></li> 40670 40671 40672 40673</font> 40674 40675 40676 40677 <font size="1" 40678 40679 40680 40681 40682 40683 40684 40685 40686 40687 40688 40689 40690 40691 40692 40693 40694 40695 40696 40697 40698 40699 40700 40701<font size="1"><font size="2" size="1" face="Verdana"> 40702 40703 <li><strong><font color="#0033CC"> 40704 40705 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm#diconodinoi" style="text-decoration: none"> 40706 40707 <span style="text-decoration: none">Cosa dicono i lettori </span></a> </font></strong> 40708 40709 </li> 40710 40711 <li><strong> 40712 40713 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/e4l-rivista.htm#metodo" style="text-decoration: none"> 40714 40715 Il metodo</a></strong></li> 40716 40717 40718 40719</font> 40720 40721</ol> 40722 40723 <font face="Arial" size="1"> 40724 40725 <hr size="4" color="#FFCC00"> 40726 40727 </font> 40728 40729<p align="left"><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"> 40730 40731 <font size="2" color="#000000"> 40732 40733 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"> 40734 40735 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/i/inglese-per-chi-viaggia.png" width="163" 40736 40737height="21"></a> 40738 40739 </font></span> 40740 40741<a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"><img border="0" src="../../../2/info.png" width="55" 40742 40743height="20"></a><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"><font size="2" color="#000000"><br> 40744 40745 </font></span></font></font></font> 40746 40747 40748 40749 <font size="1" 40750 40751 40752 40753 40754 40755 40756 40757 40758 40759 40760 40761 40762 40763 40764 40765 40766 40767 40768 40769 40770 40771 40772 40773<font size="1"><span style="background-color: #FFFFFF"><font size="2" color="#000000">Scopri <b> 40774 40775 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"> 40776 40777 <font color="#CC3300">Total Audio</font></a></b>, la versione del 40778 40779 </font></span><font color="#000000" size="2"> 40780 40781 <span style="background-color: #FFFFFF">corso 20 ORE fatta 40782 40783 apposta per chi come te passa tanto tempo viaggiando! Ideale per 40784 40785 chi fa il pendolare o compie ogni giorno lunghi tragitti sui 40786 40787 mezzi. Sfrutta anche tu i tempi morti per imparare o migliorare 40788 40789 il tuo inglese! </span></font> </font><font face="Arial"> 40790 40791 <font face="Arial" size="1"> 40792 40793 <hr size="4" color="#FFCC00"> 40794 40795 </font> 40796 40797 40798 40799 <font size="2"> 40800 40801 <p align="left"> 40802 40803 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"> 40804 40805 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/imm/eg-elingue-crisi.png" width="218" 40806 40807 40808 40809 height="18"></a></font><font size="1" <font face="Tahoma"><a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"><img border="0" src="../../../2/info.png" width="55" 40810 40811height="20"></a></font><font size="2" <font><br> 40812 40813 </font></font><font size="2" <font>CORSI 20 ORE - I corsi di lingue più 40814 40815 40816 40817 completi per una preparazione di base superiore alla media in 5 40818 40819 40820 40821 lingue: <b><font color="#0000FF"> 40822 40823 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ing.htm"> 40824 40825 <font color="#CC3300">Inglese</font></a> - 40826 40827 40828 40829 </font></b><font color="#0000FF"><b> 40830 40831 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/fra.htm"><font color="#CC3300">Francese</font></a></b></font> 40832 40833 40834 40835 - <font color="#0000FF"><b> 40836 40837 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/spa.htm"><font color="#CC3300">Spagnolo</font></a><font color="#CC3300"> 40838 40839 - </font> 40840 40841 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/ted.htm"><font color="#CC3300">Tedesco</font></a></b></font> 40842 40843 40844 40845 - <font color="#0000FF"><b> 40846 40847 <a style="text-decoration: none" href="http://www.englishgratis.com/shop/rus.htm"><font color="#CC3300">Russo</font></a><font color="#CC3300"> 40848 40849 </font></b></font></font></font> 40850 40851 <font face="Arial" size="1"> 40852 40853 <hr size="4" color="#FFCC00"> 40854 40855 </font> 40856 40857 <p align="center"> 40858 40859 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/elingue/c-skype.htm"> 40860 40861 <img border="0" src="../../../2/skype.jpg" width="200" height="190"></a></p> 40862 40863 40864 40865 <!--webbot bot="Include" i-checksum="7691" endspan --><p> 40866 </td> 40867 40868 40869 40870 </tr> 40871 40872 40873 40874 </table> 40875 40876 40877 40878 </div> 40879 40880 40881 40882 <div align="center"> 40883 40884 40885 40886<!--webbot bot="Include" U-Include="../../../2/00-DOWN.htm" TAG="BODY" startspan --> 40887 40888 40889 40890<p> </p> 40891 40892 40893 40894<!--webbot bot="Include" i-checksum="56141" endspan --></div> 40895 </form> 40896 40897 40898 40899<html> 40900 40901<head> 40902<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> 40903<title></title> 40904</head> 40905 40906<body style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt"> 40907 40908<div align="center"> 40909 <hr color="#FF0000" size="4"> 40910 <table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="800" cellpadding="2"> 40911 <tr> 40912 <td> </td> 40913 <td> 40914 <p align="center"> 40915 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/eg-logo_mini.png" width="207" height="40"> 40916 <font color="#cc3300"><b><br> 40917 <font face="Tahoma">CONDIZIONI DI USO DI QUESTO SITO <br> 40918 </font></b></font><font face="Tahoma">L'utente può utilizzare il nostro 40919 sito solo se comprende e accetta quanto segue:</font></p> 40920 <ul> 40921 <li><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Le risorse linguistiche gratuite 40922 presentate in questo sito si possono utilizzare esclusivamente per 40923 uso personale e non commerciale con tassativa esclusione di ogni 40924 condivisione comunque effettuata. Tutti i diritti sono riservati. 40925 La riproduzione anche parziale è vietata senza autorizzazione scritta.</font></li> 40926 <li><font face="Tahoma" size="2">Il nome del sito EnglishGratis
40927 è esclusivamente un marchio e un nome di dominio internet che fa 40928 riferimento alla disponibilità sul sito di un numero molto elevato 40929 di risorse gratuite 40930 </font></li> 40931 <li><font face="Tahoma "><font size="2">L'utente accetta di 40932 tenerci indenni da qualsiasi tipo di responsabilità per l'uso - 40933 ed eventuali conseguenze di esso - degli esercizi e delle 40934 informazioni linguistiche e grammaticali contenute sul siti. Le 40935 risposte grammaticali sono infatti improntate ad un criterio di 40936 praticità e pragmaticità più che ad una completezza ed 40937 esaustività che finirebbe per frastornare, per l'eccesso di 40938 informazione fornita, il nostro utente. La segnalazione di 40939 eventuali errori è comunque gradita.<br> 40940 </font><br> 40941 </font><hr width="250" size="1"> 40942 <p align="center"><font face="Tahoma" size="3"> 40943 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/crystal-jones.jpg" width="90" height="140" align="right"></font><img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/rbc.JPG" width="108" height="126" align="left"><font face="Tahoma" size="3">ENGLISHGRATIS.COM 40944 è un sito personale di <br> 40945 Roberto Casiraghi e Crystal Jones <br> 40946 email: [email protected]<br> 40947 </font><font face="Arial" size="2"><i> 40948 <br> 40949 Roberto Casiraghi 40950 </i> 40951 <i> Crystal Jones</i></font></p> 40952 <p align="center"><font face="Arial"><b> 40953 <span style="text-decoration: none"> 40954 <font color="#3399FF" size="2"><font color="#3399FF"> 40955 <a href="http://www.gratis.it"> 40956 <img border="0" src="http://www.englishgratis.com/2/gratis.gif" width="120" height="31"></a></font></a></font></span></b><br> 40957 <b><span style="text-decoration: none"> 40958 <font color="#3399FF" size="2"> 40959 <a href="../amici/sitiamici.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 40960 I nostri siti: </a></font></span><font color="#3399FF" size="2"> <br> 40961 </font><font size="2"> 40962 <a title="Foreign languages, Parallel Text, Bilingual" href="http://www.lonweb.org"> 40963 <font color="#3399FF"><span style="text-decoration: none">Corsi 40964 20 ORE Digital Edition </span></font></a></font> 40965 <font color="#3399FF" size="2"> 40966 </font><font size="2"> 40967 <a title="Foreign languages, Parallel Text, Bilingual" href="http://www.lonweb.org"> 40968 <font color="#3399FF"><span style="text-decoration: none">Lonweb</span></font></a></font><font color="#3399FF" size="2"> 40969 </font><font size="2" color="#3EA4E1"> 40970 <a href="http://www.daisystories.com"> 40971 <font color="#3399FF"><span style="text-decoration: none">Daisy 40972 Stories</span></font></a></font><font size="2" color="#3399FF"> 40973 40974 <a href="http://www.scuolitalia.com"> 40975 <font color="#3399FF"><span style="text-decoration: none">Scuolitalia</span></font></a></font></b><a href="http://www.scuolitalia.com"><font size="1" color="#3399FF"><span style="text-decoration: none"> 40976 </span> </font> 40977 </a><br> 40978 <font color="#FF0000" size="1"> 40979 <span style="text-decoration: none"><b><font color="#0033CC"> 40980 <a href="http://www.inglese.it" title="Scuole di Inglese, Corsi di Inglese, Vacanze Studio" style="text-decoration: none"> 40981 <font color="#FF0000">Sito segnalato da INGLESE.IT</font></a></font></b></span></font></font></p> 40982 <p align="center"><b><font color="#CC3300" size="2" face="Arial Black"> 40983 <a href="http://www.englishgratis.com/informativa.htm" style="text-decoration: none"> 40984 <font color="#808080">INFORMATIVA SULLA PRIVACY</font></a></font><font face="Arial" size="2"> </font> 40985 </b></p> 40986 </li> 40987 </ul> 40988 </td> 40989 <td width="4"> </td> 40990 </tr> 40991 </table> 40992</div> 40993 40994</body> 40995 40996</html></body></html>
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