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diff --git a/old/files/relative.htm b/old/files/relative.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ffe612a --- /dev/null +++ b/old/files/relative.htm @@ -0,0 +1,28205 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <title> + The Old Curiosity Shop + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 100%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: The Old Curiosity Shop + +Author: Charles Dickens + +Release Date: March 7, 2008 [EBook #700] +Last updated: May 7, 2015 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP *** + + + + + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP + </h1> + <h2> + By Charles Dickens + </h2> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0008m.jpg" alt="0008m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0008.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + CONTENTS + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <table width="100%"> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap01">CHAPTER 1</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap02">CHAPTER 2</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap03">CHAPTER 3</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap04">CHAPTER 4</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap05">CHAPTER 5</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap06">CHAPTER 6</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap07">CHAPTER 7</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap08">CHAPTER 8</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap09">CHAPTER 9</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap10">CHAPTER 10</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap11">CHAPTER 11</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap12">CHAPTER 12</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap13">CHAPTER 13</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap14">CHAPTER 14</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap15">CHAPTER 15</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap16">CHAPTER 16</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap17">CHAPTER 17</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap18">CHAPTER 18</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap19">CHAPTER 19</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap20">CHAPTER 20</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap21">CHAPTER 21</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap22">CHAPTER 22</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap23">CHAPTER 23</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap24">CHAPTER 24</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap25">CHAPTER 25</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap26">CHAPTER 26</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap27">CHAPTER 27</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap28">CHAPTER 28</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap29">CHAPTER 29</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap30">CHAPTER 30</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap31">CHAPTER 31</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap32">CHAPTER 32</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap33">CHAPTER 33</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap34">CHAPTER 34</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap35">CHAPTER 35</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap36">CHAPTER 36</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap37">CHAPTER 37</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap38">CHAPTER 38</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap39">CHAPTER 39</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap40">CHAPTER 40</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap41">CHAPTER 41</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap42">CHAPTER 42</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap43">CHAPTER 43</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap44">CHAPTER 44</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap45">CHAPTER 45</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap46">CHAPTER 46</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap47">CHAPTER 47</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap48">CHAPTER 48</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap49">CHAPTER 49</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap50">CHAPTER 50</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap51">CHAPTER 51</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap52">CHAPTER 52</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap53">CHAPTER 53</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap54">CHAPTER 54</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap55">CHAPTER 55</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap56">CHAPTER 56</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap57">CHAPTER 57</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap58">CHAPTER 58</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap59">CHAPTER 59</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap60">CHAPTER 60</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap61">CHAPTER 61</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap62">CHAPTER 62</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap63">CHAPTER 63</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap64">CHAPTER 64</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap65">CHAPTER 65</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap66">CHAPTER 66</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap67">CHAPTER 67</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap68">CHAPTER 68</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap69">CHAPTER 69</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap70">CHAPTER 70</a> + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap71">CHAPTER 71</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap72">CHAPTER 72</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + <a href="#chap73">CHAPTER 73</a> + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + + </td> + <td align="left" valign="top"> + + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap01"></a> + </p> + + + + <h3> + CHAPTER 1 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">N</span>ight is generally my time for walking. In the summer I often leave home + early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or even + escape for days or weeks together; but, saving in the country, I seldom go + out until after dark, though, Heaven be thanked, I love its light and feel + the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any creature living. + </p> + <p> + I have fallen insensibly into this habit, both because it favours my + infirmity and because it affords me greater opportunity of speculating on + the characters and occupations of those who fill the streets. The glare + and hurry of broad noon are not adapted to idle pursuits like mine; a + glimpse of passing faces caught by the light of a street-lamp or a shop + window is often better for my purpose than their full revelation in the + daylight; and, if I must add the truth, night is kinder in this respect + than day, which too often destroys an air-built castle at the moment of + its completion, without the least ceremony or remorse. + </p> + <p> + That constant pacing to and fro, that never-ending restlessness, that + incessant tread of feet wearing the rough stones smooth and glossy—is + it not a wonder how the dwellers in narrows ways can bear to hear it! + Think of a sick man in such a place as Saint Martin's Court, listening to + the footsteps, and in the midst of pain and weariness obliged, despite + himself (as though it were a task he must perform) to detect the child's + step from the man's, the slipshod beggar from the booted exquisite, the + lounging from the busy, the dull heel of the sauntering outcast from the + quick tread of an expectant pleasure-seeker—think of the hum and + noise always being present to his sense, and of the stream of life that + will not stop, pouring on, on, on, through all his restless dreams, as if + he were condemned to lie, dead but conscious, in a noisy churchyard, and + had no hope of rest for centuries to come. + </p> + <p> + Then, the crowds for ever passing and repassing on the bridges (on those + which are free of toll at last), where many stop on fine evenings looking + listlessly down upon the water with some vague idea that by and by it runs + between green banks which grow wider and wider until at last it joins the + broad vast sea—where some halt to rest from heavy loads and think as + they look over the parapet that to smoke and lounge away one's life, and + lie sleeping in the sun upon a hot tarpaulin, in a dull, slow, sluggish + barge, must be happiness unalloyed—and where some, and a very + different class, pause with heavier loads than they, remembering to have + heard or read in old time that drowning was not a hard death, but of all + means of suicide the easiest and best. + </p> + <p> + Covent Garden Market at sunrise too, in the spring or summer, when the + fragrance of sweet flowers is in the air, over-powering even the + unwholesome streams of last night's debauchery, and driving the dusky + thrush, whose cage has hung outside a garret window all night long, half + mad with joy! Poor bird! the only neighbouring thing at all akin to the + other little captives, some of whom, shrinking from the hot hands of + drunken purchasers, lie drooping on the path already, while others, + soddened by close contact, await the time when they shall be watered and + freshened up to please more sober company, and make old clerks who pass + them on their road to business, wonder what has filled their breasts with + visions of the country. + </p> + <p> + But my present purpose is not to expatiate upon my walks. The story I am + about to relate, and to which I shall recur at intervals, arose out of one + of these rambles; and thus I have been led to speak of them by way of + preface. + </p> + <p> + One night I had roamed into the City, and was walking slowly on in my + usual way, musing upon a great many things, when I was arrested by an + inquiry, the purport of which did not reach me, but which seemed to be + addressed to myself, and was preferred in a soft sweet voice that struck + me very pleasantly. I turned hastily round and found at my elbow a pretty + little girl, who begged to be directed to a certain street at a + considerable distance, and indeed in quite another quarter of the town. + </p> + <p> + 'It is a very long way from here,' said I, 'my child.' + </p> + <p> + 'I know that, sir,' she replied timidly. 'I am afraid it is a very long + way, for I came from there to-night.' + </p> + <p> + 'Alone?' said I, in some surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, yes, I don't mind that, but I am a little frightened now, for I had + lost my road.' + </p> + <p> + 'And what made you ask it of me? Suppose I should tell you wrong?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am sure you will not do that,' said the little creature,' you are such + a very old gentleman, and walk so slow yourself.' + </p> + <p> + I cannot describe how much I was impressed by this appeal and the energy + with which it was made, which brought a tear into the child's clear eye, + and made her slight figure tremble as she looked up into my face. + </p> + <p> + 'Come,' said I, 'I'll take you there.' + </p> + <p> + She put her hand in mine as confidingly as if she had known me from her + cradle, and we trudged away together; the little creature accommodating + her pace to mine, and rather seeming to lead and take care of me than I to + be protecting her. I observed that every now and then she stole a curious + look at my face, as if to make quite sure that I was not deceiving her, + and that these glances (very sharp and keen they were too) seemed to + increase her confidence at every repetition. + </p> + <p> + For my part, my curiosity and interest were at least equal to the child's, + for child she certainly was, although I thought it probably from what I + could make out, that her very small and delicate frame imparted a peculiar + youthfulness to her appearance. Though more scantily attired than she + might have been she was dressed with perfect neatness, and betrayed no + marks of poverty or neglect. + </p> + <p> + 'Who has sent you so far by yourself?' said I. + </p> + <p> + 'Someone who is very kind to me, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'And what have you been doing?' + </p> + <p> + 'That, I must not tell,' said the child firmly. + </p> + <p> + There was something in the manner of this reply which caused me to look at + the little creature with an involuntary expression of surprise; for I + wondered what kind of errand it might be that occasioned her to be + prepared for questioning. Her quick eye seemed to read my thoughts, for as + it met mine she added that there was no harm in what she had been doing, + but it was a great secret—a secret which she did not even know + herself. + </p> + <p> + This was said with no appearance of cunning or deceit, but with an + unsuspicious frankness that bore the impress of truth. She walked on as + before, growing more familiar with me as we proceeded and talking + cheerfully by the way, but she said no more about her home, beyond + remarking that we were going quite a new road and asking if it were a + short one. + </p> + <p> + While we were thus engaged, I revolved in my mind a hundred different + explanations of the riddle and rejected them every one. I really felt + ashamed to take advantage of the ingenuousness or grateful feeling of the + child for the purpose of gratifying my curiosity. I love these little + people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, + love us. As I had felt pleased at first by her confidence I determined to + deserve it, and to do credit to the nature which had prompted her to + repose it in me. + </p> + <p> + There was no reason, however, why I should refrain from seeing the person + who had inconsiderately sent her to so great a distance by night and + alone, and as it was not improbable that if she found herself near home + she might take farewell of me and deprive me of the opportunity, I avoided + the most frequented ways and took the most intricate, and thus it was not + until we arrived in the street itself that she knew where we were. + Clapping her hands with pleasure and running on before me for a short + distance, my little acquaintance stopped at a door and remaining on the + step till I came up knocked at it when I joined her. + </p> + <p> + A part of this door was of glass unprotected by any shutter, which I did + not observe at first, for all was very dark and silent within, and I was + anxious (as indeed the child was also) for an answer to our summons. When + she had knocked twice or thrice there was a noise as if some person were + moving inside, and at length a faint light appeared through the glass + which, as it approached very slowly, the bearer having to make his way + through a great many scattered articles, enabled me to see both what kind + of person it was who advanced and what kind of place it was through which + he came. + </p> + <p> + It was an old man with long grey hair, whose face and figure as he held + the light above his head and looked before him as he approached, I could + plainly see. Though much altered by age, I fancied I could recognize in + his spare and slender form something of that delicate mould which I had + noticed in the child. Their bright blue eyes were certainly alike, but his + face was so deeply furrowed and so very full of care, that here all + resemblance ceased. + </p> + <p> + The place through which he made his way at leisure was one of those + receptacles for old and curious things which seem to crouch in odd corners + of this town and to hide their musty treasures from the public eye in + jealousy and distrust. There were suits of mail standing like ghosts in + armour here and there, fantastic carvings brought from monkish cloisters, + rusty weapons of various kinds, distorted figures in china and wood and + iron and ivory: tapestry and strange furniture that might have been + designed in dreams. The haggard aspect of the little old man was + wonderfully suited to the place; he might have groped among old churches + and tombs and deserted houses and gathered all the spoils with his own + hands. There was nothing in the whole collection but was in keeping with + himself nothing that looked older or more worn than he. + </p> + <p> + As he turned the key in the lock, he surveyed me with some astonishment + which was not diminished when he looked from me to my companion. The door + being opened, the child addressed him as grandfather, and told him the + little story of our companionship. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, bless thee, child,' said the old man, patting her on the head, 'how + couldst thou miss thy way? What if I had lost thee, Nell!' + </p> + <p> + 'I would have found my way back to <i>you</i>, grandfather,' said the child + boldly; 'never fear.' + </p> + <p> + The old man kissed her, then turning to me and begging me to walk in, I + did so. The door was closed and locked. Preceding me with the light, he + led me through the place I had already seen from without, into a small + sitting-room behind, in which was another door opening into a kind of + closet, where I saw a little bed that a fairy might have slept in, it + looked so very small and was so prettily arranged. The child took a candle + and tripped into this little room, leaving the old man and me together. + </p> + <p> + 'You must be tired, sir,' said he as he placed a chair near the fire, 'how + can I thank you?' + </p> + <p> + 'By taking more care of your grandchild another time, my good friend,' I + replied. + </p> + <p> + 'More care!' said the old man in a shrill voice, 'more care of Nelly! Why, + who ever loved a child as I love Nell?' + </p> + <p> + He said this with such evident surprise that I was perplexed what answer + to make, and the more so because coupled with something feeble and + wandering in his manner, there were in his face marks of deep and anxious + thought which convinced me that he could not be, as I had been at first + inclined to suppose, in a state of dotage or imbecility. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't think you consider—' I began. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't consider!' cried the old man interrupting me, 'I don't consider + her! Ah, how little you know of the truth! Little Nelly, little Nelly!' + </p> + <p> + It would be impossible for any man, I care not what his form of speech + might be, to express more affection than the dealer in curiosities did, in + these four words. I waited for him to speak again, but he rested his chin + upon his hand and shaking his head twice or thrice fixed his eyes upon the + fire. + </p> + <p> + While we were sitting thus in silence, the door of the closet opened, and + the child returned, her light brown hair hanging loose about her neck, and + her face flushed with the haste she had made to rejoin us. She busied + herself immediately in preparing supper, and while she was thus engaged I + remarked that the old man took an opportunity of observing me more closely + than he had done yet. I was surprised to see that all this time everything + was done by the child, and that there appeared to be no other persons but + ourselves in the house. I took advantage of a moment when she was absent + to venture a hint on this point, to which the old man replied that there + were few grown persons as trustworthy or as careful as she. + </p> + <p> + 'It always grieves me,' I observed, roused by what I took to be his + selfishness, 'it always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of + children into the ways of life, when they are scarcely more than infants. + It checks their confidence and simplicity—two of the best qualities + that Heaven gives them—and demands that they share our sorrows + before they are capable of entering into our enjoyments.' + </p> + <p> + 'It will never check hers,' said the old man looking steadily at me, 'the + springs are too deep. Besides, the children of the poor know but few + pleasures. Even the cheap delights of childhood must be bought and paid + for.' + </p> + <p> + 'But—forgive me for saying this—you are surely not so very + poor'—said I. + </p> + <p> + 'She is not my child, sir,' returned the old man. 'Her mother was, and she + was poor. I save nothing—not a penny—though I live as you see, + but'—he laid his hand upon my arm and leant forward to whisper—'she + shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don't you think ill of + me because I use her help. She gives it cheerfully as you see, and it + would break her heart if she knew that I suffered anybody else to do for + me what her little hands could undertake. I don't consider!'—he + cried with sudden querulousness, 'why, God knows that this one child is + the thought and object of my life, and yet he never prospers me—no, + never!' + </p> + <p> + At this juncture, the subject of our conversation again returned, and the + old man motioning to me to approach the table, broke off, and said no + more. + </p> + <p> + We had scarcely begun our repast when there was a knock at the door by + which I had entered, and Nell bursting into a hearty laugh, which I was + rejoiced to hear, for it was childlike and full of hilarity, said it was + no doubt dear old Kit coming back at last. + </p> + <p> + 'Foolish Nell!' said the old man fondling with her hair. 'She always + laughs at poor Kit.' + </p> + <p> + The child laughed again more heartily than before, and I could not help + smiling from pure sympathy. The little old man took up a candle and went + to open the door. When he came back, Kit was at his heels. + </p> + <p> + Kit was a shock-headed, shambling, awkward lad with an uncommonly wide + mouth, very red cheeks, a turned-up nose, and certainly the most comical + expression of face I ever saw. He stopped short at the door on seeing a + stranger, twirled in his hand a perfectly round old hat without any + vestige of a brim, and resting himself now on one leg and now on the other + and changing them constantly, stood in the doorway, looking into the + parlour with the most extraordinary leer I ever beheld. I entertained a + grateful feeling towards the boy from that minute, for I felt that he was + the comedy of the child's life. + </p> + <p> + 'A long way, wasn't it, Kit?' said the little old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, then, it was a goodish stretch, master,' returned Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Of course you have come back hungry?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, then, I do consider myself rather so, master,' was the answer. + </p> + <p> + The lad had a remarkable manner of standing sideways as he spoke, and + thrusting his head forward over his shoulder, as if he could not get at + his voice without that accompanying action. I think he would have amused + one anywhere, but the child's exquisite enjoyment of his oddity, and the + relief it was to find that there was something she associated with + merriment in a place that appeared so unsuited to her, were quite + irresistible. It was a great point too that Kit himself was flattered by + the sensation he created, and after several efforts to preserve his + gravity, burst into a loud roar, and so stood with his mouth wide open and + his eyes nearly shut, laughing violently. + </p> + <p> + The old man had again relapsed into his former abstraction and took no + notice of what passed, but I remarked that when her laugh was over, the + child's bright eyes were dimmed with tears, called forth by the fullness + of heart with which she welcomed her uncouth favourite after the little + anxiety of the night. As for Kit himself (whose laugh had been all the + time one of that sort which very little would change into a cry) he + carried a large slice of bread and meat and a mug of beer into a corner, + and applied himself to disposing of them with great voracity. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said the old man turning to me with a sigh, as if I had spoken to + him but that moment, 'you don't know what you say when you tell me that I + don't consider her.' + </p> + <p> + 'You must not attach too great weight to a remark founded on first + appearances, my friend,' said I. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' returned the old man thoughtfully, 'no. Come hither, Nell.' + </p> + <p> + The little girl hastened from her seat, and put her arm about his neck. + </p> + <p> + 'Do I love thee, Nell?' said he. 'Say—do I love thee, Nell, or no?' + </p> + <p> + The child only answered by her caresses, and laid her head upon his + breast. + </p> + <p> + 'Why dost thou sob?' said the grandfather, pressing her closer to him and + glancing towards me. 'Is it because thou know'st I love thee, and dost not + like that I should seem to doubt it by my question? Well, well—then + let us say I love thee dearly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, indeed you do,' replied the child with great earnestness, 'Kit + knows you do.' + </p> + <p> + Kit, who in despatching his bread and meat had been swallowing two-thirds + of his knife at every mouthful with the coolness of a juggler, stopped + short in his operations on being thus appealed to, and bawled 'Nobody + isn't such a fool as to say he doosn't,' after which he incapacitated + himself for further conversation by taking a most prodigious sandwich at + one bite. + </p> + <p> + 'She is poor now'—said the old man, patting the child's cheek, 'but + I say again that the time is coming when she shall be rich. It has been a + long time coming, but it must come at last; a very long time, but it + surely must come. It has come to other men who do nothing but waste and + riot. When <i>will </i>it come to me!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very happy as I am, grandfather,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Tush, tush!' returned the old man, 'thou dost not know—how + should'st thou!' then he muttered again between his teeth, 'The time must + come, I am very sure it must. It will be all the better for coming late'; + and then he sighed and fell into his former musing state, and still + holding the child between his knees appeared to be insensible to + everything around him. By this time it wanted but a few minutes of + midnight and I rose to go, which recalled him to himself. + </p> + <p> + 'One moment, sir,' he said, 'Now, Kit—near midnight, boy, and you + still here! Get home, get home, and be true to your time in the morning, + for there's work to do. Good night! There, bid him good night, Nell, and + let him be gone!' + </p> + <p> + 'Good night, Kit,' said the child, her eyes lighting up with merriment and + kindness.' + </p> + <p> + 'Good night, Miss Nell,' returned the boy. + </p> + <p> + 'And thank this gentleman,' interposed the old man, 'but for whose care I + might have lost my little girl to-night.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no, master,' said Kit, 'that won't do, that won't.' + </p> + <p> + 'What do you mean?' cried the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'I'd have found her, master,' said Kit, 'I'd have found her. I'll bet that + I'd find her if she was above ground, I would, as quick as anybody, + master. Ha, ha, ha!' + </p> + <p> + Once more opening his mouth and shutting his eyes, and laughing like a + stentor, Kit gradually backed to the door, and roared himself out. + </p> + <p> + Free of the room, the boy was not slow in taking his departure; when he + had gone, and the child was occupied in clearing the table, the old man + said: + </p> + <p> + 'I haven't seemed to thank you, sir, for what you have done to-night, but + I do thank you humbly and heartily, and so does she, and her thanks are + better worth than mine. I should be sorry that you went away, and thought + I was unmindful of your goodness, or careless of her—I am not + indeed.' + </p> + <p> + I was sure of that, I said, from what I had seen. 'But,' I added, 'may I + ask you a question?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ay, sir,' replied the old man, 'What is it?' + </p> + <p> + 'This delicate child,' said I, 'with so much beauty and intelligence—has + she nobody to care for her but you? Has she no other companion or + advisor?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' he returned, looking anxiously in my face, 'no, and she wants no + other.' + </p> + <p> + 'But are you not fearful,' said I, 'that you may misunderstand a charge so + tender? I am sure you mean well, but are you quite certain that you know + how to execute such a trust as this? I am an old man, like you, and I am + actuated by an old man's concern in all that is young and promising. Do + you not think that what I have seen of you and this little creature + to-night must have an interest not wholly free from pain?' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' rejoined the old man after a moment's silence.' I have no right to + feel hurt at what you say. It is true that in many respects I am the + child, and she the grown person—that you have seen already. But + waking or sleeping, by night or day, in sickness or health, she is the one + object of my care, and if you knew of how much care, you would look on me + with different eyes, you would indeed. Ah! It's a weary life for an old + man—a weary, weary life—but there is a great end to gain and + that I keep before me.' + </p> + <p> + Seeing that he was in a state of excitement and impatience, I turned to + put on an outer coat which I had thrown off on entering the room, + purposing to say no more. I was surprised to see the child standing + patiently by with a cloak upon her arm, and in her hand a hat, and stick. + </p> + <p> + 'Those are not mine, my dear,' said I. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' returned the child, 'they are grandfather's.' + </p> + <p> + 'But he is not going out to-night.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, yes, he is,' said the child, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + 'And what becomes of you, my pretty one?' + </p> + <p> + 'Me! I stay here of course. I always do.' + </p> + <p> + I looked in astonishment towards the old man, but he was, or feigned to + be, busied in the arrangement of his dress. From him I looked back to the + slight gentle figure of the child. Alone! In that gloomy place all the + long, dreary night. + </p> + <p> + She evinced no consciousness of my surprise, but cheerfully helped the old + man with his cloak, and when he was ready took a candle to light us out. + Finding that we did not follow as she expected, she looked back with a + smile and waited for us. The old man showed by his face that he plainly + understood the cause of my hesitation, but he merely signed to me with an + inclination of the head to pass out of the room before him, and remained + silent. I had no resource but to comply. + </p> + <p> + When we reached the door, the child setting down the candle, turned to say + good night and raised her face to kiss me. Then she ran to the old man, + who folded her in his arms and bade God bless her. + </p> + <p> + 'Sleep soundly, Nell,' he said in a low voice, 'and angels guard thy bed! + Do not forget thy prayers, my sweet.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, indeed,' answered the child fervently, 'they make me feel so happy!' + </p> + <p> + 'That's well; I know they do; they should,' said the old man. 'Bless thee + a hundred times! Early in the morning I shall be home.' + </p> + <p> + 'You'll not ring twice,' returned the child. 'The bell wakes me, even in + the middle of a dream.' + </p> + <p> + With this, they separated. The child opened the door (now guarded by a + shutter which I had heard the boy put up before he left the house) and + with another farewell whose clear and tender note I have recalled a + thousand times, held it until we had passed out. The old man paused a + moment while it was gently closed and fastened on the inside, and + satisfied that this was done, walked on at a slow pace. At the + street-corner he stopped, and regarding me with a troubled countenance + said that our ways were widely different and that he must take his leave. + I would have spoken, but summoning up more alacrity than might have been + expected in one of his appearance, he hurried away. I could see that twice + or thrice he looked back as if to ascertain if I were still watching him, + or perhaps to assure himself that I was not following at a distance. The + obscurity of the night favoured his disappearance, and his figure was soon + beyond my sight. + </p> + <p> + I remained standing on the spot where he had left me, unwilling to depart, + and yet unknowing why I should loiter there. I looked wistfully into the + street we had lately quitted, and after a time directed my steps that way. + I passed and repassed the house, and stopped and listened at the door; all + was dark, and silent as the grave. + </p> + <p> + Yet I lingered about, and could not tear myself away, thinking of all + possible harm that might happen to the child—of fires and robberies + and even murder—and feeling as if some evil must ensue if I turned + my back upon the place. The closing of a door or window in the street + brought me before the curiosity-dealer's once more; I crossed the road and + looked up at the house to assure myself that the noise had not come from + there. No, it was black, cold, and lifeless as before. + </p> + <p> + There were few passengers astir; the street was sad and dismal, and pretty + well my own. A few stragglers from the theatres hurried by, and now and + then I turned aside to avoid some noisy drunkard as he reeled homewards, + but these interruptions were not frequent and soon ceased. The clocks + struck one. Still I paced up and down, promising myself that every time + should be the last, and breaking faith with myself on some new plea as + often as I did so. + </p> + <p> + The more I thought of what the old man had said, and of his looks and + bearing, the less I could account for what I had seen and heard. I had a + strong misgiving that his nightly absence was for no good purpose. I had + only come to know the fact through the innocence of the child, and though + the old man was by at the time, and saw my undisguised surprise, he had + preserved a strange mystery upon the subject and offered no word of + explanation. These reflections naturally recalled again more strongly than + before his haggard face, his wandering manner, his restless anxious looks. + His affection for the child might not be inconsistent with villany of the + worst kind; even that very affection was in itself an extraordinary + contradiction, or how could he leave her thus? Disposed as I was to think + badly of him, I never doubted that his love for her was real. I could not + admit the thought, remembering what had passed between us, and the tone of + voice in which he had called her by her name. + </p> + <p> + 'Stay here of course,' the child had said in answer to my question, 'I + always do!' What could take him from home by night, and every night! I + called up all the strange tales I had ever heard of dark and secret deeds + committed in great towns and escaping detection for a long series of + years; wild as many of these stories were, I could not find one adapted to + this mystery, which only became the more impenetrable, in proportion as I + sought to solve it. + </p> + <p> + Occupied with such thoughts as these, and a crowd of others all tending to + the same point, I continued to pace the street for two long hours; at + length the rain began to descend heavily, and then over-powered by fatigue + though no less interested than I had been at first, I engaged the nearest + coach and so got home. A cheerful fire was blazing on the hearth, the lamp + burnt brightly, my clock received me with its old familiar welcome; + everything was quiet, warm and cheering, and in happy contrast to the + gloom and darkness I had quitted. + </p> + <p> + But all that night, waking or in my sleep, the same thoughts recurred and + the same images retained possession of my brain. I had ever before me the + old dark murky rooms—the gaunt suits of mail with their ghostly + silent air—the faces all awry, grinning from wood and stone—the + dust and rust and worm that lives in wood—and alone in the midst of + all this lumber and decay and ugly age, the beautiful child in her gentle + slumber, smiling through her light and sunny dreams. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap02"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 2 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>fter combating, for nearly a week, the feeling which impelled me to + revisit the place I had quitted under the circumstances already detailed, + I yielded to it at length; and determining that this time I would present + myself by the light of day, bent my steps thither early in the morning. + </p> + <p> + I walked past the house, and took several turns in the street, with that + kind of hesitation which is natural to a man who is conscious that the + visit he is about to pay is unexpected, and may not be very acceptable. + However, as the door of the shop was shut, and it did not appear likely + that I should be recognized by those within, if I continued merely to pass + up and down before it, I soon conquered this irresolution, and found + myself in the Curiosity Dealer's warehouse. + </p> + <p> + The old man and another person were together in the back part, and there + seemed to have been high words between them, for their voices which were + raised to a very high pitch suddenly stopped on my entering, and the old + man advancing hastily towards me, said in a tremulous tone that he was + very glad I had come. + </p> + <p> + 'You interrupted us at a critical moment,' said he, pointing to the man + whom I had found in company with him; 'this fellow will murder me one of + these days. He would have done so, long ago, if he had dared.' + </p> + <p> + 'Bah! You would swear away my life if you could,' returned the other, + after bestowing a stare and a frown on me; 'we all know that!' + </p> + <p> + 'I almost think I could,' cried the old man, turning feebly upon him. 'If + oaths, or prayers, or words, could rid me of you, they should. I would be + quit of you, and would be relieved if you were dead.' + </p> + <p> + 'I know it,' returned the other. 'I said so, didn't I? But neither oaths, + or prayers, nor words, <i>will </i>kill me, and therefore I live, and mean to + live.' + </p> + <p> + 'And his mother died!' cried the old man, passionately clasping his hands + and looking upward; 'and this is Heaven's justice!' + </p> + <p> + The other stood lunging with his foot upon a chair, and regarded him with + a contemptuous sneer. He was a young man of one-and-twenty or thereabouts; + well made, and certainly handsome, though the expression of his face was + far from prepossessing, having in common with his manner and even his + dress, a dissipated, insolent air which repelled one. + </p> + <p> + 'Justice or no justice,' said the young fellow, 'here I am and here I + shall stop till such time as I think fit to go, unless you send for + assistance to put me out—which you won't do, I know. I tell you + again that I want to see my sister.' + </p> + <p> + '<i>Your </i>sister!' said the old man bitterly. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! You can't change the relationship,' returned the other. 'If you + could, you'd have done it long ago. I want to see my sister, that you keep + cooped up here, poisoning her mind with your sly secrets and pretending an + affection for her that you may work her to death, and add a few scraped + shillings every week to the money you can hardly count. I want to see her; + and I will.' + </p> + <p> + 'Here's a moralist to talk of poisoned minds! Here's a generous spirit to + scorn scraped-up shillings!' cried the old man, turning from him to me. 'A + profligate, sir, who has forfeited every claim not only upon those who + have the misfortune to be of his blood, but upon society which knows + nothing of him but his misdeeds. A liar too,' he added, in a lower voice + as he drew closer to me, 'who knows how dear she is to me, and seeks to + wound me even there, because there is a stranger nearby.' + </p> + <p> + 'Strangers are nothing to me, grandfather,' said the young fellow catching + at the word, 'nor I to them, I hope. The best they can do, is to keep an + eye to their business and leave me to mine. There's a friend of mine + waiting outside, and as it seems that I may have to wait some time, I'll + call him in, with your leave.' + </p> + <p> + Saying this, he stepped to the door, and looking down the street beckoned + several times to some unseen person, who, to judge from the air of + impatience with which these signals were accompanied, required a great + quantity of persuasion to induce him to advance. At length there sauntered + up, on the opposite side of the way—with a bad pretense of passing + by accident—a figure conspicuous for its dirty smartness, which + after a great many frowns and jerks of the head, in resistance of the + invitation, ultimately crossed the road and was brought into the shop. + </p> + <p> + 'There. It's Dick Swiveller,' said the young fellow, pushing him in. 'Sit + down, Swiveller.' + </p> + <p> + 'But is the old min agreeable?' said Mr Swiveller in an undertone. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller complied, and looking about him with a propitiatory smile, + observed that last week was a fine week for the ducks, and this week was a + fine week for the dust; he also observed that whilst standing by the post + at the street-corner, he had observed a pig with a straw in his mouth + issuing out of the tobacco-shop, from which appearance he augured that + another fine week for the ducks was approaching, and that rain would + certainly ensue. He furthermore took occasion to apologize for any + negligence that might be perceptible in his dress, on the ground that last + night he had had 'the sun very strong in his eyes'; by which expression he + was understood to convey to his hearers in the most delicate manner + possible, the information that he had been extremely drunk. + </p> + <p> + 'But what,' said Mr Swiveller with a sigh, 'what is the odds so long as + the fire of soul is kindled at the taper of conwiviality, and the wing of + friendship never moults a feather! What is the odds so long as the spirit + is expanded by means of rosy wine, and the present moment is the least + happiest of our existence!' + </p> + <p> + 'You needn't act the chairman here,' said his friend, half aside. + </p> + <p> + 'Fred!' cried Mr Swiveller, tapping his nose, 'a word to the wise is + sufficient for them—we may be good and happy without riches, Fred. + Say not another syllable. I know my cue; smart is the word. Only one + little whisper, Fred—is the old min friendly?' + </p> + <p> + 'Never you mind,' replied his friend. + </p> + <p> + 'Right again, quite right,' said Mr Swiveller, 'caution is the word, and + caution is the act.' with that, he winked as if in preservation of some + deep secret, and folding his arms and leaning back in his chair, looked up + at the ceiling with profound gravity. + </p> + <p> + It was perhaps not very unreasonable to suspect from what had already + passed, that Mr Swiveller was not quite recovered from the effects of the + powerful sunlight to which he had made allusion; but if no such suspicion + had been awakened by his speech, his wiry hair, dull eyes, and sallow face + would still have been strong witnesses against him. His attire was not, as + he had himself hinted, remarkable for the nicest arrangement, but was in a + state of disorder which strongly induced the idea that he had gone to bed + in it. It consisted of a brown body-coat with a great many brass buttons + up the front and only one behind, a bright check neckerchief, a plaid + waistcoat, soiled white trousers, and a very limp hat, worn with the wrong + side foremost, to hide a hole in the brim. The breast of his coat was + ornamented with an outside pocket from which there peeped forth the + cleanest end of a very large and very ill-favoured handkerchief; his dirty + wristbands were pulled on as far as possible and ostentatiously folded + back over his cuffs; he displayed no gloves, and carried a yellow cane + having at the top a bone hand with the semblance of a ring on its little + finger and a black ball in its grasp. With all these personal advantages + (to which may be added a strong savour of tobacco-smoke, and a prevailing + greasiness of appearance) Mr Swiveller leant back in his chair with his + eyes fixed on the ceiling, and occasionally pitching his voice to the + needful key, obliged the company with a few bars of an intensely dismal + air, and then, in the middle of a note, relapsed into his former silence. + </p> + <p> + The old man sat himself down in a chair, and with folded hands, looked + sometimes at his grandson and sometimes at his strange companion, as if he + were utterly powerless and had no resource but to leave them to do as they + pleased. The young man reclined against a table at no great distance from + his friend, in apparent indifference to everything that had passed; and I—who + felt the difficulty of any interference, notwithstanding that the old man + had appealed to me, both by words and looks—made the best feint I + could of being occupied in examining some of the goods that were disposed + for sale, and paying very little attention to a person before me. + </p> + <p> + The silence was not of long duration, for Mr Swiveller, after favouring us + with several melodious assurances that his heart was in the Highlands, and + that he wanted but his Arab steed as a preliminary to the achievement of + great feats of valour and loyalty, removed his eyes from the ceiling and + subsided into prose again. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0031m.jpg" alt="0031m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0031.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Fred,' said Mr Swiveller stopping short, as if the idea had suddenly + occurred to him, and speaking in the same audible whisper as before, 'is + the old min friendly?' + </p> + <p> + 'What does it matter?' returned his friend peevishly. + </p> + <p> + 'No, but <i>is</i> he?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, of course. What do I care whether he is or not?' + </p> + <p> + Emboldened as it seemed by this reply to enter into a more general + conversation, Mr Swiveller plainly laid himself out to captivate our + attention. + </p> + <p> + He began by remarking that soda-water, though a good thing in the + abstract, was apt to lie cold upon the stomach unless qualified with + ginger, or a small infusion of brandy, which latter article he held to be + preferable in all cases, saving for the one consideration of expense. + Nobody venturing to dispute these positions, he proceeded to observe that + the human hair was a great retainer of tobacco-smoke, and that the young + gentlemen of Westminster and Eton, after eating vast quantities of apples + to conceal any scent of cigars from their anxious friends, were usually + detected in consequence of their heads possessing this remarkable + property; when he concluded that if the Royal Society would turn their + attention to the circumstance, and endeavour to find in the resources of + science a means of preventing such untoward revelations, they might indeed + be looked upon as benefactors to mankind. These opinions being equally + incontrovertible with those he had already pronounced, he went on to + inform us that Jamaica rum, though unquestionably an agreeable spirit of + great richness and flavour, had the drawback of remaining constantly + present to the taste next day; and nobody being venturous enough to argue + this point either, he increased in confidence and became yet more + companionable and communicative. + </p> + <p> + 'It's a devil of a thing, gentlemen,' said Mr Swiveller, 'when relations + fall out and disagree. If the wing of friendship should never moult a + feather, the wing of relationship should never be clipped, but be always + expanded and serene. Why should a grandson and grandfather peg away at + each other with mutual wiolence when all might be bliss and concord. Why + not jine hands and forgit it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Hold your tongue,' said his friend. + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' replied Mr Swiveller, 'don't you interrupt the chair. Gentlemen, + how does the case stand, upon the present occasion? Here is a jolly old + grandfather—I say it with the utmost respect—and here is a + wild, young grandson. The jolly old grandfather says to the wild young + grandson, "I have brought you up and educated you, Fred; I have put you in + the way of getting on in life; you have bolted a little out of course, as + young fellows often do; and you shall never have another chance, nor the + ghost of half a one." The wild young grandson makes answer to this and + says, "You're as rich as rich can be; you have been at no uncommon expense + on my account, you're saving up piles of money for my little sister that + lives with you in a secret, stealthy, hugger-muggering kind of way and + with no manner of enjoyment—why can't you stand a trifle for your + grown-up relation?" The jolly old grandfather unto this, retorts, not only + that he declines to fork out with that cheerful readiness which is always + so agreeable and pleasant in a gentleman of his time of life, but that he + will bow up, and call names, and make reflections whenever they meet. Then + the plain question is, an't it a pity that this state of things should + continue, and how much better would it be for the gentleman to hand over a + reasonable amount of tin, and make it all right and comfortable?' + </p> + <p> + Having delivered this oration with a great many waves and flourishes of + the hand, Mr Swiveller abruptly thrust the head of his cane into his mouth + as if to prevent himself from impairing the effect of his speech by adding + one other word. + </p> + <p> + 'Why do you hunt and persecute me, God help me!' said the old man turning + to his grandson. 'Why do you bring your prolifigate companions here? How + often am I to tell you that my life is one of care and self-denial, and + that I am poor?' + </p> + <p> + 'How often am I to tell you,' returned the other, looking coldly at him, + 'that I know better?' + </p> + <p> + 'You have chosen your own path,' said the old man. 'Follow it. Leave Nell + and me to toil and work.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nell will be a woman soon,' returned the other, 'and, bred in your faith, + she'll forget her brother unless he shows himself sometimes.' + </p> + <p> + 'Take care,' said the old man with sparkling eyes, 'that she does not + forget you when you would have her memory keenest. Take care that the day + don't come when you walk barefoot in the streets, and she rides by in a + gay carriage of her own.' + </p> + <p> + 'You mean when she has your money?' retorted the other. 'How like a poor + man he talks!' + </p> + <p> + 'And yet,' said the old man dropping his voice and speaking like one who + thinks aloud, 'how poor we are, and what a life it is! The cause is a + young child's guiltless of all harm or wrong, but nothing goes well with + it! Hope and patience, hope and patience!' + </p> + <p> + These words were uttered in too low a tone to reach the ears of the young + men. Mr Swiveller appeared to think that they implied some mental struggle + consequent upon the powerful effect of his address, for he poked his + friend with his cane and whispered his conviction that he had administered + 'a clincher,' and that he expected a commission on the profits. + Discovering his mistake after a while, he appeared to grow rather sleepy + and discontented, and had more than once suggested the propriety of an + immediate departure, when the door opened, and the child herself appeared. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap03"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 3 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he child was closely followed by an elderly man of remarkably hard + features and forbidding aspect, and so low in stature as to be quite a + dwarf, though his head and face were large enough for the body of a giant. + His black eyes were restless, sly, and cunning; his mouth and chin, + bristly with the stubble of a coarse hard beard; and his complexion was + one of that kind which never looks clean or wholesome. But what added most + to the grotesque expression of his face was a ghastly smile, which, + appearing to be the mere result of habit and to have no connection with + any mirthful or complacent feeling, constantly revealed the few + discoloured fangs that were yet scattered in his mouth, and gave him the + aspect of a panting dog. His dress consisted of a large high-crowned hat, + a worn dark suit, a pair of capacious shoes, and a dirty white neckerchief + sufficiently limp and crumpled to disclose the greater portion of his wiry + throat. Such hair as he had was of a grizzled black, cut short and + straight upon his temples, and hanging in a frowzy fringe about his ears. + His hands, which were of a rough, coarse grain, were very dirty; his + fingernails were crooked, long, and yellow. + </p> + <p> + There was ample time to note these particulars, for besides that they were + sufficiently obvious without very close observation, some moments elapsed + before any one broke silence. The child advanced timidly towards her + brother and put her hand in his, the dwarf (if we may call him so) glanced + keenly at all present, and the curiosity-dealer, who plainly had not + expected his uncouth visitor, seemed disconcerted and embarrassed. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said the dwarf, who with his hand stretched out above his eyes had + been surveying the young man attentively, 'that should be your grandson, + neighbour!' + </p> + <p> + 'Say rather that he should not be,' replied the old man. 'But he is.' + </p> + <p> + 'And that?' said the dwarf, pointing to Dick Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Some friend of his, as welcome here as he,' said the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'And that?' inquired the dwarf, wheeling round and pointing straight at + me. + </p> + <p> + 'A gentleman who was so good as to bring Nell home the other night when + she lost her way, coming from your house.' + </p> + <p> + The little man turned to the child as if to chide her or express his + wonder, but as she was talking to the young man, held his peace, and bent + his head to listen. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, Nelly,' said the young fellow aloud. 'Do they teach you to hate me, + eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no. For shame. Oh, no!' cried the child. + </p> + <p> + 'To love me, perhaps?' pursued her brother with a sneer. + </p> + <p> + 'To do neither,' she returned. 'They never speak to me about you. Indeed + they never do.' + </p> + <p> + 'I dare be bound for that,' he said, darting a bitter look at the + grandfather. 'I dare be bound for that Nell. Oh! I believe you there!' + </p> + <p> + 'But I love you dearly, Fred,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'No doubt!' + </p> + <p> + 'I do indeed, and always will,' the child repeated with great emotion, + 'but oh! If you would leave off vexing him and making him unhappy, then I + could love you more.' + </p> + <p> + 'I see!' said the young man, as he stooped carelessly over the child, and + having kissed her, pushed her from him: 'There—get you away now you + have said your lesson. You needn't whimper. We part good friends enough, + if that's the matter.' + </p> + <p> + He remained silent, following her with his eyes, until she had gained her + little room and closed the door; and then turning to the dwarf, said + abruptly, + </p> + <p> + 'Harkee, Mr—' + </p> + <p> + 'Meaning me?' returned the dwarf. 'Quilp is my name. You might remember. + It's not a long one—Daniel Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'Harkee, Mr Quilp, then,' pursued the other, 'You have some influence with + my grandfather there.' + </p> + <p> + 'Some,' said Mr Quilp emphatically. + </p> + <p> + 'And are in a few of his mysteries and secrets.' + </p> + <p> + 'A few,' replied Quilp, with equal dryness. + </p> + <p> + 'Then let me tell him once for all, through you, that I will come into and + go out of this place as often as I like, so long as he keeps Nell here; + and that if he wants to be quit of me, he must first be quit of her. What + have I done to be made a bugbear of, and to be shunned and dreaded as if I + brought the plague? He'll tell you that I have no natural affection; and + that I care no more for Nell, for her own sake, than I do for him. Let him + say so. I care for the whim, then, of coming to and fro and reminding her + of my existence. I <i>will </i>see her when I please. That's my point. I came + here to-day to maintain it, and I'll come here again fifty times with the + same object and always with the same success. I said I would stop till I + had gained it. I have done so, and now my visit's ended. Come Dick.' + </p> + <p> + 'Stop!' cried Mr Swiveller, as his companion turned toward the door. + 'Sir!' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir, I am your humble servant,' said Mr Quilp, to whom the monosyllable + was addressed. + </p> + <p> + 'Before I leave the gay and festive scene, and halls of dazzling light, + sir,' said Mr Swiveller, 'I will with your permission, attempt a slight + remark. I came here, sir, this day, under the impression that the old min + was friendly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Proceed, sir,' said Daniel Quilp; for the orator had made a sudden stop. + </p> + <p> + 'Inspired by this idea and the sentiments it awakened, sir, and feeling as + a mutual friend that badgering, baiting, and bullying, was not the sort of + thing calculated to expand the souls and promote the social harmony of the + contending parties, I took upon myself to suggest a course which is <i>the</i> + course to be adopted to the present occasion. Will you allow me to whisper + half a syllable, sir?' + </p> + <p> + Without waiting for the permission he sought, Mr Swiveller stepped up to + the dwarf, and leaning on his shoulder and stooping down to get at his + ear, said in a voice which was perfectly audible to all present, + </p> + <p> + 'The watch-word to the old min is—fork.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is what?' demanded Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Is fork, sir, fork,' replied Mr Swiveller slapping his pocket. 'You are + awake, sir?' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf nodded. Mr Swiveller drew back and nodded likewise, then drew a + little further back and nodded again, and so on. By these means he in time + reached the door, where he gave a great cough to attract the dwarf's + attention and gain an opportunity of expressing in dumb show, the closest + confidence and most inviolable secrecy. Having performed the serious + pantomime that was necessary for the due conveyance of these idea, he cast + himself upon his friend's track, and vanished. + </p> + <p> + 'Humph!' said the dwarf with a sour look and a shrug of his shoulders, 'so + much for dear relations. Thank God I acknowledge none! Nor need you + either,' he added, turning to the old man, 'if you were not as weak as a + reed, and nearly as senseless.' + </p> + <p> + 'What would you have me do?' he retorted in a kind of helpless + desperation. 'It is easy to talk and sneer. What would you have me do?' + </p> + <p> + 'What would I do if I was in your case?' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'Something violent, no doubt.' + </p> + <p> + 'You're right there,' returned the little man, highly gratified by the + compliment, for such he evidently considered it; and grinning like a devil + as he rubbed his dirty hands together. 'Ask Mrs Quilp, pretty Mrs Quilp, + obedient, timid, loving Mrs Quilp. But that reminds me—I have left + her all alone, and she will be anxious and know not a moment's peace till + I return. I know she's always in that condition when I'm away, thought she + doesn't dare to say so, unless I lead her on and tell her she may speak + freely and I won't be angry with her. Oh! well-trained Mrs Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + The creature appeared quite horrible with his monstrous head and little + body, as he rubbed his hands slowly round, and round, and round again—with + something fantastic even in his manner of performing this slight action—and, + dropping his shaggy brows and cocking his chin in the air, glanced upward + with a stealthy look of exultation that an imp might have copied and + appropriated to himself. + </p> + <p> + 'Here,' he said, putting his hand into his breast and sidling up to the + old man as he spoke; 'I brought it myself for fear of accidents, as, being + in gold, it was something large and heavy for Nell to carry in her bag. + She need be accustomed to such loads betimes though, neighbor, for she + will carry weight when you are dead.' + </p> + <p> + 'Heaven send she may! I hope so,' said the old man with something like a + groan. + </p> + <p> + 'Hope so!' echoed the dwarf, approaching close to his ear; 'neighbour, I + would I knew in what good investment all these supplies are sunk. But you + are a deep man, and keep your secret close.' + </p> + <p> + 'My secret!' said the other with a haggard look. 'Yes, you're right—I—I—keep + it close—very close.' + </p> + <p> + He said no more, but taking the money turned away with a slow, uncertain + step, and pressed his hand upon his head like a weary and dejected man. + The dwarf watched him sharply, while he passed into the little + sitting-room and locked it in an iron safe above the chimney-piece; and + after musing for a short space, prepared to take his leave, observing that + unless he made good haste, Mrs Quilp would certainly be in fits on his + return. + </p> + <p> + 'And so, neighbour,' he added, 'I'll turn my face homewards, leaving my + love for Nelly and hoping she may never lose her way again, though her + doing so <i>has </i>procured me an honour I didn't expect.' With that he bowed + and leered at me, and with a keen glance around which seemed to comprehend + every object within his range of vision, however, small or trivial, went + his way. + </p> + <p> + I had several times essayed to go myself, but the old man had always + opposed it and entreated me to remain. As he renewed his entreaties on our + being left along, and adverted with many thanks to the former occasion of + our being together, I willingly yielded to his persuasions, and sat down, + pretending to examine some curious miniatures and a few old medals which + he placed before me. It needed no great pressing to induce me to stay, for + if my curiosity has been excited on the occasion of my first visit, it + certainly was not diminished now. + </p> + <p> + Nell joined us before long, and bringing some needle-work to the table, + sat by the old man's side. It was pleasant to observe the fresh flowers in + the room, the pet bird with a green bough shading his little cage, the + breath of freshness and youth which seemed to rustle through the old dull + house and hover round the child. It was curious, but not so pleasant, to + turn from the beauty and grace of the girl, to the stooping figure, + care-worn face, and jaded aspect of the old man. As he grew weaker and + more feeble, what would become of this lonely little creature; poor + protector as he was, say that he died—what would be her fate, then? + </p> + <p> + The old man almost answered my thoughts, as he laid his hand on hers, and + spoke aloud. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll be of better cheer, Nell,' he said; 'there must be good fortune in + store for thee—I do not ask it for myself, but thee. Such miseries + must fall on thy innocent head without it, that I cannot believe but that, + being tempted, it will come at last!' + </p> + <p> + She looked cheerfully into his face, but made no answer. + </p> + <p> + 'When I think,' said he, 'of the many years—many in thy short life—that + thou has lived with me; of my monotonous existence, knowing no companions + of thy own age nor any childish pleasures; of the solitude in which thou + has grown to be what thou art, and in which thou hast lived apart from + nearly all thy kind but one old man; I sometimes fear I have dealt hardly + by thee, Nell.' + </p> + <p> + 'Grandfather!' cried the child in unfeigned surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'Not in intention—no no,' said he. 'I have ever looked forward to + the time that should enable thee to mix among the gayest and prettiest, + and take thy station with the best. But I still look forward, Nell, I + still look forward, and if I should be forced to leave thee, meanwhile, + how have I fitted thee for struggles with the world? The poor bird yonder + is as well qualified to encounter it, and be turned adrift upon its + mercies—Hark! I hear Kit outside. Go to him, Nell, go to him.' + </p> + <p> + She rose, and hurrying away, stopped, turned back, and put her arms about + the old man's neck, then left him and hurried away again—but faster + this time, to hide her falling tears. + </p> + <p> + 'A word in your ear, sir,' said the old man in a hurried whisper. 'I have + been rendered uneasy by what you said the other night, and can only plead + that I have done all for the best—that it is too late to retract, if + I could (though I cannot)—and that I hope to triumph yet. All is for + her sake. I have borne great poverty myself, and would spare her the + sufferings that poverty carries with it. I would spare her the miseries + that brought her mother, my own dear child, to an early grave. I would + leave her—not with resources which could be easily spent or + squandered away, but with what would place her beyond the reach of want + for ever. You mark me sir? She shall have no pittance, but a fortune—Hush! + I can say no more than that, now or at any other time, and she is here + again!' + </p> + <p> + The eagerness with which all this was poured into my ear, the trembling of + the hand with which he clasped my arm, the strained and starting eyes he + fixed upon me, the wild vehemence and agitation of his manner, filled me + with amazement. All that I had heard and seen, and a great part of what he + had said himself, led me to suppose that he was a wealthy man. I could + form no comprehension of his character, unless he were one of those + miserable wretches who, having made gain the sole end and object of their + lives and having succeeded in amassing great riches, are constantly + tortured by the dread of poverty, and best by fears of loss and ruin. Many + things he had said which I had been at a loss to understand, were quite + reconcilable with the idea thus presented to me, and at length I concluded + that beyond all doubt he was one of this unhappy race. + </p> + <p> + The opinion was not the result of hasty consideration, for which indeed + there was no opportunity at that time, as the child came directly, and + soon occupied herself in preparations for giving Kit a writing lesson, of + which it seemed he had a couple every week, and one regularly on that + evening, to the great mirth and enjoyment both of himself and his + instructress. To relate how it was a long time before his modesty could be + so far prevailed upon as it admit of his sitting down in the parlour, in + the presence of an unknown gentleman—how, when he did set down, he + tucked up his sleeves and squared his elbows and put his face close to the + copy-book and squinted horribly at the lines—how, from the very + first moment of having the pen in his hand, he began to wallow in blots, + and to daub himself with ink up to the very roots of his hair—how, + if he did by accident form a letter properly, he immediately smeared it + out again with his arm in his preparations to make another—how, at + every fresh mistake, there was a fresh burst of merriment from the child + and louder and not less hearty laugh from poor Kit himself—and how + there was all the way through, notwithstanding, a gentle wish on her part + to teach, and an anxious desire on his to learn—to relate all these + particulars would no doubt occupy more space and time than they deserve. + It will be sufficient to say that the lesson was given—that evening + passed and night came on—that the old man again grew restless and + impatient—that he quitted the house secretly at the same hour as + before—and that the child was once more left alone within its gloomy + walls. + </p> + <p> + And now that I have carried this history so far in my own character and + introduced these personages to the reader, I shall for the convenience of + the narrative detach myself from its further course, and leave those who + have prominent and necessary parts in it to speak and act for themselves. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap04"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 4 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>r and Mrs Quilp resided on Tower Hill; and in her bower on Tower Hill + Mrs Quilp was left to pine the absence of her lord, when he quitted her on + the business which he had already seen to transact. + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp could scarcely be said to be of any particular trade or calling, + though his pursuits were diversified and his occupations numerous. He + collected the rents of whole colonies of filthy streets and alleys by the + waterside, advanced money to the seamen and petty officers of merchant + vessels, had a share in the ventures of divers mates of East Indiamen, + smoked his smuggled cigars under the very nose of the Custom House, and + made appointments on 'Change with men in glazed hats and round jackets + pretty well every day. On the Surrey side of the river was a small + rat-infested dreary yard called 'Quilp's Wharf,' in which were a little + wooden counting-house burrowing all awry in the dust as if it had fallen + from the clouds and ploughed into the ground; a few fragments of rusty + anchors; several large iron rings; some piles of rotten wood; and two or + three heaps of old sheet copper, crumpled, cracked, and battered. On + Quilp's Wharf, Daniel Quilp was a ship-breaker, yet to judge from these + appearances he must either have been a ship-breaker on a very small scale, + or have broken his ships up very small indeed. Neither did the place + present any extraordinary aspect of life or activity, as its only human + occupant was an amphibious boy in a canvas suit, whose sole change of + occupation was from sitting on the head of a pile and throwing stones into + the mud when the tide was out, to standing with his hands in his pockets + gazing listlessly on the motion and on the bustle of the river at + high-water. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf's lodging on Tower hill comprised, besides the needful + accommodation for himself and Mrs Quilp, a small sleeping-closet for that + lady's mother, who resided with the couple and waged perpetual war with + Daniel; of whom, notwithstanding, she stood in no slight dread. Indeed, + the ugly creature contrived by some means or other—whether by his + ugliness or his ferocity or his natural cunning is no great matter—to + impress with a wholesome fear of his anger, most of those with whom he was + brought into daily contact and communication. Over nobody had he such + complete ascendance as Mrs Quilp herself—a pretty little, + mild-spoken, blue-eyed woman, who having allied herself in wedlock to the + dwarf in one of those strange infatuations of which examples are by no + means scarce, performed a sound practical penance for her folly, every day + of her life. + </p> + <p> + It has been said that Mrs Quilp was pining in her bower. In her bower she + was, but not alone, for besides the old lady her mother of whom mention + has recently been made, there were present some half-dozen ladies of the + neighborhood who had happened by a strange accident (and also by a little + understanding among themselves) to drop in one after another, just about + tea-time. This being a season favourable to conversation, and the room + being a cool, shady, lazy kind of place, with some plants at the open + window shutting out the dust, and interposing pleasantly enough between + the tea table within and the old Tower without, it is no wonder that the + ladies felt an inclination to talk and linger, especially when there are + taken into account the additional inducements of fresh butter, new bread, + shrimps, and watercresses. + </p> + <p> + Now, the ladies being together under these circumstances, it was extremely + natural that the discourse should turn upon the propensity of mankind to + tyrannize over the weaker sex, and the duty that developed upon the weaker + sex to resist that tyranny and assert their rights and dignity. It was + natural for four reasons: firstly, because Mrs Quilp being a young woman + and notoriously under the dominion of her husband ought to be excited to + rebel; secondly, because Mrs Quilp's parent was known to be laudably + shrewish in her disposition and inclined to resist male authority; + thirdly, because each visitor wished to show for herself how superior she + was in this respect to the generality of her sex; and fourthly, because + the company being accustomed to scandalise each other in pairs, were + deprived of their usual subject of conversation now that they were all + assembled in close friendship, and had consequently no better employment + than to attack the common enemy. + </p> + <p> + Moved by these considerations, a stout lady opened the proceedings by + inquiring, with an air of great concern and sympathy, how Mr Quilp was; + whereunto Mr Quilp's wife's mother replied sharply, 'Oh! He was well + enough—nothing much was every the matter with him—and ill + weeds were sure to thrive.' All the ladies then sighed in concert, shook + their heads gravely, and looked at Mrs Quilp as a martyr. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said the spokeswoman, 'I wish you'd give her a little of your + advice, Mrs Jiniwin'—Mrs Quilp had been a Miss Jiniwin it should be + observed—'nobody knows better than you, ma'am, what us women owe to + ourselves.' + </p> + <p> + 'Owe indeed, ma'am!' replied Mrs Jiniwin. 'When my poor husband, her dear + father, was alive, if he had ever ventured a cross word to me, I'd have—' + The good old lady did not finish the sentence, but she twisted off the + head of a shrimp with a vindictiveness which seemed to imply that the + action was in some degree a substitute for words. In this light it was + clearly understood by the other party, who immediately replied with great + approbation, 'You quite enter into my feelings, ma'am, and it's jist what + I'd do myself.' + </p> + <p> + 'But you have no call to do it,' said Mrs Jiniwin. 'Luckily for you, you + have no more occasion to do it than I had.' + </p> + <p> + 'No woman need have, if she was true to herself,' rejoined the stout lady. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you hear that, Betsy?' said Mrs Jiniwin, in a warning voice. 'How + often have I said the same words to you, and almost gone down my knees + when I spoke 'em!' + </p> + <p> + Poor Mrs Quilp, who had looked in a state of helplessness from one face of + condolence to another, coloured, smiled, and shook her head doubtfully. + This was the signal for a general clamour, which beginning in a low murmur + gradually swelled into a great noise in which everybody spoke at once, and + all said that she being a young woman had no right to set up her opinions + against the experiences of those who knew so much better; that it was very + wrong of her not to take the advice of people who had nothing at heart but + her good; that it was next door to being downright ungrateful to conduct + herself in that manner; that if she had no respect for herself she ought + to have some for other women, all of whom she compromised by her meekness; + and that if she had no respect for other women, the time would come when + other women would have no respect for her; and she would be very sorry for + that, they could tell her. Having dealt out these admonitions, the ladies + fell to a more powerful assault than they had yet made upon the mixed tea, + new bread, fresh butter, shrimps, and watercresses, and said that their + vexation was so great to see her going on like that, that they could + hardly bring themselves to eat a single morsel. + </p> + <p> + It's all very fine to talk,' said Mrs Quilp with much simplicity, 'but I + know that if I was to die to-morrow, Quilp could marry anybody he pleased—now + that he could, I know!' + </p> + <p> + There was quite a scream of indignation at this idea. Marry whom he + pleased! They would like to see him dare to think of marrying any of them; + they would like to see the faintest approach to such a thing. One lady (a + widow) was quite certain she should stab him if he hinted at it. + </p> + <p> + 'Very well,' said Mrs Quilp, nodding her head, 'as I said just now, it's + very easy to talk, but I say again that I know—that I'm sure—Quilp + has such a way with him when he likes, that the best looking woman here + couldn't refuse him if I was dead, and she was free, and he chose to make + love to her. Come!' + </p> + <p> + Everybody bridled up at this remark, as much as to say, 'I know you mean + me. Let him try—that's all.' and yet for some hidden reason they + were all angry with the widow, and each lady whispered in her neighbour's + ear that it was very plain that said widow thought herself the person + referred to, and what a puss she was! + </p> + <p> + 'Mother knows,' said Mrs Quilp, 'that what I say is quite correct, for she + often said so before we were married. Didn't you say so, mother?' + </p> + <p> + This inquiry involved the respected lady in rather a delicate position, + for she certainly had been an active party in making her daughter Mrs + Quilp, and, besides, it was not supporting the family credit to encourage + the idea that she had married a man whom nobody else would have. On the + other hand, to exaggerate the captivating qualities of her son-in-law + would be to weaken the cause of revolt, in which all her energies were + deeply engaged. Beset by these opposing considerations, Mrs Jiniwin + admitted the powers of insinuation, but denied the right to govern, and + with a timely compliment to the stout lady brought back the discussion to + the point from which it had strayed. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! It's a sensible and proper thing indeed, what Mrs George has said!' + exclaimed the old lady. 'If women are only true to themselves!—But + Betsy isn't, and more's the shame and pity.' + </p> + <p> + 'Before I'd let a man order me about as Quilp orders her,' said Mrs + George, 'before I'd consent to stand in awe of a man as she does of him, + I'd—I'd kill myself, and write a letter first to say he did it!' + </p> + <p> + This remark being loudly commended and approved of, another lady (from the + Minories) put in her word: + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Quilp may be a very nice man,' said this lady, 'and I supposed there's + no doubt he is, because Mrs Quilp says he is, and Mrs Jiniwin says he is, + and they ought to know, or nobody does. But still he is not quite a—what + one calls a handsome man, nor quite a young man neither, which might be a + little excuse for him if anything could be; whereas his wife is young, and + is good-looking, and is a woman—which is the greatest thing after + all.' + </p> + <p> + This last clause being delivered with extraordinary pathos, elicited a + corresponding murmer from the hearers, stimulated by which the lady went + on to remark that if such a husband was cross and unreasonable with such a + wife, then— + </p> + <p> + 'If he is!' interposed the mother, putting down her tea-cup and brushing + the crumbs out of her lap, preparatory to making a solemn declaration. 'If + he is! He is the greatest tyrant that every lived, she daren't call her + soul her own, he makes her tremble with a word and even with a look, he + frightens her to death, and she hasn't the spirit to give him a word back, + no, not a single word.' + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding that the fact had been notorious beforehand to all the + tea-drinkers, and had been discussed and expatiated on at every + tea-drinking in the neighbourhood for the last twelve months, this + official communication was no sooner made than they all began to talk at + once and to vie with each other in vehemence and volubility. Mrs George + remarked that people would talk, that people had often said this to her + before, that Mrs Simmons then and there present had told her so twenty + times, that she had always said, 'No, Henrietta Simmons, unless I see it + with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears, I never will believe it.' + Mrs Simmons corroborated this testimony and added strong evidence of her + own. The lady from the Minories recounted a successful course of treatment + under which she had placed her own husband, who, from manifesting one + month after marriage unequivocal symptoms of the tiger, had by this means + become subdued into a perfect lamb. Another lady recounted her own + personal struggle and final triumph, in the course whereof she had found + it necessary to call in her mother and two aunts, and to weep incessantly + night and day for six weeks. A third, who in the general confusion could + secure no other listener, fastened herself upon a young woman still + unmarried who happened to be amongst them, and conjured her, as she valued + her own peace of mind and happiness to profit by this solemn occasion, to + take example from the weakness of Mrs Quilp, and from that time forth to + direct her whole thoughts to taming and subduing the rebellious spirit of + man. The noise was at its height, and half the company had elevated their + voices into a perfect shriek in order to drown the voices of the other + half, when Mrs Jiniwin was seen to change colour and shake her forefinger + stealthily, as if exhorting them to silence. Then, and not until then, + Daniel Quilp himself, the cause and occasion of all this clamour, was + observed to be in the room, looking on and listening with profound + attention. + </p> + <p> + 'Go on, ladies, go on,' said Daniel. 'Mrs Quilp, pray ask the ladies to + stop to supper, and have a couple of lobsters and something light and + palatable.' + </p><div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0044m.jpg" alt="0044m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0044.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + + <p> + 'I—I—didn't ask them to tea, Quilp,' stammered his wife. 'It's + quite an accident.' + </p> + <p> + 'So much the better, Mrs Quilp; these accidental parties are always the + pleasantest,' said the dwarf, rubbing his hands so hard that he seemed to + be engaged in manufacturing, of the dirt with which they were encrusted, + little charges for popguns. 'What! Not going, ladies, you are not going, + surely!' + </p> + <p> + His fair enemies tossed their heads slightly as they sought their + respective bonnets and shawls, but left all verbal contention to Mrs + Jiniwin, who finding herself in the position of champion, made a faint + struggle to sustain the character. + </p> + <p> + 'And why not stop to supper, Quilp,' said the old lady, 'if my daughter + had a mind?' + </p> + <p> + 'To be sure,' rejoined Daniel. 'Why not?' + </p> + <p> + 'There's nothing dishonest or wrong in a supper, I hope?' said Mrs + Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'Surely not,' returned the dwarf. 'Why should there be? Nor anything + unwholesome, either, unless there's lobster-salad or prawns, which I'm + told are not good for digestion.' + </p> + <p> + 'And you wouldn't like your wife to be attacked with that, or anything + else that would make her uneasy would you?' said Mrs Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'Not for a score of worlds,' replied the dwarf with a grin. 'Not even to + have a score of mothers-in-law at the same time—and what a blessing + that would be!' + </p> + <p> + 'My daughter's your wife, Mr Quilp, certainly,' said the old lady with a + giggle, meant for satirical and to imply that he needed to be reminded of + the fact; 'your wedded wife.' + </p> + <p> + 'So she is, certainly. So she is,' observed the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'And she has a right to do as she likes, I hope, Quilp,' said the old + lady trembling, partly with anger and partly with a secret fear of her + impish son-in-law. + </p> + <p> + 'Hope she has!' he replied. 'Oh! Don't you know she has? Don't you know + she has, Mrs Jiniwin? + </p> + <p> + 'I know she ought to have, Quilp, and would have, if she was of my way of + thinking.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why an't you of your mother's way of thinking, my dear?' said the dwarf, + turing round and addressing his wife, 'why don't you always imitate your + mother, my dear? She's the ornament of her sex—your father said so + every day of his life. I am sure he did.' + </p> + <p> + 'Her father was a blessed creetur, Quilp, and worthy twenty thousand of + some people,' said Mrs Jiniwin; 'twenty hundred million thousand.' + </p> + <p> + 'I should like to have known him,' remarked the dwarf. 'I dare say he was + a blessed creature then; but I'm sure he is now. It was a happy release. I + believe he had suffered a long time?' + </p> + <p> + The old lady gave a gasp, but nothing came of it; Quilp resumed, with the + same malice in his eye and the same sarcastic politeness on his tongue. + </p> + <p> + 'You look ill, Mrs Jiniwin; I know you have been exciting yourself too + much—talking perhaps, for it is your weakness. Go to bed. Do go to + bed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I shall go when I please, Quilp, and not before.' + </p> + <p> + 'But please to do now. Do please to go now,' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + The old woman looked angrily at him, but retreated as he advanced, and + falling back before him, suffered him to shut the door upon her and bolt + her out among the guests, who were by this time crowding downstairs. Being + left along with his wife, who sat trembling in a corner with her eyes + fixed upon the ground, the little man planted himself before her, and + folding his arms looked steadily at her for a long time without speaking. + </p> + <p> + 'Mrs Quilp,' he said at last. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Quilp,' she replead meekly. + </p> + <p> + Instead of pursing the theme he had in his mind, Quilp folded his arms + again, and looked at her more sternly than before, while she averted her + eyes and kept them on the ground. + </p> + <p> + 'Mrs Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'If ever you listen to these beldames again, I'll bite you.' + </p> + <p> + With this laconic threat, which he accompanied with a snarl that gave him + the appearance of being particularly in earnest, Mr Quilp bade her clear + the teaboard away, and bring the rum. The spirit being set before him in a + huge case-bottle, which had originally come out of some ship's locker, he + settled himself in an arm-chair with his large head and face squeezed up + against the back, and his little legs planted on the table. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, Mrs Quilp,' he said; 'I feel in a smoking humour, and shall probably + blaze away all night. But sit where you are, if you please, in case I want + you.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0048m.jpg" alt="0048m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0048.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + His wife returned no other reply than the necessary 'Yes, Quilp,' and the + small lord of the creation took his first cigar and mixed his first glass + of grog. The sun went down and the stars peeped out, the Tower turned from + its own proper colours to grey and from grey to black, the room became + perfectly dark and the end of the cigar a deep fiery red, but still Mr + Quilp went on smoking and drinking in the same position, and staring + listlessly out of window with the doglike smile always on his face, save + when Mrs Quilp made some involuntary movement of restlessness or fatigue; + and then it expanded into a grin of delight. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap05"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 5 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hether Mr Quilp took any sleep by snatches of a few winks at a time, or + whether he sat with his eyes wide open all night long, certain it is that + he kept his cigar alight, and kindled every fresh one from the ashes of + that which was nearly consumed, without requiring the assistance of a + candle. Nor did the striking of the clocks, hour after hour, appear to + inspire him with any sense of drowsiness or any natural desire to go to + rest, but rather to increase his wakefulness, which he showed, at every + such indication of the progress of the night, by a suppressed cackling in + his throat, and a motion of his shoulders, like one who laughs heartily + but the same time slyly and by stealth. + </p> + <p> + At length the day broke, and poor Mrs Quilp, shivering with cold of early + morning and harassed by fatigue and want of sleep, was discovered sitting + patiently on her chair, raising her eyes at intervals in mute appeal to + the compassion and clemency of her lord, and gently reminding him by an + occasion cough that she was still unpardoned and that her penance had been + of long duration. But her dwarfish spouse still smoked his cigar and drank + his rum without heeding her; and it was not until the sun had some time + risen, and the activity and noise of city day were rife in the street, + that he deigned to recognize her presence by any word or sign. He might + not have done so even then, but for certain impatient tapping at the door + he seemed to denote that some pretty hard knuckles were actively engaged + upon the other side. + </p> + <p> + 'Why dear me!' he said looking round with a malicious grin, 'it's day. + Open the door, sweet Mrs Quilp!' + </p> + <p> + His obedient wife withdrew the bolt, and her lady mother entered. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mrs Jiniwin bounced into the room with great impetuosity; for, + supposing her son-in-law to be still a-bed, she had come to relieve her + feelings by pronouncing a strong opinion upon his general conduct and + character. Seeing that he was up and dressed, and that the room appeared + to have been occupied ever since she quitted it on the previous evening, + she stopped short, in some embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + Nothing escaped the hawk's eye of the ugly little man, who, perfectly + understanding what passed in the old lady's mind, turned uglier still in + the fulness of his satisfaction, and bade her good morning, with a leer or + triumph. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, Betsy,' said the old woman, 'you haven't been—you don't mean + to say you've been a—' + </p> + <p> + 'Sitting up all night?' said Quilp, supplying the conclusion of the + sentence. 'Yes she has!' + </p> + <p> + 'All night?' cried Mrs Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'Ay, all night. Is the dear old lady deaf?' said Quilp, with a smile of + which a frown was part. 'Who says man and wife are bad company? Ha ha! The + time has flown.' + </p> + <p> + 'You're a brute!' exclaimed Mrs Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'Come come,' said Quilp, wilfully misunderstanding her, of course, 'you + mustn't call her names. She's married now, you know. And though she did + beguile the time and keep me from my bed, you must not be so tenderly + careful of me as to be out of humour with her. Bless you for a dear old + lady. Here's to your health!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am much obliged to you,' returned the old woman, testifying by a + certain restlessness in her hands a vehement desire to shake her matronly + fist at her son-in-law. 'Oh! I'm very much obliged to you!' + </p> + <p> + 'Grateful soul!' cried the dwarf. 'Mrs Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Quilp,' said the timid sufferer. + </p> + <p> + 'Help your mother to get breakfast, Mrs Quilp. I am going to the wharf + this morning—the earlier the better, so be quick.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Jiniwin made a faint demonstration of rebellion by sitting down in a + chair near the door and folding her arms as if in a resolute determination + to do nothing. But a few whispered words from her daughter, and a kind + inquiry from her son-in-law whether she felt faint, with a hint that there + was abundance of cold water in the next apartment, routed these symptoms + effectually, and she applied herself to the prescribed preparations with + sullen diligence. + </p> + <p> + While they were in progress, Mr Quilp withdrew to the adjoining room, and, + turning back his coat-collar, proceeded to smear his countenance with a + damp towel of very unwholesome appearance, which made his complexion + rather more cloudy than it was before. But, while he was thus engaged, his + caution and inquisitiveness did not forsake him, for with a face as sharp + and cunning as ever, he often stopped, even in this short process, and + stood listening for any conversation in the next room, of which he might + be the theme. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' he said after a short effort of attention, 'it was not the towel + over my ears, I thought it wasn't. I'm a little hunchy villain and a + monster, am I, Mrs Jiniwin? Oh!' + </p> + <p> + The pleasure of this discovery called up the old doglike smile in full + force. When he had quite done with it, he shook himself in a very doglike + manner, and rejoined the ladies. + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp now walked up to front of a looking-glass, and was standing there + putting on his neckerchief, when Mrs Jiniwin happening to be behind him, + could not resist the inclination she felt to shake her fist at her tyrant + son-in-law. It was the gesture of an instant, but as she did so and + accompanied the action with a menacing look, she met his eye in the glass, + catching her in the very act. The same glance at the mirror conveyed to + her the reflection of a horribly grotesque and distorted face with the + tongue lolling out; and the next instant the dwarf, turning about with a + perfectly bland and placid look, inquired in a tone of great affection. + </p> + <p> + 'How are you now, my dear old darling?' + </p> + <p> + Slight and ridiculous as the incident was, it made him appear such a + little fiend, and withal such a keen and knowing one, that the old woman + felt too much afraid of him to utter a single word, and suffered herself + to be led with extraordinary politeness to the breakfast-table. Here he by + no means diminished the impression he had just produced, for he ate hard + eggs, shell and all, devoured gigantic prawns with the heads and tails on, + chewed tobacco and water-cresses at the same time and with extraordinary + greediness, drank boiling tea without winking, bit his fork and spoon till + they bent again, and in short performed so many horrifying and uncommon + acts that the women were nearly frightened out of their wits, and began to + doubt if he were really a human creature. At last, having gone through + these proceedings and many others which were equally a part of his system, + Mr Quilp left them, reduced to a very obedient and humbled state, and + betook himself to the river-side, where he took boat for the wharf on + which he had bestowed his name. + </p> + <p> + It was flood tide when Daniel Quilp sat himself down in the ferry to cross + to the opposite shore. A fleet of barges were coming lazily on, some + sideways, some head first, some stern first; all in a wrong-headed, + dogged, obstinate way, bumping up against the larger craft, running under + the bows of steamboats, getting into every kind of nook and corner where + they had no business, and being crunched on all sides like so many + walnut-shells; while each with its pair of long sweeps struggling and + splashing in the water looked like some lumbering fish in pain. In some of + the vessels at anchor all hands were busily engaged in coiling ropes, + spreading out sails to dry, taking in or discharging their cargoes; in + others no life was visible but two or three tarry boys, and perhaps a + barking dog running to and fro upon the deck or scrambling up to look over + the side and bark the louder for the view. Coming slowly on through the + forests of masts was a great steamship, beating the water in short + impatient strokes with her heavy paddles as though she wanted room to + breathe, and advancing in her huge bulk like a sea monster among the + minnows of the Thames. On either hand were long black tiers of colliers; + between them vessels slowly working out of harbour with sails glistening + in the sun, and creaking noise on board, re-echoed from a hundred + quarters. The water and all upon it was in active motion, dancing and + buoyant and bubbling up; while the old grey Tower and piles of building on + the shore, with many a church-spire shooting up between, looked coldly on, + and seemed to disdain their chafing, restless neighbour. + </p> + <p> + Daniel Quilp, who was not much affected by a bright morning save in so far + as it spared him the trouble of carrying an umbrella, caused himself to be + put ashore hard by the wharf, and proceeded thither through a narrow lane + which, partaking of the amphibious character of its frequenters, had as + much water as mud in its composition, and a very liberal supply of both. + Arrived at his destination, the first object that presented itself to his + view was a pair of very imperfectly shod feet elevated in the air with the + soles upwards, which remarkable appearance was referable to the boy, who + being of an eccentric spirit and having a natural taste for tumbling, was + now standing on his head and contemplating the aspect of the river under + these uncommon circumstances. He was speedily brought on his heels by the + sound of his master's voice, and as soon as his head was in its right + position, Mr Quilp, to speak expressively in the absence of a better verb, + 'punched it' for him. + </p> + <p> + 'Come, you let me alone,' said the boy, parrying Quilp's hand with both + his elbows alternatively. 'You'll get something you won't like if you + don't and so I tell you.' + </p> + <p> + 'You dog,' snarled Quilp, 'I'll beat you with an iron rod, I'll scratch + you with a rusty nail, I'll pinch your eyes, if you talk to me—I + will.' + </p> + <p> + With these threats he clenched his hand again, and dexterously diving in + between the elbows and catching the boy's head as it dodged from side to + side, gave it three or four good hard knocks. Having now carried his point + and insisted on it, he left off. + </p> + <p> + 'You won't do it agin,' said the boy, nodding his head and drawing back, + with the elbows ready in case of the worst; 'now—' + </p> + <p> + 'Stand still, you dog,' said Quilp. 'I won't do it again, because I've + done it as often as I want. Here. Take the key.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why don't you hit one of your size?' said the boy approaching very + slowly. + </p> + <p> + 'Where is there one of my size, you dog?' returned Quilp. 'Take the key, + or I'll brain you with it'—indeed he gave him a smart tap with the + handle as he spoke. 'Now, open the counting-house.' + </p> + <p> + The boy sulkily complied, muttering at first, but desisting when he looked + round and saw that Quilp was following him with a steady look. And here it + may be remarked, that between this boy and the dwarf there existed a + strange kind of mutual liking. How born or bred, and or nourished upon + blows and threats on one side, and retorts and defiances on the other, is + not to the purpose. Quilp would certainly suffer nobody to contract him + but the boy, and the boy would assuredly not have submitted to be so + knocked about by anybody but Quilp, when he had the power to run away at + any time he chose. + </p> + <p> + 'Now,' said Quilp, passing into the wooden counting-house, 'you mind the + wharf. Stand upon your head agin, and I'll cut one of your feet off.' + </p> + <p> + The boy made no answer, but directly Quilp had shut himself in, stood on + his head before the door, then walked on his hands to the back and stood + on his head there, and then to the opposite side and repeated the + performance. There were indeed four sides to the counting-house, but he + avoided that one where the window was, deeming it probable that Quilp + would be looking out of it. This was prudent, for in point of fact, the + dwarf, knowing his disposition, was lying in wait at a little distance + from the sash armed with a large piece of wood, which, being rough and + jagged and studded in many parts with broken nails, might possibly have + hurt him. + </p> + <p> + It was a dirty little box, this counting-house, with nothing in it but an + old ricketty desk and two stools, a hat-peg, an ancient almanack, an + inkstand with no ink, and the stump of one pen, and an eight-day clock + which hadn't gone for eighteen years at least, and of which the + minute-hand had been twisted off for a tooth-pick. Daniel Quilp pulled his + hat over his brows, climbed on to the desk (which had a flat top) and + stretching his short length upon it went to sleep with ease of an old + practitioner; intending, no doubt, to compensate himself for the + deprivation of last night's rest, by a long and sound nap. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0053m.jpg" alt="0053m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0053.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Sound it might have been, but long it was not, for he had not been asleep + a quarter of an hour when the boy opened the door and thrust in his head, + which was like a bundle of badly-picked oakum. Quilp was a light sleeper + and started up directly. + </p> + <p> + 'Here's somebody for you,' said the boy. + </p> + <p> + 'Who?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ask!' said Quilp, seizing the trifle of wood before mentioned and + throwing it at him with such dexterity that it was well the boy + disappeared before it reached the spot on which he had stood. 'Ask, you + dog.' + </p> + <p> + Not caring to venture within range of such missles again, the boy + discreetly sent in his stead the first cause of the interruption, who now + presented herself at the door. + </p> + <p> + 'What, Nelly!' cried Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the child, hesitating whether to enter or retreat, for the + dwarf just roused, with his dishevelled hair hanging all about him and a + yellow handkerchief over his head, was something fearful to behold; it's + only me, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Come in,' said Quilp, without getting off the desk. 'Come in. Stay. Just + look out into the yard, and see whether there's a boy standing on his + head.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, sir,' replied Nell. 'He's on his feet.' + </p> + <p> + 'You're sure he is?' said Quilp. 'Well. Now, come in and shut the door. + What's your message, Nelly?' + </p> + <p> + The child handed him a letter. Mr Quilp, without changing his position + further than to turn over a little more on his side and rest his chin on + his hand, proceeded to make himself acquainted with its contents. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0054m.jpg" alt="0054m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0054.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap06"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 6 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">L</span>ittle Nell stood timidly by, with her eyes raised to the countenance of + Mr Quilp as he read the letter, plainly showing by her looks that while + she entertained some fear and distrust of the little man, she was much + inclined to laugh at his uncouth appearance and grotesque attitude. And + yet there was visible on the part of the child a painful anxiety for his + reply, and consciousness of his power to render it disagreeable or + distressing, which was strongly at variance with this impulse and + restrained it more effectually than she could possibly have done by any + efforts of her own. + </p> + <p> + That Mr Quilp was himself perplexed, and that in no small degree, by the + contents of the letter, was sufficiently obvious. Before he had got + through the first two or three lines he began to open his eyes very wide + and to frown most horribly, the next two or three caused him to scratch + his head in an uncommonly vicious manner, and when he came to the + conclusion he gave a long dismal whistle indicative of surprise and + dismay. After folding and laying it down beside him, he bit the nails of + all of his ten fingers with extreme voracity; and taking it up sharply, + read it again. The second perusal was to all appearance as unsatisfactory + as the first, and plunged him into a profound reverie from which he + awakened to another assault upon his nails and a long stare at the child, + who with her eyes turned towards the ground awaited his further pleasure. + </p> + <p> + 'Halloa here!' he said at length, in a voice, and with a suddenness, which + made the child start as though a gun had been fired off at her ear. + 'Nelly!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know what's inside this letter, Nell?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, sir!' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you sure, quite sure, quite certain, upon your soul?' + </p> + <p> + 'Quite sure, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you wish you may die if you do know, hey?' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed I don't know,' returned the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Well!' muttered Quilp as he marked her earnest look. 'I believe you. + Humph! Gone already? Gone in four-and-twenty hours! What the devil has he + done with it, that's the mystery!' + </p> + <p> + This reflection set him scratching his head and biting his nails once + more. While he was thus employed his features gradually relaxed into what + was with him a cheerful smile, but which in any other man would have been + a ghastly grin of pain, and when the child looked up again she found that + he was regarding her with extraordinary favour and complacency. + </p> + <p> + 'You look very pretty to-day, Nelly, charmingly pretty. Are you tired, + Nelly?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, sir. I'm in a hurry to get back, for he will be anxious while I am + away.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's no hurry, little Nell, no hurry at all,' said Quilp. 'How should + you like to be my number two, Nelly?' + </p> + <p> + 'To be what, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'My number two, Nelly, my second, my Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + The child looked frightened, but seemed not to understand him, which Mr + Quilp observing, hastened to make his meaning more distinctly. + </p> + <p> + 'To be Mrs Quilp the second, when Mrs Quilp the first is dead, sweet + Nell,' said Quilp, wrinkling up his eyes and luring her towards him with + his bent forefinger, 'to be my wife, my little cherry-cheeked, red-lipped + wife. Say that Mrs Quilp lives five year, or only four, you'll be just the + proper age for me. Ha ha! Be a good girl, Nelly, a very good girl, and see + if one of these days you don't come to be Mrs Quilp of Tower Hill.' + </p> + <p> + So far from being sustained and stimulated by this delightful prospect, + the child shrank from him in great agitation, and trembled violently. Mr + Quilp, either because frightening anybody afforded him a constitutional + delight, or because it was pleasant to contemplate the death of Mrs Quilp + number one, and the elevation of Mrs Quilp number two to her post and + title, or because he was determined from purposes of his own to be + agreeable and good-humoured at that particular time, only laughed and + feigned to take no heed of her alarm. + </p> + <p> + 'You shall come with me to Tower Hill and see Mrs Quilp that is, + directly,' said the dwarf. 'She's very fond of you, Nell, though not so + fond as I am. You shall come home with me.' + </p> + <p> + 'I must go back indeed,' said the child. 'He told me to return directly I + had the answer.' + </p> + <p> + 'But you haven't it, Nelly,' retorted the dwarf, 'and won't have it, and + can't have it, until I have been home, so you see that to do your errand, + you must go with me. Reach me yonder hat, my dear, and we'll go directly.' + With that, Mr Quilp suffered himself to roll gradually off the desk until + his short legs touched the ground, when he got upon them and led the way + from the counting-house to the wharf outside, when the first objects that + presented themselves were the boy who had stood on his head and another + young gentleman of about his own stature, rolling in the mud together, + locked in a tight embrace, and cuffing each other with mutual heartiness. + </p> + <p> + 'It's Kit!' cried Nelly, clasping her hand, 'poor Kit who came with me! + Oh, pray stop them, Mr Quilp!' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll stop 'em,' cried Quilp, diving into the little counting-house and + returning with a thick stick, 'I'll stop 'em. Now, my boys, fight away. + I'll fight you both. I'll take both of you, both together, both together!' + </p> + <p> + With which defiances the dwarf flourished his cudgel, and dancing round + the combatants and treading upon them and skipping over them, in a kind of + frenzy, laid about him, now on one and now on the other, in a most + desperate manner, always aiming at their heads and dealing such blows as + none but the veriest little savage would have inflicted. This being warmer + work than they had calculated upon, speedily cooled the courage of the + belligerents, who scrambled to their feet and called for quarter. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll beat you to a pulp, you dogs,' said Quilp, vainly endeavoring to get + near either of them for a parting blow. 'I'll bruise you until you're + copper-coloured, I'll break your faces till you haven't a profile between + you, I will.' + </p> + <p> + 'Come, you drop that stick or it'll be worse for you,' said his boy, + dodging round him and watching an opportunity to rush in; 'you drop that + stick.' + </p> + <p> + 'Come a little nearer, and I'll drop it on your skull, you dog,' said + Quilp, with gleaming eyes; 'a little nearer—nearer yet.' + </p> + <p> + But the boy declined the invitation until his master was apparently a + little off his guard, when he darted in and seizing the weapon tried to + wrest it from his grasp. Quilp, who was as strong as a lion, easily kept + his hold until the boy was tugging at it with his utmost power, when he + suddenly let it go and sent him reeling backwards, so that he fell + violently upon his head. The success of this manoeuvre tickled Mr Quilp + beyond description, and he laughed and stamped upon the ground as at a + most irresistible jest. + </p> + <p> + 'Never mind,' said the boy, nodding his head and rubbing it at the same + time; 'you see if ever I offer to strike anybody again because they say + you're an uglier dwarf than can be seen anywheres for a penny, that's + all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you mean to say, I'm not, you dog?' returned Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'No!' retorted the boy. + </p> + <p> + 'Then what do you fight on my wharf for, you villain?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Because he said so,' replied to boy, pointing to Kit, 'not because you + an't.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then why did he say,' bawled Kit, 'that Miss Nelly was ugly, and that she + and my master was obliged to do whatever his master liked? Why did he say + that?' + </p> + <p> + 'He said what he did because he's a fool, and you said what you did + because you're very wise and clever—almost too clever to live, + unless you're very careful of yourself, Kit.' said Quilp, with great + suavity in his manner, but still more of quiet malice about his eyes and + mouth. 'Here's sixpence for you, Kit. Always speak the truth. At all + times, Kit, speak the truth. Lock the counting-house, you dog, and bring + me the key.' + </p> + <p> + The other boy, to whom this order was addressed, did as he was told, and + was rewarded for his partizanship in behalf of his master, by a dexterous + rap on the nose with the key, which brought the water into his eyes. Then + Mr Quilp departed with the child and Kit in a boat, and the boy revenged + himself by dancing on his head at intervals on the extreme verge of the + wharf, during the whole time they crossed the river. + </p> + <p> + There was only Mrs Quilp at home, and she, little expecting the return of + her lord, was just composing herself for a refreshing slumber when the + sound of his footsteps roused her. She had barely time to seem to be + occupied in some needle-work, when he entered, accompanied by the child; + having left Kit downstairs. + </p> + <p> + 'Here's Nelly Trent, dear Mrs Quilp,' said her husband. 'A glass of wine, + my dear, and a biscuit, for she has had a long walk. She'll sit with you, + my soul, while I write a letter.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp looked tremblingly in her spouse's face to know what this + unusual courtesy might portend, and obedient to the summons she saw in his + gesture, followed him into the next room. + </p> + <p> + 'Mind what I say to you,' whispered Quilp. 'See if you can get out of her + anything about her grandfather, or what they do, or how they live, or what + he tells her. I've my reasons for knowing, if I can. You women talk more + freely to one another than you do to us, and you have a soft, mild way + with you that'll win upon her. Do you hear?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'Go then. What's the matter now?' + </p> + <p> + 'Dear Quilp,' faltered his wife. 'I love the child—if you could do + without making me deceive her—' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf muttering a terrible oath looked round as if for some weapon + with which to inflict condign punishment upon his disobedient wife. The + submissive little woman hurriedly entreated him not to be angry, and + promised to do as he bade her. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you hear me,' whispered Quilp, nipping and pinching her arm; 'worm + yourself into her secrets; I know you can. I'm listening, recollect. If + you're not sharp enough, I'll creak the door, and woe betide you if I have + to creak it much. Go!' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp departed according to order, and her amiable husband, ensconcing + himself behind the partly opened door, and applying his ear close to it, + began to listen with a face of great craftiness and attention. + </p> + <p> + Poor Mrs Quilp was thinking, however, in what manner to begin or what kind + of inquiries she could make; and it was not until the door, creaking in a + very urgent manner, warned her to proceed without further consideration, + that the sound of her voice was heard. + </p> + <p> + 'How very often you have come backwards and forwards lately to Mr Quilp, + my dear.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have said so to grandfather, a hundred times,' returned Nell + innocently. + </p> + <p> + 'And what has he said to that?' + </p> + <p> + 'Only sighed, and dropped his head, and seemed so sad and wretched that if + you could have seen him I am sure you must have cried; you could not have + helped it more than I, I know. How that door creaks!' + </p> + <p> + 'It often does.' returned Mrs Quilp, with an uneasy glance towards it. + 'But your grandfather—he used not to be so wretched?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, no!' said the child eagerly, 'so different! We were once so happy and + he so cheerful and contented! You cannot think what a sad change has + fallen on us since.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very, very sorry, to hear you speak like this, my dear!' said Mrs + Quilp. And she spoke the truth. + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you,' returned the child, kissing her cheek, 'you are always kind + to me, and it is a pleasure to talk to you. I can speak to no one else + about him, but poor Kit. I am very happy still, I ought to feel happier + perhaps than I do, but you cannot think how it grieves me sometimes to see + him alter so.' + </p> + <p> + 'He'll alter again, Nelly,' said Mrs Quilp, 'and be what he was before.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, if God would only let that come about!' said the child with streaming + eyes; 'but it is a long time now, since he first began to—I thought + I saw that door moving!' + </p> + <p> + 'It's the wind,' said Mrs Quilp, faintly. 'Began to—' + </p> + <p> + 'To be so thoughtful and dejected, and to forget our old way of spending + the time in the long evenings,' said the child. 'I used to read to him by + the fireside, and he sat listening, and when I stopped and we began to + talk, he told me about my mother, and how she once looked and spoke just + like me when she was a little child. Then he used to take me on his knee, + and try to make me understand that she was not lying in her grave, but had + flown to a beautiful country beyond the sky where nothing died or ever + grew old—we were very happy once!' + </p> + <p> + 'Nelly, Nelly!' said the poor woman, 'I can't bear to see one as young as + you so sorrowful. Pray don't cry.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do so very seldom,' said Nell, 'but I have kept this to myself a long + time, and I am not quite well, I think, for the tears come into my eyes + and I cannot keep them back. I don't mind telling you my grief, for I know + you will not tell it to any one again.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp turned away her head and made no answer. + </p> + <p> + 'Then,' said the child, 'we often walked in the fields and among the green + trees, and when we came home at night, we liked it better for being tired, + and said what a happy place it was. And if it was dark and rather dull, we + used to say, what did it matter to us, for it only made us remember our + last walk with greater pleasure, and look forward to our next one. But now + we never have these walks, and though it is the same house it is darker + and much more gloomy than it used to be, indeed!' + </p> + <p> + She paused here, but though the door creaked more than once, Mrs Quilp + said nothing. + </p> + <p> + 'Mind you don't suppose,' said the child earnestly, 'that grandfather is + less kind to me than he was. I think he loves me better every day, and is + kinder and more affectionate than he was the day before. You do not know + how fond he is of me!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am sure he loves you dearly,' said Mrs Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, indeed he does!' cried Nell, 'as dearly as I love him. But I have + not told you the greatest change of all, and this you must never breathe + again to any one. He has no sleep or rest, but that which he takes by day + in his easy chair; for every night and nearly all night long he is away + from home.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nelly!' + </p> + <p> + 'Hush!' said the child, laying her finger on her lip and looking round. + 'When he comes home in the morning, which is generally just before day, I + let him in. Last night he was very late, and it was quite light. I saw + that his face was deadly pale, that his eyes were bloodshot, and that his + legs trembled as he walked. When I had gone to bed again, I heard him + groan. I got up and ran back to him, and heard him say, before he knew + that I was there, that he could not bear his life much longer, and if it + was not for the child, would wish to die. What shall I do! Oh! What shall + I do!' + </p> + <p> + The fountains of her heart were opened; the child, overpowered by the + weight of her sorrows and anxieties, by the first confidence she had ever + shown, and the sympathy with which her little tale had been received, hid + her face in the arms of her helpless friend, and burst into a passion of + tears. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Mr Quilp returned, and expressed the utmost surprise to + find her in this condition, which he did very naturally and with admirable + effect, for that kind of acting had been rendered familiar to him by long + practice, and he was quite at home in it. + </p> + <p> + 'She's tired you see, Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf, squinting in a hideous + manner to imply that his wife was to follow his lead. 'It's a long way + from her home to the wharf, and then she was alarmed to see a couple of + young scoundrels fighting, and was timorous on the water besides. All this + together has been too much for her. Poor Nell!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp unintentionally adopted the very best means he could have devised + for the recovery of his young visitor, by patting her on the head. Such an + application from any other hand might not have produced a remarkable + effect, but the child shrank so quickly from his touch and felt such an + instinctive desire to get out of his reach, that she rose directly and + declared herself ready to return. + </p> + <p> + 'But you'd better wait, and dine with Mrs Quilp and me.' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been away too long, sir, already,' returned Nell, drying her eyes. + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said Mr Quilp, 'if you will go, you will, Nelly. Here's the note. + It's only to say that I shall see him to-morrow or maybe next day, and + that I couldn't do that little business for him this morning. Good-bye, + Nelly. Here, you sir; take care of her, d'ye hear?' + </p> + <p> + Kit, who appeared at the summons, deigned to make no reply to so needless + an injunction, and after staring at Quilp in a threatening manner, as if + he doubted whether he might not have been the cause of Nelly shedding + tears, and felt more than half disposed to revenge the fact upon him on + the mere suspicion, turned about and followed his young mistress, who had + by this time taken her leave of Mrs Quilp and departed. + </p> + <p> + 'You're a keen questioner, an't you, Mrs Quilp?' said the dwarf, turning + upon her as soon as they were left alone. + </p> + <p> + 'What more could I do?' returned his wife mildly? + </p> + <p> + 'What more could you do!' sneered Quilp, 'couldn't you have done something + less? Couldn't you have done what you had to do, without appearing in your + favourite part of the crocodile, you minx?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very sorry for the child, Quilp,' said his wife. 'Surely I've done + enough. I've led her on to tell her secret she supposed we were alone; and + you were by, God forgive me.' + </p> + <p> + 'You led her on! You did a great deal truly!' said Quilp. 'What did I tell + you about making me creak the door? It's lucky for you that from what she + let fall, I've got the clue I want, for if I hadn't, I'd have visited the + failure upon you, I can tell you.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp being fully persuaded of this, made no reply. Her husband added + with some exultation, + </p> + <p> + 'But you may thank your fortunate stars—the same stars that made you + Mrs Quilp—you may thank them that I'm upon the old gentleman's + track, and have got a new light. So let me hear no more about this matter + now or at any other time, and don't get anything too nice for dinner, for + I shan't be home to it.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, Mr Quilp put his hat on and took himself off, and Mrs Quilp, + who was afflicted beyond measure by the recollection of the part she had + just acted, shut herself up in her chamber, and smothering her head in the + bed-clothes bemoaned her fault more bitterly than many less tender-hearted + persons would have mourned a much greater offence; for, in the majority of + cases, conscience is an elastic and very flexible article, which will bear + a deal of stretching and adapt itself to a great variety of circumstances. + Some people by prudent management and leaving it off piece by piece like a + flannel waistcoat in warm weather, even contrive, in time, to dispense + with it altogether; but there be others who can assume the garment and + throw it off at pleasure; and this, being the greatest and most convenient + improvement, is the one most in vogue. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap07"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 7 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>red,' said Mr Swiveller, 'remember the once popular melody of Begone + dull care; fan the sinking flame of hilarity with the wing of friendship; + and pass the rosy wine.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Richard Swiveller's apartments were in the neighbourhood of Drury Lane, + and in addition to this convenience of situation had the advantage of + being over a tobacconist's shop, so that he was enabled to procure a + refreshing sneeze at any time by merely stepping out upon the staircase, + and was saved the trouble and expense of maintaining a snuff-box. It was + in these apartments that Mr Swiveller made use of the expressions above + recorded for the consolation and encouragement of his desponding friend; + and it may not be uninteresting or improper to remark that even these + brief observations partook in a double sense of the figurative and + poetical character of Mr Swiveller's mind, as the rosy wine was in fact + represented by one glass of cold gin-and-water, which was replenished as + occasion required from a bottle and jug upon the table, and was passed + from one to another, in a scarcity of tumblers which, as Mr Swiveller's + was a bachelor's establishment, may be acknowledged without a blush. By a + like pleasant fiction his single chamber was always mentioned in a plural + number. In its disengaged times, the tobacconist had announced it in his + window as 'apartments' for a single gentleman, and Mr Swiveller, following + up the hint, never failed to speak of it as his rooms, his lodgings, or + his chambers, conveying to his hearers a notion of indefinite space, and + leaving their imaginations to wander through long suites of lofty halls, + at pleasure. + </p> + <p> + In this flight of fancy, Mr Swiveller was assisted by a deceptive piece of + furniture, in reality a bedstead, but in semblance a bookcase, which + occupied a prominent situation in his chamber and seemed to defy suspicion + and challenge inquiry. There is no doubt that by day Mr Swiveller firmly + believed this secret convenience to be a bookcase and nothing more; that + he closed his eyes to the bed, resolutely denied the existence of the + blankets, and spurned the bolster from his thoughts. No word of its real + use, no hint of its nightly service, no allusion to its peculiar + properties, had ever passed between him and his most intimate friends. + Implicit faith in the deception was the first article of his creed. To be + the friend of Swiveller you must reject all circumstantial evidence, all + reason, observation, and experience, and repose a blind belief in the + bookcase. It was his pet weakness, and he cherished it. + </p> + <p> + 'Fred!' said Mr Swiveller, finding that his former adjuration had been + productive of no effect. 'Pass the rosy.' + </p> + <p> + Young Trent with an impatient gesture pushed the glass towards him, and + fell again in the moody attitude from which he had been unwillingly + roused. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll give you, Fred,' said his friend, stirring the mixture, 'a little + sentiment appropriate to the occasion. Here's May the—' + </p> + <p> + 'Pshaw!' interposed the other. 'You worry me to death with your + chattering. You can be merry under any circumstances.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, Mr Trent,' returned Dick, 'there is a proverb which talks about + being merry and wise. There are some people who can be merry and can't be + wise, and some who can be wise (or think they can) and can't be merry. I'm + one of the first sort. If the proverb's a good 'un, I suppose it's better + to keep to half of it than none; at all events, I'd rather be merry and + not wise, than like you, neither one nor t'other.' + </p> + <p> + 'Bah!' muttered his friend, peevishly. + </p> + <p> + 'With all my heart,' said Mr Swiveller. 'In the polite circles I believe + this sort of thing isn't usually said to a gentleman in his own + apartments, but never mind that. Make yourself at home,' adding to this + retort an observation to the effect that his friend appeared to be rather + 'cranky' in point of temper, Richard Swiveller finished the rosy and + applied himself to the composition of another glassful, in which, after + tasting it with great relish, he proposed a toast to an imaginary company. + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen, I'll give you, if you please, Success to the ancient family of + the Swivellers, and good luck to Mr Richard in particular—Mr + Richard, gentlemen,' said Dick with great emphasis, 'who spends all his + money on his friends and is Bah!'d for his pains. Hear, hear!' + </p> + <p> + 'Dick!' said the other, returning to his seat after having paced the room + twice or thrice, 'will you talk seriously for two minutes, if I show you a + way to make your fortune with very little trouble?' + </p> + <p> + 'You've shown me so many,' returned Dick; 'and nothing has come of any one + of 'em but empty pockets—' + </p> + <p> + 'You'll tell a different story of this one, before a very long time is + over,' said his companion, drawing his chair to the table. 'You saw my + sister Nell?' + </p> + <p> + 'What about her?' returned Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'She has a pretty face, has she not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, certainly,' replied Dick. 'I must say for her that there's not any + very strong family likeness between her and you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has she a pretty face,' repeated his friend impatiently. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Dick, 'she has a pretty face, a very pretty face. What of + that?' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll tell you,' returned his friend. 'It's very plain that the old man + and I will remain at daggers drawn to the end of our lives, and that I + have nothing to expect from him. You see that, I suppose?' + </p> + <p> + 'A bat might see that, with the sun shining,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'It's equally plain that the money which the old flint—rot him—first + taught me to expect that I should share with her at his death, will all be + hers, is it not?' + </p> + <p> + 'I should said it was,' replied Dick; 'unless the way in which I put the + case to him, made an impression. It may have done so. It was powerful, + Fred. 'Here is a jolly old grandfather'—that was strong, I thought—very + friendly and natural. Did it strike you in that way?' + </p> + <p> + 'It didn't strike him,' returned the other, 'so we needn't discuss it. Now + look here. Nell is nearly fourteen.' + </p> + <p> + 'Fine girl of her age, but small,' observed Richard Swiveller + parenthetically. + </p> + <p> + 'If I am to go on, be quiet for one minute,' returned Trent, fretting at + the slight interest the other appeared to take in the conversation. 'Now + I'm coming to the point.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's right,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'The girl has strong affections, and brought up as she has been, may, at + her age, be easily influenced and persuaded. If I take her in hand, I will + be bound by a very little coaxing and threatening to bend her to my will. + Not to beat about the bush (for the advantages of the scheme would take a + week to tell) what's to prevent your marrying her?' + </p> + <p> + Richard Swiveller, who had been looking over the rim of the tumbler while + his companion addressed the foregoing remarks to him with great energy and + earnestness of manner, no sooner heard these words than he evinced the + utmost consternation, and with difficulty ejaculated the monosyllable: + </p> + <p> + 'What!' + </p> + <p> + 'I say, what's to prevent,' repeated the other with a steadiness of + manner, of the effect of which upon his companion he was well assured by + long experience, 'what's to prevent your marrying her?' + </p> + <p> + 'And she "nearly fourteen"!' cried Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't mean marrying her now'—returned the brother angrily; 'say + in two year's time, in three, in four. Does the old man look like a + long-liver?' + </p> + <p> + 'He don't look like it,' said Dick shaking his head, 'but these old people—there's + no trusting them, Fred. There's an aunt of mine down in Dorsetshire that + was going to die when I was eight years old, and hasn't kept her word yet. + They're so aggravating, so unprincipled, so spiteful—unless there's + apoplexy in the family, Fred, you can't calculate upon 'em, and even then + they deceive you just as often as not.' + </p> + <p> + 'Look at the worst side of the question then,' said Trent as steadily as + before, and keeping his eyes upon his friend. 'Suppose he lives.' + </p> + <p> + 'To be sure,' said Dick. 'There's the rub.' + </p> + <p> + 'I say,' resumed his friend, 'suppose he lives, and I persuaded, or if the + word sounds more feasible, forced Nell to a secret marriage with you. What + do you think would come of that?' + </p> + <p> + 'A family and an annual income of nothing, to keep 'em on,' said Richard + Swiveller after some reflection. + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you,' returned the other with an increased earnestness, which, + whether it were real or assumed, had the same effect on his companion, + 'that he lives for her, that his whole energies and thoughts are bound up + in her, that he would no more disinherit her for an act of disobedience + than he would take me into his favour again for any act of obedience or + virtue that I could possibly be guilty of. He could not do it. You or any + other man with eyes in his head may see that, if he chooses.' + </p> + <p> + 'It seems improbable certainly,' said Dick, musing. + </p> + <p> + 'It seems improbable because it is improbable,' his friend returned. 'If + you would furnish him with an additional inducement to forgive you, let + there be an irreconcilable breach, a most deadly quarrel, between you and + me—let there be a pretense of such a thing, I mean, of course—and + he'll do fast enough. As to Nell, constant dropping will wear away a + stone; you know you may trust to me as far as she is concerned. So, + whether he lives or dies, what does it come to? That you become the sole + inheritor of the wealth of this rich old hunks, that you and I spend it + together, and that you get into the bargain a beautiful young wife.' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose there's no doubt about his being rich'—said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Doubt! Did you hear what he left fall the other day when we were there? + Doubt! What will you doubt next, Dick?' + </p> + <p> + It would be tedious to pursue the conversation through all its artful + windings, or to develope the gradual approaches by which the heart of + Richard Swiveller was gained. It is sufficient to know that vanity, + interest, poverty, and every spendthrift consideration urged him to look + upon the proposal with favour, and that where all other inducements were + wanting, the habitual carelessness of his disposition stepped in and still + weighed down the scale on the same side. To these impulses must be added + the complete ascendancy which his friend had long been accustomed to + exercise over him—an ascendancy exerted in the beginning sorely at + the expense of his friend's vices, and was in nine cases out of ten looked + upon as his designing tempter when he was indeed nothing but his + thoughtless, light-headed tool. + </p> + <p> + The motives on the other side were something deeper than any which Richard + Swiveller entertained or understood, but these being left to their own + development, require no present elucidation. The negotiation was concluded + very pleasantly, and Mr Swiveller was in the act of stating in flowery + terms that he had no insurmountable objection to marrying anybody + plentifully endowed with money or moveables, who could be induced to take + him, when he was interrupted in his observations by a knock at the door, + and the consequent necessity of crying 'Come in.' + </p> + <p> + The door was opened, but nothing came in except a soapy arm and a strong + gush of tobacco. The gush of tobacco came from the shop downstairs, and + the soapy arm proceeded from the body of a servant-girl, who being then + and there engaged in cleaning the stairs had just drawn it out of a warm + pail to take in a letter, which letter she now held in her hand, + proclaiming aloud with that quick perception of surnames peculiar to her + class that it was for Mister Snivelling. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked rather pale and foolish when he glanced at the direction, and + still more so when he came to look at the inside, observing that it was + one of the inconveniences of being a lady's man, and that it was very easy + to talk as they had been talking, but he had quite forgotten her. + </p> + <p> + 'Her. Who?' demanded Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'Sophy Wackles,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Who's she?' + </p> + <p> + 'She's all my fancy painted her, sir, that's what she is,' said Mr + Swiveller, taking a long pull at 'the rosy' and looking gravely at his + friend. 'She's lovely, she's divine. You know her.' + </p> + <p> + 'I remember,' said his companion carelessly. 'What of her?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, sir,' returned Dick, 'between Miss Sophia Wackles and the humble + individual who has now the honor to address you, warm and tender + sentiments have been engendered, sentiments of the most honourable and + inspiring kind. The Goddess Diana, sir, that calls aloud for the chase, is + not more particular in her behavior than Sophia Wackles; I can tell you + that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Am I to believe there's anything real in what you say?' demanded his + friend; 'you don't mean to say that any love-making has been going on?' + </p> + <p> + 'Love-making, yes. Promising, no,' said Dick. 'There can be no action for + breach, that's one comfort. I've never committed myself in writing, Fred.' + </p> + <p> + 'And what's in the letter, pray?' + </p> + <p> + 'A reminder, Fred, for to-night—a small party of twenty, making two + hundred light fantastic toes in all, supposing every lady and gentleman to + have the proper complement. I must go, if it's only to begin breaking off + the affair—I'll do it, don't you be afraid. I should like to know + whether she left this herself. If she did, unconscious of any bar to her + happiness, it's affecting, Fred.' + </p> + <p> + To solve this question, Mr Swiveller summoned the handmaid and ascertained + that Miss Sophy Wackles had indeed left the letter with her own hands; and + that she had come accompanied, for decorum's sake no doubt, by a younger + Miss Wackles; and that on learning that Mr Swiveller was at home and being + requested to walk upstairs, she was extremely shocked and professed that + she would rather die. Mr Swiveller heard this account with a degree of + admiration not altogether consistent with the project in which he had just + concurred, but his friend attached very little importance to his behavior + in this respect, probably because he knew that he had influence sufficient + to control Richard Swiveller's proceedings in this or any other matter, + whenever he deemed it necessary, for the advancement of his own purposes, + to exert it. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap08"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 8 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">B</span>usiness disposed of, Mr Swiveller was inwardly reminded of its being nigh + dinner-time, and to the intent that his health might not be endangered by + longer abstinence, dispatched a message to the nearest eating-house + requiring an immediate supply of boiled beef and greens for two. With this + demand, however, the eating-house (having experience of its customer) + declined to comply, churlishly sending back for answer that if Mr + Swiveller stood in need of beef perhaps he would be so obliging as to come + there and eat it, bringing with him, as grace before meat, the amount of a + certain small account which had long been outstanding. Not at all + intimidated by this rebuff, but rather sharpened in wits and appetite, Mr + Swiveller forwarded the same message to another and more distant + eating-house, adding to it by way of rider that the gentleman was induced + to send so far, not only by the great fame and popularity its beef had + acquired, but in consequence of the extreme toughness of the beef retailed + at the obdurant cook's shop, which rendered it quite unfit not merely for + gentlemanly food, but for any human consumption. The good effect of this + politic course was demonstrated by the speedy arrival of a small pewter + pyramid, curiously constructed of platters and covers, whereof the + boiled-beef-plates formed the base, and a foaming quart-pot the apex; the + structure being resolved into its component parts afforded all things + requisite and necessary for a hearty meal, to which Mr Swiveller and his + friend applied themselves with great keenness and enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + 'May the present moment,' said Dick, sticking his fork into a large + carbuncular potato, 'be the worst of our lives! I like the plan of sending + 'em with the peel on; there's a charm in drawing a potato from its native + element (if I may so express it) to which the rich and powerful are + strangers. Ah! "Man wants but little here below, nor wants that little + long!" How true that is!—after dinner.' + </p> + <p> + 'I hope the eating-house keeper will want but little and that he may not + want that little long,' returned his companion; but I suspect you've no + means of paying for this!' + </p> + <p> + 'I shall be passing present, and I'll call,' said Dick, winking his eye + significantly. 'The waiter's quite helpless. The goods are gone, Fred, and + there's an end of it.' + </p> + <p> + In point of fact, it would seem that the waiter felt this wholesome truth, + for when he returned for the empty plates and dishes and was informed by + Mr Swiveller with dignified carelessness that he would call and settle + when he should be passing presently, he displayed some perturbation of + spirit and muttered a few remarks about 'payment on delivery' and 'no + trust,' and other unpleasant subjects, but was fain to content himself + with inquiring at what hour it was likely that the gentleman would call, + in order that being presently responsible for the beef, greens, and + sundries, he might take to be in the way at the time. Mr Swiveller, after + mentally calculating his engagements to a nicety, replied that he should + look in at from two minutes before six and seven minutes past; and the man + disappearing with this feeble consolation, Richard Swiveller took a greasy + memorandum-book from his pocket and made an entry therein. + </p> + <p> + 'Is that a reminder, in case you should forget to call?' said Trent with a + sneer. + </p> + <p> + 'Not exactly, Fred,' replied the imperturbable Richard, continuing to + write with a businesslike air. 'I enter in this little book the names of + the streets that I can't go down while the shops are open. This dinner + today closes Long Acre. I bought a pair of boots in Great Queen Street + last week, and made that no throughfare too. There's only one avenue to + the Strand left often now, and I shall have to stop up that to-night with + a pair of gloves. The roads are closing so fast in every direction, that + in a month's time, unless my aunt sends me a remittance, I shall have to + go three or four miles out of town to get over the way.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's no fear of failing, in the end?' said Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, I hope not,' returned Mr Swiveller, 'but the average number of + letters it take to soften her is six, and this time we have got as far as + eight without any effect at all. I'll write another to-morrow morning. I + mean to blot it a good deal and shake some water over it out of the + pepper-castor to make it look penitent. "I'm in such a state of mind that + I hardly know what I write"—blot—"if you could see me at this + minute shedding tears for my past misconduct"—pepper-castor—my + hand trembles when I think"—blot again—if that don't produce + the effect, it's all over.' + </p> + <p> + By this time, Mr Swiveller had finished his entry, and he now replaced his + pencil in its little sheath and closed the book, in a perfectly grave and + serious frame of mind. His friend discovered that it was time for him to + fulfil some other engagement, and Richard Swiveller was accordingly left + alone, in company with the rosy wine and his own meditations touching Miss + Sophy Wackles. + </p> + <p> + 'It's rather sudden,' said Dick shaking his head with a look of infinite + wisdom, and running on (as he was accustomed to do) with scraps of verse + as if they were only prose in a hurry; 'when the heart of a man is + depressed with fears, the mist is dispelled when Miss Wackles appears; + she's a very nice girl. She's like the red red rose that's newly sprung in + June—there's no denying that—she's also like a melody that's + sweetly played in tune. It's really very sudden. Not that there's any + need, on account of Fred's little sister, to turn cool directly, but its + better not to go too far. If I begin to cool at all I must begin at once, + I see that. There's the chance of an action for breach, that's another. + There's the chance of—no, there's no chance of that, but it's as + well to be on the safe side.' + </p> + <p> + This undeveloped was the possibility, which Richard Swiveller sought to + conceal even from himself, of his not being proof against the charms of + Miss Wackles, and in some unguarded moment, by linking his fortunes to + hers forever, of putting it out of his own power to further their notable + scheme to which he had so readily become a party. For all these reasons, + he decided to pick a quarrel with Miss Wackles without delay, and casting + about for a pretext determined in favour of groundless jealousy. Having + made up his mind on this important point, he circulated the glass (from + his right hand to left, and back again) pretty freely, to enable him to + act his part with the greater discretion, and then, after making some + slight improvements in his toilet, bent his steps towards the spot + hallowed by the fair object of his meditations. + </p> + <p> + The spot was at Chelsea, for there Miss Sophia Wackles resided with her + widowed mother and two sisters, in conjunction with whom she maintained a + very small day-school for young ladies of proportionate dimensions; a + circumstance which was made known to the neighbourhood by an oval board + over the front first-floor windows, whereupon appeared in circumambient + flourishes the words 'Ladies' Seminary'; and which was further published + and proclaimed at intervals between the hours of half-past nine and ten in + the morning, by a straggling and solitary young lady of tender years + standing on the scraper on the tips of her toes and making futile attempts + to reach the knocker with a spelling-book. The several duties of + instruction in this establishment were thus discharged. English grammar, + composition, geography, and the use of the dumb-bells, by Miss Melissa + Wackles; writing, arithmetic, dancing, music, and general fascination, by + Miss Sophia Wackles; the art of needle-work, marking, and samplery, by + Miss Jane Wackles; corporal punishment, fasting, and other tortures and + terrors, by Mrs Wackles. Miss Melissa Wackles was the eldest daughter, + Miss Sophy the next, and Miss Jane the youngest. Miss Melissa might have + seen five-and-thirty summers or thereabouts, and verged on the autumnal; + Miss Sophy was a fresh, good humoured, buxom girl of twenty; and Miss Jane + numbered scarcely sixteen years. Mrs Wackles was an excellent but rather + venomous old lady of three-score. + </p> + <p> + To this Ladies' Seminary, then, Richard Swiveller hied, with designs + obnoxious to the peace of the fair Sophia, who, arrayed in virgin white, + embellished by no ornament but one blushing rose, received him on his + arrival, in the midst of very elegant not to say brilliant preparations; + such as the embellishment of the room with the little flower-pots which + always stood on the window-sill outside, save in windy weather when they + blew into the area; the choice attire of the day-scholars who were allowed + to grace the festival; the unwonted curls of Miss Jane Wackles who had + kept her head during the whole of the preceding day screwed up tight in a + yellow play-bill; and the solemn gentility and stately bearing of the old + lady and her eldest daughter, which struck Mr Swiveller as being uncommon + but made no further impression upon him. + </p> + <p> + The truth is—and, as there is no accounting for tastes, even a taste + so strange as this may be recorded without being looked upon as a wilful + and malicious invention—the truth is that neither Mrs Wackles nor + her eldest daughter had at any time greatly favoured the pretensions of Mr + Swiveller, being accustomed to make slight mention of him as 'a gay young + man' and to sigh and shake their heads ominously whenever his name was + mentioned. Mr Swiveller's conduct in respect to Miss Sophy having been of + that vague and dilatory kind which is usually looked upon as betokening no + fixed matrimonial intentions, the young lady herself began in course of + time to deem it highly desirable, that it should be brought to an issue + one way or other. Hence she had at last consented to play off against + Richard Swiveller a stricken market-gardner known to be ready with his + offer on the smallest encouragement, and hence—as this occasion had + been specially assigned for the purpose—that great anxiety on her + part for Richard Swiveller's presence which had occasioned her to leave + the note he has been seen to receive. 'If he has any expectations at all + or any means of keeping a wife well,' said Mrs Wackles to her eldest + daughter, 'he'll state 'em to us now or never.'—'If he really cares + about me,' thought Miss Sophy, 'he must tell me so, to-night.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0072m.jpg" alt="0072m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0072.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + But all these sayings and doings and thinkings being unknown to Mr + Swiveller, affected him not in the least; he was debating in his mind how + he could best turn jealous, and wishing that Sophy were for that occasion + only far less pretty than she was, or that she were her own sister, which + would have served his turn as well, when the company came, and among them + the market-gardener, whose name was Cheggs. But Mr Cheggs came not alone + or unsupported, for he prudently brought along with him his sister, Miss + Cheggs, who making straight to Miss Sophy and taking her by both hands, + and kissing her on both cheeks, hoped in an audible whisper that they had + not come too early. + </p> + <p> + 'Too early, no!' replied Miss Sophy. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, my dear,' rejoined Miss Cheggs in the same whisper as before, 'I've + been so tormented, so worried, that it's a mercy we were not here at four + o'clock in the afternoon. Alick has been in such a state of impatience to + come! You'd hardly believe that he was dressed before dinner-time and has + been looking at the clock and teasing me ever since. It's all your fault, + you naughty thing.' + </p> + <p> + Hereupon Miss Sophy blushed, and Mr Cheggs (who was bashful before ladies) + blushed too, and Miss Sophy's mother and sisters, to prevent Mr Cheggs + from blushing more, lavished civilities and attentions upon him, and left + Richard Swiveller to take care of himself. Here was the very thing he + wanted, here was good cause reason and foundation for pretending to be + angry; but having this cause reason and foundation which he had come + expressly to seek, not expecting to find, Richard Swiveller was angry in + sound earnest, and wondered what the devil Cheggs meant by his impudence. + </p> + <p> + However, Mr Swiveller had Miss Sophy's hand for the first quadrille + (country-dances being low, were utterly proscribed) and so gained an + advantage over his rival, who sat despondingly in a corner and + contemplated the glorious figure of the young lady as she moved through + the mazy dance. Nor was this the only start Mr Swiveller had of the + market-gardener, for determining to show the family what quality of man + they trifled with, and influenced perhaps by his late libations, he + performed such feats of agility and such spins and twirls as filled the + company with astonishment, and in particular caused a very long gentleman + who was dancing with a very short scholar, to stand quite transfixed by + wonder and admiration. Even Mrs Wackles forgot for the moment to snub + three small young ladies who were inclined to be happy, and could not + repress a rising thought that to have such a dancer as that in the family + would be a pride indeed. + </p> + <p> + At this momentous crisis, Miss Cheggs proved herself a vigourous and + useful ally, for not confining herself to expressing by scornful smiles a + contempt for Mr Swiveller's accomplishments, she took every opportunity of + whispering into Miss Sophy's ear expressions of condolence and sympathy on + her being worried by such a ridiculous creature, declaring that she was + frightened to death lest Alick should fall upon, and beat him, in the + fulness of his wrath, and entreating Miss Sophy to observe how the eyes of + the said Alick gleamed with love and fury; passions, it may be observed, + which being too much for his eyes rushed into his nose also, and suffused + it with a crimson glow. + </p> + <p> + 'You must dance with Miss Cheggs,' said Miss Sophy to Dick Swiviller, after + she had herself danced twice with Mr Cheggs and made great show of + encouraging his advances. 'She's a nice girl—and her brother's quite + delightful.' + </p> + <p> + 'Quite delightful, is he?' muttered Dick. 'Quite delighted too, I should + say, from the manner in which he's looking this way.' + </p> + <p> + Here Miss Jane (previously instructed for the purpose) interposed her many + curls and whispered her sister to observe how jealous Mr Cheggs was. + </p> + <p> + 'Jealous! Like his impudence!' said Richard Swiviller. + </p> + <p> + 'His impudence, Mr Swiviller!' said Miss Jane, tossing her head. 'Take + care he don't hear you, sir, or you may be sorry for it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, pray, Jane—' said Miss Sophy. + </p> + <p> + 'Nonsense!' replied her sister. 'Why shouldn't Mr Cheggs be jealous if he + likes? I like that, certainly. Mr Cheggs has a good a right to be jealous + as anyone else has, and perhaps he may have a better right soon if he + hasn't already. You know best about that, Sophy!' + </p> + <p> + Though this was a concerted plot between Miss Sophy and her sister, + originating in humane intentions and having for its object the inducing Mr + Swiviller to declare himself in time, it failed in its effect; for Miss + Jane being one of those young ladies who are prematurely shrill and + shrewish, gave such undue importance to her part that Mr Swiviller retired + in dudgeon, resigning his mistress to Mr Cheggs and conveying a defiance + into his looks which that gentleman indignantly returned. + </p> + <p> + 'Did you speak to me, sir?' said Mr Cheggs, following him into a corner. + 'Have the kindness to smile, sir, in order that we may not be suspected. + Did you speak to me, sir'? + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiviller looked with a supercilious smile at Mr Chegg's toes, then + raised his eyes from them to his ankles, from that to his shin, from that + to his knee, and so on very gradually, keeping up his right leg, until he + reached his waistcoat, when he raised his eyes from button to button until + he reached his chin, and travelling straight up the middle of his nose + came at last to his eyes, when he said abruptly, + </p> + <p> + 'No, sir, I didn't.' + </p> + <p> + `'Hem!' said Mr Cheggs, glancing over his shoulder, 'have the goodness to + smile again, sir. Perhaps you wished to speak to me, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, sir, I didn't do that, either.' + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps you may have nothing to say to me now, sir,' said Mr Cheggs + fiercely. + </p> + <p> + At these words Richard Swiviller withdrew his eyes from Mr Chegg's face, + and travelling down the middle of his nose and down his waistcoat and down + his right leg, reached his toes again, and carefully surveyed him; this + done, he crossed over, and coming up the other leg, and thence approaching + by the waistcoat as before, said when had got to his eyes, 'No sir, I + haven't.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, indeed, sir!' said Mr Cheggs. 'I'm glad to hear it. You know where + I'm to be found, I suppose, sir, in case you should have anything to say + to me?' + </p> + <p> + 'I can easily inquire, sir, when I want to know.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's nothing more we need say, I believe, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing more, sir'—With that they closed the tremendous dialog by + frowning mutually. Mr Cheggs hastened to tender his hand to Miss Sophy, + and Mr Swiviller sat himself down in a corner in a very moody state. + </p> + <p> + Hard by this corner, Mrs Wackles and Miss Wackles were seated, looking on + at the dance; and unto Mrs and Miss Wackles, Miss Cheggs occasionally + darted when her partner was occupied with his share of the figure, and + made some remark or other which was gall and wormwood to Richard + Swiviller's soul. Looking into the eyes of Mrs and Miss Wackles for + encouragement, and sitting very upright and uncomfortable on a couple of + hard stools, were two of the day-scholars; and when Miss Wackles smiled, + and Mrs Wackles smiled, the two little girls on the stools sought to curry + favour by smiling likewise, in gracious acknowledgement of which attention + the old lady frowned them down instantly, and said that if they dared to + be guilty of such an impertinence again, they should be sent under convoy + to their respective homes. This threat caused one of the young ladies, she + being of a weak and trembling temperament, to shed tears, and for this + offense they were both filed off immediately, with a dreadful promptitude + that struck terror into the souls of all the pupils. + </p> + <p> + 'I've got such news for you,' said Miss Cheggs approaching once more, + 'Alick has been saying such things to Sophy. Upon my word, you know, it's + quite serious and in earnest, that's clear.' + </p> + <p> + 'What's he been saying, my dear?' demanded Mrs Wackles. + </p> + <p> + 'All manner of things,' replied Miss Cheggs, 'you can't think how out he + has been speaking!' + </p> + <p> + Richard Swiviller considered it advisable to hear no more, but taking + advantage of a pause in the dancing, and the approach of Mr Cheggs to pay + his court to the old lady, swaggered with an extremely careful assumption + of extreme carelessness toward the door, passing on the way Miss Jane + Wackles, who in all the glory of her curls was holding a flirtation, (as + good practice when no better was to be had) with a feeble old gentleman + who lodged in the parlour. Near the door sat Miss Sophy, still fluttered + and confused by the attentions of Mr Cheggs, and by her side Richard + Swiveller lingered for a moment to exchange a few parting words. + </p> + <p> + 'My boat is on the shore and my bark is on the sea, but before I pass this + door I will say farewell to thee,' murmured Dick, looking gloomily upon + her. + </p> + <p> + 'Are you going?' said Miss Sophy, whose heart sank within her at the + result of her stratagem, but who affected a light indifference + notwithstanding. + </p> + <p> + 'Am I going!' echoed Dick bitterly. 'Yes, I am. What then?' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing, except that it's very early,' said Miss Sophy; 'but you are your + own master, of course.' + </p> + <p> + 'I would that I had been my own mistress too,' said Dick, 'before I had + ever entertained a thought of you. Miss Wackles, I believed you true, and + I was blest in so believing, but now I mourn that e'er I knew, a girl so + fair yet so deceiving.' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sophy bit her lip and affected to look with great interest after Mr + Cheggs, who was quaffing lemonade in the distance. + </p> + <p> + 'I came here,' said Dick, rather oblivious of the purpose with which he + had really come, 'with my bosom expanded, my heart dilated, and my + sentiments of a corresponding description. I go away with feelings that + may be conceived but cannot be described, feeling within myself that + desolating truth that my best affections have experienced this night a + stifler!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am sure I don't know what you mean, Mr Swiviller,' said Miss Sophy with + downcast eyes. 'I'm very sorry if—' + </p> + <p> + 'Sorry, Ma'am!' said Dick, 'sorry in the possession of a Cheggs! But I + wish you a very good night, concluding with this slight remark, that there + is a young lady growing up at this present moment for me, who has not only + great personal attractions but great wealth, and who has requested her + next of kin to propose for my hand, which, having a regard for some + members of her family, I have consented to promise. It's a gratifying + circumstance which you'll be glad to hear, that a young and lovely girl is + growing into a woman expressly on my account, and is now saving up for me. + I thought I'd mention it. I have now merely to apologize for trespassing + so long upon your attention. Good night.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's one good thing springs out of all this,' said Richard Swiviller + to himself when he had reached home and was hanging over the candle with + the extinguisher in his hand, 'which is, that I now go heart and soul, + neck and heels, with Fred in all his scheme about little Nelly, and right + glad he'll be to find me so strong upon it. He shall know all about that + to-morrow, and in the meantime, as it's rather late, I'll try and get a + wink of the balmy.' + </p> + <p> + 'The balmy' came almost as soon as it was courted. In a very few minutes + Mr Swiviller was fast asleep, dreaming that he had married Nelly Trent and + come into the property, and that his first act of power was to lay waste + the market-garden of Mr Cheggs and turn it into a brick-field. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap09"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 9 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he child, in her confidence with Mrs Quilp, had but feebly described the + sadness and sorrow of her thoughts, or the heaviness of the cloud which + overhung her home, and cast dark shadows on its hearth. Besides that it + was very difficult to impart to any person not intimately acquainted with + the life she led, an adequate sense of its gloom and loneliness, a + constant fear of in some way committing or injuring the old man to whom + she was so tenderly attached, had restrained her, even in the midst of her + heart's overflowing, and made her timid of allusion to the main cause of + her anxiety and distress. + </p> + <p> + For, it was not the monotonous days unchequered by variety and uncheered + by pleasant companionship, it was not the dark dreary evenings or the long + solitary nights, it was not the absence of every slight and easy pleasure + for which young hearts beat high, or the knowing nothing of childhood but + its weakness and its easily wounded spirit, that had wrung such tears from + Nell. To see the old man struck down beneath the pressure of some hidden + grief, to mark his wavering and unsettled state, to be agitated at times + with a dreadful fear that his mind was wandering, and to trace in his + words and looks the dawning of despondent madness; to watch and wait and + listen for confirmation of these things day after day, and to feel and + know that, come what might, they were alone in the world with no one to + help or advise or care about them—these were causes of depression + and anxiety that might have sat heavily on an older breast with many + influences at work to cheer and gladden it, but how heavily on the mind of + a young child to whom they were ever present, and who was constantly + surrounded by all that could keep such thoughts in restless action! + </p> + <p> + And yet, to the old man's vision, Nell was still the same. When he could, + for a moment, disengage his mind from the phantom that haunted and brooded + on it always, there was his young companion with the same smile for him, + the same earnest words, the same merry laugh, the same love and care that, + sinking deep into his soul, seemed to have been present to him through his + whole life. And so he went on, content to read the book of her heart from + the page first presented to him, little dreaming of the story that lay + hidden in its other leaves, and murmuring within himself that at least the + child was happy. + </p> + <p> + She had been once. She had gone singing through the dim rooms, and moving + with gay and lightsome step among their dusty treasures, making them older + by her young life, and sterner and more grim by her gay and cheerful + presence. But, now, the chambers were cold and gloomy, and when she left + her own little room to while away the tedious hours, and sat in one of + them, she was still and motionless as their inanimate occupants, and had + no heart to startle the echoes—hoarse from their long silence—with + her voice. + </p> + <p> + In one of these rooms, was a window looking into the street, where the + child sat, many and many a long evening, and often far into the night, + alone and thoughtful. None are so anxious as those who watch and wait; at + these times, mournful fancies came flocking on her mind, in crowds. + </p> + <p> + She would take her station here, at dusk, and watch the people as they + passed up and down the street, or appeared at the windows of the opposite + houses; wondering whether those rooms were as lonesome as that in which + she sat, and whether those people felt it company to see her sitting + there, as she did only to see them look out and draw in their heads again. + There was a crooked stack of chimneys on one of the roofs, in which, by + often looking at them, she had fancied ugly faces that were frowning over + at her and trying to peer into the room; and she felt glad when it grew + too dark to make them out, though she was sorry too, when the man came to + light the lamps in the street—for it made it late, and very dull + inside. Then, she would draw in her head to look round the room and see + that everything was in its place and hadn't moved; and looking out into + the street again, would perhaps see a man passing with a coffin on his + back, and two or three others silently following him to a house where + somebody lay dead; which made her shudder and think of such things until + they suggested afresh the old man's altered face and manner, and a new + train of fears and speculations. If he were to die—if sudden illness + had happened to him, and he were never to come home again, alive—if, + one night, he should come home, and kiss and bless her as usual, and after + she had gone to bed and had fallen asleep and was perhaps dreaming + pleasantly, and smiling in her sleep, he should kill himself and his blood + come creeping, creeping, on the ground to her own bed-room door! These + thoughts were too terrible to dwell upon, and again she would have + recourse to the street, now trodden by fewer feet, and darker and more + silent than before. The shops were closing fast, and lights began to shine + from the upper windows, as the neighbours went to bed. By degrees, these + dwindled away and disappeared or were replaced, here and there, by a + feeble rush-candle which was to burn all night. Still, there was one late + shop at no great distance which sent forth a ruddy glare upon the pavement + even yet, and looked bright and companionable. But, in a little time, this + closed, the light was extinguished, and all was gloomy and quiet, except + when some stray footsteps sounded on the pavement, or a neighbour, out + later than his wont, knocked lustily at his house-door to rouse the + sleeping inmates. + </p> + <p> + When the night had worn away thus far (and seldom now until it had) the + child would close the window, and steal softly down stairs, thinking as + she went that if one of those hideous faces below, which often mingled + with her dreams, were to meet her by the way, rendering itself visible by + some strange light of its own, how terrified she would be. But these fears + vanished before a well-trimmed lamp and the familiar aspect of her own + room. After praying fervently, and with many bursting tears, for the old + man, and the restoration of his peace of mind and the happiness they had + once enjoyed, she would lay her head upon the pillow and sob herself to + sleep: often starting up again, before the day-light came, to listen for + the bell and respond to the imaginary summons which had roused her from + her slumber. + </p> + <p> + One night, the third after Nelly's interview with Mrs Quilp, the old man, + who had been weak and ill all day, said he should not leave home. The + child's eyes sparkled at the intelligence, but her joy subsided when they + reverted to his worn and sickly face. + </p> + <p> + 'Two days,' he said, 'two whole, clear, days have passed, and there is no + reply. What did he tell thee, Nell?' + </p> + <p> + 'Exactly what I told you, dear grandfather, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'True,' said the old man, faintly. 'Yes. But tell me again, Nell. My head + fails me. What was it that he told thee? Nothing more than that he would + see me to-morrow or next day? That was in the note.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing more,' said the child. 'Shall I go to him again to-morrow, dear + grandfather? Very early? I will be there and back, before breakfast.' + </p> + <p> + The old man shook his head, and sighing mournfully, drew her towards him. + </p> + <p> + ''Twould be of no use, my dear, no earthly use. But if he deserts me, + Nell, at this moment—if he deserts me now, when I should, with his + assistance, be recompensed for all the time and money I have lost, and all + the agony of mind I have undergone, which makes me what you see, I am + ruined, and—worse, far worse than that—have ruined thee, for + whom I ventured all. If we are beggars—!' + </p> + <p> + 'What if we are?' said the child boldly. 'Let us be beggars, and be + happy.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0081m.jpg" alt="0081m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0081.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Beggars—and happy!' said the old man. 'Poor child!' + </p> + <p> + 'Dear grandfather,' cried the girl with an energy which shone in her + flushed face, trembling voice, and impassioned gesture, 'I am not a child + in that I think, but even if I am, oh hear me pray that we may beg, or + work in open roads or fields, to earn a scanty living, rather than live as + we do now.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nelly!' said the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, rather than live as we do now,' the child repeated, more + earnestly than before. 'If you are sorrowful, let me know why and be + sorrowful too; if you waste away and are paler and weaker every day, let + me be your nurse and try to comfort you. If you are poor, let us be poor + together; but let me be with you, do let me be with you; do not let me see + such change and not know why, or I shall break my heart and die. Dear + grandfather, let us leave this sad place to-morrow, and beg our way from + door to door.' + </p> + <p> + The old man covered his face with his hands, and hid it in the pillow of + the couch on which he lay. + </p> + <p> + 'Let us be beggars,' said the child passing an arm round his neck, 'I have + no fear but we shall have enough, I am sure we shall. Let us walk through + country places, and sleep in fields and under trees, and never think of + money again, or anything that can make you sad, but rest at nights, and + have the sun and wind upon our faces in the day, and thank God together! + Let us never set foot in dark rooms or melancholy houses, any more, but + wander up and down wherever we like to go; and when you are tired, you + shall stop to rest in the pleasantest place that we can find, and I will + go and beg for both.' + </p> + <p> + The child's voice was lost in sobs as she dropped upon the old man's neck; + nor did she weep alone. + </p> + <p> + These were not words for other ears, nor was it a scene for other eyes. + And yet other ears and eyes were there and greedily taking in all that + passed, and moreover they were the ears and eyes of no less a person than + Mr Daniel Quilp, who, having entered unseen when the child first placed + herself at the old man's side, refrained—actuated, no doubt, by + motives of the purest delicacy—from interrupting the conversation, + and stood looking on with his accustomed grin. Standing, however, being a + tiresome attitude to a gentleman already fatigued with walking, and the + dwarf being one of that kind of persons who usually make themselves at + home, he soon cast his eyes upon a chair, into which he skipped with + uncommon agility, and perching himself on the back with his feet upon the + seat, was thus enabled to look on and listen with greater comfort to + himself, besides gratifying at the same time that taste for doing + something fantastic and monkey-like, which on all occasions had strong + possession of him. Here, then, he sat, one leg cocked carelessly over the + other, his chin resting on the palm of his hand, his head turned a little + on one side, and his ugly features twisted into a complacent grimace. And + in this position the old man, happening in course of time to look that + way, at length chanced to see him: to his unbounded astonishment. + </p> + <p> + The child uttered a suppressed shriek on beholding this agreeable figure; + in their first surprise both she and the old man, not knowing what to say, + and half doubting its reality, looked shrinkingly at it. Not at all + disconcerted by this reception, Daniel Quilp preserved the same attitude, + merely nodding twice or thrice with great condescension. At length, the + old man pronounced his name, and inquired how he came there. + </p> + <p> + 'Through the door,' said Quilp pointing over his shoulder with his thumb. + 'I'm not quite small enough to get through key-holes. I wish I was. I want + to have some talk with you, particularly, and in private. With nobody + present, neighbour. Good-bye, little Nelly.' + </p> + <p> + Nell looked at the old man, who nodded to her to retire, and kissed her + cheek. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said the dwarf, smacking his lips, 'what a nice kiss that was—just + upon the rosy part. What a capital kiss!' + </p> + <p> + Nell was none the slower in going away, for this remark. Quilp looked + after her with an admiring leer, and when she had closed the door, fell to + complimenting the old man upon her charms. + </p> + <p> + 'Such a fresh, blooming, modest little bud, neighbour,' said Quilp, + nursing his short leg, and making his eyes twinkle very much; 'such a + chubby, rosy, cosy, little Nell!' + </p> + <p> + The old man answered by a forced smile, and was plainly struggling with a + feeling of the keenest and most exquisite impatience. It was not lost upon + Quilp, who delighted in torturing him, or indeed anybody else, when he + could. + </p> + <p> + 'She's so,' said Quilp, speaking very slowly, and feigning to be quite + absorbed in the subject, 'so small, so compact, so beautifully modelled, + so fair, with such blue veins and such a transparent skin, and such little + feet, and such winning ways—but bless me, you're nervous! Why + neighbour, what's the matter? I swear to you,' continued the dwarf + dismounting from the chair and sitting down in it, with a careful slowness + of gesture very different from the rapidity with which he had sprung up + unheard, 'I swear to you that I had no idea old blood ran so fast or kept + so warm. I thought it was sluggish in its course, and cool, quite cool. I + am pretty sure it ought to be. Yours must be out of order, neighbour.' + </p> + <p> + 'I believe it is,' groaned the old man, clasping his head with both hands. + 'There's burning fever here, and something now and then to which I fear to + give a name.' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf said never a word, but watched his companion as he paced + restlessly up and down the room, and presently returned to his seat. Here + he remained, with his head bowed upon his breast for some time, and then + suddenly raising it, said, + </p> + <p> + 'Once, and once for all, have you brought me any money?' + </p> + <p> + 'No!' returned Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Then,' said the old man, clenching his hands desperately, and looking + upwards, 'the child and I are lost!' + </p> + <p> + 'Neighbour,' said Quilp glancing sternly at him, and beating his hand + twice or thrice upon the table to attract his wandering attention, 'let me + be plain with you, and play a fairer game than when you held all the + cards, and I saw but the backs and nothing more. You have no secret from + me now.' + </p> + <p> + The old man looked up, trembling. + </p> + <p> + 'You are surprised,' said Quilp. 'Well, perhaps that's natural. You have + no secret from me now, I say; no, not one. For now, I know, that all those + sums of money, that all those loans, advances, and supplies that you have + had from me, have found their way to—shall I say the word?' + </p> + <p> + 'Aye!' replied the old man, 'say it, if you will.' + </p> + <p> + 'To the gaming-table,' rejoined Quilp, 'your nightly haunt. This was the + precious scheme to make your fortune, was it; this was the secret certain + source of wealth in which I was to have sunk my money (if I had been the + fool you took me for); this was your inexhaustible mine of gold, your El + Dorado, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' cried the old man, turning upon him with gleaming eyes, 'it was. It + is. It will be, till I die.' + </p> + <p> + 'That I should have been blinded,' said Quilp looking contemptuously at + him, 'by a mere shallow gambler!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am no gambler,' cried the old man fiercely. 'I call Heaven to witness + that I never played for gain of mine, or love of play; that at every piece + I staked, I whispered to myself that orphan's name and called on Heaven to + bless the venture;—which it never did. Whom did it prosper? Who were + those with whom I played? Men who lived by plunder, profligacy, and riot; + squandering their gold in doing ill, and propagating vice and evil. My + winnings would have been from them, my winnings would have been bestowed + to the last farthing on a young sinless child whose life they would have + sweetened and made happy. What would they have contracted? The means of + corruption, wretchedness, and misery. Who would not have hoped in such a + cause? Tell me that! Who would not have hoped as I did?' + </p> + <p> + 'When did you first begin this mad career?' asked Quilp, his taunting + inclination subdued, for a moment, by the old man's grief and wildness. + </p> + <p> + 'When did I first begin?' he rejoined, passing his hand across his brow. + 'When was it, that I first began? When should it be, but when I began to + think how little I had saved, how long a time it took to save at all, how + short a time I might have at my age to live, and how she would be left to + the rough mercies of the world, with barely enough to keep her from the + sorrows that wait on poverty; then it was that I began to think about it.' + </p> + <p> + 'After you first came to me to get your precious grandson packed off to + sea?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Shortly after that,' replied the old man. 'I thought of it a long time, + and had it in my sleep for months. Then I began. I found no pleasure in + it, I expected none. What has it ever brought me but anxious days and + sleepless nights; but loss of health and peace of mind, and gain of + feebleness and sorrow!' + </p> + <p> + 'You lost what money you had laid by, first, and then came to me. While I + thought you were making your fortune (as you said you were) you were + making yourself a beggar, eh? Dear me! And so it comes to pass that I hold + every security you could scrape together, and a bill of sale upon the—upon + the stock and property,' said Quilp standing up and looking about him, as + if to assure himself that none of it had been taken away. 'But did you + never win?' + </p> + <p> + 'Never!' groaned the old man. 'Never won back my loss!' + </p> + <p> + 'I thought,' sneered the dwarf, 'that if a man played long enough he was + sure to win at last, or, at the worst, not to come off a loser.' + </p> + <p> + 'And so he is,' cried the old man, suddenly rousing himself from his state + of despondency, and lashed into the most violent excitement, 'so he is; I + have felt that from the first, I have always known it, I've seen it, I + never felt it half so strongly as I feel it now. Quilp, I have dreamed, + three nights, of winning the same large sum, I never could dream that + dream before, though I have often tried. Do not desert me, now I have this + chance. I have no resource but you, give me some help, let me try this one + last hope.' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + 'See, Quilp, good tender-hearted Quilp,' said the old man, drawing some + scraps of paper from his pocket with a trembling hand, and clasping the + dwarf's arm, 'only see here. Look at these figures, the result of long + calculation, and painful and hard experience. I <i>must </i>win. I only want a + little help once more, a few pounds, but two score pounds, dear Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'The last advance was seventy,' said the dwarf; 'and it went in one + night.' + </p> + <p> + 'I know it did,' answered the old man, 'but that was the very worst + fortune of all, and the time had not come then. Quilp, consider, + consider,' the old man cried, trembling so much the while, that the papers + in his hand fluttered as if they were shaken by the wind, 'that orphan + child! If I were alone, I could die with gladness—perhaps even + anticipate that doom which is dealt out so unequally: coming, as it does, + on the proud and happy in their strength, and shunning the needy and + afflicted, and all who court it in their despair—but what I have + done, has been for her. Help me for her sake I implore you; not for mine; + for hers!' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm sorry I've got an appointment in the city,' said Quilp, looking at + his watch with perfect self-possession, 'or I should have been very glad + to have spent half an hour with you while you composed yourself, very + glad.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nay, Quilp, good Quilp,' gasped the old man, catching at his skirts, 'you + and I have talked together, more than once, of her poor mother's story. + The fear of her coming to poverty has perhaps been bred in me by that. Do + not be hard upon me, but take that into account. You are a great gainer by + me. Oh spare me the money for this one last hope!' + </p> + <p> + 'I couldn't do it really,' said Quilp with unusual politeness, 'though I + tell you what—and this is a circumstance worth bearing in mind as + showing how the sharpest among us may be taken in sometimes—I was so + deceived by the penurious way in which you lived, alone with Nelly—' + </p> + <p> + 'All done to save money for tempting fortune, and to make her triumph + greater,' cried the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, I understand that now,' said Quilp; 'but I was going to say, I + was so deceived by that, your miserly way, the reputation you had among + those who knew you of being rich, and your repeated assurances that you + would make of my advances treble and quadruple the interest you paid me, + that I'd have advanced you, even now, what you want, on your simple note + of hand, if I hadn't unexpectedly become acquainted with your secret way + of life.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who is it,' retorted the old man desperately, 'that, notwithstanding all + my caution, told you? Come. Let me know the name—the person.' + </p> + <p> + The crafty dwarf, bethinking himself that his giving up the child would + lead to the disclosure of the artifice he had employed, which, as nothing + was to be gained by it, it was well to conceal, stopped short in his + answer and said, 'Now, who do you think?' + </p> + <p> + 'It was Kit, it must have been the boy; he played the spy, and you + tampered with him?' said the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'How came you to think of him?' said the dwarf in a tone of great + commiseration. 'Yes, it was Kit. Poor Kit!' + </p> + <p> + So saying, he nodded in a friendly manner, and took his leave: stopping + when he had passed the outer door a little distance, and grinning with + extraordinary delight. + </p> + <p> + 'Poor Kit!' muttered Quilp. 'I think it was Kit who said I was an uglier + dwarf than could be seen anywhere for a penny, wasn't it. Ha ha ha! Poor + Kit!' +</p> + <p> +And with that he went his way, still chuckling as he went. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap10"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 10 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>aniel Quilp neither entered nor left the old man's house, unobserved. In + the shadow of an archway nearly opposite, leading to one of the many + passages which diverged from the main street, there lingered one, who, + having taken up his position when the twilight first came on, still + maintained it with undiminished patience, and leaning against the wall + with the manner of a person who had a long time to wait, and being well + used to it was quite resigned, scarcely changed his attitude for the hour + together. + </p> + <p> + This patient lounger attracted little attention from any of those who + passed, and bestowed as little upon them. His eyes were constantly + directed towards one object; the window at which the child was accustomed + to sit. If he withdrew them for a moment, it was only to glance at a clock + in some neighbouring shop, and then to strain his sight once more in the + old quarter with increased earnestness and attention. + </p> + <p> + It had been remarked that this personage evinced no weariness in his place + of concealment; nor did he, long as his waiting was. But as the time went + on, he manifested some anxiety and surprise, glancing at the clock more + frequently and at the window less hopefully than before. At length, the + clock was hidden from his sight by some envious shutters, then the church + steeples proclaimed eleven at night, then the quarter past, and then the + conviction seemed to obtrude itself on his mind that it was no use + tarrying there any longer. + </p> + <p> + That the conviction was an unwelcome one, and that he was by no means + willing to yield to it, was apparent from his reluctance to quit the spot; + from the tardy steps with which he often left it, still looking over his + shoulder at the same window; and from the precipitation with which he as + often returned, when a fancied noise or the changing and imperfect light + induced him to suppose it had been softly raised. At length, he gave the + matter up, as hopeless for that night, and suddenly breaking into a run as + though to force himself away, scampered off at his utmost speed, nor once + ventured to look behind him lest he should be tempted back again. + </p> + <p> + Without relaxing his pace, or stopping to take breath, this mysterious + individual dashed on through a great many alleys and narrow ways until he + at length arrived in a square paved court, when he subsided into a walk, + and making for a small house from the window of which a light was shining, + lifted the latch of the door and passed in. + </p> + <p> + 'Bless us!' cried a woman turning sharply round, 'who's that? Oh! It's + you, Kit!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, mother, it's me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, how tired you look, my dear!' + </p> + <p> + 'Old master an't gone out to-night,' said Kit; 'and so she hasn't been at + the window at all.' With which words, he sat down by the fire and looked + very mournful and discontented. + </p> + <p> + The room in which Kit sat himself down, in this condition, was an + extremely poor and homely place, but with that air of comfort about it, + nevertheless, which—or the spot must be a wretched one indeed—cleanliness + and order can always impart in some degree. Late as the Dutch clock + showed it to be, the poor woman was still hard at work at an + ironing-table; a young child lay sleeping in a cradle near the fire; and + another, a sturdy boy of two or three years old, very wide awake, with a + very tight night-cap on his head, and a night-gown very much too small for + him on his body, was sitting bolt upright in a clothes-basket, staring + over the rim with his great round eyes, and looking as if he had + thoroughly made up his mind never to go to sleep any more; which, as he + had already declined to take his natural rest and had been brought out of + bed in consequence, opened a cheerful prospect for his relations and + friends. It was rather a queer-looking family: Kit, his mother, and the + children, being all strongly alike. + </p> + <p> + Kit was disposed to be out of temper, as the best of us are too often—but + he looked at the youngest child who was sleeping soundly, and from him to + his other brother in the clothes-basket, and from him to their mother, who + had been at work without complaint since morning, and thought it would be + a better and kinder thing to be good-humoured. So he rocked the cradle + with his foot; made a face at the rebel in the clothes-basket, which put + him in high good-humour directly; and stoutly determined to be talkative + and make himself agreeable. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah, mother!' said Kit, taking out his clasp-knife, and falling upon a + great piece of bread and meat which she had had ready for him, hours + before, 'what a one you are! There an't many such as you, I know.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0088m.jpg" alt="0088m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0088.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'I hope there are many a great deal better, Kit,' said Mrs Nubbles; 'and + that there are, or ought to be, accordin' to what the parson at chapel + says.' + </p> + <p> + 'Much he knows about it,' returned Kit contemptuously. 'Wait till he's a + widder and works like you do, and gets as little, and does as much, and + keeps his spirit up the same, and then I'll ask him what's o'clock and + trust him for being right to half a second.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said Mrs Nubbles, evading the point, 'your beer's down there by + the fender, Kit.' + </p> + <p> + 'I see,' replied her son, taking up the porter pot, 'my love to you, + mother. And the parson's health too if you like. I don't bear him any + malice, not I!' + </p> + <p> + 'Did you tell me, just now, that your master hadn't gone out to-night?' + inquired Mrs Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Kit, 'worse luck!' + </p> + <p> + 'You should say better luck, I think,' returned his mother, 'because Miss + Nelly won't have been left alone.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said Kit, 'I forgot that. I said worse luck, because I've been + watching ever since eight o'clock, and seen nothing of her.' + </p> + <p> + 'I wonder what she'd say,' cried his mother, stopping in her work and + looking round, 'if she knew that every night, when she—poor thing—is + sitting alone at that window, you are watching in the open street for fear + any harm should come to her, and that you never leave the place or come + home to your bed though you're ever so tired, till such time as you think + she's safe in hers.' + </p> + <p> + 'Never mind what she'd say,' replied Kit, with something like a blush on + his uncouth face; 'she'll never know nothing, and consequently, she'll + never say nothing.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Nubbles ironed away in silence for a minute or two, and coming to the + fireplace for another iron, glanced stealthily at Kit while she rubbed it + on a board and dusted it with a duster, but said nothing until she had + returned to her table again: when, holding the iron at an alarmingly short + distance from her cheek, to test its temperature, and looking round with a + smile, she observed: + </p> + <p> + 'I know what some people would say, Kit—' + </p> + <p> + 'Nonsense,' interposed Kit with a perfect apprehension of what was to + follow. + </p> + <p> + 'No, but they would indeed. Some people would say that you'd fallen in + love with her, I know they would.' + </p> + <p> + To this, Kit only replied by bashfully bidding his mother 'get out,' and + forming sundry strange figures with his legs and arms, accompanied by + sympathetic contortions of his face. Not deriving from these means the + relief which he sought, he bit off an immense mouthful from the bread and + meat, and took a quick drink of the porter; by which artificial aids he + choked himself and effected a diversion of the subject. + </p> + <p> + 'Speaking seriously though, Kit,' said his mother, taking up the theme + afresh, after a time, 'for of course I was only in joke just now, it's + very good and thoughtful, and like you, to do this, and never let anybody + know it, though some day I hope she may come to know it, for I'm sure she + would be very grateful to you and feel it very much. It's a cruel thing to + keep the dear child shut up there. I don't wonder that the old gentleman + wants to keep it from you.' + </p> + <p> + 'He don't think it's cruel, bless you,' said Kit, 'and don't mean it to be + so, or he wouldn't do it—I do consider, mother, that he wouldn't do + it for all the gold and silver in the world. No, no, that he wouldn't. I + know him better than that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then what does he do it for, and why does he keep it so close from you?' + said Mrs Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'That I don't know,' returned her son. 'If he hadn't tried to keep it so + close though, I should never have found it out, for it was his getting me + away at night and sending me off so much earlier than he used to, that + first made me curious to know what was going on. Hark! what's that?' + </p> + <p> + 'It's only somebody outside.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's somebody crossing over here,' said Kit, standing up to listen, 'and + coming very fast too. He can't have gone out after I left, and the house + caught fire, mother!' + </p> + <p> + The boy stood, for a moment, really bereft, by the apprehension he had + conjured up, of the power to move. The footsteps drew nearer, the door was + opened with a hasty hand, and the child herself, pale and breathless, and + hastily wrapped in a few disordered garments, hurried into the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Nelly! What is the matter!' cried mother and son together. + </p> + <p> + 'I must not stay a moment,' she returned, 'grandfather has been taken very + ill. I found him in a fit upon the floor—' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll run for a doctor'—said Kit, seizing his brimless hat. 'I'll be + there directly, I'll—' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no,' cried Nell, 'there is one there, you're not wanted, you—you—must + never come near us any more!' + </p> + <p> + 'What!' roared Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Never again,' said the child. 'Don't ask me why, for I don't know. Pray + don't ask me why, pray don't be sorry, pray don't be vexed with me! I have + nothing to do with it indeed!' + </p> + <p> + Kit looked at her with his eyes stretched wide; and opened and shut his + mouth a great many times; but couldn't get out one word. + </p> + <p> + 'He complains and raves of you,' said the child, 'I don't know what you + have done, but I hope it's nothing very bad.' + </p> + <p> + 'I done!' roared Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'He cried that you're the cause of all his misery,' returned the child + with tearful eyes; 'he screamed and called for you; they say you must not + come near him or he will die. You must not return to us any more. I came + to tell you. I thought it would be better that I should come than somebody + quite strange. Oh, Kit, what have you done? You, in whom I trusted so + much, and who were almost the only friend I had!' + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate Kit looked at his young mistress harder and harder, and + with eyes growing wider and wider, but was perfectly motionless and + silent. + </p> + <p> + 'I have brought his money for the week,' said the child, looking to the + woman and laying it on the table—'and—and—a little more, + for he was always good and kind to me. I hope he will be sorry and do well + somewhere else and not take this to heart too much. It grieves me very + much to part with him like this, but there is no help. It must be done. + Good night!' + </p> + <p> + With the tears streaming down her face, and her slight figure trembling + with the agitation of the scene she had left, the shock she had received, + the errand she had just discharged, and a thousand painful and + affectionate feelings, the child hastened to the door, and disappeared as + rapidly as she had come. + </p> + <p> + The poor woman, who had no cause to doubt her son, but every reason for + relying on his honesty and truth, was staggered, notwithstanding, by his + not having advanced one word in his defence. Visions of gallantry, + knavery, robbery; and of the nightly absences from home for which he had + accounted so strangely, having been occasioned by some unlawful pursuit; + flocked into her brain and rendered her afraid to question him. She rocked + herself upon a chair, wringing her hands and weeping bitterly, but Kit + made no attempt to comfort her and remained quite bewildered. The baby in + the cradle woke up and cried; the boy in the clothes-basket fell over on + his back with the basket upon him, and was seen no more; the mother wept + louder yet and rocked faster; but Kit, insensible to all the din and + tumult, remained in a state of utter stupefaction. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap11"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 11 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">Q</span>uiet and solitude were destined to hold uninterrupted rule no longer, + beneath the roof that sheltered the child. Next morning, the old man was + in a raging fever accompanied with delirium; and sinking under the + influence of this disorder he lay for many weeks in imminent peril of his + life. There was watching enough, now, but it was the watching of strangers + who made a greedy trade of it, and who, in the intervals in their + attendance upon the sick man huddled together with a ghastly + good-fellowship, and ate and drank and made merry; for disease and death + were their ordinary household gods. + </p> + <p> + Yet, in all the hurry and crowding of such a time, the child was more + alone than she had ever been before; alone in spirit, alone in her + devotion to him who was wasting away upon his burning bed; alone in her + unfeigned sorrow, and her unpurchased sympathy. Day after day, and night + after night, found her still by the pillow of the unconscious sufferer, + still anticipating his every want, still listening to those repetitions of + her name and those anxieties and cares for her, which were ever uppermost + among his feverish wanderings. + </p> + <p> + The house was no longer theirs. Even the sick chamber seemed to be + retained, on the uncertain tenure of Mr Quilp's favour. The old man's + illness had not lasted many days when he took formal possession of the + premises and all upon them, in virtue of certain legal powers to that + effect, which few understood and none presumed to call in question. This + important step secured, with the assistance of a man of law whom he + brought with him for the purpose, the dwarf proceeded to establish himself + and his coadjutor in the house, as an assertion of his claim against all + comers; and then set about making his quarters comfortable, after his own + fashion. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0092m.jpg" alt="0092m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0092.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + To this end, Mr Quilp encamped in the back parlour, having first put an + effectual stop to any further business by shutting up the shop. Having + looked out, from among the old furniture, the handsomest and most + commodious chair he could possibly find (which he reserved for his own + use) and an especially hideous and uncomfortable one (which he + considerately appropriated to the accommodation of his friend) he caused + them to be carried into this room, and took up his position in great + state. The apartment was very far removed from the old man's chamber, but + Mr Quilp deemed it prudent, as a precaution against infection from fever, + and a means of wholesome fumigation, not only to smoke, himself, without + cessation, but to insist upon it that his legal friend did the like. + Moreover, he sent an express to the wharf for the tumbling boy, who + arriving with all despatch was enjoined to sit himself down in another + chair just inside the door, continually to smoke a great pipe which the + dwarf had provided for the purpose, and to take it from his lips under any + pretence whatever, were it only for one minute at a time, if he dared. + These arrangements completed, Mr Quilp looked round him with chuckling + satisfaction, and remarked that he called that comfort. + </p> + <p> + The legal gentleman, whose melodious name was Brass, might have called it + comfort also but for two drawbacks: one was, that he could by no exertion + sit easy in his chair, the seat of which was very hard, angular, slippery, + and sloping; the other, that tobacco-smoke always caused him great + internal discomposure and annoyance. But as he was quite a creature of Mr + Quilp's and had a thousand reasons for conciliating his good opinion, he + tried to smile, and nodded his acquiescence with the best grace he could + assume. + </p> + <p> + This Brass was an attorney of no very good repute, from Bevis Marks in the + city of London; he was a tall, meagre man, with a nose like a wen, a + protruding forehead, retreating eyes, and hair of a deep red. He wore a + long black surtout reaching nearly to his ankles, short black trousers, + high shoes, and cotton stockings of a bluish grey. He had a cringing + manner, but a very harsh voice; and his blandest smiles were so extremely + forbidding, that to have had his company under the least repulsive + circumstances, one would have wished him to be out of temper that he might + only scowl. + </p> + <p> + Quilp looked at his legal adviser, and seeing that he was winking very + much in the anguish of his pipe, that he sometimes shuddered when he + happened to inhale its full flavour, and that he constantly fanned the + smoke from him, was quite overjoyed and rubbed his hands with glee. + </p> + <p> + 'Smoke away, you dog,' said Quilp, turning to the boy; 'fill your pipe + again and smoke it fast, down to the last whiff, or I'll put the + sealing-waxed end of it in the fire and rub it red hot upon your tongue.' + </p> + <p> + Luckily the boy was case-hardened, and would have smoked a small lime-kiln + if anybody had treated him with it. Wherefore, he only muttered a brief + defiance of his master, and did as he was ordered. + </p> + <p> + 'Is it good, Brass, is it nice, is it fragrant, do you feel like the Grand + Turk?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass thought that if he did, the Grand Turk's feelings were by no + means to be envied, but he said it was famous, and he had no doubt he felt + very like that Potentate. + </p> + <p> + 'This is the way to keep off fever,' said Quilp, 'this is the way to keep + off every calamity of life! We'll never leave off, all the time we stop + here—smoke away, you dog, or you shall swallow the pipe!' + </p> + <p> + 'Shall we stop here long, Mr Quilp?' inquired his legal friend, when the + dwarf had given his boy this gentle admonition. + </p> + <p> + 'We must stop, I suppose, till the old gentleman up stairs is dead,' + returned Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'He he he!' laughed Mr Brass, 'oh! very good!' + </p> + <p> + 'Smoke away!' cried Quilp. 'Never stop! You can talk as you smoke. Don't + lose time.' + </p> + <p> + 'He he he!' cried Brass faintly, as he again applied himself to the odious + pipe. 'But if he should get better, Mr Quilp?' + </p> + <p> + 'Then we shall stop till he does, and no longer,' returned the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'How kind it is of you, Sir, to wait till then!' said Brass. 'Some people, + Sir, would have sold or removed the goods—oh dear, the very instant + the law allowed 'em. Some people, Sir, would have been all flintiness and + granite. Some people, sir, would have—' + </p> + <p> + 'Some people would have spared themselves the jabbering of such a parrot + as you,' interposed the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'He he he!' cried Brass. 'You have such spirits!' + </p> + <p> + The smoking sentinel at the door interposed in this place, and without + taking his pipe from his lips, growled, + </p> + <p> + 'Here's the gal a comin' down.' + </p> + <p> + 'The what, you dog?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'The gal,' returned the boy. 'Are you deaf?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Quilp, drawing in his breath with great relish as if he were + taking soup, 'you and I will have such a settling presently; there's such + a scratching and bruising in store for you, my dear young friend! Aha! + Nelly! How is he now, my duck of diamonds?' + </p> + <p> + 'He's very bad,' replied the weeping child. + </p> + <p> + 'What a pretty little Nell!' cried Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh beautiful, sir, beautiful indeed,' said Brass. 'Quite charming.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has she come to sit upon Quilp's knee,' said the dwarf, in what he meant + to be a soothing tone, 'or is she going to bed in her own little room + inside here? Which is poor Nelly going to do?' + </p> + <p> + 'What a remarkable pleasant way he has with children!' muttered Brass, as + if in confidence between himself and the ceiling; 'upon my word it's quite + a treat to hear him.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm not going to stay at all,' faltered Nell. 'I want a few things out of + that room, and then I—I—won't come down here any more.' + </p> + <p> + 'And a very nice little room it is!' said the dwarf looking into it as the + child entered. 'Quite a bower! You're sure you're not going to use it; + you're sure you're not coming back, Nelly?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' replied the child, hurrying away, with the few articles of dress she + had come to remove; 'never again! Never again.' + </p> + <p> + 'She's very sensitive,' said Quilp, looking after her. 'Very sensitive; + that's a pity. The bedstead is much about my size. I think I shall make it + <i>my</i> little room.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass encouraging this idea, as he would have encouraged any other + emanating from the same source, the dwarf walked in to try the effect. + This he did, by throwing himself on his back upon the bed with his pipe in + his mouth, and then kicking up his legs and smoking violently. Mr Brass + applauding this picture very much, and the bed being soft and comfortable, + Mr Quilp determined to use it, both as a sleeping place by night and as a + kind of Divan by day; and in order that it might be converted to the + latter purpose at once, remained where he was, and smoked his pipe out. + The legal gentleman being by this time rather giddy and perplexed in his + ideas (for this was one of the operations of the tobacco on his nervous + system), took the opportunity of slinking away into the open air, where, + in course of time, he recovered sufficiently to return with a countenance + of tolerable composure. He was soon led on by the malicious dwarf to smoke + himself into a relapse, and in that state stumbled upon a settee where he + slept till morning. + </p> + <p> + Such were Mr Quilp's first proceedings on entering upon his new property. + He was, for some days, restrained by business from performing any + particular pranks, as his time was pretty well occupied between taking, + with the assistance of Mr Brass, a minute inventory of all the goods in + the place, and going abroad upon his other concerns which happily engaged + him for several hours at a time. His avarice and caution being, now, + thoroughly awakened, however, he was never absent from the house one + night; and his eagerness for some termination, good or bad, to the old + man's disorder, increasing rapidly, as the time passed by, soon began to + vent itself in open murmurs and exclamations of impatience. + </p> + <p> + Nell shrank timidly from all the dwarf's advances towards conversation, + and fled from the very sound of his voice; nor were the lawyer's smiles + less terrible to her than Quilp's grimaces. She lived in such continual + dread and apprehension of meeting one or other of them on the stairs or in + the passages if she stirred from her grandfather's chamber, that she + seldom left it, for a moment, until late at night, when the silence + encouraged her to venture forth and breathe the purer air of some empty + room. + </p> + <p> + One night, she had stolen to her usual window, and was sitting there very + sorrowfully—for the old man had been worse that day—when she + thought she heard her name pronounced by a voice in the street. Looking + down, she recognised Kit, whose endeavours to attract her attention had + roused her from her sad reflections. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Nell!' said the boy in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' replied the child, doubtful whether she ought to hold any + communication with the supposed culprit, but inclining to her old + favourite still; 'what do you want?' + </p> + <p> + 'I have wanted to say a word to you, for a long time,' the boy replied, + 'but the people below have driven me away and wouldn't let me see you. You + don't believe—I hope you don't really believe—that I deserve + to be cast off as I have been; do you, miss?' + </p> + <p> + 'I must believe it,' returned the child. 'Or why would grandfather have + been so angry with you?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know,' replied Kit. 'I'm sure I never deserved it from him, no, + nor from you. I can say that, with a true and honest heart, any way. And + then to be driven from the door, when I only came to ask how old master + was—!' + </p> + <p> + 'They never told me that,' said the child. 'I didn't know it indeed. I + wouldn't have had them do it for the world.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank'ee, miss,' returned Kit, 'it's comfortable to hear you say that. I + said I never would believe that it was your doing.' +</p> + <p> +'That was right!' said + the child eagerly. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Nell,' cried the boy coming under the window, and speaking in a + lower tone, 'there are new masters down stairs. It's a change for you.' + </p> + <p> + 'It is indeed,' replied the child. + </p> + <p> + 'And so it will be for him when he gets better,' said the boy, pointing + towards the sick room. + </p> + <p> + '—If he ever does,' added the child, unable to restrain her tears. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, he'll do that, he'll do that,' said Kit. 'I'm sure he will. You + mustn't be cast down, Miss Nell. Now don't be, pray!' + </p> + <p> + These words of encouragement and consolation were few and roughly said, + but they affected the child and made her, for the moment, weep the more. + </p> + <p> + 'He'll be sure to get better now,' said the boy anxiously, 'if you don't + give way to low spirits and turn ill yourself, which would make him worse + and throw him back, just as he was recovering. When he does, say a good + word—say a kind word for me, Miss Nell!' + </p> + <p> + 'They tell me I must not even mention your name to him for a long, long + time,' rejoined the child, 'I dare not; and even if I might, what good + would a kind word do you, Kit? We shall be very poor. We shall scarcely + have bread to eat.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's not that I may be taken back,' said the boy, 'that I ask the favour + of you. It isn't for the sake of food and wages that I've been waiting + about so long in hopes to see you. Don't think that I'd come in a time of + trouble to talk of such things as them.' + </p> + <p> + The child looked gratefully and kindly at him, but waited that he might + speak again. + </p> + <p> + 'No, it's not that,' said Kit hesitating, 'it's something very different + from that. I haven't got much sense, I know, but if he could be brought to + believe that I'd been a faithful servant to him, doing the best I could, + and never meaning harm, perhaps he mightn't—' + </p> + <p> + Here Kit faltered so long that the child entreated him to speak out, and + quickly, for it was very late, and time to shut the window. + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps he mightn't think it over venturesome of me to say—well + then, to say this,' cried Kit with sudden boldness. 'This home is gone + from you and him. Mother and I have got a poor one, but that's better than + this with all these people here; and why not come there, till he's had + time to look about, and find a better!' + </p> + <p> + The child did not speak. Kit, in the relief of having made his + proposition, found his tongue loosened, and spoke out in its favour with + his utmost eloquence. + </p> + <p> + 'You think,' said the boy, 'that it's very small and inconvenient. So it + is, but it's very clean. Perhaps you think it would be noisy, but there's + not a quieter court than ours in all the town. Don't be afraid of the + children; the baby hardly ever cries, and the other one is very good—besides, + I'd mind 'em. They wouldn't vex you much, I'm sure. Do try, Miss Nell, do + try. The little front room up stairs is very pleasant. You can see a piece + of the church-clock, through the chimneys, and almost tell the time; + mother says it would be just the thing for you, and so it would, and you'd + have her to wait upon you both, and me to run of errands. We don't mean + money, bless you; you're not to think of that! Will you try him, Miss + Nell? Only say you'll try him. Do try to make old master come, and ask him + first what I have done. Will you only promise that, Miss Nell?' + </p> + <p> + Before the child could reply to this earnest solicitation, the street-door + opened, and Mr Brass thrusting out his night-capped head called in a surly + voice, 'Who's there!' Kit immediately glided away, and Nell, closing the + window softly, drew back into the room. + </p> + <p> + Before Mr Brass had repeated his inquiry many times, Mr Quilp, also + embellished with a night-cap, emerged from the same door and looked + carefully up and down the street, and up at all the windows of the house, + from the opposite side. Finding that there was nobody in sight, he + presently returned into the house with his legal friend, protesting (as + the child heard from the staircase), that there was a league and plot + against him; that he was in danger of being robbed and plundered by a band + of conspirators who prowled about the house at all seasons; and that he + would delay no longer but take immediate steps for disposing of the + property and returning to his own peaceful roof. Having growled forth + these, and a great many other threats of the same nature, he coiled + himself once more in the child's little bed, and Nell crept softly up the + stairs. + </p> + <p> + It was natural enough that her short and unfinished dialogue with Kit + should leave a strong impression on her mind, and influence her dreams + that night and her recollections for a long, long time. Surrounded by + unfeeling creditors, and mercenary attendants upon the sick, and meeting + in the height of her anxiety and sorrow with little regard or sympathy + even from the women about her, it is not surprising that the affectionate + heart of the child should have been touched to the quick by one kind and + generous spirit, however uncouth the temple in which it dwelt. Thank + Heaven that the temples of such spirits are not made with hands, and that + they may be even more worthily hung with poor patch-work than with purple + and fine linen! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap12"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 12 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>t length, the crisis of the old man's disorder was past, and he began to + mend. By very slow and feeble degrees his consciousness came back; but the + mind was weakened and its functions were impaired. He was patient, and + quiet; often sat brooding, but not despondently, for a long space; was + easily amused, even by a sun-beam on the wall or ceiling; made no + complaint that the days were long, or the nights tedious; and appeared + indeed to have lost all count of time, and every sense of care or + weariness. He would sit, for hours together, with Nell's small hand in + his, playing with the fingers and stopping sometimes to smooth her hair or + kiss her brow; and, when he saw that tears were glistening in her eyes, + would look, amazed, about him for the cause, and forget his wonder even + while he looked. + </p> + <p> + The child and he rode out; the old man propped up with pillows, and the + child beside him. They were hand in hand as usual. The noise and motion in + the streets fatigued his brain at first, but he was not surprised, or + curious, or pleased, or irritated. He was asked if he remembered this, or + that. 'O yes,' he said, 'quite well—why not?' Sometimes he turned + his head, and looked, with earnest gaze and outstretched neck, after some + stranger in the crowd, until he disappeared from sight; but, to the + question why he did this, he answered not a word. + </p> + <p> + He was sitting in his easy chair one day, and Nell upon a stool beside + him, when a man outside the door inquired if he might enter. 'Yes,' he + said without emotion, 'it was Quilp, he knew. Quilp was master there. Of + course he might come in.' And so he did. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad to see you well again at last, neighbour,' said the dwarf, + sitting down opposite him. 'You're quite strong now?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the old man feebly, 'yes.' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't want to hurry you, you know, neighbour,' said the dwarf, raising + his voice, for the old man's senses were duller than they had been; 'but, + as soon as you can arrange your future proceedings, the better.' + </p> + <p> + 'Surely,' said the old man. 'The better for all parties.' + </p> + <p> + 'You see,' pursued Quilp after a short pause, 'the goods being once + removed, this house would be uncomfortable; uninhabitable in fact.' + </p> + <p> + 'You say true,' returned the old man. 'Poor Nell too, what would she do?' + </p> + <p> + 'Exactly,' bawled the dwarf nodding his head; 'that's very well observed. + Then will you consider about it, neighbour?' + </p> + <p> + 'I will, certainly,' replied the old man. 'We shall not stop here.' + </p> + <p> + 'So I supposed,' said the dwarf. 'I have sold the things. They have not + yielded quite as much as they might have done, but pretty well—pretty + well. To-day's Tuesday. When shall they be moved? There's no hurry—shall + we say this afternoon?' + </p> + <p> + 'Say Friday morning,' returned the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Very good,' said the dwarf. 'So be it—with the understanding that I + can't go beyond that day, neighbour, on any account.' + </p> + <p> + 'Good,' returned the old man. 'I shall remember it.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp seemed rather puzzled by the strange, even spiritless way in + which all this was said; but as the old man nodded his head and repeated + 'on Friday morning. I shall remember it,' he had no excuse for dwelling on + the subject any further, and so took a friendly leave with many + expressions of good-will and many compliments to his friend on his looking + so remarkably well; and went below stairs to report progress to Mr Brass. + </p> + <p> + All that day, and all the next, the old man remained in this state. He + wandered up and down the house and into and out of the various rooms, as + if with some vague intent of bidding them adieu, but he referred neither + by direct allusions nor in any other manner to the interview of the + morning or the necessity of finding some other shelter. An indistinct idea + he had, that the child was desolate and in want of help; for he often drew + her to his bosom and bade her be of good cheer, saying that they would not + desert each other; but he seemed unable to contemplate their real position + more distinctly, and was still the listless, passionless creature that + suffering of mind and body had left him. + </p> + <p> + We call this a state of childishness, but it is the same poor hollow + mockery of it, that death is of sleep. Where, in the dull eyes of doating + men, are the laughing light and life of childhood, the gaiety that has + known no check, the frankness that has felt no chill, the hope that has + never withered, the joys that fade in blossoming? Where, in the sharp + lineaments of rigid and unsightly death, is the calm beauty of slumber, + telling of rest for the waking hours that are past, and gentle hopes and + loves for those which are to come? Lay death and sleep down, side by side, + and say who shall find the two akin. Send forth the child and childish man + together, and blush for the pride that libels our own old happy state, and + gives its title to an ugly and distorted image. + </p> + <p> + Thursday arrived, and there was no alteration in the old man. But a change + came upon him that evening as he and the child sat silently together. + </p> + <p> + In a small dull yard below his window, there was a tree—green and + flourishing enough, for such a place—and as the air stirred among + its leaves, it threw a rippling shadow on the white wall. The old man sat + watching the shadows as they trembled in this patch of light, until the + sun went down; and when it was night, and the moon was slowly rising, he + still sat in the same spot. + </p> + <p> + To one who had been tossing on a restless bed so long, even these few + green leaves and this tranquil light, although it languished among + chimneys and house-tops, were pleasant things. They suggested quiet places + afar off, and rest, and peace. The child thought, more than once that he + was moved: and had forborne to speak. But now he shed tears—tears + that it lightened her aching heart to see—and making as though he + would fall upon his knees, besought her to forgive him. + </p> + <p> + 'Forgive you—what?' said Nell, interposing to prevent his purpose. + 'Oh grandfather, what should I forgive?' + </p> + <p> + 'All that is past, all that has come upon thee, Nell, all that was done in + that uneasy dream,' returned the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Do not talk so,' said the child. 'Pray do not. Let us speak of something + else.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, we will,' he rejoined. 'And it shall be of what we talked of + long ago—many months—months is it, or weeks, or days? which is + it Nell?' + </p> + <p> + 'I do not understand you,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'It has come back upon me to-day, it has all come back since we have been + sitting here. I bless thee for it, Nell!' + </p> + <p> + 'For what, dear grandfather?' + </p> + <p> + 'For what you said when we were first made beggars, Nell. Let us speak + softly. Hush! for if they knew our purpose down stairs, they would cry + that I was mad and take thee from me. We will not stop here another day. + We will go far away from here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, let us go,' said the child earnestly. 'Let us begone from this + place, and never turn back or think of it again. Let us wander barefoot + through the world, rather than linger here.' + </p> + <p> + 'We will,' answered the old man, 'we will travel afoot through the fields + and woods, and by the side of rivers, and trust ourselves to God in the + places where He dwells. It is far better to lie down at night beneath an + open sky like that yonder—see how bright it is—than to rest in + close rooms which are always full of care and weary dreams. Thou and I + together, Nell, may be cheerful and happy yet, and learn to forget this + time, as if it had never been.' + </p> + <p> + 'We will be happy,' cried the child. 'We never can be here.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, we never can again—never again—that's truly said,' + rejoined the old man. 'Let us steal away to-morrow morning—early and + softly, that we may not be seen or heard—and leave no trace or track + for them to follow by. Poor Nell! Thy cheek is pale, and thy eyes are + heavy with watching and weeping for me—I know—for me; but thou + wilt be well again, and merry too, when we are far away. To-morrow + morning, dear, we'll turn our faces from this scene of sorrow, and be as + free and happy as the birds.' + </p> + <p> + And then the old man clasped his hands above her head, and said, in a few + broken words, that from that time forth they would wander up and down + together, and never part more until Death took one or other of the twain. + </p> + <p> + The child's heart beat high with hope and confidence. She had no thought + of hunger, or cold, or thirst, or suffering. She saw in this, but a return + of the simple pleasures they had once enjoyed, a relief from the gloomy + solitude in which she had lived, an escape from the heartless people by + whom she had been surrounded in her late time of trial, the restoration of + the old man's health and peace, and a life of tranquil happiness. Sun, and + stream, and meadow, and summer days, shone brightly in her view, and there + was no dark tint in all the sparkling picture. + </p> + <p> + The old man had slept, for some hours, soundly in his bed, and she was yet + busily engaged in preparing for their flight. There were a few articles of + clothing for herself to carry, and a few for him; old garments, such as + became their fallen fortunes, laid out to wear; and a staff to support his + feeble steps, put ready for his use. But this was not all her task; for + now she must visit the old rooms for the last time. + </p> + <p> + And how different the parting with them was, from any she had expected, + and most of all from that which she had oftenest pictured to herself. How + could she ever have thought of bidding them farewell in triumph, when the + recollection of the many hours she had passed among them rose to her + swelling heart, and made her feel the wish a cruelty: lonely and sad + though many of those hours had been! She sat down at the window where she + had spent so many evenings—darker far than this—and every + thought of hope or cheerfulness that had occurred to her in that place + came vividly upon her mind, and blotted out all its dull and mournful + associations in an instant. + </p> + <p> + Her own little room too, where she had so often knelt down and prayed at + night—prayed for the time which she hoped was dawning now—the + little room where she had slept so peacefully, and dreamed such pleasant + dreams! It was hard not to be able to glance round it once more, and to be + forced to leave it without one kind look or grateful tear. There were some + trifles there—poor useless things—that she would have liked to + take away; but that was impossible. + </p> + <p> + This brought to mind her bird, her poor bird, who hung there yet. She wept + bitterly for the loss of this little creature—until the idea + occurred to her—she did not know how, or why, it came into her head—that + it might, by some means, fall into the hands of Kit who would keep it for + her sake, and think, perhaps, that she had left it behind in the hope that + he might have it, and as an assurance that she was grateful to him. She + was calmed and comforted by the thought, and went to rest with a lighter + heart. + </p> + <p> + From many dreams of rambling through light and sunny places, but with some + vague object unattained which ran indistinctly through them all, she awoke + to find that it was yet night, and that the stars were shining brightly in + the sky. At length, the day began to glimmer, and the stars to grow pale + and dim. As soon as she was sure of this, she arose, and dressed herself + for the journey. + </p> + <p> + The old man was yet asleep, and as she was unwilling to disturb him, she + left him to slumber on, until the sun rose. He was anxious that they + should leave the house without a minute's loss of time, and was soon + ready. + </p> + <p> + The child then took him by the hand, and they trod lightly and cautiously + down the stairs, trembling whenever a board creaked, and often stopping to + listen. The old man had forgotten a kind of wallet which contained the + light burden he had to carry; and the going back a few steps to fetch it + seemed an interminable delay. + </p> + <p> + At last they reached the passage on the ground floor, where the snoring of + Mr Quilp and his legal friend sounded more terrible in their ears than the + roars of lions. The bolts of the door were rusty, and difficult to + unfasten without noise. When they were all drawn back, it was found to be + locked, and worst of all, the key was gone. Then the child remembered, for + the first time, one of the nurses having told her that Quilp always locked + both the house-doors at night, and kept the keys on the table in his + bedroom. + </p> + <p> + It was not without great fear and trepidation that little Nell slipped off + her shoes and gliding through the store-room of old curiosities, where Mr + Brass—the ugliest piece of goods in all the stock—lay sleeping + on a mattress, passed into her own little chamber. + </p> + <p> + Here she stood, for a few moments, quite transfixed with terror at the + sight of Mr Quilp, who was hanging so far out of bed that he almost seemed + to be standing on his head, and who, either from the uneasiness of this + posture, or in one of his agreeable habits, was gasping and growling with + his mouth wide open, and the whites (or rather the dirty yellows) of his + eyes distinctly visible. It was no time, however, to ask whether anything + ailed him; so, possessing herself of the key after one hasty glance about + the room, and repassing the prostrate Mr Brass, she rejoined the old man + in safety. They got the door open without noise, and passing into the + street, stood still. + </p> + <p> + 'Which way?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + The old man looked, irresolutely and helplessly, first at her, then to the + right and left, then at her again, and shook his head. It was plain that + she was thenceforth his guide and leader. The child felt it, but had no + doubts or misgiving, and putting her hand in his, led him gently away. + </p> + <p> + It was the beginning of a day in June; the deep blue sky unsullied by a + cloud, and teeming with brilliant light. The streets were, as yet, nearly + free from passengers, the houses and shops were closed, and the healthy + air of morning fell like breath from angels, on the sleeping town. + </p> + <p> + The old man and the child passed on through the glad silence, elate with + hope and pleasure. They were alone together, once again; every object was + bright and fresh; nothing reminded them, otherwise than by contrast, of + the monotony and constraint they had left behind; church towers and + steeples, frowning and dark at other times, now shone in the sun; each + humble nook and corner rejoiced in light; and the sky, dimmed only by + excessive distance, shed its placid smile on everything beneath. + </p> + <p> + Forth from the city, while it yet slumbered, went the two poor + adventurers, wandering they knew not whither. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0103m.jpg" alt="0103m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0103.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap13"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 13 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>aniel Quilp of Tower Hill, and Sampson Brass of Bevis Marks in the city + of London, Gentleman, one of her Majesty's attornies of the Courts of the + King's Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster and a solicitor of the High + Court of Chancery, slumbered on, unconscious and unsuspicious of any + mischance, until a knocking on the street door, often repeated and + gradually mounting up from a modest single rap to a perfect battery of + knocks, fired in long discharges with a very short interval between, + caused the said Daniel Quilp to struggle into a horizontal position, and + to stare at the ceiling with a drowsy indifference, betokening that he + heard the noise and rather wondered at the same, and couldn't be at the + trouble of bestowing any further thought upon the subject. + </p> + <p> + As the knocking, however, instead of accommodating itself to his lazy + state, increased in vigour and became more importunate, as if in earnest + remonstrance against his falling asleep again, now that he had once opened + his eyes, Daniel Quilp began by degrees to comprehend the possibility of + there being somebody at the door; and thus he gradually came to recollect + that it was Friday morning, and he had ordered Mrs Quilp to be in waiting + upon him at an early hour. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass, after writhing about, in a great many strange attitudes, and + often twisting his face and eyes into an expression like that which is + usually produced by eating gooseberries very early in the season, was by + this time awake also. Seeing that Mr Quilp invested himself in his + every-day garments, he hastened to do the like, putting on his shoes + before his stockings, and thrusting his legs into his coat sleeves, and + making such other small mistakes in his toilet as are not uncommon to + those who dress in a hurry, and labour under the agitation of having been + suddenly roused. + +</p> + <p> +While the attorney was thus engaged, the dwarf was + groping under the table, muttering desperate imprecations on himself, and + mankind in general, and all inanimate objects to boot, which suggested to + Mr Brass the question, 'what's the matter?' + </p> + <p> + 'The key,' said the dwarf, looking viciously about him, 'the door-key—that's + the matter. D'ye know anything of it?' + </p> + <p> + 'How should I know anything of it, sir?' returned Mr Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'How should you?' repeated Quilp with a sneer. 'You're a nice lawyer, an't + you? Ugh, you idiot!' + </p> + <p> + Not caring to represent to the dwarf in his present humour, that the loss + of a key by another person could scarcely be said to affect his (Brass's) + legal knowledge in any material degree, Mr Brass humbly suggested that it + must have been forgotten over night, and was, doubtless, at that moment in + its native key-hole. Notwithstanding that Mr Quilp had a strong conviction + to the contrary, founded on his recollection of having carefully taken it + out, he was fain to admit that this was possible, and therefore went + grumbling to the door where, sure enough, he found it. + </p> + <p> + Now, just as Mr Quilp laid his hand upon the lock, and saw with great + astonishment that the fastenings were undone, the knocking came again with + the most irritating violence, and the daylight which had been shining + through the key-hole was intercepted on the outside by a human eye. The + dwarf was very much exasperated, and wanting somebody to wreak his + ill-humour upon, determined to dart out suddenly, and favour Mrs Quilp + with a gentle acknowledgment of her attention in making that hideous + uproar. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0105m.jpg" alt="0105m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0105.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + With this view, he drew back the lock very silently and softly, and + opening the door all at once, pounced out upon the person on the other + side, who had at that moment raised the knocker for another application, + and at whom the dwarf ran head first: throwing out his hands and feet + together, and biting the air in the fulness of his malice. + </p> + <p> + So far, however, from rushing upon somebody who offered no resistance and + implored his mercy, Mr Quilp was no sooner in the arms of the individual + whom he had taken for his wife than he found himself complimented with two + staggering blows on the head, and two more, of the same quality, in the + chest; and closing with his assailant, such a shower of buffets rained + down upon his person as sufficed to convince him that he was in skilful + and experienced hands. Nothing daunted by this reception, he clung tight + to his opponent, and bit and hammered away with such good-will and + heartiness, that it was at least a couple of minutes before he was + dislodged. Then, and not until then, Daniel Quilp found himself, all + flushed and dishevelled, in the middle of the street, with Mr Richard + Swiveller performing a kind of dance round him and requiring to know + 'whether he wanted any more?' + </p> + <p> + 'There's plenty more of it at the same shop,' said Mr Swiveller, by turns + advancing and retreating in a threatening attitude, 'a large and extensive + assortment always on hand—country orders executed with promptitude + and despatch—will you have a little more, Sir—don't say no, if + you'd rather not.' + </p> + <p> + 'I thought it was somebody else,' said Quilp, rubbing his shoulders, 'why + didn't you say who you were?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why didn't you say who <i>you </i>were?' returned Dick, 'instead of flying out + of the house like a Bedlamite?' + </p> + <p> + 'It was you that—that knocked,' said the dwarf, getting up with a + short groan, 'was it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, I am the man,' replied Dick. 'That lady had begun when I came, but + she knocked too soft, so I relieved her.' As he said this, he pointed + towards Mrs Quilp, who stood trembling at a little distance. + </p> + <p> + 'Humph!' muttered the dwarf, darting an angry look at his wife, 'I thought + it was your fault! And you, sir—don't you know there has been + somebody ill here, that you knock as if you'd beat the door down?' + </p> + <p> + 'Damme!' answered Dick, 'that's why I did it. I thought there was somebody + dead here.' + </p> + <p> + 'You came for some purpose, I suppose,' said Quilp. 'What is it you want?' + </p> + <p> + 'I want to know how the old gentleman is,' rejoined Mr Swiveller, 'and to + hear from Nell herself, with whom I should like to have a little talk. I'm + a friend of the family, sir—at least I'm the friend of one of the + family, and that's the same thing.' + </p> + <p> + 'You'd better walk in then,' said the dwarf. 'Go on, sir, go on. Now, Mrs + Quilp—after you, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp hesitated, but Mr Quilp insisted. And it was not a contest of + politeness, or by any means a matter of form, for she knew very well that + her husband wished to enter the house in this order, that he might have a + favourable opportunity of inflicting a few pinches on her arms, which were + seldom free from impressions of his fingers in black and blue colours. Mr + Swiveller, who was not in the secret, was a little surprised to hear a + suppressed scream, and, looking round, to see Mrs Quilp following him with + a sudden jerk; but he did not remark on these appearances, and soon forgot + them. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf when they had entered the shop, 'go you + up stairs, if you please, to Nelly's room, and tell her that she's + wanted.' + </p> + <p> + 'You seem to make yourself at home here,' said Dick, who was unacquainted + with Mr Quilp's authority. + </p> + <p> + 'I <i>am</i> at home, young gentleman,' returned the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + Dick was pondering what these words might mean, and still more what the + presence of Mr Brass might mean, when Mrs Quilp came hurrying down stairs, + declaring that the rooms above were empty. + </p> + <p> + 'Empty, you fool!' said the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'I give you my word, Quilp,' answered his trembling wife, 'that I have + been into every room and there's not a soul in any of them.' + </p> + <p> + 'And that,' said Mr Brass, clapping his hands once, with an emphasis, + 'explains the mystery of the key!' + </p> + <p> + Quilp looked frowningly at him, and frowningly at his wife, and frowningly + at Richard Swiveller; but, receiving no enlightenment from any of them, + hurried up stairs, whence he soon hurried down again, confirming the + report which had already been made. + </p> + <p> + 'It's a strange way of going,' he said, glancing at Swiveller, 'very + strange not to communicate with me who am such a close and intimate friend + of his! Ah! he'll write to me no doubt, or he'll bid Nelly write—yes, + yes, that's what he'll do. Nelly's very fond of me. Pretty Nell!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller looked, as he was, all open-mouthed astonishment. Still + glancing furtively at him, Quilp turned to Mr Brass and observed, with + assumed carelessness, that this need not interfere with the removal of the + goods. + </p> + <p> + 'For indeed,' he added, 'we knew that they'd go away to-day, but not that + they'd go so early, or so quietly. But they have their reasons, they have + their reasons.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where in the devil's name are they gone?' said the wondering Dick. + </p> + <p> + Quilp shook his head, and pursed up his lips, in a manner which implied + that he knew very well, but was not at liberty to say. + </p> + <p> + 'And what,' said Dick, looking at the confusion about him, 'what do you + mean by moving the goods?' + </p> + <p> + 'That I have bought 'em, Sir,' rejoined Quilp. 'Eh? What then?' + </p> + <p> + 'Has the sly old fox made his fortune then, and gone to live in a tranquil + cot in a pleasant spot with a distant view of the changing sea?' said + Dick, in great bewilderment. + </p> + <p> + 'Keeping his place of retirement very close, that he may not be visited + too often by affectionate grandsons and their devoted friends, eh?' added + the dwarf, rubbing his hands hard; 'I say nothing, but is that your + meaning?' + </p> + <p> + Richard Swiveller was utterly aghast at this unexpected alteration of + circumstances, which threatened the complete overthrow of the project in + which he bore so conspicuous a part, and seemed to nip his prospects in + the bud. Having only received from Frederick Trent, late on the previous + night, information of the old man's illness, he had come upon a visit of + condolence and inquiry to Nell, prepared with the first instalment of that + long train of fascinations which was to fire her heart at last. And here, + when he had been thinking of all kinds of graceful and insinuating + approaches, and meditating on the fearful retaliation which was slowly + working against Sophy Wackles—here were Nell, the old man, and all + the money gone, melted away, decamped he knew not whither, as if with a + fore-knowledge of the scheme and a resolution to defeat it in the very + outset, before a step was taken. + </p> + <p> + In his secret heart, Daniel Quilp was both surprised and troubled by the + flight which had been made. It had not escaped his keen eye that some + indispensable articles of clothing were gone with the fugitives, and + knowing the old man's weak state of mind, he marvelled what that course of + proceeding might be in which he had so readily procured the concurrence of + the child. It must not be supposed (or it would be a gross injustice to Mr + Quilp) that he was tortured by any disinterested anxiety on behalf of + either. His uneasiness arose from a misgiving that the old man had some + secret store of money which he had not suspected; and the idea of its + escaping his clutches, overwhelmed him with mortification and + self-reproach. + </p> + <p> + In this frame of mind, it was some consolation to him to find that Richard + Swiveller was, for different reasons, evidently irritated and disappointed + by the same cause. It was plain, thought the dwarf, that he had come + there, on behalf of his friend, to cajole or frighten the old man out of + some small fraction of that wealth of which they supposed him to have an + abundance. Therefore, it was a relief to vex his heart with a picture of + the riches the old man hoarded, and to expatiate on his cunning in + removing himself even beyond the reach of importunity. + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said Dick, with a blank look, 'I suppose it's of no use my staying + here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not the least in the world,' rejoined the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'You'll mention that I called, perhaps?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp nodded, and said he certainly would, the very first time he saw + them. + </p> + <p> + 'And say,' added Mr Swiveller, 'say, sir, that I was wafted here upon the + pinions of concord; that I came to remove, with the rake of friendship, + the seeds of mutual violence and heart-burning, and to sow in their place, + the germs of social harmony. Will you have the goodness to charge yourself + with that commission, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly!' rejoined Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Will you be kind enough to add to it, Sir,' said Dick, producing a very + small limp card, 'that that is my address, and that I am to be found at + home every morning. Two distinct knocks, sir, will produce the slavey at + any time. My particular friends, Sir, are accustomed to sneeze when the + door is opened, to give her to understand that they <i>are </i>my friends and + have no interested motives in asking if I'm at home. I beg your pardon; + will you allow me to look at that card again?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! by all means,' rejoined Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'By a slight and not unnatural mistake, sir,' said Dick, substituting + another in its stead, 'I had handed you the pass-ticket of a select + convivial circle called the Glorious Apollers of which I have the honour + to be Perpetual Grand. That is the proper document, Sir. Good morning.' + </p> + <p> + Quilp bade him good day; the perpetual Grand Master of the Glorious + Apollers, elevating his hat in honour of Mrs Quilp, dropped it carelessly + on the side of his head again, and disappeared with a flourish. + </p> + <p> + By this time, certain vans had arrived for the conveyance of the goods, + and divers strong men in caps were balancing chests of drawers and other + trifles of that nature upon their heads, and performing muscular feats + which heightened their complexions considerably. Not to be behind-hand in + the bustle, Mr Quilp went to work with surprising vigour; hustling and + driving the people about, like an evil spirit; setting Mrs Quilp upon all + kinds of arduous and impracticable tasks; carrying great weights up and + down, with no apparent effort; kicking the boy from the wharf, whenever he + could get near him; and inflicting, with his loads, a great many sly bumps + and blows on the shoulders of Mr Brass, as he stood upon the door-steps to + answer all the inquiries of curious neighbours, which was his department. + His presence and example diffused such alacrity among the persons + employed, that, in a few hours, the house was emptied of everything, but + pieces of matting, empty porter-pots, and scattered fragments of straw. + </p> + <p> + Seated, like an African chief, on one of these pieces of matting, the + dwarf was regaling himself in the parlour, with bread and cheese and beer, + when he observed without appearing to do so, that a boy was prying in at + the outer door. Assured that it was Kit, though he saw little more than + his nose, Mr Quilp hailed him by his name; whereupon Kit came in and + demanded what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + 'Come here, you sir,' said the dwarf. 'Well, so your old master and young + mistress have gone?' + </p> + <p> + 'Where?' rejoined Kit, looking round. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you mean to say you don't know where?' answered Quilp sharply. 'Where + have they gone, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know,' said Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Come,' retorted Quilp, 'let's have no more of this! Do you mean to say + that you don't know they went away by stealth, as soon as it was light + this morning?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' said the boy, in evident surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'You don't know that?' cried Quilp. 'Don't I know that you were hanging + about the house the other night, like a thief, eh? Weren't you told then?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' replied the boy. + </p> + <p> + 'You were not?' said Quilp. 'What were you told then; what were you + talking about?' + </p> + <p> + Kit, who knew no particular reason why he should keep the matter secret + now, related the purpose for which he had come on that occasion, and the + proposal he had made. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said the dwarf after a little consideration. 'Then, I think they'll + come to you yet.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you think they will?' cried Kit eagerly. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, I think they will,' returned the dwarf. 'Now, when they do, let me + know; d'ye hear? Let me know, and I'll give you something. I want to do + 'em a kindness, and I can't do 'em a kindness unless I know where they + are. You hear what I say?' + </p> + <p> + Kit might have returned some answer which would not have been agreeable to + his irascible questioner, if the boy from the wharf, who had been skulking + about the room in search of anything that might have been left about by + accident, had not happened to cry, 'Here's a bird! What's to be done with + this?' + </p> + <p> + 'Wring its neck,' rejoined Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh no, don't do that,' said Kit, stepping forward. 'Give it to me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes, I dare say,' cried the other boy. 'Come! You let the cage alone, + and let me wring its neck will you? He said I was to do it. You let the + cage alone will you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Give it here, give it to me, you dogs,' roared Quilp. 'Fight for it, you + dogs, or I'll wring its neck myself!' + </p> + <p> + Without further persuasion, the two boys fell upon each other, tooth and + nail, while Quilp, holding up the cage in one hand, and chopping the + ground with his knife in an ecstasy, urged them on by his taunts and cries + to fight more fiercely. They were a pretty equal match, and rolled about + together, exchanging blows which were by no means child's play, until at + length Kit, planting a well-directed hit in his adversary's chest, + disengaged himself, sprung nimbly up, and snatching the cage from Quilp's + hands made off with his prize. + </p> + <p> + He did not stop once until he reached home, where his bleeding face + occasioned great consternation, and caused the elder child to howl + dreadfully. + </p> + <p> + 'Goodness gracious, Kit, what is the matter, what have you been doing?' + cried Mrs Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'Never you mind, mother,' answered her son, wiping his face on the + jack-towel behind the door. 'I'm not hurt, don't you be afraid for me. + I've been a fightin' for a bird and won him, that's all. Hold your noise, + little Jacob. I never see such a naughty boy in all my days!' + </p> + <p> + 'You have been fighting for a bird!' exclaimed his mother. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! Fightin' for a bird!' replied Kit, 'and here he is—Miss Nelly's + bird, mother, that they was agoin' to wring the neck of! I stopped that + though—ha ha ha! They wouldn't wring his neck and me by, no, no. It + wouldn't do, mother, it wouldn't do at all. Ha ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + Kit laughing so heartily, with his swoln and bruised face looking out of + the towel, made little Jacob laugh, and then his mother laughed, and then + the baby crowed and kicked with great glee, and then they all laughed in + concert: partly because of Kit's triumph, and partly because they were + very fond of each other. When this fit was over, Kit exhibited the bird to + both children, as a great and precious rarity—it was only a poor + linnet—and looking about the wall for an old nail, made a + scaffolding of a chair and table and twisted it out with great exultation. + </p> + <p> + 'Let me see,' said the boy, 'I think I'll hang him in the winder, because + it's more light and cheerful, and he can see the sky there, if he looks up + very much. He's such a one to sing, I can tell you!' + </p> + <p> + So, the scaffolding was made again, and Kit, climbing up with the poker + for a hammer, knocked in the nail and hung up the cage, to the + immeasurable delight of the whole family. When it had been adjusted and + straightened a great many times, and he had walked backwards into the + fire-place in his admiration of it, the arrangement was pronounced to be + perfect. + </p> + <p> + 'And now, mother,' said the boy, 'before I rest any more, I'll go out and + see if I can find a horse to hold, and then I can buy some birdseed, and a + bit of something nice for you, into the bargain.' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap14"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 14 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>s it was very easy for Kit to persuade himself that the old house was in + his way, his way being anywhere, he tried to look upon his passing it once + more as a matter of imperative and disagreeable necessity, quite apart + from any desire of his own, to which he could not choose but yield. It is + not uncommon for people who are much better fed and taught than + Christopher Nubbles had ever been, to make duties of their inclinations in + matters of more doubtful propriety, and to take great credit for the + self-denial with which they gratify themselves. + </p> + <p> + There was no need of any caution this time, and no fear of being detained + by having to play out a return match with Daniel Quilp's boy. The place + was entirely deserted, and looked as dusty and dingy as if it had been so + for months. A rusty padlock was fastened on the door, ends of discoloured + blinds and curtains flapped drearily against the half-opened upper + windows, and the crooked holes cut in the closed shutters below, were + black with the darkness of the inside. Some of the glass in the window he + had so often watched, had been broken in the rough hurry of the morning, + and that room looked more deserted and dull than any. A group of idle + urchins had taken possession of the door-steps; some were plying the + knocker and listening with delighted dread to the hollow sounds it spread + through the dismantled house; others were clustered about the keyhole, + watching half in jest and half in earnest for 'the ghost,' which an hour's + gloom, added to the mystery that hung about the late inhabitants, had + already raised. Standing all alone in the midst of the business and bustle + of the street, the house looked a picture of cold desolation; and Kit, who + remembered the cheerful fire that used to burn there on a winter's night + and the no less cheerful laugh that made the small room ring, turned quite + mournfully away. + </p> + <p> + It must be especially observed in justice to poor Kit that he was by no + means of a sentimental turn, and perhaps had never heard that adjective in + all his life. He was only a soft-hearted grateful fellow, and had nothing + genteel or polite about him; consequently, instead of going home again, in + his grief, to kick the children and abuse his mother (for, when your + finely strung people are out of sorts, they must have everybody else + unhappy likewise), he turned his thoughts to the vulgar expedient of + making them more comfortable if he could. + </p> + <p> + Bless us, what a number of gentlemen on horseback there were riding up and + down, and how few of them wanted their horses held! A good city speculator + or a parliamentary commissioner could have told to a fraction, from the + crowds that were cantering about, what sum of money was realised in + London, in the course of a year, by holding horses alone. And undoubtedly + it would have been a very large one, if only a twentieth part of the + gentlemen without grooms had had occasion to alight; but they had not; and + it is often an ill-natured circumstance like this, which spoils the most + ingenious estimate in the world. + </p> + <p> + Kit walked about, now with quick steps and now with slow; now lingering as + some rider slackened his horse's pace and looked about him; and now + darting at full speed up a bye-street as he caught a glimpse of some + distant horseman going lazily up the shady side of the road, and promising + to stop, at every door. But on they all went, one after another, and there + was not a penny stirring. 'I wonder,' thought the boy, 'if one of these + gentlemen knew there was nothing in the cupboard at home, whether he'd + stop on purpose, and make believe that he wanted to call somewhere, that I + might earn a trifle?' + </p> + <p> + He was quite tired out with pacing the streets, to say nothing of repeated + disappointments, and was sitting down upon a step to rest, when there + approached towards him a little clattering jingling four-wheeled chaise, + drawn by a little obstinate-looking rough-coated pony, and driven by a + little fat placid-faced old gentleman. Beside the little old gentleman sat + a little old lady, plump and placid like himself, and the pony was coming + along at his own pace and doing exactly as he pleased with the whole + concern. If the old gentleman remonstrated by shaking the reins, the pony + replied by shaking his head. It was plain that the utmost the pony would + consent to do, was to go in his own way up any street that the old + gentleman particularly wished to traverse, but that it was an + understanding between them that he must do this after his own fashion or + not at all. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0116m.jpg" alt="0116m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0116.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + As they passed where he sat, Kit looked so wistfully at the little + turn-out, that the old gentleman looked at him. Kit rising and putting his + hand to his hat, the old gentleman intimated to the pony that he wished to + stop, to which proposal the pony (who seldom objected to that part of his + duty) graciously acceded. + </p> + <p> + 'I beg your pardon, sir,' said Kit. 'I'm sorry you stopped, sir. I only + meant did you want your horse minded.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm going to get down in the next street,' returned the old gentleman. + 'If you like to come on after us, you may have the job.' + </p> + <p> + Kit thanked him, and joyfully obeyed. The pony ran off at a sharp angle to + inspect a lamp-post on the opposite side of the way, and then went off at + a tangent to another lamp-post on the other side. Having satisfied himself + that they were of the same pattern and materials, he came to a stop + apparently absorbed in meditation. + +</p> + <p> +'Will you go on, sir,' said the old + gentleman, gravely, 'or are we to wait here for you till it's too late for + our appointment?' + </p> + <p> + The pony remained immoveable. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh you naughty Whisker,' said the old lady. 'Fie upon you! I'm ashamed of + such conduct.' + </p> + <p> + The pony appeared to be touched by this appeal to his feelings, for he + trotted on directly, though in a sulky manner, and stopped no more until + he came to a door whereon was a brass plate with the words 'Witherden—Notary.' + Here the old gentleman got out and helped out the old lady, and then took + from under the seat a nosegay resembling in shape and dimensions a + full-sized warming-pan with the handle cut short off. This, the old lady + carried into the house with a staid and stately air, and the old gentleman + (who had a club-foot) followed close upon her. + </p> + <p> + They went, as it was easy to tell from the sound of their voices, into the + front parlour, which seemed to be a kind of office. The day being very + warm and the street a quiet one, the windows were wide open; and it was + easy to hear through the Venetian blinds all that passed inside. + </p> + <p> + At first there was a great shaking of hands and shuffling of feet, + succeeded by the presentation of the nosegay; for a voice, supposed by the + listener to be that of Mr Witherden the Notary, was heard to exclaim a + great many times, 'oh, delicious!' 'oh, fragrant, indeed!' and a nose, + also supposed to be the property of that gentleman, was heard to inhale + the scent with a snuffle of exceeding pleasure. + </p> + <p> + 'I brought it in honour of the occasion, Sir,' said the old lady. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! an occasion indeed, ma'am, an occasion which does honour to me, + ma'am, honour to me,' rejoined Mr Witherden, the notary. 'I have had many + a gentleman articled to me, ma'am, many a one. Some of them are now + rolling in riches, unmindful of their old companion and friend, ma'am, + others are in the habit of calling upon me to this day and saying, "Mr + Witherden, some of the pleasantest hours I ever spent in my life were + spent in this office—were spent, Sir, upon this very stool"; but + there was never one among the number, ma'am, attached as I have been to + many of them, of whom I augured such bright things as I do of your only + son.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh dear!' said the old lady. 'How happy you do make us when you tell us + that, to be sure!' + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you, ma'am,' said Mr Witherden, 'what I think as an honest man, + which, as the poet observes, is the noblest work of God. I agree with the + poet in every particular, ma'am. The mountainous Alps on the one hand, or + a humming-bird on the other, is nothing, in point of workmanship, to an + honest man—or woman—or woman.' + </p> + <p> + 'Anything that Mr Witherden can say of me,' observed a small quiet voice, + 'I can say, with interest, of him, I am sure.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's a happy circumstance, a truly happy circumstance,' said the Notary, + 'to happen too upon his eight-and-twentieth birthday, and I hope I know + how to appreciate it. I trust, Mr Garland, my dear Sir, that we may + mutually congratulate each other upon this auspicious occasion.' + </p> + <p> + To this the old gentleman replied that he felt assured they might. There + appeared to be another shaking of hands in consequence, and when it was + over, the old gentleman said that, though he said it who should not, he + believed no son had ever been a greater comfort to his parents than Abel + Garland had been to his. + </p> + <p> + 'Marrying as his mother and I did, late in life, sir, after waiting for a + great many years, until we were well enough off—coming together when + we were no longer young, and then being blessed with one child who has + always been dutiful and affectionate—why, it's a source of great + happiness to us both, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Of course it is, I have no doubt of it,' returned the Notary in a + sympathising voice. 'It's the contemplation of this sort of thing, that + makes me deplore my fate in being a bachelor. There was a young lady once, + sir, the daughter of an outfitting warehouse of the first respectability—but + that's a weakness. Chuckster, bring in Mr Abel's articles.' + </p> + <p> + 'You see, Mr Witherden,' said the old lady, 'that Abel has not been + brought up like the run of young men. He has always had a pleasure in our + society, and always been with us. Abel has never been absent from us, for + a day; has he, my dear?' + </p> + <p> + 'Never, my dear,' returned the old gentleman, 'except when he went to + Margate one Saturday with Mr Tomkinley that had been a teacher at that + school he went to, and came back upon the Monday; but he was very ill + after that, you remember, my dear; it was quite a dissipation.' + </p> + <p> + 'He was not used to it, you know,' said the old lady, 'and he couldn't + bear it, that's the truth. Besides he had no comfort in being there + without us, and had nobody to talk to or enjoy himself with.' + </p> + <p> + 'That was it, you know,' interposed the same small quiet voice that had + spoken once before. 'I was quite abroad, mother, quite desolate, and to + think that the sea was between us—oh, I never shall forget what I + felt when I first thought that the sea was between us!' + </p> + <p> + 'Very natural under the circumstances,' observed the Notary. 'Mr Abel's + feelings did credit to his nature, and credit to your nature, ma'am, and + his father's nature, and human nature. I trace the same current now, + flowing through all his quiet and unobtrusive proceedings.—I am + about to sign my name, you observe, at the foot of the articles which Mr + Chuckster will witness; and placing my finger upon this blue wafer with + the vandyked corners, I am constrained to remark in a distinct tone of + voice—don't be alarmed, ma'am, it is merely a form of law—that + I deliver this, as my act and deed. Mr Abel will place his name against + the other wafer, repeating the same cabalistic words, and the business is + over. Ha ha ha! You see how easily these things are done!' + </p> + <p> + There was a short silence, apparently, while Mr Abel went through the + prescribed form, and then the shaking of hands and shuffling of feet were + renewed, and shortly afterwards there was a clinking of wine-glasses and a + great talkativeness on the part of everybody. In about a quarter of an + hour Mr Chuckster (with a pen behind his ear and his face inflamed with + wine) appeared at the door, and condescending to address Kit by the jocose + appellation of 'Young Snob,' informed him that the visitors were coming + out. + </p> + <p> + Out they came forthwith; Mr Witherden, who was short, chubby, + fresh-coloured, brisk, and pompous, leading the old lady with extreme + politeness, and the father and son following them, arm in arm. Mr Abel, + who had a quaint old-fashioned air about him, looked nearly of the same + age as his father, and bore a wonderful resemblance to him in face and + figure, though wanting something of his full, round, cheerfulness, and + substituting in its place a timid reserve. In all other respects, in the + neatness of the dress, and even in the club-foot, he and the old gentleman + were precisely alike. + </p> + <p> + Having seen the old lady safely in her seat, and assisted in the + arrangement of her cloak and a small basket which formed an indispensable + portion of her equipage, Mr Abel got into a little box behind which had + evidently been made for his express accommodation, and smiled at everybody + present by turns, beginning with his mother and ending with the pony. + There was then a great to-do to make the pony hold up his head that the + bearing-rein might be fastened; at last even this was effected; and the + old gentleman, taking his seat and the reins, put his hand in his pocket + to find a sixpence for Kit. + </p> + <p> + He had no sixpence, neither had the old lady, nor Mr Abel, nor the Notary, + nor Mr Chuckster. The old gentleman thought a shilling too much, but there + was no shop in the street to get change at, so he gave it to the boy. + </p> + <p> + 'There,' he said jokingly, 'I'm coming here again next Monday at the same + time, and mind you're here, my lad, to work it out.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you, Sir,' said Kit. 'I'll be sure to be here.' + </p> + <p> + He was quite serious, but they all laughed heartily at his saying so, + especially Mr Chuckster, who roared outright and appeared to relish the + joke amazingly. As the pony, with a presentiment that he was going home, + or a determination that he would not go anywhere else (which was the same + thing) trotted away pretty nimbly, Kit had no time to justify himself, and + went his way also. Having expended his treasure in such purchases as he + knew would be most acceptable at home, not forgetting some seed for the + wonderful bird, he hastened back as fast as he could, so elated with his + success and great good fortune, that he more than half expected Nell and + the old man would have arrived before him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap15"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 15 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>ften, while they were yet pacing the silent streets of the town on the + morning of their departure, the child trembled with a mingled sensation of + hope and fear as in some far-off figure imperfectly seen in the clear + distance, her fancy traced a likeness to honest Kit. But although she + would gladly have given him her hand and thanked him for what he had said + at their last meeting, it was always a relief to find, when they came + nearer to each other, that the person who approached was not he, but a + stranger; for even if she had not dreaded the effect which the sight of + him might have wrought upon her fellow-traveller, she felt that to bid + farewell to anybody now, and most of all to him who had been so faithful + and so true, was more than she could bear. It was enough to leave dumb + things behind, and objects that were insensible both to her love and + sorrow. To have parted from her only other friend upon the threshold of + that wild journey, would have wrung her heart indeed. + </p> + <p> + Why is it that we can better bear to part in spirit than in body, and + while we have the fortitude to act farewell have not the nerve to say it? + On the eve of long voyages or an absence of many years, friends who are + tenderly attached will separate with the usual look, the usual pressure of + the hand, planning one final interview for the morrow, while each well + knows that it is but a poor feint to save the pain of uttering that one + word, and that the meeting will never be. Should possibilities be worse to + bear than certainties? We do not shun our dying friends; the not having + distinctly taken leave of one among them, whom we left in all kindness and + affection, will often embitter the whole remainder of a life. + </p> + <p> + The town was glad with morning light; places that had shown ugly and + distrustful all night long, now wore a smile; and sparkling sunbeams + dancing on chamber windows, and twinkling through blind and curtain before + sleepers' eyes, shed light even into dreams, and chased away the shadows + of the night. Birds in hot rooms, covered up close and dark, felt it was + morning, and chafed and grew restless in their little cells; bright-eyed + mice crept back to their tiny homes and nestled timidly together; the + sleek house-cat, forgetful of her prey, sat winking at the rays of sun + starting through keyhole and cranny in the door, and longed for her + stealthy run and warm sleek bask outside. The nobler beasts confined in + dens, stood motionless behind their bars and gazed on fluttering boughs, + and sunshine peeping through some little window, with eyes in which old + forests gleamed—then trod impatiently the track their prisoned feet + had worn—and stopped and gazed again. Men in their dungeons + stretched their cramp cold limbs and cursed the stone that no bright sky + could warm. The flowers that sleep by night, opened their gentle eyes and + turned them to the day. The light, creation's mind, was everywhere, and + all things owned its power. + </p> + <p> + The two pilgrims, often pressing each other's hands, or exchanging a smile + or cheerful look, pursued their way in silence. Bright and happy as it + was, there was something solemn in the long, deserted streets, from which, + like bodies without souls, all habitual character and expression had + departed, leaving but one dead uniform repose, that made them all alike. + All was so still at that early hour, that the few pale people whom they + met seemed as much unsuited to the scene, as the sickly lamp which had + been here and there left burning, was powerless and faint in the full + glory of the sun. + </p> + <p> + Before they had penetrated very far into the labyrinth of men's abodes + which yet lay between them and the outskirts, this aspect began to melt + away, and noise and bustle to usurp its place. Some straggling carts and + coaches rumbling by, first broke the charm, then others came, then others + yet more active, then a crowd. The wonder was, at first, to see a + tradesman's window open, but it was a rare thing soon to see one closed; + then, smoke rose slowly from the chimneys, and sashes were thrown up to + let in air, and doors were opened, and servant girls, looking lazily in + all directions but their brooms, scattered brown clouds of dust into the + eyes of shrinking passengers, or listened disconsolately to milkmen who + spoke of country fairs, and told of waggons in the mews, with awnings and + all things complete, and gallant swains to boot, which another hour would + see upon their journey. + </p> + <p> + This quarter passed, they came upon the haunts of commerce and great + traffic, where many people were resorting, and business was already rife. + The old man looked about him with a startled and bewildered gaze, for + these were places that he hoped to shun. He pressed his finger on his lip, + and drew the child along by narrow courts and winding ways, nor did he + seem at ease until they had left it far behind, often casting a backward + look towards it, murmuring that ruin and self-murder were crouching in + every street, and would follow if they scented them; and that they could + not fly too fast. + </p> + <p> + Again this quarter passed, they came upon a straggling neighbourhood, + where the mean houses parcelled off in rooms, and windows patched with + rags and paper, told of the populous poverty that sheltered there. The + shops sold goods that only poverty could buy, and sellers and buyers were + pinched and griped alike. Here were poor streets where faded gentility + essayed with scanty space and shipwrecked means to make its last feeble + stand, but tax-gatherer and creditor came there as elsewhere, and the + poverty that yet faintly struggled was hardly less squalid and manifest + than that which had long ago submitted and given up the game. + </p> + <p> + This was a wide, wide track—for the humble followers of the camp of + wealth pitch their tents round about it for many a mile—but its + character was still the same. Damp rotten houses, many to let, many yet + building, many half-built and mouldering away—lodgings, where it + would be hard to tell which needed pity most, those who let or those who + came to take—children, scantily fed and clothed, spread over every + street, and sprawling in the dust—scolding mothers, stamping their + slipshod feet with noisy threats upon the pavement—shabby fathers, + hurrying with dispirited looks to the occupation which brought them 'daily + bread' and little more—mangling-women, washer-women, cobblers, + tailors, chandlers, driving their trades in parlours and kitchens and back + room and garrets, and sometimes all of them under the same roof—brick-fields + skirting gardens paled with staves of old casks, or timber pillaged from + houses burnt down, and blackened and blistered by the flames—mounds + of dock-weed, nettles, coarse grass and oyster-shells, heaped in rank + confusion—small dissenting chapels to teach, with no lack of + illustration, the miseries of Earth, and plenty of new churches, erected + with a little superfluous wealth, to show the way to Heaven. + </p> + <p> + At length these streets becoming more straggling yet, dwindled and + dwindled away, until there were only small garden patches bordering the + road, with many a summer house innocent of paint and built of old timber + or some fragments of a boat, green as the tough cabbage-stalks that grew + about it, and grottoed at the seams with toad-stools and tight-sticking + snails. To these succeeded pert cottages, two and two with plots of ground + in front, laid out in angular beds with stiff box borders and narrow paths + between, where footstep never strayed to make the gravel rough. Then came + the public-house, freshly painted in green and white, with tea-gardens and + a bowling green, spurning its old neighbour with the horse-trough where + the waggons stopped; then, fields; and then, some houses, one by one, of + goodly size with lawns, some even with a lodge where dwelt a porter and + his wife. Then came a turnpike; then fields again with trees and + hay-stacks; then, a hill, and on the top of that, the traveller might + stop, and—looking back at old Saint Paul's looming through the + smoke, its cross peeping above the cloud (if the day were clear), and + glittering in the sun; and casting his eyes upon the Babel out of which it + grew until he traced it down to the furthest outposts of the invading army + of bricks and mortar whose station lay for the present nearly at his feet—might + feel at last that he was clear of London. + </p> + <p> + Near such a spot as this, and in a pleasant field, the old man and his + little guide (if guide she were, who knew not whither they were bound) sat + down to rest. She had had the precaution to furnish her basket with some + slices of bread and meat, and here they made their frugal breakfast. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0120m.jpg" alt="0120m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0120.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The freshness of the day, the singing of the birds, the beauty of the + waving grass, the deep green leaves, the wild flowers, and the thousand + exquisite scents and sounds that floated in the air—deep joys to + most of us, but most of all to those whose life is in a crowd or who live + solitarily in great cities as in the bucket of a human well—sunk + into their breasts and made them very glad. The child had repeated her + artless prayers once that morning, more earnestly perhaps than she had + ever done in all her life, but as she felt all this, they rose to her lips + again. The old man took off his hat—he had no memory for the words—but + he said amen, and that they were very good. + </p> + <p> + There had been an old copy of the Pilgrim's Progress, with strange plates, + upon a shelf at home, over which she had often pored whole evenings, + wondering whether it was true in every word, and where those distant + countries with the curious names might be. As she looked back upon the + place they had left, one part of it came strongly on her mind. + </p> + <p> + 'Dear grandfather,' she said, 'only that this place is prettier and a + great deal better than the real one, if that in the book is like it, I + feel as if we were both Christian, and laid down on this grass all the + cares and troubles we brought with us; never to take them up again.' + </p> + <p> + 'No—never to return—never to return'—replied the old + man, waving his hand towards the city. 'Thou and I are free of it now, + Nell. They shall never lure us back.' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you tired?' said the child, 'are you sure you don't feel ill from + this long walk?' + </p> + <p> + 'I shall never feel ill again, now that we are once away,' was his reply. + 'Let us be stirring, Nell. We must be further away—a long, long way + further. We are too near to stop, and be at rest. Come!' + </p> + <p> + There was a pool of clear water in the field, in which the child laved her + hands and face, and cooled her feet before setting forth to walk again. + She would have the old man refresh himself in this way too, and making him + sit down upon the grass, cast the water on him with her hands, and dried + it with her simple dress. + </p> + <p> + 'I can do nothing for myself, my darling,' said the grandfather; 'I don't + know how it is, I could once, but the time's gone. Don't leave me, Nell; + say that thou'lt not leave me. I loved thee all the while, indeed I did. + If I lose thee too, my dear, I must die!' + </p> + <p> + He laid his head upon her shoulder and moaned piteously. The time had + been, and a very few days before, when the child could not have restrained + her tears and must have wept with him. But now she soothed him with gentle + and tender words, smiled at his thinking they could ever part, and rallied + him cheerfully upon the jest. He was soon calmed and fell asleep, singing + to himself in a low voice, like a little child. + </p> + <p> + He awoke refreshed, and they continued their journey. The road was + pleasant, lying between beautiful pastures and fields of corn, about + which, poised high in the clear blue sky, the lark trilled out her happy + song. The air came laden with the fragrance it caught upon its way, and + the bees, upborne upon its scented breath, hummed forth their drowsy + satisfaction as they floated by. + </p> + <p> + They were now in the open country; the houses were very few and scattered + at long intervals, often miles apart. Occasionally they came upon a + cluster of poor cottages, some with a chair or low board put across the + open door to keep the scrambling children from the road, others shut up + close while all the family were working in the fields. These were often + the commencement of a little village: and after an interval came a + wheelwright's shed or perhaps a blacksmith's forge; then a thriving farm + with sleepy cows lying about the yard, and horses peering over the low + wall and scampering away when harnessed horses passed upon the road, as + though in triumph at their freedom. There were dull pigs too, turning up + the ground in search of dainty food, and grunting their monotonous + grumblings as they prowled about, or crossed each other in their quest; + plump pigeons skimming round the roof or strutting on the eaves; and ducks + and geese, far more graceful in their own conceit, waddling awkwardly + about the edges of the pond or sailing glibly on its surface. The + farm-yard passed, then came the little inn; the humbler beer-shop; and the + village tradesman's; then the lawyer's and the parson's, at whose dread + names the beer-shop trembled; the church then peeped out modestly from a + clump of trees; then there were a few more cottages; then the cage, and + pound, and not unfrequently, on a bank by the way-side, a deep old dusty + well. Then came the trim-hedged fields on either hand, and the open road + again. + </p> + <p> + They walked all day, and slept that night at a small cottage where beds + were let to travellers. Next morning they were afoot again, and though + jaded at first, and very tired, recovered before long and proceeded + briskly forward. + </p> + <p> + They often stopped to rest, but only for a short space at a time, and + still kept on, having had but slight refreshment since the morning. It was + nearly five o'clock in the afternoon, when drawing near another cluster of + labourers' huts, the child looked wistfully in each, doubtful at which to + ask for permission to rest awhile, and buy a draught of milk. + </p> + <p> + It was not easy to determine, for she was timid and fearful of being + repulsed. Here was a crying child, and there a noisy wife. In this, the + people seemed too poor; in that, too many. At length she stopped at one + where the family were seated round the table—chiefly because there + was an old man sitting in a cushioned chair beside the hearth, and she + thought he was a grandfather and would feel for hers. + </p> + <p> + There were besides, the cottager and his wife, and three young sturdy + children, brown as berries. The request was no sooner preferred, than + granted. The eldest boy ran out to fetch some milk, the second dragged two + stools towards the door, and the youngest crept to his mother's gown, and + looked at the strangers from beneath his sunburnt hand. + </p> + <p> + 'God save you, master,' said the old cottager in a thin piping voice; 'are + you travelling far?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Sir, a long way'—replied the child; for her grandfather + appealed to her. + </p> + <p> + 'From London?' inquired the old man. + </p> + <p> + The child said yes. + </p> + <p> + Ah! He had been in London many a time—used to go there often once, + with waggons. It was nigh two-and-thirty year since he had been there + last, and he did hear say there were great changes. Like enough! He had + changed, himself, since then. Two-and-thirty year was a long time and + eighty-four a great age, though there was some he had known that had lived + to very hard upon a hundred—and not so hearty as he, neither—no, + nothing like it. + </p> + <p> + 'Sit thee down, master, in the elbow chair,' said the old man, knocking + his stick upon the brick floor, and trying to do so sharply. 'Take a pinch + out o' that box; I don't take much myself, for it comes dear, but I find + it wakes me up sometimes, and ye're but a boy to me. I should have a son + pretty nigh as old as you if he'd lived, but they listed him for a so'ger—he + come back home though, for all he had but one poor leg. He always said + he'd be buried near the sun-dial he used to climb upon when he was a baby, + did my poor boy, and his words come true—you can see the place with + your own eyes; we've kept the turf up, ever since.' + </p> + <p> + He shook his head, and looking at his daughter with watery eyes, said she + needn't be afraid that he was going to talk about that, any more. He + didn't wish to trouble nobody, and if he had troubled anybody by what he + said, he asked pardon, that was all. + </p> + <p> + The milk arrived, and the child producing her little basket, and selecting + its best fragments for her grandfather, they made a hearty meal. The + furniture of the room was very homely of course—a few rough chairs + and a table, a corner cupboard with their little stock of crockery and + delf, a gaudy tea-tray, representing a lady in bright red, walking out + with a very blue parasol, a few common, coloured scripture subjects in + frames upon the wall and chimney, an old dwarf clothes-press and an + eight-day clock, with a few bright saucepans and a kettle, comprised the + whole. But everything was clean and neat, and as the child glanced round, + she felt a tranquil air of comfort and content to which she had long been + unaccustomed. + </p> + <p> + 'How far is it to any town or village?' she asked of the husband. + </p> + <p> + 'A matter of good five mile, my dear,' was the reply, 'but you're not + going on to-night?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, Nell,' said the old man hastily, urging her too by signs. + 'Further on, further on, darling, further away if we walk till midnight.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's a good barn hard by, master,' said the man, 'or there's + travellers' lodging, I know, at the Plow an' Harrer. Excuse me, but you do + seem a little tired, and unless you're very anxious to get on—' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, we are,' returned the old man fretfully. 'Further away, dear + Nell, pray further away.' + </p> + <p> + 'We must go on, indeed,' said the child, yielding to his restless wish. + 'We thank you very much, but we cannot stop so soon. I'm quite ready, + grandfather.' + </p> + <p> + But the woman had observed, from the young wanderer's gait, that one of + her little feet was blistered and sore, and being a woman and a mother + too, she would not suffer her to go until she had washed the place and + applied some simple remedy, which she did so carefully and with such a + gentle hand—rough-grained and hard though it was, with work—that + the child's heart was too full to admit of her saying more than a fervent + 'God bless you!' nor could she look back nor trust herself to speak, until + they had left the cottage some distance behind. When she turned her head, + she saw that the whole family, even the old grandfather, were standing in + the road watching them as they went, and so, with many waves of the hand, + and cheering nods, and on one side at least not without tears, they parted + company. + </p> + <p> + They trudged forward, more slowly and painfully than they had done yet, + for another mile or thereabouts, when they heard the sound of wheels + behind them, and looking round observed an empty cart approaching pretty + briskly. The driver on coming up to them stopped his horse and looked + earnestly at Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'Didn't you stop to rest at a cottage yonder?' he said. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir,' replied the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! They asked me to look out for you,' said the man. 'I'm going your + way. Give me your hand—jump up, master.' + </p> + <p> + This was a great relief, for they were very much fatigued and could + scarcely crawl along. To them the jolting cart was a luxurious carriage, + and the ride the most delicious in the world. Nell had scarcely settled + herself on a little heap of straw in one corner, when she fell asleep, for + the first time that day. + </p> + <p> + She was awakened by the stopping of the cart, which was about to turn up a + bye-lane. The driver kindly got down to help her out, and pointing to some + trees at a very short distance before them, said that the town lay there, + and that they had better take the path which they would see leading + through the churchyard. Accordingly, towards this spot, they directed + their weary steps. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap16"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 16 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he sun was setting when they reached the wicket-gate at which the path + began, and, as the rain falls upon the just and unjust alike, it shed its + warm tint even upon the resting-places of the dead, and bade them be of + good hope for its rising on the morrow. The church was old and grey, with + ivy clinging to the walls, and round the porch. Shunning the tombs, it + crept about the mounds, beneath which slept poor humble men: twining for + them the first wreaths they had ever won, but wreaths less liable to + wither and far more lasting in their kind, than some which were graven + deep in stone and marble, and told in pompous terms of virtues meekly + hidden for many a year, and only revealed at last to executors and + mourning legatees. + </p> + <p> + The clergyman's horse, stumbling with a dull blunt sound among the graves, + was cropping the grass; at once deriving orthodox consolation from the + dead parishioners, and enforcing last Sunday's text that this was what all + flesh came to; a lean ass who had sought to expound it also, without being + qualified and ordained, was pricking his ears in an empty pound hard by, + and looking with hungry eyes upon his priestly neighbour. + </p> + <p> + The old man and the child quitted the gravel path, and strayed among the + tombs; for there the ground was soft, and easy to their tired feet. As + they passed behind the church, they heard voices near at hand, and + presently came on those who had spoken. + </p> + <p> + They were two men who were seated in easy attitudes upon the grass, and so + busily engaged as to be at first unconscious of intruders. It was not + difficult to divine that they were of a class of itinerant showmen—exhibitors + of the freaks of Punch—for, perched cross-legged upon a tombstone + behind them, was a figure of that hero himself, his nose and chin as + hooked and his face as beaming as usual. Perhaps his imperturbable + character was never more strikingly developed, for he preserved his usual + equable smile notwithstanding that his body was dangling in a most + uncomfortable position, all loose and limp and shapeless, while his long + peaked cap, unequally balanced against his exceedingly slight legs, + threatened every instant to bring him toppling down. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0126m.jpg" alt="0126m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0126.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + In part scattered upon the ground at the feet of the two men, and in part + jumbled together in a long flat box, were the other persons of the Drama. + The hero's wife and one child, the hobby-horse, the doctor, the foreign + gentleman who not being familiar with the language is unable in the + representation to express his ideas otherwise than by the utterance of the + word 'Shallabalah' three distinct times, the radical neighbour who will by + no means admit that a tin bell is an organ, the executioner, and the + devil, were all here. Their owners had evidently come to that spot to make + some needful repairs in the stage arrangements, for one of them was + engaged in binding together a small gallows with thread, while the other + was intent upon fixing a new black wig, with the aid of a small hammer and + some tacks, upon the head of the radical neighbour, who had been beaten + bald. + </p> + <p> + They raised their eyes when the old man and his young companion were close + upon them, and pausing in their work, returned their looks of curiosity. + One of them, the actual exhibitor no doubt, was a little merry-faced man + with a twinkling eye and a red nose, who seemed to have unconsciously + imbibed something of his hero's character. The other—that was he who + took the money—had rather a careful and cautious look, which was + perhaps inseparable from his occupation also. + </p> + <p> + The merry man was the first to greet the strangers with a nod; and + following the old man's eyes, he observed that perhaps that was the first + time he had ever seen a Punch off the stage. (Punch, it may be remarked, + seemed to be pointing with the tip of his cap to a most flourishing + epitaph, and to be chuckling over it with all his heart.) + </p> + <p> + 'Why do you come here to do this?' said the old man, sitting down beside + them, and looking at the figures with extreme delight. + </p> + <p> + 'Why you see,' rejoined the little man, 'we're putting up for to-night at + the public-house yonder, and it wouldn't do to let 'em see the present + company undergoing repair.' + </p> + <p> + 'No!' cried the old man, making signs to Nell to listen, 'why not, eh? why + not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Because it would destroy all the delusion, and take away all the + interest, wouldn't it?' replied the little man. 'Would you care a ha'penny + for the Lord Chancellor if you know'd him in private and without his wig?—certainly + not.' + </p> + <p> + 'Good!' said the old man, venturing to touch one of the puppets, and + drawing away his hand with a shrill laugh. 'Are you going to show 'em + to-night? are you?' + </p> + <p> + 'That is the intention, governor,' replied the other, 'and unless I'm much + mistaken, Tommy Codlin is a calculating at this minute what we've lost + through your coming upon us. Cheer up, Tommy, it can't be much.' + </p> + <p> + The little man accompanied these latter words with a wink, expressive of + the estimate he had formed of the travellers' finances. + </p> + <p> + To this Mr Codlin, who had a surly, grumbling manner, replied, as he + twitched Punch off the tombstone and flung him into the box, 'I don't care + if we haven't lost a farden, but you're too free. If you stood in front of + the curtain and see the public's faces as I do, you'd know human natur' + better.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! it's been the spoiling of you, Tommy, your taking to that branch,' + rejoined his companion. 'When you played the ghost in the reg'lar drama in + the fairs, you believed in everything—except ghosts. But now you're + a universal mistruster. I never see a man so changed.' + </p> + <p> + 'Never mind,' said Mr Codlin, with the air of a discontented philosopher. + 'I know better now, and p'raps I'm sorry for it.' + </p> + <p> + Turning over the figures in the box like one who knew and despised them, + Mr Codlin drew one forth and held it up for the inspection of his friend: + </p> + <p> + 'Look here; here's all this judy's clothes falling to pieces again. You + haven't got a needle and thread I suppose?' + </p> + <p> + The little man shook his head, and scratched it ruefully as he + contemplated this severe indisposition of a principal performer. Seeing + that they were at a loss, the child said timidly: + </p> + <p> + 'I have a needle, Sir, in my basket, and thread too. Will you let me try + to mend it for you? I think I could do it neater than you could.' + </p> + <p> + Even Mr Codlin had nothing to urge against a proposal so seasonable. + Nelly, kneeling down beside the box, was soon busily engaged in her task, + and accomplishing it to a miracle. + </p> + <p> + While she was thus engaged, the merry little man looked at her with an + interest which did not appear to be diminished when he glanced at her + helpless companion. When she had finished her work he thanked her, and + inquired whither they were travelling. + </p> + <p> + 'N—no further to-night, I think,' said the child, looking towards + her grandfather. + </p> + <p> + 'If you're wanting a place to stop at,' the man remarked, 'I should advise + you to take up at the same house with us. That's it. The long, low, white + house there. It's very cheap.' + </p> + <p> + The old man, notwithstanding his fatigue, would have remained in the + churchyard all night if his new acquaintances had remained there too. As + he yielded to this suggestion a ready and rapturous assent, they all rose + and walked away together; he keeping close to the box of puppets in which + he was quite absorbed, the merry little man carrying it slung over his arm + by a strap attached to it for the purpose, Nelly having hold of her + grandfather's hand, and Mr Codlin sauntering slowly behind, casting up at + the church tower and neighbouring trees such looks as he was accustomed in + town-practice to direct to drawing-room and nursery windows, when seeking + for a profitable spot on which to plant the show. + </p> + <p> + The public-house was kept by a fat old landlord and landlady who made no + objection to receiving their new guests, but praised Nelly's beauty and + were at once prepossessed in her behalf. There was no other company in the + kitchen but the two showmen, and the child felt very thankful that they + had fallen upon such good quarters. The landlady was very much astonished + to learn that they had come all the way from London, and appeared to have + no little curiosity touching their farther destination. The child parried + her inquiries as well as she could, and with no great trouble, for finding + that they appeared to give her pain, the old lady desisted. + </p> + <p> + 'These two gentlemen have ordered supper in an hour's time,' she said, + taking her into the bar; 'and your best plan will be to sup with them. + Meanwhile you shall have a little taste of something that'll do you good, + for I'm sure you must want it after all you've gone through to-day. Now, + don't look after the old gentleman, because when you've drank that, he + shall have some too.' + </p> + <p> + As nothing could induce the child to leave him alone, however, or to touch + anything in which he was not the first and greatest sharer, the old lady + was obliged to help him first. When they had been thus refreshed, the + whole house hurried away into an empty stable where the show stood, and + where, by the light of a few flaring candles stuck round a hoop which hung + by a line from the ceiling, it was to be forthwith exhibited. + </p> + <p> + And now Mr Thomas Codlin, the misanthrope, after blowing away at the Pan's + pipes until he was intensely wretched, took his station on one side of the + checked drapery which concealed the mover of the figures, and putting his + hands in his pockets prepared to reply to all questions and remarks of + Punch, and to make a dismal feint of being his most intimate private + friend, of believing in him to the fullest and most unlimited extent, of + knowing that he enjoyed day and night a merry and glorious existence in + that temple, and that he was at all times and under every circumstance the + same intelligent and joyful person that the spectators then beheld him. + All this Mr Codlin did with the air of a man who had made up his mind for + the worst and was quite resigned; his eye slowly wandering about during + the briskest repartee to observe the effect upon the audience, and + particularly the impression made upon the landlord and landlady, which + might be productive of very important results in connexion with the + supper. + </p> + <p> + Upon this head, however, he had no cause for any anxiety, for the whole + performance was applauded to the echo, and voluntary contributions were + showered in with a liberality which testified yet more strongly to the + general delight. Among the laughter none was more loud and frequent than + the old man's. Nell's was unheard, for she, poor child, with her head + drooping on his shoulder, had fallen asleep, and slept too soundly to be + roused by any of his efforts to awaken her to a participation in his glee. + </p> + <p> + The supper was very good, but she was too tired to eat, and yet would not + leave the old man until she had kissed him in his bed. He, happily + insensible to every care and anxiety, sat listening with a vacant smile + and admiring face to all that his new friend said; and it was not until + they retired yawning to their room, that he followed the child up stairs. + </p> + <p> + It was but a loft partitioned into two compartments, where they were to + rest, but they were well pleased with their lodging and had hoped for none + so good. The old man was uneasy when he had lain down, and begged that + Nell would come and sit at his bedside as she had done for so many nights. + She hastened to him, and sat there till he slept. + </p> + <p> + There was a little window, hardly more than a chink in the wall, in her + room, and when she left him, she opened it, quite wondering at the + silence. The sight of the old church, and the graves about it in the + moonlight, and the dark trees whispering among themselves, made her more + thoughtful than before. She closed the window again, and sitting down upon + the bed, thought of the life that was before them. + </p> + <p> + She had a little money, but it was very little, and when that was gone, + they must begin to beg. There was one piece of gold among it, and an + emergency might come when its worth to them would be increased a hundred + fold. It would be best to hide this coin, and never produce it unless + their case was absolutely desperate, and no other resource was left them. + </p> + <p> + Her resolution taken, she sewed the piece of gold into her dress, and + going to bed with a lighter heart sunk into a deep slumber. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap17"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 17 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>nother bright day shining in through the small casement, and claiming + fellowship with the kindred eyes of the child, awoke her. At sight of the + strange room and its unaccustomed objects she started up in alarm, + wondering how she had been moved from the familiar chamber in which she + seemed to have fallen asleep last night, and whither she had been + conveyed. But, another glance around called to her mind all that had + lately passed, and she sprung from her bed, hoping and trustful. + </p> + <p> + It was yet early, and the old man being still asleep, she walked out into + the churchyard, brushing the dew from the long grass with her feet, and + often turning aside into places where it grew longer than in others, that + she might not tread upon the graves. She felt a curious kind of pleasure + in lingering among these houses of the dead, and read the inscriptions on + the tombs of the good people (a great number of good people were buried + there), passing on from one to another with increasing interest. + </p> + <p> + It was a very quiet place, as such a place should be, save for the cawing + of the rooks who had built their nests among the branches of some tall old + trees, and were calling to one another, high up in the air. First, one + sleek bird, hovering near his ragged house as it swung and dangled in the + wind, uttered his hoarse cry, quite by chance as it would seem, and in a + sober tone as though he were but talking to himself. Another answered, and + he called again, but louder than before; then another spoke and then + another; and each time the first, aggravated by contradiction, insisted on + his case more strongly. Other voices, silent till now, struck in from + boughs lower down and higher up and midway, and to the right and left, and + from the tree-tops; and others, arriving hastily from the grey church + turrets and old belfry window, joined the clamour which rose and fell, and + swelled and dropped again, and still went on; and all this noisy + contention amidst a skimming to and fro, and lighting on fresh branches, + and frequent change of place, which satirised the old restlessness of + those who lay so still beneath the moss and turf below, and the strife in + which they had worn away their lives. + </p> + <p> + Frequently raising her eyes to the trees whence these sounds came down, + and feeling as though they made the place more quiet than perfect silence + would have done, the child loitered from grave to grave, now stopping to + replace with careful hands the bramble which had started from some green + mound it helped to keep in shape, and now peeping through one of the low + latticed windows into the church, with its worm-eaten books upon the + desks, and baize of whitened-green mouldering from the pew sides and + leaving the naked wood to view. There were the seats where the poor old + people sat, worn spare, and yellow like themselves; the rugged font where + children had their names, the homely altar where they knelt in after life, + the plain black tressels that bore their weight on their last visit to the + cool old shady church. Everything told of long use and quiet slow decay; + the very bell-rope in the porch was frayed into a fringe, and hoary with + old age. + </p> + <p> + She was looking at a humble stone which told of a young man who had died + at twenty-three years old, fifty-five years ago, when she heard a + faltering step approaching, and looking round saw a feeble woman bent with + the weight of years, who tottered to the foot of that same grave and asked + her to read the writing on the stone. The old woman thanked her when she + had done, saying that she had had the words by heart for many a long, long + year, but could not see them now. + </p> + <p> + 'Were you his mother?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'I was his wife, my dear.' + </p> + <p> + She the wife of a young man of three-and-twenty! Ah, true! It was + fifty-five years ago. + </p> + <p> + 'You wonder to hear me say that,' remarked the old woman, shaking her + head. 'You're not the first. Older folk than you have wondered at the same + thing before now. Yes, I was his wife. Death doesn't change us more than + life, my dear.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you come here often?' asked the child. + </p> + <p> + 'I sit here very often in the summer time,' she answered, 'I used to come + here once to cry and mourn, but that was a weary while ago, bless God!' + </p> + <p> + 'I pluck the daisies as they grow, and take them home,' said the old woman + after a short silence. 'I like no flowers so well as these, and haven't + for five-and-fifty years. It's a long time, and I'm getting very old.' + </p> + <p> + Then growing garrulous upon a theme which was new to one listener though + it were but a child, she told her how she had wept and moaned and prayed + to die herself, when this happened; and how when she first came to that + place, a young creature strong in love and grief, she had hoped that her + heart was breaking as it seemed to be. But that time passed by, and + although she continued to be sad when she came there, still she could bear + to come, and so went on until it was pain no longer, but a solemn + pleasure, and a duty she had learned to like. And now that five-and-fifty + years were gone, she spoke of the dead man as if he had been her son or + grandson, with a kind of pity for his youth, growing out of her own old + age, and an exalting of his strength and manly beauty as compared with her + own weakness and decay; and yet she spoke about him as her husband too, + and thinking of herself in connexion with him, as she used to be and not + as she was now, talked of their meeting in another world, as if he were + dead but yesterday, and she, separated from her former self, were thinking + of the happiness of that comely girl who seemed to have died with him. + </p> + <p> + The child left her gathering the flowers that grew upon the grave, and + thoughtfully retraced her steps. + </p> + <p> + The old man was by this time up and dressed. Mr Codlin, still doomed to + contemplate the harsh realities of existence, was packing among his linen + the candle-ends which had been saved from the previous night's + performance; while his companion received the compliments of all the + loungers in the stable-yard, who, unable to separate him from the + master-mind of Punch, set him down as next in importance to that merry + outlaw, and loved him scarcely less. When he had sufficiently acknowledged + his popularity he came in to breakfast, at which meal they all sat down + together. + </p> + <p> + 'And where are you going to-day?' said the little man, addressing himself + to Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed I hardly know—we have not determined yet,' replied the + child. + </p> + <p> + 'We're going on to the races,' said the little man. 'If that's your way + and you like to have us for company, let us travel together. If you prefer + going alone, only say the word and you'll find that we shan't trouble + you.' + </p> + <p> + 'We'll go with you,' said the old man. 'Nell—with them, with them.' + </p> + <p> + The child considered for a moment, and reflecting that she must shortly + beg, and could scarcely hope to do so at a better place than where crowds + of rich ladies and gentlemen were assembled together for purposes of + enjoyment and festivity, determined to accompany these men so far. She + therefore thanked the little man for his offer, and said, glancing timidly + towards his friend, that if there was no objection to their accompanying + them as far as the race town— + </p> + <p> + 'Objection!' said the little man. 'Now be gracious for once, Tommy, and + say that you'd rather they went with us. I know you would. Be gracious, + Tommy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Trotters,' said Mr Codlin, who talked very slowly and ate very greedily, + as is not uncommon with philosophers and misanthropes; 'you're too free.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why what harm can it do?' urged the other. +</p> + <p> +'No harm at all in this + particular case, perhaps,' replied Mr Codlin; 'but the principle's a + dangerous one, and you're too free I tell you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, are they to go with us or not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, they are,' said Mr Codlin; 'but you might have made a favour of it, + mightn't you?' + </p> + <p> + The real name of the little man was Harris, but it had gradually merged + into the less euphonious one of Trotters, which, with the prefatory + adjective, Short, had been conferred upon him by reason of the small size + of his legs. Short Trotters however, being a compound name, inconvenient + of use in friendly dialogue, the gentleman on whom it had been bestowed + was known among his intimates either as 'Short,' or 'Trotters,' and was + seldom accosted at full length as Short Trotters, except in formal + conversations and on occasions of ceremony. + </p> + <p> + Short, then, or Trotters, as the reader pleases, returned unto the + remonstrance of his friend Mr Thomas Codlin a jocose answer calculated to + turn aside his discontent; and applying himself with great relish to the + cold boiled beef, the tea, and bread and butter, strongly impressed upon + his companions that they should do the like. Mr Codlin indeed required no + such persuasion, as he had already eaten as much as he could possibly + carry and was now moistening his clay with strong ale, whereof he took + deep draughts with a silent relish and invited nobody to partake—thus + again strongly indicating his misanthropical turn of mind. + </p> + <p> + Breakfast being at length over, Mr Codlin called the bill, and charging + the ale to the company generally (a practice also savouring of + misanthropy) divided the sum-total into two fair and equal parts, + assigning one moiety to himself and friend, and the other to Nelly and her + grandfather. These being duly discharged and all things ready for their + departure, they took farewell of the landlord and landlady and resumed + their journey. + </p> + <p> + And here Mr Codlin's false position in society and the effect it wrought + upon his wounded spirit, were strongly illustrated; for whereas he had + been last night accosted by Mr Punch as 'master,' and had by inference + left the audience to understand that he maintained that individual for his + own luxurious entertainment and delight, here he was, now, painfully + walking beneath the burden of that same Punch's temple, and bearing it + bodily upon his shoulders on a sultry day and along a dusty road. In place + of enlivening his patron with a constant fire of wit or the cheerful + rattle of his quarter-staff on the heads of his relations and + acquaintance, here was that beaming Punch utterly devoid of spine, all + slack and drooping in a dark box, with his legs doubled up round his neck, + and not one of his social qualities remaining. + </p> + <p> + Mr Codlin trudged heavily on, exchanging a word or two at intervals with + Short, and stopping to rest and growl occasionally. Short led the way; + with the flat box, the private luggage (which was not extensive) tied up + in a bundle, and a brazen trumpet slung from his shoulder-blade. Nell and + her grandfather walked next him on either hand, and Thomas Codlin brought + up the rear. + </p> + <p> + When they came to any town or village, or even to a detached house of good + appearance, Short blew a blast upon the brazen trumpet and carolled a + fragment of a song in that hilarious tone common to Punches and their + consorts. If people hurried to the windows, Mr Codlin pitched the temple, + and hastily unfurling the drapery and concealing Short therewith, + flourished hysterically on the pipes and performed an air. Then the + entertainment began as soon as might be; Mr Codlin having the + responsibility of deciding on its length and of protracting or expediting + the time for the hero's final triumph over the enemy of mankind, according + as he judged that the after-crop of half-pence would be plentiful or + scant. When it had been gathered in to the last farthing, he resumed his + load and on they went again. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes they played out the toll across a bridge or ferry, and once + exhibited by particular desire at a turnpike, where the collector, being + drunk in his solitude, paid down a shilling to have it to himself. There + was one small place of rich promise in which their hopes were blighted, + for a favourite character in the play having gold-lace upon his coat and + being a meddling wooden-headed fellow was held to be a libel on the + beadle, for which reason the authorities enforced a quick retreat; but + they were generally well received, and seldom left a town without a troop + of ragged children shouting at their heels. + </p> + <p> + They made a long day's journey, despite these interruptions, and were yet + upon the road when the moon was shining in the sky. Short beguiled the + time with songs and jests, and made the best of everything that happened. + Mr Codlin on the other hand, cursed his fate, and all the hollow things of + earth (but Punch especially), and limped along with the theatre on his + back, a prey to the bitterest chagrin. + </p> + <p> + They had stopped to rest beneath a finger-post where four roads met, and + Mr Codlin in his deep misanthropy had let down the drapery and seated + himself in the bottom of the show, invisible to mortal eyes and disdainful + of the company of his fellow creatures, when two monstrous shadows were + seen stalking towards them from a turning in the road by which they had + come. The child was at first quite terrified by the sight of these gaunt + giants—for such they looked as they advanced with lofty strides + beneath the shadow of the trees—but Short, telling her there was + nothing to fear, blew a blast upon the trumpet, which was answered by a + cheerful shout. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0136m.jpg" alt="0136m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0136.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'It's Grinder's lot, an't it?' cried Mr Short in a loud key. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' replied a couple of shrill voices. + </p> + <p> + 'Come on then,' said Short. 'Let's have a look at you. I thought it was + you.' + </p> + <p> + Thus invited, 'Grinder's lot' approached with redoubled speed and soon + came up with the little party. + </p> + <p> + Mr Grinder's company, familiarly termed a lot, consisted of a young + gentleman and a young lady on stilts, and Mr Grinder himself, who used his + natural legs for pedestrian purposes and carried at his back a drum. The + public costume of the young people was of the Highland kind, but the night + being damp and cold, the young gentleman wore over his kilt a man's pea + jacket reaching to his ankles, and a glazed hat; the young lady too was + muffled in an old cloth pelisse and had a handkerchief tied about her + head. Their Scotch bonnets, ornamented with plumes of jet black feathers, + Mr Grinder carried on his instrument. + </p> + <p> + 'Bound for the races, I see,' said Mr Grinder coming up out of breath. 'So + are we. How are you, Short?' With that they shook hands in a very friendly + manner. The young people being too high up for the ordinary salutations, + saluted Short after their own fashion. The young gentleman twisted up his + right stilt and patted him on the shoulder, and the young lady rattled her + tambourine. + </p> + <p> + 'Practice?' said Short, pointing to the stilts. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' returned Grinder. 'It comes either to walkin' in 'em or carryin' of + 'em, and they like walkin' in 'em best. It's wery pleasant for the + prospects. Which road are you takin'? We go the nighest.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, the fact is,' said Short, 'that we are going the longest way, + because then we could stop for the night, a mile and a half on. But three + or four mile gained to-night is so many saved to-morrow, and if you keep + on, I think our best way is to do the same.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where's your partner?' inquired Grinder. + </p> + <p> + 'Here he is,' cried Mr Thomas Codlin, presenting his head and face in the + proscenium of the stage, and exhibiting an expression of countenance not + often seen there; 'and he'll see his partner boiled alive before he'll go + on to-night. That's what he says.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, don't say such things as them, in a spear which is dewoted to + something pleasanter,' urged Short. 'Respect associations, Tommy, even if + you do cut up rough.' + </p> + <p> + 'Rough or smooth,' said Mr Codlin, beating his hand on the little + footboard where Punch, when suddenly struck with the symmetry of his legs + and their capacity for silk stockings, is accustomed to exhibit them to + popular admiration, 'rough or smooth, I won't go further than the mile and + a half to-night. I put up at the Jolly Sandboys and nowhere else. If you + like to come there, come there. If you like to go on by yourself, go on by + yourself, and do without me if you can.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, Mr Codlin disappeared from the scene and immediately presented + himself outside the theatre, took it on his shoulders at a jerk, and made + off with most remarkable agility. + </p> + <p> + Any further controversy being now out of the question, Short was fain to + part with Mr Grinder and his pupils and to follow his morose companion. + After lingering at the finger-post for a few minutes to see the stilts + frisking away in the moonlight and the bearer of the drum toiling slowly + after them, he blew a few notes upon the trumpet as a parting salute, and + hastened with all speed to follow Mr Codlin. With this view he gave his + unoccupied hand to Nell, and bidding her be of good cheer as they would + soon be at the end of their journey for that night, and stimulating the + old man with a similar assurance, led them at a pretty swift pace towards + their destination, which he was the less unwilling to make for, as the + moon was now overcast and the clouds were threatening rain. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap18"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 18 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he Jolly Sandboys was a small road-side inn of pretty ancient date, with + a sign, representing three Sandboys increasing their jollity with as many + jugs of ale and bags of gold, creaking and swinging on its post on the + opposite side of the road. As the travellers had observed that day many + indications of their drawing nearer and nearer to the race town, such as + gipsy camps, carts laden with gambling booths and their appurtenances, + itinerant showmen of various kinds, and beggars and trampers of every + degree, all wending their way in the same direction, Mr Codlin was fearful + of finding the accommodations forestalled; this fear increasing as he + diminished the distance between himself and the hostelry, he quickened his + pace, and notwithstanding the burden he had to carry, maintained a round + trot until he reached the threshold. Here he had the gratification of + finding that his fears were without foundation, for the landlord was + leaning against the door-post looking lazily at the rain, which had by + this time begun to descend heavily, and no tinkling of cracked bell, nor + boisterous shout, nor noisy chorus, gave note of company within. + </p> + <p> + 'All alone?' said Mr Codlin, putting down his burden and wiping his + forehead. + </p> + <p> + 'All alone as yet,' rejoined the landlord, glancing at the sky, 'but we + shall have more company to-night I expect. Here one of you boys, carry + that show into the barn. Make haste in out of the wet, Tom; when it came + on to rain I told 'em to make the fire up, and there's a glorious blaze in + the kitchen, I can tell you.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Codlin followed with a willing mind, and soon found that the landlord + had not commended his preparations without good reason. A mighty fire was + blazing on the hearth and roaring up the wide chimney with a cheerful + sound, which a large iron cauldron, bubbling and simmering in the heat, + lent its pleasant aid to swell. There was a deep red ruddy blush upon the + room, and when the landlord stirred the fire, sending the flames skipping + and leaping up—when he took off the lid of the iron pot and there + rushed out a savoury smell, while the bubbling sound grew deeper and more + rich, and an unctuous steam came floating out, hanging in a delicious mist + above their heads—when he did this, Mr Codlin's heart was touched. + He sat down in the chimney-corner and smiled. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0139m.jpg" alt="0139m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0139.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr Codlin sat smiling in the chimney-corner, eyeing the landlord as with a + roguish look he held the cover in his hand, and, feigning that his doing + so was needful to the welfare of the cookery, suffered the delightful + steam to tickle the nostrils of his guest. The glow of the fire was upon + the landlord's bald head, and upon his twinkling eye, and upon his + watering mouth, and upon his pimpled face, and upon his round fat figure. + Mr Codlin drew his sleeve across his lips, and said in a murmuring voice, + 'What is it?' + </p> + <p> + 'It's a stew of tripe,' said the landlord smacking his lips, 'and + cow-heel,' smacking them again, 'and bacon,' smacking them once more, 'and + steak,' smacking them for the fourth time, 'and peas, cauliflowers, new + potatoes, and sparrow-grass, all working up together in one delicious + gravy.' Having come to the climax, he smacked his lips a great many times, + and taking a long hearty sniff of the fragrance that was hovering about, + put on the cover again with the air of one whose toils on earth were over. + </p> + <p> + 'At what time will it be ready?' asked Mr Codlin faintly. + </p> + <p> + 'It'll be done to a turn,' said the landlord looking up to the clock—and + the very clock had a colour in its fat white face, and looked a clock for + jolly Sandboys to consult—'it'll be done to a turn at twenty-two + minutes before eleven.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then,' said Mr Codlin, 'fetch me a pint of warm ale, and don't let nobody + bring into the room even so much as a biscuit till the time arrives.' + </p> + <p> + Nodding his approval of this decisive and manly course of procedure, the + landlord retired to draw the beer, and presently returning with it, + applied himself to warm the same in a small tin vessel shaped funnel-wise, + for the convenience of sticking it far down in the fire and getting at the + bright places. This was soon done, and he handed it over to Mr Codlin with + that creamy froth upon the surface which is one of the happy circumstances + attendant on mulled malt. + </p> + <p> + Greatly softened by this soothing beverage, Mr Codlin now bethought him of + his companions, and acquainted mine host of the Sandboys that their + arrival might be shortly looked for. The rain was rattling against the + windows and pouring down in torrents, and such was Mr Codlin's extreme + amiability of mind, that he more than once expressed his earnest hope that + they would not be so foolish as to get wet. + </p> + <p> + At length they arrived, drenched with the rain and presenting a most + miserable appearance, notwithstanding that Short had sheltered the child + as well as he could under the skirts of his own coat, and they were nearly + breathless from the haste they had made. But their steps were no sooner + heard upon the road than the landlord, who had been at the outer door + anxiously watching for their coming, rushed into the kitchen and took the + cover off. The effect was electrical. They all came in with smiling faces + though the wet was dripping from their clothes upon the floor, and Short's + first remark was, 'What a delicious smell!' + </p> + <p> + It is not very difficult to forget rain and mud by the side of a cheerful + fire, and in a bright room. They were furnished with slippers and such dry + garments as the house or their own bundles afforded, and ensconcing + themselves, as Mr Codlin had already done, in the warm chimney-corner, + soon forgot their late troubles or only remembered them as enhancing the + delights of the present time. Overpowered by the warmth and comfort and + the fatigue they had undergone, Nelly and the old man had not long taken + their seats here, when they fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + 'Who are they?' whispered the landlord. +</p> + <p> +Short shook his head, and wished + he knew himself. +</p> + <p> +'Don't you know?' asked the host, turning to Mr Codlin. +</p> + <p> + 'Not I,' he replied. 'They're no good, I suppose.' + </p> + <p> + 'They're no harm,' said Short. 'Depend upon that. I tell you what—it's + plain that the old man an't in his right mind—' + </p> + <p> + 'If you haven't got anything newer than that to say,' growled Mr Codlin, + glancing at the clock, 'you'd better let us fix our minds upon the supper, + and not disturb us.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hear me out, won't you?' retorted his friend. 'It's very plain to me, + besides, that they're not used to this way of life. Don't tell me that + that handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about as she's done + these last two or three days. I know better.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, who <i>does </i>tell you she has?' growled Mr Codlin, again glancing at + the clock and from it to the cauldron, 'can't you think of anything more + suitable to present circumstances than saying things and then + contradicting 'em?' + </p> + <p> + 'I wish somebody would give you your supper,' returned Short, 'for + there'll be no peace till you've got it. Have you seen how anxious the old + man is to get on—always wanting to be furder away—furder away. + Have you seen that?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! what then?' muttered Thomas Codlin. + </p> + <p> + 'This, then,' said Short. 'He has given his friends the slip. Mind what I + say—he has given his friends the slip, and persuaded this delicate + young creetur all along of her fondness for him to be his guide and + travelling companion—where to, he knows no more than the man in the + moon. Now I'm not a going to stand that.' + </p> + <p> + '<i>You're</i> not a going to stand that!' cried Mr Codlin, glancing at the clock + again and pulling his hair with both hands in a kind of frenzy, but + whether occasioned by his companion's observation or the tardy pace of + Time, it was difficult to determine. 'Here's a world to live in!' + </p> + <p> + 'I,' repeated Short emphatically and slowly, 'am not a-going to stand it. + I am not a-going to see this fair young child a falling into bad hands, + and getting among people that she's no more fit for, than they are to get + among angels as their ordinary chums. Therefore when they dewelope an + intention of parting company from us, I shall take measures for detaining + of 'em, and restoring 'em to their friends, who I dare say have had their + disconsolation pasted up on every wall in London by this time.' + </p> + <p> + 'Short,' said Mr Codlin, who with his head upon his hands, and his elbows + on his knees, had been shaking himself impatiently from side to side up to + this point and occasionally stamping on the ground, but who now looked up + with eager eyes; 'it's possible that there may be uncommon good sense in + what you've said. If there is, and there should be a reward, Short, + remember that we're partners in everything!' + </p> + <p> + His companion had only time to nod a brief assent to this position, for + the child awoke at the instant. They had drawn close together during the + previous whispering, and now hastily separated and were rather awkwardly + endeavouring to exchange some casual remarks in their usual tone, when + strange footsteps were heard without, and fresh company entered. + </p> + <p> + These were no other than four very dismal dogs, who came pattering in one + after the other, headed by an old bandy dog of particularly mournful + aspect, who, stopping when the last of his followers had got as far as the + door, erected himself upon his hind legs and looked round at his + companions, who immediately stood upon their hind legs, in a grave and + melancholy row. Nor was this the only remarkable circumstance about these + dogs, for each of them wore a kind of little coat of some gaudy colour + trimmed with tarnished spangles, and one of them had a cap upon his head, + tied very carefully under his chin, which had fallen down upon his nose + and completely obscured one eye; add to this, that the gaudy coats were + all wet through and discoloured with rain, and that the wearers were + splashed and dirty, and some idea may be formed of the unusual appearance + of these new visitors to the Jolly Sandboys. + </p> + <p> + Neither Short nor the landlord nor Thomas Codlin, however, was in the + least surprised, merely remarking that these were Jerry's dogs and that + Jerry could not be far behind. So there the dogs stood, patiently winking + and gaping and looking extremely hard at the boiling pot, until Jerry + himself appeared, when they all dropped down at once and walked about the + room in their natural manner. This posture it must be confessed did not + much improve their appearance, as their own personal tails and their coat + tails—both capital things in their way—did not agree together. + </p> + <p> + Jerry, the manager of these dancing dogs, was a tall black-whiskered man + in a velveteen coat, who seemed well known to the landlord and his guests + and accosted them with great cordiality. Disencumbering himself of a + barrel organ which he placed upon a chair, and retaining in his hand a + small whip wherewith to awe his company of comedians, he came up to the + fire to dry himself, and entered into conversation. + </p> + <p> + 'Your people don't usually travel in character, do they?' said Short, + pointing to the dresses of the dogs. 'It must come expensive if they do?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' replied Jerry, 'no, it's not the custom with us. But we've been + playing a little on the road to-day, and we come out with a new wardrobe + at the races, so I didn't think it worth while to stop to undress. Down, + Pedro!' + </p> + <p> + This was addressed to the dog with the cap on, who being a new member of + the company, and not quite certain of his duty, kept his unobscured eye + anxiously on his master, and was perpetually starting upon his hind legs + when there was no occasion, and falling down again. + </p> + <p> + 'I've got a animal here,' said Jerry, putting his hand into the capacious + pocket of his coat, and diving into one corner as if he were feeling for a + small orange or an apple or some such article, 'a animal here, wot I think + you know something of, Short.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' cried Short, 'let's have a look at him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Here he is,' said Jerry, producing a little terrier from his pocket. 'He + was once a Toby of yours, warn't he!' + </p> + <p> + In some versions of the great drama of Punch there is a small dog—a + modern innovation—supposed to be the private property of that + gentleman, whose name is always Toby. This Toby has been stolen in youth + from another gentleman, and fraudulently sold to the confiding hero, who + having no guile himself has no suspicion that it lurks in others; but + Toby, entertaining a grateful recollection of his old master, and scorning + to attach himself to any new patrons, not only refuses to smoke a pipe at + the bidding of Punch, but to mark his old fidelity more strongly, seizes + him by the nose and wrings the same with violence, at which instance of + canine attachment the spectators are deeply affected. This was the + character which the little terrier in question had once sustained; if + there had been any doubt upon the subject he would speedily have resolved + it by his conduct; for not only did he, on seeing Short, give the + strongest tokens of recognition, but catching sight of the flat box he + barked so furiously at the pasteboard nose which he knew was inside, that + his master was obliged to gather him up and put him into his pocket again, + to the great relief of the whole company. + </p> + <p> + The landlord now busied himself in laying the cloth, in which process Mr + Codlin obligingly assisted by setting forth his own knife and fork in the + most convenient place and establishing himself behind them. When + everything was ready, the landlord took off the cover for the last time, + and then indeed there burst forth such a goodly promise of supper, that if + he had offered to put it on again or had hinted at postponement, he would + certainly have been sacrificed on his own hearth. + </p> + <p> + However, he did nothing of the kind, but instead thereof assisted a stout + servant girl in turning the contents of the cauldron into a large tureen; + a proceeding which the dogs, proof against various hot splashes which fell + upon their noses, watched with terrible eagerness. At length the dish was + lifted on the table, and mugs of ale having been previously set round, + little Nell ventured to say grace, and supper began. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture the poor dogs were standing on their hind legs quite + surprisingly; the child, having pity on them, was about to cast some + morsels of food to them before she tasted it herself, hungry though she + was, when their master interposed. + </p> + <p> + 'No, my dear, no, not an atom from anybody's hand but mine if you please. + That dog,' said Jerry, pointing out the old leader of the troop, and + speaking in a terrible voice, 'lost a halfpenny to-day. He goes without + his supper.' + </p> + <p> + The unfortunate creature dropped upon his fore-legs directly, wagged his + tail, and looked imploringly at his master. + </p> + <p> + 'You must be more careful, Sir,' said Jerry, walking coolly to the chair + where he had placed the organ, and setting the stop. 'Come here. Now, Sir, + you play away at that, while we have supper, and leave off if you dare.' + </p> + <p> + The dog immediately began to grind most mournful music. His master having + shown him the whip resumed his seat and called up the others, who, at his + directions, formed in a row, standing upright as a file of soldiers. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, gentlemen,' said Jerry, looking at them attentively. 'The dog whose + name's called, eats. The dogs whose names an't called, keep quiet. Carlo!' + </p> + <p> + The lucky individual whose name was called, snapped up the morsel thrown + towards him, but none of the others moved a muscle. In this manner they + were fed at the discretion of their master. Meanwhile the dog in disgrace + ground hard at the organ, sometimes in quick time, sometimes in slow, but + never leaving off for an instant. When the knives and forks rattled very + much, or any of his fellows got an unusually large piece of fat, he + accompanied the music with a short howl, but he immediately checked it on + his master looking round, and applied himself with increased diligence to + the Old Hundredth. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap19"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 19 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>upper was not yet over, when there arrived at the Jolly Sandboys two more + travellers bound for the same haven as the rest, who had been walking in + the rain for some hours, and came in shining and heavy with water. One of + these was the proprietor of a giant, and a little lady without legs or + arms, who had jogged forward in a van; the other, a silent gentleman who + earned his living by showing tricks upon the cards, and who had rather + deranged the natural expression of his countenance by putting small leaden + lozenges into his eyes and bringing them out at his mouth, which was one + of his professional accomplishments. The name of the first of these + newcomers was Vuffin; the other, probably as a pleasant satire upon his + ugliness, was called Sweet William. To render them as comfortable as he + could, the landlord bestirred himself nimbly, and in a very short time + both gentlemen were perfectly at their ease. + </p> + <p> + 'How's the Giant?' said Short, when they all sat smoking round the fire. + </p> + <p> + 'Rather weak upon his legs,' returned Mr Vuffin. 'I begin to be afraid + he's going at the knees.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's a bad look-out,' said Short. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye! Bad indeed,' replied Mr Vuffin, contemplating the fire with a sigh. + 'Once get a giant shaky on his legs, and the public care no more about him + than they do for a dead cabbage stalk.' + </p> + <p> + 'What becomes of old giants?' said Short, turning to him again after a + little reflection. + </p> + <p> + 'They're usually kept in carawans to wait upon the dwarfs,' said Mr + Vuffin. + </p> + <p> + 'The maintaining of 'em must come expensive, when they can't be shown, + eh?' remarked Short, eyeing him doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + 'It's better that, than letting 'em go upon the parish or about the + streets,' said Mr Vuffin. 'Once make a giant common and giants will never + draw again. Look at wooden legs. If there was only one man with a wooden + leg what a property he'd be!' + </p> + <p> + 'So he would!' observed the landlord and Short both together. 'That's very + true.' + </p> + <p> + 'Instead of which,' pursued Mr Vuffin, 'if you was to advertise Shakspeare + played entirely by wooden legs, it's my belief you wouldn't draw a + sixpence.' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't suppose you would,' said Short. And the landlord said so too. + </p> + <p> + 'This shows, you see,' said Mr Vuffin, waving his pipe with an + argumentative air, 'this shows the policy of keeping the used-up giants + still in the carawans, where they get food and lodging for nothing, all + their lives, and in general very glad they are to stop there. There was + one giant—a black 'un—as left his carawan some year ago and + took to carrying coach-bills about London, making himself as cheap as + crossing-sweepers. He died. I make no insinuation against anybody in + particular,' said Mr Vuffin, looking solemnly round, 'but he was ruining + the trade;—and he died.' + </p> + <p> + The landlord drew his breath hard, and looked at the owner of the dogs, + who nodded and said gruffly that he remembered. + </p> + <p> + 'I know you do, Jerry,' said Mr Vuffin with profound meaning. 'I know you + remember it, Jerry, and the universal opinion was, that it served him + right. Why, I remember the time when old Maunders as had three-and-twenty + wans—I remember the time when old Maunders had in his cottage in Spa + Fields in the winter time, when the season was over, eight male and female + dwarfs setting down to dinner every day, who was waited on by eight old + giants in green coats, red smalls, blue cotton stockings, and high-lows: + and there was one dwarf as had grown elderly and wicious who whenever his + giant wasn't quick enough to please him, used to stick pins in his legs, + not being able to reach up any higher. I know that's a fact, for Maunders + told it me himself.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0147m.jpg" alt="0147m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0147.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'What about the dwarfs when they get old?' inquired the landlord. + </p> + <p> + 'The older a dwarf is, the better worth he is,' returned Mr Vuffin; 'a + grey-headed dwarf, well wrinkled, is beyond all suspicion. But a giant + weak in the legs and not standing upright!—keep him in the carawan, + but never show him, never show him, for any persuasion that can be + offered.' + </p> + <p> + While Mr Vuffin and his two friends smoked their pipes and beguiled the + time with such conversation as this, the silent gentleman sat in a warm + corner, swallowing, or seeming to swallow, sixpennyworth of halfpence for + practice, balancing a feather upon his nose, and rehearsing other feats of + dexterity of that kind, without paying any regard whatever to the company, + who in their turn left him utterly unnoticed. At length the weary child + prevailed upon her grandfather to retire, and they withdrew, leaving the + company yet seated round the fire, and the dogs fast asleep at a humble + distance. + </p> + <p> + After bidding the old man good night, Nell retired to her poor garret, but + had scarcely closed the door, when it was gently tapped at. She opened it + directly, and was a little startled by the sight of Mr Thomas Codlin, whom + she had left, to all appearance, fast asleep down stairs. + </p> + <p> + 'What is the matter?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing's the matter, my dear,' returned her visitor. 'I'm your friend. + Perhaps you haven't thought so, but it's me that's your friend—not + him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not who?' the child inquired. + </p> + <p> + 'Short, my dear. I tell you what,' said Codlin, 'for all his having a kind + of way with him that you'd be very apt to like, I'm the real, open-hearted + man. I mayn't look it, but I am indeed.' + </p> + <p> + The child began to be alarmed, considering that the ale had taken effect + upon Mr Codlin, and that this commendation of himself was the consequence. + </p> + <p> + 'Short's very well, and seems kind,' resumed the misanthrope, 'but he + overdoes it. Now I don't.' + </p> + <p> + Certainly if there were any fault in Mr Codlin's usual deportment, it was + that he rather underdid his kindness to those about him, than overdid it. + But the child was puzzled, and could not tell what to say. + </p> + <p> + 'Take my advice,' said Codlin: 'don't ask me why, but take it. As long as + you travel with us, keep as near me as you can. Don't offer to leave us—not + on any account—but always stick to me and say that I'm your friend. + Will you bear that in mind, my dear, and always say that it was me that + was your friend?' + </p> + <p> + 'Say so where—and when?' inquired the child innocently. + </p> + <p> + 'O, nowhere in particular,' replied Codlin, a little put out as it seemed + by the question; 'I'm only anxious that you should think me so, and do me + justice. You can't think what an interest I have in you. Why didn't you + tell me your little history—that about you and the poor old + gentleman? I'm the best adviser that ever was, and so interested in you—so + much more interested than Short. I think they're breaking up down stairs; + you needn't tell Short, you know, that we've had this little talk + together. God bless you. Recollect the friend. Codlin's the friend, not + Short. Short's very well as far as he goes, but the real friend is Codlin—not + Short.' + </p> + <p> + Eking out these professions with a number of benevolent and protecting + looks and great fervour of manner, Thomas Codlin stole away on tiptoe, + leaving the child in a state of extreme surprise. She was still ruminating + upon his curious behaviour, when the floor of the crazy stairs and landing + cracked beneath the tread of the other travellers who were passing to + their beds. When they had all passed, and the sound of their footsteps had + died away, one of them returned, and after a little hesitation and + rustling in the passage, as if he were doubtful what door to knock at, + knocked at hers. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the child from within. + </p> + <p> + 'It's me—Short'—a voice called through the keyhole. 'I only + wanted to say that we must be off early to-morrow morning, my dear, + because unless we get the start of the dogs and the conjuror, the villages + won't be worth a penny. You'll be sure to be stirring early and go with + us? I'll call you.' + </p> + <p> + The child answered in the affirmative, and returning his 'good night' + heard him creep away. She felt some uneasiness at the anxiety of these + men, increased by the recollection of their whispering together down + stairs and their slight confusion when she awoke, nor was she quite free + from a misgiving that they were not the fittest companions she could have + stumbled on. Her uneasiness, however, was nothing, weighed against her + fatigue; and she soon forgot it in sleep. +</p> + <p> +Very early next morning, Short + fulfilled his promise, and knocking softly at her door, entreated that she + would get up directly, as the proprietor of the dogs was still snoring, + and if they lost no time they might get a good deal in advance both of him + and the conjuror, who was talking in his sleep, and from what he could be + heard to say, appeared to be balancing a donkey in his dreams. She started + from her bed without delay, and roused the old man with so much expedition + that they were both ready as soon as Short himself, to that gentleman's + unspeakable gratification and relief. + </p> + <p> + After a very unceremonious and scrambling breakfast, of which the staple + commodities were bacon and bread, and beer, they took leave of the + landlord and issued from the door of the jolly Sandboys. The morning was + fine and warm, the ground cool to the feet after the late rain, the hedges + gayer and more green, the air clear, and everything fresh and healthful. + Surrounded by these influences, they walked on pleasantly enough. + </p> + <p> + They had not gone very far, when the child was again struck by the altered + behaviour of Mr Thomas Codlin, who instead of plodding on sulkily by + himself as he had heretofore done, kept close to her, and when he had an + opportunity of looking at her unseen by his companion, warned her by + certain wry faces and jerks of the head not to put any trust in Short, but + to reserve all confidences for Codlin. Neither did he confine himself to + looks and gestures, for when she and her grandfather were walking on + beside the aforesaid Short, and that little man was talking with his + accustomed cheerfulness on a variety of indifferent subjects, Thomas + Codlin testified his jealousy and distrust by following close at her + heels, and occasionally admonishing her ankles with the legs of the + theatre in a very abrupt and painful manner. + </p> + <p> + All these proceedings naturally made the child more watchful and + suspicious, and she soon observed that whenever they halted to perform + outside a village alehouse or other place, Mr Codlin while he went through + his share of the entertainments kept his eye steadily upon her and the old + man, or with a show of great friendship and consideration invited the + latter to lean upon his arm, and so held him tight until the + representation was over and they again went forward. Even Short seemed to + change in this respect, and to mingle with his good-nature something of a + desire to keep them in safe custody. This increased the child's + misgivings, and made her yet more anxious and uneasy. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, they were drawing near the town where the races were to begin + next day; for, from passing numerous groups of gipsies and trampers on the + road, wending their way towards it, and straggling out from every by-way + and cross-country lane, they gradually fell into a stream of people, some + walking by the side of covered carts, others with horses, others with + donkeys, others toiling on with heavy loads upon their backs, but all + tending to the same point. The public-houses by the wayside, from being + empty and noiseless as those in the remoter parts had been, now sent out + boisterous shouts and clouds of smoke; and, from the misty windows, + clusters of broad red faces looked down upon the road. On every piece of + waste or common ground, some small gambler drove his noisy trade, and + bellowed to the idle passersby to stop and try their chance; the crowd + grew thicker and more noisy; gilt gingerbread in blanket-stalls exposed + its glories to the dust; and often a four-horse carriage, dashing by, + obscured all objects in the gritty cloud it raised, and left them, stunned + and blinded, far behind. + </p> + <p> + It was dark before they reached the town itself, and long indeed the few + last miles had been. Here all was tumult and confusion; the streets were + filled with throngs of people—many strangers were there, it seemed, + by the looks they cast about—the church-bells rang out their noisy + peals, and flags streamed from windows and house-tops. In the large + inn-yards waiters flitted to and fro and ran against each other, horses + clattered on the uneven stones, carriage steps fell rattling down, and + sickening smells from many dinners came in a heavy lukewarm breath upon + the sense. In the smaller public-houses, fiddles with all their might and + main were squeaking out the tune to staggering feet; drunken men, + oblivious of the burden of their song, joined in a senseless howl, which + drowned the tinkling of the feeble bell and made them savage for their + drink; vagabond groups assembled round the doors to see the stroller woman + dance, and add their uproar to the shrill flageolet and deafening drum. + </p> + <p> + Through this delirious scene, the child, frightened and repelled by all + she saw, led on her bewildered charge, clinging close to her conductor, + and trembling lest in the press she should be separated from him and left + to find her way alone. Quickening their steps to get clear of all the roar + and riot, they at length passed through the town and made for the + race-course, which was upon an open heath, situated on an eminence, a full + mile distant from its furthest bounds. + </p> + <p> + Although there were many people here, none of the best favoured or best + clad, busily erecting tents and driving stakes in the ground, and hurrying + to and fro with dusty feet and many a grumbled oath—although there + were tired children cradled on heaps of straw between the wheels of carts, + crying themselves to sleep—and poor lean horses and donkeys just + turned loose, grazing among the men and women, and pots and kettles, and + half-lighted fires, and ends of candles flaring and wasting in the air—for + all this, the child felt it an escape from the town and drew her breath + more freely. After a scanty supper, the purchase of which reduced her + little stock so low, that she had only a few halfpence with which to buy a + breakfast on the morrow, she and the old man lay down to rest in a corner + of a tent, and slept, despite the busy preparations that were going on + around them all night long. + </p> + <p> + And now they had come to the time when they must beg their bread. Soon + after sunrise in the morning she stole out from the tent, and rambling + into some fields at a short distance, plucked a few wild roses and such + humble flowers, purposing to make them into little nosegays and offer them + to the ladies in the carriages when the company arrived. Her thoughts were + not idle while she was thus employed; when she returned and was seated + beside the old man in one corner of the tent, tying her flowers together, + while the two men lay dozing in another corner, she plucked him by the + sleeve, and slightly glancing towards them, said, in a low voice— + </p> + <p> + 'Grandfather, don't look at those I talk of, and don't seem as if I spoke + of anything but what I am about. What was that you told me before we left + the old house? That if they knew what we were going to do, they would say + that you were mad, and part us?' + </p> + <p> + The old man turned to her with an aspect of wild terror; but she checked + him by a look, and bidding him hold some flowers while she tied them up, + and so bringing her lips closer to his ear, said— + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0152m.jpg" alt="0152m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0152.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'I know that was what you told me. You needn't speak, dear. I recollect it + very well. It was not likely that I should forget it. Grandfather, these + men suspect that we have secretly left our friends, and mean to carry us + before some gentleman and have us taken care of and sent back. If you let + your hand tremble so, we can never get away from them, but if you're only + quiet now, we shall do so, easily.' + </p> + <p> + 'How?' muttered the old man. 'Dear Nelly, how? They will shut me up in a + stone room, dark and cold, and chain me up to the wall, Nell—flog me + with whips, and never let me see thee more!' + </p> + <p> + 'You're trembling again,' said the child. 'Keep close to me all day. Never + mind them, don't look at them, but me. I shall find a time when we can + steal away. When I do, mind you come with me, and do not stop or speak a + word. Hush! That's all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Halloa! what are you up to, my dear?' said Mr Codlin, raising his head, + and yawning. Then observing that his companion was fast asleep, he added + in an earnest whisper, 'Codlin's the friend, remember—not Short.' + </p> + <p> + 'Making some nosegays,' the child replied; 'I am going to try and sell + some, these three days of the races. Will you have one—as a present + I mean?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Codlin would have risen to receive it, but the child hurried towards + him and placed it in his hand. He stuck it in his buttonhole with an air + of ineffable complacency for a misanthrope, and leering exultingly at the + unconscious Short, muttered, as he laid himself down again, 'Tom Codlin's + the friend, by G—!' + </p> + <p> + As the morning wore on, the tents assumed a gayer and more brilliant + appearance, and long lines of carriages came rolling softly on the turf. + Men who had lounged about all night in smock-frocks and leather leggings, + came out in silken vests and hats and plumes, as jugglers or mountebanks; + or in gorgeous liveries as soft-spoken servants at gambling booths; or in + sturdy yeoman dress as decoys at unlawful games. Black-eyed gipsy girls, + hooded in showy handkerchiefs, sallied forth to tell fortunes, and pale + slender women with consumptive faces lingered upon the footsteps of + ventriloquists and conjurors, and counted the sixpences with anxious eyes + long before they were gained. As many of the children as could be kept + within bounds, were stowed away, with all the other signs of dirt and + poverty, among the donkeys, carts, and horses; and as many as could not be + thus disposed of ran in and out in all intricate spots, crept between + people's legs and carriage wheels, and came forth unharmed from under + horses' hoofs. The dancing-dogs, the stilts, the little lady and the tall + man, and all the other attractions, with organs out of number and bands + innumerable, emerged from the holes and corners in which they had passed + the night, and flourished boldly in the sun. + </p> + <p> + Along the uncleared course, Short led his party, sounding the brazen + trumpet and revelling in the voice of Punch; and at his heels went Thomas + Codlin, bearing the show as usual, and keeping his eye on Nelly and her + grandfather, as they rather lingered in the rear. The child bore upon her + arm the little basket with her flowers, and sometimes stopped, with timid + and modest looks, to offer them at some gay carriage; but alas! there were + many bolder beggars there, gipsies who promised husbands, and other adepts + in their trade, and although some ladies smiled gently as they shook their + heads, and others cried to the gentlemen beside them 'See, what a pretty + face!' they let the pretty face pass on, and never thought that it looked + tired or hungry. + </p> + <p> + There was but one lady who seemed to understand the child, and she was one + who sat alone in a handsome carriage, while two young men in dashing + clothes, who had just dismounted from it, talked and laughed loudly at a + little distance, appearing to forget her, quite. There were many ladies + all around, but they turned their backs, or looked another way, or at the + two young men (not unfavourably at them), and left her to herself. She + motioned away a gipsy-woman urgent to tell her fortune, saying that it was + told already and had been for some years, but called the child towards + her, and taking her flowers put money into her trembling hand, and bade + her go home and keep at home for God's sake. + </p> + <p> + Many a time they went up and down those long, long lines, seeing + everything but the horses and the race; when the bell rang to clear the + course, going back to rest among the carts and donkeys, and not coming out + again until the heat was over. Many a time, too, was Punch displayed in + the full zenith of his humour, but all this while the eye of Thomas Codlin + was upon them, and to escape without notice was impracticable. + </p> + <p> + At length, late in the day, Mr Codlin pitched the show in a convenient + spot, and the spectators were soon in the very triumph of the scene. The + child, sitting down with the old man close behind it, had been thinking + how strange it was that horses who were such fine honest creatures should + seem to make vagabonds of all the men they drew about them, when a loud + laugh at some extemporaneous witticism of Mr Short's, having allusion to + the circumstances of the day, roused her from her meditation and caused + her to look around. + </p> + <p> + If they were ever to get away unseen, that was the very moment. Short was + plying the quarter-staves vigorously and knocking the characters in the + fury of the combat against the sides of the show, the people were looking + on with laughing faces, and Mr Codlin had relaxed into a grim smile as his + roving eye detected hands going into waistcoat pockets and groping + secretly for sixpences. If they were ever to get away unseen, that was the + very moment. They seized it, and fled. + </p> + <p> + They made a path through booths and carriages and throngs of people, and + never once stopped to look behind. The bell was ringing and the course was + cleared by the time they reached the ropes, but they dashed across it + insensible to the shouts and screeching that assailed them for breaking in + upon its sanctity, and creeping under the brow of the hill at a quick + pace, made for the open fields. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap20"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 20 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>ay after day as he bent his steps homeward, returning from some new + effort to procure employment, Kit raised his eyes to the window of the + little room he had so much commended to the child, and hoped to see some + indication of her presence. His own earnest wish, coupled with the + assurance he had received from Quilp, filled him with the belief that she + would yet arrive to claim the humble shelter he had offered, and from the + death of each day's hope another hope sprung up to live to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + 'I think they must certainly come to-morrow, eh mother?' said Kit, laying + aside his hat with a weary air and sighing as he spoke. 'They have been + gone a week. They surely couldn't stop away more than a week, could they + now?' + </p> + <p> + The mother shook her head, and reminded him how often he had been + disappointed already. + </p> + <p> + 'For the matter of that,' said Kit, 'you speak true and sensible enough, + as you always do, mother. Still, I do consider that a week is quite long + enough for 'em to be rambling about; don't you say so?' + </p> + <p> + 'Quite long enough, Kit, longer than enough, but they may not come back + for all that.' + </p> + <p> + Kit was for a moment disposed to be vexed by this contradiction, and not + the less so from having anticipated it in his own mind and knowing how + just it was. But the impulse was only momentary, and the vexed look became + a kind one before it had crossed the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Then what do you think, mother, has become of 'em? You don't think + they've gone to sea, anyhow?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not gone for sailors, certainly,' returned the mother with a smile. 'But + I can't help thinking that they have gone to some foreign country.' + </p> + <p> + 'I say,' cried Kit with a rueful face, 'don't talk like that, mother.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am afraid they have, and that's the truth,' she said. 'It's the talk of + all the neighbours, and there are some even that know of their having been + seen on board ship, and can tell you the name of the place they've gone + to, which is more than I can, my dear, for it's a very hard one.' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't believe it,' said Kit. 'Not a word of it. A set of idle + chatterboxes, how should they know!' + </p> + <p> + 'They may be wrong of course,' returned the mother, 'I can't tell about + that, though I don't think it's at all unlikely that they're in the right, + for the talk is that the old gentleman had put by a little money that + nobody knew of, not even that ugly little man you talk to me about—what's + his name—Quilp; and that he and Miss Nell have gone to live abroad + where it can't be taken from them, and they will never be disturbed. That + don't seem very far out of the way now, do it?' + </p> + <p> + Kit scratched his head mournfully, in reluctant admission that it did not, + and clambering up to the old nail took down the cage and set himself to + clean it and to feed the bird. His thoughts reverting from this occupation + to the little old gentleman who had given him the shilling, he suddenly + recollected that that was the very day—nay, nearly the very hour—at + which the little old gentleman had said he should be at the Notary's house + again. He no sooner remembered this, than he hung up the cage with great + precipitation, and hastily explaining the nature of his errand, went off + at full speed to the appointed place. + </p> + <p> + It was some two minutes after the time when he reached the spot, which was + a considerable distance from his home, but by great good luck the little + old gentleman had not yet arrived; at least there was no pony-chaise to be + seen, and it was not likely that he had come and gone again in so short a + space. Greatly relieved to find that he was not too late, Kit leant + against a lamp-post to take breath, and waited the advent of the pony and + his charge. + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, before long the pony came trotting round the corner of the + street, looking as obstinate as pony might, and picking his steps as if he + were spying about for the cleanest places, and would by no means dirty his + feet or hurry himself inconveniently. Behind the pony sat the little old + gentleman, and by the old gentleman's side sat the little old lady, + carrying just such a nosegay as she had brought before. + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman, the old lady, the pony, and the chaise, came up the + street in perfect unanimity, until they arrived within some half a dozen + doors of the Notary's house, when the pony, deceived by a brass-plate + beneath a tailor's knocker, came to a halt, and maintained by a sturdy + silence, that that was the house they wanted. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, Sir, will you ha' the goodness to go on; this is not the place,' + said the old gentleman. + </p> + <p> + The pony looked with great attention into a fire-plug which was near him, + and appeared to be quite absorbed in contemplating it. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh dear, such a naughty Whisker!' cried the old lady. 'After being so + good too, and coming along so well! I am quite ashamed of him. I don't + know what we are to do with him, I really don't.' + </p> + <p> + The pony having thoroughly satisfied himself as to the nature and + properties of the fire-plug, looked into the air after his old enemies the + flies, and as there happened to be one of them tickling his ear at that + moment he shook his head and whisked his tail, after which he appeared + full of thought but quite comfortable and collected. The old gentleman + having exhausted his powers of persuasion, alighted to lead him; whereupon + the pony, perhaps because he held this to be a sufficient concession, + perhaps because he happened to catch sight of the other brass-plate, or + perhaps because he was in a spiteful humour, darted off with the old lady + and stopped at the right house, leaving the old gentleman to come panting + on behind. + </p> + <p> + It was then that Kit presented himself at the pony's head, and touched his + hat with a smile. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, bless me,' cried the old gentleman, 'the lad is here! My dear, do + you see?' + </p> + <p> + 'I said I'd be here, Sir,' said Kit, patting Whisker's neck. 'I hope + you've had a pleasant ride, sir. He's a very nice little pony.' + </p> + <p> + 'My dear,' said the old gentleman. 'This is an uncommon lad; a good lad, + I'm sure.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm sure he is,' rejoined the old lady. 'A very good lad, and I am sure + he is a good son.' + </p> + <p> + Kit acknowledged these expressions of confidence by touching his hat again + and blushing very much. The old gentleman then handed the old lady out, + and after looking at him with an approving smile, they went into the house—talking + about him as they went, Kit could not help feeling. Presently Mr + Witherden, smelling very hard at the nosegay, came to the window and + looked at him, and after that Mr Abel came and looked at him, and after + that the old gentleman and lady came and looked at him again, and after + that they all came and looked at him together, which Kit, feeling very + much embarrassed by, made a pretence of not observing. Therefore he patted + the pony more and more; and this liberty the pony most handsomely + permitted. + </p> + <p> + The faces had not disappeared from the window many moments, when Mr + Chuckster in his official coat, and with his hat hanging on his head just + as it happened to fall from its peg, appeared upon the pavement, and + telling him he was wanted inside, bade him go in and he would mind the + chaise the while. In giving him this direction Mr Chuckster remarked that + he wished that he might be blessed if he could make out whether he (Kit) + was 'precious raw' or 'precious deep,' but intimated by a distrustful + shake of the head, that he inclined to the latter opinion. + </p> + <p> + Kit entered the office in a great tremor, for he was not used to going + among strange ladies and gentlemen, and the tin boxes and bundles of dusty + papers had in his eyes an awful and venerable air. Mr Witherden too was a + bustling gentleman who talked loud and fast, and all eyes were upon him, + and he was very shabby. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, boy,' said Mr Witherden, 'you came to work out that shilling;—not + to get another, hey?' + </p> + <p> + 'No indeed, sir,' replied Kit, taking courage to look up. 'I never thought + of such a thing.' + </p> + <p> + 'Father alive?' said the Notary. + </p> + <p> + 'Dead, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mother?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Married again—eh?' + </p> + <p> + Kit made answer, not without some indignation, that she was a widow with + three children, and that as to her marrying again, if the gentleman knew + her he wouldn't think of such a thing. At this reply Mr Witherden buried + his nose in the flowers again, and whispered behind the nosegay to the old + gentleman that he believed the lad was as honest a lad as need be. + </p> + <p> + 'Now,' said Mr Garland when they had made some further inquiries of him, + 'I am not going to give you anything—' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you, sir,' Kit replied; and quite seriously too, for this + announcement seemed to free him from the suspicion which the Notary had + hinted. + </p> + <p> + '—But,' resumed the old gentleman, 'perhaps I may want to know + something more about you, so tell me where you live, and I'll put it down + in my pocket-book.' + </p> + <p> + Kit told him, and the old gentleman wrote down the address with his + pencil. He had scarcely done so, when there was a great uproar in the + street, and the old lady hurrying to the window cried that Whisker had run + away, upon which Kit darted out to the rescue, and the others followed. + </p> + <p> + It seemed that Mr Chuckster had been standing with his hands in his + pockets looking carelessly at the pony, and occasionally insulting him + with such admonitions as 'Stand still,'—'Be quiet,'—'Woa-a-a,' + and the like, which by a pony of spirit cannot be borne. Consequently, the + pony being deterred by no considerations of duty or obedience, and not + having before him the slightest fear of the human eye, had at length + started off, and was at that moment rattling down the street—Mr + Chuckster, with his hat off and a pen behind his ear, hanging on in the + rear of the chaise and making futile attempts to draw it the other way, to + the unspeakable admiration of all beholders. Even in running away, + however, Whisker was perverse, for he had not gone very far when he + suddenly stopped, and before assistance could be rendered, commenced + backing at nearly as quick a pace as he had gone forward. By these means + Mr Chuckster was pushed and hustled to the office again, in a most + inglorious manner, and arrived in a state of great exhaustion and + discomfiture. + </p> + <p> + The old lady then stepped into her seat, and Mr Abel (whom they had come + to fetch) into his. The old gentleman, after reasoning with the pony on + the extreme impropriety of his conduct, and making the best amends in his + power to Mr Chuckster, took his place also, and they drove away, waving a + farewell to the Notary and his clerk, and more than once turning to nod + kindly to Kit as he watched them from the road. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap21"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 21 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it turned away and very soon forgot the pony, and the chaise, and the + little old lady, and the little old gentleman, and the little young + gentleman to boot, in thinking what could have become of his late master + and his lovely grandchild, who were the fountain-head of all his + meditations. Still casting about for some plausible means of accounting + for their non-appearance, and of persuading himself that they must soon + return, he bent his steps towards home, intending to finish the task which + the sudden recollection of his contract had interrupted, and then to sally + forth once more to seek his fortune for the day. + </p> + <p> + When he came to the corner of the court in which he lived, lo and behold + there was the pony again! Yes, there he was, looking more obstinate than + ever; and alone in the chaise, keeping a steady watch upon his every wink, + sat Mr Abel, who, lifting up his eyes by chance and seeing Kit pass by, + nodded to him as though he would have nodded his head off. + </p> + <p> + Kit wondered to see the pony again, so near his own home too, but it never + occurred to him for what purpose the pony might have come there, or where + the old lady and the old gentleman had gone, until he lifted the latch of + the door, and walking in, found them seated in the room in conversation + with his mother, at which unexpected sight he pulled off his hat and made + his best bow in some confusion. + </p> + <p> + 'We are here before you, you see, Christopher,' said Mr Garland smiling. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir,' said Kit; and as he said it, he looked towards his mother for + an explanation of the visit. + </p> + <p> + 'The gentleman's been kind enough, my dear,' said she, in reply to this + mute interrogation, 'to ask me whether you were in a good place, or in any + place at all, and when I told him no, you were not in any, he was so good + as to say that—' + </p> + <p> + '—That we wanted a good lad in our house,' said the old gentleman + and the old lady both together, 'and that perhaps we might think of it, if + we found everything as we would wish it to be.' + </p> + <p> + As this thinking of it, plainly meant the thinking of engaging Kit, he + immediately partook of his mother's anxiety and fell into a great flutter; + for the little old couple were very methodical and cautious, and asked so + many questions that he began to be afraid there was no chance of his + success. + </p> + <p> + 'You see, my good woman,' said Mrs Garland to Kit's mother, 'that it's + necessary to be very careful and particular in such a matter as this, for + we're only three in family, and are very quiet regular folks, and it would + be a sad thing if we made any kind of mistake, and found things different + from what we hoped and expected.' + </p> + <p> + To this, Kit's mother replied, that certainly it was quite true, and quite + right, and quite proper, and Heaven forbid that she should shrink, or have + cause to shrink, from any inquiry into her character or that of her son, + who was a very good son though she was his mother, in which respect, she + was bold to say, he took after his father, who was not only a good son to + <i>his </i>mother, but the best of husbands and the best of fathers besides, + which Kit could and would corroborate she knew, and so would little Jacob + and the baby likewise if they were old enough, which unfortunately they + were not, though as they didn't know what a loss they had had, perhaps it + was a great deal better that they should be as young as they were; and so + Kit's mother wound up a long story by wiping her eyes with her apron, and + patting little Jacob's head, who was rocking the cradle and staring with + all his might at the strange lady and gentleman. + </p> + <p> + When Kit's mother had done speaking, the old lady struck in again, and + said that she was quite sure she was a very honest and very respectable + person or she never would have expressed herself in that manner, and that + certainly the appearance of the children and the cleanliness of the house + deserved great praise and did her the utmost credit, whereat Kit's mother + dropped a curtsey and became consoled. Then the good woman entered in a + long and minute account of Kit's life and history from the earliest period + down to that time, not omitting to make mention of his miraculous fall out + of a back-parlour window when an infant of tender years, or his uncommon + sufferings in a state of measles, which were illustrated by correct + imitations of the plaintive manner in which he called for toast and water, + day and night, and said, 'don't cry, mother, I shall soon be better;' for + proof of which statements reference was made to Mrs Green, lodger, at the + cheesemonger's round the corner, and divers other ladies and gentlemen in + various parts of England and Wales (and one Mr Brown who was supposed to + be then a corporal in the East Indies, and who could of course be found + with very little trouble), within whose personal knowledge the + circumstances had occurred. This narration ended, Mr Garland put some + questions to Kit respecting his qualifications and general acquirements, + while Mrs Garland noticed the children, and hearing from Kit's mother + certain remarkable circumstances which had attended the birth of each, + related certain other remarkable circumstances which had attended the + birth of her own son, Mr Abel, from which it appeared that both Kit's + mother and herself had been, above and beyond all other women of what + condition or age soever, peculiarly hemmed in with perils and dangers. + Lastly, inquiry was made into the nature and extent of Kit's wardrobe, and + a small advance being made to improve the same, he was formally hired at + an annual income of Six Pounds, over and above his board and lodging, by + Mr and Mrs Garland, of Abel Cottage, Finchley. + </p> + <p> + It would be difficult to say which party appeared most pleased with this + arrangement, the conclusion of which was hailed with nothing but pleasant + looks and cheerful smiles on both sides. It was settled that Kit should + repair to his new abode on the next day but one, in the morning; and + finally, the little old couple, after bestowing a bright half-crown on + little Jacob and another on the baby, took their leaves; being escorted as + far as the street by their new attendant, who held the obdurate pony by + the bridle while they took their seats, and saw them drive away with a + lightened heart. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, mother,' said Kit, hurrying back into the house, 'I think my + fortune's about made now.' + </p> + <p> + 'I should think it was indeed, Kit,' rejoined his mother. 'Six pound a + year! Only think!' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said Kit, trying to maintain the gravity which the consideration of + such a sum demanded, but grinning with delight in spite of himself. + 'There's a property!' + </p> + <p> + Kit drew a long breath when he had said this, and putting his hands deep + into his pockets as if there were one year's wages at least in each, + looked at his mother, as though he saw through her, and down an immense + perspective of sovereigns beyond. + </p> + <p> + 'Please God we'll make such a lady of you for Sundays, mother! such a + scholar of Jacob, such a child of the baby, such a room of the one up + stairs! Six pound a year!' + </p> + <p> + 'Hem!' croaked a strange voice. 'What's that about six pound a year? What + about six pound a year?' And as the voice made this inquiry, Daniel Quilp + walked in with Richard Swiveller at his heels. + </p> + <p> + 'Who said he was to have six pound a year?' said Quilp, looking sharply + round. 'Did the old man say it, or did little Nell say it? And what's he + to have it for, and where are they, eh!' +</p> + <p> +The good woman was so much + alarmed by the sudden apparition of this unknown piece of ugliness, that + she hastily caught the baby from its cradle and retreated into the + furthest corner of the room; while little Jacob, sitting upon his stool + with his hands on his knees, looked full at him in a species of + fascination, roaring lustily all the time. Richard Swiveller took an easy + observation of the family over Mr Quilp's head, and Quilp himself, with + his hands in his pockets, smiled in an exquisite enjoyment of the + commotion he occasioned. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't be frightened, mistress,' said Quilp, after a pause. 'Your son + knows me; I don't eat babies; I don't like 'em. It will be as well to stop + that young screamer though, in case I should be tempted to do him a + mischief. Holloa, sir! Will you be quiet?' + </p> + <p> + Little Jacob stemmed the course of two tears which he was squeezing out of + his eyes, and instantly subsided into a silent horror. + </p> + <p> + 'Mind you don't break out again, you villain,' said Quilp, looking sternly + at him, 'or I'll make faces at you and throw you into fits, I will. Now + you sir, why haven't you been to me as you promised?' + </p> + <p> + 'What should I come for?' retorted Kit. 'I hadn't any business with you, + no more than you had with me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Here, mistress,' said Quilp, turning quickly away, and appealing from Kit + to his mother. 'When did his old master come or send here last? Is he here + now? If not, where's he gone?' + </p> + <p> + 'He has not been here at all,' she replied. 'I wish we knew where they + have gone, for it would make my son a good deal easier in his mind, and me + too. If you're the gentleman named Mr Quilp, I should have thought you'd + have known, and so I told him only this very day.' + </p> + <p> + 'Humph!' muttered Quilp, evidently disappointed to believe that this was + true. 'That's what you tell this gentleman too, is it?' + </p> + <p> + 'If the gentleman comes to ask the same question, I can't tell him + anything else, sir; and I only wish I could, for our own sakes,' was the + reply. + </p> + <p> + Quilp glanced at Richard Swiveller, and observed that having met him on + the threshold, he assumed that he had come in search of some intelligence + of the fugitives. He supposed he was right? + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Dick, 'that was the object of the present expedition. I + fancied it possible—but let us go ring fancy's knell. I'll begin + it.' + </p> + <p> + 'You seem disappointed,' observed Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'A baffler, Sir, a baffler, that's all,' returned Dick. 'I have entered + upon a speculation which has proved a baffler; and a Being of brightness + and beauty will be offered up a sacrifice at Cheggs's altar. That's all, + sir.' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf eyed Richard with a sarcastic smile, but Richard, who had been + taking a rather strong lunch with a friend, observed him not, and + continued to deplore his fate with mournful and despondent looks. Quilp + plainly discerned that there was some secret reason for this visit and his + uncommon disappointment, and, in the hope that there might be means of + mischief lurking beneath it, resolved to worm it out. He had no sooner + adopted this resolution, than he conveyed as much honesty into his face as + it was capable of expressing, and sympathised with Mr Swiveller + exceedingly. + </p> + <p> + 'I am disappointed myself,' said Quilp, 'out of mere friendly feeling for + them; but you have real reasons, private reasons I have no doubt, for your + disappointment, and therefore it comes heavier than mine.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, of course it does,' Dick observed, testily. + </p> + <p> + 'Upon my word, I'm very sorry, very sorry. I'm rather cast down myself. As + we are companions in adversity, shall we be companions in the surest way + of forgetting it? If you had no particular business, now, to lead you in + another direction,' urged Quilp, plucking him by the sleeve and looking + slyly up into his face out of the corners of his eyes, 'there is a house + by the water-side where they have some of the noblest Schiedam—reputed + to be smuggled, but that's between ourselves—that can be got in all + the world. The landlord knows me. There's a little summer-house + overlooking the river, where we might take a glass of this delicious + liquor with a whiff of the best tobacco—it's in this case, and of + the rarest quality, to my certain knowledge—and be perfectly snug + and happy, could we possibly contrive it; or is there any very particular + engagement that peremptorily takes you another way, Mr Swiveller, eh?' + </p> + <p> + As the dwarf spoke, Dick's face relaxed into a compliant smile, and his + brows slowly unbent. By the time he had finished, Dick was looking down at + Quilp in the same sly manner as Quilp was looking up at him, and there + remained nothing more to be done but to set out for the house in question. + This they did, straightway. The moment their backs were turned, little + Jacob thawed, and resumed his crying from the point where Quilp had frozen + him. + </p> + <p> + The summer-house of which Mr Quilp had spoken was a rugged wooden box, + rotten and bare to see, which overhung the river's mud, and threatened to + slide down into it. The tavern to which it belonged was a crazy building, + sapped and undermined by the rats, and only upheld by great bars of wood + which were reared against its walls, and had propped it up so long that + even they were decaying and yielding with their load, and of a windy night + might be heard to creak and crack as if the whole fabric were about to + come toppling down. The house stood—if anything so old and feeble + could be said to stand—on a piece of waste ground, blighted with the + unwholesome smoke of factory chimneys, and echoing the clank of iron + wheels and rush of troubled water. Its internal accommodations amply + fulfilled the promise of the outside. The rooms were low and damp, the + clammy walls were pierced with chinks and holes, the rotten floors had + sunk from their level, the very beams started from their places and warned + the timid stranger from their neighbourhood. + </p> + <p> + To this inviting spot, entreating him to observe its beauties as they + passed along, Mr Quilp led Richard Swiveller, and on the table of the + summer-house, scored deep with many a gallows and initial letter, there + soon appeared a wooden keg, full of the vaunted liquor. Drawing it off + into the glasses with the skill of a practised hand, and mixing it with + about a third part of water, Mr Quilp assigned to Richard Swiveller his + portion, and lighting his pipe from an end of a candle in a very old and + battered lantern, drew himself together upon a seat and puffed away. + </p> + <p> + 'Is it good?' said Quilp, as Richard Swiveller smacked his lips, 'is it + strong and fiery? Does it make you wink, and choke, and your eyes water, + and your breath come short—does it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Does it?' cried Dick, throwing away part of the contents of his glass, + and filling it up with water, 'why, man, you don't mean to tell me that + you drink such fire as this?' + </p> + <p> + 'No!' rejoined Quilp, 'Not drink it! Look here. And here. And here again. + Not drink it!' + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, Daniel Quilp drew off and drank three small glassfuls of the + raw spirit, and then with a horrible grimace took a great many pulls at + his pipe, and swallowing the smoke, discharged it in a heavy cloud from + his nose. This feat accomplished he drew himself together in his former + position, and laughed excessively. + </p> + <p> + 'Give us a toast!' cried Quilp, rattling on the table in a dexterous + manner with his fist and elbow alternately, in a kind of tune, 'a woman, a + beauty. Let's have a beauty for our toast and empty our glasses to the + last drop. Her name, come!' + </p> + <p> + 'If you want a name,' said Dick, 'here's Sophy Wackles.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sophy Wackles,' screamed the dwarf, 'Miss Sophy Wackles that is—Mrs + Richard Swiveller that shall be—that shall be—ha ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said Dick, 'you might have said that a few weeks ago, but it won't + do now, my buck. Immolating herself upon the shrine of Cheggs—' + </p> + <p> + 'Poison Cheggs, cut Cheggs's ears off,' rejoined Quilp. 'I won't hear of + Cheggs. Her name is Swiveller or nothing. I'll drink her health again, and + her father's, and her mother's; and to all her sisters and brothers—the + glorious family of the Wackleses—all the Wackleses in one glass—down + with it to the dregs!' + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said Richard Swiveller, stopping short in the act of raising the + glass to his lips and looking at the dwarf in a species of stupor as he + flourished his arms and legs about: 'you're a jolly fellow, but of all the + jolly fellows I ever saw or heard of, you have the queerest and most + extraordinary way with you, upon my life you have.' + </p> + <p> + This candid declaration tended rather to increase than restrain Mr Quilp's + eccentricities, and Richard Swiveller, astonished to see him in such a + roystering vein, and drinking not a little himself, for company—began + imperceptibly to become more companionable and confiding, so that, being + judiciously led on by Mr Quilp, he grew at last very confiding indeed. + Having once got him into this mood, and knowing now the key-note to strike + whenever he was at a loss, Daniel Quilp's task was comparatively an easy + one, and he was soon in possession of the whole details of the scheme + contrived between the easy Dick and his more designing friend. + </p> + <p> + 'Stop!' said Quilp. 'That's the thing, that's the thing. It can be brought + about, it shall be brought about. There's my hand upon it; I am your + friend from this minute.' + </p> + <p> + 'What! do you think there's still a chance?' inquired Dick, in surprise at + this encouragement. + </p> + <p> + 'A chance!' echoed the dwarf, 'a certainty! Sophy Wackles may become a + Cheggs or anything else she likes, but not a Swiveller. Oh you lucky dog! + He's richer than any Jew alive; you're a made man. I see in you now + nothing but Nelly's husband, rolling in gold and silver. I'll help you. It + shall be done. Mind my words, it shall be done.' + </p> + <p> + 'But how?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'There's plenty of time,' rejoined the dwarf, 'and it shall be done. We'll + sit down and talk it over again all the way through. Fill your glass while + I'm gone. I shall be back directly—directly.' +</p> + <p> +With these hasty + words, Daniel Quilp withdrew into a dismantled skittle-ground behind the + public-house, and, throwing himself upon the ground actually screamed and + rolled about in uncontrollable delight. + </p> + <p> + 'Here's sport!' he cried, 'sport ready to my hand, all invented and + arranged, and only to be enjoyed. It was this shallow-pated fellow who + made my bones ache t'other day, was it? It was his friend and + fellow-plotter, Mr Trent, that once made eyes at Mrs Quilp, and leered and + looked, was it? After labouring for two or three years in their precious + scheme, to find that they've got a beggar at last, and one of them tied + for life. Ha ha ha! He shall marry Nell. He shall have her, and I'll be + the first man, when the knot's tied hard and fast, to tell 'em what + they've gained and what I've helped 'em to. Here will be a clearing of old + scores, here will be a time to remind 'em what a capital friend I was, and + how I helped them to the heiress. Ha ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + In the height of his ecstasy, Mr Quilp had like to have met with a + disagreeable check, for rolling very near a broken dog-kennel, there leapt + forth a large fierce dog, who, but that his chain was of the shortest, + would have given him a disagreeable salute. As it was, the dwarf remained + upon his back in perfect safety, taunting the dog with hideous faces, and + triumphing over him in his inability to advance another inch, though there + were not a couple of feet between them. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0165m.jpg" alt="0165m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0165.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Why don't you come and bite me, why don't you come and tear me to pieces, + you coward?' said Quilp, hissing and worrying the animal till he was + nearly mad. 'You're afraid, you bully, you're afraid, you know you are.' + </p> + <p> + The dog tore and strained at his chain with starting eyes and furious + bark, but there the dwarf lay, snapping his fingers with gestures of + defiance and contempt. When he had sufficiently recovered from his + delight, he rose, and with his arms a-kimbo, achieved a kind of + demon-dance round the kennel, just without the limits of the chain, + driving the dog quite wild. Having by this means composed his spirits and + put himself in a pleasant train, he returned to his unsuspicious + companion, whom he found looking at the tide with exceeding gravity, and + thinking of that same gold and silver which Mr Quilp had mentioned. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap22"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 22 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he remainder of that day and the whole of the next were a busy time for + the Nubbles family, to whom everything connected with Kit's outfit and + departure was matter of as great moment as if he had been about to + penetrate into the interior of Africa, or to take a cruise round the + world. It would be difficult to suppose that there ever was a box which + was opened and shut so many times within four-and-twenty hours, as that + which contained his wardrobe and necessaries; and certainly there never + was one which to two small eyes presented such a mine of clothing, as this + mighty chest with its three shirts and proportionate allowance of + stockings and pocket-handkerchiefs, disclosed to the astonished vision of + little Jacob. At last it was conveyed to the carrier's, at whose house at + Finchley Kit was to find it next day; and the box being gone, there + remained but two questions for consideration: firstly, whether the carrier + would lose, or dishonestly feign to lose, the box upon the road; secondly, + whether Kit's mother perfectly understood how to take care of herself in + the absence of her son. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't think there's hardly a chance of his really losing it, but + carriers are under great temptation to pretend they lose things, no + doubt,' said Mrs Nubbles apprehensively, in reference to the first point. + </p> + <p> + 'No doubt about it,' returned Kit, with a serious look; 'upon my word, + mother, I don't think it was right to trust it to itself. Somebody ought + to have gone with it, I'm afraid.' + </p> + <p> + 'We can't help it now,' said his mother; 'but it was foolish and wrong. + People oughtn't to be tempted.' + </p> + <p> + Kit inwardly resolved that he would never tempt a carrier any more, save + with an empty box; and having formed this Christian determination, he + turned his thoughts to the second question. + </p> + <p> + '<i>You </i>know you must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be lonesome + because I'm not at home. I shall very often be able to look in when I come + into town I dare say, and I shall send you a letter sometimes, and when + the quarter comes round, I can get a holiday of course; and then see if we + don't take little Jacob to the play, and let him know what oysters means.' + </p> + <p> + 'I hope plays mayn't be sinful, Kit, but I'm a'most afraid,' said Mrs + Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'I know who has been putting that in your head,' rejoined her son + disconsolately; 'that's Little Bethel again. Now I say, mother, pray don't + take to going there regularly, for if I was to see your good-humoured face + that has always made home cheerful, turned into a grievous one, and the + baby trained to look grievous too, and to call itself a young sinner + (bless its heart) and a child of the devil (which is calling its dead + father names); if I was to see this, and see little Jacob looking grievous + likewise, I should so take it to heart that I'm sure I should go and list + for a soldier, and run my head on purpose against the first cannon-ball I + saw coming my way.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, Kit, don't talk like that.' + </p> + <p> + 'I would, indeed, mother, and unless you want to make me feel very + wretched and uncomfortable, you'll keep that bow on your bonnet, which + you'd more than half a mind to pull off last week. Can you suppose there's + any harm in looking as cheerful and being as cheerful as our poor + circumstances will permit? Do I see anything in the way I'm made, which + calls upon me to be a snivelling, solemn, whispering chap, sneaking about + as if I couldn't help it, and expressing myself in a most unpleasant + snuffle? on the contrary, don't I see every reason why I shouldn't? just + hear this! Ha ha ha! An't that as nat'ral as walking, and as good for the + health? Ha ha ha! An't that as nat'ral as a sheep's bleating, or a pig's + grunting, or a horse's neighing, or a bird's singing? Ha ha ha! Isn't it, + mother?' + </p> + <p> + There was something contagious in Kit's laugh, for his mother, who had + looked grave before, first subsided into a smile, and then fell to joining + in it heartily, which occasioned Kit to say that he knew it was natural, + and to laugh the more. Kit and his mother, laughing together in a pretty + loud key, woke the baby, who, finding that there was something very jovial + and agreeable in progress, was no sooner in its mother's arms than it + began to kick and laugh, most vigorously. This new illustration of his + argument so tickled Kit, that he fell backward in his chair in a state of + exhaustion, pointing at the baby and shaking his sides till he rocked + again. After recovering twice or thrice, and as often relapsing, he wiped + his eyes and said grace; and a very cheerful meal their scanty supper was. + </p> + <p> + With more kisses, and hugs, and tears, than many young gentlemen who start + upon their travels, and leave well-stocked homes behind them, would deem + within the bounds of probability (if matter so low could be herein set + down), Kit left the house at an early hour next morning, and set out to + walk to Finchley; feeling a sufficient pride in his appearance to have + warranted his excommunication from Little Bethel from that time forth, if + he had ever been one of that mournful congregation. + </p> + <p> + Lest anybody should feel a curiosity to know how Kit was clad, it may be + briefly remarked that he wore no livery, but was dressed in a coat of + pepper-and-salt with waistcoat of canary colour, and nether garments of + iron-grey; besides these glories, he shone in the lustre of a new pair of + boots and an extremely stiff and shiny hat, which on being struck anywhere + with the knuckles, sounded like a drum. And in this attire, rather + wondering that he attracted so little attention, and attributing the + circumstance to the insensibility of those who got up early, he made his + way towards Abel Cottage. + </p> + <p> + Without encountering any more remarkable adventure on the road, than + meeting a lad in a brimless hat, the exact counterpart of his old one, on + whom he bestowed half the sixpence he possessed, Kit arrived in course of + time at the carrier's house, where, to the lasting honour of human nature, + he found the box in safety. Receiving from the wife of this immaculate + man, a direction to Mr Garland's, he took the box upon his shoulder and + repaired thither directly. + </p> + <p> + To be sure, it was a beautiful little cottage with a thatched roof and + little spires at the gable-ends, and pieces of stained glass in some of + the windows, almost as large as pocket-books. On one side of the house was + a little stable, just the size for the pony, with a little room over it, + just the size for Kit. White curtains were fluttering, and birds in cages + that looked as bright as if they were made of gold, were singing at the + windows; plants were arranged on either side of the path, and clustered + about the door; and the garden was bright with flowers in full bloom, + which shed a sweet odour all round, and had a charming and elegant + appearance. Everything within the house and without, seemed to be the + perfection of neatness and order. In the garden there was not a weed to be + seen, and to judge from some dapper gardening-tools, a basket, and a pair + of gloves which were lying in one of the walks, old Mr Garland had been at + work in it that very morning. + </p> + <p> + Kit looked about him, and admired, and looked again, and this a great many + times before he could make up his mind to turn his head another way and + ring the bell. There was abundance of time to look about him again though, + when he had rung it, for nobody came, so after ringing it twice or thrice + he sat down upon his box, and waited. + </p> + <p> + He rang the bell a great many times, and yet nobody came. But at last, as + he was sitting upon the box thinking about giants' castles, and princesses + tied up to pegs by the hair of their heads, and dragons bursting out from + behind gates, and other incidents of the like nature, common in + story-books to youths of low degree on their first visit to strange + houses, the door was gently opened, and a little servant-girl, very tidy, + modest, and demure, but very pretty too, appeared. +</p> + <p> +'I suppose you're + Christopher, sir,' said the servant-girl. + </p> + <p> + Kit got off the box, and said yes, he was. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm afraid you've rung a good many times perhaps,' she rejoined, 'but we + couldn't hear you, because we've been catching the pony.' + </p> + <p> + Kit rather wondered what this meant, but as he couldn't stop there, asking + questions, he shouldered the box again and followed the girl into the + hall, where through a back-door he descried Mr Garland leading Whisker in + triumph up the garden, after that self-willed pony had (as he afterwards + learned) dodged the family round a small paddock in the rear, for one hour + and three quarters. + </p> + <p> + The old gentleman received him very kindly and so did the old lady, whose + previous good opinion of him was greatly enhanced by his wiping his boots + on the mat until the soles of his feet burnt again. He was then taken into + the parlour to be inspected in his new clothes; and when he had been + surveyed several times, and had afforded by his appearance unlimited + satisfaction, he was taken into the stable (where the pony received him + with uncommon complaisance); and thence into the little chamber he had + already observed, which was very clean and comfortable: and thence into + the garden, in which the old gentleman told him he would be taught to + employ himself, and where he told him, besides, what great things he meant + to do to make him comfortable, and happy, if he found he deserved it. All + these kindnesses, Kit acknowledged with various expressions of gratitude, + and so many touches of the new hat, that the brim suffered considerably. + When the old gentleman had said all he had to say in the way of promise + and advice, and Kit had said all he had to say in the way of assurance and + thankfulness, he was handed over again to the old lady, who, summoning the + little servant-girl (whose name was Barbara) instructed her to take him + down stairs and give him something to eat and drink, after his walk. + </p> + <p> + Down stairs, therefore, Kit went; and at the bottom of the stairs there + was such a kitchen as was never before seen or heard of out of a toy-shop + window, with everything in it as bright and glowing, and as precisely + ordered too, as Barbara herself. And in this kitchen, Kit sat himself down + at a table as white as a tablecloth, to eat cold meat, and drink small + ale, and use his knife and fork the more awkwardly, because there was an + unknown Barbara looking on and observing him. + </p> + <p> + It did not appear, however, that there was anything remarkably tremendous + about this strange Barbara, who having lived a very quiet life, blushed + very much and was quite as embarrassed and uncertain what she ought to say + or do, as Kit could possibly be. When he had sat for some little time, + attentive to the ticking of the sober clock, he ventured to glance + curiously at the dresser, and there, among the plates and dishes, were + Barbara's little work-box with a sliding lid to shut in the balls of + cotton, and Barbara's prayer-book, and Barbara's hymn-book, and Barbara's + Bible. Barbara's little looking-glass hung in a good light near the + window, and Barbara's bonnet was on a nail behind the door. From all these + mute signs and tokens of her presence, he naturally glanced at Barbara + herself, who sat as mute as they, shelling peas into a dish; and just when + Kit was looking at her eyelashes and wondering—quite in the + simplicity of his heart—what colour her eyes might be, it perversely + happened that Barbara raised her head a little to look at him, when both + pair of eyes were hastily withdrawn, and Kit leant over his plate, and + Barbara over her pea-shells, each in extreme confusion at having been + detected by the other. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0170m.jpg" alt="0170m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0170.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap23"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 23 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>r Richard Swiveller wending homeward from the Wilderness (for such was + the appropriate name of Quilp's choice retreat), after a sinuous and + corkscrew fashion, with many checks and stumbles; after stopping suddenly + and staring about him, then as suddenly running forward for a few paces, + and as suddenly halting again and shaking his head; doing everything with + a jerk and nothing by premeditation;—Mr Richard Swiveller wending + his way homeward after this fashion, which is considered by evil-minded + men to be symbolical of intoxication, and is not held by such persons to + denote that state of deep wisdom and reflection in which the actor knows + himself to be, began to think that possibly he had misplaced his + confidence and that the dwarf might not be precisely the sort of person to + whom to entrust a secret of such delicacy and importance. And being led + and tempted on by this remorseful thought into a condition which the + evil-minded class before referred to would term the maudlin state or stage + of drunkenness, it occurred to Mr Swiveller to cast his hat upon the + ground, and moan, crying aloud that he was an unhappy orphan, and that if + he had not been an unhappy orphan things had never come to this. + </p> + <p> + 'Left an infant by my parents, at an early age,' said Mr Swiveller, + bewailing his hard lot, 'cast upon the world in my tenderest period, and + thrown upon the mercies of a deluding dwarf, who can wonder at my + weakness! Here's a miserable orphan for you. Here,' said Mr Swiveller + raising his voice to a high pitch, and looking sleepily round, 'is a + miserable orphan!' + </p> + <p> + 'Then,' said somebody hard by, 'let me be a father to you.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller swayed himself to and fro to preserve his balance, and, + looking into a kind of haze which seemed to surround him, at last + perceived two eyes dimly twinkling through the mist, which he observed + after a short time were in the neighbourhood of a nose and mouth. Casting + his eyes down towards that quarter in which, with reference to a man's + face, his legs are usually to be found, he observed that the face had a + body attached; and when he looked more intently he was satisfied that the + person was Mr Quilp, who indeed had been in his company all the time, but + whom he had some vague idea of having left a mile or two behind. + </p> + <p> + 'You have deceived an orphan, Sir,' said Mr Swiveller solemnly.' + </p> + <p> + 'I! I'm a second father to you,' replied Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'You my father, Sir!' retorted Dick. 'Being all right myself, Sir, I + request to be left alone—instantly, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'What a funny fellow you are!' cried Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Go, Sir,' returned Dick, leaning against a post and waving his hand. 'Go, + deceiver, go, some day, Sir, p'r'aps you'll waken, from pleasure's dream + to know, the grief of orphans forsaken. Will you go, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf taking no heed of this adjuration, Mr Swiveller advanced with + the view of inflicting upon him condign chastisement. But forgetting his + purpose or changing his mind before he came close to him, he seized his + hand and vowed eternal friendship, declaring with an agreeable frankness + that from that time forth they were brothers in everything but personal + appearance. Then he told his secret over again, with the addition of being + pathetic on the subject of Miss Wackles, who, he gave Mr Quilp to + understand, was the occasion of any slight incoherency he might observe in + his speech at that moment, which was attributable solely to the strength + of his affection and not to rosy wine or other fermented liquor. And then + they went on arm-in-arm, very lovingly together. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0172m.jpg" alt="0172m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0172.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'I'm as sharp,' said Quilp to him, at parting, 'as sharp as a ferret, and + as cunning as a weazel. You bring Trent to me; assure him that I'm his + friend though I fear he a little distrusts me (I don't know why, I have + not deserved it); and you've both of you made your fortunes—in + perspective.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's the worst of it,' returned Dick. 'These fortunes in perspective + look such a long way off.' + </p> + <p> + 'But they look smaller than they really are, on that account,' said Quilp, + pressing his arm. 'You'll have no conception of the value of your prize + until you draw close to it. Mark that.' + </p> + <p> + 'D'ye think not?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, I do; and I am certain of what I say, that's better,' returned the + dwarf. 'You bring Trent to me. Tell him I am his friend and yours—why + shouldn't I be?' + </p> + <p> + 'There's no reason why you shouldn't, certainly,' replied Dick, 'and + perhaps there are a great many why you should—at least there would + be nothing strange in your wanting to be my friend, if you were a choice + spirit, but then you know you're not a choice spirit.' + </p> + <p> + 'I not a choice spirit?' cried Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Devil a bit, sir,' returned Dick. 'A man of your appearance couldn't be. + If you're any spirit at all, sir, you're an evil spirit. Choice spirits,' + added Dick, smiting himself on the breast, 'are quite a different looking + sort of people, you may take your oath of that, sir.' + </p> + <p> + Quilp glanced at his free-spoken friend with a mingled expression of + cunning and dislike, and wringing his hand almost at the same moment, + declared that he was an uncommon character and had his warmest esteem. + With that they parted; Mr Swiveller to make the best of his way home and + sleep himself sober; and Quilp to cogitate upon the discovery he had made, + and exult in the prospect of the rich field of enjoyment and reprisal it + opened to him. + </p> + <p> + It was not without great reluctance and misgiving that Mr Swiveller, next + morning, his head racked by the fumes of the renowned Schiedam, repaired + to the lodging of his friend Trent (which was in the roof of an old house + in an old ghostly inn), and recounted by very slow degrees what had + yesterday taken place between him and Quilp. Nor was it without great + surprise and much speculation on Quilp's probable motives, nor without + many bitter comments on Dick Swiveller's folly, that his friend received + the tale. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't defend myself, Fred,' said the penitent Richard; 'but the fellow + has such a queer way with him and is such an artful dog, that first of all + he set me upon thinking whether there was any harm in telling him, and + while I was thinking, screwed it out of me. If you had seen him drink and + smoke, as I did, you couldn't have kept anything from him. He's a + Salamander you know, that's what he is.' + </p> + <p> + Without inquiring whether Salamanders were of necessity good confidential + agents, or whether a fire-proof man was as a matter of course trustworthy, + Frederick Trent threw himself into a chair, and, burying his head in his + hands, endeavoured to fathom the motives which had led Quilp to insinuate + himself into Richard Swiveller's confidence;—for that the disclosure + was of his seeking, and had not been spontaneously revealed by Dick, was + sufficiently plain from Quilp's seeking his company and enticing him away. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf had twice encountered him when he was endeavouring to obtain + intelligence of the fugitives. This, perhaps, as he had not shown any + previous anxiety about them, was enough to awaken suspicion in the breast + of a creature so jealous and distrustful by nature, setting aside any + additional impulse to curiosity that he might have derived from Dick's + incautious manner. But knowing the scheme they had planned, why should he + offer to assist it? This was a question more difficult of solution; but as + knaves generally overreach themselves by imputing their own designs to + others, the idea immediately presented itself that some circumstances of + irritation between Quilp and the old man, arising out of their secret + transactions and not unconnected perhaps with his sudden disappearance, + now rendered the former desirous of revenging himself upon him by seeking + to entrap the sole object of his love and anxiety into a connexion of + which he knew he had a dread and hatred. As Frederick Trent himself, + utterly regardless of his sister, had this object at heart, only second to + the hope of gain, it seemed to him the more likely to be Quilp's main + principle of action. Once investing the dwarf with a design of his own in + abetting them, which the attainment of their purpose would serve, it was + easy to believe him sincere and hearty in the cause; and as there could be + no doubt of his proving a powerful and useful auxiliary, Trent determined + to accept his invitation and go to his house that night, and if what he + said and did confirmed him in the impression he had formed, to let him + share the labour of their plan, but not the profit. + </p> + <p> + Having revolved these things in his mind and arrived at this conclusion, + he communicated to Mr Swiveller as much of his meditations as he thought + proper (Dick would have been perfectly satisfied with less), and giving + him the day to recover himself from his late salamandering, accompanied + him at evening to Mr Quilp's house. + </p> + <p> + Mighty glad Mr Quilp was to see them, or mightily glad he seemed to be; + and fearfully polite Mr Quilp was to Mrs Quilp and Mrs Jiniwin; and very + sharp was the look he cast on his wife to observe how she was affected by + the recognition of young Trent. Mrs Quilp was as innocent as her own + mother of any emotion, painful or pleasant, which the sight of him + awakened, but as her husband's glance made her timid and confused, and + uncertain what to do or what was required of her, Mr Quilp did not fail to + assign her embarrassment to the cause he had in his mind, and while he + chuckled at his penetration was secretly exasperated by his jealousy. + </p> + <p> + Nothing of this appeared, however. On the contrary, Mr Quilp was all + blandness and suavity, and presided over the case-bottle of rum with + extraordinary open-heartedness. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, let me see,' said Quilp. 'It must be a matter of nearly two years + since we were first acquainted.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nearer three, I think,' said Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'Nearer three!' cried Quilp. 'How fast time flies. Does it seem as long as + that to you, Mrs Quilp?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, I think it seems full three years, Quilp,' was the unfortunate + reply. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh indeed, ma'am,' thought Quilp, 'you have been pining, have you? Very + good, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + 'It seems to me but yesterday that you went out to Demerara in the Mary + Anne,' said Quilp; 'but yesterday, I declare. Well, I like a little + wildness. I was wild myself once.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp accompanied this admission with such an awful wink, indicative of + old rovings and backslidings, that Mrs Jiniwin was indignant, and could + not forbear from remarking under her breath that he might at least put off + his confessions until his wife was absent; for which act of boldness and + insubordination Mr Quilp first stared her out of countenance and then + drank her health ceremoniously. + </p> + <p> + 'I thought you'd come back directly, Fred. I always thought that,' said + Quilp setting down his glass. 'And when the Mary Anne returned with you on + board, instead of a letter to say what a contrite heart you had, and how + happy you were in the situation that had been provided for you, I was + amused—exceedingly amused. Ha ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + The young man smiled, but not as though the theme was the most agreeable + one that could have been selected for his entertainment; and for that + reason Quilp pursued it. + </p> + <p> + 'I always will say,' he resumed, 'that when a rich relation having two + young people—sisters or brothers, or brother and sister—dependent + on him, attaches himself exclusively to one, and casts off the other, he + does wrong.' + </p> + <p> + The young man made a movement of impatience, but Quilp went on as calmly + as if he were discussing some abstract question in which nobody present + had the slightest personal interest. + </p> + <p> + 'It's very true,' said Quilp, 'that your grandfather urged repeated + forgiveness, ingratitude, riot, and extravagance, and all that; but as I + told him "these are common faults." "But he's a scoundrel," said he. + "Granting that," said I (for the sake of argument of course), "a great + many young noblemen and gentlemen are scoundrels too!" But he wouldn't be + convinced.' + </p> + <p> + 'I wonder at that, Mr Quilp,' said the young man sarcastically. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, so did I at the time,' returned Quilp, 'but he was always + obstinate. He was in a manner a friend of mine, but he was always + obstinate and wrong-headed. Little Nell is a nice girl, a charming girl, + but you're her brother, Frederick. You're her brother after all; as you + told him the last time you met, he can't alter that.' + </p> + <p> + 'He would if he could, confound him for that and all other kindnesses,' + said the young man impatiently. 'But nothing can come of this subject now, + and let us have done with it in the Devil's name.' + </p> + <p> + 'Agreed,' returned Quilp, 'agreed on my part readily. Why have I alluded + to it? Just to show you, Frederick, that I have always stood your friend. + You little knew who was your friend, and who your foe; now did you? You + thought I was against you, and so there has been a coolness between us; + but it was all on your side, entirely on your side. Let's shake hands + again, Fred.' + </p> + <p> + With his head sunk down between his shoulders, and a hideous grin + over-spreading his face, the dwarf stood up and stretched his short arm + across the table. After a moment's hesitation, the young man stretched out + his to meet it; Quilp clutched his fingers in a grip that for the moment + stopped the current of the blood within them, and pressing his other hand + upon his lip and frowning towards the unsuspicious Richard, released them + and sat down. + </p> + <p> + This action was not lost upon Trent, who, knowing that Richard Swiveller + was a mere tool in his hands and knew no more of his designs than he + thought proper to communicate, saw that the dwarf perfectly understood + their relative position, and fully entered into the character of his + friend. It is something to be appreciated, even in knavery. This silent + homage to his superior abilities, no less than a sense of the power with + which the dwarf's quick perception had already invested him, inclined the + young man towards that ugly worthy, and determined him to profit by his + aid. + </p> + <p> + It being now Mr Quilp's cue to change the subject with all convenient + expedition, lest Richard Swiveller in his heedlessness should reveal + anything which it was inexpedient for the women to know, he proposed a + game at four-handed cribbage, and partners being cut for, Mrs Quilp fell + to Frederick Trent, and Dick himself to Quilp. Mrs Jiniwin being very fond + of cards was carefully excluded by her son-in-law from any participation + in the game, and had assigned to her the duty of occasionally replenishing + the glasses from the case-bottle; Mr Quilp from that moment keeping one + eye constantly upon her, lest she should by any means procure a taste of + the same, and thereby tantalising the wretched old lady (who was as much + attached to the case-bottle as the cards) in a double degree and most + ingenious manner. + </p> + <p> + But it was not to Mrs Jiniwin alone that Mr Quilp's attention was + restricted, as several other matters required his constant vigilance. + Among his various eccentric habits he had a humorous one of always + cheating at cards, which rendered necessary on his part, not only a close + observance of the game, and a sleight-of-hand in counting and scoring, but + also involved the constant correction, by looks, and frowns, and kicks + under the table, of Richard Swiveller, who being bewildered by the + rapidity with which his cards were told, and the rate at which the pegs + travelled down the board, could not be prevented from sometimes expressing + his surprise and incredulity. Mrs Quilp too was the partner of young + Trent, and for every look that passed between them, and every word they + spoke, and every card they played, the dwarf had eyes and ears; not + occupied alone with what was passing above the table, but with signals + that might be exchanging beneath it, which he laid all kinds of traps to + detect; besides often treading on his wife's toes to see whether she cried + out or remained silent under the infliction, in which latter case it would + have been quite clear that Trent had been treading on her toes before. + Yet, in the most of all these distractions, the one eye was upon the old + lady always, and if she so much as stealthily advanced a tea-spoon towards + a neighbouring glass (which she often did), for the purpose of abstracting + but one sup of its sweet contents, Quilp's hand would overset it in the + very moment of her triumph, and Quilp's mocking voice implore her to + regard her precious health. And in any one of these his many cares, from + first to last, Quilp never flagged nor faltered. + </p> + <p> + At length, when they had played a great many rubbers and drawn pretty + freely upon the case-bottle, Mr Quilp warned his lady to retire to rest, + and that submissive wife complying, and being followed by her indignant + mother, Mr Swiveller fell asleep. The dwarf beckoning his remaining + companion to the other end of the room, held a short conference with him + in whispers. + </p> + <p> + 'It's as well not to say more than one can help before our worthy friend,' + said Quilp, making a grimace towards the slumbering Dick. 'Is it a bargain + between us, Fred? Shall he marry little rosy Nell by-and-by?' + </p> + <p> + 'You have some end of your own to answer, of course,' returned the other. + </p> + <p> + 'Of course I have, dear Fred,' said Quilp, grinning to think how little he + suspected what the real end was. 'It's retaliation perhaps; perhaps whim. + I have influence, Fred, to help or oppose. Which way shall I use it? There + are a pair of scales, and it goes into one.' + </p> + <p> + 'Throw it into mine then,' said Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'It's done, Fred,' rejoined Quilp, stretching out his clenched hand and + opening it as if he had let some weight fall out. 'It's in the scale from + this time, and turns it, Fred. Mind that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where have they gone?' asked Trent. + </p> + <p> + Quilp shook his head, and said that point remained to be discovered, which + it might be, easily. When it was, they would begin their preliminary + advances. He would visit the old man, or even Richard Swiveller might + visit him, and by affecting a deep concern in his behalf, and imploring + him to settle in some worthy home, lead to the child's remembering him + with gratitude and favour. Once impressed to this extent, it would be + easy, he said, to win her in a year or two, for she supposed the old man + to be poor, as it was a part of his jealous policy (in common with many + other misers) to feign to be so, to those about him. + </p> + <p> + 'He has feigned it often enough to me, of late,' said Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! and to me too!' replied the dwarf. 'Which is more extraordinary, as I + know how rich he really is.' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose you should,' said Trent. + </p> + <p> + 'I think I should indeed,' rejoined the dwarf; and in that, at least, he + spoke the truth. + </p> + <p> + After a few more whispered words, they returned to the table, and the + young man rousing Richard Swiveller informed him that he was waiting to + depart. This was welcome news to Dick, who started up directly. After a + few words of confidence in the result of their project had been exchanged, + they bade the grinning Quilp good night. + </p> + <p> + Quilp crept to the window as they passed in the street below, and + listened. Trent was pronouncing an encomium upon his wife, and they were + both wondering by what enchantment she had been brought to marry such a + misshapen wretch as he. The dwarf after watching their retreating shadows + with a wider grin than his face had yet displayed, stole softly in the + dark to bed. + </p> + <p> + In this hatching of their scheme, neither Trent nor Quilp had had one + thought about the happiness or misery of poor innocent Nell. It would have + been strange if the careless profligate, who was the butt of both, had + been harassed by any such consideration; for his high opinion of his own + merits and deserts rendered the project rather a laudable one than + otherwise; and if he had been visited by so unwonted a guest as + reflection, he would—being a brute only in the gratification of his + appetites—have soothed his conscience with the plea that he did not + mean to beat or kill his wife, and would therefore, after all said and + done, be a very tolerable, average husband. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap24"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 24 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was not until they were quite exhausted and could no longer maintain + the pace at which they had fled from the race-ground, that the old man and + the child ventured to stop, and sit down to rest upon the borders of a + little wood. Here, though the course was hidden from their view, they + could yet faintly distinguish the noise of distant shouts, the hum of + voices, and the beating of drums. Climbing the eminence which lay between + them and the spot they had left, the child could even discern the + fluttering flags and white tops of booths; but no person was approaching + towards them, and their resting-place was solitary and still. + </p> + <p> + Some time elapsed before she could reassure her trembling companion, or + restore him to a state of moderate tranquillity. His disordered + imagination represented to him a crowd of persons stealing towards them + beneath the cover of the bushes, lurking in every ditch, and peeping from + the boughs of every rustling tree. He was haunted by apprehensions of + being led captive to some gloomy place where he would be chained and + scourged, and worse than all, where Nell could never come to see him, save + through iron bars and gratings in the wall. His terrors affected the + child. Separation from her grandfather was the greatest evil she could + dread; and feeling for the time as though, go where they would, they were + to be hunted down, and could never be safe but in hiding, her heart failed + her, and her courage drooped. + </p> + <p> + In one so young, and so unused to the scenes in which she had lately + moved, this sinking of the spirit was not surprising. But, Nature often + enshrines gallant and noble hearts in weak bosoms—oftenest, God + bless her, in female breasts—and when the child, casting her tearful + eyes upon the old man, remembered how weak he was, and how destitute and + helpless he would be if she failed him, her heart swelled within her, and + animated her with new strength and fortitude. + </p> + <p> + 'We are quite safe now, and have nothing to fear indeed, dear + grandfather,' she said. + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing to fear!' returned the old man. 'Nothing to fear if they took me + from thee! Nothing to fear if they parted us! Nobody is true to me. No, + not one. Not even Nell!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! do not say that,' replied the child, 'for if ever anybody was true at + heart, and earnest, I am. I am sure you know I am.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then how,' said the old man, looking fearfully round, 'how can you bear + to think that we are safe, when they are searching for me everywhere, and + may come here, and steal upon us, even while we're talking?' + </p> + <p> + 'Because I'm sure we have not been followed,' said the child. 'Judge for + yourself, dear grandfather: look round, and see how quiet and still it is. + We are alone together, and may ramble where we like. Not safe! Could I + feel easy—did I feel at ease—when any danger threatened you?' + </p> + <p> + 'True, too,' he answered, pressing her hand, but still looking anxiously + about. 'What noise was that?' + </p> + <p> + 'A bird,' said the child, 'flying into the wood, and leading the way for + us to follow.' You remember that we said we would walk in woods and + fields, and by the side of rivers, and how happy we would be—you + remember that? But here, while the sun shines above our heads, and + everything is bright and happy, we are sitting sadly down, and losing + time. See what a pleasant path; and there's the bird—the same bird—now + he flies to another tree, and stays to sing. Come!' + </p> + <p> + When they rose up from the ground, and took the shady track which led them + through the wood, she bounded on before, printing her tiny footsteps in + the moss, which rose elastic from so light a pressure and gave it back as + mirrors throw off breath; and thus she lured the old man on, with many a + backward look and merry beck, now pointing stealthily to some lone bird as + it perched and twittered on a branch that strayed across their path, now + stopping to listen to the songs that broke the happy silence, or watch the + sun as it trembled through the leaves, and stealing in among the ivied + trunks of stout old trees, opened long paths of light. As they passed + onward, parting the boughs that clustered in their way, the serenity which + the child had first assumed, stole into her breast in earnest; the old man + cast no longer fearful looks behind, but felt at ease and cheerful, for + the further they passed into the deep green shade, the more they felt that + the tranquil mind of God was there, and shed its peace on them. + </p> + <p> + At length the path becoming clearer and less intricate, brought them to + the end of the wood, and into a public road. Taking their way along it for + a short distance, they came to a lane, so shaded by the trees on either + hand that they met together over-head, and arched the narrow way. A broken + finger-post announced that this led to a village three miles off; and + thither they resolved to bend their steps. + </p> + <p> + The miles appeared so long that they sometimes thought they must have + missed their road. But at last, to their great joy, it led downwards in a + steep descent, with overhanging banks over which the footpaths led; and + the clustered houses of the village peeped from the woody hollow below. + </p> + <p> + It was a very small place. The men and boys were playing at cricket on the + green; and as the other folks were looking on, they wandered up and down, + uncertain where to seek a humble lodging. There was but one old man in the + little garden before his cottage, and him they were timid of approaching, + for he was the schoolmaster, and had 'School' written up over his window + in black letters on a white board. He was a pale, simple-looking man, of a + spare and meagre habit, and sat among his flowers and beehives, smoking + his pipe, in the little porch before his door. + </p> + <p> + 'Speak to him, dear,' the old man whispered. + </p> + <p> + 'I am almost afraid to disturb him,' said the child timidly. 'He does not + seem to see us. Perhaps if we wait a little, he may look this way.' + </p> + <p> + They waited, but the schoolmaster cast no look towards them, and still + sat, thoughtful and silent, in the little porch. He had a kind face. In + his plain old suit of black, he looked pale and meagre. They fancied, too, + a lonely air about him and his house, but perhaps that was because the + other people formed a merry company upon the green, and he seemed the only + solitary man in all the place. + </p> + <p> + They were very tired, and the child would have been bold enough to address + even a schoolmaster, but for something in his manner which seemed to + denote that he was uneasy or distressed. As they stood hesitating at a + little distance, they saw that he sat for a few minutes at a time like one + in a brown study, then laid aside his pipe and took a few turns in his + garden, then approached the gate and looked towards the green, then took + up his pipe again with a sigh, and sat down thoughtfully as before. + </p> + <p> + As nobody else appeared and it would soon be dark, Nell at length took + courage, and when he had resumed his pipe and seat, ventured to draw near, + leading her grandfather by the hand. The slight noise they made in raising + the latch of the wicket-gate, caught his attention. He looked at them + kindly but seemed disappointed too, and slightly shook his head. + </p> + <p> + Nell dropped a curtsey, and told him they were poor travellers who sought + a shelter for the night which they would gladly pay for, so far as their + means allowed. The schoolmaster looked earnestly at her as she spoke, laid + aside his pipe, and rose up directly. + </p> + <p> + 'If you could direct us anywhere, sir,' said the child, 'we should take it + very kindly.' + </p> + <p> + 'You have been walking a long way,' said the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + 'A long way, Sir,' the child replied. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0181m.jpg" alt="0181m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0181.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'You're a young traveller, my child,' he said, laying his hand gently on + her head. 'Your grandchild, friend?' + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, Sir,' cried the old man, 'and the stay and comfort of my life.' + </p> + <p> + 'Come in,' said the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + Without further preface he conducted them into his little school-room, + which was parlour and kitchen likewise, and told them that they were + welcome to remain under his roof till morning. Before they had done + thanking him, he spread a coarse white cloth upon the table, with knives + and platters; and bringing out some bread and cold meat and a jug of beer, + besought them to eat and drink. + </p> + <p> + The child looked round the room as she took her seat. There were a couple + of forms, notched and cut and inked all over; a small deal desk perched on + four legs, at which no doubt the master sat; a few dog's-eared books upon + a high shelf; and beside them a motley collection of peg-tops, balls, + kites, fishing-lines, marbles, half-eaten apples, and other confiscated + property of idle urchins. Displayed on hooks upon the wall in all their + terrors, were the cane and ruler; and near them, on a small shelf of its + own, the dunce's cap, made of old newspapers and decorated with glaring + wafers of the largest size. But, the great ornaments of the walls were + certain moral sentences fairly copied in good round text, and well-worked + sums in simple addition and multiplication, evidently achieved by the same + hand, which were plentifully pasted all round the room: for the double + purpose, as it seemed, of bearing testimony to the excellence of the + school, and kindling a worthy emulation in the bosoms of the scholars. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the old schoolmaster, observing that her attention was caught + by these latter specimens. 'That's beautiful writing, my dear.' + </p> + <p> + 'Very, Sir,' replied the child modestly, 'is it yours?' + </p> + <p> + 'Mine!' he returned, taking out his spectacles and putting them on, to + have a better view of the triumphs so dear to his heart. 'I couldn't write + like that, now-a-days. No. They're all done by one hand; a little hand it + is, not so old as yours, but a very clever one.' + </p> + <p> + As the schoolmaster said this, he saw that a small blot of ink had been + thrown on one of the copies, so he took a penknife from his pocket, and + going up to the wall, carefully scraped it out. When he had finished, he + walked slowly backward from the writing, admiring it as one might + contemplate a beautiful picture, but with something of sadness in his + voice and manner which quite touched the child, though she was + unacquainted with its cause. + </p> + <p> + 'A little hand indeed,' said the poor schoolmaster. 'Far beyond all his + companions, in his learning and his sports too, how did he ever come to be + so fond of me! That I should love him is no wonder, but that he should + love me—' and there the schoolmaster stopped, and took off his + spectacles to wipe them, as though they had grown dim. + </p> + <p> + 'I hope there is nothing the matter, sir,' said Nell anxiously. + </p> + <p> + 'Not much, my dear,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I hoped to have seen him + on the green to-night. He was always foremost among them. But he'll be + there to-morrow.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has he been ill?' asked the child, with a child's quick sympathy. + </p> + <p> + 'Not very. They said he was wandering in his head yesterday, dear boy, and + so they said the day before. But that's a part of that kind of disorder; + it's not a bad sign—not at all a bad sign.' +</p> + <p> +The child was silent. He + walked to the door, and looked wistfully out. The shadows of night were + gathering, and all was still. + </p> + <p> + 'If he could lean upon anybody's arm, he would come to me, I know,' he + said, returning into the room. 'He always came into the garden to say good + night. But perhaps his illness has only just taken a favourable turn, and + it's too late for him to come out, for it's very damp and there's a heavy + dew. It's much better he shouldn't come to-night.' + </p> + <p> + The schoolmaster lighted a candle, fastened the window-shutter, and closed + the door. But after he had done this, and sat silent a little time, he + took down his hat, and said he would go and satisfy himself, if Nell would + sit up till he returned. The child readily complied, and he went out. + </p> + <p> + She sat there half-an-hour or more, feeling the place very strange and + lonely, for she had prevailed upon the old man to go to bed, and there was + nothing to be heard but the ticking of an old clock, and the whistling of + the wind among the trees. When he returned, he took his seat in the + chimney corner, but remained silent for a long time. At length he turned + to her, and speaking very gently, hoped she would say a prayer that night + for a sick child. + </p> + <p> + 'My favourite scholar!' said the poor schoolmaster, smoking a pipe he had + forgotten to light, and looking mournfully round upon the walls. 'It is a + little hand to have done all that, and waste away with sickness. It is a + very, very little hand!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap25"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 25 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>fter a sound night's rest in a chamber in the thatched roof, in which it + seemed the sexton had for some years been a lodger, but which he had + lately deserted for a wife and a cottage of his own, the child rose early + in the morning and descended to the room where she had supped last night. + As the schoolmaster had already left his bed and gone out, she bestirred + herself to make it neat and comfortable, and had just finished its + arrangement when the kind host returned. + </p> + <p> + He thanked her many times, and said that the old dame who usually did such + offices for him had gone to nurse the little scholar whom he had told her + of. The child asked how he was, and hoped he was better. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' rejoined the schoolmaster shaking his head sorrowfully, 'no better. + They even say he is worse.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very sorry for that, Sir,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + The poor schoolmaster appeared to be gratified by her earnest manner, but + yet rendered more uneasy by it, for he added hastily that anxious people + often magnified an evil and thought it greater than it was; 'for my part,' + he said, in his quiet, patient way, 'I hope it's not so. I don't think he + can be worse.' + </p> + <p> + The child asked his leave to prepare breakfast, and her grandfather coming + down stairs, they all three partook of it together. While the meal was in + progress, their host remarked that the old man seemed much fatigued, and + evidently stood in need of rest. + </p> + <p> + 'If the journey you have before you is a long one,' he said, 'and don't + press you for one day, you're very welcome to pass another night here. I + should really be glad if you would, friend.' + </p> + <p> + He saw that the old man looked at Nell, uncertain whether to accept or + decline his offer; and added, + </p> + <p> + 'I shall be glad to have your young companion with me for one day. If you + can do a charity to a lone man, and rest yourself at the same time, do so. + If you must proceed upon your journey, I wish you well through it, and + will walk a little way with you before school begins.' + </p> + <p> + 'What are we to do, Nell?' said the old man irresolutely, 'say what we're + to do, dear.' + </p> + <p> + It required no great persuasion to induce the child to answer that they + had better accept the invitation and remain. She was happy to show her + gratitude to the kind schoolmaster by busying herself in the performance + of such household duties as his little cottage stood in need of. When + these were done, she took some needle-work from her basket, and sat + herself down upon a stool beside the lattice, where the honeysuckle and + woodbine entwined their tender stems, and stealing into the room filled it + with their delicious breath. Her grandfather was basking in the sun + outside, breathing the perfume of the flowers, and idly watching the + clouds as they floated on before the light summer wind. + </p> + <p> + As the schoolmaster, after arranging the two forms in due order, took his + seat behind his desk and made other preparations for school, the child was + apprehensive that she might be in the way, and offered to withdraw to her + little bedroom. But this he would not allow, and as he seemed pleased to + have her there, she remained, busying herself with her work. + </p> + <p> + 'Have you many scholars, sir?' she asked. + </p> + <p> + The poor schoolmaster shook his head, and said that they barely filled the + two forms. + </p> + <p> + 'Are the others clever, sir?' asked the child, glancing at the trophies on + the wall. + </p> + <p> + 'Good boys,' returned the schoolmaster, 'good boys enough, my dear, but + they'll never do like that.' + </p> + <p> + A small white-headed boy with a sunburnt face appeared at the door while + he was speaking, and stopping there to make a rustic bow, came in and took + his seat upon one of the forms. The white-headed boy then put an open + book, astonishingly dog's-eared upon his knees, and thrusting his hands + into his pockets began counting the marbles with which they were filled; + displaying in the expression of his face a remarkable capacity of totally + abstracting his mind from the spelling on which his eyes were fixed. Soon + afterwards another white-headed little boy came straggling in, and after + him a red-headed lad, and after him two more with white heads, and then + one with a flaxen poll, and so on until the forms were occupied by a dozen + boys or thereabouts, with heads of every colour but grey, and ranging in + their ages from four years old to fourteen years or more; for the legs of + the youngest were a long way from the floor when he sat upon the form, and + the eldest was a heavy good-tempered foolish fellow, about half a head + taller than the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + At the top of the first form—the post of honour in the school—was + the vacant place of the little sick scholar, and at the head of the row of + pegs on which those who came in hats or caps were wont to hang them up, + one was left empty. No boy attempted to violate the sanctity of seat or + peg, but many a one looked from the empty spaces to the schoolmaster, and + whispered his idle neighbour behind his hand. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0186m.jpg" alt="0186m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0186.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Then began the hum of conning over lessons and getting them by heart, the + whispered jest and stealthy game, and all the noise and drawl of school; + and in the midst of the din sat the poor schoolmaster, the very image of + meekness and simplicity, vainly attempting to fix his mind upon the duties + of the day, and to forget his little friend. But the tedium of his office + reminded him more strongly of the willing scholar, and his thoughts were + rambling from his pupils—it was plain. + </p> + <p> + None knew this better than the idlest boys, who, growing bolder with + impunity, waxed louder and more daring; playing odd-or-even under the + master's eye, eating apples openly and without rebuke, pinching each other + in sport or malice without the least reserve, and cutting their autographs + in the very legs of his desk. The puzzled dunce, who stood beside it to + say his lesson out of book, looked no longer at the ceiling for forgotten + words, but drew closer to the master's elbow and boldly cast his eye upon + the page; the wag of the little troop squinted and made grimaces (at the + smallest boy of course), holding no book before his face, and his + approving audience knew no constraint in their delight. If the master did + chance to rouse himself and seem alive to what was going on, the noise + subsided for a moment and no eyes met his but wore a studious and a deeply + humble look; but the instant he relapsed again, it broke out afresh, and + ten times louder than before. + </p> + <p> + Oh! how some of those idle fellows longed to be outside, and how they + looked at the open door and window, as if they half meditated rushing + violently out, plunging into the woods, and being wild boys and savages + from that time forth. What rebellious thoughts of the cool river, and some + shady bathing-place beneath willow trees with branches dipping in the + water, kept tempting and urging that sturdy boy, who, with his + shirt-collar unbuttoned and flung back as far as it could go, sat fanning + his flushed face with a spelling-book, wishing himself a whale, or a + tittlebat, or a fly, or anything but a boy at school on that hot, broiling + day! Heat! ask that other boy, whose seat being nearest to the door gave + him opportunities of gliding out into the garden and driving his + companions to madness by dipping his face into the bucket of the well and + then rolling on the grass—ask him if there were ever such a day as + that, when even the bees were diving deep down into the cups of flowers + and stopping there, as if they had made up their minds to retire from + business and be manufacturers of honey no more. The day was made for + laziness, and lying on one's back in green places, and staring at the sky + till its brightness forced one to shut one's eyes and go to sleep; and was + this a time to be poring over musty books in a dark room, slighted by the + very sun itself? Monstrous! + </p> + <p> + Nell sat by the window occupied with her work, but attentive still to all + that passed, though sometimes rather timid of the boisterous boys. The + lessons over, writing time began; and there being but one desk and that + the master's, each boy sat at it in turn and laboured at his crooked copy, + while the master walked about. This was a quieter time; for he would come + and look over the writer's shoulder, and tell him mildly to observe how + such a letter was turned in such a copy on the wall, praise such an + up-stroke here and such a down-stroke there, and bid him take it for his + model. Then he would stop and tell them what the sick child had said last + night, and how he had longed to be among them once again; and such was the + poor schoolmaster's gentle and affectionate manner, that the boys seemed + quite remorseful that they had worried him so much, and were absolutely + quiet; eating no apples, cutting no names, inflicting no pinches, and + making no grimaces, for full two minutes afterwards. + </p> + <p> + 'I think, boys,' said the schoolmaster when the clock struck twelve, 'that + I shall give an extra half-holiday this afternoon.' + </p> + <p> + At this intelligence, the boys, led on and headed by the tall boy, raised + a great shout, in the midst of which the master was seen to speak, but + could not be heard. As he held up his hand, however, in token of his wish + that they should be silent, they were considerate enough to leave off, as + soon as the longest-winded among them were quite out of breath. + </p> + <p> + 'You must promise me first,' said the schoolmaster, 'that you'll not be + noisy, or at least, if you are, that you'll go away and be so—away + out of the village I mean. I'm sure you wouldn't disturb your old playmate + and companion.' + </p> + <p> + There was a general murmur (and perhaps a very sincere one, for they were + but boys) in the negative; and the tall boy, perhaps as sincerely as any + of them, called those about him to witness that he had only shouted in a + whisper. + </p> + <p> + 'Then pray don't forget, there's my dear scholars,' said the schoolmaster, + 'what I have asked you, and do it as a favour to me. Be as happy as you + can, and don't be unmindful that you are blessed with health. Good-bye + all!' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank'ee, Sir,' and 'good-bye, Sir,' were said a good many times in a + variety of voices, and the boys went out very slowly and softly. But there + was the sun shining and there were the birds singing, as the sun only + shines and the birds only sing on holidays and half-holidays; there were + the trees waving to all free boys to climb and nestle among their leafy + branches; the hay, entreating them to come and scatter it to the pure air; + the green corn, gently beckoning towards wood and stream; the smooth + ground, rendered smoother still by blending lights and shadows, inviting + to runs and leaps, and long walks God knows whither. It was more than boy + could bear, and with a joyous whoop the whole cluster took to their heels + and spread themselves about, shouting and laughing as they went. + </p> + <p> + 'It's natural, thank Heaven!' said the poor schoolmaster, looking after + them. 'I'm very glad they didn't mind me!' + </p> + <p> + It is difficult, however, to please everybody, as most of us would have + discovered, even without the fable which bears that moral, and in the + course of the afternoon several mothers and aunts of pupils looked in to + express their entire disapproval of the schoolmaster's proceeding. A few + confined themselves to hints, such as politely inquiring what red-letter + day or saint's day the almanack said it was; a few (these were the + profound village politicians) argued that it was a slight to the throne + and an affront to church and state, and savoured of revolutionary + principles, to grant a half-holiday upon any lighter occasion than the + birthday of the Monarch; but the majority expressed their displeasure on + private grounds and in plain terms, arguing that to put the pupils on this + short allowance of learning was nothing but an act of downright robbery + and fraud: and one old lady, finding that she could not inflame or + irritate the peaceable schoolmaster by talking to him, bounced out of his + house and talked at him for half-an-hour outside his own window, to + another old lady, saying that of course he would deduct this half-holiday + from his weekly charge, or of course he would naturally expect to have an + opposition started against him; there was no want of idle chaps in that + neighbourhood (here the old lady raised her voice), and some chaps who + were too idle even to be schoolmasters, might soon find that there were + other chaps put over their heads, and so she would have them take care, + and look pretty sharp about them. But all these taunts and vexations + failed to elicit one word from the meek schoolmaster, who sat with the + child by his side—a little more dejected perhaps, but quite silent + and uncomplaining. + </p> + <p> + Towards night an old woman came tottering up the garden as speedily as she + could, and meeting the schoolmaster at the door, said he was to go to Dame + West's directly, and had best run on before her. He and the child were on + the point of going out together for a walk, and without relinquishing her + hand, the schoolmaster hurried away, leaving the messenger to follow as + she might. + </p> + <p> + They stopped at a cottage-door, and the schoolmaster knocked softly at it + with his hand. It was opened without loss of time. They entered a room + where a little group of women were gathered about one, older than the + rest, who was crying very bitterly, and sat wringing her hands and rocking + herself to and fro. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, dame!' said the schoolmaster, drawing near her chair, 'is it so bad + as this?' + </p> + <p> + 'He's going fast,' cried the old woman; 'my grandson's dying. It's all + along of you. You shouldn't see him now, but for his being so earnest on + it. This is what his learning has brought him to. Oh dear, dear, dear, + what can I do!' + </p> + <p> + 'Do not say that I am in any fault,' urged the gentle school-master. 'I am + not hurt, dame. No, no. You are in great distress of mind, and don't mean + what you say. I am sure you don't.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do,' returned the old woman. 'I mean it all. If he hadn't been poring + over his books out of fear of you, he would have been well and merry now, + I know he would.' + </p> + <p> + The schoolmaster looked round upon the other women as if to entreat some + one among them to say a kind word for him, but they shook their heads, and + murmured to each other that they never thought there was much good in + learning, and that this convinced them. Without saying a word in reply, or + giving them a look of reproach, he followed the old woman who had summoned + him (and who had now rejoined them) into another room, where his infant + friend, half-dressed, lay stretched upon a bed. + </p> + <p> + He was a very young boy; quite a little child. His hair still hung in + curls about his face, and his eyes were very bright; but their light was + of Heaven, not earth. The schoolmaster took a seat beside him, and + stooping over the pillow, whispered his name. The boy sprung up, stroked + his face with his hand, and threw his wasted arms round his neck, crying + out that he was his dear kind friend. + </p> + <p> + 'I hope I always was. I meant to be, God knows,' said the poor + schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + 'Who is that?' said the boy, seeing Nell. 'I am afraid to kiss her, lest I + should make her ill. Ask her to shake hands with me.' +</p> + <p> +The sobbing child + came closer up, and took the little languid hand in hers. Releasing his + again after a time, the sick boy laid him gently down. + </p> + <p> + 'You remember the garden, Harry,' whispered the schoolmaster, anxious to + rouse him, for a dulness seemed gathering upon the child, 'and how + pleasant it used to be in the evening time? You must make haste to visit + it again, for I think the very flowers have missed you, and are less gay + than they used to be. You will come soon, my dear, very soon now—won't + you?' + </p> + <p> + The boy smiled faintly—so very, very faintly—and put his hand + upon his friend's grey head. He moved his lips too, but no voice came from + them; no, not a sound. + </p> + <p> + In the silence that ensued, the hum of distant voices borne upon the + evening air came floating through the open window. 'What's that?' said the + sick child, opening his eyes. + </p> + <p> + 'The boys at play upon the green.' + </p> + <p> + He took a handkerchief from his pillow, and tried to wave it above his + head. But the feeble arm dropped powerless down. + </p> + <p> + 'Shall I do it?' said the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + 'Please wave it at the window,' was the faint reply. 'Tie it to the + lattice. Some of them may see it there. Perhaps they'll think of me, and + look this way.' + </p> + <p> + He raised his head, and glanced from the fluttering signal to his idle + bat, that lay with slate and book and other boyish property upon a table + in the room. And then he laid him softly down once more, and asked if the + little girl were there, for he could not see her. + </p> + <p> + She stepped forward, and pressed the passive hand that lay upon the + coverlet. The two old friends and companions—for such they were, + though they were man and child—held each other in a long embrace, + and then the little scholar turned his face towards the wall, and fell + asleep. + </p> + <p> + The poor schoolmaster sat in the same place, holding the small cold hand + in his, and chafing it. It was but the hand of a dead child. He felt that; + and yet he chafed it still, and could not lay it down. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap26"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 26 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>lmost broken-hearted, Nell withdrew with the schoolmaster from the + bedside and returned to his cottage. In the midst of her grief and tears + she was yet careful to conceal their real cause from the old man, for the + dead boy had been a grandchild, and left but one aged relative to mourn + his premature decay. + </p> + <p> + She stole away to bed as quickly as she could, and when she was alone, + gave free vent to the sorrow with which her breast was overcharged. But + the sad scene she had witnessed, was not without its lesson of content and + gratitude; of content with the lot which left her health and freedom; and + gratitude that she was spared to the one relative and friend she loved, + and to live and move in a beautiful world, when so many young creatures—as + young and full of hope as she—were stricken down and gathered to + their graves. How many of the mounds in that old churchyard where she had + lately strayed, grew green above the graves of children! And though she + thought as a child herself, and did not perhaps sufficiently consider to + what a bright and happy existence those who die young are borne, and how + in death they lose the pain of seeing others die around them, bearing to + the tomb some strong affection of their hearts (which makes the old die + many times in one long life), still she thought wisely enough, to draw a + plain and easy moral from what she had seen that night, and to store it, + deep in her mind. + </p> + <p> + Her dreams were of the little scholar: not coffined and covered up, but + mingling with angels, and smiling happily. The sun darting his cheerful + rays into the room, awoke her; and now there remained but to take leave of + the poor schoolmaster and wander forth once more. + </p> + <p> + By the time they were ready to depart, school had begun. In the darkened + room, the din of yesterday was going on again: a little sobered and + softened down, perhaps, but only a very little, if at all. The + schoolmaster rose from his desk and walked with them to the gate. + </p> + <p> + It was with a trembling and reluctant hand, that the child held out to him + the money which the lady had given her at the races for her flowers: + faltering in her thanks as she thought how small the sum was, and blushing + as she offered it. But he bade her put it up, and stooping to kiss her + cheek, turned back into his house. + </p> + <p> + They had not gone half-a-dozen paces when he was at the door again; the + old man retraced his steps to shake hands, and the child did the same. + </p> + <p> + 'Good fortune and happiness go with you!' said the poor schoolmaster. 'I + am quite a solitary man now. If you ever pass this way again, you'll not + forget the little village-school.' + </p> + <p> + 'We shall never forget it, sir,' rejoined Nell; 'nor ever forget to be + grateful to you for your kindness to us.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have heard such words from the lips of children very often,' said the + schoolmaster, shaking his head, and smiling thoughtfully, 'but they were + soon forgotten. I had attached one young friend to me, the better friend + for being young—but that's over—God bless you!' + </p> + <p> + They bade him farewell very many times, and turned away, walking slowly + and often looking back, until they could see him no more. At length they + had left the village far behind, and even lost sight of the smoke among + the trees. They trudged onward now, at a quicker pace, resolving to keep + the main road, and go wherever it might lead them. + </p> + <p> + But main roads stretch a long, long way. With the exception of two or + three inconsiderable clusters of cottages which they passed, without + stopping, and one lonely road-side public-house where they had some bread + and cheese, this highway had led them to nothing—late in the + afternoon—and still lengthened out, far in the distance, the same + dull, tedious, winding course, that they had been pursuing all day. As + they had no resource, however, but to go forward, they still kept on, + though at a much slower pace, being very weary and fatigued. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon had worn away into a beautiful evening, when they arrived at + a point where the road made a sharp turn and struck across a common. On + the border of this common, and close to the hedge which divided it from + the cultivated fields, a caravan was drawn up to rest; upon which, by + reason of its situation, they came so suddenly that they could not have + avoided it if they would. + </p> + <p> + It was not a shabby, dingy, dusty cart, but a smart little house upon + wheels, with white dimity curtains festooning the windows, and + window-shutters of green picked out with panels of a staring red, in which + happily-contrasted colours the whole concern shone brilliant. Neither was + it a poor caravan drawn by a single donkey or emaciated horse, for a pair + of horses in pretty good condition were released from the shafts and + grazing on the frouzy grass. Neither was it a gipsy caravan, for at the + open door (graced with a bright brass knocker) sat a Christian lady, stout + and comfortable to look upon, who wore a large bonnet trembling with bows. + And that it was not an unprovided or destitute caravan was clear from this + lady's occupation, which was the very pleasant and refreshing one of + taking tea. The tea-things, including a bottle of rather suspicious + character and a cold knuckle of ham, were set forth upon a drum, covered + with a white napkin; and there, as if at the most convenient round-table + in all the world, sat this roving lady, taking her tea and enjoying the + prospect. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0193m.jpg" alt="0193m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0193.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + It happened that at that moment the lady of the caravan had her cup + (which, that everything about her might be of a stout and comfortable + kind, was a breakfast cup) to her lips, and that having her eyes lifted to + the sky in her enjoyment of the full flavour of the tea, not unmingled + possibly with just the slightest dash or gleam of something out of the + suspicious bottle—but this is mere speculation and not distinct + matter of history—it happened that being thus agreeably engaged, she + did not see the travellers when they first came up. It was not until she + was in the act of getting down the cup, and drawing a long breath after + the exertion of causing its contents to disappear, that the lady of the + caravan beheld an old man and a young child walking slowly by, and + glancing at her proceedings with eyes of modest but hungry admiration. + </p> + <p> + 'Hey!' cried the lady of the caravan, scooping the crumbs out of her lap + and swallowing the same before wiping her lips. 'Yes, to be sure—Who + won the Helter-Skelter Plate, child?' + </p> + <p> + 'Won what, ma'am?' asked Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'The Helter-Skelter Plate at the races, child—the plate that was run + for on the second day.' + </p> + <p> + 'On the second day, ma'am?' + </p> + <p> + 'Second day! Yes, second day,' repeated the lady with an air of + impatience. 'Can't you say who won the Helter-Skelter Plate when you're + asked the question civilly?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't know!' repeated the lady of the caravan; 'why, you were there. I + saw you with my own eyes.' + </p> + <p> + Nell was not a little alarmed to hear this, supposing that the lady might + be intimately acquainted with the firm of Short and Codlin; but what + followed tended to reassure her. + </p> + <p> + 'And very sorry I was,' said the lady of the caravan, 'to see you in + company with a Punch; a low, practical, wulgar wretch, that people should + scorn to look at.' + </p> + <p> + 'I was not there by choice,' returned the child; 'we didn't know our way, + and the two men were very kind to us, and let us travel with them. Do you—do + you know them, ma'am?' + </p> + <p> + 'Know 'em, child!' cried the lady of the caravan in a sort of shriek. + 'Know them! But you're young and inexperienced, and that's your excuse for + asking sich a question. Do I look as if I know'd 'em, does the caravan + look as if it know'd 'em?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, ma'am, no,' said the child, fearing she had committed some grievous + fault. 'I beg your pardon.' + </p> + <p> + It was granted immediately, though the lady still appeared much ruffled + and discomposed by the degrading supposition. The child then explained + that they had left the races on the first day, and were travelling to the + next town on that road, where they purposed to spend the night. As the + countenance of the stout lady began to clear up, she ventured to inquire + how far it was. The reply—which the stout lady did not come to, + until she had thoroughly explained that she went to the races on the first + day in a gig, and as an expedition of pleasure, and that her presence + there had no connexion with any matters of business or profit—was, + that the town was eight miles off. + </p> + <p> + This discouraging information a little dashed the child, who could + scarcely repress a tear as she glanced along the darkening road. Her + grandfather made no complaint, but he sighed heavily as he leaned upon his + staff, and vainly tried to pierce the dusty distance. + </p> + <p> + The lady of the caravan was in the act of gathering her tea equipage + together preparatory to clearing the table, but noting the child's anxious + manner she hesitated and stopped. The child curtseyed, thanked her for her + information, and giving her hand to the old man had already got some fifty + yards or so away, when the lady of the caravan called to her to return. + </p> + <p> + 'Come nearer, nearer still,' said she, beckoning to her to ascend the + steps. 'Are you hungry, child?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not very, but we are tired, and it's—it <i>is</i> a long way.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, hungry or not, you had better have some tea,' rejoined her new + acquaintance. 'I suppose you are agreeable to that, old gentleman?' + </p> + <p> + The grandfather humbly pulled off his hat and thanked her. The lady of the + caravan then bade him come up the steps likewise, but the drum proving an + inconvenient table for two, they descended again, and sat upon the grass, + where she handed down to them the tea-tray, the bread and butter, the + knuckle of ham, and in short everything of which she had partaken herself, + except the bottle which she had already embraced an opportunity of + slipping into her pocket. + </p> + <p> + 'Set 'em out near the hind wheels, child, that's the best place,' said + their friend, superintending the arrangements from above. 'Now hand up the + teapot for a little more hot water, and a pinch of fresh tea, and then + both of you eat and drink as much as you can, and don't spare anything; + that's all I ask of you.' + </p> + <p> + They might perhaps have carried out the lady's wish, if it had been less + freely expressed, or even if it had not been expressed at all. But as this + direction relieved them from any shadow of delicacy or uneasiness, they + made a hearty meal and enjoyed it to the utmost. + </p> + <p> + While they were thus engaged, the lady of the caravan alighted on the + earth, and with her hands clasped behind her, and her large bonnet + trembling excessively, walked up and down in a measured tread and very + stately manner, surveying the caravan from time to time with an air of + calm delight, and deriving particular gratification from the red panels + and the brass knocker. When she had taken this gentle exercise for some + time, she sat down upon the steps and called 'George'; whereupon a man in + a carter's frock, who had been so shrouded in a hedge up to this time as + to see everything that passed without being seen himself, parted the twigs + that concealed him, and appeared in a sitting attitude, supporting on his + legs a baking-dish and a half-gallon stone bottle, and bearing in his + right hand a knife, and in his left a fork. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Missus,' said George. + </p> + <p> + 'How did you find the cold pie, George?' + </p> + <p> + 'It warn't amiss, mum.' + </p> + <p> + 'And the beer,' said the lady of the caravan, with an appearance of being + more interested in this question than the last; 'is it passable, George?' + </p> + <p> + 'It's more flatterer than it might be,' George returned, 'but it an't so + bad for all that.' + </p> + <p> + To set the mind of his mistress at rest, he took a sip (amounting in + quantity to a pint or thereabouts) from the stone bottle, and then smacked + his lips, winked his eye, and nodded his head. No doubt with the same + amiable desire, he immediately resumed his knife and fork, as a practical + assurance that the beer had wrought no bad effect upon his appetite. + </p> + <p> + The lady of the caravan looked on approvingly for some time, and then + said, + </p> + <p> + 'Have you nearly finished?' + </p> + <p> + 'Wery nigh, mum.' And indeed, after scraping the dish all round with his + knife and carrying the choice brown morsels to his mouth, and after taking + such a scientific pull at the stone bottle that, by degrees almost + imperceptible to the sight, his head went further and further back until + he lay nearly at his full length upon the ground, this gentleman declared + himself quite disengaged, and came forth from his retreat. + </p> + <p> + 'I hope I haven't hurried you, George,' said his mistress, who appeared to + have a great sympathy with his late pursuit. + </p> + <p> + 'If you have,' returned the follower, wisely reserving himself for any + favourable contingency that might occur, 'we must make up for it next + time, that's all.' + </p> + <p> + 'We are not a heavy load, George?' + </p> + <p> + 'That's always what the ladies say,' replied the man, looking a long way + round, as if he were appealing to Nature in general against such monstrous + propositions. 'If you see a woman a driving, you'll always perceive that + she never will keep her whip still; the horse can't go fast enough for + her. If cattle have got their proper load, you never can persuade a woman + that they'll not bear something more. What is the cause of this here?' + </p> + <p> + 'Would these two travellers make much difference to the horses, if we took + them with us?' asked his mistress, offering no reply to the philosophical + inquiry, and pointing to Nell and the old man, who were painfully + preparing to resume their journey on foot. + </p> + <p> + 'They'd make a difference in course,' said George doggedly. + </p> + <p> + 'Would they make much difference?' repeated his mistress. 'They can't be + very heavy.' + </p> + <p> + 'The weight o' the pair, mum,' said George, eyeing them with the look of a + man who was calculating within half an ounce or so, 'would be a trifle + under that of Oliver Cromwell.' + </p> + <p> + Nell was very much surprised that the man should be so accurately + acquainted with the weight of one whom she had read of in books as having + lived considerably before their time, but speedily forgot the subject in + the joy of hearing that they were to go forward in the caravan, for which + she thanked its lady with unaffected earnestness. She helped with great + readiness and alacrity to put away the tea-things and other matters that + were lying about, and, the horses being by that time harnessed, mounted + into the vehicle, followed by her delighted grandfather. Their patroness + then shut the door and sat herself down by her drum at an open window; + and, the steps being struck by George and stowed under the carriage, away + they went, with a great noise of flapping and creaking and straining, and + the bright brass knocker, which nobody ever knocked at, knocking one + perpetual double knock of its own accord as they jolted heavily along. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap27"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 27 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen they had travelled slowly forward for some short distance, Nell + ventured to steal a look round the caravan and observe it more closely. + One half of it—that moiety in which the comfortable proprietress was + then seated—was carpeted, and so partitioned off at the further end + as to accommodate a sleeping-place, constructed after the fashion of a + berth on board ship, which was shaded, like the little windows, with fair + white curtains, and looked comfortable enough, though by what kind of + gymnastic exercise the lady of the caravan ever contrived to get into it, + was an unfathomable mystery. The other half served for a kitchen, and was + fitted up with a stove whose small chimney passed through the roof. It + held also a closet or larder, several chests, a great pitcher of water, + and a few cooking-utensils and articles of crockery. These latter + necessaries hung upon the walls, which, in that portion of the + establishment devoted to the lady of the caravan, were ornamented with + such gayer and lighter decorations as a triangle and a couple of + well-thumbed tambourines. + </p> + <p> + The lady of the caravan sat at one window in all the pride and poetry of + the musical instruments, and little Nell and her grandfather sat at the + other in all the humility of the kettle and saucepans, while the machine + jogged on and shifted the darkening prospect very slowly. At first the two + travellers spoke little, and only in whispers, but as they grew more + familiar with the place they ventured to converse with greater freedom, + and talked about the country through which they were passing, and the + different objects that presented themselves, until the old man fell + asleep; which the lady of the caravan observing, invited Nell to come and + sit beside her. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, child,' she said, 'how do you like this way of travelling?' + </p> + <p> + Nell replied that she thought it was very pleasant indeed, to which the + lady assented in the case of people who had their spirits. For herself, + she said, she was troubled with a lowness in that respect which required a + constant stimulant; though whether the aforesaid stimulant was derived + from the suspicious bottle of which mention has been already made or from + other sources, she did not say. + </p> + <p> + 'That's the happiness of you young people,' she continued. 'You don't know + what it is to be low in your feelings. You always have your appetites too, + and what a comfort that is.' + </p> + <p> + Nell thought that she could sometimes dispense with her own appetite very + conveniently; and thought, moreover, that there was nothing either in the + lady's personal appearance or in her manner of taking tea, to lead to the + conclusion that her natural relish for meat and drink had at all failed + her. She silently assented, however, as in duty bound, to what the lady + had said, and waited until she should speak again. + </p> + <p> + Instead of speaking, however, she sat looking at the child for a long time + in silence, and then getting up, brought out from a corner a large roll of + canvas about a yard in width, which she laid upon the floor and spread + open with her foot until it nearly reached from one end of the caravan to + the other. + </p> + <p> + 'There, child,' she said, 'read that.' + </p> + <p> + Nell walked down it, and read aloud, in enormous black letters, the + inscription, 'JARLEY'S <i>WAX-WORK</i>.' + </p> + <p> + 'Read it again,' said the lady, complacently. + </p> + <p> + 'Jarley's Wax-Work,' repeated Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'That's me,' said the lady. 'I am Mrs Jarley.' + </p> + <p> + Giving the child an encouraging look, intended to reassure her and let her + know, that, although she stood in the presence of the original Jarley, she + must not allow herself to be utterly overwhelmed and borne down, the lady + of the caravan unfolded another scroll, whereon was the inscription, 'One + hundred figures the full size of life,' and then another scroll, on which + was written, 'The only stupendous collection of real wax-work in the + world,' and then several smaller scrolls with such inscriptions as 'Now + exhibiting within'—'The genuine and only Jarley'—'Jarley's + unrivalled collection'—'Jarley is the delight of the Nobility and + Gentry'—'The Royal Family are the patrons of Jarley.' When she had + exhibited these leviathans of public announcement to the astonished child, + she brought forth specimens of the lesser fry in the shape of hand-bills, + some of which were couched in the form of parodies on popular melodies, as + 'Believe me if all Jarley's wax-work so rare'—'I saw thy show in + youthful prime'—'Over the water to Jarley;' while, to consult all + tastes, others were composed with a view to the lighter and more facetious + spirits, as a parody on the favourite air of 'If I had a donkey,' + beginning, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +If I know'd a donkey wot wouldn't go<br /> +To see Mrs <i>JARLEY'S</i> wax-work show,<br /> +Do you think I'd acknowledge him? Oh no no!<br /> +Then run to Jarley's—<br /> +</pre> + <p> + —besides several compositions in prose, purporting to be dialogues + between the Emperor of China and an oyster, or the Archbishop of + Canterbury and a dissenter on the subject of church-rates, but all having + the same moral, namely, that the reader must make haste to Jarley's, and + that children and servants were admitted at half-price. When she had + brought all these testimonials of her important position in society to + bear upon her young companion, Mrs Jarley rolled them up, and having put + them carefully away, sat down again, and looked at the child in triumph. + </p> + <p> + 'Never go into the company of a filthy Punch any more,' said Mrs Jarley, + 'after this.' + </p> + <p> + 'I never saw any wax-work, ma'am,' said Nell. 'Is it funnier than Punch?' + </p> + <p> + 'Funnier!' said Mrs Jarley in a shrill voice. 'It is not funny at all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Nell, with all possible humility. + </p> + <p> + 'It isn't funny at all,' repeated Mrs Jarley. 'It's calm and—what's + that word again—critical?—no—classical, that's it—it's + calm and classical. No low beatings and knockings about, no jokings and + squeakings like your precious Punches, but always the same, with a + constantly unchanging air of coldness and gentility; and so like life, + that if wax-work only spoke and walked about, you'd hardly know the + difference. I won't go so far as to say, that, as it is, I've seen + wax-work quite like life, but I've certainly seen some life that was + exactly like wax-work.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is it here, ma'am?' asked Nell, whose curiosity was awakened by this + description. + </p> + <p> + 'Is what here, child?' + </p> + <p> + 'The wax-work, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, bless you, child, what are you thinking of? How could such a + collection be here, where you see everything except the inside of one + little cupboard and a few boxes? It's gone on in the other wans to the + assembly-rooms, and there it'll be exhibited the day after to-morrow. You + are going to the same town, and you'll see it I dare say. It's natural to + expect that you'll see it, and I've no doubt you will. I suppose you + couldn't stop away if you was to try ever so much.' + </p> + <p> + 'I shall not be in the town, I think, ma'am,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Not there!' cried Mrs Jarley. 'Then where will you be?' + </p> + <p> + 'I—I—don't quite know. I am not certain.' + </p> + <p> + 'You don't mean to say that you're travelling about the country without + knowing where you're going to?' said the lady of the caravan. 'What + curious people you are! What line are you in? You looked to me at the + races, child, as if you were quite out of your element, and had got there + by accident.' + </p> + <p> + 'We were there quite by accident,' returned Nell, confused by this abrupt + questioning. 'We are poor people, ma'am, and are only wandering about. We + have nothing to do;—I wish we had.' + </p> + <p> + 'You amaze me more and more,' said Mrs Jarley, after remaining for some + time as mute as one of her own figures. 'Why, what do you call yourselves? + Not beggars?' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, ma'am, I don't know what else we are,' returned the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Lord bless me,' said the lady of the caravan. 'I never heard of such a + thing. Who'd have thought it!' + </p> + <p> + She remained so long silent after this exclamation, that Nell feared she + felt her having been induced to bestow her protection and conversation + upon one so poor, to be an outrage upon her dignity that nothing could + repair. This persuasion was rather confirmed than otherwise by the tone in + which she at length broke silence and said, + </p> + <p> + 'And yet you can read. And write too, I shouldn't wonder?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, ma'am,' said the child, fearful of giving new offence by the + confession. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, and what a thing that is,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'I can't!' + </p> + <p> + Nell said 'indeed' in a tone which might imply, either that she was + reasonably surprised to find the genuine and only Jarley, who was the + delight of the Nobility and Gentry and the peculiar pet of the Royal + Family, destitute of these familiar arts; or that she presumed so great a + lady could scarcely stand in need of such ordinary accomplishments. In + whatever way Mrs Jarley received the response, it did not provoke her to + further questioning, or tempt her into any more remarks at the time, for + she relapsed into a thoughtful silence, and remained in that state so long + that Nell withdrew to the other window and rejoined her grandfather, who + was now awake. + </p> + <p> + At length the lady of the caravan shook off her fit of meditation, and, + summoning the driver to come under the window at which she was seated, + held a long conversation with him in a low tone of voice, as if she were + asking his advice on an important point, and discussing the pros and cons + of some very weighty matter. This conference at length concluded, she drew + in her head again, and beckoned Nell to approach. + </p> + <p> + 'And the old gentleman too,' said Mrs Jarley; 'for I want to have a word + with him. Do you want a good situation for your grand-daughter, master? If + you do, I can put her in the way of getting one. What do you say?' + </p> + <p> + 'I can't leave her,' answered the old man. 'We can't separate. What would + become of me without her?' + </p> + <p> + 'I should have thought you were old enough to take care of yourself, if + you ever will be,' retorted Mrs Jarley sharply. + </p> + <p> + 'But he never will be,' said the child in an earnest whisper. 'I fear he + never will be again. Pray do not speak harshly to him. We are very + thankful to you,' she added aloud; 'but neither of us could part from the + other if all the wealth of the world were halved between us.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Jarley was a little disconcerted by this reception of her proposal, + and looked at the old man, who tenderly took Nell's hand and detained it + in his own, as if she could have very well dispensed with his company or + even his earthly existence. After an awkward pause, she thrust her head + out of the window again, and had another conference with the driver upon + some point on which they did not seem to agree quite so readily as on + their former topic of discussion; but they concluded at last, and she + addressed the grandfather again. + </p> + <p> + 'If you're really disposed to employ yourself,' said Mrs Jarley, 'there + would be plenty for you to do in the way of helping to dust the figures, + and take the checks, and so forth. What I want your grand-daughter for, is + to point 'em out to the company; they would be soon learnt, and she has a + way with her that people wouldn't think unpleasant, though she does come + after me; for I've been always accustomed to go round with visitors + myself, which I should keep on doing now, only that my spirits make a + little ease absolutely necessary. It's not a common offer, bear in mind,' + said the lady, rising into the tone and manner in which she was accustomed + to address her audiences; 'it's Jarley's wax-work, remember. The duty's + very light and genteel, the company particularly select, the exhibition + takes place in assembly-rooms, town-halls, large rooms at inns, or auction + galleries. There is none of your open-air wagrancy at Jarley's, recollect; + there is no tarpaulin and sawdust at Jarley's, remember. Every expectation + held out in the handbills is realised to the utmost, and the whole forms + an effect of imposing brilliancy hitherto unrivalled in this kingdom. + Remember that the price of admission is only sixpence, and that this is an + opportunity which may never occur again!' + </p> + <p> + Descending from the sublime when she had reached this point, to the + details of common life, Mrs Jarley remarked that with reference to salary + she could pledge herself to no specific sum until she had sufficiently + tested Nell's abilities, and narrowly watched her in the performance of + her duties. But board and lodging, both for her and her grandfather, she + bound herself to provide, and she furthermore passed her word that the + board should always be good in quality, and in quantity plentiful. + </p> + <p> + Nell and her grandfather consulted together, and while they were so + engaged, Mrs Jarley with her hands behind her walked up and down the + caravan, as she had walked after tea on the dull earth, with uncommon + dignity and self-esteem. Nor will this appear so slight a circumstance as + to be unworthy of mention, when it is remembered that the caravan was in + uneasy motion all the time, and that none but a person of great natural + stateliness and acquired grace could have forborne to stagger. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, child?' cried Mrs Jarley, coming to a halt as Nell turned towards + her. + </p> + <p> + 'We are very much obliged to you, ma'am,' said Nell, 'and thankfully + accept your offer.' + </p> + <p> + 'And you'll never be sorry for it,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'I'm pretty sure + of that. So as that's all settled, let us have a bit of supper.' + </p> + <p> + In the meanwhile, the caravan blundered on as if it too had been drinking + strong beer and was drowsy, and came at last upon the paved streets of a + town which were clear of passengers, and quiet, for it was by this time + near midnight, and the townspeople were all abed. As it was too late an + hour to repair to the exhibition room, they turned aside into a piece of + waste ground that lay just within the old town-gate, and drew up there for + the night, near to another caravan, which, notwithstanding that it bore on + the lawful panel the great name of Jarley, and was employed besides in + conveying from place to place the wax-work which was its country's pride, + was designated by a grovelling stamp-office as a 'Common Stage Waggon,' + and numbered too—seven thousand odd hundred—as though its + precious freight were mere flour or coals! + </p> + <p> + This ill-used machine being empty (for it had deposited its burden at the + place of exhibition, and lingered here until its services were again + required) was assigned to the old man as his sleeping-place for the night; + and within its wooden walls, Nell made him up the best bed she could, from + the materials at hand. For herself, she was to sleep in Mrs Jarley's own + travelling-carriage, as a signal mark of that lady's favour and + confidence. + </p> + <p> + She had taken leave of her grandfather and was returning to the other + waggon, when she was tempted by the coolness of the night to linger for a + little while in the air. The moon was shining down upon the old gateway of + the town, leaving the low archway very black and dark; and with a mingled + sensation of curiosity and fear, she slowly approached the gate, and stood + still to look up at it, wondering to see how dark, and grim, and old, and + cold, it looked. + </p> + <p> + There was an empty niche from which some old statue had fallen or been + carried away hundreds of years ago, and she was thinking what strange + people it must have looked down upon when it stood there, and how many + hard struggles might have taken place, and how many murders might have + been done, upon that silent spot, when there suddenly emerged from the + black shade of the arch, a man. The instant he appeared, she recognised + him—Who could have failed to recognise, in that instant, the ugly + misshapen Quilp! + </p> + <p> + The street beyond was so narrow, and the shadow of the houses on one side + of the way so deep, that he seemed to have risen out of the earth. But + there he was. The child withdrew into a dark corner, and saw him pass + close to her. He had a stick in his hand, and, when he had got clear of + the shadow of the gateway, he leant upon it, looked back—directly, + as it seemed, towards where she stood—and beckoned. + </p> + <p> + To her? oh no, thank God, not to her; for as she stood, in an extremity of + fear, hesitating whether to scream for help, or come from her hiding-place + and fly, before he should draw nearer, there issued slowly forth from the + arch another figure—that of a boy—who carried on his back a + trunk. + </p> + <p> + 'Faster, sirrah!' cried Quilp, looking up at the old gateway, and showing + in the moonlight like some monstrous image that had come down from its + niche and was casting a backward glance at its old house, 'faster!' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0203m.jpg" alt="0203m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0203.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'It's a dreadful heavy load, Sir,' the boy pleaded. 'I've come on very + fast, considering.' + </p> + <p> + '<i>You </i>have come fast, considering!' retorted Quilp; 'you creep, you dog, + you crawl, you measure distance like a worm. There are the chimes now, + half-past twelve.' + </p> + <p> + He stopped to listen, and then turning upon the boy with a suddenness and + ferocity that made him start, asked at what hour that London coach passed + the corner of the road. The boy replied, at one. + </p> + <p> + 'Come on then,' said Quilp, 'or I shall be too late. Faster—do you + hear me? Faster.' + </p> + <p> + The boy made all the speed he could, and Quilp led onward, constantly + turning back to threaten him, and urge him to greater haste. Nell did not + dare to move until they were out of sight and hearing, and then hurried to + where she had left her grandfather, feeling as if the very passing of the + dwarf so near him must have filled him with alarm and terror. But he was + sleeping soundly, and she softly withdrew. + </p> + <p> + As she was making her way to her own bed, she determined to say nothing of + this adventure, as upon whatever errand the dwarf had come (and she feared + it must have been in search of them) it was clear by his inquiry about the + London coach that he was on his way homeward, and as he had passed through + that place, it was but reasonable to suppose that they were safer from his + inquiries there, than they could be elsewhere. These reflections did not + remove her own alarm, for she had been too much terrified to be easily + composed, and felt as if she were hemmed in by a legion of Quilps, and the + very air itself were filled with them. + </p> + <p> + The delight of the Nobility and Gentry and the patronised of Royalty had, + by some process of self-abridgment known only to herself, got into her + travelling bed, where she was snoring peacefully, while the large bonnet, + carefully disposed upon the drum, was revealing its glories by the light + of a dim lamp that swung from the roof. The child's bed was already made + upon the floor, and it was a great comfort to her to hear the steps + removed as soon as she had entered, and to know that all easy + communication between persons outside and the brass knocker was by this + means effectually prevented. Certain guttural sounds, too, which from time + to time ascended through the floor of the caravan, and a rustling of straw + in the same direction, apprised her that the driver was couched upon the + ground beneath, and gave her an additional feeling of security. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding these protections, she could get none but broken sleep by + fits and starts all night, for fear of Quilp, who throughout her uneasy + dreams was somehow connected with the wax-work, or was wax-work himself, + or was Mrs Jarley and wax-work too, or was himself, Mrs Jarley, wax-work, + and a barrel organ all in one, and yet not exactly any of them either. At + length, towards break of day, that deep sleep came upon her which succeeds + to weariness and over-watching, and which has no consciousness but one of + overpowering and irresistible enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap28"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 28 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">S</span>leep hung upon the eyelids of the child so long, that, when she awoke, + Mrs Jarley was already decorated with her large bonnet, and actively + engaged in preparing breakfast. She received Nell's apology for being so + late with perfect good humour, and said that she should not have roused + her if she had slept on until noon. + </p> + <p> + 'Because it does you good,' said the lady of the caravan, 'when you're + tired, to sleep as long as ever you can, and get the fatigue quite off; + and that's another blessing of your time of life—you can sleep so + very sound.' + </p> + <p> + 'Have you had a bad night, ma'am?' asked Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'I seldom have anything else, child,' replied Mrs Jarley, with the air of + a martyr. 'I sometimes wonder how I bear it.' + </p> + <p> + Remembering the snores which had proceeded from that cleft in the caravan + in which the proprietress of the wax-work passed the night, Nell rather + thought she must have been dreaming of lying awake. However, she expressed + herself very sorry to hear such a dismal account of her state of health, + and shortly afterwards sat down with her grandfather and Mrs Jarley to + breakfast. The meal finished, Nell assisted to wash the cups and saucers, + and put them in their proper places, and these household duties performed, + Mrs Jarley arrayed herself in an exceedingly bright shawl for the purpose + of making a progress through the streets of the town. + </p> + <p> + 'The wan will come on to bring the boxes,' said Mrs Jarley, and you had + better come in it, child. I am obliged to walk, very much against my will; + but the people expect it of me, and public characters can't be their own + masters and mistresses in such matters as these. How do I look, child?' + </p> + <p> + Nell returned a satisfactory reply, and Mrs Jarley, after sticking a great + many pins into various parts of her figure, and making several abortive + attempts to obtain a full view of her own back, was at last satisfied with + her appearance, and went forth majestically. + </p> + <p> + The caravan followed at no great distance. As it went jolting through the + streets, Nell peeped from the window, curious to see in what kind of place + they were, and yet fearful of encountering at every turn the dreaded face + of Quilp. It was a pretty large town, with an open square which they were + crawling slowly across, and in the middle of which was the Town-Hall, with + a clock-tower and a weather-cock. There were houses of stone, houses of + red brick, houses of yellow brick, houses of lath and plaster; and houses + of wood, many of them very old, with withered faces carved upon the beams, + and staring down into the street. These had very little winking windows, + and low-arched doors, and, in some of the narrower ways, quite overhung + the pavement. The streets were very clean, very sunny, very empty, and + very dull. A few idle men lounged about the two inns, and the empty + market-place, and the tradesmen's doors, and some old people were dozing + in chairs outside an alms-house wall; but scarcely any passengers who + seemed bent on going anywhere, or to have any object in view, went by; and + if perchance some straggler did, his footsteps echoed on the hot bright + pavement for minutes afterwards. Nothing seemed to be going on but the + clocks, and they had such drowzy faces, such heavy lazy hands, and such + cracked voices that they surely must have been too slow. The very dogs + were all asleep, and the flies, drunk with moist sugar in the grocer's + shop, forgot their wings and briskness, and baked to death in dusty + corners of the window. + </p> + <p> + Rumbling along with most unwonted noise, the caravan stopped at last at + the place of exhibition, where Nell dismounted amidst an admiring group of + children, who evidently supposed her to be an important item of the + curiosities, and were fully impressed with the belief that her grandfather + was a cunning device in wax. The chests were taken out with all convenient + despatch, and taken in to be unlocked by Mrs Jarley, who, attended by + George and another man in velveteen shorts and a drab hat ornamented with + turnpike tickets, were waiting to dispose their contents (consisting of + red festoons and other ornamental devices in upholstery work) to the best + advantage in the decoration of the room. + </p> + <p> + They all got to work without loss of time, and very busy they were. As the + stupendous collection were yet concealed by cloths, lest the envious dust + should injure their complexions, Nell bestirred herself to assist in the + embellishment of the room, in which her grandfather also was of great + service. The two men being well used to it, did a great deal in a short + time; and Mrs Jarley served out the tin tacks from a linen pocket like a + toll-collector's which she wore for the purpose, and encouraged her + assistants to renewed exertion. + </p> + <p> + While they were thus employed, a tallish gentleman with a hook nose and + black hair, dressed in a military surtout very short and tight in the + sleeves, and which had once been frogged and braided all over, but was now + sadly shorn of its garniture and quite threadbare—dressed too in + ancient grey pantaloons fitting tight to the leg, and a pair of pumps in + the winter of their existence—looked in at the door and smiled + affably. Mrs Jarley's back being then towards him, the military gentleman + shook his forefinger as a sign that her myrmidons were not to apprise her + of his presence, and stealing up close behind her, tapped her on the neck, + and cried playfully 'Boh!' + </p> + <p> + 'What, Mr Slum!' cried the lady of the wax-work. 'Lot! who'd have thought + of seeing you here!' + </p> + <p> + ''Pon my soul and honour,' said Mr Slum, 'that's a good remark. 'Pon my + soul and honour that's a wise remark. Who would have thought it! George, + my faithful feller, how are you?' + </p> + <p> + George received this advance with a surly indifference, observing that he + was well enough for the matter of that, and hammering lustily all the + time. + </p> + <p> + 'I came here,' said the military gentleman turning to Mrs Jarley—''pon + my soul and honour I hardly know what I came here for. It would puzzle me + to tell you, it would by Gad. I wanted a little inspiration, a little + freshening up, a little change of ideas, and—'Pon my soul and + honour,' said the military gentleman, checking himself and looking round + the room, 'what a devilish classical thing this is! by Gad, it's quite + Minervian.' + </p> + <p> + 'It'll look well enough when it comes to be finished,' observed Mrs + Jarley. + </p> + <p> + 'Well enough!' said Mr Slum. 'Will you believe me when I say it's the + delight of my life to have dabbled in poetry, when I think I've exercised + my pen upon this charming theme? By the way—any orders? Is there any + little thing I can do for you?' + </p> + <p> + 'It comes so very expensive, sir,' replied Mrs Jarley, 'and I really don't + think it does much good.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hush! No, no!' returned Mr Slum, elevating his hand. 'No fibs. I'll not + hear it. Don't say it don't do good. Don't say it. I know better!' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't think it does,' said Mrs Jarley. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha, ha!' cried Mr Slum, 'you're giving way, you're coming down. Ask the + perfumers, ask the blacking-makers, ask the hatters, ask the old + lottery-office-keepers—ask any man among 'em what my poetry has done + for him, and mark my words, he blesses the name of Slum. If he's an honest + man, he raises his eyes to heaven, and blesses the name of Slum—mark + that! You are acquainted with Westminster Abbey, Mrs Jarley?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, surely.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then upon my soul and honour, ma'am, you'll find in a certain angle of + that dreary pile, called Poets' Corner, a few smaller names than Slum,' + retorted that gentleman, tapping himself expressively on the forehead to + imply that there was some slight quantity of brain behind it. 'I've got a + little trifle here, now,' said Mr Slum, taking off his hat which was full + of scraps of paper, 'a little trifle here, thrown off in the heat of the + moment, which I should say was exactly the thing you wanted to set this + place on fire with. It's an acrostic—the name at this moment is + Warren, and the idea's a convertible one, and a positive inspiration for + Jarley. Have the acrostic.' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose it's very dear,' said Mrs Jarley. + </p> + <p> + 'Five shillings,' returned Mr Slum, using his pencil as a toothpick. + 'Cheaper than any prose.' + </p> + <p> + 'I couldn't give more than three,' said Mrs Jarley. + </p> + <p> + '—And six,' retorted Slum. 'Come. Three-and-six.' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Jarley was not proof against the poet's insinuating manner, and Mr + Slum entered the order in a small note-book as a three-and-sixpenny one. + Mr Slum then withdrew to alter the acrostic, after taking a most + affectionate leave of his patroness, and promising to return, as soon as + he possibly could, with a fair copy for the printer. + </p> + <p> + As his presence had not interfered with or interrupted the preparations, + they were now far advanced, and were completed shortly after his + departure. When the festoons were all put up as tastily as they might be, + the stupendous collection was uncovered, and there were displayed, on a + raised platform some two feet from the floor, running round the room and + parted from the rude public by a crimson rope breast high, divers + sprightly effigies of celebrated characters, singly and in groups, clad in + glittering dresses of various climes and times, and standing more or less + unsteadily upon their legs, with their eyes very wide open, and their + nostrils very much inflated, and the muscles of their legs and arms very + strongly developed, and all their countenances expressing great surprise. + All the gentlemen were very pigeon-breasted and very blue about the + beards; and all the ladies were miraculous figures; and all the ladies and + all the gentlemen were looking intensely nowhere, and staring with + extraordinary earnestness at nothing. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0208m.jpg" alt="0208m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0208.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + When Nell had exhausted her first raptures at this glorious sight, Mrs + Jarley ordered the room to be cleared of all but herself and the child, + and, sitting herself down in an arm-chair in the centre, formally invested + Nell with a willow wand, long used by herself for pointing out the + characters, and was at great pains to instruct her in her duty. + </p> + <p> + 'That,' said Mrs Jarley in her exhibition tone, as Nell touched a figure + at the beginning of the platform, 'is an unfortunate Maid of Honour in the + Time of Queen Elizabeth, who died from pricking her finger in consequence + of working upon a Sunday. Observe the blood which is trickling from her + finger; also the gold-eyed needle of the period, with which she is at + work.' + </p> + <p> + All this, Nell repeated twice or thrice: pointing to the finger and the + needle at the right times: and then passed on to the next. + </p> + <p> + 'That, ladies and gentlemen,' said Mrs Jarley, 'is Jasper Packlemerton of + atrocious memory, who courted and married fourteen wives, and destroyed + them all, by tickling the soles of their feet when they were sleeping in + the consciousness of innocence and virtue. On being brought to the + scaffold and asked if he was sorry for what he had done, he replied yes, + he was sorry for having let 'em off so easy, and hoped all Christian + husbands would pardon him the offence. Let this be a warning to all young + ladies to be particular in the character of the gentlemen of their choice. + Observe that his fingers are curled as if in the act of tickling, and that + his face is represented with a wink, as he appeared when committing his + barbarous murders.' + </p> + <p> + When Nell knew all about Mr Packlemerton, and could say it without + faltering, Mrs Jarley passed on to the fat man, and then to the thin man, + the tall man, the short man, the old lady who died of dancing at a hundred + and thirty-two, the wild boy of the woods, the woman who poisoned fourteen + families with pickled walnuts, and other historical characters and + interesting but misguided individuals. And so well did Nell profit by her + instructions, and so apt was she to remember them, that by the time they + had been shut up together for a couple of hours, she was in full + possession of the history of the whole establishment, and perfectly + competent to the enlightenment of visitors. + </p> + <p> + Mrs Jarley was not slow to express her admiration at this happy result, + and carried her young friend and pupil to inspect the remaining + arrangements within doors, by virtue of which the passage had been already + converted into a grove of green-baize hung with the inscription she had + already seen (Mr Slum's productions), and a highly ornamented table placed + at the upper end for Mrs Jarley herself, at which she was to preside and + take the money, in company with his Majesty King George the Third, Mr + Grimaldi as clown, Mary Queen of Scots, an anonymous gentleman of the + Quaker persuasion, and Mr Pitt holding in his hand a correct model of the + bill for the imposition of the window duty. The preparations without doors + had not been neglected either; a nun of great personal attractions was + telling her beads on the little portico over the door; and a brigand with + the blackest possible head of hair, and the clearest possible complexion, + was at that moment going round the town in a cart, consulting the + miniature of a lady. + </p> + <p> + It now only remained that Mr Slum's compositions should be judiciously + distributed; that the pathetic effusions should find their way to all + private houses and tradespeople; and that the parody commencing 'If I + know'd a donkey,' should be confined to the taverns, and circulated only + among the lawyers' clerks and choice spirits of the place. When this had + been done, and Mrs Jarley had waited upon the boarding-schools in person, + with a handbill composed expressly for them, in which it was distinctly + proved that wax-work refined the mind, cultivated the taste, and enlarged + the sphere of the human understanding, that indefatigable lady sat down to + dinner, and drank out of the suspicious bottle to a flourishing campaign. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap29"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 29 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">U</span>nquestionably Mrs Jarley had an inventive genius. In the midst of the + various devices for attracting visitors to the exhibition, little Nell was + not forgotten. The light cart in which the Brigand usually made his + perambulations being gaily dressed with flags and streamers, and the + Brigand placed therein, contemplating the miniature of his beloved as + usual, Nell was accommodated with a seat beside him, decorated with + artificial flowers, and in this state and ceremony rode slowly through the + town every morning, dispersing handbills from a basket, to the sound of + drum and trumpet. The beauty of the child, coupled with her gentle and + timid bearing, produced quite a sensation in the little country place. The + Brigand, heretofore a source of exclusive interest in the streets, became + a mere secondary consideration, and to be important only as a part of the + show of which she was the chief attraction. Grown-up folks began to be + interested in the bright-eyed girl, and some score of little boys fell + desperately in love, and constantly left enclosures of nuts and apples, + directed in small-text, at the wax-work door. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0211m.jpg" alt="0211m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0211.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + This desirable impression was not lost on Mrs Jarley, who, lest Nell + should become too cheap, soon sent the Brigand out alone again, and kept + her in the exhibition room, where she described the figures every + half-hour to the great satisfaction of admiring audiences. And these + audiences were of a very superior description, including a great many + young ladies' boarding-schools, whose favour Mrs Jarley had been at great + pains to conciliate, by altering the face and costume of Mr Grimaldi as + clown to represent Mr Lindley Murray as he appeared when engaged in the + composition of his English Grammar, and turning a murderess of great + renown into Mrs Hannah More—both of which likenesses were admitted + by Miss Monflathers, who was at the head of the head Boarding and Day + Establishment in the town, and who condescended to take a Private View + with eight chosen young ladies, to be quite startling from their extreme + correctness. Mr Pitt in a nightcap and bedgown, and without his boots, + represented the poet Cowper with perfect exactness; and Mary Queen of + Scots in a dark wig, white shirt-collar, and male attire, was such a + complete image of Lord Byron that the young ladies quite screamed when + they saw it. Miss Monflathers, however, rebuked this enthusiasm, and took + occasion to reprove Mrs Jarley for not keeping her collection more select: + observing that His Lordship had held certain opinions quite incompatible + with wax-work honours, and adding something about a Dean and Chapter, + which Mrs Jarley did not understand. + </p> + <p> + Although her duties were sufficiently laborious, Nell found in the lady of + the caravan a very kind and considerate person, who had not only a + peculiar relish for being comfortable herself, but for making everybody + about her comfortable also; which latter taste, it may be remarked, is, + even in persons who live in much finer places than caravans, a far more + rare and uncommon one than the first, and is not by any means its + necessary consequence. As her popularity procured her various little fees + from the visitors on which her patroness never demanded any toll, and as + her grandfather too was well-treated and useful, she had no cause of + anxiety in connexion with the wax-work, beyond that which sprung from her + recollection of Quilp, and her fears that he might return and one day + suddenly encounter them. + </p> + <p> + Quilp indeed was a perpetual night-mare to the child, who was constantly + haunted by a vision of his ugly face and stunted figure. She slept, for + their better security, in the room where the wax-work figures were, and + she never retired to this place at night but she tortured herself—she + could not help it—with imagining a resemblance, in some one or other + of their death-like faces, to the dwarf, and this fancy would sometimes so + gain upon her that she would almost believe he had removed the figure and + stood within the clothes. Then there were so many of them with their great + glassy eyes—and, as they stood one behind the other all about her + bed, they looked so like living creatures, and yet so unlike in their grim + stillness and silence, that she had a kind of terror of them for their own + sakes, and would often lie watching their dusky figures until she was + obliged to rise and light a candle, or go and sit at the open window and + feel a companionship in the bright stars. At these times, she would recall + the old house and the window at which she used to sit alone; and then she + would think of poor Kit and all his kindness, until the tears came into + her eyes, and she would weep and smile together. + </p> + <p> + Often and anxiously at this silent hour, her thoughts reverted to her + grandfather, and she would wonder how much he remembered of their former + life, and whether he was ever really mindful of the change in their + condition and of their late helplessness and destitution. When they were + wandering about, she seldom thought of this, but now she could not help + considering what would become of them if he fell sick, or her own strength + were to fail her. He was very patient and willing, happy to execute any + little task, and glad to be of use; but he was in the same listless state, + with no prospect of improvement—a mere child—a poor, + thoughtless, vacant creature—a harmless fond old man, susceptible of + tender love and regard for her, and of pleasant and painful impressions, + but alive to nothing more. It made her very sad to know that this was so—so + sad to see it that sometimes when he sat idly by, smiling and nodding to + her when she looked round, or when he caressed some little child and + carried it to and fro, as he was fond of doing by the hour together, + perplexed by its simple questions, yet patient under his own infirmity, + and seeming almost conscious of it too, and humbled even before the mind + of an infant—so sad it made her to see him thus, that she would + burst into tears, and, withdrawing into some secret place, fall down upon + her knees and pray that he might be restored. + </p> + <p> + But, the bitterness of her grief was not in beholding him in this + condition, when he was at least content and tranquil, nor in her solitary + meditations on his altered state, though these were trials for a young + heart. Cause for deeper and heavier sorrow was yet to come. + </p> + <p> + One evening, a holiday night with them, Nell and her grandfather went out + to walk. They had been rather closely confined for some days, and the + weather being warm, they strolled a long distance. Clear of the town, they + took a footpath which struck through some pleasant fields, judging that it + would terminate in the road they quitted and enable them to return that + way. It made, however, a much wider circuit than they had supposed, and + thus they were tempted onward until sunset, when they reached the track of + which they were in search, and stopped to rest. + </p> + <p> + It had been gradually getting overcast, and now the sky was dark and + lowering, save where the glory of the departing sun piled up masses of + gold and burning fire, decaying embers of which gleamed here and there + through the black veil, and shone redly down upon the earth. The wind + began to moan in hollow murmurs, as the sun went down carrying glad day + elsewhere; and a train of dull clouds coming up against it, menaced + thunder and lightning. Large drops of rain soon began to fall, and, as the + storm clouds came sailing onward, others supplied the void they left + behind and spread over all the sky. Then was heard the low rumbling of + distant thunder, then the lightning quivered, and then the darkness of an + hour seemed to have gathered in an instant. + </p> + <p> + Fearful of taking shelter beneath a tree or hedge, the old man and the + child hurried along the high road, hoping to find some house in which they + could seek a refuge from the storm, which had now burst forth in earnest, + and every moment increased in violence. Drenched with the pelting rain, + confused by the deafening thunder, and bewildered by the glare of the + forked lightning, they would have passed a solitary house without being + aware of its vicinity, had not a man, who was standing at the door, called + lustily to them to enter. + </p> + <p> + 'Your ears ought to be better than other folks' at any rate, if you make + so little of the chance of being struck blind,' he said, retreating from + the door and shading his eyes with his hands as the jagged lightning came + again. 'What were you going past for, eh?' he added, as he closed the door + and led the way along a passage to a room behind. + </p> + <p> + 'We didn't see the house, sir, till we heard you calling,' Nell replied. + </p> + <p> + 'No wonder,' said the man, 'with this lightning in one's eyes, by-the-by. + You had better stand by the fire here, and dry yourselves a bit. You can + call for what you like if you want anything. If you don't want anything, + you are not obliged to give an order. Don't be afraid of that. This is a + public-house, that's all. The Valiant Soldier is pretty well known + hereabouts.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is this house called the Valiant Soldier, Sir?' asked Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'I thought everybody knew that,' replied the landlord. 'Where have you + come from, if you don't know the Valiant Soldier as well as the church + catechism? This is the Valiant Soldier, by James Groves—Jem Groves—honest + Jem Groves, as is a man of unblemished moral character, and has a good dry + skittle-ground. If any man has got anything to say again Jem Groves, let + him say it <i>to</i> Jem Groves, and Jem Groves can accommodate him with a + customer on any terms from four pound a side to forty. + </p> + <p> + With these words, the speaker tapped himself on the waistcoat to intimate + that he was the Jem Groves so highly eulogized; sparred scientifically at + a counterfeit Jem Groves, who was sparring at society in general from a + black frame over the chimney-piece; and, applying a half-emptied glass of + spirits and water to his lips, drank Jem Groves's health. + </p> + <p> + The night being warm, there was a large screen drawn across the room, for + a barrier against the heat of the fire. It seemed as if somebody on the + other side of this screen had been insinuating doubts of Mr Groves's + prowess, and had thereby given rise to these egotistical expressions, for + Mr Groves wound up his defiance by giving a loud knock upon it with his + knuckles and pausing for a reply from the other side. + </p> + <p> + 'There an't many men,' said Mr Groves, no answer being returned, 'who + would ventur' to cross Jem Groves under his own roof. There's only one + man, I know, that has nerve enough for that, and that man's not a hundred + mile from here neither. But he's worth a dozen men, and I let him say of + me whatever he likes in consequence—he knows that.' + </p> + <p> + In return for this complimentary address, a very gruff hoarse voice bade + Mr Groves 'hold his noise and light a candle.' And the same voice remarked + that the same gentleman 'needn't waste his breath in brag, for most people + knew pretty well what sort of stuff he was made of.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nell, they're—they're playing cards,' whispered the old man, + suddenly interested. 'Don't you hear them?' + </p> + <p> + 'Look sharp with that candle,' said the voice; 'it's as much as I can do + to see the pips on the cards as it is; and get this shutter closed as + quick as you can, will you? Your beer will be the worse for to-night's + thunder I expect.—Game! Seven-and-sixpence to me, old Isaac. Hand + over.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you hear, Nell, do you hear them?' whispered the old man again, with + increased earnestness, as the money chinked upon the table. + </p> + <p> + 'I haven't seen such a storm as this,' said a sharp cracked voice of most + disagreeable quality, when a tremendous peal of thunder had died away, + 'since the night when old Luke Withers won thirteen times running on the + red. We all said he had the Devil's luck and his own, and as it was the + kind of night for the Devil to be out and busy, I suppose he was looking + over his shoulder, if anybody could have seen him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' returned the gruff voice; 'for all old Luke's winning through thick + and thin of late years, I remember the time when he was the unluckiest and + unfortunatest of men. He never took a dice-box in his hand, or held a + card, but he was plucked, pigeoned, and cleaned out completely.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you hear what he says?' whispered the old man. 'Do you hear that, + Nell?' + </p> + <p> + The child saw with astonishment and alarm that his whole appearance had + undergone a complete change. His face was flushed and eager, his eyes were + strained, his teeth set, his breath came short and thick, and the hand he + laid upon her arm trembled so violently that she shook beneath its grasp. + </p> + <p> + 'Bear witness,' he muttered, looking upward, 'that I always said it; that + I knew it, dreamed of it, felt it was the truth, and that it must be so! + What money have we, Nell? Come! I saw you with money yesterday. What money + have we? Give it to me.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no, let me keep it, grandfather,' said the frightened child. 'Let us + go away from here. Do not mind the rain. Pray let us go.' + </p> + <p> + 'Give it to me, I say,' returned the old man fiercely. 'Hush, hush, don't + cry, Nell. If I spoke sharply, dear, I didn't mean it. It's for thy good. + I have wronged thee, Nell, but I will right thee yet, I will indeed. Where + is the money?' + </p> + <p> + 'Do not take it,' said the child. 'Pray do not take it, dear. For both our + sakes let me keep it, or let me throw it away—better let me throw it + away, than you take it now. Let us go; do let us go.' + </p> + <p> + 'Give me the money,' returned the old man, 'I must have it. There—there—that's + my dear Nell. I'll right thee one day, child, I'll right thee, never + fear!' + </p> + <p> + She took from her pocket a little purse. He seized it with the same rapid + impatience which had characterised his speech, and hastily made his way to + the other side of the screen. It was impossible to restrain him, and the + trembling child followed close behind. + </p> + <p> + The landlord had placed a light upon the table, and was engaged in drawing + the curtain of the window. The speakers whom they had heard were two men, + who had a pack of cards and some silver money between them, while upon the + screen itself the games they had played were scored in chalk. The man with + the rough voice was a burly fellow of middle age, with large black + whiskers, broad cheeks, a coarse wide mouth, and bull neck, which was + pretty freely displayed as his shirt collar was only confined by a loose + red neckerchief. He wore his hat, which was of a brownish-white, and had + beside him a thick knotted stick. The other man, whom his companion had + called Isaac, was of a more slender figure—stooping, and high in the + shoulders—with a very ill-favoured face, and a most sinister and + villainous squint. + </p> + <p> + 'Now old gentleman,' said Isaac, looking round. 'Do you know either of us? + This side of the screen is private, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'No offence, I hope,' returned the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'But by G—, sir, there is offence,' said the other, interrupting + him, 'when you intrude yourself upon a couple of gentlemen who are + particularly engaged.' + </p> + <p> + 'I had no intention to offend,' said the old man, looking anxiously at the + cards. 'I thought that—' + </p> + <p> + 'But you had no right to think, sir,' retorted the other. 'What the devil + has a man at your time of life to do with thinking?' + </p> + <p> + 'Now bully boy,' said the stout man, raising his eyes from his cards for + the first time, 'can't you let him speak?' + </p> + <p> + The landlord, who had apparently resolved to remain neutral until he knew + which side of the question the stout man would espouse, chimed in at this + place with 'Ah, to be sure, can't you let him speak, Isaac List?' + </p> + <p> + 'Can't I let him speak,' sneered Isaac in reply, mimicking as nearly as he + could, in his shrill voice, the tones of the landlord. 'Yes, I can let him + speak, Jemmy Groves.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well then, do it, will you?' said the landlord. + </p> + <p> + Mr List's squint assumed a portentous character, which seemed to threaten + a prolongation of this controversy, when his companion, who had been + looking sharply at the old man, put a timely stop to it. + </p> + <p> + 'Who knows,' said he, with a cunning look, 'but the gentleman may have + civilly meant to ask if he might have the honour to take a hand with us!' + </p> + <p> + 'I did mean it,' cried the old man. 'That is what I mean. That is what I + want now!' + </p> + <p> + 'I thought so,' returned the same man. 'Then who knows but the gentleman, + anticipating our objection to play for love, civilly desired to play for + money?' + </p> + <p> + The old man replied by shaking the little purse in his eager hand, and + then throwing it down upon the table, and gathering up the cards as a + miser would clutch at gold. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! That indeed,' said Isaac; 'if that's what the gentleman meant, I beg + the gentleman's pardon. Is this the gentleman's little purse? A very + pretty little purse. Rather a light purse,' added Isaac, throwing it into + the air and catching it dexterously, 'but enough to amuse a gentleman for + half an hour or so.' + </p> + <p> + 'We'll make a four-handed game of it, and take in Groves,' said the stout + man. 'Come, Jemmy.' + </p> + <p> + The landlord, who conducted himself like one who was well used to such + little parties, approached the table and took his seat. The child, in a + perfect agony, drew her grandfather aside, and implored him, even then, to + come away. + </p> + <p> + 'Come; and we may be so happy,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'We <i>will </i>be happy,' replied the old man hastily. 'Let me go, Nell. The + means of happiness are on the cards and the dice. We must rise from little + winnings to great. There's little to be won here; but great will come in + time. I shall but win back my own, and it's all for thee, my darling.' + </p> + <p> + 'God help us!' cried the child. 'Oh! what hard fortune brought us here?' + </p> + <p> + 'Hush!' rejoined the old man laying his hand upon her mouth, 'Fortune will + not bear chiding. We must not reproach her, or she shuns us; I have found + that out.' + </p> + <p> + 'Now, mister,' said the stout man. 'If you're not coming yourself, give us + the cards, will you?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am coming,' cried the old man. 'Sit thee down, Nell, sit thee down and + look on. Be of good heart, it's all for thee—all—every penny. + I don't tell them, no, no, or else they wouldn't play, dreading the chance + that such a cause must give me. Look at them. See what they are and what + thou art. Who doubts that we must win!' + </p> + <p> + 'The gentleman has thought better of it, and isn't coming,' said Isaac, + making as though he would rise from the table. 'I'm sorry the gentleman's + daunted—nothing venture, nothing have—but the gentleman knows + best.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why I am ready. You have all been slow but me,' said the old man. 'I + wonder who is more anxious to begin than I.' + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he drew a chair to the table; and the other three closing + round it at the same time, the game commenced. + </p> + <p> + The child sat by, and watched its progress with a troubled mind. + Regardless of the run of luck, and mindful only of the desperate passion + which had its hold upon her grandfather, losses and gains were to her + alike. Exulting in some brief triumph, or cast down by a defeat, there he + sat so wild and restless, so feverishly and intensely anxious, so terribly + eager, so ravenous for the paltry stakes, that she could have almost + better borne to see him dead. And yet she was the innocent cause of all + this torture, and he, gambling with such a savage thirst for gain as the + most insatiable gambler never felt, had not one selfish thought! + </p> + <p> + On the contrary, the other three—knaves and gamesters by their trade—while + intent upon their game, were yet as cool and quiet as if every virtue had + been centered in their breasts. Sometimes one would look up to smile to + another, or to snuff the feeble candle, or to glance at the lightning as + it shot through the open window and fluttering curtain, or to listen to + some louder peal of thunder than the rest, with a kind of momentary + impatience, as if it put him out; but there they sat, with a calm + indifference to everything but their cards, perfect philosophers in + appearance, and with no greater show of passion or excitement than if they + had been made of stone. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0219m.jpg" alt="0219m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0219.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The storm had raged for full three hours; the lightning had grown fainter + and less frequent; the thunder, from seeming to roll and break above their + heads, had gradually died away into a deep hoarse distance; and still the + game went on, and still the anxious child was quite forgotten. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap30"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 30 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>t length the play came to an end, and Mr Isaac List rose the only winner. + Mat and the landlord bore their losses with professional fortitude. Isaac + pocketed his gains with the air of a man who had quite made up his mind to + win, all along, and was neither surprised nor pleased. + </p> + <p> + Nell's little purse was exhausted; but although it lay empty by his side, + and the other players had now risen from the table, the old man sat poring + over the cards, dealing them as they had been dealt before, and turning up + the different hands to see what each man would have held if they had still + been playing. He was quite absorbed in this occupation, when the child + drew near and laid her hand upon his shoulder, telling him it was near + midnight. + </p> + <p> + 'See the curse of poverty, Nell,' he said, pointing to the packs he had + spread out upon the table. 'If I could have gone on a little longer, only + a little longer, the luck would have turned on my side. Yes, it's as plain + as the marks upon the cards. See here—and there—and here + again.' + </p> + <p> + 'Put them away,' urged the child. 'Try to forget them.' + </p> + <p> + 'Try to forget them!' he rejoined, raising his haggard face to hers, and + regarding her with an incredulous stare. 'To forget them! How are we ever + to grow rich if I forget them?' + </p> + <p> + The child could only shake her head. + </p> + <p> + 'No, no, Nell,' said the old man, patting her cheek; 'they must not be + forgotten. We must make amends for this as soon as we can. Patience—patience, + and we'll right thee yet, I promise thee. Lose to-day, win to-morrow. And + nothing can be won without anxiety and care—nothing. Come, I am + ready.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know what the time is?' said Mr Groves, who was smoking with his + friends. 'Past twelve o'clock—' + </p> + <p> + '—And a rainy night,' added the stout man. + </p> + <p> + 'The Valiant Soldier, by James Groves. Good beds. Cheap entertainment for + man and beast,' said Mr Groves, quoting his sign-board. 'Half-past twelve + o'clock.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's very late,' said the uneasy child. 'I wish we had gone before. What + will they think of us! It will be two o'clock by the time we get back. + What would it cost, sir, if we stopped here?' + </p> + <p> + 'Two good beds, one-and-sixpence; supper and beer one shilling; total two + shillings and sixpence,' replied the Valiant Soldier. + </p> + <p> + Now, Nell had still the piece of gold sewn in her dress; and when she came + to consider the lateness of the hour, and the somnolent habits of Mrs + Jarley, and to imagine the state of consternation in which they would + certainly throw that good lady by knocking her up in the middle of the + night—and when she reflected, on the other hand, that if they + remained where they were, and rose early in the morning, they might get + back before she awoke, and could plead the violence of the storm by which + they had been overtaken, as a good apology for their absence—she + decided, after a great deal of hesitation, to remain. She therefore took + her grandfather aside, and telling him that she had still enough left to + defray the cost of their lodging, proposed that they should stay there for + the night. + </p> + <p> + 'If I had had but that money before—If I had only known of it a few + minutes ago!' muttered the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'We will decide to stop here if you please,' said Nell, turning hastily to + the landlord. + </p> + <p> + 'I think that's prudent,' returned Mr Groves. 'You shall have your suppers + directly.' + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, when Mr Groves had smoked his pipe out, knocked out the + ashes, and placed it carefully in a corner of the fire-place, with the + bowl downwards, he brought in the bread and cheese, and beer, with many + high encomiums upon their excellence, and bade his guests fall to, and + make themselves at home. Nell and her grandfather ate sparingly, for both + were occupied with their own reflections; the other gentlemen, for whose + constitutions beer was too weak and tame a liquid, consoled themselves + with spirits and tobacco. + </p> + <p> + As they would leave the house very early in the morning, the child was + anxious to pay for their entertainment before they retired to bed. But as + she felt the necessity of concealing her little hoard from her + grandfather, and had to change the piece of gold, she took it secretly + from its place of concealment, and embraced an opportunity of following + the landlord when he went out of the room, and tendered it to him in the + little bar. + </p> + <p> + 'Will you give me the change here, if you please?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + Mr James Groves was evidently surprised, and looked at the money, and rang + it, and looked at the child, and at the money again, as though he had a + mind to inquire how she came by it. The coin being genuine, however, and + changed at his house, he probably felt, like a wise landlord, that it was + no business of his. At any rate, he counted out the change, and gave it + her. The child was returning to the room where they had passed the + evening, when she fancied she saw a figure just gliding in at the door. + There was nothing but a long dark passage between this door and the place + where she had changed the money, and, being very certain that no person + had passed in or out while she stood there, the thought struck her that + she had been watched. + </p> + <p> + But by whom? When she re-entered the room, she found its inmates exactly + as she had left them. The stout fellow lay upon two chairs, resting his + head on his hand, and the squinting man reposed in a similar attitude on + the opposite side of the table. Between them sat her grandfather, looking + intently at the winner with a kind of hungry admiration, and hanging upon + his words as if he were some superior being. She was puzzled for a moment, + and looked round to see if any else were there. No. Then she asked her + grandfather in a whisper whether anybody had left the room while she was + absent. 'No,' he said, 'nobody.' + </p> + <p> + It must have been her fancy then; and yet it was strange, that, without + anything in her previous thoughts to lead to it, she should have imagined + this figure so very distinctly. She was still wondering and thinking of + it, when a girl came to light her to bed. + </p> + <p> + The old man took leave of the company at the same time, and they went up + stairs together. It was a great, rambling house, with dull corridors and + wide staircases which the flaring candles seemed to make more gloomy. She + left her grandfather in his chamber, and followed her guide to another, + which was at the end of a passage, and approached by some half-dozen crazy + steps. This was prepared for her. The girl lingered a little while to + talk, and tell her grievances. She had not a good place, she said; the + wages were low, and the work was hard. She was going to leave it in a + fortnight; the child couldn't recommend her to another, she supposed? + Instead she was afraid another would be difficult to get after living + there, for the house had a very indifferent character; there was far too + much card-playing, and such like. She was very much mistaken if some of + the people who came there oftenest were quite as honest as they might be, + but she wouldn't have it known that she had said so, for the world. Then + there were some rambling allusions to a rejected sweetheart, who had + threatened to go a soldiering—a final promise of knocking at the + door early in the morning—and 'Good night.' + </p> + <p> + The child did not feel comfortable when she was left alone. She could not + help thinking of the figure stealing through the passage down stairs; and + what the girl had said did not tend to reassure her. The men were very + ill-looking. They might get their living by robbing and murdering + travellers. Who could tell? + </p> + <p> + Reasoning herself out of these fears, or losing sight of them for a little + while, there came the anxiety to which the adventures of the night gave + rise. Here was the old passion awakened again in her grandfather's breast, + and to what further distraction it might tempt him Heaven only knew. What + fears their absence might have occasioned already! Persons might be + seeking for them even then. Would they be forgiven in the morning, or + turned adrift again! Oh! why had they stopped in that strange place? It + would have been better, under any circumstances, to have gone on! + </p> + <p> + At last, sleep gradually stole upon her—a broken, fitful sleep, + troubled by dreams of falling from high towers, and waking with a start + and in great terror. A deeper slumber followed this—and then—What! + That figure in the room. + </p> + <p> + A figure was there. Yes, she had drawn up the blind to admit the light + when it should be dawn, and there, between the foot of the bed and the + dark casement, it crouched and slunk along, groping its way with noiseless + hands, and stealing round the bed. She had no voice to cry for help, no + power to move, but lay still, watching it. + </p> + <p> + On it came—on, silently and stealthily, to the bed's head. The + breath so near her pillow, that she shrunk back into it, lest those + wandering hands should light upon her face. Back again it stole to the + window—then turned its head towards her. + </p> + <p> + The dark form was a mere blot upon the lighter darkness of the room, but + she saw the turning of the head, and felt and knew how the eyes looked and + the ears listened. There it remained, motionless as she. At length, still + keeping the face towards her, it busied its hands in something, and she + heard the chink of money. + </p> + <p> + Then, on it came again, silent and stealthy as before, and replacing the + garments it had taken from the bedside, dropped upon its hands and knees, + and crawled away. How slowly it seemed to move, now that she could hear + but not see it, creeping along the floor! It reached the door at last, and + stood upon its feet. The steps creaked beneath its noiseless tread, and it + was gone. + </p> + <p> + The first impulse of the child was to fly from the terror of being by + herself in that room—to have somebody by—not to be alone—and + then her power of speech would be restored. With no consciousness of + having moved, she gained the door. + </p> + <p> + There was the dreadful shadow, pausing at the bottom of the steps. + </p> + <p> + She could not pass it; she might have done so, perhaps, in the darkness + without being seized, but her blood curdled at the thought. The figure + stood quite still, and so did she; not boldly, but of necessity; for going + back into the room was hardly less terrible than going on. + </p> + <p> + The rain beat fast and furiously without, and ran down in plashing streams + from the thatched roof. Some summer insect, with no escape into the air, + flew blindly to and fro, beating its body against the walls and ceiling, + and filling the silent place with murmurs. The figure moved again. The + child involuntarily did the same. Once in her grandfather's room, she + would be safe. + </p> + <p> + It crept along the passage until it came to the very door she longed so + ardently to reach. The child, in the agony of being so near, had almost + darted forward with the design of bursting into the room and closing it + behind her, when the figure stopped again. + </p> + <p> + The idea flashed suddenly upon her—what if it entered there, and had + a design upon the old man's life! She turned faint and sick. It did. It + went in. There was a light inside. The figure was now within the chamber, + and she, still dumb—quite dumb, and almost senseless—stood + looking on. + </p> + <p> + The door was partly open. Not knowing what she meant to do, but meaning to + preserve him or be killed herself, she staggered forward and looked in. What sight was that which met her view! + </p> + <p> + The bed had not been lain on, but was smooth and empty. And at a table sat + the old man himself; the only living creature there; his white face + pinched and sharpened by the greediness which made his eyes unnaturally + bright—counting the money of which his hands had robbed her. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap31"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 31 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>ith steps more faltering and unsteady than those with which she had + approached the room, the child withdrew from the door, and groped her way + back to her own chamber. The terror she had lately felt was nothing + compared with that which now oppressed her. No strange robber, no + treacherous host conniving at the plunder of his guests, or stealing to + their beds to kill them in their sleep, no nightly prowler, however + terrible and cruel, could have awakened in her bosom half the dread which + the recognition of her silent visitor inspired. The grey-headed old man + gliding like a ghost into her room and acting the thief while he supposed + her fast asleep, then bearing off his prize and hanging over it with the + ghastly exultation she had witnessed, was worse—immeasurably worse, + and far more dreadful, for the moment, to reflect upon—than anything + her wildest fancy could have suggested. If he should return—there + was no lock or bolt upon the door, and if, distrustful of having left some + money yet behind, he should come back to seek for more—a vague awe + and horror surrounded the idea of his slinking in again with stealthy + tread, and turning his face toward the empty bed, while she shrank down + close at his feet to avoid his touch, which was almost insupportable. She + sat and listened. Hark! A footstep on the stairs, and now the door was + slowly opening. It was but imagination, yet imagination had all the + terrors of reality; nay, it was worse, for the reality would have come and + gone, and there an end, but in imagination it was always coming, and never + went away. + </p> + <p> + The feeling which beset the child was one of dim uncertain horror. She had + no fear of the dear old grandfather, in whose love for her this disease of + the brain had been engendered; but the man she had seen that night, wrapt + in the game of chance, lurking in her room, and counting the money by the + glimmering light, seemed like another creature in his shape, a monstrous + distortion of his image, a something to recoil from, and be the more + afraid of, because it bore a likeness to him, and kept close about her, as + he did. She could scarcely connect her own affectionate companion, save by + his loss, with this old man, so like yet so unlike him. She had wept to + see him dull and quiet. How much greater cause she had for weeping now! + </p> + <p> + The child sat watching and thinking of these things, until the phantom in + her mind so increased in gloom and terror, that she felt it would be a + relief to hear the old man's voice, or, if he were asleep, even to see + him, and banish some of the fears that clustered round his image. She + stole down the stairs and passage again. The door was still ajar as she + had left it, and the candle burning as before. + </p> + <p> + She had her own candle in her hand, prepared to say, if he were waking, + that she was uneasy and could not rest, and had come to see if his were + still alight. Looking into the room, she saw him lying calmly on his bed, + and so took courage to enter. + </p> + <p> + Fast asleep. No passion in the face, no avarice, no anxiety, no wild + desire; all gentle, tranquil, and at peace. This was not the gambler, or + the shadow in her room; this was not even the worn and jaded man whose + face had so often met her own in the grey morning light; this was her dear + old friend, her harmless fellow-traveller, her good, kind grandfather. + </p> + <p> + She had no fear as she looked upon his slumbering features, but she had a + deep and weighty sorrow, and it found its relief in tears. + </p> + <p> + 'God bless him!' said the child, stooping softly to kiss his placid cheek. + 'I see too well now, that they would indeed part us if they found us out, + and shut him up from the light of the sun and sky. He has only me to help + him. God bless us both!' + </p> + <p> + Lighting her candle, she retreated as silently as she had come, and, + gaining her own room once more, sat up during the remainder of that long, + long, miserable night. + </p> + <p> + At last the day turned her waning candle pale, and she fell asleep. She + was quickly roused by the girl who had shown her up to bed; and, as soon + as she was dressed, prepared to go down to her grandfather. But first she + searched her pocket and found that her money was all gone—not a + sixpence remained. + </p> + <p> + The old man was ready, and in a few seconds they were on their road. The + child thought he rather avoided her eye, and appeared to expect that she + would tell him of her loss. She felt she must do that, or he might suspect + the truth. + </p> + <p> + 'Grandfather,' she said in a tremulous voice, after they had walked about + a mile in silence, 'do you think they are honest people at the house + yonder?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why?' returned the old man trembling. 'Do I think them honest—yes, + they played honestly.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll tell you why I ask,' rejoined Nell. 'I lost some money last night—out + of my bedroom, I am sure. Unless it was taken by somebody in jest—only + in jest, dear grandfather, which would make me laugh heartily if I could + but know it—' + </p> + <p> + 'Who would take money in jest?' returned the old man in a hurried manner. + 'Those who take money, take it to keep. Don't talk of jest.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then it was stolen out of my room, dear,' said the child, whose last hope + was destroyed by the manner of this reply. + </p> + <p> + 'But is there no more, Nell?' said the old man; 'no more anywhere? Was it + all taken—every farthing of it—was there nothing left?' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing,' replied the child. + </p> + <p> + 'We must get more,' said the old man, 'we must earn it, Nell, hoard it up, + scrape it together, come by it somehow. Never mind this loss. Tell nobody + of it, and perhaps we may regain it. Don't ask how;—we may regain + it, and a great deal more;—but tell nobody, or trouble may come of + it. And so they took it out of thy room, when thou wert asleep!' he added + in a compassionate tone, very different from the secret, cunning way in + which he had spoken until now. 'Poor Nell, poor little Nell!' + </p> + <p> + The child hung down her head and wept. The sympathising tone in which he + spoke, was quite sincere; she was sure of that. It was not the lightest + part of her sorrow to know that this was done for her. + </p> + <p> + 'Not a word about it to any one but me,' said the old man, 'no, not even + to me,' he added hastily, 'for it can do no good. All the losses that ever + were, are not worth tears from thy eyes, darling. Why should they be, when + we will win them back?' + </p> + <p> + 'Let them go,' said the child looking up. 'Let them go, once and for ever, + and I would never shed another tear if every penny had been a thousand + pounds.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, well,' returned the old man, checking himself as some impetuous + answer rose to his lips, 'she knows no better. I ought to be thankful of + it.' + </p> + <p> + 'But listen to me,' said the child earnestly, 'will you listen to me?' + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, aye, I'll listen,' returned the old man, still without looking at + her; 'a pretty voice. It has always a sweet sound to me. It always had + when it was her mother's, poor child.' + </p> + <p> + 'Let me persuade you, then—oh, do let me persuade you,' said the + child, 'to think no more of gains or losses, and to try no fortune but the + fortune we pursue together.' + </p> + <p> + 'We pursue this aim together,' retorted her grandfather, still looking + away and seeming to confer with himself. 'Whose image sanctifies the + game?' + </p> + <p> + 'Have we been worse off,' resumed the child, 'since you forgot these + cares, and we have been travelling on together? Have we not been much + better and happier without a home to shelter us, than ever we were in that + unhappy house, when they were on your mind?' + </p> + <p> + 'She speaks the truth,' murmured the old man in the same tone as before. + 'It must not turn me, but it is the truth; no doubt it is.' + </p> + <p> + 'Only remember what we have been since that bright morning when we turned + our backs upon it for the last time,' said Nell, 'only remember what we + have been since we have been free of all those miseries—what + peaceful days and quiet nights we have had—what pleasant times we + have known—what happiness we have enjoyed. If we have been tired or + hungry, we have been soon refreshed, and slept the sounder for it. Think + what beautiful things we have seen, and how contented we have felt. And + why was this blessed change?' + </p> + <p> + He stopped her with a motion of his hand, and bade her talk to him no more + just then, for he was busy. After a time he kissed her cheek, still + motioning her to silence, and walked on, looking far before him, and + sometimes stopping and gazing with a puckered brow upon the ground, as if + he were painfully trying to collect his disordered thoughts. Once she saw + tears in his eyes. When he had gone on thus for some time, he took her + hand in his as he was accustomed to do, with nothing of the violence or + animation of his late manner; and so, by degrees so fine that the child + could not trace them, he settled down into his usual quiet way, and + suffered her to lead him where she would. + </p> + <p> + When they presented themselves in the midst of the stupendous collection, + they found, as Nell had anticipated, that Mrs Jarley was not yet out of + bed, and that, although she had suffered some uneasiness on their account + overnight, and had indeed sat up for them until past eleven o'clock, she + had retired in the persuasion, that, being overtaken by storm at some + distance from home, they had sought the nearest shelter, and would not + return before morning. Nell immediately applied herself with great + assiduity to the decoration and preparation of the room, and had the + satisfaction of completing her task, and dressing herself neatly, before + the beloved of the Royal Family came down to breakfast. + </p> + <p> + 'We haven't had,' said Mrs Jarley when the meal was over, 'more than eight + of Miss Monflathers's young ladies all the time we've been here, and + there's twenty-six of 'em, as I was told by the cook when I asked her a + question or two and put her on the free-list. We must try 'em with a + parcel of new bills, and you shall take it, my dear, and see what effect + that has upon 'em.' + </p> + <p> + The proposed expedition being one of paramount importance, Mrs Jarley + adjusted Nell's bonnet with her own hands, and declaring that she + certainly did look very pretty, and reflected credit on the establishment, + dismissed her with many commendations, and certain needful directions as + to the turnings on the right which she was to take, and the turnings on + the left which she was to avoid. Thus instructed, Nell had no difficulty + in finding out Miss Monflathers's Boarding and Day Establishment, which + was a large house, with a high wall, and a large garden-gate with a large + brass plate, and a small grating through which Miss Monflathers's + parlour-maid inspected all visitors before admitting them; for nothing in + the shape of a man—no, not even a milkman—was suffered, + without special license, to pass that gate. Even the tax-gatherer, who was + stout, and wore spectacles and a broad-brimmed hat, had the taxes handed + through the grating. More obdurate than gate of adamant or brass, this + gate of Miss Monflathers's frowned on all mankind. The very butcher + respected it as a gate of mystery, and left off whistling when he rang the + bell. + </p> + <p> + As Nell approached the awful door, it turned slowly upon its hinges with a + creaking noise, and, forth from the solemn grove beyond, came a long file + of young ladies, two and two, all with open books in their hands, and some + with parasols likewise. And last of the goodly procession came Miss + Monflathers, bearing herself a parasol of lilac silk, and supported by two + smiling teachers, each mortally envious of the other, and devoted unto + Miss Monflathers. + </p> + <p> + Confused by the looks and whispers of the girls, Nell stood with downcast + eyes and suffered the procession to pass on, until Miss Monflathers, + bringing up the rear, approached her, when she curtseyed and presented her + little packet; on receipt whereof Miss Monflathers commanded that the line + should halt. + </p> + <p> + 'You're the wax-work child, are you not?' said Miss Monflathers. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, ma'am,' replied Nell, colouring deeply, for the young ladies had + collected about her, and she was the centre on which all eyes were fixed. + </p> + <p> + 'And don't you think you must be a very wicked little child,' said Miss + Monflathers, who was of rather uncertain temper, and lost no opportunity + of impressing moral truths upon the tender minds of the young ladies, 'to + be a wax-work child at all?' + </p> + <p> + Poor Nell had never viewed her position in this light, and not knowing + what to say, remained silent, blushing more deeply than before. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't you know,' said Miss Monflathers, 'that it's very naughty and + unfeminine, and a perversion of the properties wisely and benignantly + transmitted to us, with expansive powers to be roused from their dormant + state through the medium of cultivation?' + </p> + <p> + The two teachers murmured their respectful approval of this home-thrust, + and looked at Nell as though they would have said that there indeed Miss + Monflathers had hit her very hard. Then they smiled and glanced at Miss + Monflathers, and then, their eyes meeting, they exchanged looks which + plainly said that each considered herself smiler in ordinary to Miss + Monflathers, and regarded the other as having no right to smile, and that + her so doing was an act of presumption and impertinence. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't you feel how naughty it is of you,' resumed Miss Monflathers, 'to + be a wax-work child, when you might have the proud consciousness of + assisting, to the extent of your infant powers, the manufactures of your + country; of improving your mind by the constant contemplation of the + steam-engine; and of earning a comfortable and independent subsistence of + from two-and-ninepence to three shillings per week? Don't you know that + the harder you are at work, the happier you are?' + </p> + <p> + '"How doth the little—"' murmured one of the teachers, in quotation + from Doctor Watts. + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' said Miss Monflathers, turning smartly round. 'Who said that?' + </p> + <p> + Of course the teacher who had not said it, indicated the rival who had, + whom Miss Monflathers frowningly requested to hold her peace; by that + means throwing the informing teacher into raptures of joy. + </p> + <p> + 'The little busy bee,' said Miss Monflathers, drawing herself up, 'is + applicable only to genteel children. + </p> + <p> + "In books, or work, or healthful play"<br /> + </p> + <p> + is quite right as far as they are concerned; and the work means painting + on velvet, fancy needle-work, or embroidery. In such cases as these,' + pointing to Nell, with her parasol, 'and in the case of all poor people's + children, we should read it thus: + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="poem"> + "In work, work, work. In work alway<br /> Let my first years be past,<br /> + That I may give for ev'ry day<br /> Some good account at last."'<br /> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + A deep hum of applause rose not only from the two teachers, but from all + the pupils, who were equally astonished to hear Miss Monflathers + improvising after this brilliant style; for although she had been long + known as a politician, she had never appeared before as an original poet. + Just then somebody happened to discover that Nell was crying, and all eyes + were again turned towards her. + </p> + <p> + There were indeed tears in her eyes, and drawing out her handkerchief to + brush them away, she happened to let it fall. Before she could stoop to + pick it up, one young lady of about fifteen or sixteen, who had been + standing a little apart from the others, as though she had no recognised + place among them, sprang forward and put it in her hand. She was gliding + timidly away again, when she was arrested by the governess. + </p> + <p> + 'It was Miss Edwards who did that, I <i>know</i>,' said Miss Monflathers + predictively. 'Now I am sure that was Miss Edwards.' + </p> + <p> + It was Miss Edwards, and everybody said it was Miss Edwards, and Miss + Edwards herself admitted that it was. + </p> + <p> + 'Is it not,' said Miss Monflathers, putting down her parasol to take a + severer view of the offender, 'a most remarkable thing, Miss Edwards, that + you have an attachment to the lower classes which always draws you to + their sides; or, rather, is it not a most extraordinary thing that all I + say and do will not wean you from propensities which your original station + in life have unhappily rendered habitual to you, you extremely + vulgar-minded girl?' + </p> + <p> + 'I really intended no harm, ma'am,' said a sweet voice. 'It was a + momentary impulse, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'An impulse!' repeated Miss Monflathers scornfully. 'I wonder that you + presume to speak of impulses to me'—both the teachers assented—'I + am astonished'—both the teachers were astonished—'I suppose it + is an impulse which induces you to take the part of every grovelling and + debased person that comes in your way'—both the teachers supposed so + too. + </p> + <p> + 'But I would have you know, Miss Edwards,' resumed the governess in a tone + of increased severity, 'that you cannot be permitted—if it be only + for the sake of preserving a proper example and decorum in this + establishment—that you cannot be permitted, and that you shall not + be permitted, to fly in the face of your superiors in this exceedingly + gross manner. If you have no reason to feel a becoming pride before + wax-work children, there are young ladies here who have, and you must + either defer to those young ladies or leave the establishment, Miss + Edwards.' + </p> + <p> + This young lady, being motherless and poor, was apprenticed at the school—taught + for nothing—teaching others what she learnt, for nothing—boarded + for nothing—lodged for nothing—and set down and rated as + something immeasurably less than nothing, by all the dwellers in the + house. The servant-maids felt her inferiority, for they were better + treated; free to come and go, and regarded in their stations with much + more respect. The teachers were infinitely superior, for they had paid to + go to school in their time, and were paid now. The pupils cared little for + a companion who had no grand stories to tell about home; no friends to + come with post-horses, and be received in all humility, with cake and + wine, by the governess; no deferential servant to attend and bear her home + for the holidays; nothing genteel to talk about, and nothing to display. + But why was Miss Monflathers always vexed and irritated with the poor + apprentice—how did that come to pass? + </p> + <p> + Why, the gayest feather in Miss Monflathers's cap, and the brightest glory + of Miss Monflathers's school, was a baronet's daughter—the real live + daughter of a real live baronet—who, by some extraordinary reversal + of the Laws of Nature, was not only plain in features but dull in + intellect, while the poor apprentice had both a ready wit, and a handsome + face and figure. It seems incredible. Here was Miss Edwards, who only paid + a small premium which had been spent long ago, every day outshining and + excelling the baronet's daughter, who learned all the extras (or was + taught them all) and whose half-yearly bill came to double that of any + other young lady's in the school, making no account of the honour and + reputation of her pupilage. Therefore, and because she was a dependent, + Miss Monflathers had a great dislike to Miss Edwards, and was spiteful to + her, and aggravated by her, and, when she had compassion on little Nell, + verbally fell upon and maltreated her as we have already seen. + </p> + <p> + 'You will not take the air to-day, Miss Edwards,' said Miss Monflathers. + 'Have the goodness to retire to your own room, and not to leave it without + permission.' + </p> + <p> + The poor girl was moving hastily away, when she was suddenly, in nautical + phrase, 'brought to' by a subdued shriek from Miss Monflathers. + </p> + <p> + 'She has passed me without any salute!' cried the governess, raising her + eyes to the sky. 'She has actually passed me without the slightest + acknowledgment of my presence!' + </p> + <p> + The young lady turned and curtsied. Nell could see that she raised her + dark eyes to the face of her superior, and that their expression, and that + of her whole attitude for the instant, was one of mute but most touching + appeal against this ungenerous usage. Miss Monflathers only tossed her + head in reply, and the great gate closed upon a bursting heart. + </p> + <p> + 'As for you, you wicked child,' said Miss Monflathers, turning to Nell, + 'tell your mistress that if she presumes to take the liberty of sending to + me any more, I will write to the legislative authorities and have her put + in the stocks, or compelled to do penance in a white sheet; and you may + depend upon it that you shall certainly experience the treadmill if you + dare to come here again. Now ladies, on.' + </p> + <p> + The procession filed off, two and two, with the books and parasols, and + Miss Monflathers, calling the Baronet's daughter to walk with her and + smooth her ruffled feelings, discarded the two teachers—who by this + time had exchanged their smiles for looks of sympathy—and left them + to bring up the rear, and hate each other a little more for being obliged + to walk together. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap32"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 32 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>rs Jarley's wrath on first learning that she had been threatened with the + indignity of Stocks and Penance, passed all description. The genuine and + only Jarley exposed to public scorn, jeered by children, and flouted by + beadles! The delight of the Nobility and Gentry shorn of a bonnet which a + Lady Mayoress might have sighed to wear, and arrayed in a white sheet as a + spectacle of mortification and humility! And Miss Monflathers, the + audacious creature who presumed, even in the dimmest and remotest distance + of her imagination, to conjure up the degrading picture, 'I am a'most + inclined,' said Mrs Jarley, bursting with the fulness of her anger and the + weakness of her means of revenge, 'to turn atheist when I think of it!' + </p> + <p> + But instead of adopting this course of retaliation, Mrs Jarley, on second + thoughts, brought out the suspicious bottle, and ordering glasses to be + set forth upon her favourite drum, and sinking into a chair behind it, + called her satellites about her, and to them several times recounted, word + for word, the affronts she had received. This done, she begged them in a + kind of deep despair to drink; then laughed, then cried, then took a + little sip herself, then laughed and cried again, and took a little more; + and so, by degrees, the worthy lady went on, increasing in smiles and + decreasing in tears, until at last she could not laugh enough at Miss + Monflathers, who, from being an object of dire vexation, became one of + sheer ridicule and absurdity. + </p> + <p> + 'For which of us is best off, I wonder,' quoth Mrs Jarley, 'she or me! + It's only talking, when all is said and done, and if she talks of me in + the stocks, why I can talk of her in the stocks, which is a good deal + funnier if we come to that. Lord, what does it matter, after all!' + </p> + <p> + Having arrived at this comfortable frame of mind (to which she had been + greatly assisted by certain short interjectional remarks of the + philosophical George), Mrs Jarley consoled Nell with many kind words, and + requested as a personal favour that whenever she thought of Miss + Monflathers, she would do nothing else but laugh at her, all the days of + her life. + </p> + <p> + So ended Mrs Jarley's wrath, which subsided long before the going down of + the sun. Nell's anxieties, however, were of a deeper kind, and the checks + they imposed upon her cheerfulness were not so easily removed. + </p> + <p> + That evening, as she had dreaded, her grandfather stole away, and did not + come back until the night was far spent. Worn out as she was, and fatigued + in mind and body, she sat up alone, counting the minutes, until he + returned—penniless, broken-spirited, and wretched, but still hotly + bent upon his infatuation. + </p> + <p> + 'Get me money,' he said wildly, as they parted for the night. 'I must have + money, Nell. It shall be paid thee back with gallant interest one day, but + all the money that comes into thy hands, must be mine—not for + myself, but to use for thee. Remember, Nell, to use for thee!' + </p> + <p> + What could the child do with the knowledge she had, but give him every + penny that came into her hands, lest he should be tempted on to rob their + benefactress? If she told the truth (so thought the child) he would be + treated as a madman; if she did not supply him with money, he would supply + himself; supplying him, she fed the fire that burnt him up, and put him + perhaps beyond recovery. Distracted by these thoughts, borne down by the + weight of the sorrow which she dared not tell, tortured by a crowd of + apprehensions whenever the old man was absent, and dreading alike his stay + and his return, the colour forsook her cheek, her eye grew dim, and her + heart was oppressed and heavy. All her old sorrows had come back upon her, + augmented by new fears and doubts; by day they were ever present to her + mind; by night they hovered round her pillow, and haunted her in dreams. + </p> + <p> + It was natural that, in the midst of her affliction, she should often + revert to that sweet young lady of whom she had only caught a hasty + glance, but whose sympathy, expressed in one slight brief action, dwelt in + her memory like the kindnesses of years. She would often think, if she had + such a friend as that to whom to tell her griefs, how much lighter her + heart would be—that if she were but free to hear that voice, she + would be happier. Then she would wish that she were something better, that + she were not quite so poor and humble, that she dared address her without + fearing a repulse; and then feel that there was an immeasurable distance + between them, and have no hope that the young lady thought of her any + more. + </p> + <p> + It was now holiday-time at the schools, and the young ladies had gone + home, and Miss Monflathers was reported to be flourishing in London, and + damaging the hearts of middle-aged gentlemen, but nobody said anything + about Miss Edwards, whether she had gone home, or whether she had any home + to go to, whether she was still at the school, or anything about her. But + one evening, as Nell was returning from a lonely walk, she happened to + pass the inn where the stage-coaches stopped, just as one drove up, and + there was the beautiful girl she so well remembered, pressing forward to + embrace a young child whom they were helping down from the roof. + </p> + <p> + Well, this was her sister, her little sister, much younger than Nell, whom + she had not seen (so the story went afterwards) for five years, and to + bring whom to that place on a short visit, she had been saving her poor + means all that time. Nell felt as if her heart would break when she saw + them meet. They went a little apart from the knot of people who had + congregated about the coach, and fell upon each other's neck, and sobbed, + and wept with joy. Their plain and simple dress, the distance which the + child had come alone, their agitation and delight, and the tears they + shed, would have told their history by themselves. + </p> + <p> + They became a little more composed in a short time, and went away, not so + much hand in hand as clinging to each other. 'Are you sure you're happy, + sister?' said the child as they passed where Nell was standing. 'Quite + happy now,' she answered. 'But always?' said the child. 'Ah, sister, why + do you turn away your face?' + </p> + <p> + Nell could not help following at a little distance. They went to the house + of an old nurse, where the elder sister had engaged a bed-room for the + child. 'I shall come to you early every morning,' she said, 'and we can be + together all the day.' +</p> + <p> +'Why not at night-time too? Dear sister, would + they be angry with you for that?' + </p> + <p> + Why were the eyes of little Nell wet, that night, with tears like those of + the two sisters? Why did she bear a grateful heart because they had met, + and feel it pain to think that they would shortly part? Let us not believe + that any selfish reference—unconscious though it might have been—to + her own trials awoke this sympathy, but thank God that the innocent joys + of others can strongly move us, and that we, even in our fallen nature, + have one source of pure emotion which must be prized in Heaven! + </p> + <p> + By morning's cheerful glow, but oftener still by evening's gentle light, + the child, with a respect for the short and happy intercourse of these two + sisters which forbade her to approach and say a thankful word, although + she yearned to do so, followed them at a distance in their walks and + rambles, stopping when they stopped, sitting on the grass when they sat + down, rising when they went on, and feeling it a companionship and delight + to be so near them. Their evening walk was by a river's side. Here, every + night, the child was too, unseen by them, unthought of, unregarded; but + feeling as if they were her friends, as if they had confidences and trusts + together, as if her load were lightened and less hard to bear; as if they + mingled their sorrows, and found mutual consolation. It was a weak fancy + perhaps, the childish fancy of a young and lonely creature; but night + after night, and still the sisters loitered in the same place, and still + the child followed with a mild and softened heart. + </p> + <p> + She was much startled, on returning home one night, to find that Mrs + Jarley had commanded an announcement to be prepared, to the effect that + the stupendous collection would only remain in its present quarters one + day longer; in fulfilment of which threat (for all announcements connected + with public amusements are well known to be irrevocable and most exact), + the stupendous collection shut up next day. + </p> + <p> + 'Are we going from this place directly, ma'am?' said Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'Look here, child,' returned Mrs Jarley. 'That'll inform you.' And so + saying Mrs Jarley produced another announcement, wherein it was stated, + that, in consequence of numerous inquiries at the wax-work door, and in + consequence of crowds having been disappointed in obtaining admission, the + Exhibition would be continued for one week longer, and would re-open next + day. + </p> + <p> + 'For now that the schools are gone, and the regular sight-seers + exhausted,' said Mrs Jarley, 'we come to the General Public, and they want + stimulating.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0235m.jpg" alt="0235m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0235.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Upon the following day at noon, Mrs Jarley established herself behind the + highly-ornamented table, attended by the distinguished effigies before + mentioned, and ordered the doors to be thrown open for the readmission of + a discerning and enlightened public. But the first day's operations were + by no means of a successful character, inasmuch as the general public, + though they manifested a lively interest in Mrs Jarley personally, and + such of her waxen satellites as were to be seen for nothing, were not + affected by any impulses moving them to the payment of sixpence a head. + Thus, notwithstanding that a great many people continued to stare at the + entry and the figures therein displayed; and remained there with great + perseverance, by the hour at a time, to hear the barrel-organ played and + to read the bills; and notwithstanding that they were kind enough to + recommend their friends to patronise the exhibition in the like manner, + until the door-way was regularly blockaded by half the population of the + town, who, when they went off duty, were relieved by the other half; it + was not found that the treasury was any the richer, or that the prospects + of the establishment were at all encouraging. + </p> + <p> + In this depressed state of the classical market, Mrs Jarley made + extraordinary efforts to stimulate the popular taste, and whet the popular + curiosity. Certain machinery in the body of the nun on the leads over the + door was cleaned up and put in motion, so that the figure shook its head + paralytically all day long, to the great admiration of a drunken, but very + Protestant, barber over the way, who looked upon the said paralytic motion + as typical of the degrading effect wrought upon the human mind by the + ceremonies of the Romish Church and discoursed upon that theme with great + eloquence and morality. The two carters constantly passed in and out of + the exhibition-room, under various disguises, protesting aloud that the + sight was better worth the money than anything they had beheld in all + their lives, and urging the bystanders, with tears in their eyes, not to + neglect such a brilliant gratification. Mrs Jarley sat in the pay-place, + chinking silver moneys from noon till night, and solemnly calling upon the + crowd to take notice that the price of admission was only sixpence, and + that the departure of the whole collection, on a short tour among the + Crowned Heads of Europe, was positively fixed for that day week. + </p> + <p> + 'So be in time, be in time, be in time,' said Mrs Jarley at the close of + every such address. 'Remember that this is Jarley's stupendous collection + of upwards of One Hundred Figures, and that it is the only collection in + the world; all others being imposters and deceptions. Be in time, be in + time, be in time!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap33"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 33 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>s the course of this tale requires that we should become acquainted, + somewhere hereabouts, with a few particulars connected with the domestic + economy of Mr Sampson Brass, and as a more convenient place than the + present is not likely to occur for that purpose, the historian takes the + friendly reader by the hand, and springing with him into the air, and + cleaving the same at a greater rate than ever Don Cleophas Leandro Perez + Zambullo and his familiar travelled through that pleasant region in + company, alights with him upon the pavement of Bevis Marks. + </p> + <p> + The intrepid aeronauts alight before a small dark house, once the + residence of Mr Sampson Brass. + </p> + <p> + In the parlour window of this little habitation, which is so close upon + the footway that the passenger who takes the wall brushes the dim glass + with his coat sleeve—much to its improvement, for it is very dirty—in + this parlour window in the days of its occupation by Sampson Brass, there + hung, all awry and slack, and discoloured by the sun, a curtain of faded + green, so threadbare from long service as by no means to intercept the + view of the little dark room, but rather to afford a favourable medium + through which to observe it accurately. There was not much to look at. A + rickety table, with spare bundles of papers, yellow and ragged from long + carriage in the pocket, ostentatiously displayed upon its top; a couple of + stools set face to face on opposite sides of this crazy piece of + furniture; a treacherous old chair by the fire-place, whose withered arms + had hugged full many a client and helped to squeeze him dry; a second-hand + wig box, used as a depository for blank writs and declarations and other + small forms of law, once the sole contents of the head which belonged to + the wig which belonged to the box, as they were now of the box itself; two + or three common books of practice; a jar of ink, a pounce box, a stunted + hearth-broom, a carpet trodden to shreds but still clinging with the + tightness of desperation to its tacks—these, with the yellow + wainscot of the walls, the smoke-discoloured ceiling, the dust and + cobwebs, were among the most prominent decorations of the office of Mr + Sampson Brass. + </p> + <p> + But this was mere still-life, of no greater importance than the plate, + '<i>Brass</i>, Solicitor,' upon the door, and the bill, 'First floor to let to a + single gentleman,' which was tied to the knocker. The office commonly held + two examples of animated nature, more to the purpose of this history, and + in whom it has a stronger interest and more particular concern. + </p> + <p> + Of these, one was Mr Brass himself, who has already appeared in these + pages. The other was his clerk, assistant, housekeeper, secretary, + confidential plotter, adviser, intriguer, and bill of cost increaser, Miss + Brass—a kind of amazon at common law, of whom it may be desirable to + offer a brief description. + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally Brass, then, was a lady of thirty-five or thereabouts, of a + gaunt and bony figure, and a resolute bearing, which if it repressed the + softer emotions of love, and kept admirers at a distance, certainly + inspired a feeling akin to awe in the breasts of those male strangers who + had the happiness to approach her. In face she bore a striking resemblance + to her brother, Sampson—so exact, indeed, was the likeness between + them, that had it consorted with Miss Brass's maiden modesty and gentle + womanhood to have assumed her brother's clothes in a frolic and sat down + beside him, it would have been difficult for the oldest friend of the + family to determine which was Sampson and which Sally, especially as the + lady carried upon her upper lip certain reddish demonstrations, which, if + the imagination had been assisted by her attire, might have been mistaken + for a beard. These were, however, in all probability, nothing more than + eyelashes in a wrong place, as the eyes of Miss Brass were quite free from + any such natural impertinencies. In complexion Miss Brass was sallow—rather + a dirty sallow, so to speak—but this hue was agreeably relieved by + the healthy glow which mantled in the extreme tip of her laughing nose. + Her voice was exceedingly impressive—deep and rich in quality, and, + once heard, not easily forgotten. Her usual dress was a green gown, in + colour not unlike the curtain of the office window, made tight to the + figure, and terminating at the throat, where it was fastened behind by a + peculiarly large and massive button. Feeling, no doubt, that simplicity + and plainness are the soul of elegance, Miss Brass wore no collar or + kerchief except upon her head, which was invariably ornamented with a + brown gauze scarf, like the wing of the fabled vampire, and which, twisted + into any form that happened to suggest itself, formed an easy and graceful + head-dress. + </p> + <p> + Such was Miss Brass in person. In mind, she was of a strong and vigorous + turn, having from her earliest youth devoted herself with uncommon ardour + to the study of law; not wasting her speculations upon its eagle flights, + which are rare, but tracing it attentively through all the slippery and + eel-like crawlings in which it commonly pursues its way. Nor had she, like + many persons of great intellect, confined herself to theory, or stopped + short where practical usefulness begins; inasmuch as she could ingross, + fair-copy, fill up printed forms with perfect accuracy, and, in short, + transact any ordinary duty of the office down to pouncing a skin of + parchment or mending a pen. It is difficult to understand how, possessed + of these combined attractions, she should remain Miss Brass; but whether + she had steeled her heart against mankind, or whether those who might have + wooed and won her, were deterred by fears that, being learned in the law, + she might have too near her fingers' ends those particular statutes which + regulate what are familiarly termed actions for breach, certain it is that + she was still in a state of celibacy, and still in daily occupation of her + old stool opposite to that of her brother Sampson. And equally certain it + is, by the way, that between these two stools a great many people had come + to the ground. + </p> + <p> + One morning Mr Sampson Brass sat upon his stool copying some legal + process, and viciously digging his pen deep into the paper, as if he were + writing upon the very heart of the party against whom it was directed; and + Miss Sally Brass sat upon her stool making a new pen preparatory to + drawing out a little bill, which was her favourite occupation; and so they + sat in silence for a long time, until Miss Brass broke silence. + </p> + <p> + 'Have you nearly done, Sammy?' said Miss Brass; for in her mild and + feminine lips, Sampson became Sammy, and all things were softened down. + </p> + <p> + 'No,' returned her brother. 'It would have been all done though, if you + had helped at the right time.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes, indeed,' cried Miss Sally; 'you want my help, don't you?—<i>you</i>, + too, that are going to keep a clerk!' + </p> + <p> + 'Am I going to keep a clerk for my own pleasure, or because of my own + wish, you provoking rascal!' said Mr Brass, putting his pen in his mouth, + and grinning spitefully at his sister. 'What do you taunt me about going + to keep a clerk for?' + </p> + <p> + It may be observed in this place, lest the fact of Mr Brass calling a lady + a rascal, should occasion any wonderment or surprise, that he was so + habituated to having her near him in a man's capacity, that he had + gradually accustomed himself to talk to her as though she were really a + man. And this feeling was so perfectly reciprocal, that not only did Mr + Brass often call Miss Brass a rascal, or even put an adjective before the + rascal, but Miss Brass looked upon it as quite a matter of course, and was + as little moved as any other lady would be by being called an angel. + </p> + <p> + 'What do you taunt me, after three hours' talk last night, with going to + keep a clerk for?' repeated Mr Brass, grinning again with the pen in his + mouth, like some nobleman's or gentleman's crest. 'Is it my fault?' + </p> + <p> + 'All I know is,' said Miss Sally, smiling drily, for she delighted in + nothing so much as irritating her brother, 'that if every one of your + clients is to force us to keep a clerk, whether we want to or not, you had + better leave off business, strike yourself off the roll, and get taken in + execution, as soon as you can.' + </p> + <p> + 'Have we got any other client like him?' said Brass. 'Have we got another + client like him now—will you answer me that?' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you mean in the face!' said his sister. + </p> + <p> + 'Do I mean in the face!' sneered Sampson Brass, reaching over to take up + the bill-book, and fluttering its leaves rapidly. 'Look here—Daniel + Quilp, Esquire—Daniel Quilp, Esquire—Daniel Quilp, Esquire—all + through. Whether should I take a clerk that he recommends, and says, "this + is the man for you," or lose all this, eh?' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally deigned to make no reply, but smiled again, and went on with + her work. + </p> + <p> + 'But I know what it is,' resumed Brass after a short silence. 'You're + afraid you won't have as long a finger in the business as you've been used + to have. Do you think I don't see through that?' + </p> + <p> + 'The business wouldn't go on very long, I expect, without me,' returned + his sister composedly. 'Don't you be a fool and provoke me, Sammy, but + mind what you're doing, and do it.' + </p> + <p> + Sampson Brass, who was at heart in great fear of his sister, sulkily bent + over his writing again, and listened as she said: + </p> + <p> + 'If I determined that the clerk ought not to come, of course he wouldn't + be allowed to come. You know that well enough, so don't talk nonsense.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass received this observation with increased meekness, merely + remarking, under his breath, that he didn't like that kind of joking, and + that Miss Sally would be 'a much better fellow' if she forbore to + aggravate him. To this compliment Miss Sally replied, that she had a + relish for the amusement, and had no intention to forego its + gratification. Mr Brass not caring, as it seemed, to pursue the subject + any further, they both plied their pens at a great pace, and there the + discussion ended. + </p> + <p> + While they were thus employed, the window was suddenly darkened, as by + some person standing close against it. As Mr Brass and Miss Sally looked + up to ascertain the cause, the top sash was nimbly lowered from without, + and Quilp thrust in his head. + </p> + <p> + 'Hallo!' he said, standing on tip-toe on the window-sill, and looking down + into the room. 'Is there anybody at home? Is there any of the Devil's ware + here? Is Brass at a premium, eh?' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0240m.jpg" alt="0240m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0240.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed the lawyer in an affected ecstasy. 'Oh, very good, + Sir! Oh, very good indeed! Quite eccentric! Dear me, what humour he has!' + </p> + <p> + 'Is that my Sally?' croaked the dwarf, ogling the fair Miss Brass. 'Is it + Justice with the bandage off her eyes, and without the sword and scales? + Is it the Strong Arm of the Law? Is it the Virgin of Bevis?' + </p> + <p> + 'What an amazing flow of spirits!' cried Brass. 'Upon my word, it's quite + extraordinary!' + </p> + <p> + 'Open the door,' said Quilp, 'I've got him here. Such a clerk for you, + Brass, such a prize, such an ace of trumps. Be quick and open the door, or + if there's another lawyer near and he should happen to look out of window, + he'll snap him up before your eyes, he will.' + </p> + <p> + It is probable that the loss of the phoenix of clerks, even to a rival + practitioner, would not have broken Mr Brass's heart; but, pretending + great alacrity, he rose from his seat, and going to the door, returned, + introducing his client, who led by the hand no less a person than Mr + Richard Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'There she is,' said Quilp, stopping short at the door, and wrinkling up + his eyebrows as he looked towards Miss Sally; 'there is the woman I ought + to have married—there is the beautiful Sarah—there is the + female who has all the charms of her sex and none of their weaknesses. Oh + Sally, Sally!' + </p> + <p> + To this amorous address Miss Brass briefly responded 'Bother!' + </p> + <p> + 'Hard-hearted as the metal from which she takes her name,' said Quilp. + 'Why don't she change it—melt down the brass, and take another + name?' + </p> + <p> + 'Hold your nonsense, Mr Quilp, do,' returned Miss Sally, with a grim + smile. 'I wonder you're not ashamed of yourself before a strange young + man.' + </p> + <p> + 'The strange young man,' said Quilp, handing Dick Swiveller forward, 'is + too susceptible himself not to understand me well. This is Mr Swiveller, + my intimate friend—a gentleman of good family and great + expectations, but who, having rather involved himself by youthful + indiscretion, is content for a time to fill the humble station of a clerk—humble, + but here most enviable. What a delicious atmosphere!' + </p> + <p> + If Mr Quilp spoke figuratively, and meant to imply that the air breathed + by Miss Sally Brass was sweetened and rarefied by that dainty creature, he + had doubtless good reason for what he said. But if he spoke of the + delights of the atmosphere of Mr Brass's office in a literal sense, he had + certainly a peculiar taste, as it was of a close and earthy kind, and, + besides being frequently impregnated with strong whiffs of the second-hand + wearing apparel exposed for sale in Duke's Place and Houndsditch, had a + decided flavour of rats and mice, and a taint of mouldiness. Perhaps some + doubts of its pure delight presented themselves to Mr Swiveller, as he + gave vent to one or two short abrupt sniffs, and looked incredulously at + the grinning dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Swiveller,' said Quilp, 'being pretty well accustomed to the + agricultural pursuits of sowing wild oats, Miss Sally, prudently considers + that half a loaf is better than no bread. To be out of harm's way he + prudently thinks is something too, and therefore he accepts your brother's + offer. Brass, Mr Swiveller is yours.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very glad, Sir,' said Mr Brass, 'very glad indeed. Mr Swiveller, + Sir, is fortunate enough to have your friendship. You may be very proud, + Sir, to have the friendship of Mr Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + Dick murmured something about never wanting a friend or a bottle to give + him, and also gasped forth his favourite allusion to the wing of + friendship and its never moulting a feather; but his faculties appeared to + be absorbed in the contemplation of Miss Sally Brass, at whom he stared + with blank and rueful looks, which delighted the watchful dwarf beyond + measure. As to the divine Miss Sally herself, she rubbed her hands as men + of business do, and took a few turns up and down the office with her pen + behind her ear. + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose,' said the dwarf, turning briskly to his legal friend, 'that Mr + Swiveller enters upon his duties at once? It's Monday morning.' + </p> + <p> + 'At once, if you please, Sir, by all means,' returned Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Sally will teach him law, the delightful study of the law,' said + Quilp; 'she'll be his guide, his friend, his companion, his Blackstone, + his Coke upon Littleton, his Young Lawyer's Best Companion.' + </p> + <p> + 'He is exceedingly eloquent,' said Brass, like a man abstracted, and + looking at the roofs of the opposite houses, with his hands in his + pockets; 'he has an extraordinary flow of language. Beautiful, really.' + </p> + <p> + 'With Miss Sally,' Quilp went on, 'and the beautiful fictions of the law, + his days will pass like minutes. Those charming creations of the poet, + John Doe and Richard Roe, when they first dawn upon him, will open a new + world for the enlargement of his mind and the improvement of his heart.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, beautiful, beautiful! Beau-ti-ful indeed!' cried Brass. 'It's a treat + to hear him!' + </p> + <p> + 'Where will Mr Swiveller sit?' said Quilp, looking round. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, we'll buy another stool, sir,' returned Brass. 'We hadn't any + thoughts of having a gentleman with us, sir, until you were kind enough to + suggest it, and our accommodation's not extensive. We'll look about for a + second-hand stool, sir. In the meantime, if Mr Swiveller will take my + seat, and try his hand at a fair copy of this ejectment, as I shall be out + pretty well all the morning—' + </p> + <p> + 'Walk with me,' said Quilp. 'I have a word or two to say to you on points + of business. Can you spare the time?' + </p> + <p> + 'Can I spare the time to walk with you, sir? You're joking, sir, you're + joking with me,' replied the lawyer, putting on his hat. 'I'm ready, sir, + quite ready. My time must be fully occupied indeed, sir, not to leave me + time to walk with you. It's not everybody, sir, who has an opportunity of + improving himself by the conversation of Mr Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + The dwarf glanced sarcastically at his brazen friend, and, with a short + dry cough, turned upon his heel to bid adieu to Miss Sally. After a very + gallant parting on his side, and a very cool and gentlemanly sort of one + on hers, he nodded to Dick Swiveller, and withdrew with the attorney. + </p> + <p> + Dick stood at the desk in a state of utter stupefaction, staring with all + his might at the beauteous Sally, as if she had been some curious animal + whose like had never lived. When the dwarf got into the street, he mounted + again upon the window-sill, and looked into the office for a moment with a + grinning face, as a man might peep into a cage. Dick glanced upward at + him, but without any token of recognition; and long after he had + disappeared, still stood gazing upon Miss Sally Brass, seeing or thinking + of nothing else, and rooted to the spot. + </p> + <p> + Miss Brass being by this time deep in the bill of costs, took no notice + whatever of Dick, but went scratching on, with a noisy pen, scoring down + the figures with evident delight, and working like a steam-engine. There + stood Dick, gazing now at the green gown, now at the brown head-dress, now + at the face, and now at the rapid pen, in a state of stupid perplexity, + wondering how he got into the company of that strange monster, and whether + it was a dream and he would ever wake. At last he heaved a deep sigh, and + began slowly pulling off his coat. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller pulled off his coat, and folded it up with great elaboration, + staring at Miss Sally all the time; then put on a blue jacket with a + double row of gilt buttons, which he had originally ordered for aquatic + expeditions, but had brought with him that morning for office purposes; + and, still keeping his eye upon her, suffered himself to drop down + silently upon Mr Brass's stool. Then he underwent a relapse, and becoming + powerless again, rested his chin upon his hand, and opened his eyes so + wide, that it appeared quite out of the question that he could ever close + them any more. + </p> + <p> + When he had looked so long that he could see nothing, Dick took his eyes + off the fair object of his amazement, turned over the leaves of the draft + he was to copy, dipped his pen into the inkstand, and at last, and by slow + approaches, began to write. But he had not written half-a-dozen words + when, reaching over to the inkstand to take a fresh dip, he happened to + raise his eyes. There was the intolerable brown head-dress—there was + the green gown—there, in short, was Miss Sally Brass, arrayed in all + her charms, and more tremendous than ever. + </p> + <p> + This happened so often, that Mr Swiveller by degrees began to feel strange + influences creeping over him—horrible desires to annihilate this + Sally Brass—mysterious promptings to knock her head-dress off and + try how she looked without it. There was a very large ruler on the table; + a large, black, shining ruler. Mr Swiveller took it up and began to rub + his nose with it. + </p> + <p> + From rubbing his nose with the ruler, to poising it in his hand and giving + it an occasional flourish after the tomahawk manner, the transition was + easy and natural. In some of these flourishes it went close to Miss + Sally's head; the ragged edges of the head-dress fluttered with the wind + it raised; advance it but an inch, and that great brown knot was on the + ground: yet still the unconscious maiden worked away, and never raised her + eyes. + </p> + <p> + Well, this was a great relief. It was a good thing to write doggedly and + obstinately until he was desperate, and then snatch up the ruler and whirl + it about the brown head-dress with the consciousness that he could have it + off if he liked. It was a good thing to draw it back, and rub his nose + very hard with it, if he thought Miss Sally was going to look up, and to + recompense himself with more hardy flourishes when he found she was still + absorbed. By these means Mr Swiveller calmed the agitation of his + feelings, until his applications to the ruler became less fierce and + frequent, and he could even write as many as half-a-dozen consecutive + lines without having recourse to it—which was a great victory. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap34"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 34 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n course of time, that is to say, after a couple of hours or so, of + diligent application, Miss Brass arrived at the conclusion of her task, + and recorded the fact by wiping her pen upon the green gown, and taking a + pinch of snuff from a little round tin box which she carried in her + pocket. Having disposed of this temperate refreshment, she arose from her + stool, tied her papers into a formal packet with red tape, and taking them + under her arm, marched out of the office. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller had scarcely sprung off his seat and commenced the + performance of a maniac hornpipe, when he was interrupted, in the fulness + of his joy at being again alone, by the opening of the door, and the + reappearance of Miss Sally's head. + </p> + <p> + 'I am going out,' said Miss Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Very good, ma'am,' returned Dick. 'And don't hurry yourself on my account + to come back, ma'am,' he added inwardly. + </p> + <p> + 'If anybody comes on office business, take their messages, and say that + the gentleman who attends to that matter isn't in at present, will you?' + said Miss Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'I will, ma'am,' replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'I shan't be very long,' said Miss Brass, retiring. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm sorry to hear it, ma'am,' rejoined Dick when she had shut the door. + 'I hope you may be unexpectedly detained, ma'am. If you could manage to be + run over, ma'am, but not seriously, so much the better.' + </p> + <p> + Uttering these expressions of good-will with extreme gravity, Mr Swiveller + sat down in the client's chair and pondered; then took a few turns up and + down the room and fell into the chair again. + </p> + <p> + 'So I'm Brass's clerk, am I?' said Dick. 'Brass's clerk, eh? And the clerk + of Brass's sister—clerk to a female Dragon. Very good, very good! + What shall I be next? Shall I be a convict in a felt hat and a grey suit, + trotting about a dockyard with my number neatly embroidered on my uniform, + and the order of the garter on my leg, restrained from chafing my ankle by + a twisted belcher handkerchief? Shall I be that? Will that do, or is it + too genteel? Whatever you please, have it your own way, of course.' + </p> + <p> + As he was entirely alone, it may be presumed that, in these remarks, Mr + Swiveller addressed himself to his fate or destiny, whom, as we learn by + the precedents, it is the custom of heroes to taunt in a very bitter and + ironical manner when they find themselves in situations of an unpleasant + nature. This is the more probable from the circumstance of Mr Swiveller + directing his observations to the ceiling, which these bodily personages + are usually supposed to inhabit—except in theatrical cases, when + they live in the heart of the great chandelier. + </p> + <p> + 'Quilp offers me this place, which he says he can insure me,' resumed Dick + after a thoughtful silence, and telling off the circumstances of his + position, one by one, upon his fingers; 'Fred, who, I could have taken my + affidavit, would not have heard of such a thing, backs Quilp to my + astonishment, and urges me to take it also—staggerer, number one! My + aunt in the country stops the supplies, and writes an affectionate note to + say that she has made a new will, and left me out of it—staggerer, + number two. No money; no credit; no support from Fred, who seems to turn + steady all at once; notice to quit the old lodgings—staggerers, + three, four, five, and six! Under an accumulation of staggerers, no man + can be considered a free agent. No man knocks himself down; if his destiny + knocks him down, his destiny must pick him up again. Then I'm very glad + that mine has brought all this upon itself, and I shall be as careless as + I can, and make myself quite at home to spite it. So go on my buck,' said + Mr Swiveller, taking his leave of the ceiling with a significant nod, 'and + let us see which of us will be tired first!' + </p> + <p> + Dismissing the subject of his downfall with these reflections, which were + no doubt very profound, and are indeed not altogether unknown in certain + systems of moral philosophy, Mr Swiveller shook off his despondency and + assumed the cheerful ease of an irresponsible clerk. + </p> + <p> + As a means towards his composure and self-possession, he entered into a + more minute examination of the office than he had yet had time to make; + looked into the wig-box, the books, and ink-bottle; untied and inspected + all the papers; carved a few devices on the table with a sharp blade of Mr + Brass's penknife; and wrote his name on the inside of the wooden + coal-scuttle. Having, as it were, taken formal possession of his clerkship + in virtue of these proceedings, he opened the window and leaned + negligently out of it until a beer-boy happened to pass, whom he commanded + to set down his tray and to serve him with a pint of mild porter, which he + drank upon the spot and promptly paid for, with the view of breaking + ground for a system of future credit and opening a correspondence tending + thereto, without loss of time. Then, three or four little boys dropped in, + on legal errands from three or four attorneys of the Brass grade: whom Mr + Swiveller received and dismissed with about as professional a manner, and + as correct and comprehensive an understanding of their business, as would + have been shown by a clown in a pantomime under similar circumstances. + These things done and over, he got upon his stool again and tried his hand + at drawing caricatures of Miss Brass with a pen and ink, whistling very + cheerfully all the time. + </p> + <p> + He was occupied in this diversion when a coach stopped near the door, and + presently afterwards there was a loud double-knock. As this was no + business of Mr Swiveller's, the person not ringing the office bell, he + pursued his diversion with perfect composure, notwithstanding that he + rather thought there was nobody else in the house. + </p> + <p> + In this, however, he was mistaken; for, after the knock had been repeated + with increased impatience, the door was opened, and somebody with a very + heavy tread went up the stairs and into the room above. Mr Swiveller was + wondering whether this might be another Miss Brass, twin sister to the + Dragon, when there came a rapping of knuckles at the office door. + </p> + <p> + 'Come in!' said Dick. 'Don't stand upon ceremony. The business will get + rather complicated if I've many more customers. Come in!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, please,' said a little voice very low down in the doorway, 'will you + come and show the lodgings?' + </p> + <p> + Dick leant over the table, and descried a small slipshod girl in a dirty + coarse apron and bib, which left nothing of her visible but her face and + feet. She might as well have been dressed in a violin-case. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, who are you?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + To which the only reply was, 'Oh, please will you come and show the + lodgings?' + </p> + <p> + There never was such an old-fashioned child in her looks and manner. She + must have been at work from her cradle. She seemed as much afraid of Dick, + as Dick was amazed at her. + </p> + <p> + 'I hav'n't got anything to do with the lodgings,' said Dick. 'Tell 'em to + call again.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, but please will you come and show the lodgings,' returned the girl; + 'It's eighteen shillings a week and us finding plate and linen. Boots and + clothes is extra, and fires in winter-time is eightpence a day.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why don't you show 'em yourself? You seem to know all about 'em,' said + Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Sally said I wasn't to, because people wouldn't believe the + attendance was good if they saw how small I was first.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, but they'll see how small you are afterwards, won't they?' said + Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! But then they'll have taken 'em for a fortnight certain,' replied the + child with a shrewd look; 'and people don't like moving when they're once + settled.' + </p> + <p> + 'This is a queer sort of thing,' muttered Dick, rising. 'What do you mean + to say you are—the cook?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, I do plain cooking;' replied the child. 'I'm housemaid too; I do all + the work of the house.' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose Brass and the Dragon and I do the dirtiest part of it,' thought + Dick. And he might have thought much more, being in a doubtful and + hesitating mood, but that the girl again urged her request, and certain + mysterious bumping sounds on the passage and staircase seemed to give note + of the applicant's impatience. Richard Swiveller, therefore, sticking a + pen behind each ear, and carrying another in his mouth as a token of his + great importance and devotion to business, hurried out to meet and treat + with the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + He was a little surprised to perceive that the bumping sounds were + occasioned by the progress up-stairs of the single gentleman's trunk, + which, being nearly twice as wide as the staircase, and exceedingly heavy + withal, it was no easy matter for the united exertions of the single + gentleman and the coachman to convey up the steep ascent. But there they + were, crushing each other, and pushing and pulling with all their might, + and getting the trunk tight and fast in all kinds of impossible angles, + and to pass them was out of the question; for which sufficient reason, Mr + Swiveller followed slowly behind, entering a new protest on every stair + against the house of Mr Sampson Brass being thus taken by storm. + </p> + <p> + To these remonstrances, the single gentleman answered not a word, but when + the trunk was at last got into the bed-room, sat down upon it and wiped + his bald head and face with his handkerchief. He was very warm, and well + he might be; for, not to mention the exertion of getting the trunk up + stairs, he was closely muffled in winter garments, though the thermometer + had stood all day at eighty-one in the shade. + </p> + <p> + 'I believe, sir,' said Richard Swiveller, taking his pen out of his mouth, + 'that you desire to look at these apartments. They are very charming + apartments, sir. They command an uninterrupted view of—of over the + way, and they are within one minute's walk of—of the corner of the + street. There is exceedingly mild porter, sir, in the immediate vicinity, + and the contingent advantages are extraordinary.' + </p> + <p> + 'What's the rent?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'One pound per week,' replied Dick, improving on the terms. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll take 'em.' + </p> + <p> + 'The boots and clothes are extras,' said Dick; 'and the fires in winter + time are—' + </p> + <p> + 'Are all agreed to,' answered the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Two weeks certain,' said Dick, 'are the—' + </p> + <p> + 'Two weeks!' cried the single gentleman gruffly, eyeing him from top to + toe. 'Two years. I shall live here for two years. Here. Ten pounds down. + The bargain's made.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why you see,' said Dick, 'my name is not Brass, and—' + </p> + <p> + 'Who said it was? My name's not Brass. What then?' + </p> + <p> + 'The name of the master of the house is,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad of it,' returned the single gentleman; 'it's a good name for a + lawyer. Coachman, you may go. So may you, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller was so much confounded by the single gentleman riding + roughshod over him at this rate, that he stood looking at him almost as + hard as he had looked at Miss Sally. The single gentleman, however, was + not in the slightest degree affected by this circumstance, but proceeded + with perfect composure to unwind the shawl which was tied round his neck, + and then to pull off his boots. Freed of these encumbrances, he went on to + divest himself of his other clothing, which he folded up, piece by piece, + and ranged in order on the trunk. Then, he pulled down the window-blinds, + drew the curtains, wound up his watch, and, quite leisurely and + methodically, got into bed. + </p> + <p> + 'Take down the bill,' were his parting words, as he looked out from + between the curtains; 'and let nobody call me till I ring the bell.' + </p> + <p> + With that the curtains closed, and he seemed to snore immediately. + </p> + <p> + 'This is a most remarkable and supernatural sort of house!' said Mr + Swiveller, as he walked into the office with the bill in his hand. + 'She-dragons in the business, conducting themselves like professional + gentlemen; plain cooks of three feet high appearing mysteriously from + under ground; strangers walking in and going to bed without leave or + licence in the middle of the day! If he should be one of the miraculous + fellows that turn up now and then, and has gone to sleep for two years, I + shall be in a pleasant situation. It's my destiny, however, and I hope + Brass may like it. I shall be sorry if he don't. But it's no business of + mine—I have nothing whatever to do with it!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap35"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 35 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>r Brass on returning home received the report of his clerk with much + complacency and satisfaction, and was particular in inquiring after the + ten-pound note, which, proving on examination to be a good and lawful note + of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England, increased his + good-humour considerably. Indeed he so overflowed with liberality and + condescension, that, in the fulness of his heart, he invited Mr Swiveller + to partake of a bowl of punch with him at that remote and indefinite + period which is currently denominated 'one of these days,' and paid him + many handsome compliments on the uncommon aptitude for business which his + conduct on the first day of his devotion to it had so plainly evinced. + </p> + <p> + It was a maxim with Mr Brass that the habit of paying compliments kept a + man's tongue oiled without any expense; and, as that useful member ought + never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case of a + practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and easy, he + lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance of handsome + speeches and eulogistic expressions. And this had passed into such a habit + with him, that, if he could not be correctly said to have his tongue at + his fingers' ends, he might certainly be said to have it anywhere but in + his face: which being, as we have already seen, of a harsh and repulsive + character, was not oiled so easily, but frowned above all the smooth + speeches—one of nature's beacons, warning off those who navigated + the shoals and breakers of the World, or of that dangerous strait the Law, + and admonishing them to seek less treacherous harbours and try their + fortune elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + While Mr Brass by turns overwhelmed his clerk with compliments and + inspected the ten-pound note, Miss Sally showed little emotion and that of + no pleasurable kind, for as the tendency of her legal practice had been to + fix her thoughts on small gains and gripings, and to whet and sharpen her + natural wisdom, she was not a little disappointed that the single + gentleman had obtained the lodgings at such an easy rate, arguing that + when he was seen to have set his mind upon them, he should have been at + the least charged double or treble the usual terms, and that, in exact + proportion as he pressed forward, Mr Swiveller should have hung back. But + neither the good opinion of Mr Brass, nor the dissatisfaction of Miss + Sally, wrought any impression upon that young gentleman, who, throwing the + responsibility of this and all other acts and deeds thereafter to be done + by him, upon his unlucky destiny, was quite resigned and comfortable: + fully prepared for the worst, and philosophically indifferent to the best. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + 'Good morning, Mr Richard,' said Brass, on the second day of Mr + Swiveller's clerkship. 'Sally found you a second-hand stool, Sir, + yesterday evening, in Whitechapel. She's a rare fellow at a bargain, I can + tell you, Mr Richard. You'll find that a first-rate stool, Sir, take my + word for it.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's rather a crazy one to look at,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'You'll find it a most amazing stool to sit down upon, you may depend,' + returned Mr Brass. 'It was bought in the open street just opposite the + hospital, and as it has been standing there a month of two, it has got + rather dusty and a little brown from being in the sun, that's all.' + </p> + <p> + 'I hope it hasn't got any fevers or anything of that sort in it,' said + Dick, sitting himself down discontentedly, between Mr Sampson and the + chaste Sally. 'One of the legs is longer than the others.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then we get a bit of timber in, Sir,' retorted Brass. 'Ha, ha, ha! We get + a bit of timber in, Sir, and that's another advantage of my sister's going + to market for us. Miss Brass, Mr Richard is the—' + </p> + <p> + 'Will you keep quiet?' interrupted the fair subject of these remarks, + looking up from her papers. 'How am I to work if you keep on chattering?' + </p> + <p> + 'What an uncertain chap you are!' returned the lawyer. 'Sometimes you're + all for a chat. At another time you're all for work. A man never knows + what humour he'll find you in.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm in a working humour now,' said Sally, 'so don't disturb me, if you + please. And don't take him,' Miss Sally pointed with the feather of her + pen to Richard, 'off his business. He won't do more than he can help, I + dare say.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass had evidently a strong inclination to make an angry reply, but + was deterred by prudent or timid considerations, as he only muttered + something about aggravation and a vagabond; not associating the terms with + any individual, but mentioning them as connected with some abstract ideas + which happened to occur to him. They went on writing for a long time in + silence after this—in such a dull silence that Mr Swiveller (who + required excitement) had several times fallen asleep, and written divers + strange words in an unknown character with his eyes shut, when Miss Sally + at length broke in upon the monotony of the office by pulling out the + little tin box, taking a noisy pinch of snuff, and then expressing her + opinion that Mr Richard Swiveller had 'done it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Done what, ma'am?' said Richard. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know,' returned Miss Brass, 'that the lodger isn't up yet— + that nothing has been seen or heard of him since he went to bed yesterday + afternoon?' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, ma'am,' said Dick, 'I suppose he may sleep his ten pound out, in + peace and quietness, if he likes.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! I begin to think he'll never wake,' observed Miss Sally. + </p> + <p> + 'It's a very remarkable circumstance,' said Brass, laying down his pen; + 'really, very remarkable. Mr Richard, you'll remember, if this gentleman + should be found to have hung himself to the bed-post, or any unpleasant + accident of that kind should happen—you'll remember, Mr Richard, + that this ten pound note was given to you in part payment of two years' + rent? You'll bear that in mind, Mr Richard; you had better make a note of + it, sir, in case you should ever be called upon to give evidence.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller took a large sheet of foolscap, and with a countenance of + profound gravity, began to make a very small note in one corner. + </p> + <p> + 'We can never be too cautious,' said Mr Brass. 'There is a deal of + wickedness going about the world, a deal of wickedness. Did the gentleman + happen to say, Sir—but never mind that at present, sir; finish that + little memorandum first.' + </p> + <p> + Dick did so, and handed it to Mr Brass, who had dismounted from his stool, + and was walking up and down the office. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, this is the memorandum, is it?' said Brass, running his eye over the + document. 'Very good. Now, Mr Richard, did the gentleman say anything + else?' + </p> + <p> + 'No.' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you sure, Mr Richard,' said Brass, solemnly, 'that the gentleman said + nothing else?' + </p> + <p> + 'Devil a word, Sir,' replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Think again, Sir,' said Brass; 'it's my duty, Sir, in the position in + which I stand, and as an honourable member of the legal profession—the + first profession in this country, Sir, or in any other country, or in any + of the planets that shine above us at night and are supposed to be + inhabited—it's my duty, Sir, as an honourable member of that + profession, not to put to you a leading question in a matter of this + delicacy and importance. Did the gentleman, Sir, who took the first floor + of you yesterday afternoon, and who brought with him a box of property—a + box of property—say anything more than is set down in this + memorandum?' + </p> + <p> + 'Come, don't be a fool,' said Miss Sally. + </p> + <p> + Dick looked at her, and then at Brass, and then at Miss Sally again, and + still said 'No.' + </p> + <p> + 'Pooh, pooh! Deuce take it, Mr Richard, how dull you are!' cried Brass, + relaxing into a smile. 'Did he say anything about his property?—there!' + </p> + <p> + 'That's the way to put it,' said Miss Sally, nodding to her brother. + </p> + <p> + 'Did he say, for instance,' added Brass, in a kind of comfortable, cozy + tone—'I don't assert that he did say so, mind; I only ask you, to + refresh your memory—did he say, for instance, that he was a stranger + in London—that it was not his humour or within his ability to give + any references—that he felt we had a right to require them—and + that, in case anything should happen to him, at any time, he particularly + desired that whatever property he had upon the premises should be + considered mine, as some slight recompense for the trouble and annoyance I + should sustain—and were you, in short,' added Brass, still more + comfortably and cozily than before, 'were you induced to accept him on my + behalf, as a tenant, upon those conditions?' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly not,' replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Why then, Mr Richard,' said Brass, darting at him a supercilious and + reproachful look, 'it's my opinion that you've mistaken your calling, and + will never make a lawyer.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not if you live a thousand years,' added Miss Sally. Whereupon the + brother and sister took each a noisy pinch of snuff from the little tin + box, and fell into a gloomy thoughtfulness. + </p> + <p> + Nothing further passed up to Mr Swiveller's dinner-time, which was at + three o'clock, and seemed about three weeks in coming. At the first stroke + of the hour, the new clerk disappeared. At the last stroke of five, he + reappeared, and the office, as if by magic, became fragrant with the smell + of gin and water and lemon-peel. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Richard,' said Brass, 'this man's not up yet. Nothing will wake him, + sir. What's to be done?' + </p> + <p> + 'I should let him have his sleep out,' returned Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Sleep out!' cried Brass; 'why he has been asleep now, six-and-twenty + hours. We have been moving chests of drawers over his head, we have + knocked double knocks at the street-door, we have made the servant-girl + fall down stairs several times (she's a light weight, and it don't hurt + her much,) but nothing wakes him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps a ladder,' suggested Dick, 'and getting in at the first-floor + window—' + </p> + <p> + 'But then there's a door between; besides, the neighbours would be up in + arms,' said Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'What do you say to getting on the roof of the house through the + trap-door, and dropping down the chimney?' suggested Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'That would be an excellent plan,' said Brass, 'if anybody would be—' + and here he looked very hard at Mr Swiveller—'would be kind, and + friendly, and generous enough, to undertake it. I dare say it would not be + anything like as disagreeable as one supposes.' + </p> + <p> + Dick had made the suggestion, thinking that the duty might possibly fall + within Miss Sally's department. As he said nothing further, and declined + taking the hint, Mr Brass was fain to propose that they should go up + stairs together, and make a last effort to awaken the sleeper by some less + violent means, which, if they failed on this last trial, must positively + be succeeded by stronger measures. Mr Swiveller, assenting, armed himself + with his stool and the large ruler, and repaired with his employer to the + scene of action, where Miss Brass was already ringing a hand-bell with all + her might, and yet without producing the smallest effect upon their + mysterious lodger. + </p> + <p> + 'There are his boots, Mr Richard!' said Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Very obstinate-looking articles they are too,' quoth Richard Swiveller. + And truly, they were as sturdy and bluff a pair of boots as one would wish + to see; as firmly planted on the ground as if their owner's legs and feet + had been in them; and seeming, with their broad soles and blunt toes, to + hold possession of their place by main force. + </p> + <p> + 'I can't see anything but the curtain of the bed,' said Brass, applying + his eye to the keyhole of the door. 'Is he a strong man, Mr Richard?' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0254m.jpg" alt="0254m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0254.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Very,' answered Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'It would be an extremely unpleasant circumstance if he was to bounce out + suddenly,' said Brass. 'Keep the stairs clear. I should be more than a + match for him, of course, but I'm the master of the house, and the laws of + hospitality must be respected.—Hallo there! Hallo, hallo!' + </p> + <p> + While Mr Brass, with his eye curiously twisted into the keyhole, uttered + these sounds as a means of attracting the lodger's attention, and while + Miss Brass plied the hand-bell, Mr Swiveller put his stool close against + the wall by the side of the door, and mounting on the top and standing + bolt upright, so that if the lodger did make a rush, he would most + probably pass him in its onward fury, began a violent battery with the + ruler upon the upper panels of the door. Captivated with his own + ingenuity, and confident in the strength of his position, which he had + taken up after the method of those hardy individuals who open the pit and + gallery doors of theatres on crowded nights, Mr Swiveller rained down such + a shower of blows, that the noise of the bell was drowned; and the small + servant, who lingered on the stairs below, ready to fly at a moment's + notice, was obliged to hold her ears lest she should be rendered deaf for + life. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the door was unlocked on the inside, and flung violently open. + The small servant flew to the coal-cellar; Miss Sally dived into her own + bed-room; Mr Brass, who was not remarkable for personal courage, ran into + the next street, and finding that nobody followed him, armed with a poker + or other offensive weapon, put his hands in his pockets, walked very + slowly all at once, and whistled. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Mr Swiveller, on the top of the stool, drew himself into as + flat a shape as possible against the wall, and looked, not unconcernedly, + down upon the single gentleman, who appeared at the door growling and + cursing in a very awful manner, and, with the boots in his hand, seemed to + have an intention of hurling them down stairs on speculation. This idea, + however, he abandoned. He was turning into his room again, still growling + vengefully, when his eyes met those of the watchful Richard. + </p> + <p> + 'Have <i>you </i>been making that horrible noise?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been helping, sir,' returned Dick, keeping his eye upon him, and + waving the ruler gently in his right hand, as an indication of what the + single gentleman had to expect if he attempted any violence. + </p> + <p> + 'How dare you then,' said the lodger, 'Eh?' + </p> + <p> + To this, Dick made no other reply than by inquiring whether the lodger + held it to be consistent with the conduct and character of a gentleman to + go to sleep for six-and-twenty hours at a stretch, and whether the peace + of an amiable and virtuous family was to weigh as nothing in the balance. + </p> + <p> + 'Is my peace nothing?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Is their peace nothing, sir?' returned Dick. 'I don't wish to hold out + any threats, sir—indeed the law does not allow of threats, for to + threaten is an indictable offence—but if ever you do that again, + take care you're not sat upon by the coroner and buried in a cross road + before you wake. We have been distracted with fears that you were dead, + Sir,' said Dick, gently sliding to the ground, 'and the short and the long + of it is, that we cannot allow single gentlemen to come into this + establishment and sleep like double gentlemen without paying extra for + it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed!' cried the lodger. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Sir, indeed,' returned Dick, yielding to his destiny and saying + whatever came uppermost; 'an equal quantity of slumber was never got out + of one bed and bedstead, and if you're going to sleep in that way, you + must pay for a double-bedded room.' + </p> + <p> + Instead of being thrown into a greater passion by these remarks, the + lodger lapsed into a broad grin and looked at Mr Swiveller with twinkling + eyes. He was a brown-faced sun-burnt man, and appeared browner and more + sun-burnt from having a white nightcap on. As it was clear that he was a + choleric fellow in some respects, Mr Swiveller was relieved to find him in + such good humour, and, to encourage him in it, smiled himself. + </p> + <p> + The lodger, in the testiness of being so rudely roused, had pushed his + nightcap very much on one side of his bald head. This gave him a rakish + eccentric air which, now that he had leisure to observe it, charmed Mr + Swiveller exceedingly; therefore, by way of propitiation, he expressed his + hope that the gentleman was going to get up, and further that he would + never do so any more. + </p> + <p> + 'Come here, you impudent rascal!' was the lodger's answer as he re-entered + his room. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller followed him in, leaving the stool outside, but reserving the + ruler in case of a surprise. He rather congratulated himself on his + prudence when the single gentleman, without notice or explanation of any + kind, double-locked the door. + </p> + <p> + 'Can you drink anything?' was his next inquiry. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller replied that he had very recently been assuaging the pangs of + thirst, but that he was still open to 'a modest quencher,' if the + materials were at hand. Without another word spoken on either side, the + lodger took from his great trunk, a kind of temple, shining as of polished + silver, and placed it carefully on the table. + </p> + <p> + Greatly interested in his proceedings, Mr Swiveller observed him closely. + Into one little chamber of this temple, he dropped an egg; into another + some coffee; into a third a compact piece of raw steak from a neat tin + case; into a fourth, he poured some water. Then, with the aid of a + phosphorus-box and some matches, he procured a light and applied it to a + spirit-lamp which had a place of its own below the temple; then, he shut + down the lids of all the little chambers; then he opened them; and then, + by some wonderful and unseen agency, the steak was done, the egg was + boiled, the coffee was accurately prepared, and his breakfast was ready. + </p> + <p> + 'Hot water—' said the lodger, handing it to Mr Swiveller with as + much coolness as if he had a kitchen fire before him—'extraordinary + rum—sugar—and a travelling glass. Mix for yourself. And make + haste.' + </p> + <p> + Dick complied, his eyes wandering all the time from the temple on the + table, which seemed to do everything, to the great trunk which seemed to + hold everything. The lodger took his breakfast like a man who was used to + work these miracles, and thought nothing of them. + </p> + <p> + 'The man of the house is a lawyer, is he not?' said the lodger. + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded. The rum was amazing. + </p> + <p> + 'The woman of the house—what's she?' + </p> + <p> + 'A dragon,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + The single gentleman, perhaps because he had met with such things in his + travels, or perhaps because he <i>was </i>a single gentleman, evinced no + surprise, but merely inquired 'Wife or sister?'—'Sister,' said Dick.—'So + much the better,' said the single gentleman, 'he can get rid of her when + he likes.' + </p> + <p> + 'I want to do as I like, young man,' he added after a short silence; 'to + go to bed when I like, get up when I like, come in when I like, go out + when I like—to be asked no questions and be surrounded by no spies. + In this last respect, servants are the devil. There's only one here.' + </p> + <p> + 'And a very little one,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'And a very little one,' repeated the lodger. 'Well, the place will suit + me, will it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Sharks, I suppose?' said the lodger. + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded assent, and drained his glass. + </p> + <p> + 'Let them know my humour,' said the single gentleman, rising. 'If they + disturb me, they lose a good tenant. If they know me to be that, they know + enough. If they try to know more, it's a notice to quit. It's better to + understand these things at once. Good day.' + </p> + <p> + 'I beg your pardon,' said Dick, halting in his passage to the door, which + the lodger prepared to open. 'When he who adores thee has left but the + name—' + </p> + <p> + 'What do you mean?' + </p> + <p> + '—But the name,' said Dick—'has left but the name—in + case of letters or parcels—' + </p> + <p> + 'I never have any,' returned the lodger. + </p> + <p> + 'Or in the case anybody should call.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nobody ever calls on me.' + </p> + <p> + 'If any mistake should arise from not having the name, don't say it was my + fault, Sir,' added Dick, still lingering.—'Oh blame not the bard—' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll blame nobody,' said the lodger, with such irascibility that in a + moment Dick found himself on the staircase, and the locked door between + them. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass and Miss Sally were lurking hard by, having been, indeed, only + routed from the keyhole by Mr Swiveller's abrupt exit. As their utmost + exertions had not enabled them to overhear a word of the interview, + however, in consequence of a quarrel for precedence, which, though limited + of necessity to pushes and pinches and such quiet pantomime, had lasted + the whole time, they hurried him down to the office to hear his account of + the conversation. + </p> + <p> + This Mr Swiveller gave them—faithfully as regarded the wishes and + character of the single gentleman, and poetically as concerned the great + trunk, of which he gave a description more remarkable for brilliancy of + imagination than a strict adherence to truth; declaring, with many strong + asseverations, that it contained a specimen of every kind of rich food and + wine, known in these times, and in particular that it was of a self-acting + kind and served up whatever was required, as he supposed by clock-work. He + also gave them to understand that the cooking apparatus roasted a fine + piece of sirloin of beef, weighing about six pounds avoir-dupoise, in two + minutes and a quarter, as he had himself witnessed, and proved by his + sense of taste; and further, that, however the effect was produced, he had + distinctly seen water boil and bubble up when the single gentleman winked; + from which facts he (Mr Swiveller) was led to infer that the lodger was + some great conjuror or chemist, or both, whose residence under that roof + could not fail at some future days to shed a great credit and distinction + on the name of Brass, and add a new interest to the history of Bevis + Marks. + </p> + <p> + There was one point which Mr Swiveller deemed it unnecessary to enlarge + upon, and that was the fact of the modest quencher, which, by reason of + its intrinsic strength and its coming close upon the heels of the + temperate beverage he had discussed at dinner, awakened a slight degree of + fever, and rendered necessary two or three other modest quenchers at the + public-house in the course of the evening. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap36"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 36 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>s the single gentleman after some weeks' occupation of his lodgings, + still declined to correspond, by word or gesture, either with Mr Brass or + his sister Sally, but invariably chose Richard Swiveller as his channel of + communication; and as he proved himself in all respects a highly desirable + inmate, paying for everything beforehand, giving very little trouble, + making no noise, and keeping early hours; Mr Richard imperceptibly rose to + an important position in the family, as one who had influence over this + mysterious lodger, and could negotiate with him, for good or evil, when + nobody else durst approach his person. + </p> + <p> + If the truth must be told, even Mr Swiveller's approaches to the single + gentleman were of a very distant kind, and met with small encouragement; + but, as he never returned from a monosyllabic conference with the unknown, + without quoting such expressions as 'Swiveller, I know I can rely upon + you,'—'I have no hesitation in saying, Swiveller, that I entertain a + regard for you,'—'Swiveller, you are my friend, and will stand by me + I am sure,' with many other short speeches of the same familiar and + confiding kind, purporting to have been addressed by the single gentleman + to himself, and to form the staple of their ordinary discourse, neither Mr + Brass nor Miss Sally for a moment questioned the extent of his influence, + but accorded to him their fullest and most unqualified belief. +</p> + <p> +But quite + apart from, and independent of, this source of popularity, Mr Swiveller + had another, which promised to be equally enduring, and to lighten his + position considerably. + </p> + <p> + He found favour in the eyes of Miss Sally Brass. Let not the light + scorners of female fascination erect their ears to listen to a new tale of + love which shall serve them for a jest; for Miss Brass, however accurately + formed to be beloved, was not of the loving kind. That amiable virgin, + having clung to the skirts of the Law from her earliest youth; having + sustained herself by their aid, as it were, in her first running alone, + and maintained a firm grasp upon them ever since; had passed her life in a + kind of legal childhood. She had been remarkable, when a tender prattler + for an uncommon talent in counterfeiting the walk and manner of a bailiff: + in which character she had learned to tap her little playfellows on the + shoulder, and to carry them off to imaginary sponging-houses, with a + correctness of imitation which was the surprise and delight of all who + witnessed her performances, and which was only to be exceeded by her + exquisite manner of putting an execution into her doll's house, and taking + an exact inventory of the chairs and tables. These artless sports had + naturally soothed and cheered the decline of her widowed father: a most + exemplary gentleman (called 'old Foxey' by his friends from his extreme + sagacity,) who encouraged them to the utmost, and whose chief regret, on + finding that he drew near to Houndsditch churchyard, was, that his + daughter could not take out an attorney's certificate and hold a place + upon the roll. Filled with this affectionate and touching sorrow, he had + solemnly confided her to his son Sampson as an invaluable auxiliary; and + from the old gentleman's decease to the period of which we treat, Miss + Sally Brass had been the prop and pillar of his business. + </p> + <p> + It is obvious that, having devoted herself from infancy to this one + pursuit and study, Miss Brass could know but little of the world, + otherwise than in connection with the law; and that from a lady gifted + with such high tastes, proficiency in those gentler and softer arts in + which women usually excel, was scarcely to be looked for. Miss Sally's + accomplishments were all of a masculine and strictly legal kind. They + began with the practice of an attorney and they ended with it. She was in + a state of lawful innocence, so to speak. The law had been her nurse. And, + as bandy-legs or such physical deformities in children are held to be the + consequence of bad nursing, so, if in a mind so beautiful any moral twist + or handiness could be found, Miss Sally Brass's nurse was alone to blame. + </p> + <p> + It was upon this lady, then, that Mr Swiveller burst in full freshness as + something new and hitherto undreamed of, lighting up the office with + scraps of song and merriment, conjuring with inkstands and boxes of + wafers, catching three oranges in one hand, balancing stools upon his chin + and penknives on his nose, and constantly performing a hundred other feats + with equal ingenuity; for with such unbendings did Richard, in Mr Brass's + absence, relieve the tedium of his confinement. These social qualities, + which Miss Sally first discovered by accident, gradually made such an + impression upon her, that she would entreat Mr Swiveller to relax as + though she were not by, which Mr Swiveller, nothing loth, would readily + consent to do. By these means a friendship sprung up between them. Mr + Swiveller gradually came to look upon her as her brother Sampson did, and + as he would have looked upon any other clerk. He imparted to her the + mystery of going the odd man or plain Newmarket for fruit, ginger-beer, + baked potatoes, or even a modest quencher, of which Miss Brass did not + scruple to partake. He would often persuade her to undertake his share of + writing in addition to her own; nay, he would sometimes reward her with a + hearty slap on the back, and protest that she was a devilish good fellow, + a jolly dog, and so forth; all of which compliments Miss Sally would + receive in entire good part and with perfect satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + One circumstance troubled Mr Swiveller's mind very much, and that was that + the small servant always remained somewhere in the bowels of the earth + under Bevis Marks, and never came to the surface unless the single + gentleman rang his bell, when she would answer it and immediately + disappear again. She never went out, or came into the office, or had a + clean face, or took off the coarse apron, or looked out of any one of the + windows, or stood at the street-door for a breath of air, or had any rest + or enjoyment whatever. Nobody ever came to see her, nobody spoke of her, + nobody cared about her. Mr Brass had said once, that he believed she was a + 'love-child' (which means anything but a child of love), and that was all + the information Richard Swiveller could obtain. + </p> + <p> + 'It's of no use asking the dragon,' thought Dick one day, as he sat + contemplating the features of Miss Sally Brass. 'I suspect if I asked any + questions on that head, our alliance would be at an end. I wonder whether + she is a dragon by-the-bye, or something in the mermaid way. She has + rather a scaly appearance. But mermaids are fond of looking at themselves + in the glass, which she can't be. And they have a habit of combing their + hair, which she hasn't. No, she's a dragon.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where are you going, old fellow?' said Dick aloud, as Miss Sally wiped + her pen as usual on the green dress, and uprose from her seat. + </p> + <p> + 'To dinner,' answered the dragon. + </p> + <p> + 'To dinner!' thought Dick, 'that's another circumstance. I don't believe + that small servant ever has anything to eat.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sammy won't be home,' said Miss Brass. 'Stop till I come back. I sha'n't + be long.' + </p> + <p> + Dick nodded, and followed Miss Brass—with his eyes to the door, and + with his ears to a little back parlour, where she and her brother took + their meals. + </p> + <p> + 'Now,' said Dick, walking up and down with his hands in his pockets, 'I'd + give something—if I had it—to know how they use that child, + and where they keep her. My mother must have been a very inquisitive + woman; I have no doubt I'm marked with a note of interrogation somewhere. + My feelings I smother, but thou hast been the cause of this anguish, my—upon + my word,' said Mr Swiveller, checking himself and falling thoughtfully + into the client's chair, 'I should like to know how they use her!' + </p> + <p> + After running on, in this way, for some time, Mr Swiveller softly opened + the office door, with the intention of darting across the street for a + glass of the mild porter. At that moment he caught a parting glimpse of + the brown head-dress of Miss Brass flitting down the kitchen stairs. 'And + by Jove!' thought Dick, 'she's going to feed the small servant. Now or + never!' + </p> + <p> + First peeping over the handrail and allowing the head-dress to disappear + in the darkness below, he groped his way down, and arrived at the door of + a back kitchen immediately after Miss Brass had entered the same, bearing + in her hand a cold leg of mutton. It was a very dark miserable place, very + low and very damp: the walls disfigured by a thousand rents and blotches. + The water was trickling out of a leaky butt, and a most wretched cat was + lapping up the drops with the sickly eagerness of starvation. The grate, + which was a wide one, was wound and screwed up tight, so as to hold no + more than a little thin sandwich of fire. Everything was locked up; the + coal-cellar, the candle-box, the salt-box, the meat-safe, were all + padlocked. There was nothing that a beetle could have lunched upon. The + pinched and meagre aspect of the place would have killed a chameleon. He + would have known, at the first mouthful, that the air was not eatable, and + must have given up the ghost in despair. The small servant stood with humility in presence of Miss Sally, and hung + her head. + </p> + <p> + 'Are you there?' said Miss Sally. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, ma'am,' was the answer in a weak voice. + </p> + <p> + 'Go further away from the leg of mutton, or you'll be picking it, I know,' + said Miss Sally. + </p> + <p> + The girl withdrew into a corner, while Miss Brass took a key from her + pocket, and opening the safe, brought from it a dreary waste of cold + potatoes, looking as eatable as Stonehenge. This she placed before the + small servant, ordering her to sit down before it, and then, taking up a + great carving-knife, made a mighty show of sharpening it upon the + carving-fork. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you see this?' said Miss Brass, slicing off about two square inches of + cold mutton, after all this preparation, and holding it out on the point + of the fork. + </p> + <p> + The small servant looked hard enough at it with her hungry eyes to see + every shred of it, small as it was, and answered, 'yes.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then don't you ever go and say,' retorted Miss Sally, 'that you hadn't + meat here. There, eat it up.' + </p> + <p> + This was soon done. 'Now, do you want any more?' said Miss Sally. + </p> + <p> + The hungry creature answered with a faint 'No.' They were evidently going + through an established form. + </p> + <p> + 'You've been helped once to meat,' said Miss Brass, summing up the facts; + 'you have had as much as you can eat, you're asked if you want any more, + and you answer, 'no!' Then don't you ever go and say you were allowanced, + mind that.' + </p> + <p> + With those words, Miss Sally put the meat away and locked the safe, and + then drawing near to the small servant, overlooked her while she finished + the potatoes. + </p> + <p> + It was plain that some extraordinary grudge was working in Miss Brass's + gentle breast, and that it was that which impelled her, without the + smallest present cause, to rap the child with the blade of the knife, now + on her hand, now on her head, and now on her back, as if she found it + quite impossible to stand so close to her without administering a few + slight knocks. But Mr Swiveller was not a little surprised to see his + fellow-clerk, after walking slowly backwards towards the door, as if she + were trying to withdraw herself from the room but could not accomplish it, + dart suddenly forward, and falling on the small servant give her some hard + blows with her clenched hand. The victim cried, but in a subdued manner as + if she feared to raise her voice, and Miss Sally, comforting herself with + a pinch of snuff, ascended the stairs, just as Richard had safely reached + the office. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap37"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 37 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he single gentleman among his other peculiarities—and he had a very + plentiful stock, of which he every day furnished some new specimen—took + a most extraordinary and remarkable interest in the exhibition of Punch. + If the sound of a Punch's voice, at ever so remote a distance, reached + Bevis Marks, the single gentleman, though in bed and asleep, would start + up, and, hurrying on his clothes, make for the spot with all speed, and + presently return at the head of a long procession of idlers, having in the + midst the theatre and its proprietors. Straightway, the stage would be set + up in front of Mr Brass's house; the single gentleman would establish + himself at the first floor window; and the entertainment would proceed, + with all its exciting accompaniments of fife and drum and shout, to the + excessive consternation of all sober votaries of business in that silent + thoroughfare. It might have been expected that when the play was done, + both players and audience would have dispersed; but the epilogue was as + bad as the play, for no sooner was the Devil dead, than the manager of the + puppets and his partner were summoned by the single gentleman to his + chamber, where they were regaled with strong waters from his private + store, and where they held with him long conversations, the purport of + which no human being could fathom. But the secret of these discussions was + of little importance. It was sufficient to know that while they were + proceeding, the concourse without still lingered round the house; that + boys beat upon the drum with their fists, and imitated Punch with their + tender voices; that the office-window was rendered opaque by flattened + noses, and the key-hole of the street-door luminous with eyes; that every + time the single gentleman or either of his guests was seen at the upper + window, or so much as the end of one of their noses was visible, there was + a great shout of execration from the excluded mob, who remained howling + and yelling, and refusing consolation, until the exhibitors were delivered + up to them to be attended elsewhere. It was sufficient, in short, to know + that Bevis Marks was revolutionised by these popular movements, and that + peace and quietness fled from its precincts. + </p> + <p> + Nobody was rendered more indignant by these proceedings than Mr Sampson + Brass, who, as he could by no means afford to lose so profitable an + inmate, deemed it prudent to pocket his lodger's affront along with his + cash, and to annoy the audiences who clustered round his door by such + imperfect means of retaliation as were open to him, and which were + confined to the trickling down of foul water on their heads from unseen + watering pots, pelting them with fragments of tile and mortar from the + roof of the house, and bribing the drivers of hackney cabriolets to come + suddenly round the corner and dash in among them precipitately. It may, at + first sight, be matter of surprise to the thoughtless few that Mr Brass, + being a professional gentleman, should not have legally indicted some + party or parties, active in the promotion of the nuisance, but they will + be good enough to remember, that as Doctors seldom take their own + prescriptions, and Divines do not always practise what they preach, so + lawyers are shy of meddling with the Law on their own account: knowing it + to be an edged tool of uncertain application, very expensive in the + working, and rather remarkable for its properties of close shaving, than + for its always shaving the right person. + </p> + <p> + 'Come,' said Mr Brass one afternoon, 'this is two days without a Punch. + I'm in hopes he has run through 'em all, at last.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why are you in hopes?' returned Miss Sally. 'What harm do they do?' + </p> + <p> + 'Here's a pretty sort of a fellow!' cried Brass, laying down his pen in + despair. 'Now here's an aggravating animal!' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, what harm do they do?' retorted Sally. + </p> + <p> + 'What harm!' cried Brass. 'Is it no harm to have a constant hallooing and + hooting under one's very nose, distracting one from business, and making + one grind one's teeth with vexation? Is it no harm to be blinded and + choked up, and have the king's highway stopped with a set of screamers and + roarers whose throats must be made of—of—' + </p> + <p> + 'Brass,' suggested Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! of brass,' said the lawyer, glancing at his clerk, to assure himself + that he had suggested the word in good faith and without any sinister + intention. 'Is that no harm?' + </p> + <p> + The lawyer stopped short in his invective, and listening for a moment, and + recognising the well-known voice, rested his head upon his hand, raised + his eyes to the ceiling, and muttered faintly, 'There's another!' + </p> + <p> + Up went the single gentleman's window directly. + </p> + <p> + 'There's another,' repeated Brass; 'and if I could get a break and four + blood horses to cut into the Marks when the crowd is at its thickest, I'd + give eighteen-pence and never grudge it!' + </p> + <p> + The distant squeak was heard again. The single gentleman's door burst + open. He ran violently down the stairs, out into the street, and so past + the window, without any hat, towards the quarter whence the sound + proceeded—bent, no doubt, upon securing the strangers' services + directly. + </p> + <p> + 'I wish I only knew who his friends were,' muttered Sampson, filling his + pocket with papers; 'if they'd just get up a pretty little Commission de + lunatico at the Gray's Inn Coffee House and give me the job, I'd be + content to have the lodgings empty for one while, at all events.' + </p> + <p> + With which words, and knocking his hat over his eyes as if for the purpose + of shutting out even a glimpse of the dreadful visitation, Mr Brass rushed + from the house and hurried away. + </p> + <p> + As Mr Swiveller was decidedly favourable to these performances, upon the + ground that looking at a Punch, or indeed looking at anything out of + window, was better than working; and as he had been, for this reason, at + some pains to awaken in his fellow clerk a sense of their beauties and + manifold deserts; both he and Miss Sally rose as with one accord and took + up their positions at the window: upon the sill whereof, as in a post of + honour, sundry young ladies and gentlemen who were employed in the dry + nurture of babies, and who made a point of being present, with their young + charges, on such occasions, had already established themselves as + comfortably as the circumstances would allow. + </p> + <p> + The glass being dim, Mr Swiveller, agreeably to a friendly custom which he + had established between them, hitched off the brown head-dress from Miss + Sally's head, and dusted it carefully therewith. By the time he had handed + it back, and its beautiful wearer had put it on again (which she did with + perfect composure and indifference), the lodger returned with the show and + showmen at his heels, and a strong addition to the body of spectators. The + exhibitor disappeared with all speed behind the drapery; and his partner, + stationing himself by the side of the Theatre, surveyed the audience with + a remarkable expression of melancholy, which became more remarkable still + when he breathed a hornpipe tune into that sweet musical instrument which + is popularly termed a mouth-organ, without at all changing the mournful + expression of the upper part of his face, though his mouth and chin were, + of necessity, in lively spasms. + </p> + <p> + The drama proceeded to its close, and held the spectators enchained in the + customary manner. The sensation which kindles in large assemblies, when + they are relieved from a state of breathless suspense and are again free + to speak and move, was yet rife, when the lodger, as usual, summoned the + men up stairs. + </p> + <p> + 'Both of you,' he called from the window; for only the actual exhibitor—a + little fat man—prepared to obey the summons. 'I want to talk to you. + Come both of you!' + </p> + <p> + 'Come, Tommy,' said the little man. + </p> + <p> + 'I an't a talker,' replied the other. 'Tell him so. What should I go and + talk for?' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't you see the gentleman's got a bottle and glass up there?' returned + the little man. + </p> + <p> + 'And couldn't you have said so at first?' retorted the other with sudden + alacrity. 'Now, what are you waiting for? Are you going to keep the + gentleman expecting us all day? haven't you no manners?' + </p> + <p> + With this remonstrance, the melancholy man, who was no other than Mr + Thomas Codlin, pushed past his friend and brother in the craft, Mr Harris, + otherwise Short or Trotters, and hurried before him to the single + gentleman's apartment. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, my men,' said the single gentleman; 'you have done very well. What + will you take? Tell that little man behind, to shut the door.' + </p> + <p> + 'Shut the door, can't you?' said Mr Codlin, turning gruffly to his friend. + 'You might have knowed that the gentleman wanted the door shut, without + being told, I think.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Short obeyed, observing under his breath that his friend seemed + unusually 'cranky,' and expressing a hope that there was no dairy in the + neighbourhood, or his temper would certainly spoil its contents. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman pointed to a couple of chairs, and intimated by an emphatic + nod of his head that he expected them to be seated. Messrs Codlin and + Short, after looking at each other with considerable doubt and indecision, + at length sat down—each on the extreme edge of the chair pointed out + to him—and held their hats very tight, while the single gentleman + filled a couple of glasses from a bottle on the table beside him, and + presented them in due form. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0267m.jpg" alt="0267m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0267.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'You're pretty well browned by the sun, both of you,' said their + entertainer. 'Have you been travelling?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Short replied in the affirmative with a nod and a smile. Mr Codlin + added a corroborative nod and a short groan, as if he still felt the + weight of the Temple on his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + 'To fairs, markets, races, and so forth, I suppose?' pursued the single + gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir,' returned Short, 'pretty nigh all over the West of England.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have talked to men of your craft from North, East, and South,' returned + their host, in rather a hasty manner; 'but I never lighted on any from the + West before.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's our reg'lar summer circuit is the West, master,' said Short; 'that's + where it is. We takes the East of London in the spring and winter, and the + West of England in the summer time. Many's the hard day's walking in rain + and mud, and with never a penny earned, we've had down in the West.' + </p> + <p> + 'Let me fill your glass again.' + </p> + <p> + 'Much obleeged to you sir, I think I will,' said Mr Codlin, suddenly + thrusting in his own and turning Short's aside. 'I'm the sufferer, sir, in + all the travelling, and in all the staying at home. In town or country, + wet or dry, hot or cold, Tom Codlin suffers. But Tom Codlin isn't to + complain for all that. Oh, no! Short may complain, but if Codlin grumbles + by so much as a word—oh dear, down with him, down with him directly. + It isn't his place to grumble. That's quite out of the question.' + </p> + <p> + 'Codlin an't without his usefulness,' observed Short with an arch look, + 'but he don't always keep his eyes open. He falls asleep sometimes, you + know. Remember them last races, Tommy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Will you never leave off aggravating a man?' said Codlin. 'It's very like + I was asleep when five-and-tenpence was collected, in one round, isn't it? + I was attending to my business, and couldn't have my eyes in twenty places + at once, like a peacock, no more than you could. If I an't a match for an + old man and a young child, you an't neither, so don't throw that out + against me, for the cap fits your head quite as correct as it fits mine.' + </p> + <p> + 'You may as well drop the subject, Tom,' said Short. 'It isn't particular + agreeable to the gentleman, I dare say.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then you shouldn't have brought it up,' returned Mr Codlin; 'and I ask + the gentleman's pardon on your account, as a giddy chap that likes to hear + himself talk, and don't much care what he talks about, so that he does + talk.' + </p> + <p> + Their entertainer had sat perfectly quiet in the beginning of this + dispute, looking first at one man and then at the other, as if he were + lying in wait for an opportunity of putting some further question, or + reverting to that from which the discourse had strayed. But, from the + point where Mr Codlin was charged with sleepiness, he had shown an + increasing interest in the discussion: which now attained a very high + pitch. + </p> + <p> + 'You are the two men I want,' he said, 'the two men I have been looking + for, and searching after! Where are that old man and that child you speak + of?' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir?' said Short, hesitating, and looking towards his friend. + </p> + <p> + 'The old man and his grandchild who travelled with you—where are + they? It will be worth your while to speak out, I assure you; much better + worth your while than you believe. They left you, you say—at those + races, as I understand. They have been traced to that place, and there + lost sight of. Have you no clue, can you suggest no clue, to their + recovery?' + </p> + <p> + 'Did I always say, Thomas,' cried Short, turning with a look of amazement + to his friend, 'that there was sure to be an inquiry after them two + travellers?' + </p> + <p> + '<i>You </i>said!' returned Mr Codlin. 'Did I always say that that 'ere blessed + child was the most interesting I ever see? Did I always say I loved her, + and doated on her? Pretty creetur, I think I hear her now. "Codlin's my + friend," she says, with a tear of gratitude a trickling down her little + eye; "Codlin's my friend," she says—"not Short. Short's very well," + she says; "I've no quarrel with Short; he means kind, I dare say; but + Codlin," she says, "has the feelings for my money, though he mayn't look + it."' + </p> + <p> + Repeating these words with great emotion, Mr Codlin rubbed the bridge of + his nose with his coat-sleeve, and shaking his head mournfully from side + to side, left the single gentleman to infer that, from the moment when he + lost sight of his dear young charge, his peace of mind and happiness had + fled. + </p> + <p> + 'Good Heaven!' said the single gentleman, pacing up and down the room, + 'have I found these men at last, only to discover that they can give me no + information or assistance! It would have been better to have lived on, in + hope, from day to day, and never to have lighted on them, than to have my + expectations scattered thus.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0269m.jpg" alt="0269m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0269.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Stay a minute,' said Short. 'A man of the name of Jerry—you know + Jerry, Thomas?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, don't talk to me of Jerrys,' replied Mr Codlin. 'How can I care a + pinch of snuff for Jerrys, when I think of that 'ere darling child? + "Codlin's my friend," she says, "dear, good, kind Codlin, as is always a + devising pleasures for me! I don't object to Short," she says, "but I + cotton to Codlin." Once,' said that gentleman reflectively, 'she called me + Father Codlin. I thought I should have bust!' + </p> + <p> + 'A man of the name of Jerry, sir,' said Short, turning from his selfish + colleague to their new acquaintance, 'wot keeps a company of dancing dogs, + told me, in a accidental sort of way, that he had seen the old gentleman + in connexion with a travelling wax-work, unbeknown to him. As they'd given + us the slip, and nothing had come of it, and this was down in the country + that he'd been seen, I took no measures about it, and asked no questions—But + I can, if you like.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is this man in town?' said the impatient single gentleman. 'Speak + faster.' + </p> + <p> + 'No he isn't, but he will be to-morrow, for he lodges in our house,' + replied Mr Short rapidly. + </p> + <p> + 'Then bring him here,' said the single gentleman. 'Here's a sovereign + a-piece. If I can find these people through your means, it is but a + prelude to twenty more. Return to me to-morrow, and keep your own counsel + on this subject—though I need hardly tell you that; for you'll do so + for your own sakes. Now, give me your address, and leave me.' + </p> + <p> + The address was given, the two men departed, the crowd went with them, and + the single gentleman for two mortal hours walked in uncommon agitation up + and down his room, over the wondering heads of Mr Swiveller and Miss Sally + Brass. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap38"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 38 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it—for it happens at this juncture, not only that we have breathing + time to follow his fortunes, but that the necessities of these adventures + so adapt themselves to our ease and inclination as to call upon us + imperatively to pursue the track we most desire to take—Kit, while + the matters treated of in the last fifteen chapters were yet in progress, + was, as the reader may suppose, gradually familiarising himself more and + more with Mr and Mrs Garland, Mr Abel, the pony, and Barbara, and + gradually coming to consider them one and all as his particular private + friends, and Abel Cottage, Finchley, as his own proper home. + </p> + <p> + Stay—the words are written, and may go, but if they convey any + notion that Kit, in the plentiful board and comfortable lodging of his new + abode, began to think slightingly of the poor fare and furniture of his + old dwelling, they do their office badly and commit injustice. Who so + mindful of those he left at home—albeit they were but a mother and + two young babies—as Kit? What boastful father in the fulness of his + heart ever related such wonders of his infant prodigy, as Kit never + wearied of telling Barbara in the evening time, concerning little Jacob? + Was there ever such a mother as Kit's mother, on her son's showing; or was + there ever such comfort in poverty as in the poverty of Kit's family, if + any correct judgment might be arrived at, from his own glowing account! + </p> + <p> + And let me linger in this place, for an instant, to remark that if ever + household affections and loves are graceful things, they are graceful in + the poor. The ties that bind the wealthy and the proud to home may be + forged on earth, but those which link the poor man to his humble hearth + are of the truer metal and bear the stamp of Heaven. The man of high + descent may love the halls and lands of his inheritance as part of + himself: as trophies of his birth and power; his associations with them + are associations of pride and wealth and triumph; the poor man's + attachment to the tenements he holds, which strangers have held before, + and may to-morrow occupy again, has a worthier root, struck deep into a + purer soil. His household gods are of flesh and blood, with no alloy of + silver, gold, or precious stone; he has no property but in the affections + of his own heart; and when they endear bare floors and walls, despite of + rags and toil and scanty fare, that man has his love of home from God, and + his rude hut becomes a solemn place. + </p> + <p> + Oh! if those who rule the destinies of nations would but remember this—if + they would but think how hard it is for the very poor to have engendered + in their hearts, that love of home from which all domestic virtues spring, + when they live in dense and squalid masses where social decency is lost, + or rather never found—if they would but turn aside from the wide + thoroughfares and great houses, and strive to improve the wretched + dwellings in bye-ways where only Poverty may walk—many low roofs + would point more truly to the sky, than the loftiest steeple that now + rears proudly up from the midst of guilt, and crime, and horrible disease, + to mock them by its contrast. In hollow voices from Workhouse, Hospital, + and jail, this truth is preached from day to day, and has been proclaimed + for years. It is no light matter—no outcry from the working vulgar—no + mere question of the people's health and comforts that may be whistled + down on Wednesday nights. In love of home, the love of country has its + rise; and who are the truer patriots or the better in time of need—those + who venerate the land, owning its wood, and stream, and earth, and all + that they produce? or those who love their country, boasting not a foot of + ground in all its wide domain! + </p> + <p> + Kit knew nothing about such questions, but he knew that his old home was a + very poor place, and that his new one was very unlike it, and yet he was + constantly looking back with grateful satisfaction and affectionate + anxiety, and often indited square-folded letters to his mother, enclosing + a shilling or eighteenpence or such other small remittance, which Mr + Abel's liberality enabled him to make. Sometimes being in the + neighbourhood, he had leisure to call upon her, and then great was the joy + and pride of Kit's mother, and extremely noisy the satisfaction of little + Jacob and the baby, and cordial the congratulations of the whole court, + who listened with admiring ears to the accounts of Abel Cottage, and could + never be told too much of its wonders and magnificence. + </p> + <p> + Although Kit was in the very highest favour with the old lady and + gentleman, and Mr Abel, and Barbara, it is certain that no member of the + family evinced such a remarkable partiality for him as the self-willed + pony, who, from being the most obstinate and opinionated pony on the face + of the earth, was, in his hands, the meekest and most tractable of + animals. It is true that in exact proportion as he became manageable by + Kit he became utterly ungovernable by anybody else (as if he had + determined to keep him in the family at all risks and hazards), and that, + even under the guidance of his favourite, he would sometimes perform a + great variety of strange freaks and capers, to the extreme discomposure of + the old lady's nerves; but as Kit always represented that this was only + his fun, or a way he had of showing his attachment to his employers, Mrs + Garland gradually suffered herself to be persuaded into the belief, in + which she at last became so strongly confirmed, that if, in one of these + ebullitions, he had overturned the chaise, she would have been quite + satisfied that he did it with the very best intentions. + </p> + <p> + Besides becoming in a short time a perfect marvel in all stable matters, + Kit soon made himself a very tolerable gardener, a handy fellow within + doors, and an indispensable attendant on Mr Abel, who every day gave him + some new proof of his confidence and approbation. Mr Witherden the notary, + too, regarded him with a friendly eye; and even Mr Chuckster would + sometimes condescend to give him a slight nod, or to honour him with that + peculiar form of recognition which is called 'taking a sight,' or to + favour him with some other salute combining pleasantry with patronage. + </p> + <p> + One morning Kit drove Mr Abel to the Notary's office, as he sometimes did, + and having set him down at the house, was about to drive off to a livery + stable hard by, when this same Mr Chuckster emerged from the office door, + and cried 'Woa-a-a-a-a-a!'—dwelling upon the note a long time, for + the purpose of striking terror into the pony's heart, and asserting the + supremacy of man over the inferior animals. + </p> + <p> + 'Pull up, Snobby,' cried Mr Chuckster, addressing himself to Kit. 'You're + wanted inside here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has Mr Abel forgotten anything, I wonder?' said Kit as he dismounted. + </p> + <p> + 'Ask no questions, Snobby,' returned Mr Chuckster, 'but go and see. + Woa-a-a then, will you? If that pony was mine, I'd break him.' + </p> + <p> + 'You must be very gentle with him, if you please,' said Kit, 'or you'll + find him troublesome. You'd better not keep on pulling his ears, please. I + know he won't like it.' + </p> + <p> + To this remonstrance Mr Chuckster deigned no other answer, than addressing + Kit with a lofty and distant air as 'young feller,' and requesting him to + cut and come again with all speed. The 'young feller' complying, Mr + Chuckster put his hands in his pockets, and tried to look as if he were + not minding the pony, but happened to be lounging there by accident. + </p> + <p> + Kit scraped his shoes very carefully (for he had not yet lost his + reverence for the bundles of papers and the tin boxes,) and tapped at the + office-door, which was quickly opened by the Notary himself. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! come in, Christopher,' said Mr Witherden. + </p> + <p> + 'Is that the lad?' asked an elderly gentleman, but of a stout, bluff + figure—who was in the room. + </p> + <p> + 'That's the lad,' said Mr Witherden. 'He fell in with my client, Mr + Garland, sir, at this very door. I have reason to think he is a good lad, + sir, and that you may believe what he says. Let me introduce Mr Abel + Garland, sir—his young master; my articled pupil, sir, and most + particular friend:—my most particular friend, sir,' repeated the + Notary, drawing out his silk handkerchief and flourishing it about his + face. + </p> + <p> + 'Your servant, sir,' said the stranger gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Yours, sir, I'm sure,' replied Mr Abel mildly. 'You were wishing to speak + to Christopher, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, I was. Have I your permission?' + </p> + <p> + 'By all means.' + </p> + <p> + 'My business is no secret; or I should rather say it need be no secret + here,' said the stranger, observing that Mr Abel and the Notary were + preparing to retire. 'It relates to a dealer in curiosities with whom he + lived, and in whom I am earnestly and warmly interested. I have been a + stranger to this country, gentlemen, for very many years, and if I am + deficient in form and ceremony, I hope you will forgive me.' + </p> + <p> + 'No forgiveness is necessary, sir;—none whatever,' replied the + Notary. And so said Mr Abel. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been making inquiries in the neighbourhood in which his old master + lived,' said the stranger, 'and I learn that he was served by this lad. I + have found out his mother's house, and have been directed by her to this + place as the nearest in which I should be likely to find him. That's the + cause of my presenting myself here this morning.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very glad of any cause, sir,' said the Notary, 'which procures me + the honour of this visit.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' retorted the stranger, 'you speak like a mere man of the world, and + I think you something better. Therefore, pray do not sink your real + character in paying unmeaning compliments to me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hem!' coughed the Notary. 'You're a plain speaker, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'And a plain dealer,' returned the stranger. 'It may be my long absence + and inexperience that lead me to the conclusion; but if plain speakers are + scarce in this part of the world, I fancy plain dealers are still scarcer. + If my speaking should offend you, sir, my dealing, I hope, will make + amends.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Witherden seemed a little disconcerted by the elderly gentleman's mode + of conducting the dialogue; and as for Kit, he looked at him in + open-mouthed astonishment: wondering what kind of language he would + address to him, if he talked in that free and easy way to a Notary. It was + with no harshness, however, though with something of constitutional + irritability and haste, that he turned to Kit and said: + </p> + <p> + 'If you think, my lad, that I am pursuing these inquiries with any other + view than that of serving and reclaiming those I am in search of, you do + me a very great wrong, and deceive yourself. Don't be deceived, I beg of + you, but rely upon my assurance. The fact is, gentlemen,' he added, + turning again to the Notary and his pupil, 'that I am in a very painful + and wholly unexpected position. I came to this city with a darling object + at my heart, expecting to find no obstacle or difficulty in the way of its + attainment. I find myself suddenly checked and stopped short, in the + execution of my design, by a mystery which I cannot penetrate. Every + effort I have made to penetrate it, has only served to render it darker + and more obscure; and I am afraid to stir openly in the matter, lest those + whom I anxiously pursue, should fly still farther from me. I assure you + that if you could give me any assistance, you would not be sorry to do so, + if you knew how greatly I stand in need of it, and what a load it would + relieve me from.' + </p> + <p> + There was a simplicity in this confidence which occasioned it to find a + quick response in the breast of the good-natured Notary, who replied, in + the same spirit, that the stranger had not mistaken his desire, and that + if he could be of service to him, he would, most readily. + </p> + <p> + Kit was then put under examination and closely questioned by the unknown + gentleman, touching his old master and the child, their lonely way of + life, their retired habits, and strict seclusion. The nightly absence of + the old man, the solitary existence of the child at those times, his + illness and recovery, Quilp's possession of the house, and their sudden + disappearance, were all the subjects of much questioning and answer. + Finally, Kit informed the gentleman that the premises were now to let, and + that a board upon the door referred all inquirers to Mr Sampson Brass, + Solicitor, of Bevis Marks, from whom he might perhaps learn some further + particulars. + </p> + <p> + 'Not by inquiry,' said the gentleman shaking his head. 'I live there.' + </p> + <p> + 'Live at Brass's the attorney's!' cried Mr Witherden in some surprise: + having professional knowledge of the gentleman in question. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye,' was the reply. 'I entered on his lodgings t'other day, chiefly + because I had seen this very board. It matters little to me where I live, + and I had a desperate hope that some intelligence might be cast in my way + there, which would not reach me elsewhere. Yes, I live at Brass's—more + shame for me, I suppose?' + </p> + <p> + 'That's a mere matter of opinion,' said the Notary, shrugging his + shoulders. 'He is looked upon as rather a doubtful character.' + </p> + <p> + 'Doubtful?' echoed the other. 'I am glad to hear there's any doubt about + it. I supposed that had been thoroughly settled, long ago. But will you + let me speak a word or two with you in private?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Witherden consenting, they walked into that gentleman's private closet, + and remained there, in close conversation, for some quarter of an hour, + when they returned into the outer office. The stranger had left his hat in + Mr Witherden's room, and seemed to have established himself in this short + interval on quite a friendly footing. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll not detain you any longer now,' he said, putting a crown into Kit's + hand, and looking towards the Notary. 'You shall hear from me again. Not a + word of this, you know, except to your master and mistress.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mother, sir, would be glad to know—' said Kit, faltering. + </p> + <p> + 'Glad to know what?' + </p> + <p> + 'Anything—so that it was no harm—about Miss Nell.' + </p> + <p> + 'Would she? Well then, you may tell her if she can keep a secret. But + mind, not a word of this to anybody else. Don't forget that. Be + particular.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll take care, sir,' said Kit. 'Thankee, sir, and good morning.' + </p> + <p> + Now, it happened that the gentleman, in his anxiety to impress upon Kit + that he was not to tell anybody what had passed between them, followed him + out to the door to repeat his caution, and it further happened that at + that moment the eyes of Mr Richard Swiveller were turned in that + direction, and beheld his mysterious friend and Kit together. + </p> + <p> + It was quite an accident, and the way in which it came about was this. Mr + Chuckster, being a gentleman of a cultivated taste and refined spirit, was + one of that Lodge of Glorious Apollos whereof Mr Swiveller was Perpetual + Grand. Mr Swiveller, passing through the street in the execution of some + Brazen errand, and beholding one of his Glorious Brotherhood intently + gazing on a pony, crossed over to give him that fraternal greeting with + which Perpetual Grands are, by the very constitution of their office, + bound to cheer and encourage their disciples. He had scarcely bestowed + upon him his blessing, and followed it with a general remark touching the + present state and prospects of the weather, when, lifting up his eyes, he + beheld the single gentleman of Bevis Marks in earnest conversation with + Christopher Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'Hallo!' said Dick, 'who is that?' + </p> + <p> + 'He called to see my Governor this morning,' replied Mr Chuckster; 'beyond + that, I don't know him from Adam.' + </p> + <p> + 'At least you know his name?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + To which Mr Chuckster replied, with an elevation of speech becoming a + Glorious Apollo, that he was 'everlastingly blessed' if he did. + </p> + <p> + 'All I know, my dear feller,' said Mr Chuckster, running his fingers + through his hair, 'is, that he is the cause of my having stood here twenty + minutes, for which I hate him with a mortal and undying hatred, and would + pursue him to the confines of eternity if I could afford the time.' + </p> + <p> + While they were thus discoursing, the subject of their conversation (who + had not appeared to recognise Mr Richard Swiveller) re-entered the house, + and Kit came down the steps and joined them; to whom Mr Swiveller again + propounded his inquiry with no better success. + </p> + <p> + 'He is a very nice gentleman, Sir,' said Kit, 'and that's all I know about + him.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Chuckster waxed wroth at this answer, and without applying the remark + to any particular case, mentioned, as a general truth, that it was + expedient to break the heads of Snobs, and to tweak their noses. Without + expressing his concurrence in this sentiment, Mr Swiveller after a few + moments of abstraction inquired which way Kit was driving, and, being + informed, declared it was his way, and that he would trespass on him for a + lift. Kit would gladly have declined the proffered honour, but as Mr + Swiveller was already established in the seat beside him, he had no means + of doing so, otherwise than by a forcible ejectment, and therefore, drove + briskly off—so briskly indeed, as to cut short the leave-taking + between Mr Chuckster and his Grand Master, and to occasion the former + gentleman some inconvenience from having his corns squeezed by the + impatient pony. + </p> + <p> + As Whisker was tired of standing, and Mr Swiveller was kind enough to + stimulate him by shrill whistles, and various sporting cries, they rattled + off at too sharp a pace to admit of much conversation: especially as the + pony, incensed by Mr Swiveller's admonitions, took a particular fancy for + the lamp-posts and cart-wheels, and evinced a strong desire to run on the + pavement and rasp himself against the brick walls. It was not, therefore, + until they had arrived at the stable, and the chaise had been extricated + from a very small doorway, into which the pony dragged it under the + impression that he could take it along with him into his usual stall, that + Mr Swiveller found time to talk. + </p> + <p> + 'It's hard work,' said Richard. 'What do you say to some beer?' + </p> + <p> + Kit at first declined, but presently consented, and they adjourned to the + neighbouring bar together. + </p> + <p> + 'We'll drink our friend what's-his-name,' said Dick, holding up the bright + frothy pot; '—that was talking to you this morning, you know—I + know him—a good fellow, but eccentric—very—here's + what's-his-name!' + </p> + <p> + Kit pledged him. + </p> + <p> + 'He lives in my house,' said Dick; 'at least in the house occupied by the + firm in which I'm a sort of a—of a managing partner—a + difficult fellow to get anything out of, but we like him—we like + him.' + </p> + <p> + 'I must be going, sir, if you please,' said Kit, moving away. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't be in a hurry, Christopher,' replied his patron, 'we'll drink your + mother.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'An excellent woman that mother of yours, Christopher,' said Mr Swiveller. + 'Who ran to catch me when I fell, and kissed the place to make it well? My + mother. A charming woman. He's a liberal sort of fellow. We must get him + to do something for your mother. Does he know her, Christopher?' + </p> + <p> + Kit shook his head, and glancing slyly at his questioner, thanked him, and + made off before he could say another word. + </p> + <p> + 'Humph!' said Mr Swiveller pondering, 'this is queer. Nothing but + mysteries in connection with Brass's house. I'll keep my own counsel, + however. Everybody and anybody has been in my confidence as yet, but now I + think I'll set up in business for myself. Queer—very queer!' + </p> + <p> + After pondering deeply and with a face of exceeding wisdom for some time, + Mr Swiveller drank some more of the beer, and summoning a small boy who + had been watching his proceedings, poured forth the few remaining drops as + a libation on the gravel, and bade him carry the empty vessel to the bar + with his compliments, and above all things to lead a sober and temperate + life, and abstain from all intoxicating and exciting liquors. Having given + him this piece of moral advice for his trouble (which, as he wisely + observed, was far better than half-pence) the Perpetual Grand Master of + the Glorious Apollos thrust his hands into his pockets and sauntered away: + still pondering as he went. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0278m.jpg" alt="0278m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0278.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap39"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 39 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>ll that day, though he waited for Mr Abel until evening, Kit kept clear + of his mother's house, determined not to anticipate the pleasures of the + morrow, but to let them come in their full rush of delight; for to-morrow + was the great and long looked-for epoch in his life—to-morrow was + the end of his first quarter—the day of receiving, for the first + time, one fourth part of his annual income of Six Pounds in one vast sum + of Thirty Shillings—to-morrow was to be a half-holiday devoted to a + whirl of entertainments, and little Jacob was to know what oysters meant, + and to see a play. + </p> + <p> + All manner of incidents combined in favour of the occasion: not only had + Mr and Mrs Garland forewarned him that they intended to make no deduction + for his outfit from the great amount, but to pay it him unbroken in all + its gigantic grandeur; not only had the unknown gentleman increased the + stock by the sum of five shillings, which was a perfect god-send and in + itself a fortune; not only had these things come to pass which nobody + could have calculated upon, or in their wildest dreams have hoped; but it + was Barbara's quarter too—Barbara's quarter, that very day—and + Barbara had a half-holiday as well as Kit, and Barbara's mother was going + to make one of the party, and to take tea with Kit's mother, and cultivate + her acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + To be sure Kit looked out of his window very early that morning to see + which way the clouds were flying, and to be sure Barbara would have been + at hers too, if she had not sat up so late over-night, starching and + ironing small pieces of muslin, and crimping them into frills, and sewing + them on to other pieces to form magnificent wholes for next day's wear. + But they were both up very early for all that, and had small appetites for + breakfast and less for dinner, and were in a state of great excitement + when Barbara's mother came in, with astonishing accounts of the fineness + of the weather out of doors (but with a very large umbrella + notwithstanding, for people like Barbara's mother seldom make holiday + without one), and when the bell rang for them to go up stairs and receive + their quarter's money in gold and silver. + </p> + <p> + Well, wasn't Mr Garland kind when he said 'Christopher, here's your money, + and you have earned it well;' and wasn't Mrs Garland kind when she said + 'Barbara, here's yours, and I'm much pleased with you;' and didn't Kit + sign his name bold to his receipt, and didn't Barbara sign her name all a + trembling to hers; and wasn't it beautiful to see how Mrs Garland poured + out Barbara's mother a glass of wine; and didn't Barbara's mother speak up + when she said 'Here's blessing you, ma'am, as a good lady, and you, sir, + as a good gentleman, and Barbara, my love to you, and here's towards you, + Mr Christopher;' and wasn't she as long drinking it as if it had been a + tumblerful; and didn't she look genteel, standing there with her gloves + on; and wasn't there plenty of laughing and talking among them as they + reviewed all these things upon the top of the coach, and didn't they pity + the people who hadn't got a holiday! + </p> + <p> + But Kit's mother, again—wouldn't anybody have supposed she had come + of a good stock and been a lady all her life! There she was, quite ready + to receive them, with a display of tea-things that might have warmed the + heart of a china-shop; and little Jacob and the baby in such a state of + perfection that their clothes looked as good as new, though Heaven knows + they were old enough! Didn't she say before they had sat down five minutes + that Barbara's mother was exactly the sort of lady she expected, and + didn't Barbara's mother say that Kit's mother was the very picture of what + she had expected, and didn't Kit's mother compliment Barbara's mother on + Barbara, and didn't Barbara's mother compliment Kit's mother on Kit, and + wasn't Barbara herself quite fascinated with little Jacob, and did ever a + child show off when he was wanted, as that child did, or make such friends + as he made! + </p> + <p> + 'And we are both widows too!' said Barbara's mother. 'We must have been + made to know each other.' + </p> + <p> + 'I haven't a doubt about it,' returned Mrs Nubbles. 'And what a pity it is + we didn't know each other sooner.' + </p> + <p> + 'But then, you know, it's such a pleasure,' said Barbara's mother, 'to + have it brought about by one's son and daughter, that it's fully made up + for. Now, an't it?' + </p> + <p> + To this, Kit's mother yielded her full assent, and tracing things back + from effects to causes, they naturally reverted to their deceased + husbands, respecting whose lives, deaths, and burials, they compared + notes, and discovered sundry circumstances that tallied with wonderful + exactness; such as Barbara's father having been exactly four years and ten + months older than Kit's father, and one of them having died on a Wednesday + and the other on a Thursday, and both of them having been of a very fine + make and remarkably good-looking, with other extraordinary coincidences. + These recollections being of a kind calculated to cast a shadow on the + brightness of the holiday, Kit diverted the conversation to general + topics, and they were soon in great force again, and as merry as before. + Among other things, Kit told them about his old place, and the + extraordinary beauty of Nell (of whom he had talked to Barbara a thousand + times already); but the last-named circumstance failed to interest his + hearers to anything like the extent he had supposed, and even his mother + said (looking accidentally at Barbara at the same time) that there was no + doubt Miss Nell was very pretty, but she was but a child after all, and + there were many young women quite as pretty as she; and Barbara mildly + observed that she should think so, and that she never could help believing + Mr Christopher must be under a mistake—which Kit wondered at very + much, not being able to conceive what reason she had for doubting him. + Barbara's mother too, observed that it was very common for young folks to + change at about fourteen or fifteen, and whereas they had been very pretty + before, to grow up quite plain; which truth she illustrated by many + forcible examples, especially one of a young man, who, being a builder + with great prospects, had been particular in his attentions to Barbara, + but whom Barbara would have nothing to say to; which (though everything + happened for the best) she almost thought was a pity. Kit said he thought + so too, and so he did honestly, and he wondered what made Barbara so + silent all at once, and why his mother looked at him as if he shouldn't + have said it. + </p> + <p> + However, it was high time now to be thinking of the play; for which great + preparation was required, in the way of shawls and bonnets, not to mention + one handkerchief full of oranges and another of apples, which took some + time tying up, in consequence of the fruit having a tendency to roll out + at the corners. At length, everything was ready, and they went off very + fast; Kit's mother carrying the baby, who was dreadfully wide awake, and + Kit holding little Jacob in one hand, and escorting Barbara with the other—a + state of things which occasioned the two mothers, who walked behind, to + declare that they looked quite family folks, and caused Barbara to blush + and say, 'Now don't, mother!' But Kit said she had no call to mind what + they said; and indeed she need not have had, if she had known how very far + from Kit's thoughts any love-making was. Poor Barbara! + </p> + <p> + At last they got to the theatre, which was Astley's: and in some two + minutes after they had reached the yet unopened door, little Jacob was + squeezed flat, and the baby had received divers concussions, and Barbara's + mother's umbrella had been carried several yards off and passed back to + her over the shoulders of the people, and Kit had hit a man on the head + with the handkerchief of apples for 'scrowdging' his parent with + unnecessary violence, and there was a great uproar. But, when they were + once past the pay-place and tearing away for very life with their checks + in their hands, and, above all, when they were fairly in the theatre, and + seated in such places that they couldn't have had better if they had + picked them out, and taken them beforehand, all this was looked upon as + quite a capital joke, and an essential part of the entertainment. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0282m.jpg" alt="0282m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0282.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Dear, dear, what a place it looked, that Astley's; with all the paint, + gilding, and looking-glass; the vague smell of horses suggestive of coming + wonders; the curtain that hid such gorgeous mysteries; the clean white + sawdust down in the circus; the company coming in and taking their places; + the fiddlers looking carelessly up at them while they tuned their + instruments, as if they didn't want the play to begin, and knew it all + beforehand! What a glow was that, which burst upon them all, when that + long, clear, brilliant row of lights came slowly up; and what the feverish + excitement when the little bell rang and the music began in good earnest, + with strong parts for the drums, and sweet effects for the triangles! Well + might Barbara's mother say to Kit's mother that the gallery was the place + to see from, and wonder it wasn't much dearer than the boxes; well might + Barbara feel doubtful whether to laugh or cry, in her flutter of delight. + </p> + <p> + Then the play itself! the horses which little Jacob believed from the + first to be alive, and the ladies and gentlemen of whose reality he could + be by no means persuaded, having never seen or heard anything at all like + them—the firing, which made Barbara wink—the forlorn lady, who + made her cry—the tyrant, who made her tremble—the man who sang + the song with the lady's-maid and danced the chorus, who made her laugh—the + pony who reared up on his hind legs when he saw the murderer, and wouldn't + hear of walking on all fours again until he was taken into custody—the + clown who ventured on such familiarities with the military man in boots—the + lady who jumped over the nine-and-twenty ribbons and came down safe upon + the horse's back—everything was delightful, splendid, and + surprising! Little Jacob applauded till his hands were sore; Kit cried + 'an-kor' at the end of everything, the three-act piece included; and + Barbara's mother beat her umbrella on the floor, in her ecstasies, until + it was nearly worn down to the gingham. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of all these fascinations, Barbara's thoughts seemed to have + been still running on what Kit had said at tea-time; for, when they were + coming out of the play, she asked him, with an hysterical simper, if Miss + Nell was as handsome as the lady who jumped over the ribbons. + </p> + <p> + 'As handsome as her?' said Kit. 'Double as handsome.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Christopher! I'm sure she was the beautifullest creature ever was,' + said Barbara. + </p> + <p> + 'Nonsense!' returned Kit. 'She was well enough, I don't deny that; but + think how she was dressed and painted, and what a difference that made. + Why <i>you </i>are a good deal better looking than her, Barbara.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Christopher!' said Barbara, looking down. + </p> + <p> + 'You are, any day,' said Kit, '—and so's your mother.' + </p> + <p> + Poor Barbara! + </p> + <p> + What was all this though—even all this—to the extraordinary + dissipation that ensued, when Kit, walking into an oyster-shop as bold as + if he lived there, and not so much as looking at the counter or the man + behind it, led his party into a box—a private box, fitted up with + red curtains, white table-cloth, and cruet-stand complete—and + ordered a fierce gentleman with whiskers, who acted as waiter and called + him, him Christopher Nubbles, 'sir,' to bring three dozen of his + largest-sized oysters, and to look sharp about it! Yes, Kit told this + gentleman to look sharp, and he not only said he would look sharp, but he + actually did, and presently came running back with the newest loaves, and + the freshest butter, and the largest oysters, ever seen. Then said Kit to + this gentleman, 'a pot of beer'—just so—and the gentleman, + instead of replying, 'Sir, did you address that language to me?' only + said, 'Pot o' beer, sir? Yes, sir,' and went off and fetched it, and put + it on the table in a small decanter-stand, like those which blind-men's + dogs carry about the streets in their mouths, to catch the half-pence in; + and both Kit's mother and Barbara's mother declared as he turned away that + he was one of the slimmest and gracefullest young men she had ever looked + upon. + </p> + <p> + Then they fell to work upon the supper in earnest; and there was Barbara, + that foolish Barbara, declaring that she could not eat more than two, and + wanting more pressing than you would believe before she would eat four: + though her mother and Kit's mother made up for it pretty well, and ate and + laughed and enjoyed themselves so thoroughly that it did Kit good to see + them, and made him laugh and eat likewise from strong sympathy. But the + greatest miracle of the night was little Jacob, who ate oysters as if he + had been born and bred to the business—sprinkled the pepper and the + vinegar with a discretion beyond his years—and afterwards built a + grotto on the table with the shells. There was the baby too, who had never + closed an eye all night, but had sat as good as gold, trying to force a + large orange into his mouth, and gazing intently at the lights in the + chandelier—there he was, sitting up in his mother's lap, staring at + the gas without winking, and making indentations in his soft visage with + an oyster-shell, to that degree that a heart of iron must have loved him! + In short, there never was a more successful supper; and when Kit ordered + in a glass of something hot to finish with, and proposed Mr and Mrs + Garland before sending it round, there were not six happier people in all + the world. + </p> + <p> + But all happiness has an end—hence the chief pleasure of its next + beginning—and as it was now growing late, they agreed it was time to + turn their faces homewards. So, after going a little out of their way to + see Barbara and Barbara's mother safe to a friend's house where they were + to pass the night, Kit and his mother left them at the door, with an early + appointment for returning to Finchley next morning, and a great many plans + for next quarter's enjoyment. Then, Kit took little Jacob on his back, and + giving his arm to his mother, and a kiss to the baby, they all trudged + merrily home together. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap40"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 40 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>ull of that vague kind of penitence which holidays awaken next morning, + Kit turned out at sunrise, and, with his faith in last night's enjoyments + a little shaken by cool daylight and the return to every-day duties and + occupations, went to meet Barbara and her mother at the appointed place. + And being careful not to awaken any of the little household, who were yet + resting from their unusual fatigues, Kit left his money on the + chimney-piece, with an inscription in chalk calling his mother's attention + to the circumstance, and informing her that it came from her dutiful son; + and went his way, with a heart something heavier than his pockets, but + free from any very great oppression notwithstanding. + </p> + <p> + Oh these holidays! why will they leave us some regret? why cannot we push + them back, only a week or two in our memories, so as to put them at once + at that convenient distance whence they may be regarded either with a calm + indifference or a pleasant effort of recollection! why will they hang + about us, like the flavour of yesterday's wine, suggestive of headaches + and lassitude, and those good intentions for the future, which, under the + earth, form the everlasting pavement of a large estate, and, upon it, + usually endure until dinner-time or thereabouts! + </p> + <p> + Who will wonder that Barbara had a headache, or that Barbara's mother was + disposed to be cross, or that she slightly underrated Astley's, and + thought the clown was older than they had taken him to be last night? Kit + was not surprised to hear her say so—not he. He had already had a + misgiving that the inconstant actors in that dazzling vision had been + doing the same thing the night before last, and would do it again that + night, and the next, and for weeks and months to come, though he would not + be there. Such is the difference between yesterday and today. We are all + going to the play, or coming home from it. + </p> + <p> + However, the Sun himself is weak when he first rises, and gathers strength + and courage as the day gets on. By degrees, they began to recall + circumstances more and more pleasant in their nature, until, what between + talking, walking, and laughing, they reached Finchley in such good heart, + that Barbara's mother declared she never felt less tired or in better + spirits. And so said Kit. Barbara had been silent all the way, but she + said so too. Poor little Barbara! She was very quiet. + </p> + <p> + They were at home in such good time that Kit had rubbed down the pony and + made him as spruce as a race-horse, before Mr Garland came down to + breakfast; which punctual and industrious conduct the old lady, and the + old gentleman, and Mr Abel, highly extolled. At his usual hour (or rather + at his usual minute and second, for he was the soul of punctuality) Mr + Abel walked out, to be overtaken by the London coach, and Kit and the old + gentleman went to work in the garden. + </p> + <p> + This was not the least pleasant of Kit's employments. On a fine day they + were quite a family party; the old lady sitting hard by with her + work-basket on a little table; the old gentleman digging, or pruning, or + clipping about with a large pair of shears, or helping Kit in some way or + other with great assiduity; and Whisker looking on from his paddock in + placid contemplation of them all. To-day they were to trim the grape-vine, + so Kit mounted half-way up a short ladder, and began to snip and hammer + away, while the old gentleman, with a great interest in his proceedings, + handed up the nails and shreds of cloth as he wanted them. The old lady + and Whisker looked on as usual. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'and so you have made a new friend, + eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'I beg your pardon, Sir?' returned Kit, looking down from the ladder. + </p> + <p> + 'You have made a new friend, I hear from Mr Abel,' said the old gentleman, + 'at the office!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! Yes Sir, yes. He behaved very handsome, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad to hear it,' returned the old gentlemen with a smile. 'He is + disposed to behave more handsomely still, though, Christopher.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, Sir! It's very kind in him, but I don't want him to, I'm sure,' + said Kit, hammering stoutly at an obdurate nail. + </p> + <p> + 'He is rather anxious,' pursued the old gentleman, 'to have you in his own + service—take care what you're doing, or you will fall down and hurt + yourself.' + </p> + <p> + 'To have me in his service, Sir?' cried Kit, who had stopped short in his + work and faced about on the ladder like some dexterous tumbler. 'Why, Sir, + I don't think he can be in earnest when he says that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! But he is indeed,' said Mr Garland. 'And he has told Mr Abel so.' + </p> + <p> + 'I never heard of such a thing!' muttered Kit, looking ruefully at his + master and mistress. 'I wonder at him; that I do.' + </p> + <p> + 'You see, Christopher,' said Mr Garland, 'this is a point of much + importance to you, and you should understand and consider it in that + light. This gentleman is able to give you more money than I—not, I + hope, to carry through the various relations of master and servant, more + kindness and confidence, but certainly, Christopher, to give you more + money.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' said Kit, 'after that, Sir—' + </p> + <p> + 'Wait a moment,' interposed Mr Garland. 'That is not all. You were a very + faithful servant to your old employers, as I understand, and should this + gentleman recover them, as it is his purpose to attempt doing by every + means in his power, I have no doubt that you, being in his service, would + meet with your reward. Besides,' added the old gentleman with stronger + emphasis, 'besides having the pleasure of being again brought into + communication with those to whom you seem to be very strongly and + disinterestedly attached. You must think of all this, Christopher, and not + be rash or hasty in your choice.' + </p> + <p> + Kit did suffer one twinge, one momentary pang, in keeping the resolution + he had already formed, when this last argument passed swiftly into his + thoughts, and conjured up the realization of all his hopes and fancies. + But it was gone in a minute, and he sturdily rejoined that the gentleman + must look out for somebody else, as he did think he might have done at + first. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0288m.jpg" alt="0288m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0288.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'He has no right to think that I'd be led away to go to him, sir,' said + Kit, turning round again after half a minute's hammering. 'Does he think + I'm a fool?' + </p> + <p> + 'He may, perhaps, Christopher, if you refuse his offer,' said Mr Garland + gravely. + </p> + <p> + 'Then let him, sir,' retorted Kit; 'what do I care, sir, what he thinks? + why should I care for his thinking, sir, when I know that I should be a + fool, and worse than a fool, sir, to leave the kindest master and mistress + that ever was or can be, who took me out of the streets a very poor and + hungry lad indeed—poorer and hungrier perhaps than even you think + for, sir—to go to him or anybody? If Miss Nell was to come back, + ma'am,' added Kit, turning suddenly to his mistress, 'why that would be + another thing, and perhaps if she wanted me, I might ask you now and then + to let me work for her when all was done at home. But when she comes back, + I see now that she'll be rich as old master always said she would, and + being a rich young lady, what could she want of me? No, no,' added Kit, + shaking his head sorrowfully, 'she'll never want me any more, and bless + her, I hope she never may, though I should like to see her too!' + </p> + <p> + Here Kit drove a nail into the wall, very hard—much harder than was + necessary—and having done so, faced about again. + </p> + <p> + 'There's the pony, sir,' said Kit—'Whisker, ma'am (and he knows so + well I'm talking about him that he begins to neigh directly, Sir)—would + he let anybody come near him but me, ma'am? Here's the garden, sir, and Mr + Abel, ma'am. Would Mr Abel part with me, Sir, or is there anybody that + could be fonder of the garden, ma'am? It would break mother's heart, Sir, + and even little Jacob would have sense enough to cry his eyes out, ma'am, + if he thought that Mr Abel could wish to part with me so soon, after + having told me, only the other day, that he hoped we might be together for + years to come—' + </p> + <p> + There is no telling how long Kit might have stood upon the ladder, + addressing his master and mistress by turns, and generally turning towards + the wrong person, if Barbara had not at that moment come running up to say + that a messenger from the office had brought a note, which, with an + expression of some surprise at Kit's oratorical appearance, she put into + her master's hand. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said the old gentleman after reading it, 'ask the messenger to walk + this way.' Barbara tripping off to do as she was bid, he turned to Kit and + said that they would not pursue the subject any further, and that Kit + could not be more unwilling to part with them, than they would be to part + with Kit; a sentiment which the old lady very generously echoed. + </p> + <p> + 'At the same time, Christopher,' added Mr Garland, glancing at the note in + his hand, 'if the gentleman should want to borrow you now and then for an + hour or so, or even a day or so, at a time, we must consent to lend you, + and you must consent to be lent.—Oh! here is the young gentleman. + How do you do, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + This salutation was addressed to Mr Chuckster, who, with his hat extremely + on one side, and his hair a long way beyond it, came swaggering up the + walk. + </p> + <p> + 'Hope I see you well sir,' returned that gentleman. 'Hope I see <i>you </i>well, + ma'am. Charming box this, sir. Delicious country to be sure.' + </p> + <p> + 'You want to take Kit back with you, I find?' observed Mr Garland. + </p> + <p> + 'I have got a chariot-cab waiting on purpose,' replied the clerk. 'A very + spanking grey in that cab, sir, if you're a judge of horse-flesh.' + </p> + <p> + Declining to inspect the spanking grey, on the plea that he was but poorly + acquainted with such matters, and would but imperfectly appreciate his + beauties, Mr Garland invited Mr Chuckster to partake of a slight repast in + the way of lunch. That gentleman readily consenting, certain cold viands, + flanked with ale and wine, were speedily prepared for his refreshment. + </p> + <p> + At this repast, Mr Chuckster exerted his utmost abilities to enchant his + entertainers, and impress them with a conviction of the mental superiority + of those who dwelt in town; with which view he led the discourse to the + small scandal of the day, in which he was justly considered by his friends + to shine prodigiously. Thus, he was in a condition to relate the exact + circumstances of the difference between the Marquis of Mizzler and Lord + Bobby, which it appeared originated in a disputed bottle of champagne, and + not in a pigeon-pie, as erroneously reported in the newspapers; neither + had Lord Bobby said to the Marquis of Mizzler, 'Mizzler, one of us two + tells a lie, and I'm not the man,' as incorrectly stated by the same + authorities; but 'Mizzler, you know where I'm to be found, and damme, sir, + find me if you want me'—which, of course, entirely changed the + aspect of this interesting question, and placed it in a very different + light. He also acquainted them with the precise amount of the income + guaranteed by the Duke of Thigsberry to Violetta Stetta of the Italian + Opera, which it appeared was payable quarterly, and not half-yearly, as + the public had been given to understand, and which was <i>ex</i>clusive, and not + <i>in</i>clusive (as had been monstrously stated,) of jewellery, perfumery, + hair-powder for five footmen, and two daily changes of kid-gloves for a + page. Having entreated the old lady and gentleman to set their minds at + rest on these absorbing points, for they might rely on his statement being + the correct one, Mr Chuckster entertained them with theatrical chit-chat + and the court circular; and so wound up a brilliant and fascinating + conversation which he had maintained alone, and without any assistance + whatever, for upwards of three-quarters of an hour. + </p> + <p> + 'And now that the nag has got his wind again,' said Mr Chuckster rising in + a graceful manner, 'I'm afraid I must cut my stick.' + </p> + <p> + Neither Mr nor Mrs Garland offered any opposition to his tearing himself + away (feeling, no doubt, that such a man could ill be spared from his + proper sphere of action), and therefore Mr Chuckster and Kit were shortly + afterwards upon their way to town; Kit being perched upon the box of the + cabriolet beside the driver, and Mr Chuckster seated in solitary state + inside, with one of his boots sticking out at each of the front windows. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the Notary's house, Kit followed into the office, and + was desired by Mr Abel to sit down and wait, for the gentleman who wanted + him had gone out, and perhaps might not return for some time. This + anticipation was strictly verified, for Kit had had his dinner, and his + tea, and had read all the lighter matter in the Law-List, and the + Post-Office Directory, and had fallen asleep a great many times, before + the gentleman whom he had seen before, came in; which he did at last in a + very great hurry. + </p> + <p> + He was closeted with Mr Witherden for some little time, and Mr Abel had + been called in to assist at the conference, before Kit, wondering very + much what he was wanted for, was summoned to attend them. + </p> + <p> + 'Christopher,' said the gentleman, turning to him directly he entered the + room, 'I have found your old master and young mistress.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, Sir! Have you, though?' returned Kit, his eyes sparkling with + delight. 'Where are they, Sir? How are they, Sir? Are they—are they + near here?' + </p> + <p> + 'A long way from here,' returned the gentleman, shaking his head. 'But I + am going away to-night to bring them back, and I want you to go with me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Me, Sir?' cried Kit, full of joy and surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'The place,' said the strange gentleman, turning thoughtfully to the + Notary, 'indicated by this man of the dogs, is—how far from here—sixty + miles?' + </p> + <p> + 'From sixty to seventy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Humph! If we travel post all night, we shall reach there in good time + to-morrow morning. Now, the only question is, as they will not know me, + and the child, God bless her, would think that any stranger pursuing them + had a design upon her grandfather's liberty—can I do better than + take this lad, whom they both know and will readily remember, as an + assurance to them of my friendly intentions?' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly not,' replied the Notary. 'Take Christopher by all means.' + </p> + <p> + 'I beg your pardon, Sir,' said Kit, who had listened to this discourse + with a lengthening countenance, 'but if that's the reason, I'm afraid I + should do more harm than good—Miss Nell, Sir, she knows me, and + would trust in me, I am sure; but old master—I don't know why, + gentlemen; nobody does—would not bear me in his sight after he had + been ill, and Miss Nell herself told me that I must not go near him or let + him see me any more. I should spoil all that you were doing if I went, I'm + afraid. I'd give the world to go, but you had better not take me, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Another difficulty!' cried the impetuous gentleman. 'Was ever man so + beset as I? Is there nobody else that knew them, nobody else in whom they + had any confidence? Solitary as their lives were, is there no one person + who would serve my purpose?' + </p> + <p> + '<i>Is</i> there, Christopher?' said the Notary. + </p> + <p> + 'Not one, Sir,' replied Kit.—'Yes, though—there's my mother.' + </p> + <p> + 'Did they know her?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Know her, Sir! why, she was always coming backwards and forwards. They + were as kind to her as they were to me. Bless you, Sir, she expected + they'd come back to her house.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then where the devil is the woman?' said the impatient gentleman, + catching up his hat. 'Why isn't she here? Why is that woman always out of + the way when she is most wanted?' + </p> + <p> + In a word, the single gentleman was bursting out of the office, bent upon + laying violent hands on Kit's mother, forcing her into a post-chaise, and + carrying her off, when this novel kind of abduction was with some + difficulty prevented by the joint efforts of Mr Abel and the Notary, who + restrained him by dint of their remonstrances, and persuaded him to sound + Kit upon the probability of her being able and willing to undertake such a + journey on so short a notice. + </p> + <p> + This occasioned some doubts on the part of Kit, and some violent + demonstrations on that of the single gentleman, and a great many soothing + speeches on that of the Notary and Mr Abel. The upshot of the business + was, that Kit, after weighing the matter in his mind and considering it + carefully, promised, on behalf of his mother, that she should be ready + within two hours from that time to undertake the expedition, and engaged + to produce her in that place, in all respects equipped and prepared for + the journey, before the specified period had expired. + </p> + <p> + Having given this pledge, which was rather a bold one, and not + particularly easy of redemption, Kit lost no time in sallying forth, and + taking measures for its immediate fulfilment. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap41"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 41 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it made his way through the crowded streets, dividing the stream of + people, dashing across the busy road-ways, diving into lanes and alleys, + and stopping or turning aside for nothing, until he came in front of the + Old Curiosity Shop, when he came to a stand; partly from habit and partly + from being out of breath. + </p> + <p> + It was a gloomy autumn evening, and he thought the old place had never + looked so dismal as in its dreary twilight. The windows broken, the rusty + sashes rattling in their frames, the deserted house a dull barrier + dividing the glaring lights and bustle of the street into two long lines, + and standing in the midst, cold, dark, and empty—presented a + cheerless spectacle which mingled harshly with the bright prospects the + boy had been building up for its late inmates, and came like a + disappointment or misfortune. Kit would have had a good fire roaring up + the empty chimneys, lights sparkling and shining through the windows, + people moving briskly to and fro, voices in cheerful conversation, + something in unison with the new hopes that were astir. He had not + expected that the house would wear any different aspect—had known + indeed that it could not—but coming upon it in the midst of eager + thoughts and expectations, it checked the current in its flow, and + darkened it with a mournful shadow. + </p> + <p> + Kit, however, fortunately for himself, was not learned enough or + contemplative enough to be troubled with presages of evil afar off, and, + having no mental spectacles to assist his vision in this respect, saw + nothing but the dull house, which jarred uncomfortably upon his previous + thoughts. So, almost wishing that he had not passed it, though hardly + knowing why, he hurried on again, making up by his increased speed for the + few moments he had lost. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, if she should be out,' thought Kit, as he approached the poor + dwelling of his mother, 'and I not able to find her, this impatient + gentleman would be in a pretty taking. And sure enough there's no light, + and the door's fast. Now, God forgive me for saying so, but if this is + Little Bethel's doing, I wish Little Bethel was—was farther off,' + said Kit checking himself, and knocking at the door. + </p> + <p> + A second knock brought no reply from within the house; but caused a woman + over the way to look out and inquire who that was, awanting Mrs Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'Me,' said Kit. 'She's at—at Little Bethel, I suppose?'—getting + out the name of the obnoxious conventicle with some reluctance, and laying + a spiteful emphasis upon the words. + </p> + <p> + The neighbour nodded assent. + </p> + <p> + 'Then pray tell me where it is,' said Kit, 'for I have come on a pressing + matter, and must fetch her out, even if she was in the pulpit.' + </p> + <p> + It was not very easy to procure a direction to the fold in question, as + none of the neighbours were of the flock that resorted thither, and few + knew anything more of it than the name. At last, a gossip of Mrs + Nubbles's, who had accompanied her to chapel on one or two occasions when + a comfortable cup of tea had preceded her devotions, furnished the needful + information, which Kit had no sooner obtained than he started off again. + </p> + <p> + Little Bethel might have been nearer, and might have been in a straighter + road, though in that case the reverend gentleman who presided over its + congregation would have lost his favourite allusion to the crooked ways by + which it was approached, and which enabled him to liken it to Paradise + itself, in contradistinction to the parish church and the broad + thoroughfare leading thereunto. Kit found it, at last, after some trouble, + and pausing at the door to take breath that he might enter with becoming + decency, passed into the chapel. + </p> + <p> + It was not badly named in one respect, being in truth a particularly + little Bethel—a Bethel of the smallest dimensions—with a small + number of small pews, and a small pulpit, in which a small gentleman (by + trade a Shoemaker, and by calling a Divine) was delivering in a by no + means small voice, a by no means small sermon, judging of its dimensions + by the condition of his audience, which, if their gross amount were but + small, comprised a still smaller number of hearers, as the majority were + slumbering. + </p> + <p> + Among these was Kit's mother, who, finding it matter of extreme difficulty + to keep her eyes open after the fatigues of last night, and feeling their + inclination to close strongly backed and seconded by the arguments of the + preacher, had yielded to the drowsiness that overpowered her, and fallen + asleep; though not so soundly but that she could, from time to time, utter + a slight and almost inaudible groan, as if in recognition of the orator's + doctrines. The baby in her arms was as fast asleep as she; and little + Jacob, whose youth prevented him from recognising in this prolonged + spiritual nourishment anything half as interesting as oysters, was + alternately very fast asleep and very wide awake, as his inclination to + slumber, or his terror of being personally alluded to in the discourse, + gained the mastery over him. + </p> + <p> + 'And now I'm here,' thought Kit, gliding into the nearest empty pew which + was opposite his mother's, and on the other side of the little aisle, 'how + am I ever to get at her, or persuade her to come out! I might as well be + twenty miles off. She'll never wake till it's all over, and there goes the + clock again! If he would but leave off for a minute, or if they'd only + sing!' + </p> + <p> + But there was little encouragement to believe that either event would + happen for a couple of hours to come. The preacher went on telling them + what he meant to convince them of before he had done, and it was clear + that if he only kept to one-half of his promises and forgot the other, he + was good for that time at least. + </p> + <p> + In his desperation and restlessness Kit cast his eyes about the chapel, + and happening to let them fall upon a little seat in front of the clerk's + desk, could scarcely believe them when they showed him—Quilp! + </p> + <p> + He rubbed them twice or thrice, but still they insisted that Quilp was + there, and there indeed he was, sitting with his hands upon his knees, and + his hat between them on a little wooden bracket, with the accustomed grin + on his dirty face, and his eyes fixed upon the ceiling. He certainly did + not glance at Kit or at his mother, and appeared utterly unconscious of + their presence; still Kit could not help feeling, directly, that the + attention of the sly little fiend was fastened upon them, and upon nothing + else. + </p> + <p> + But, astounded as he was by the apparition of the dwarf among the Little + Bethelites, and not free from a misgiving that it was the forerunner of + some trouble or annoyance, he was compelled to subdue his wonder and to + take active measures for the withdrawal of his parent, as the evening was + now creeping on, and the matter grew serious. Therefore, the next time + little Jacob woke, Kit set himself to attract his wandering attention, and + this not being a very difficult task (one sneeze effected it), he signed + to him to rouse his mother. + </p> + <p> + Ill-luck would have it, however, that, just then, the preacher, in a + forcible exposition of one head of his discourse, leaned over upon the + pulpit-desk so that very little more of him than his legs remained inside; + and, while he made vehement gestures with his right hand, and held on with + his left, stared, or seemed to stare, straight into little Jacob's eyes, + threatening him by his strained look and attitude—so it appeared to + the child—that if he so much as moved a muscle, he, the preacher, + would be literally, and not figuratively, 'down upon him' that instant. In + this fearful state of things, distracted by the sudden appearance of Kit, + and fascinated by the eyes of the preacher, the miserable Jacob sat bolt + upright, wholly incapable of motion, strongly disposed to cry but afraid + to do so, and returning his pastor's gaze until his infant eyes seemed + starting from their sockets. + </p> + <p> + 'If I must do it openly, I must,' thought Kit. With that he walked softly + out of his pew and into his mother's, and as Mr Swiveller would have + observed if he had been present, 'collared' the baby without speaking a + word. + </p> + <p> + 'Hush, mother!' whispered Kit. 'Come along with me, I've got something to + tell you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where am I?' said Mrs Nubbles. + </p> + <p> + 'In this blessed Little Bethel,' returned her son, peevishly. + </p> + <p> + 'Blessed indeed!' cried Mrs Nubbles, catching at the word. 'Oh, + Christopher, how have I been edified this night!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes, I know,' said Kit hastily; 'but come along, mother, everybody's + looking at us. Don't make a noise—bring Jacob—that's right!' + </p> + <p> + 'Stay, Satan, stay!' cried the preacher, as Kit was moving off. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + 'This gentleman says you're to stay, Christopher,' whispered his mother. + </p> + <p> + 'Stay, Satan, stay!' roared the preacher again. 'Tempt not the woman that + doth incline her ear to thee, but harken to the voice of him that calleth. + He hath a lamb from the fold!' cried the preacher, raising his voice still + higher and pointing to the baby. 'He beareth off a lamb, a precious lamb! + He goeth about, like a wolf in the night season, and inveigleth the tender + lambs!' + </p> + <p> + Kit was the best-tempered fellow in the world, but considering this strong + language, and being somewhat excited by the circumstances in which he was + placed, he faced round to the pulpit with the baby in his arms, and + replied aloud, 'No, I don't. He's my brother.' + </p> + <p> + 'He's <i>my</i> brother!' cried the preacher. + </p> + <p> + 'He isn't,' said Kit indignantly. 'How can you say such a thing? And don't + call me names if you please; what harm have I done? I shouldn't have come + to take 'em away, unless I was obliged, you may depend upon that. I wanted + to do it very quiet, but you wouldn't let me. Now, you have the goodness + to abuse Satan and them, as much as you like, Sir, and to let me alone if + you please.' + </p> + <p> + So saying, Kit marched out of the chapel, followed by his mother and + little Jacob, and found himself in the open air, with an indistinct + recollection of having seen the people wake up and look surprised, and of + Quilp having remained, throughout the interruption, in his old attitude, + without moving his eyes from the ceiling, or appearing to take the + smallest notice of anything that passed. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Kit!' said his mother, with her handkerchief to her eyes, 'what have + you done! I never can go there again—never!' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad of it, mother. What was there in the little bit of pleasure you + took last night that made it necessary for you to be low-spirited and + sorrowful tonight? That's the way you do. If you're happy or merry ever, + you come here to say, along with that chap, that you're sorry for it. More + shame for you, mother, I was going to say.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hush, dear!' said Mrs Nubbles; 'you don't mean what you say I know, but + you're talking sinfulness.' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't mean it? But I do mean it!' retorted Kit. 'I don't believe, mother, + that harmless cheerfulness and good humour are thought greater sins in + Heaven than shirt-collars are, and I do believe that those chaps are just + about as right and sensible in putting down the one as in leaving off the + other—that's my belief. But I won't say anything more about it, if + you'll promise not to cry, that's all; and you take the baby that's a + lighter weight, and give me little Jacob; and as we go along (which we + must do pretty quick) I'll give you the news I bring, which will surprise + you a little, I can tell you. There—that's right. Now you look as if + you'd never seen Little Bethel in all your life, as I hope you never will + again; and here's the baby; and little Jacob, you get atop of my back and + catch hold of me tight round the neck, and whenever a Little Bethel parson + calls you a precious lamb or says your brother's one, you tell him it's + the truest things he's said for a twelvemonth, and that if he'd got a + little more of the lamb himself, and less of the mint-sauce—not + being quite so sharp and sour over it—I should like him all the + better. That's what you've got to say to him, Jacob.' + </p> + <p> + Talking on in this way, half in jest and half in earnest, and cheering up + his mother, the children, and himself, by the one simple process of + determining to be in a good humour, Kit led them briskly forward; and on + the road home, he related what had passed at the Notary's house, and the + purpose with which he had intruded on the solemnities of Little Bethel. + </p> + <p> + His mother was not a little startled on learning what service was required + of her, and presently fell into a confusion of ideas, of which the most + prominent were that it was a great honour and dignity to ride in a + post-chaise, and that it was a moral impossibility to leave the children + behind. But this objection, and a great many others, founded on certain + articles of dress being at the wash, and certain other articles having no + existence in the wardrobe of Mrs Nubbles, were overcome by Kit, who + opposed to each and every of them, the pleasure of recovering Nell, and + the delight it would be to bring her back in triumph. + </p> + <p> + 'There's only ten minutes now, mother,' said Kit when they reached home. + 'There's a bandbox. Throw in what you want, and we'll be off directly.' + </p> + <p> + To tell how Kit then hustled into the box all sorts of things which could, + by no remote contingency, be wanted, and how he left out everything likely + to be of the smallest use; how a neighbour was persuaded to come and stop + with the children, and how the children at first cried dismally, and then + laughed heartily on being promised all kinds of impossible and unheard-of + toys; how Kit's mother wouldn't leave off kissing them, and how Kit + couldn't make up his mind to be vexed with her for doing it; would take + more time and room than you and I can spare. So, passing over all such + matters, it is sufficient to say that within a few minutes after the two + hours had expired, Kit and his mother arrived at the Notary's door, where + a post-chaise was already waiting. + </p> + <p> + 'With four horses I declare!' said Kit, quite aghast at the preparations. + 'Well you <i>are </i>going to do it, mother! Here she is, Sir. Here's my mother. + She's quite ready, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's well,' returned the gentleman. 'Now, don't be in a flutter, ma'am; + you'll be taken great care of. Where's the box with the new clothing and + necessaries for them?' + </p> + <p> + 'Here it is,' said the Notary. 'In with it, Christopher.' + </p> + <p> + 'All right, Sir,' replied Kit. 'Quite ready now, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then come along,' said the single gentleman. And thereupon he gave his + arm to Kit's mother, handed her into the carriage as politely as you + please, and took his seat beside her. + </p> + <p> + Up went the steps, bang went the door, round whirled the wheels, and off + they rattled, with Kit's mother hanging out at one window waving a damp + pocket-handkerchief and screaming out a great many messages to little + Jacob and the baby, of which nobody heard a word. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0298m.jpg" alt="0298m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0298.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Kit stood in the middle of the road, and looked after them with tears in + his eyes—not brought there by the departure he witnessed, but by the + return to which he looked forward. 'They went away,' he thought, 'on foot + with nobody to speak to them or say a kind word at parting, and they'll + come back, drawn by four horses, with this rich gentleman for their + friend, and all their troubles over! She'll forget that she taught me to + write—' + </p> + <p> + Whatever Kit thought about after this, took some time to think of, for he + stood gazing up the lines of shining lamps, long after the chaise had + disappeared, and did not return into the house until the Notary and Mr + Abel, who had themselves lingered outside till the sound of the wheels was + no longer distinguishable, had several times wondered what could possibly + detain him. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap42"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 42 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t behoves us to leave Kit for a while, thoughtful and expectant, and to + follow the fortunes of little Nell; resuming the thread of the narrative + at the point where it was left, some chapters back. + </p> + <p> + In one of those wanderings in the evening time, when, following the two + sisters at a humble distance, she felt, in her sympathy with them and her + recognition in their trials of something akin to her own loneliness of + spirit, a comfort and consolation which made such moments a time of deep + delight, though the softened pleasure they yielded was of that kind which + lives and dies in tears—in one of those wanderings at the quiet hour + of twilight, when sky, and earth, and air, and rippling water, and sound + of distant bells, claimed kindred with the emotions of the solitary child, + and inspired her with soothing thoughts, but not of a child's world or its + easy joys—in one of those rambles which had now become her only + pleasure or relief from care, light had faded into darkness and evening + deepened into night, and still the young creature lingered in the gloom; + feeling a companionship in Nature so serene and still, when noise of + tongues and glare of garish lights would have been solitude indeed. + </p> + <p> + The sisters had gone home, and she was alone. She raised her eyes to the + bright stars, looking down so mildly from the wide worlds of air, and, + gazing on them, found new stars burst upon her view, and more beyond, and + more beyond again, until the whole great expanse sparkled with shining + spheres, rising higher and higher in immeasurable space, eternal in their + numbers as in their changeless and incorruptible existence. She bent over + the calm river, and saw them shining in the same majestic order as when + the dove beheld them gleaming through the swollen waters, upon the + mountain tops down far below, and dead mankind, a million fathoms deep. + </p> + <p> + The child sat silently beneath a tree, hushed in her very breath by the + stillness of the night, and all its attendant wonders. The time and place + awoke reflection, and she thought with a quiet hope—less hope, + perhaps, than resignation—on the past, and present, and what was yet + before her. Between the old man and herself there had come a gradual + separation, harder to bear than any former sorrow. Every evening, and + often in the day-time too, he was absent, alone; and although she well + knew where he went, and why—too well from the constant drain upon + her scanty purse and from his haggard looks—he evaded all inquiry, + maintained a strict reserve, and even shunned her presence. + </p> + <p> + She sat meditating sorrowfully upon this change, and mingling it, as it + were, with everything about her, when the distant church-clock bell struck + nine. Rising at the sound, she retraced her steps, and turned thoughtfully + towards the town. + </p> + <p> + She had gained a little wooden bridge, which, thrown across the stream, + led into a meadow in her way, when she came suddenly upon a ruddy light, + and looking forward more attentively, discerned that it proceeded from + what appeared to be an encampment of gipsies, who had made a fire in one + corner at no great distance from the path, and were sitting or lying round + it. As she was too poor to have any fear of them, she did not alter her + course (which, indeed, she could not have done without going a long way + round), but quickened her pace a little, and kept straight on. + </p> + <p> + A movement of timid curiosity impelled her, when she approached the spot, + to glance towards the fire. There was a form between it and her, the + outline strongly developed against the light, which caused her to stop + abruptly. Then, as if she had reasoned with herself and were assured that + it could not be, or had satisfied herself that it was not that of the + person she had supposed, she went on again. + </p> + <p> + But at that instant the conversation, whatever it was, which had been + carrying on near this fire was resumed, and the tones of the voice that + spoke—she could not distinguish words—sounded as familiar to + her as her own. + </p> + <p> + She turned, and looked back. The person had been seated before, but was + now in a standing posture, and leaning forward on a stick on which he + rested both hands. The attitude was no less familiar to her than the tone + of voice had been. It was her grandfather. + </p> + <p> + Her first impulse was to call to him; her next to wonder who his + associates could be, and for what purpose they were together. Some vague + apprehension succeeded, and, yielding to the strong inclination it + awakened, she drew nearer to the place; not advancing across the open + field, however, but creeping towards it by the hedge. + </p> + <p> + In this way she advanced within a few feet of the fire, and standing among + a few young trees, could both see and hear, without much danger of being + observed. + </p> + <p> + There were no women or children, as she had seen in other gipsy camps they + had passed in their wayfaring, and but one gipsy—a tall athletic + man, who stood with his arms folded, leaning against a tree at a little + distance off, looking now at the fire, and now, under his black eyelashes, + at three other men who were there, with a watchful but half-concealed + interest in their conversation. Of these, her grandfather was one; the + others she recognised as the first card-players at the public-house on the + eventful night of the storm—the man whom they had called Isaac List, + and his gruff companion. One of the low, arched gipsy-tents, common to + that people, was pitched hard by, but it either was, or appeared to be, + empty. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, are you going?' said the stout man, looking up from the ground + where he was lying at his ease, into her grandfather's face. 'You were in + a mighty hurry a minute ago. Go, if you like. You're your own master, I + hope?' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't vex him,' returned Isaac List, who was squatting like a frog on the + other side of the fire, and had so screwed himself up that he seemed to be + squinting all over; 'he didn't mean any offence.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0301m.jpg" alt="0301m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0301.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'You keep me poor, and plunder me, and make a sport and jest of me + besides,' said the old man, turning from one to the other. 'Ye'll drive me + mad among ye.' + </p> + <p> + The utter irresolution and feebleness of the grey-haired child, contrasted + with the keen and cunning looks of those in whose hands he was, smote upon + the little listener's heart. But she constrained herself to attend to all + that passed, and to note each look and word. + </p> + <p> + 'Confound you, what do you mean?' said the stout man rising a little, and + supporting himself on his elbow. 'Keep you poor! You'd keep us poor if you + could, wouldn't you? That's the way with you whining, puny, pitiful + players. When you lose, you're martyrs; but I don't find that when you + win, you look upon the other losers in that light. As to plunder!' cried + the fellow, raising his voice—'Damme, what do you mean by such + ungentlemanly language as plunder, eh?' + </p> + <p> + The speaker laid himself down again at full length, and gave one or two + short, angry kicks, as if in further expression of his unbounded + indignation. It was quite plain that he acted the bully, and his friend + the peacemaker, for some particular purpose; or rather, it would have been + to any one but the weak old man; for they exchanged glances quite openly, + both with each other and with the gipsy, who grinned his approval of the + jest until his white teeth shone again. + </p> + <p> + The old man stood helplessly among them for a little time, and then said, + turning to his assailant: + </p> + <p> + 'You yourself were speaking of plunder just now, you know. Don't be so + violent with me. You were, were you not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not of plundering among present company! Honour among—among + gentlemen, Sir,' returned the other, who seemed to have been very near + giving an awkward termination to the sentence. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't be hard upon him, Jowl,' said Isaac List. 'He's very sorry for + giving offence. There—go on with what you were saying—go on.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm a jolly old tender-hearted lamb, I am,' cried Mr Jowl, 'to be sitting + here at my time of life giving advice when I know it won't be taken, and + that I shall get nothing but abuse for my pains. But that's the way I've + gone through life. Experience has never put a chill upon my + warm-heartedness.' + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you he's very sorry, don't I?' remonstrated Isaac List, 'and that + he wishes you'd go on.' + </p> + <p> + 'Does he wish it?' said the other. + </p> + <p> + 'Ay,' groaned the old man sitting down, and rocking himself to and fro. + 'Go on, go on. It's in vain to fight with it; I can't do it; go on.' + </p> + <p> + 'I go on then,' said Jowl, 'where I left off, when you got up so quick. If + you're persuaded that it's time for luck to turn, as it certainly is, and + find that you haven't means enough to try it (and that's where it is, for + you know, yourself, that you never have the funds to keep on long enough + at a sitting), help yourself to what seems put in your way on purpose. + Borrow it, I say, and, when you're able, pay it back again.' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly,' Isaac List struck in, 'if this good lady as keeps the + wax-works has money, and does keep it in a tin box when she goes to bed, + and doesn't lock her door for fear of fire, it seems a easy thing; quite a + Providence, I should call it—but then I've been religiously brought + up.' + </p> + <p> + 'You see, Isaac,' said his friend, growing more eager, and drawing himself + closer to the old man, while he signed to the gipsy not to come between + them; 'you see, Isaac, strangers are going in and out every hour of the + day; nothing would be more likely than for one of these strangers to get + under the good lady's bed, or lock himself in the cupboard; suspicion + would be very wide, and would fall a long way from the mark, no doubt. I'd + give him his revenge to the last farthing he brought, whatever the amount + was.' + </p> + <p> + 'But could you?' urged Isaac List. 'Is your bank strong enough?' + </p> + <p> + 'Strong enough!' answered the other, with assumed disdain. 'Here, you Sir, + give me that box out of the straw!' + </p> + <p> + This was addressed to the gipsy, who crawled into the low tent on all + fours, and after some rummaging and rustling returned with a cash-box, + which the man who had spoken opened with a key he wore about his person. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you see this?' he said, gathering up the money in his hand and letting + it drop back into the box, between his fingers, like water. 'Do you hear + it? Do you know the sound of gold? There, put it back—and don't talk + about banks again, Isaac, till you've got one of your own.' + </p> + <p> + Isaac List, with great apparent humility, protested that he had never + doubted the credit of a gentleman so notorious for his honourable dealing + as Mr Jowl, and that he had hinted at the production of the box, not for + the satisfaction of his doubts, for he could have none, but with a view to + being regaled with a sight of so much wealth, which, though it might be + deemed by some but an unsubstantial and visionary pleasure, was to one in + his circumstances a source of extreme delight, only to be surpassed by its + safe depository in his own personal pockets. Although Mr List and Mr Jowl + addressed themselves to each other, it was remarkable that they both + looked narrowly at the old man, who, with his eyes fixed upon the fire, + sat brooding over it, yet listening eagerly—as it seemed from a + certain involuntary motion of the head, or twitching of the face from time + to time—to all they said. + </p> + <p> + 'My advice,' said Jowl, lying down again with a careless air, 'is plain—I + have given it, in fact. I act as a friend. Why should I help a man to the + means perhaps of winning all I have, unless I considered him my friend? + It's foolish, I dare say, to be so thoughtful of the welfare of other + people, but that's my constitution, and I can't help it; so don't blame + me, Isaac List.' + </p> + <p> + 'I blame you!' returned the person addressed; 'not for the world, Mr Jowl. + I wish I could afford to be as liberal as you; and, as you say, he might + pay it back if he won—and if he lost—' + </p> + <p> + 'You're not to take that into consideration at all,' said Jowl. + </p> + <p> + 'But suppose he did (and nothing's less likely, from all I know of + chances), why, it's better to lose other people's money than one's own, I + hope?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' cried Isaac List rapturously, 'the pleasures of winning! The delight + of picking up the money—the bright, shining yellow-boys—and + sweeping 'em into one's pocket! The deliciousness of having a triumph at + last, and thinking that one didn't stop short and turn back, but went + half-way to meet it! The—but you're not going, old gentleman?' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll do it,' said the old man, who had risen and taken two or three + hurried steps away, and now returned as hurriedly. 'I'll have it, every + penny.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, that's brave,' cried Isaac, jumping up and slapping him on the + shoulder; 'and I respect you for having so much young blood left. Ha, ha, + ha! Joe Jowl's half sorry he advised you now. We've got the laugh against + him. Ha, ha, ha!' + </p> + <p> + 'He gives me my revenge, mind,' said the old man, pointing to him eagerly + with his shrivelled hand: 'mind—he stakes coin against coin, down to + the last one in the box, be there many or few. Remember that!' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm witness,' returned Isaac. 'I'll see fair between you.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have passed my word,' said Jowl with feigned reluctance, 'and I'll keep + it. When does this match come off? I wish it was over.—To-night?' + </p> + <p> + 'I must have the money first,' said the old man; 'and that I'll have + to-morrow—' + </p> + <p> + 'Why not to-night?' urged Jowl. + </p> + <p> + 'It's late now, and I should be flushed and flurried,' said the old man. + 'It must be softly done. No, to-morrow night.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then to-morrow be it,' said Jowl. 'A drop of comfort here. Luck to the + best man! Fill!' +</p> + <p> +The gipsy produced three tin cups, and filled them to the + brim with brandy. The old man turned aside and muttered to himself before + he drank. Her own name struck upon the listener's ear, coupled with some + wish so fervent, that he seemed to breathe it in an agony of supplication. + </p> + <p> + 'God be merciful to us!' cried the child within herself, 'and help us in + this trying hour! What shall I do to save him!' + </p> + <p> + The remainder of their conversation was carried on in a lower tone of + voice, and was sufficiently concise; relating merely to the execution of + the project, and the best precautions for diverting suspicion. The old man + then shook hands with his tempters, and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + They watched his bowed and stooping figure as it retreated slowly, and + when he turned his head to look back, which he often did, waved their + hands, or shouted some brief encouragement. It was not until they had seen + him gradually diminish into a mere speck upon the distant road, that they + turned to each other, and ventured to laugh aloud. + </p> + <p> + 'So,' said Jowl, warming his hands at the fire, 'it's done at last. He + wanted more persuading than I expected. It's three weeks ago, since we + first put this in his head. What'll he bring, do you think?' + </p> + <p> + 'Whatever he brings, it's halved between us,' returned Isaac List. + </p> + <p> + The other man nodded. 'We must make quick work of it,' he said, 'and then + cut his acquaintance, or we may be suspected. Sharp's the word.' + </p> + <p> + List and the gipsy acquiesced. When they had all three amused themselves a + little with their victim's infatuation, they dismissed the subject as one + which had been sufficiently discussed, and began to talk in a jargon which + the child did not understand. As their discourse appeared to relate to + matters in which they were warmly interested, however, she deemed it the + best time for escaping unobserved; and crept away with slow and cautious + steps, keeping in the shadow of the hedges, or forcing a path through them + or the dry ditches, until she could emerge upon the road at a point beyond + their range of vision. Then she fled homeward as quickly as she could, + torn and bleeding from the wounds of thorns and briars, but more lacerated + in mind, and threw herself upon her bed, distracted. + </p> + <p> + The first idea that flashed upon her mind was flight, instant flight; + dragging him from that place, and rather dying of want upon the roadside, + than ever exposing him again to such terrible temptations. Then, she + remembered that the crime was not to be committed until next night, and + there was the intermediate time for thinking, and resolving what to do. + Then, she was distracted with a horrible fear that he might be committing + it at that moment; with a dread of hearing shrieks and cries piercing the + silence of the night; with fearful thoughts of what he might be tempted + and led on to do, if he were detected in the act, and had but a woman to + struggle with. It was impossible to bear such torture. She stole to the + room where the money was, opened the door, and looked in. God be praised! + He was not there, and she was sleeping soundly. + </p> + <p> + She went back to her own room, and tried to prepare herself for bed. But + who could sleep—sleep! who could lie passively down, distracted by + such terrors? They came upon her more and more strongly yet. Half + undressed, and with her hair in wild disorder, she flew to the old man's + bedside, clasped him by the wrist, and roused him from his sleep. + </p> + <p> + 'What's this!' he cried, starting up in bed, and fixing his eyes upon her + spectral face. + </p> + <p> + 'I have had a dreadful dream,' said the child, with an energy that nothing + but such terrors could have inspired. 'A dreadful, horrible dream. I have + had it once before. It is a dream of grey-haired men like you, in darkened + rooms by night, robbing sleepers of their gold. Up, up!' + </p> + <p> + The old man shook in every joint, and folded his hands like one who prays. + </p> + <p> + 'Not to me,' said the child, 'not to me—to Heaven, to save us from + such deeds! This dream is too real. I cannot sleep, I cannot stay here, I + cannot leave you alone under the roof where such dreams come. Up! We must + fly.' + </p> + <p> + He looked at her as if she were a spirit—she might have been for all + the look of earth she had—and trembled more and more. + </p> + <p> + 'There is no time to lose; I will not lose one minute,' said the child. + 'Up! and away with me!' + </p> + <p> + 'To-night?' murmured the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, to-night,' replied the child. 'To-morrow night will be too late. The + dream will have come again. Nothing but flight can save us. Up!' + </p> + <p> + The old man rose from his bed: his forehead bedewed with the cold sweat of + fear: and, bending before the child as if she had been an angel messenger + sent to lead him where she would, made ready to follow her. She took him + by the hand and led him on. As they passed the door of the room he had + proposed to rob, she shuddered and looked up into his face. What a white + face was that, and with what a look did he meet hers! + </p> + <p> + She took him to her own chamber, and, still holding him by the hand as if + she feared to lose him for an instant, gathered together the little stock + she had, and hung her basket on her arm. The old man took his wallet from + her hands and strapped it on his shoulders—his staff, too, she had + brought away—and then she led him forth. + </p> + <p> + Through the strait streets, and narrow crooked outskirts, their trembling + feet passed quickly. Up the steep hill too, crowned by the old grey + castle, they toiled with rapid steps, and had not once looked behind. + </p> + <p> + But as they drew nearer the ruined walls, the moon rose in all her gentle + glory, and, from their venerable age, garlanded with ivy, moss, and waving + grass, the child looked back upon the sleeping town, deep in the valley's + shade: and on the far-off river with its winding track of light: and on + the distant hills; and as she did so, she clasped the hand she held, less + firmly, and bursting into tears, fell upon the old man's neck. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap43"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 43 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">H</span>er momentary weakness past, the child again summoned the resolution which + had until now sustained her, and, endeavouring to keep steadily in her + view the one idea that they were flying from disgrace and crime, and that + her grandfather's preservation must depend solely on her firmness, unaided + by one word of advice or any helping hand, urged him onward and looked + back no more. + </p> + <p> + While he, subdued and abashed, seemed to crouch before her, and to shrink + and cower down, as if in the presence of some superior creature, the child + herself was sensible of a new feeling within her, which elevated her + nature, and inspired her with an energy and confidence she had never + known. There was no divided responsibility now; the whole burden of their + two lives had fallen upon her, and henceforth she must think and act for + both. 'I have saved him,' she thought. 'In all dangers and distresses, I + will remember that.' + </p> + <p> + At any other time, the recollection of having deserted the friend who had + shown them so much homely kindness, without a word of justification—the + thought that they were guilty, in appearance, of treachery and ingratitude—even + the having parted from the two sisters—would have filled her with + sorrow and regret. But now, all other considerations were lost in the new + uncertainties and anxieties of their wild and wandering life; and the very + desperation of their condition roused and stimulated her. + </p> + <p> + In the pale moonlight, which lent a wanness of its own to the delicate + face where thoughtful care already mingled with the winning grace and + loveliness of youth, the too bright eye, the spiritual head, the lips that + pressed each other with such high resolve and courage of the heart, the + slight figure firm in its bearing and yet so very weak, told their silent + tale; but told it only to the wind that rustled by, which, taking up its + burden, carried, perhaps to some mother's pillow, faint dreams of + childhood fading in its bloom, and resting in the sleep that knows no + waking. + </p> + <p> + The night crept on apace, the moon went down, the stars grew pale and dim, + and morning, cold as they, slowly approached. Then, from behind a distant + hill, the noble sun rose up, driving the mists in phantom shapes before + it, and clearing the earth of their ghostly forms till darkness came + again. When it had climbed higher into the sky, and there was warmth in + its cheerful beams, they laid them down to sleep, upon a bank, hard by + some water. + </p> + <p> + But Nell retained her grasp upon the old man's arm, and long after he was + slumbering soundly, watched him with untiring eyes. Fatigue stole over her + at last; her grasp relaxed, tightened, relaxed again, and they slept side + by side. + </p> + <p> + A confused sound of voices, mingling with her dreams, awoke her. A man of + very uncouth and rough appearance was standing over them, and two of his + companions were looking on, from a long heavy boat which had come close to + the bank while they were sleeping. The boat had neither oar nor sail, but + was towed by a couple of horses, who, with the rope to which they were + harnessed slack and dripping in the water, were resting on the path. + </p> + <p> + 'Holloa!' said the man roughly. 'What's the matter here?' + </p> + <p> + 'We were only asleep, Sir,' said Nell. 'We have been walking all night.' + </p> + <p> + 'A pair of queer travellers to be walking all night,' observed the man who + had first accosted them. 'One of you is a trifle too old for that sort of + work, and the other a trifle too young. Where are you going?' + </p> + <p> + Nell faltered, and pointed at hazard towards the West, upon which the man + inquired if she meant a certain town which he named. Nell, to avoid more + questioning, said 'Yes, that was the place.' + </p> + <p> + 'Where have you come from?' was the next question; and this being an + easier one to answer, Nell mentioned the name of the village in which + their friend the schoolmaster dwelt, as being less likely to be known to + the men or to provoke further inquiry. + </p> + <p> + 'I thought somebody had been robbing and ill-using you, might be,' said + the man. 'That's all. Good day.' + </p> + <p> + Returning his salute and feeling greatly relieved by his departure, Nell + looked after him as he mounted one of the horses, and the boat went on. It + had not gone very far, when it stopped again, and she saw the men + beckoning to her. + </p> + <p> + 'Did you call to me?' said Nell, running up to them. + </p> + <p> + 'You may go with us if you like,' replied one of those in the boat. 'We're + going to the same place.' + </p> + <p> + The child hesitated for a moment. Thinking, as she had thought with great + trepidation more than once before, that the men whom she had seen with her + grandfather might, perhaps, in their eagerness for the booty, follow them, + and regaining their influence over him, set hers at nought; and that if + they went with these men, all traces of them must surely be lost at that + spot; determined to accept the offer. The boat came close to the bank + again, and before she had had any more time for consideration, she and her + grandfather were on board, and gliding smoothly down the canal. + </p> + <p> + The sun shone pleasantly on the bright water, which was sometimes shaded + by trees, and sometimes open to a wide extent of country, intersected by + running streams, and rich with wooded hills, cultivated land, and + sheltered farms. Now and then, a village with its modest spire, thatched + roofs, and gable-ends, would peep out from among the trees; and, more than + once, a distant town, with great church towers looming through its smoke, + and high factories or workshops rising above the mass of houses, would + come in view, and, by the length of time it lingered in the distance, show + them how slowly they travelled. Their way lay, for the most part, through + the low grounds, and open plains; and except these distant places, and + occasionally some men working in the fields, or lounging on the bridges + under which they passed, to see them creep along, nothing encroached on + their monotonous and secluded track. + </p> + <p> + Nell was rather disheartened, when they stopped at a kind of wharf late in + the afternoon, to learn from one of the men that they would not reach + their place of destination until next day, and that, if she had no + provision with her, she had better buy it there. She had but a few pence, + having already bargained with them for some bread, but even of these it + was necessary to be very careful, as they were on their way to an utterly + strange place, with no resource whatever. A small loaf and a morsel of + cheese, therefore, were all she could afford, and with these she took her + place in the boat again, and, after half an hour's delay during which the + men were drinking at the public-house, proceeded on the journey. + </p> + <p> + They brought some beer and spirits into the boat with them, and what with + drinking freely before, and again now, were soon in a fair way of being + quarrelsome and intoxicated. Avoiding the small cabin, therefore, which + was very dark and filthy, and to which they often invited both her and her + grandfather, Nell sat in the open air with the old man by her side: + listening to their boisterous hosts with a palpitating heart, and almost + wishing herself safe on shore again though she should have to walk all + night. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0310m.jpg" alt="0310m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0310.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + They were, in truth, very rugged, noisy fellows, and quite brutal among + themselves, though civil enough to their two passengers. Thus, when a + quarrel arose between the man who was steering and his friend in the + cabin, upon the question who had first suggested the propriety of offering + Nell some beer, and when the quarrel led to a scuffle in which they beat + each other fearfully, to her inexpressible terror, neither visited his + displeasure upon her, but each contented himself with venting it on his + adversary, on whom, in addition to blows, he bestowed a variety of + compliments, which, happily for the child, were conveyed in terms, to her + quite unintelligible. The difference was finally adjusted, by the man who + had come out of the cabin knocking the other into it head first, and + taking the helm into his own hands, without evincing the least + discomposure himself, or causing any in his friend, who, being of a + tolerably strong constitution and perfectly inured to such trifles, went + to sleep as he was, with his heels upwards, and in a couple of minutes or + so was snoring comfortably. + </p> + <p> + By this time it was night again, and though the child felt cold, being but + poorly clad, her anxious thoughts were far removed from her own suffering + or uneasiness, and busily engaged in endeavouring to devise some scheme + for their joint subsistence. The same spirit which had supported her on + the previous night, upheld and sustained her now. Her grandfather lay + sleeping safely at her side, and the crime to which his madness urged him, + was not committed. That was her comfort. + </p> + <p> + How every circumstance of her short, eventful life, came thronging into + her mind, as they travelled on! Slight incidents, never thought of or + remembered until now; faces, seen once and ever since forgotten; words + scarcely heeded at the time; scenes, of a year ago and those of yesterday, + mixing up and linking themselves together; familiar places shaping + themselves out in the darkness from things which, when approached, were, + of all others, the most remote and most unlike them; sometimes, a strange + confusion in her mind relative to the occasion of her being there, and the + place to which she was going, and the people she was with; and imagination + suggesting remarks and questions which sounded so plainly in her ears, + that she would start, and turn, and be almost tempted to reply;—all + the fancies and contradictions common in watching and excitement and + restless change of place, beset the child. + </p> + <p> + She happened, while she was thus engaged, to encounter the face of the man + on deck, in whom the sentimental stage of drunkenness had now succeeded to + the boisterous, and who, taking from his mouth a short pipe, quilted over + with string for its longer preservation, requested that she would oblige + him with a song. + </p> + <p> + 'You've got a very pretty voice, a very soft eye, and a very strong + memory,' said this gentleman; 'the voice and eye I've got evidence for, + and the memory's an opinion of my own. And I'm never wrong. Let me hear a + song this minute.' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't think I know one, sir,' returned Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'You know forty-seven songs,' said the man, with a gravity which admitted + of no altercation on the subject. 'Forty-seven's your number. Let me hear + one of 'em—the best. Give me a song this minute.' + </p> + <p> + Not knowing what might be the consequences of irritating her friend, and + trembling with the fear of doing so, poor Nell sang him some little ditty + which she had learned in happier times, and which was so agreeable to his + ear, that on its conclusion he in the same peremptory manner requested to + be favoured with another, to which he was so obliging as to roar a chorus + to no particular tune, and with no words at all, but which amply made up + in its amazing energy for its deficiency in other respects. The noise of + this vocal performance awakened the other man, who, staggering upon deck + and shaking his late opponent by the hand, swore that singing was his + pride and joy and chief delight, and that he desired no better + entertainment. With a third call, more imperative than either of the two + former, Nell felt obliged to comply, and this time a chorus was maintained + not only by the two men together, but also by the third man on horseback, + who being by his position debarred from a nearer participation in the + revels of the night, roared when his companions roared, and rent the very + air. In this way, with little cessation, and singing the same songs again + and again, the tired and exhausted child kept them in good humour all that + night; and many a cottager, who was roused from his soundest sleep by the + discordant chorus as it floated away upon the wind, hid his head beneath + the bed-clothes and trembled at the sounds. + </p> + <p> + At length the morning dawned. It was no sooner light than it began to rain + heavily. As the child could not endure the intolerable vapours of the + cabin, they covered her, in return for her exertions, with some pieces of + sail-cloth and ends of tarpaulin, which sufficed to keep her tolerably dry + and to shelter her grandfather besides. As the day advanced the rain + increased. At noon it poured down more hopelessly and heavily than ever + without the faintest promise of abatement. + </p> + <p> + They had, for some time, been gradually approaching the place for which + they were bound. The water had become thicker and dirtier; other barges, + coming from it, passed them frequently; the paths of coal-ash and huts of + staring brick, marked the vicinity of some great manufacturing town; while + scattered streets and houses, and smoke from distant furnaces, indicated + that they were already in the outskirts. Now, the clustered roofs, and + piles of buildings, trembling with the working of engines, and dimly + resounding with their shrieks and throbbings; the tall chimneys vomiting + forth a black vapour, which hung in a dense ill-favoured cloud above the + housetops and filled the air with gloom; the clank of hammers beating upon + iron, the roar of busy streets and noisy crowds, gradually augmenting + until all the various sounds blended into one and none was distinguishable + for itself, announced the termination of their journey. + </p> + <p> + The boat floated into the wharf to which it belonged. The men were + occupied directly. The child and her grandfather, after waiting in vain to + thank them or ask them whither they should go, passed through a dirty lane + into a crowded street, and stood, amid its din and tumult, and in the + pouring rain, as strange, bewildered, and confused, as if they had lived a + thousand years before, and were raised from the dead and placed there by a + miracle. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap44"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 44 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he throng of people hurried by, in two opposite streams, with no symptom + of cessation or exhaustion; intent upon their own affairs; and undisturbed + in their business speculations, by the roar of carts and waggons laden + with clashing wares, the slipping of horses' feet upon the wet and greasy + pavement, the rattling of the rain on windows and umbrella-tops, the + jostling of the more impatient passengers, and all the noise and tumult of + a crowded street in the high tide of its occupation: while the two poor + strangers, stunned and bewildered by the hurry they beheld but had no part + in, looked mournfully on; feeling, amidst the crowd, a solitude which has + no parallel but in the thirst of the shipwrecked mariner, who, tost to and + fro upon the billows of a mighty ocean, his red eyes blinded by looking on + the water which hems him in on every side, has not one drop to cool his + burning tongue. + </p> + <p> + They withdrew into a low archway for shelter from the rain, and watched + the faces of those who passed, to find in one among them a ray of + encouragement or hope. Some frowned, some smiled, some muttered to + themselves, some made slight gestures, as if anticipating the conversation + in which they would shortly be engaged, some wore the cunning look of + bargaining and plotting, some were anxious and eager, some slow and dull; + in some countenances, were written gain; in others, loss. It was like + being in the confidence of all these people to stand quietly there, + looking into their faces as they flitted past. In busy places, where each + man has an object of his own, and feels assured that every other man has + his, his character and purpose are written broadly in his face. In the + public walks and lounges of a town, people go to see and to be seen, and + there the same expression, with little variety, is repeated a hundred + times. The working-day faces come nearer to the truth, and let it out more + plainly. + </p> + <p> + Falling into that kind of abstraction which such a solitude awakens, the + child continued to gaze upon the passing crowd with a wondering interest, + amounting almost to a temporary forgetfulness of her own condition. But + cold, wet, hunger, want of rest, and lack of any place in which to lay her + aching head, soon brought her thoughts back to the point whence they had + strayed. No one passed who seemed to notice them, or to whom she durst + appeal. After some time, they left their place of refuge from the weather, + and mingled with the concourse. + </p> + <p> + Evening came on. They were still wandering up and down, with fewer people + about them, but with the same sense of solitude in their own breasts, and + the same indifference from all around. The lights in the streets and shops + made them feel yet more desolate, for with their help, night and darkness + seemed to come on faster. Shivering with the cold and damp, ill in body, + and sick to death at heart, the child needed her utmost firmness and + resolution even to creep along. + </p> + <p> + Why had they ever come to this noisy town, when there were peaceful + country places, in which, at least, they might have hungered and thirsted, + with less suffering than in its squalid strife! They were but an atom, + here, in a mountain heap of misery, the very sight of which increased + their hopelessness and suffering. + </p> + <p> + The child had not only to endure the accumulated hardships of their + destitute condition, but to bear the reproaches of her grandfather, who + began to murmur at having been led away from their late abode, and demand + that they should return to it. Being now penniless, and no relief or + prospect of relief appearing, they retraced their steps through the + deserted streets, and went back to the wharf, hoping to find the boat in + which they had come, and to be allowed to sleep on board that night. But + here again they were disappointed, for the gate was closed, and some + fierce dogs, barking at their approach, obliged them to retreat. + </p> + <p> + 'We must sleep in the open air to-night, dear,' said the child in a weak + voice, as they turned away from this last repulse; 'and to-morrow we will + beg our way to some quiet part of the country, and try to earn our bread + in very humble work.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why did you bring me here?' returned the old man fiercely. 'I cannot bear + these close eternal streets. We came from a quiet part. Why did you force + me to leave it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Because I must have that dream I told you of, no more,' said the child, + with a momentary firmness that lost itself in tears; 'and we must live + among poor people, or it will come again. Dear grandfather, you are old + and weak, I know; but look at me. I never will complain if you will not, + but I have some suffering indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! poor, houseless, wandering, motherless child!' cried the old man, + clasping his hands and gazing as if for the first time upon her anxious + face, her travel-stained dress, and bruised and swollen feet; 'has all my + agony of care brought her to this at last! Was I a happy man once, and + have I lost happiness and all I had, for this!' + </p> + <p> + 'If we were in the country now,' said the child, with assumed + cheerfulness, as they walked on looking about them for a shelter, we + should find some good old tree, stretching out his green arms as if he + loved us, and nodding and rustling as if he would have us fall asleep, + thinking of him while he watched. Please God, we shall be there soon—to-morrow + or next day at the farthest—and in the meantime let us think, dear, + that it was a good thing we came here; for we are lost in the crowd and + hurry of this place, and if any cruel people should pursue us, they could + surely never trace us further. There's comfort in that. And here's a deep + old doorway—very dark, but quite dry, and warm too, for the wind + don't blow in here—What's that!' + </p> + <p> + Uttering a half shriek, she recoiled from a black figure which came + suddenly out of the dark recess in which they were about to take refuge, + and stood still, looking at them. + </p> + <p> + 'Speak again,' it said; 'do I know the voice?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' replied the child timidly; 'we are strangers, and having no money + for a night's lodging, were going to rest here.' + </p> + <p> + There was a feeble lamp at no great distance; the only one in the place, + which was a kind of square yard, but sufficient to show how poor and mean + it was. To this, the figure beckoned them; at the same time drawing within + its rays, as if to show that it had no desire to conceal itself or take + them at an advantage. The form was that of a man, miserably clad and + begrimed with smoke, which, perhaps by its contrast with the natural + colour of his skin, made him look paler than he really was. That he was + naturally of a very wan and pallid aspect, however, his hollow cheeks, + sharp features, and sunken eyes, no less than a certain look of patient + endurance, sufficiently testified. His voice was harsh by nature, but not + brutal; and though his face, besides possessing the characteristics + already mentioned, was overshadowed by a quantity of long dark hair, its + expression was neither ferocious nor bad. + </p> + <p> + 'How came you to think of resting there?' he said. 'Or how,' he added, + looking more attentively at the child, 'do you come to want a place of + rest at this time of night?' + </p> + <p> + 'Our misfortunes,' the grandfather answered, 'are the cause.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know,' said the man, looking still more earnestly at Nell, 'how + wet she is, and that the damp streets are not a place for her?' + </p> + <p> + 'I know it well, God help me,' he replied. 'What can I do!' + </p> + <p> + The man looked at Nell again, and gently touched her garments, from which + the rain was running off in little streams. 'I can give you warmth,' he + said, after a pause; 'nothing else. Such lodging as I have, is in that + house,' pointing to the doorway from which he had emerged, 'but she is + safer and better there than here. The fire is in a rough place, but you + can pass the night beside it safely, if you'll trust yourselves to me. You + see that red light yonder?' + </p> + <p> + They raised their eyes, and saw a lurid glare hanging in the dark sky; the + dull reflection of some distant fire. + </p> + <p> + 'It's not far,' said the man. 'Shall I take you there? You were going to + sleep upon cold bricks; I can give you a bed of warm ashes—nothing + better.' + </p> + <p> + Without waiting for any further reply than he saw in their looks, he took + Nell in his arms, and bade the old man follow. + </p> + <p> + Carrying her as tenderly, and as easily too, as if she had been an infant, + and showing himself both swift and sure of foot, he led the way through + what appeared to be the poorest and most wretched quarter of the town; and + turning aside to avoid the overflowing kennels or running waterspouts, but + holding his course, regardless of such obstructions, and making his way + straight through them. They had proceeded thus, in silence, for some + quarter of an hour, and had lost sight of the glare to which he had + pointed, in the dark and narrow ways by which they had come, when it + suddenly burst upon them again, streaming up from the high chimney of a + building close before them. + </p> + <p> + 'This is the place,' he said, pausing at a door to put Nell down and take + her hand. 'Don't be afraid. There's nobody here will harm you.' + </p> + <p> + It needed a strong confidence in this assurance to induce them to enter, + and what they saw inside did not diminish their apprehension and alarm. In + a large and lofty building, supported by pillars of iron, with great black + apertures in the upper walls, open to the external air; echoing to the + roof with the beating of hammers and roar of furnaces, mingled with the + hissing of red-hot metal plunged in water, and a hundred strange unearthly + noises never heard elsewhere; in this gloomy place, moving like demons + among the flame and smoke, dimly and fitfully seen, flushed and tormented + by the burning fires, and wielding great weapons, a faulty blow from any + one of which must have crushed some workman's skull, a number of men + laboured like giants. Others, reposing upon heaps of coals or ashes, with + their faces turned to the black vault above, slept or rested from their + toil. Others again, opening the white-hot furnace-doors, cast fuel on the + flames, which came rushing and roaring forth to meet it, and licked it up + like oil. Others drew forth, with clashing noise, upon the ground, great + sheets of glowing steel, emitting an insupportable heat, and a dull deep + light like that which reddens in the eyes of savage beasts. + </p> + <p> + Through these bewildering sights and deafening sounds, their conductor led + them to where, in a dark portion of the building, one furnace burnt by + night and day—so, at least, they gathered from the motion of his + lips, for as yet they could only see him speak: not hear him. The man who + had been watching this fire, and whose task was ended for the present, + gladly withdrew, and left them with their friend, who, spreading Nell's + little cloak upon a heap of ashes, and showing her where she could hang + her outer-clothes to dry, signed to her and the old man to lie down and + sleep. For himself, he took his station on a rugged mat before the + furnace-door, and resting his chin upon his hands, watched the flame as it + shone through the iron chinks, and the white ashes as they fell into their + bright hot grave below. + </p> + <p> + The warmth of her bed, hard and humble as it was, combined with the great + fatigue she had undergone, soon caused the tumult of the place to fall + with a gentler sound upon the child's tired ears, and was not long in + lulling her to sleep. The old man was stretched beside her, and with her + hand upon his neck she lay and dreamed. + </p> + <p> + It was yet night when she awoke, nor did she know how long, or for how + short a time, she had slept. But she found herself protected, both from + any cold air that might find its way into the building, and from the + scorching heat, by some of the workmen's clothes; and glancing at their + friend saw that he sat in exactly the same attitude, looking with a fixed + earnestness of attention towards the fire, and keeping so very still that + he did not even seem to breathe. She lay in the state between sleeping and + waking, looking so long at his motionless figure that at length she almost + feared he had died as he sat there; and softly rising and drawing close to + him, ventured to whisper in his ear. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0317m.jpg" alt="0317m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0317.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + He moved, and glancing from her to the place she had lately occupied, as + if to assure himself that it was really the child so near him, looked + inquiringly into her face. + </p> + <p> + 'I feared you were ill,' she said. 'The other men are all in motion, and + you are so very quiet.' + </p> + <p> + 'They leave me to myself,' he replied. 'They know my humour. They laugh at + me, but don't harm me in it. See yonder there—that's my friend.' + </p> + <p> + 'The fire?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'It has been alive as long as I have,' the man made answer. 'We talk and + think together all night long.' + </p> + <p> + The child glanced quickly at him in her surprise, but he had turned his + eyes in their former direction, and was musing as before. + </p> + <p> + 'It's like a book to me,' he said—'the only book I ever learned to + read; and many an old story it tells me. It's music, for I should know its + voice among a thousand, and there are other voices in its roar. It has its + pictures too. You don't know how many strange faces and different scenes I + trace in the red-hot coals. It's my memory, that fire, and shows me all my + life.' + </p> + <p> + The child, bending down to listen to his words, could not help remarking + with what brightened eyes he continued to speak and muse. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' he said, with a faint smile, 'it was the same when I was quite a + baby, and crawled about it, till I fell asleep. My father watched it + then.' + </p> + <p> + 'Had you no mother?' asked the child. + </p> + <p> + 'No, she was dead. Women work hard in these parts. She worked herself to + death they told me, and, as they said so then, the fire has gone on saying + the same thing ever since. I suppose it was true. I have always believed + it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Were you brought up here, then?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Summer and winter,' he replied. 'Secretly at first, but when they found + it out, they let him keep me here. So the fire nursed me—the same + fire. It has never gone out.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are fond of it?' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Of course I am. He died before it. I saw him fall down—just there, + where those ashes are burning now—and wondered, I remember, why it + didn't help him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Have you been here ever since?' asked the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Ever since I came to watch it; but there was a while between, and a very + cold dreary while it was. It burned all the time though, and roared and + leaped when I came back, as it used to do in our play days. You may guess, + from looking at me, what kind of child I was, but for all the difference + between us I was a child, and when I saw you in the street to-night, you + put me in mind of myself, as I was after he died, and made me wish to + bring you to the fire. I thought of those old times again, when I saw you + sleeping by it. You should be sleeping now. Lie down again, poor child, + lie down again!' + </p> + <p> + With that, he led her to her rude couch, and covering her with the clothes + with which she had found herself enveloped when she woke, returned to his + seat, whence he moved no more unless to feed the furnace, but remained + motionless as a statue. The child continued to watch him for a little + time, but soon yielded to the drowsiness that came upon her, and, in the + dark strange place and on the heap of ashes, slept as peacefully as if the + room had been a palace chamber, and the bed, a bed of down. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke again, broad day was shining through the lofty openings in + the walls, and, stealing in slanting rays but midway down, seemed to make + the building darker than it had been at night. The clang and tumult were + still going on, and the remorseless fires were burning fiercely as before; + for few changes of night and day brought rest or quiet there. + </p> + <p> + Her friend parted his breakfast—a scanty mess of coffee and some + coarse bread—with the child and her grandfather, and inquired + whither they were going. She told him that they sought some distant + country place remote from towns or even other villages, and with a + faltering tongue inquired what road they would do best to take. + </p> + <p> + 'I know little of the country,' he said, shaking his head, 'for such as I, + pass all our lives before our furnace doors, and seldom go forth to + breathe. But there are such places yonder.' + </p> + <p> + 'And far from here?' said Nell. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye surely. How could they be near us, and be green and fresh? The road + lies, too, through miles and miles, all lighted up by fires like ours—a + strange black road, and one that would frighten you by night.' + </p> + <p> + 'We are here and must go on,' said the child boldly; for she saw that the + old man listened with anxious ears to this account. + </p> + <p> + 'Rough people—paths never made for little feet like yours—a + dismal blighted way—is there no turning back, my child?' + </p> + <p> + 'There is none,' cried Nell, pressing forward. 'If you can direct us, do. + If not, pray do not seek to turn us from our purpose. Indeed you do not + know the danger that we shun, and how right and true we are in flying from + it, or you would not try to stop us, I am sure you would not.' + </p> + <p> + 'God forbid, if it is so!' said their uncouth protector, glancing from the + eager child to her grandfather, who hung his head and bent his eyes upon + the ground. 'I'll direct you from the door, the best I can. I wish I could + do more.' + </p> + <p> + He showed them, then, by which road they must leave the town, and what + course they should hold when they had gained it. He lingered so long on + these instructions, that the child, with a fervent blessing, tore herself + away, and stayed to hear no more. + </p> + <p> + But, before they had reached the corner of the lane, the man came running + after them, and, pressing her hand, left something in it—two old, + battered, smoke-encrusted penny pieces. Who knows but they shone as + brightly in the eyes of angels, as golden gifts that have been chronicled + on tombs? + </p> + <p> + And thus they separated; the child to lead her sacred charge farther from + guilt and shame; the labourer to attach a fresh interest to the spot where + his guests had slept, and read new histories in his furnace fire. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap45"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 45 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>n all their journeying, they had never longed so ardently, they had never + so pined and wearied, for the freedom of pure air and open country, as + now. No, not even on that memorable morning, when, deserting their old + home, they abandoned themselves to the mercies of a strange world, and + left all the dumb and senseless things they had known and loved, behind—not + even then, had they so yearned for the fresh solitudes of wood, hillside, + and field, as now, when the noise and dirt and vapour, of the great + manufacturing town reeking with lean misery and hungry wretchedness, + hemmed them in on every side, and seemed to shut out hope, and render + escape impossible. + </p> + <p> + 'Two days and nights!' thought the child. 'He said two days and nights we + should have to spend among such scenes as these. Oh! if we live to reach + the country once again, if we get clear of these dreadful places, though + it is only to lie down and die, with what a grateful heart I shall thank + God for so much mercy!' + </p> + <p> + With thoughts like this, and with some vague design of travelling to a + great distance among streams and mountains, where only very poor and + simple people lived, and where they might maintain themselves by very + humble helping work in farms, free from such terrors as that from which + they fled—the child, with no resource but the poor man's gift, and + no encouragement but that which flowed from her own heart, and its sense + of the truth and right of what she did, nerved herself to this last + journey and boldly pursued her task. + </p> + <p> + 'We shall be very slow to-day, dear,' she said, as they toiled painfully + through the streets; 'my feet are sore, and I have pains in all my limbs + from the wet of yesterday. I saw that he looked at us and thought of that, + when he said how long we should be upon the road.' + </p> + <p> + 'It was a dreary way he told us of,' returned her grandfather, piteously. + 'Is there no other road? Will you not let me go some other way than this?' + </p> + <p> + 'Places lie beyond these,' said the child, firmly, 'where we may live in + peace, and be tempted to do no harm. We will take the road that promises + to have that end, and we would not turn out of it, if it were a hundred + times worse than our fears lead us to expect. We would not, dear, would + we?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' replied the old man, wavering in his voice, no less than in his + manner. 'No. Let us go on. I am ready. I am quite ready, Nell.' + </p> + <p> + The child walked with more difficulty than she had led her companion to + expect, for the pains that racked her joints were of no common severity, + and every exertion increased them. But they wrung from her no complaint, + or look of suffering; and, though the two travellers proceeded very + slowly, they did proceed. Clearing the town in course of time, they began + to feel that they were fairly on their way. + </p> + <p> + A long suburb of red brick houses—some with patches of + garden-ground, where coal-dust and factory smoke darkened the shrinking + leaves, and coarse rank flowers, and where the struggling vegetation + sickened and sank under the hot breath of kiln and furnace, making them by + its presence seem yet more blighting and unwholesome than in the town + itself—a long, flat, straggling suburb passed, they came, by slow + degrees, upon a cheerless region, where not a blade of grass was seen to + grow, where not a bud put forth its promise in the spring, where nothing + green could live but on the surface of the stagnant pools, which here and + there lay idly sweltering by the black road-side. + </p> + <p> + Advancing more and more into the shadow of this mournful place, its dark + depressing influence stole upon their spirits, and filled them with a + dismal gloom. On every side, and far as the eye could see into the heavy + distance, tall chimneys, crowding on each other, and presenting that + endless repetition of the same dull, ugly form, which is the horror of + oppressive dreams, poured out their plague of smoke, obscured the light, + and made foul the melancholy air. On mounds of ashes by the wayside, + sheltered only by a few rough boards, or rotten pent-house roofs, strange + engines spun and writhed like tortured creatures; clanking their iron + chains, shrieking in their rapid whirl from time to time as though in + torment unendurable, and making the ground tremble with their agonies. + Dismantled houses here and there appeared, tottering to the earth, propped + up by fragments of others that had fallen down, unroofed, windowless, + blackened, desolate, but yet inhabited. Men, women, children, wan in their + looks and ragged in attire, tended the engines, fed their tributary fire, + begged upon the road, or scowled half-naked from the doorless houses. Then + came more of the wrathful monsters, whose like they almost seemed to be in + their wildness and their untamed air, screeching and turning round and + round again; and still, before, behind, and to the right and left, was the + same interminable perspective of brick towers, never ceasing in their + black vomit, blasting all things living or inanimate, shutting out the + face of day, and closing in on all these horrors with a dense dark cloud. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0323m.jpg" alt="0323m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0323.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + But night-time in this dreadful spot!—night, when the smoke was + changed to fire; when every chimney spirited up its flame; and places, + that had been dark vaults all day, now shone red-hot, with figures moving + to and fro within their blazing jaws, and calling to one another with + hoarse cries—night, when the noise of every strange machine was + aggravated by the darkness; when the people near them looked wilder and + more savage; when bands of unemployed labourers paraded the roads, or + clustered by torch-light round their leaders, who told them, in stern + language, of their wrongs, and urged them on to frightful cries and + threats; when maddened men, armed with sword and firebrand, spurning the + tears and prayers of women who would restrain them, rushed forth on + errands of terror and destruction, to work no ruin half so surely as their + own—night, when carts came rumbling by, filled with rude coffins + (for contagious disease and death had been busy with the living crops); + when orphans cried, and distracted women shrieked and followed in their + wake—night, when some called for bread, and some for drink to drown + their cares, and some with tears, and some with staggering feet, and some + with bloodshot eyes, went brooding home—night, which, unlike the + night that Heaven sends on earth, brought with it no peace, nor quiet, nor + signs of blessed sleep—who shall tell the terrors of the night to + the young wandering child! + </p> + <p> + And yet she lay down, with nothing between her and the sky; and, with no + fear for herself, for she was past it now, put up a prayer for the poor + old man. So very weak and spent, she felt, so very calm and unresisting, + that she had no thought of any wants of her own, but prayed that God would + raise up some friend for him. She tried to recall the way they had come, + and to look in the direction where the fire by which they had slept last + night was burning. She had forgotten to ask the name of the poor man, + their friend, and when she had remembered him in her prayers, it seemed + ungrateful not to turn one look towards the spot where he was watching. + </p> + <p> + A penny loaf was all they had had that day. It was very little, but even + hunger was forgotten in the strange tranquillity that crept over her + senses. She lay down, very gently, and, with a quiet smile upon her face, + fell into a slumber. It was not like sleep—and yet it must have + been, or why those pleasant dreams of the little scholar all night long! + Morning came. Much weaker, diminished powers even of sight and hearing, + and yet the child made no complaint—perhaps would have made none, + even if she had not had that inducement to be silent, travelling by her + side. She felt a hopelessness of their ever being extricated together from + that forlorn place; a dull conviction that she was very ill, perhaps + dying; but no fear or anxiety. + </p> + <p> + A loathing of food that she was not conscious of until they expended their + last penny in the purchase of another loaf, prevented her partaking even + of this poor repast. Her grandfather ate greedily, which she was glad to + see. + </p> + <p> + Their way lay through the same scenes as yesterday, with no variety or + improvement. There was the same thick air, difficult to breathe; the same + blighted ground, the same hopeless prospect, the same misery and distress. + Objects appeared more dim, the noise less, the path more rugged and + uneven, for sometimes she stumbled, and became roused, as it were, in the + effort to prevent herself from falling. Poor child! the cause was in her + tottering feet. + </p> + <p> + Towards the afternoon, her grandfather complained bitterly of hunger. She + approached one of the wretched hovels by the way-side, and knocked with + her hand upon the door. + </p> + <p> + 'What would you have here?' said a gaunt man, opening it. + </p> + <p> + 'Charity. A morsel of bread.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you see that?' returned the man hoarsely, pointing to a kind of bundle + on the ground. 'That's a dead child. I and five hundred other men were + thrown out of work, three months ago. That is my third dead child, and + last. Do you think I have charity to bestow, or a morsel of bread to + spare?' + </p> + <p> + The child recoiled from the door, and it closed upon her. Impelled by + strong necessity, she knocked at another: a neighbouring one, which, + yielding to the slight pressure of her hand, flew open. + </p> + <p> + It seemed that a couple of poor families lived in this hovel, for two + women, each among children of her own, occupied different portions of the + room. In the centre, stood a grave gentleman in black who appeared to have + just entered, and who held by the arm a boy. + </p> + <p> + 'Here, woman,' he said, 'here's your deaf and dumb son. You may thank me + for restoring him to you. He was brought before me, this morning, charged + with theft; and with any other boy it would have gone hard, I assure you. + But, as I had compassion on his infirmities, and thought he might have + learnt no better, I have managed to bring him back to you. Take more care + of him for the future.' + </p> + <p> + 'And won't you give me back <i>my</i> son!' said the other woman, hastily rising + and confronting him. 'Won't you give me back <i>my</i> son, Sir, who was + transported for the same offence!' + </p> + <p> + 'Was he deaf and dumb, woman?' asked the gentleman sternly. + </p> + <p> + 'Was he not, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'You know he was not.' + </p> + <p> + 'He was,' cried the woman. 'He was deaf, dumb, and blind, to all that was + good and right, from his cradle. Her boy may have learnt no better! where + did mine learn better? where could he? who was there to teach him better, + or where was it to be learnt?' + </p> + <p> + 'Peace, woman,' said the gentleman, 'your boy was in possession of all his + senses.' + </p> + <p> + 'He was,' cried the mother; 'and he was the more easy to be led astray + because he had them. If you save this boy because he may not know right + from wrong, why did you not save mine who was never taught the difference? + You gentlemen have as good a right to punish her boy, that God has kept in + ignorance of sound and speech, as you have to punish mine, that you kept + in ignorance yourselves. How many of the girls and boys—ah, men and + women too—that are brought before you and you don't pity, are deaf + and dumb in their minds, and go wrong in that state, and are punished in + that state, body and soul, while you gentlemen are quarrelling among + yourselves whether they ought to learn this or that?—Be a just man, + Sir, and give me back my son.' + </p> + <p> + 'You are desperate,' said the gentleman, taking out his snuff-box, 'and I + am sorry for you.' + </p> + <p> + 'I <i>am</i> desperate,' returned the woman, 'and you have made me so. Give me + back my son, to work for these helpless children. Be a just man, Sir, and, + as you have had mercy upon this boy, give me back my son!' + </p> + <p> + The child had seen and heard enough to know that this was not a place at + which to ask for alms. She led the old man softly from the door, and they + pursued their journey. + </p> + <p> + With less and less of hope or strength, as they went on, but with an + undiminished resolution not to betray by any word or sigh her sinking + state, so long as she had energy to move, the child, throughout the + remainder of that hard day, compelled herself to proceed: not even + stopping to rest as frequently as usual, to compensate in some measure for + the tardy pace at which she was obliged to walk. Evening was drawing on, + but had not closed in, when—still travelling among the same dismal + objects—they came to a busy town. + </p> + <p> + Faint and spiritless as they were, its streets were insupportable. After + humbly asking for relief at some few doors, and being repulsed, they + agreed to make their way out of it as speedily as they could, and try if + the inmates of any lone house beyond, would have more pity on their + exhausted state. + </p> + <p> + They were dragging themselves along through the last street, and the child + felt that the time was close at hand when her enfeebled powers would bear + no more. There appeared before them, at this juncture, going in the same + direction as themselves, a traveller on foot, who, with a portmanteau + strapped to his back, leaned upon a stout stick as he walked, and read + from a book which he held in his other hand. + </p> + <p> + It was not an easy matter to come up with him, and beseech his aid, for he + walked fast, and was a little distance in advance. At length, he stopped, + to look more attentively at some passage in his book. Animated with a ray + of hope, the child shot on before her grandfather, and, going close to the + stranger without rousing him by the sound of her footsteps, began, in a + few faint words, to implore his help. + </p> + <p> + He turned his head. The child clapped her hands together, uttered a wild + shriek, and fell senseless at his feet. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap46"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 46 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was the poor schoolmaster. No other than the poor schoolmaster. + Scarcely less moved and surprised by the sight of the child than she had + been on recognising him, he stood, for a moment, silent and confounded by + this unexpected apparition, without even the presence of mind to raise her + from the ground. + </p> + <p> + But, quickly recovering his self-possession, he threw down his stick and + book, and dropping on one knee beside her, endeavoured, by such simple + means as occurred to him, to restore her to herself; while her + grandfather, standing idly by, wrung his hands, and implored her with many + endearing expressions to speak to him, were it only a word. + </p> + <p> + 'She is quite exhausted,' said the schoolmaster, glancing upward into his + face. 'You have taxed her powers too far, friend.' + </p> + <p> + 'She is perishing of want,' rejoined the old man. 'I never thought how + weak and ill she was, till now.' + </p> + <p> + Casting a look upon him, half-reproachful and half-compassionate, the + schoolmaster took the child in his arms, and, bidding the old man gather + up her little basket and follow him directly, bore her away at his utmost + speed. + </p> + <p> + There was a small inn within sight, to which, it would seem, he had been + directing his steps when so unexpectedly overtaken. Towards this place he + hurried with his unconscious burden, and rushing into the kitchen, and + calling upon the company there assembled to make way for God's sake, + deposited it on a chair before the fire. + </p> + <p> + The company, who rose in confusion on the schoolmaster's entrance, did as + people usually do under such circumstances. Everybody called for his or + her favourite remedy, which nobody brought; each cried for more air, at + the same time carefully excluding what air there was, by closing round the + object of sympathy; and all wondered why somebody else didn't do what it + never appeared to occur to them might be done by themselves. + </p> + <p> + The landlady, however, who possessed more readiness and activity than any + of them, and who had withal a quicker perception of the merits of the + case, soon came running in, with a little hot brandy and water, followed + by her servant-girl, carrying vinegar, hartshorn, smelling-salts, and such + other restoratives; which, being duly administered, recovered the child so + far as to enable her to thank them in a faint voice, and to extend her + hand to the poor schoolmaster, who stood, with an anxious face, hard by. + Without suffering her to speak another word, or so much as to stir a + finger any more, the women straightway carried her off to bed; and, having + covered her up warm, bathed her cold feet, and wrapped them in flannel, + they despatched a messenger for the doctor. + </p> + <p> + The doctor, who was a red-nosed gentleman with a great bunch of seals + dangling below a waistcoat of ribbed black satin, arrived with all speed, + and taking his seat by the bedside of poor Nell, drew out his watch, and + felt her pulse. Then he looked at her tongue, then he felt her pulse + again, and while he did so, he eyed the half-emptied wine-glass as if in + profound abstraction. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0328m.jpg" alt="0328m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0328.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'I should give her,' said the doctor at length, 'a tea-spoonful, every now + and then, of hot brandy and water.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, that's exactly what we've done, sir!' said the delighted landlady. + </p> + <p> + 'I should also,' observed the doctor, who had passed the foot-bath on the + stairs, 'I should also,' said the doctor, in the voice of an oracle, 'put + her feet in hot water, and wrap them up in flannel. I should likewise,' + said the doctor with increased solemnity, 'give her something light for + supper—the wing of a roasted fowl now—' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, goodness gracious me, sir, it's cooking at the kitchen fire this + instant!' cried the landlady. And so indeed it was, for the schoolmaster + had ordered it to be put down, and it was getting on so well that the + doctor might have smelt it if he had tried; perhaps he did. + </p> + <p> + 'You may then,' said the doctor, rising gravely, 'give her a glass of hot + mulled port wine, if she likes wine—' + </p> + <p> + 'And a toast, Sir?' suggested the landlady. +</p> + <p> +'Ay,' said the doctor, in the + tone of a man who makes a dignified concession. 'And a toast—of + bread. But be very particular to make it of bread, if you please, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + With which parting injunction, slowly and portentously delivered, the + doctor departed, leaving the whole house in admiration of that wisdom + which tallied so closely with their own. Everybody said he was a very + shrewd doctor indeed, and knew perfectly what people's constitutions were; + which there appears some reason to suppose he did. + </p> + <p> + While her supper was preparing, the child fell into a refreshing sleep, + from which they were obliged to rouse her when it was ready. As she + evinced extraordinary uneasiness on learning that her grandfather was + below stairs, and as she was greatly troubled at the thought of their + being apart, he took his supper with her. Finding her still very restless + on this head, they made him up a bed in an inner room, to which he + presently retired. The key of this chamber happened by good fortune to be + on that side of the door which was in Nell's room; she turned it on him + when the landlady had withdrawn, and crept to bed again with a thankful + heart. + </p> + <p> + The schoolmaster sat for a long time smoking his pipe by the kitchen fire, + which was now deserted, thinking, with a very happy face, on the fortunate + chance which had brought him so opportunely to the child's assistance, and + parrying, as well as in his simple way he could, the inquisitive + cross-examination of the landlady, who had a great curiosity to be made + acquainted with every particular of Nell's life and history. The poor + schoolmaster was so open-hearted, and so little versed in the most + ordinary cunning or deceit, that she could not have failed to succeed in + the first five minutes, but that he happened to be unacquainted with what + she wished to know; and so he told her. The landlady, by no means + satisfied with this assurance, which she considered an ingenious evasion + of the question, rejoined that he had his reasons of course. Heaven forbid + that she should wish to pry into the affairs of her customers, which + indeed were no business of hers, who had so many of her own. She had + merely asked a civil question, and to be sure she knew it would meet with + a civil answer. She was quite satisfied—quite. She had rather + perhaps that he would have said at once that he didn't choose to be + communicative, because that would have been plain and intelligible. + However, she had no right to be offended of course. He was the best judge, + and had a perfect right to say what he pleased; nobody could dispute that + for a moment. Oh dear, no! + </p> + <p> + 'I assure you, my good lady,' said the mild schoolmaster, 'that I have + told you the plain truth. As I hope to be saved, I have told you the + truth.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why then, I do believe you are in earnest,' rejoined the landlady, with + ready good-humour, 'and I'm very sorry I have teazed you. But curiosity + you know is the curse of our sex, and that's the fact.' +</p> + <p> +The landlord + scratched his head, as if he thought the curse sometimes involved the + other sex likewise; but he was prevented from making any remark to that + effect, if he had it in contemplation to do so, by the schoolmaster's + rejoinder. + </p> + <p> + 'You should question me for half-a-dozen hours at a sitting, and welcome, + and I would answer you patiently for the kindness of heart you have shown + to-night, if I could,' he said. 'As it is, please to take care of her in + the morning, and let me know early how she is; and to understand that I am + paymaster for the three.' + </p> + <p> + So, parting with them on most friendly terms (not the less cordial perhaps + for this last direction), the schoolmaster went to his bed, and the host + and hostess to theirs. + </p> + <p> + The report in the morning was, that the child was better, but was + extremely weak, and would at least require a day's rest, and careful + nursing, before she could proceed upon her journey. The schoolmaster + received this communication with perfect cheerfulness, observing that he + had a day to spare—two days for that matter—and could very + well afford to wait. As the patient was to sit up in the evening, he + appointed to visit her in her room at a certain hour, and rambling out + with his book, did not return until the hour arrived. + </p> + <p> + Nell could not help weeping when they were left alone; whereat, and at + sight of her pale face and wasted figure, the simple schoolmaster shed a + few tears himself, at the same time showing in very energetic language how + foolish it was to do so, and how very easily it could be avoided, if one + tried. + </p> + <p> + 'It makes me unhappy even in the midst of all this kindness' said the + child, 'to think that we should be a burden upon you. How can I ever thank + you? If I had not met you so far from home, I must have died, and he would + have been left alone.' + </p> + <p> + 'We'll not talk about dying,' said the schoolmaster; 'and as to burdens, I + have made my fortune since you slept at my cottage.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed!' cried the child joyfully. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes,' returned her friend. 'I have been appointed clerk and + schoolmaster to a village a long way from here—and a long way from + the old one as you may suppose—at five-and-thirty pounds a year. + Five-and-thirty pounds!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am very glad,' said the child, 'so very, very glad.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am on my way there now,' resumed the schoolmaster. 'They allowed me the + stage-coach-hire—outside stage-coach-hire all the way. Bless you, + they grudge me nothing. But as the time at which I am expected there, left + me ample leisure, I determined to walk instead. How glad I am, to think I + did so!' + </p> + <p> + 'How glad should we be!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes,' said the schoolmaster, moving restlessly in his chair, + 'certainly, that's very true. But you—where are you going, where are + you coming from, what have you been doing since you left me, what had you + been doing before? Now, tell me—do tell me. I know very little of + the world, and perhaps you are better fitted to advise me in its affairs + than I am qualified to give advice to you; but I am very sincere, and I + have a reason (you have not forgotten it) for loving you. I have felt + since that time as if my love for him who died, had been transferred to + you who stood beside his bed. If this,' he added, looking upwards, 'is the + beautiful creation that springs from ashes, let its peace prosper with me, + as I deal tenderly and compassionately by this young child!' + </p> + <p> + The plain, frank kindness of the honest schoolmaster, the affectionate + earnestness of his speech and manner, the truth which was stamped upon his + every word and look, gave the child a confidence in him, which the utmost + arts of treachery and dissimulation could never have awakened in her + breast. She told him all—that they had no friend or relative—that + she had fled with the old man, to save him from a madhouse and all the + miseries he dreaded—that she was flying now, to save him from + himself—and that she sought an asylum in some remote and primitive + place, where the temptation before which he fell would never enter, and + her late sorrows and distresses could have no place. + </p> + <p> + The schoolmaster heard her with astonishment. 'This child!'—he + thought—'Has this child heroically persevered under all doubts and + dangers, struggled with poverty and suffering, upheld and sustained by + strong affection and the consciousness of rectitude alone! And yet the + world is full of such heroism. Have I yet to learn that the hardest and + best-borne trials are those which are never chronicled in any earthly + record, and are suffered every day! And should I be surprised to hear the + story of this child!' + </p> + <p> + What more he thought or said, matters not. It was concluded that Nell and + her grandfather should accompany him to the village whither he was bound, + and that he should endeavour to find them some humble occupation by which + they could subsist. 'We shall be sure to succeed,' said the schoolmaster, + heartily. 'The cause is too good a one to fail.' + </p> + <p> + They arranged to proceed upon their journey next evening, as a + stage-waggon, which travelled for some distance on the same road as they + must take, would stop at the inn to change horses, and the driver for a + small gratuity would give Nell a place inside. A bargain was soon struck + when the waggon came; and in due time it rolled away; with the child + comfortably bestowed among the softer packages, her grandfather and the + schoolmaster walking on beside the driver, and the landlady and all the + good folks of the inn screaming out their good wishes and farewells. + </p> + <p> + What a soothing, luxurious, drowsy way of travelling, to lie inside that + slowly-moving mountain, listening to the tinkling of the horses' bells, + the occasional smacking of the carter's whip, the smooth rolling of the + great broad wheels, the rattle of the harness, the cheery good-nights of + passing travellers jogging past on little short-stepped horses—all + made pleasantly indistinct by the thick awning, which seemed made for lazy + listening under, till one fell asleep! The very going to sleep, still with + an indistinct idea, as the head jogged to and fro upon the pillow, of + moving onward with no trouble or fatigue, and hearing all these sounds + like dreamy music, lulling to the senses—and the slow waking up, and + finding one's self staring out through the breezy curtain half-opened in + the front, far up into the cold bright sky with its countless stars, and + downward at the driver's lantern dancing on like its namesake Jack of the + swamps and marshes, and sideways at the dark grim trees, and forward at + the long bare road rising up, up, up, until it stopped abruptly at a sharp + high ridge as if there were no more road, and all beyond was sky—and + the stopping at the inn to bait, and being helped out, and going into a + room with fire and candles, and winking very much, and being agreeably + reminded that the night was cold, and anxious for very comfort's sake to + think it colder than it was!—What a delicious journey was that + journey in the waggon. + </p> + <p> + Then the going on again—so fresh at first, and shortly afterwards so + sleepy. The waking from a sound nap as the mail came dashing past like a + highway comet, with gleaming lamps and rattling hoofs, and visions of a + guard behind, standing up to keep his feet warm, and of a gentleman in a + fur cap opening his eyes and looking wild and stupefied—the stopping + at the turnpike where the man was gone to bed, and knocking at the door + until he answered with a smothered shout from under the bed-clothes in the + little room above, where the faint light was burning, and presently came + down, night-capped and shivering, to throw the gate wide open, and wish + all waggons off the road except by day. The cold sharp interval between + night and morning—the distant streak of light widening and + spreading, and turning from grey to white, and from white to yellow, and + from yellow to burning red—the presence of day, with all its + cheerfulness and life—men and horses at the plough—birds in + the trees and hedges, and boys in solitary fields, frightening them away + with rattles. The coming to a town—people busy in the markets; light + carts and chaises round the tavern yard; tradesmen standing at their + doors; men running horses up and down the street for sale; pigs plunging + and grunting in the dirty distance, getting off with long strings at their + legs, running into clean chemists' shops and being dislodged with brooms + by 'prentices; the night coach changing horses—the passengers + cheerless, cold, ugly, and discontented, with three months' growth of hair + in one night—the coachman fresh as from a band-box, and exquisitely + beautiful by contrast:—so much bustle, so many things in motion, + such a variety of incidents—when was there a journey with so many + delights as that journey in the waggon! + </p> + <p> + Sometimes walking for a mile or two while her grandfather rode inside, and + sometimes even prevailing upon the schoolmaster to take her place and lie + down to rest, Nell travelled on very happily until they came to a large + town, where the waggon stopped, and where they spent a night. They passed + a large church; and in the streets were a number of old houses, built of a + kind of earth or plaster, crossed and re-crossed in a great many + directions with black beams, which gave them a remarkable and very ancient + look. The doors, too, were arched and low, some with oaken portals and + quaint benches, where the former inhabitants had sat on summer evenings. + The windows were latticed in little diamond panes, that seemed to wink and + blink upon the passengers as if they were dim of sight. They had long + since got clear of the smoke and furnaces, except in one or two solitary + instances, where a factory planted among fields withered the space about + it, like a burning mountain. When they had passed through this town, they + entered again upon the country, and began to draw near their place of + destination. + </p> + <p> + It was not so near, however, but that they spent another night upon the + road; not that their doing so was quite an act of necessity, but that the + schoolmaster, when they approached within a few miles of his village, had + a fidgety sense of his dignity as the new clerk, and was unwilling to make + his entry in dusty shoes, and travel-disordered dress. It was a fine, + clear, autumn morning, when they came upon the scene of his promotion, and + stopped to contemplate its beauties. + </p> + <p> + 'See—here's the church!' cried the delighted schoolmaster in a low + voice; 'and that old building close beside it, is the schoolhouse, I'll be + sworn. Five-and-thirty pounds a-year in this beautiful place!' + </p> + <p> + They admired everything—the old grey porch, the mullioned windows, + the venerable gravestones dotting the green churchyard, the ancient tower, + the very weathercock; the brown thatched roofs of cottage, barn, and + homestead, peeping from among the trees; the stream that rippled by the + distant water-mill; the blue Welsh mountains far away. It was for such a + spot the child had wearied in the dense, dark, miserable haunts of labour. + Upon her bed of ashes, and amidst the squalid horrors through which they + had forced their way, visions of such scenes—beautiful indeed, but + not more beautiful than this sweet reality—had been always present + to her mind. They had seemed to melt into a dim and airy distance, as the + prospect of ever beholding them again grew fainter; but, as they receded, + she had loved and panted for them more. + </p> + <p> + 'I must leave you somewhere for a few minutes,' said the schoolmaster, at + length breaking the silence into which they had fallen in their gladness. + 'I have a letter to present, and inquiries to make, you know. Where shall + I take you? To the little inn yonder?' + </p> + <p> + 'Let us wait here,' rejoined Nell. 'The gate is open. We will sit in the + church porch till you come back.' + </p> + <p> + 'A good place too,' said the schoolmaster, leading the way towards it, + disencumbering himself of his portmanteau, and placing it on the stone + seat. 'Be sure that I come back with good news, and am not long gone!' + </p> + <p> + So, the happy schoolmaster put on a bran-new pair of gloves which he had + carried in a little parcel in his pocket all the way, and hurried off, + full of ardour and excitement. + </p> + <p> + The child watched him from the porch until the intervening foliage hid him + from her view, and then stepped softly out into the old churchyard—so + solemn and quiet that every rustle of her dress upon the fallen leaves, + which strewed the path and made her footsteps noiseless, seemed an + invasion of its silence. It was a very aged, ghostly place; the church had + been built many hundreds of years ago, and had once had a convent or + monastery attached; for arches in ruins, remains of oriel windows, and + fragments of blackened walls, were yet standing; while other portions of + the old building, which had crumbled away and fallen down, were mingled + with the churchyard earth and overgrown with grass, as if they too claimed + a burying-place and sought to mix their ashes with the dust of men. Hard + by these gravestones of dead years, and forming a part of the ruin which + some pains had been taken to render habitable in modern times, were two + small dwellings with sunken windows and oaken doors, fast hastening to + decay, empty and desolate. + </p> + <p> + Upon these tenements, the attention of the child became exclusively + riveted. She knew not why. The church, the ruin, the antiquated graves, + had equal claims at least upon a stranger's thoughts, but from the moment + when her eyes first rested on these two dwellings, she could turn to + nothing else. Even when she had made the circuit of the enclosure, and, + returning to the porch, sat pensively waiting for their friend, she took + her station where she could still look upon them, and felt as if + fascinated towards that spot. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0335m.jpg" alt="0335m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0335.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap47"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 47 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it's mother and the single gentleman—upon whose track it is + expedient to follow with hurried steps, lest this history should be + chargeable with inconstancy, and the offence of leaving its characters in + situations of uncertainty and doubt—Kit's mother and the single + gentleman, speeding onward in the post-chaise-and-four whose departure + from the Notary's door we have already witnessed, soon left the town + behind them, and struck fire from the flints of the broad highway. + </p> + <p> + The good woman, being not a little embarrassed by the novelty of her + situation, and certain material apprehensions that perhaps by this time + little Jacob, or the baby, or both, had fallen into the fire, or tumbled + down stairs, or had been squeezed behind doors, or had scalded their + windpipes in endeavouring to allay their thirst at the spouts of + tea-kettles, preserved an uneasy silence; and meeting from the window the + eyes of turnpike-men, omnibus-drivers, and others, felt in the new dignity + of her position like a mourner at a funeral, who, not being greatly + afflicted by the loss of the departed, recognizes his every-day + acquaintance from the window of the mourning coach, but is constrained to + preserve a decent solemnity, and the appearance of being indifferent to + all external objects. + </p> + <p> + To have been indifferent to the companionship of the single gentleman + would have been tantamount to being gifted with nerves of steel. Never did + chaise inclose, or horses draw, such a restless gentleman as he. He never + sat in the same position for two minutes together, but was perpetually + tossing his arms and legs about, pulling up the sashes and letting them + violently down, or thrusting his head out of one window to draw it in + again and thrust it out of another. He carried in his pocket, too, a + fire-box of mysterious and unknown construction; and as sure as ever Kit's + mother closed her eyes, so surely—whisk, rattle, fizz—there + was the single gentleman consulting his watch by a flame of fire, and + letting the sparks fall down among the straw as if there were no such + thing as a possibility of himself and Kit's mother being roasted alive + before the boys could stop their horses. Whenever they halted to change, + there he was—out of the carriage without letting down the steps, + bursting about the inn-yard like a lighted cracker, pulling out his watch + by lamp-light and forgetting to look at it before he put it up again, and + in short committing so many extravagances that Kit's mother was quite + afraid of him. Then, when the horses were to, in he came like a Harlequin, + and before they had gone a mile, out came the watch and the fire-box + together, and Kit's mother as wide awake again, with no hope of a wink of + sleep for that stage. + </p> + <p> + 'Are you comfortable?' the single gentleman would say after one of these + exploits, turning sharply round. + </p> + <p> + 'Quite, Sir, thank you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you sure? An't you cold?' + </p> + <p> + 'It is a little chilly, Sir,' Kit's mother would reply. + </p> + <p> + 'I knew it!' cried the single gentleman, letting down one of the front + glasses. 'She wants some brandy and water! Of course she does. How could I + forget it? Hallo! Stop at the next inn, and call out for a glass of hot + brandy and water.' + </p> + <p> + It was in vain for Kit's mother to protest that she stood in need of + nothing of the kind. The single gentleman was inexorable; and whenever he + had exhausted all other modes and fashions of restlessness, it invariably + occurred to him that Kit's mother wanted brandy and water. + </p> + <p> + In this way they travelled on until near midnight, when they stopped to + supper, for which meal the single gentleman ordered everything eatable + that the house contained; and because Kit's mother didn't eat everything + at once, and eat it all, he took it into his head that she must be ill. + </p> + <p> + 'You're faint,' said the single gentleman, who did nothing himself but + walk about the room. 'I see what's the matter with you, ma'am. You're + faint.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you, sir, I'm not indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I know you are. I'm sure of it. I drag this poor woman from the bosom of + her family at a minute's notice, and she goes on getting fainter and + fainter before my eyes. I'm a pretty fellow! How many children have you + got, ma'am?' + </p> + <p> + 'Two, sir, besides Kit.' + </p> + <p> + 'Boys, ma'am?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Are they christened?' + </p> + <p> + 'Only half baptised as yet, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm godfather to both of 'em. Remember that, if you please, ma'am. You + had better have some mulled wine.' + </p> + <p> + 'I couldn't touch a drop indeed, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'You must,' said the single gentleman. 'I see you want it. I ought to have + thought of it before.' + </p> + <p> + Immediately flying to the bell, and calling for mulled wine as impetuously + as if it had been wanted for instant use in the recovery of some person + apparently drowned, the single gentleman made Kit's mother swallow a + bumper of it at such a high temperature that the tears ran down her face, + and then hustled her off to the chaise again, where—not impossibly + from the effects of this agreeable sedative—she soon became + insensible to his restlessness, and fell fast asleep. Nor were the happy + effects of this prescription of a transitory nature, as, notwithstanding + that the distance was greater, and the journey longer, than the single + gentleman had anticipated, she did not awake until it was broad day, and + they were clattering over the pavement of a town. + </p> + <p> + 'This is the place!' cried her companion, letting down all the glasses. + 'Drive to the wax-work!' + </p> + <p> + The boy on the wheeler touched his hat, and setting spurs to his horse, to + the end that they might go in brilliantly, all four broke into a smart + canter, and dashed through the streets with a noise that brought the good + folks wondering to their doors and windows, and drowned the sober voices + of the town-clocks as they chimed out half-past eight. They drove up to a + door round which a crowd of persons were collected, and there stopped. + </p> + <p> + 'What's this?' said the single gentleman thrusting out his head. 'Is + anything the matter here?' + </p> + <p> + 'A wedding Sir, a wedding!' cried several voices. 'Hurrah!' + </p> + <p> + The single gentleman, rather bewildered by finding himself the centre of + this noisy throng, alighted with the assistance of one of the postilions, + and handed out Kit's mother, at sight of whom the populace cried out, + 'Here's another wedding!' and roared and leaped for joy. + </p> + <p> + 'The world has gone mad, I think,' said the single gentleman, pressing + through the concourse with his supposed bride. 'Stand back here, will you, + and let me knock.' + </p> + <p> + Anything that makes a noise is satisfactory to a crowd. A score of dirty + hands were raised directly to knock for him, and seldom has a knocker of + equal powers been made to produce more deafening sounds than this + particular engine on the occasion in question. Having rendered these + voluntary services, the throng modestly retired a little, preferring that + the single gentleman should bear their consequences alone. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, sir, what do you want!' said a man with a large white bow at his + button-hole, opening the door, and confronting him with a very stoical + aspect. + </p> + <p> + 'Who has been married here, my friend?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'I have.' + </p> + <p> + 'You! and to whom in the devil's name?' + </p> + <p> + 'What right have you to ask?' returned the bridegroom, eyeing him from top + to toe. + </p> + <p> + 'What right!' cried the single gentleman, drawing the arm of Kit's mother + more tightly through his own, for that good woman evidently had it in + contemplation to run away. 'A right you little dream of. Mind, good + people, if this fellow has been marrying a minor—tut, tut, that + can't be. Where is the child you have here, my good fellow. You call her + Nell. Where is she?' + </p> + <p> + As he propounded this question, which Kit's mother echoed, somebody in a + room near at hand, uttered a great shriek, and a stout lady in a white + dress came running to the door, and supported herself upon the + bridegroom's arm. + </p> + <p> + 'Where is she!' cried this lady. 'What news have you brought me? What has + become of her?' + </p> + <p> + The single gentleman started back, and gazed upon the face of the late Mrs + Jarley (that morning wedded to the philosophic George, to the eternal + wrath and despair of Mr Slum the poet), with looks of conflicting + apprehension, disappointment, and incredulity. At length he stammered out, + </p> + <p> + 'I ask <i>you </i>where she is? What do you mean?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh sir!' cried the bride, 'If you have come here to do her any good, why + weren't you here a week ago?' + </p> + <p> + 'She is not—not dead?' said the person to whom she addressed + herself, turning very pale. + </p> + <p> + 'No, not so bad as that.' + </p> + <p> + 'I thank God!' cried the single gentleman feebly. 'Let me come in.' + </p> + <p> + They drew back to admit him, and when he had entered, closed the door. + </p> + <p> + 'You see in me, good people,' he said, turning to the newly-married + couple, 'one to whom life itself is not dearer than the two persons whom I + seek. They would not know me. My features are strange to them, but if they + or either of them are here, take this good woman with you, and let them + see her first, for her they both know. If you deny them from any mistaken + regard or fear for them, judge of my intentions by their recognition of + this person as their old humble friend.' + </p> + <p> + 'I always said it!' cried the bride, 'I knew she was not a common child! + Alas, sir! we have no power to help you, for all that we could do, has + been tried in vain.' + </p> + <p> + With that, they related to him, without disguise or concealment, all that + they knew of Nell and her grandfather, from their first meeting with them, + down to the time of their sudden disappearance; adding (which was quite + true) that they had made every possible effort to trace them, but without + success; having been at first in great alarm for their safety, as well as + on account of the suspicions to which they themselves might one day be + exposed in consequence of their abrupt departure. They dwelt upon the old + man's imbecility of mind, upon the uneasiness the child had always + testified when he was absent, upon the company he had been supposed to + keep, and upon the increased depression which had gradually crept over her + and changed her both in health and spirits. Whether she had missed the old + man in the night, and knowing or conjecturing whither he had bent his + steps, had gone in pursuit, or whether they had left the house together, + they had no means of determining. Certain they considered it, that there + was but slender prospect left of hearing of them again, and that whether + their flight originated with the old man, or with the child, there was now + no hope of their return. To all this, the single gentleman listened with + the air of a man quite borne down by grief and disappointment. He shed + tears when they spoke of the grandfather, and appeared in deep affliction. + </p> + <p> + Not to protract this portion of our narrative, and to make short work of a + long story, let it be briefly written that before the interview came to a + close, the single gentleman deemed he had sufficient evidence of having + been told the truth, and that he endeavoured to force upon the bride and + bridegroom an acknowledgment of their kindness to the unfriended child, + which, however, they steadily declined accepting. In the end, the happy + couple jolted away in the caravan to spend their honeymoon in a country + excursion; and the single gentleman and Kit's mother stood ruefully before + their carriage-door. + </p> + <p> + 'Where shall we drive you, sir?' said the post-boy. + </p> + <p> + 'You may drive me,' said the single gentleman, 'to the—' He was not + going to add 'inn,' but he added it for the sake of Kit's mother; and to + the inn they went. + </p> + <p> + Rumours had already got abroad that the little girl who used to show the + wax-work, was the child of great people who had been stolen from her + parents in infancy, and had only just been traced. Opinion was divided + whether she was the daughter of a prince, a duke, an earl, a viscount, or + a baron, but all agreed upon the main fact, and that the single gentleman + was her father; and all bent forward to catch a glimpse, though it were + only of the tip of his noble nose, as he rode away, desponding, in his + four-horse chaise. + </p> + <p> + What would he have given to know, and what sorrow would have been saved if + he had only known, that at that moment both child and grandfather were + seated in the old church porch, patiently awaiting the schoolmaster's + return! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap48"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 48 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">P</span>opular rumour concerning the single gentleman and his errand, travelling + from mouth to mouth, and waxing stronger in the marvellous as it was + bandied about—for your popular rumour, unlike the rolling stone of + the proverb, is one which gathers a deal of moss in its wanderings up and + down—occasioned his dismounting at the inn-door to be looked upon as + an exciting and attractive spectacle, which could scarcely be enough + admired; and drew together a large concourse of idlers, who having + recently been, as it were, thrown out of employment by the closing of the + wax-work and the completion of the nuptial ceremonies, considered his + arrival as little else than a special providence, and hailed it with + demonstrations of the liveliest joy. + </p> + <p> + Not at all participating in the general sensation, but wearing the + depressed and wearied look of one who sought to meditate on his + disappointment in silence and privacy, the single gentleman alighted, and + handed out Kit's mother with a gloomy politeness which impressed the + lookers-on extremely. That done, he gave her his arm and escorted her into + the house, while several active waiters ran on before as a skirmishing + party, to clear the way and to show the room which was ready for their + reception. + </p> + <p> + 'Any room will do,' said the single gentleman. 'Let it be near at hand, + that's all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Close here, sir, if you please to walk this way.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0342m.jpg" alt="0342m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0342.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Would the gentleman like this room?' said a voice, as a little + out-of-the-way door at the foot of the well staircase flew briskly open + and a head popped out. 'He's quite welcome to it. He's as welcome as + flowers in May, or coals at Christmas. Would you like this room, sir? + Honour me by walking in. Do me the favour, pray.' + </p> + <p> + 'Goodness gracious me!' cried Kit's mother, falling back in extreme + surprise, 'only think of this!' + </p> + <p> + She had some reason to be astonished, for the person who proffered the + gracious invitation was no other than Daniel Quilp. The little door out of + which he had thrust his head was close to the inn larder; and there he + stood, bowing with grotesque politeness; as much at his ease as if the + door were that of his own house; blighting all the legs of mutton and cold + roast fowls by his close companionship, and looking like the evil genius + of the cellars come from underground upon some work of mischief. + </p> + <p> + 'Would you do me the honour?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'I prefer being alone,' replied the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Quilp. And with that, he darted in again with one jerk and + clapped the little door to, like a figure in a Dutch clock when the hour + strikes. + </p> + <p> + 'Why it was only last night, sir,' whispered Kit's mother, 'that I left + him in Little Bethel.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed!' said her fellow-passenger. 'When did that person come here, + waiter?' + </p> + <p> + 'Come down by the night-coach, this morning, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Humph! And when is he going?' + </p> + <p> + 'Can't say, sir, really. When the chambermaid asked him just now if he + should want a bed, sir, he first made faces at her, and then wanted to + kiss her.' + </p> + <p> + 'Beg him to walk this way,' said the single gentleman. 'I should be glad + to exchange a word with him, tell him. Beg him to come at once, do you + hear?' + </p> + <p> + The man stared on receiving these instructions, for the single gentleman + had not only displayed as much astonishment as Kit's mother at sight of + the dwarf, but, standing in no fear of him, had been at less pains to + conceal his dislike and repugnance. He departed on his errand, however, + and immediately returned, ushering in its object. + </p> + <p> + 'Your servant, sir,' said the dwarf, 'I encountered your messenger + half-way. I thought you'd allow me to pay my compliments to you. I hope + you're well. I hope you're very well.' + </p> + <p> + There was a short pause, while the dwarf, with half-shut eyes and puckered + face, stood waiting for an answer. Receiving none, he turned towards his + more familiar acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + 'Christopher's mother!' he cried. 'Such a dear lady, such a worthy woman, + so blest in her honest son! How is Christopher's mother? Have change of + air and scene improved her? Her little family too, and Christopher? Do + they thrive? Do they flourish? Are they growing into worthy citizens, eh?' + </p> + <p> + Making his voice ascend in the scale with every succeeding question, Mr + Quilp finished in a shrill squeak, and subsided into the panting look + which was customary with him, and which, whether it were assumed or + natural, had equally the effect of banishing all expression from his face, + and rendering it, as far as it afforded any index to his mood or meaning, + a perfect blank. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Quilp,' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf put his hand to his great flapped ear, and counterfeited the + closest attention. + </p> + <p> + 'We two have met before—' + </p> + <p> + 'Surely,' cried Quilp, nodding his head. 'Oh surely, sir. Such an honour + and pleasure—it's both, Christopher's mother, it's both—is not + to be forgotten so soon. By no means!' + </p> + <p> + 'You may remember that the day I arrived in London, and found the house to + which I drove, empty and deserted, I was directed by some of the + neighbours to you, and waited upon you without stopping for rest or + refreshment?' + </p> + <p> + 'How precipitate that was, and yet what an earnest and vigorous measure!' + said Quilp, conferring with himself, in imitation of his friend Mr Sampson + Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'I found,' said the single gentleman, 'you most unaccountably, in + possession of everything that had so recently belonged to another man, and + that other man, who up to the time of your entering upon his property had + been looked upon as affluent, reduced to sudden beggary, and driven from + house and home.' + </p> + <p> + 'We had warrant for what we did, my good sir,' rejoined Quilp, 'we had our + warrant. Don't say driven either. He went of his own accord—vanished + in the night, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'No matter,' said the single gentleman angrily. 'He was gone.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, he was gone,' said Quilp, with the same exasperating composure. 'No + doubt he was gone. The only question was, where. And it's a question + still.' + </p> + <p> + 'Now, what am I to think,' said the single gentleman, sternly regarding + him, 'of you, who, plainly indisposed to give me any information then—nay, + obviously holding back, and sheltering yourself with all kinds of cunning, + trickery, and evasion—are dogging my footsteps now?' + </p> + <p> + 'I dogging!' cried Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, are you not?' returned his questioner, fretted into a state of the + utmost irritation. 'Were you not a few hours since, sixty miles off, and + in the chapel to which this good woman goes to say her prayers?' + </p> + <p> + 'She was there too, I think?' said Quilp, still perfectly unmoved. 'I + might say, if I was inclined to be rude, how do I know but you are dogging + <i>my</i> footsteps. Yes, I was at chapel. What then? I've read in books that + pilgrims were used to go to chapel before they went on journeys, to put up + petitions for their safe return. Wise men! journeys are very perilous—especially + outside the coach. Wheels come off, horses take fright, coachmen drive too + fast, coaches overturn. I always go to chapel before I start on journeys. + It's the last thing I do on such occasions, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + That Quilp lied most heartily in this speech, it needed no very great + penetration to discover, although for anything that he suffered to appear + in his face, voice, or manner, he might have been clinging to the truth + with the quiet constancy of a martyr. + </p> + <p> + 'In the name of all that's calculated to drive one crazy, man,' said the + unfortunate single gentleman, 'have you not, for some reason of your own, + taken upon yourself my errand? don't you know with what object I have come + here, and if you do know, can you throw no light upon it?' + </p> + <p> + 'You think I'm a conjuror, sir,' replied Quilp, shrugging up his + shoulders. 'If I was, I should tell my own fortune—and make it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! we have said all we need say, I see,' returned the other, throwing + himself impatiently upon a sofa. 'Pray leave us, if you please.' + </p> + <p> + 'Willingly,' returned Quilp. 'Most willingly. Christopher's mother, my + good soul, farewell. A pleasant journey—back, sir. Ahem!' + </p> + <p> + With these parting words, and with a grin upon his features altogether + indescribable, but which seemed to be compounded of every monstrous + grimace of which men or monkeys are capable, the dwarf slowly retreated + and closed the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + 'Oho!' he said when he had regained his own room, and sat himself down in + a chair with his arms akimbo. 'Oho! Are you there, my friend? In-deed!' + </p> + <p> + Chuckling as though in very great glee, and recompensing himself for the + restraint he had lately put upon his countenance by twisting it into all + imaginable varieties of ugliness, Mr Quilp, rocking himself to and fro in + his chair and nursing his left leg at the same time, fell into certain + meditations, of which it may be necessary to relate the substance. + </p> + <p> + First, he reviewed the circumstances which had led to his repairing to + that spot, which were briefly these. Dropping in at Mr Sampson Brass's + office on the previous evening, in the absence of that gentleman and his + learned sister, he had lighted upon Mr Swiveller, who chanced at the + moment to be sprinkling a glass of warm gin and water on the dust of the + law, and to be moistening his clay, as the phrase goes, rather copiously. + But as clay in the abstract, when too much moistened, becomes of a weak + and uncertain consistency, breaking down in unexpected places, retaining + impressions but faintly, and preserving no strength or steadiness of + character, so Mr Swiveller's clay, having imbibed a considerable quantity + of moisture, was in a very loose and slippery state, insomuch that the + various ideas impressed upon it were fast losing their distinctive + character, and running into each other. It is not uncommon for human clay + in this condition to value itself above all things upon its great prudence + and sagacity; and Mr Swiveller, especially prizing himself upon these + qualities, took occasion to remark that he had made strange discoveries in + connection with the single gentleman who lodged above, which he had + determined to keep within his own bosom, and which neither tortures nor + cajolery should ever induce him to reveal. Of this determination Mr Quilp + expressed his high approval, and setting himself in the same breath to + goad Mr Swiveller on to further hints, soon made out that the single + gentleman had been seen in communication with Kit, and that this was the + secret which was never to be disclosed. + </p> + <p> + Possessed of this piece of information, Mr Quilp directly supposed that + the single gentleman above stairs must be the same individual who had + waited on him, and having assured himself by further inquiries that this + surmise was correct, had no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that + the intent and object of his correspondence with Kit was the recovery of + his old client and the child. Burning with curiosity to know what + proceedings were afoot, he resolved to pounce upon Kit's mother as the + person least able to resist his arts, and consequently the most likely to + be entrapped into such revelations as he sought; so taking an abrupt leave + of Mr Swiveller, he hurried to her house. The good woman being from home, + he made inquiries of a neighbour, as Kit himself did soon afterwards, and + being directed to the chapel be took himself there, in order to waylay + her, at the conclusion of the service. + </p> + <p> + He had not sat in the chapel more than a quarter of an hour, and with his + eyes piously fixed upon the ceiling was chuckling inwardly over the joke + of his being there at all, when Kit himself appeared. Watchful as a lynx, + one glance showed the dwarf that he had come on business. Absorbed in + appearance, as we have seen, and feigning a profound abstraction, he noted + every circumstance of his behaviour, and when he withdrew with his family, + shot out after him. In fine, he traced them to the notary's house; learnt + the destination of the carriage from one of the postilions; and knowing + that a fast night-coach started for the same place, at the very hour which + was on the point of striking, from a street hard by, darted round to the + coach-office without more ado, and took his seat upon the roof. After + passing and repassing the carriage on the road, and being passed and + repassed by it sundry times in the course of the night, according as their + stoppages were longer or shorter; or their rate of travelling varied, they + reached the town almost together. Quilp kept the chaise in sight, mingled + with the crowd, learnt the single gentleman's errand, and its failure, and + having possessed himself of all that it was material to know, hurried off, + reached the inn before him, had the interview just now detailed, and shut + himself up in the little room in which he hastily reviewed all these + occurrences. + </p> + <p> + 'You are there, are you, my friend?' he repeated, greedily biting his + nails. 'I am suspected and thrown aside, and Kit's the confidential agent, + is he? I shall have to dispose of him, I fear. If we had come up with them + this morning,' he continued, after a thoughtful pause, 'I was ready to + prove a pretty good claim. I could have made my profit. But for these + canting hypocrites, the lad and his mother, I could get this fiery + gentleman as comfortably into my net as our old friend—our mutual + friend, ha! ha!—and chubby, rosy Nell. At the worst, it's a golden + opportunity, not to be lost. Let us find them first, and I'll find means + of draining you of some of your superfluous cash, sir, while there are + prison bars, and bolts, and locks, to keep your friend or kinsman safely. + I hate your virtuous people!' said the dwarf, throwing off a bumper of + brandy, and smacking his lips, 'ah! I hate 'em every one!' + </p> + <p> + This was not a mere empty vaunt, but a deliberate avowal of his real + sentiments; for Mr Quilp, who loved nobody, had by little and little come + to hate everybody nearly or remotely connected with his ruined client:—the + old man himself, because he had been able to deceive him and elude his + vigilance—the child, because she was the object of Mrs Quilp's + commiseration and constant self-reproach—the single gentleman, + because of his unconcealed aversion to himself—Kit and his mother, + most mortally, for the reasons shown. Above and beyond that general + feeling of opposition to them, which would have been inseparable from his + ravenous desire to enrich himself by these altered circumstances, Daniel + Quilp hated them every one. + </p> + <p> + In this amiable mood, Mr Quilp enlivened himself and his hatreds with more + brandy, and then, changing his quarters, withdrew to an obscure alehouse, + under cover of which seclusion he instituted all possible inquiries that + might lead to the discovery of the old man and his grandchild. But all was + in vain. Not the slightest trace or clue could be obtained. They had left + the town by night; no one had seen them go; no one had met them on the + road; the driver of no coach, cart, or waggon, had seen any travellers + answering their description; nobody had fallen in with them, or heard of + them. Convinced at last that for the present all such attempts were + hopeless, he appointed two or three scouts, with promises of large rewards + in case of their forwarding him any intelligence, and returned to London + by next day's coach. + </p> + <p> + It was some gratification to Mr Quilp to find, as he took his place upon + the roof, that Kit's mother was alone inside; from which circumstance he + derived in the course of the journey much cheerfulness of spirit, inasmuch + as her solitary condition enabled him to terrify her with many + extraordinary annoyances; such as hanging over the side of the coach at + the risk of his life, and staring in with his great goggle eyes, which + seemed in hers the more horrible from his face being upside down; dodging + her in this way from one window to another; getting nimbly down whenever + they changed horses and thrusting his head in at the window with a dismal + squint: which ingenious tortures had such an effect upon Mrs Nubbles, that + she was quite unable for the time to resist the belief that Mr Quilp did + in his own person represent and embody that Evil Power, who was so + vigorously attacked at Little Bethel, and who, by reason of her + backslidings in respect of Astley's and oysters, was now frolicsome and + rampant. + </p> + <p> + Kit, having been apprised by letter of his mother's intended return, was + waiting for her at the coach-office; and great was his surprise when he + saw, leering over the coachman's shoulder like some familiar demon, + invisible to all eyes but his, the well-known face of Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'How are you, Christopher?' croaked the dwarf from the coach-top. 'All + right, Christopher. Mother's inside.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, how did he come here, mother?' whispered Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know how he came or why, my dear,' rejoined Mrs Nubbles, + dismounting with her son's assistance, 'but he has been a terrifying of me + out of my seven senses all this blessed day.' + </p> + <p> + 'He has?' cried Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'You wouldn't believe it, that you wouldn't,' replied his mother, 'but + don't say a word to him, for I really don't believe he's human. Hush! + Don't turn round as if I was talking of him, but he's a squinting at me + now in the full blaze of the coach-lamp, quite awful!' + </p> + <p> + In spite of his mother's injunction, Kit turned sharply round to look. Mr + Quilp was serenely gazing at the stars, quite absorbed in celestial + contemplation. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, he's the artfullest creetur!' cried Mrs Nubbles. 'But come away. + Don't speak to him for the world.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes I will, mother. What nonsense. I say, sir—' + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp affected to start, and looked smilingly round. + </p> + <p> + 'You let my mother alone, will you?' said Kit. 'How dare you tease a poor + lone woman like her, making her miserable and melancholy as if she hadn't + got enough to make her so, without you. An't you ashamed of yourself, you + little monster?' + </p> + <p> + 'Monster!' said Quilp inwardly, with a smile. 'Ugliest dwarf that could be + seen anywhere for a penny—monster—ah!' + </p> + <p> + 'You show her any of your impudence again,' resumed Kit, shouldering the + bandbox, 'and I tell you what, Mr Quilp, I won't bear with you any more. + You have no right to do it; I'm sure we never interfered with you. This + isn't the first time; and if ever you worry or frighten her again, you'll + oblige me (though I should be very sorry to do it, on account of your + size) to beat you.' + </p> + <p> + Quilp said not a word in reply, but walking so close to Kit as to bring + his eyes within two or three inches of his face, looked fixedly at him, + retreated a little distance without averting his gaze, approached again, + again withdrew, and so on for half-a-dozen times, like a head in a + phantasmagoria. Kit stood his ground as if in expectation of an immediate + assault, but finding that nothing came of these gestures, snapped his + fingers and walked away; his mother dragging him off as fast as she could, + and, even in the midst of his news of little Jacob and the baby, looking + anxiously over her shoulder to see if Quilp were following. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap49"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 49 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it's mother might have spared herself the trouble of looking back so + often, for nothing was further from Mr Quilp's thoughts than any intention + of pursuing her and her son, or renewing the quarrel with which they had + parted. He went his way, whistling from time to time some fragments of a + tune; and with a face quite tranquil and composed, jogged pleasantly + towards home; entertaining himself as he went with visions of the fears + and terrors of Mrs Quilp, who, having received no intelligence of him for + three whole days and two nights, and having had no previous notice of his + absence, was doubtless by that time in a state of distraction, and + constantly fainting away with anxiety and grief. + </p> + <p> + This facetious probability was so congenial to the dwarf's humour, and so + exquisitely amusing to him, that he laughed as he went along until the + tears ran down his cheeks; and more than once, when he found himself in a + bye-street, vented his delight in a shrill scream, which greatly + terrifying any lonely passenger, who happened to be walking on before him + expecting nothing so little, increased his mirth, and made him remarkably + cheerful and light-hearted. + </p> + <p> + In this happy flow of spirits, Mr Quilp reached Tower Hill, when, gazing + up at the window of his own sitting-room, he thought he descried more + light than is usual in a house of mourning. Drawing nearer, and listening + attentively, he could hear several voices in earnest conversation, among + which he could distinguish, not only those of his wife and mother-in-law, + but the tongues of men. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' cried the jealous dwarf, 'What's this! Do they entertain visitors + while I'm away!' + </p> + <p> + A smothered cough from above, was the reply. He felt in his pockets for + his latch-key, but had forgotten it. There was no resource but to knock at + the door. + </p> + <p> + 'A light in the passage,' said Quilp, peeping through the keyhole. 'A very + soft knock; and, by your leave, my lady, I may yet steal upon you + unawares. Soho!' + </p> + <p> + A very low and gentle rap received no answer from within. But after a + second application to the knocker, no louder than the first, the door was + softly opened by the boy from the wharf, whom Quilp instantly gagged with + one hand, and dragged into the street with the other. + </p> + <p> + 'You'll throttle me, master,' whispered the boy. 'Let go, will you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who's up stairs, you dog?' retorted Quilp in the same tone. 'Tell me. And + don't speak above your breath, or I'll choke you in good earnest.' + </p> + <p> + The boy could only point to the window, and reply with a stifled giggle, + expressive of such intense enjoyment, that Quilp clutched him by the + throat and might have carried his threat into execution, or at least have + made very good progress towards that end, but for the boy's nimbly + extricating himself from his grasp, and fortifying himself behind the + nearest post, at which, after some fruitless attempts to catch him by the + hair of the head, his master was obliged to come to a parley. + </p> + <p> + 'Will you answer me?' said Quilp. 'What's going on, above?' + </p> + <p> + 'You won't let one speak,' replied the boy. 'They—ha, ha, ha!—they + think you're—you're dead. Ha ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + 'Dead!' cried Quilp, relaxing into a grim laugh himself. 'No. Do they? Do + they really, you dog?' + </p> + <p> + 'They think you're—you're drowned,' replied the boy, who in his + malicious nature had a strong infusion of his master. 'You was last seen + on the brink of the wharf, and they think you tumbled over. Ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + The prospect of playing the spy under such delicious circumstances, and of + disappointing them all by walking in alive, gave more delight to Quilp + than the greatest stroke of good fortune could possibly have inspired him + with. He was no less tickled than his hopeful assistant, and they both + stood for some seconds, grinning and gasping and wagging their heads at + each other, on either side of the post, like an unmatchable pair of + Chinese idols. + </p> + <p> + 'Not a word,' said Quilp, making towards the door on tiptoe. 'Not a sound, + not so much as a creaking board, or a stumble against a cobweb. Drowned, + eh, Mrs Quilp! Drowned!' + </p> + <p> + So saying, he blew out the candle, kicked off his shoes, and groped his + way up stairs; leaving his delighted young friend in an ecstasy of + summersets on the pavement. + </p> + <p> + The bedroom-door on the staircase being unlocked, Mr Quilp slipped in, and + planted himself behind the door of communication between that chamber and + the sitting-room, which standing ajar to render both more airy, and having + a very convenient chink (of which he had often availed himself for + purposes of espial, and had indeed enlarged with his pocket-knife), + enabled him not only to hear, but to see distinctly, what was passing. + </p> + <p> + Applying his eye to this convenient place, he descried Mr Brass seated at + the table with pen, ink, and paper, and the case-bottle of rum—his + own case-bottle, and his own particular Jamaica—convenient to his + hand; with hot water, fragrant lemons, white lump sugar, and all things + fitting; from which choice materials, Sampson, by no means insensible to + their claims upon his attention, had compounded a mighty glass of punch + reeking hot; which he was at that very moment stirring up with a teaspoon, + and contemplating with looks in which a faint assumption of sentimental + regret, struggled but weakly with a bland and comfortable joy. At the same + table, with both her elbows upon it, was Mrs Jiniwin; no longer sipping + other people's punch feloniously with teaspoons, but taking deep draughts + from a jorum of her own; while her daughter—not exactly with ashes + on her head, or sackcloth on her back, but preserving a very decent and + becoming appearance of sorrow nevertheless—was reclining in an easy + chair, and soothing her grief with a smaller allowance of the same glib + liquid. There were also present, a couple of water-side men, bearing + between them certain machines called drags; even these fellows were + accommodated with a stiff glass a-piece; and as they drank with a great + relish, and were naturally of a red-nosed, pimple-faced, convivial look, + their presence rather increased than detracted from that decided + appearance of comfort, which was the great characteristic of the party. + </p> + <p> + 'If I could poison that dear old lady's rum and water,' murmured Quilp, + 'I'd die happy.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' said Mr Brass, breaking the silence, and raising his eyes to the + ceiling with a sigh, 'Who knows but he may be looking down upon us now! + Who knows but he may be surveying of us from—from somewheres or + another, and contemplating us with a watchful eye! Oh Lor!' + </p> + <p> + Here Mr Brass stopped to drink half his punch, and then resumed; looking + at the other half, as he spoke, with a dejected smile. + </p> + <p> + 'I can almost fancy,' said the lawyer shaking his head, 'that I see his + eye glistening down at the very bottom of my liquor. When shall we look + upon his like again? Never, never!' One minute we are here'—holding + his tumbler before his eyes—'the next we are there'—gulping + down its contents, and striking himself emphatically a little below the + chest—'in the silent tomb. To think that I should be drinking his + very rum! It seems like a dream.' + </p> + <p> + With the view, no doubt, of testing the reality of his position, Mr Brass + pushed his tumbler as he spoke towards Mrs Jiniwin for the purpose of + being replenished; and turned towards the attendant mariners. + </p> + <p> + 'The search has been quite unsuccessful then?' + </p> + <p> + 'Quite, master. But I should say that if he turns up anywhere, he'll come + ashore somewhere about Grinidge to-morrow, at ebb tide, eh, mate?' + </p> + <p> + The other gentleman assented, observing that he was expected at the + Hospital, and that several pensioners would be ready to receive him + whenever he arrived. + </p> + <p> + 'Then we have nothing for it but resignation,' said Mr Brass; 'nothing but + resignation and expectation. It would be a comfort to have his body; it + would be a dreary comfort.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, beyond a doubt,' assented Mrs Jiniwin hastily; 'if we once had that, + we should be quite sure.' + </p> + <p> + 'With regard to the descriptive advertisement,' said Sampson Brass, taking + up his pen. 'It is a melancholy pleasure to recall his traits. Respecting + his legs now—?' + </p> + <p> + 'Crooked, certainly,' said Mrs Jiniwin. 'Do you think they <i>were </i>crooked?' + said Brass, in an insinuating tone. 'I think I see them now coming up the + street very wide apart, in nankeen' pantaloons a little shrunk and without + straps. Ah! what a vale of tears we live in. Do we say crooked?' + </p> + <p> + 'I think they were a little so,' observed Mrs Quilp with a sob. + </p> + <p> + 'Legs crooked,' said Brass, writing as he spoke. 'Large head, short body, + legs crooked—' + </p> + <p> + 'Very crooked,' suggested Mrs Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'We'll not say very crooked, ma'am,' said Brass piously. 'Let us not bear + hard upon the weaknesses of the deceased. He is gone, ma'am, to where his + legs will never come in question.—We will content ourselves with + crooked, Mrs Jiniwin.' + </p> + <p> + 'I thought you wanted the truth,' said the old lady. 'That's all.' + </p> + <p> + 'Bless your eyes, how I love you,' muttered Quilp. 'There she goes again. + Nothing but punch!' + </p> + <p> + 'This is an occupation,' said the lawyer, laying down his pen and emptying + his glass, 'which seems to bring him before my eyes like the Ghost of + Hamlet's father, in the very clothes that he wore on work-a-days. His + coat, his waistcoat, his shoes and stockings, his trousers, his hat, his + wit and humour, his pathos and his umbrella, all come before me like + visions of my youth. His linen!' said Mr Brass smiling fondly at the wall, + 'his linen which was always of a particular colour, for such was his whim + and fancy—how plain I see his linen now!' + </p> + <p> + 'You had better go on, sir,' said Mrs Jiniwin impatiently. + </p> + <p> + 'True, ma'am, true,' cried Mr Brass. 'Our faculties must not freeze with + grief. I'll trouble you for a little more of that, ma'am. A question now + arises, with relation to his nose.' + </p> + <p> + 'Flat,' said Mrs Jiniwin. + </p> + <p> + 'Aquiline!' cried Quilp, thrusting in his head, and striking the feature + with his fist. 'Aquiline, you hag. Do you see it? Do you call this flat? + Do you? Eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh capital, capital!' shouted Brass, from the mere force of habit. + 'Excellent! How very good he is! He's a most remarkable man—so + extremely whimsical! Such an amazing power of taking people by surprise!' + </p> + <p> + Quilp paid no regard whatever to these compliments, nor to the dubious and + frightened look into which the lawyer gradually subsided, nor to the + shrieks of his wife and mother-in-law, nor to the latter's running from + the room, nor to the former's fainting away. Keeping his eye fixed on + Sampson Brass, he walked up to the table, and beginning with his glass, + drank off the contents, and went regularly round until he had emptied the + other two, when he seized the case-bottle, and hugging it under his arm, + surveyed him with a most extraordinary leer. + </p> + <p> + 'Not yet, Sampson,' said Quilp. 'Not just yet!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh very good indeed!' cried Brass, recovering his spirits a little. 'Ha + ha ha! Oh exceedingly good! There's not another man alive who could carry + it off like that. A most difficult position to carry off. But he has such + a flow of good-humour, such an amazing flow!' + </p> + <p> + 'Good night,' said the dwarf, nodding expressively. + </p> + <p> + 'Good night, sir, good night,' cried the lawyer, retreating backwards + towards the door. 'This is a joyful occasion indeed, extremely joyful. Ha + ha ha! oh very rich, very rich indeed, remarkably so!' + </p> + <p> + Waiting until Mr Brass's ejaculations died away in the distance (for he + continued to pour them out, all the way down stairs), Quilp advanced + towards the two men, who yet lingered in a kind of stupid amazement. + </p> + <p> + 'Have you been dragging the river all day, gentlemen?' said the dwarf, + holding the door open with great politeness. + </p> + <p> + 'And yesterday too, master.' + </p> + <p> + 'Dear me, you've had a deal of trouble. Pray consider everything yours + that you find upon the—upon the body. Good night!' + </p> + <p> + The men looked at each other, but had evidently no inclination to argue + the point just then, and shuffled out of the room. The speedy clearance + effected, Quilp locked the doors; and still embracing the case-bottle with + shrugged-up shoulders and folded arms, stood looking at his insensible + wife like a dismounted nightmare. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap50"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 50 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>atrimonial differences are usually discussed by the parties concerned in + the form of dialogue, in which the lady bears at least her full half + share. Those of Mr and Mrs Quilp, however, were an exception to the + general rule; the remarks which they occasioned being limited to a long + soliloquy on the part of the gentleman, with perhaps a few deprecatory + observations from the lady, not extending beyond a trembling monosyllable + uttered at long intervals, and in a very submissive and humble tone. On + the present occasion, Mrs Quilp did not for a long time venture even on + this gentle defence, but when she had recovered from her fainting-fit, sat + in a tearful silence, meekly listening to the reproaches of her lord and + master. + </p> + <p> + Of these Mr Quilp delivered himself with the utmost animation and + rapidity, and with so many distortions of limb and feature, that even his + wife, although tolerably well accustomed to his proficiency in these + respects, was well-nigh beside herself with alarm. But the Jamaica rum, + and the joy of having occasioned a heavy disappointment, by degrees cooled + Mr Quilp's wrath; which from being at savage heat, dropped slowly to the + bantering or chuckling point, at which it steadily remained. + </p> + <p> + 'So you thought I was dead and gone, did you?' said Quilp. 'You thought + you were a widow, eh? Ha, ha, ha, you jade.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, Quilp,' returned his wife. 'I'm very sorry—' + </p> + <p> + 'Who doubts it!' cried the dwarf. 'You very sorry! to be sure you are. Who + doubts that you're <i>very </i>sorry!' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't mean sorry that you have come home again alive and well,' said + his wife, 'but sorry that I should have been led into such a belief. I am + glad to see you, Quilp; indeed I am.' + </p> + <p> + In truth Mrs Quilp did seem a great deal more glad to behold her lord than + might have been expected, and did evince a degree of interest in his + safety which, all things considered, was rather unaccountable. Upon Quilp, + however, this circumstance made no impression, farther than as it moved + him to snap his fingers close to his wife's eyes, with divers grins of + triumph and derision. + </p> + <p> + 'How could you go away so long, without saying a word to me or letting me + hear of you or know anything about you?' asked the poor little woman, + sobbing. 'How could you be so cruel, Quilp?' + </p> + <p> + 'How could I be so cruel! cruel!' cried the dwarf. 'Because I was in the + humour. I'm in the humour now. I shall be cruel when I like. I'm going + away again.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not again!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, again. I'm going away now. I'm off directly. I mean to go and live + wherever the fancy seizes me—at the wharf—at the + counting-house—and be a jolly bachelor. You were a widow in + anticipation. Damme,' screamed the dwarf, 'I'll be a bachelor in earnest.' + </p> + <p> + 'You can't be serious, Quilp,' sobbed his wife. + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you,' said the dwarf, exulting in his project, 'that I'll be a + bachelor, a devil-may-care bachelor; and I'll have my bachelor's hall at + the counting-house, and at such times come near it if you dare. And mind + too that I don't pounce in upon you at unseasonable hours again, for I'll + be a spy upon you, and come and go like a mole or a weazel. Tom Scott—where's + Tom Scott?' + </p> + <p> + 'Here I am, master,' cried the voice of the boy, as Quilp threw up the + window. + </p> + <p> + 'Wait there, you dog,' returned the dwarf, 'to carry a bachelor's + portmanteau. Pack it up, Mrs Quilp. Knock up the dear old lady to help; + knock her up. Halloa there! Halloa!' + </p> + <p> + With these exclamations, Mr Quilp caught up the poker, and hurrying to the + door of the good lady's sleeping-closet, beat upon it therewith until she + awoke in inexpressible terror, thinking that her amiable son-in-law surely + intended to murder her in justification of the legs she had slandered. + Impressed with this idea, she was no sooner fairly awake than she screamed + violently, and would have quickly precipitated herself out of the window + and through a neighbouring skylight, if her daughter had not hastened in + to undeceive her, and implore her assistance. Somewhat reassured by her + account of the service she was required to render, Mrs Jiniwin made her + appearance in a flannel dressing-gown; and both mother and daughter, + trembling with terror and cold—for the night was now far advanced—obeyed + Mr Quilp's directions in submissive silence. Prolonging his preparations + as much as possible, for their greater comfort, that eccentric gentleman + superintended the packing of his wardrobe, and having added to it with his + own hands, a plate, knife and fork, spoon, teacup and saucer, and other + small household matters of that nature, strapped up the portmanteau, took + it on his shoulders, and actually marched off without another word, and + with the case-bottle (which he had never once put down) still tightly + clasped under his arm. Consigning his heavier burden to the care of Tom + Scott when he reached the street, taking a dram from the bottle for his + own encouragement, and giving the boy a rap on the head with it as a small + taste for himself, Quilp very deliberately led the way to the wharf, and + reached it at between three and four o'clock in the morning. + </p> + <p> + 'Snug!' said Quilp, when he had groped his way to the wooden + counting-house, and opened the door with a key he carried about with him. + 'Beautifully snug! Call me at eight, you dog.' + </p> + <p> + With no more formal leave-taking or explanation, he clutched the + portmanteau, shut the door on his attendant, and climbing on the desk, and + rolling himself up as round as a hedgehog, in an old boat-cloak, fell fast + asleep. + </p> + <p> + Being roused in the morning at the appointed time, and roused with + difficulty, after his late fatigues, Quilp instructed Tom Scott to make a + fire in the yard of sundry pieces of old timber, and to prepare some + coffee for breakfast; for the better furnishing of which repast he + entrusted him with certain small moneys, to be expended in the purchase of + hot rolls, butter, sugar, Yarmouth bloaters, and other articles of + housekeeping; so that in a few minutes a savoury meal was smoking on the + board. With this substantial comfort, the dwarf regaled himself to his + heart's content; and being highly satisfied with this free and gipsy mode + of life (which he had often meditated, as offering, whenever he chose to + avail himself of it, an agreeable freedom from the restraints of + matrimony, and a choice means of keeping Mrs Quilp and her mother in a + state of incessant agitation and suspense), bestirred himself to improve + his retreat, and render it more commodious and comfortable. + </p> + <p> + With this view, he issued forth to a place hard by, where sea-stores were + sold, purchased a second-hand hammock, and had it slung in seamanlike + fashion from the ceiling of the counting-house. He also caused to be + erected, in the same mouldy cabin, an old ship's stove with a rusty funnel + to carry the smoke through the roof; and these arrangements completed, + surveyed them with ineffable delight. + </p> + <p> + 'I've got a country-house like Robinson Crusoe,' said the dwarf, ogling + the accommodations; 'a solitary, sequestered, desolate-island sort of + spot, where I can be quite alone when I have business on hand, and be + secure from all spies and listeners. Nobody near me here, but rats, and + they are fine stealthy secret fellows. I shall be as merry as a grig among + these gentry. I'll look out for one like Christopher, and poison him—ha, + ha, ha! Business though—business—we must be mindful of + business in the midst of pleasure, and the time has flown this morning, I + declare.' + </p> + <p> + Enjoining Tom Scott to await his return, and not to stand upon his head, + or throw a summerset, or so much as walk upon his hands meanwhile, on pain + of lingering torments, the dwarf threw himself into a boat, and crossing + to the other side of the river, and then speeding away on foot, reached Mr + Swiveller's usual house of entertainment in Bevis Marks, just as that + gentleman sat down alone to dinner in its dusky parlour. + </p> + <p> + 'Dick,' said the dwarf, thrusting his head in at the door, 'my pet, my + pupil, the apple of my eye, hey, hey!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh you're there, are you?' returned Mr Swiveller; 'how are you?' + </p> + <p> + 'How's Dick?' retorted Quilp. 'How's the cream of clerkship, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, rather sour, sir,' replied Mr Swiveller. 'Beginning to border upon + cheesiness, in fact.' + </p> + <p> + 'What's the matter?' said the dwarf, advancing. 'Has Sally proved unkind. + "Of all the girls that are so smart, there's none like—" eh, Dick!' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly not,' replied Mr Swiveller, eating his dinner with great + gravity, 'none like her. She's the sphynx of private life, is Sally B.' + </p> + <p> + 'You're out of spirits,' said Quilp, drawing up a chair. 'What's the + matter?' + </p> + <p> + 'The law don't agree with me,' returned Dick. 'It isn't moist enough, and + there's too much confinement. I have been thinking of running away.' + </p> + <p> + 'Bah!' said the dwarf. 'Where would you run to, Dick?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know' returned Mr Swiveller. 'Towards Highgate, I suppose. + Perhaps the bells might strike up "Turn again Swiveller, Lord Mayor of + London." Whittington's name was Dick. I wish cats were scarcer.' + </p> + <p> + Quilp looked at his companion with his eyes screwed up into a comical + expression of curiosity, and patiently awaited his further explanation; + upon which, however, Mr Swiveller appeared in no hurry to enter, as he ate + a very long dinner in profound silence, finally pushed away his plate, + threw himself back into his chair, folded his arms, and stared ruefully at + the fire, in which some ends of cigars were smoking on their own account, + and sending up a fragrant odour. + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps you'd like a bit of cake'—said Dick, at last turning to the + dwarf. 'You're quite welcome to it. You ought to be, for it's of your + making.' + </p> + <p> + 'What do you mean?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller replied by taking from his pocket a small and very greasy + parcel, slowly unfolding it, and displaying a little slab of plum-cake + extremely indigestible in appearance, and bordered with a paste of white + sugar an inch and a half deep. + </p> + <p> + 'What should you say this was?' demanded Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'It looks like bride-cake,' replied the dwarf, grinning. + </p> + <p> + 'And whose should you say it was?' inquired Mr Swiveller, rubbing the + pastry against his nose with a dreadful calmness. 'Whose?' + </p> + <p> + 'Not—' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Dick, 'the same. You needn't mention her name. There's no such + name now. Her name is Cheggs now, Sophy Cheggs. Yet loved I as man never + loved that hadn't wooden legs, and my heart, my heart is breaking for the + love of Sophy Cheggs.' + </p> + <p> + With this extemporary adaptation of a popular ballad to the distressing + circumstances of his own case, Mr Swiveller folded up the parcel again, + beat it very flat between the palms of his hands, thrust it into his + breast, buttoned his coat over it, and folded his arms upon the whole. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, I hope you're satisfied, sir,' said Dick; 'and I hope Fred's + satisfied. You went partners in the mischief, and I hope you like it. This + is the triumph I was to have, is it? It's like the old country-dance of + that name, where there are two gentlemen to one lady, and one has her, and + the other hasn't, but comes limping up behind to make out the figure. But + it's Destiny, and mine's a crusher.' + </p> + <p> + Disguising his secret joy in Mr Swiveller's defeat, Daniel Quilp adopted + the surest means of soothing him, by ringing the bell, and ordering in a + supply of rosy wine (that is to say, of its usual representative), which + he put about with great alacrity, calling upon Mr Swiveller to pledge him + in various toasts derisive of Cheggs, and eulogistic of the happiness of + single men. Such was their impression on Mr Swiveller, coupled with the + reflection that no man could oppose his destiny, that in a very short + space of time his spirits rose surprisingly, and he was enabled to give + the dwarf an account of the receipt of the cake, which, it appeared, had + been brought to Bevis Marks by the two surviving Miss Wackleses in person, + and delivered at the office door with much giggling and joyfulness. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' said Quilp. 'It will be our turn to giggle soon. And that reminds me—you + spoke of young Trent—where is he?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller explained that his respectable friend had recently accepted a + responsible situation in a locomotive gaming-house, and was at that time + absent on a professional tour among the adventurous spirits of Great + Britain. + </p> + <p> + 'That's unfortunate,' said the dwarf, 'for I came, in fact, to ask you + about him. A thought has occurred to me, Dick; your friend over the way—' + </p> + <p> + 'Which friend?' + </p> + <p> + 'In the first floor.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes?' + </p> + <p> + 'Your friend in the first floor, Dick, may know him.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, he don't,' said Mr Swiveller, shaking his head. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't! No, because he has never seen him,' rejoined Quilp; 'but if we + were to bring them together, who knows, Dick, but Fred, properly + introduced, would serve his turn almost as well as little Nell or her + grandfather—who knows but it might make the young fellow's fortune, + and, through him, yours, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, the fact is, you see,' said Mr Swiveller, 'that they <i>have </i>been + brought together.' + </p> + <p> + 'Have been!' cried the dwarf, looking suspiciously at his companion. + 'Through whose means?' +</p> + <p> +'Through mine,' said Dick, slightly confused. + 'Didn't I mention it to you the last time you called over yonder?' + </p> + <p> + 'You know you didn't,' returned the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'I believe you're right,' said Dick. 'No. I didn't, I recollect. Oh yes, I + brought 'em together that very day. It was Fred's suggestion.' + </p> + <p> + 'And what came of it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, instead of my friend's bursting into tears when he knew who Fred + was, embracing him kindly, and telling him that he was his grandfather, or + his grandmother in disguise (which we fully expected), he flew into a + tremendous passion; called him all manner of names; said it was in a great + measure his fault that little Nell and the old gentleman had ever been + brought to poverty; didn't hint at our taking anything to drink; and—and + in short rather turned us out of the room than otherwise.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's strange,' said the dwarf, musing. + </p> + <p> + 'So we remarked to each other at the time,' returned Dick coolly, 'but + quite true.' + </p> + <p> + Quilp was plainly staggered by this intelligence, over which he brooded + for some time in moody silence, often raising his eyes to Mr Swiveller's + face, and sharply scanning its expression. As he could read in it, + however, no additional information or anything to lead him to believe he + had spoken falsely; and as Mr Swiveller, left to his own meditations, + sighed deeply, and was evidently growing maudlin on the subject of Mrs + Cheggs; the dwarf soon broke up the conference and took his departure, + leaving the bereaved one to his melancholy ruminations. + </p> + <p> + 'Have been brought together, eh?' said the dwarf as he walked the streets + alone. 'My friend has stolen a march upon me. It led him to nothing, and + therefore is no great matter, save in the intention. I'm glad he has lost + his mistress. Ha ha! The blockhead mustn't leave the law at present. I'm + sure of him where he is, whenever I want him for my own purposes, and, + besides, he's a good unconscious spy on Brass, and tells, in his cups, all + that he sees and hears. You're useful to me, Dick, and cost nothing but a + little treating now and then. I am not sure that it may not be worth + while, before long, to take credit with the stranger, Dick, by discovering + your designs upon the child; but for the present we'll remain the best + friends in the world, with your good leave.' + </p> + <p> + Pursuing these thoughts, and gasping as he went along, after his own + peculiar fashion, Mr Quilp once more crossed the Thames, and shut himself + up in his Bachelor's Hall, which, by reason of its newly-erected chimney + depositing the smoke inside the room and carrying none of it off, was not + quite so agreeable as more fastidious people might have desired. Such + inconveniences, however, instead of disgusting the dwarf with his new + abode, rather suited his humour; so, after dining luxuriously from the + public-house, he lighted his pipe, and smoked against the chimney until + nothing of him was visible through the mist but a pair of red and highly + inflamed eyes, with sometimes a dim vision of his head and face, as, in a + violent fit of coughing, he slightly stirred the smoke and scattered the + heavy wreaths by which they were obscured. In the midst of this + atmosphere, which must infallibly have smothered any other man, Mr Quilp + passed the evening with great cheerfulness; solacing himself all the time + with the pipe and the case-bottle; and occasionally entertaining himself + with a melodious howl, intended for a song, but bearing not the faintest + resemblance to any scrap of any piece of music, vocal or instrumental, + ever invented by man. Thus he amused himself until nearly midnight, when + he turned into his hammock with the utmost satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The first sound that met his ears in the morning—as he half opened + his eyes, and, finding himself so unusually near the ceiling, entertained + a drowsy idea that he must have been transformed into a fly or blue-bottle + in the course of the night,—was that of a stifled sobbing and + weeping in the room. Peeping cautiously over the side of his hammock, he + descried Mrs Quilp, to whom, after contemplating her for some time in + silence, he communicated a violent start by suddenly yelling out—'Halloa!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, Quilp!' cried his poor little wife, looking up. 'How you frightened + me!' + </p> + <p> + 'I meant to, you jade,' returned the dwarf. 'What do you want here? I'm + dead, an't I?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, please come home, do come home,' said Mrs Quilp, sobbing; 'we'll + never do so any more, Quilp, and after all it was only a mistake that grew + out of our anxiety.' + </p> + <p> + 'Out of your anxiety,' grinned the dwarf. 'Yes, I know that—out of + your anxiety for my death. I shall come home when I please, I tell you. I + shall come home when I please, and go when I please. I'll be a Will o' the + Wisp, now here, now there, dancing about you always, starting up when you + least expect me, and keeping you in a constant state of restlessness and + irritation. Will you begone?' + </p> + <p> + Mrs Quilp durst only make a gesture of entreaty. + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you no,' cried the dwarf. 'No. If you dare to come here again + unless you're sent for, I'll keep watch-dogs in the yard that'll growl and + bite—I'll have man-traps, cunningly altered and improved for + catching women—I'll have spring guns, that shall explode when you + tread upon the wires, and blow you into little pieces. Will you begone?' + </p> + <p> + 'Do forgive me. Do come back,' said his wife, earnestly. + </p> + <p> + 'No-o-o-o-o!' roared Quilp. 'Not till my own good time, and then I'll + return again as often as I choose, and be accountable to nobody for my + goings or comings. You see the door there. Will you go?' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0363m.jpg" alt="0363m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0363.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr Quilp delivered this last command in such a very energetic voice, and + moreover accompanied it with such a sudden gesture, indicative of an + intention to spring out of his hammock, and, night-capped as he was, bear + his wife home again through the public streets, that she sped away like an + arrow. Her worthy lord stretched his neck and eyes until she had crossed + the yard, and then, not at all sorry to have had this opportunity of + carrying his point, and asserting the sanctity of his castle, fell into an + immoderate fit of laughter, and laid himself down to sleep again. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap51"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 51 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he bland and open-hearted proprietor of Bachelor's Hall slept on amidst + the congenial accompaniments of rain, mud, dirt, damp, fog, and rats, + until late in the day; when, summoning his valet Tom Scott to assist him + to rise, and to prepare breakfast, he quitted his couch, and made his + toilet. This duty performed, and his repast ended, he again betook himself + to Bevis Marks. + </p> + <p> + This visit was not intended for Mr Swiveller, but for his friend and + employer Mr Sampson Brass. Both gentlemen however were from home, nor was + the life and light of law, Miss Sally, at her post either. The fact of + their joint desertion of the office was made known to all comers by a + scrap of paper in the hand-writing of Mr Swiveller, which was attached to + the bell-handle, and which, giving the reader no clue to the time of day + when it was first posted, furnished him with the rather vague and + unsatisfactory information that that gentleman would 'return in an hour.' + </p> + <p> + 'There's a servant, I suppose,' said the dwarf, knocking at the + house-door. 'She'll do.' + </p> + <p> + After a sufficiently long interval, the door was opened, and a small voice + immediately accosted him with, 'Oh please will you leave a card or + message?' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' said the dwarf, looking down, (it was something quite new to him) + upon the small servant. + </p> + <p> + To this, the child, conducting her conversation as upon the occasion of + her first interview with Mr Swiveller, again replied, 'Oh please will you + leave a card or message?' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll write a note,' said the dwarf, pushing past her into the office; + 'and mind your master has it directly he comes home.' So Mr Quilp climbed + up to the top of a tall stool to write the note, and the small servant, + carefully tutored for such emergencies, looked on with her eyes wide open, + ready, if he so much as abstracted a wafer, to rush into the street and + give the alarm to the police. + </p> + <p> + As Mr Quilp folded his note (which was soon written: being a very short + one) he encountered the gaze of the small servant. He looked at her, long + and earnestly. + </p> + <p> + 'How are you?' said the dwarf, moistening a wafer with horrible grimaces. + </p> + <p> + The small servant, perhaps frightened by his looks, returned no audible + reply; but it appeared from the motion of her lips that she was inwardly + repeating the same form of expression concerning the note or message. + </p> + <p> + 'Do they use you ill here? is your mistress a Tartar?' said Quilp with a + chuckle. + </p> + <p> + In reply to the last interrogation, the small servant, with a look of + infinite cunning mingled with fear, screwed up her mouth very tight and + round, and nodded violently. Whether there was anything in the peculiar + slyness of her action which fascinated Mr Quilp, or anything in the + expression of her features at the moment which attracted his attention for + some other reason; or whether it merely occurred to him as a pleasant whim + to stare the small servant out of countenance; certain it is, that he + planted his elbows square and firmly on the desk, and squeezing up his + cheeks with his hands, looked at her fixedly. + </p> + <p> + 'Where do you come from?' he said after a long pause, stroking his chin. + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know.' + </p> + <p> + 'What's your name?' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nonsense!' retorted Quilp. 'What does your mistress call you when she + wants you?' + </p> + <p> + 'A little devil,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + She added in the same breath, as if fearful of any further questioning, + 'But please will you leave a card or message?' + </p> + <p> + These unusual answers might naturally have provoked some more inquiries. + Quilp, however, without uttering another word, withdrew his eyes from the + small servant, stroked his chin more thoughtfully than before, and then, + bending over the note as if to direct it with scrupulous and hair-breadth + nicety, looked at her, covertly but very narrowly, from under his bushy + eyebrows. The result of this secret survey was, that he shaded his face + with his hands, and laughed slyly and noiselessly, until every vein in it + was swollen almost to bursting. Pulling his hat over his brow to conceal + his mirth and its effects, he tossed the letter to the child, and hastily + withdrew. + </p> + <p> + Once in the street, moved by some secret impulse, he laughed, and held his + sides, and laughed again, and tried to peer through the dusty area + railings as if to catch another glimpse of the child, until he was quite + tired out. At last, he travelled back to the Wilderness, which was within + rifle-shot of his bachelor retreat, and ordered tea in the wooden + summer-house that afternoon for three persons; an invitation to Miss Sally + Brass and her brother to partake of that entertainment at that place, + having been the object both of his journey and his note. + </p> + <p> + It was not precisely the kind of weather in which people usually take tea + in summer-houses, far less in summer-houses in an advanced state of decay, + and overlooking the slimy banks of a great river at low water. + Nevertheless, it was in this choice retreat that Mr Quilp ordered a cold + collation to be prepared, and it was beneath its cracked and leaky roof + that he, in due course of time, received Mr Sampson and his sister Sally. + </p> + <p> + 'You're fond of the beauties of nature,' said Quilp with a grin. 'Is this + charming, Brass? Is it unusual, unsophisticated, primitive?' + </p> + <p> + 'It's delightful indeed, sir,' replied the lawyer. + </p> + <p> + 'Cool?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'N-not particularly so, I think, sir,' rejoined Brass, with his teeth + chattering in his head. + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps a little damp and ague-ish?' said Quilp. + </p> + <p> + 'Just damp enough to be cheerful, sir,' rejoined Brass. 'Nothing more, + sir, nothing more.' + </p> + <p> + 'And Sally?' said the delighted dwarf. 'Does she like it?' + </p> + <p> + 'She'll like it better,' returned that strong-minded lady, 'when she has + tea; so let us have it, and don't bother.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sweet Sally!' cried Quilp, extending his arms as if about to embrace her. + 'Gentle, charming, overwhelming Sally.' + </p> + <p> + 'He's a very remarkable man indeed!' soliloquised Mr Brass. 'He's quite a + Troubadour, you know; quite a Troubadour!' + </p> + <p> + These complimentary expressions were uttered in a somewhat absent and + distracted manner; for the unfortunate lawyer, besides having a bad cold + in his head, had got wet in coming, and would have willingly borne some + pecuniary sacrifice if he could have shifted his present raw quarters to a + warm room, and dried himself at a fire. Quilp, however—who, beyond + the gratification of his demon whims, owed Sampson some acknowledgment of + the part he had played in the mourning scene of which he had been a hidden + witness, marked these symptoms of uneasiness with a delight past all + expression, and derived from them a secret joy which the costliest banquet + could never have afforded him. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0367m.jpg" alt="0367m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0367.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + It is worthy of remark, too, as illustrating a little feature in the + character of Miss Sally Brass, that, although on her own account she would + have borne the discomforts of the Wilderness with a very ill grace, and + would probably, indeed, have walked off before the tea appeared, she no + sooner beheld the latent uneasiness and misery of her brother than she + developed a grim satisfaction, and began to enjoy herself after her own + manner. Though the wet came stealing through the roof and trickling down + upon their heads, Miss Brass uttered no complaint, but presided over the + tea equipage with imperturbable composure. While Mr Quilp, in his + uproarious hospitality, seated himself upon an empty beer-barrel, vaunted + the place as the most beautiful and comfortable in the three kingdoms, and + elevating his glass, drank to their next merry-meeting in that jovial + spot; and Mr Brass, with the rain plashing down into his tea-cup, made a + dismal attempt to pluck up his spirits and appear at his ease; and Tom + Scott, who was in waiting at the door under an old umbrella, exulted in + his agonies, and bade fair to split his sides with laughing; while all + this was passing, Miss Sally Brass, unmindful of the wet which dripped + down upon her own feminine person and fair apparel, sat placidly behind + the tea-board, erect and grizzly, contemplating the unhappiness of her + brother with a mind at ease, and content, in her amiable disregard of + self, to sit there all night, witnessing the torments which his avaricious + and grovelling nature compelled him to endure and forbade him to resent. + And this, it must be observed, or the illustration would be incomplete, + although in a business point of view she had the strongest sympathy with + Mr Sampson, and would have been beyond measure indignant if he had + thwarted their client in any one respect. + </p> + <p> + In the height of his boisterous merriment, Mr Quilp, having on some + pretence dismissed his attendant sprite for the moment, resumed his usual + manner all at once, dismounted from his cask, and laid his hand upon the + lawyer's sleeve. + </p> + <p> + 'A word,' said the dwarf, 'before we go farther. Sally, hark'ee for a + minute.' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally drew closer, as if accustomed to business conferences with + their host which were the better for not having air. + </p> + <p> + 'Business,' said the dwarf, glancing from brother to sister. 'Very private + business. Lay your heads together when you're by yourselves.' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly, sir,' returned Brass, taking out his pocket-book and pencil. + 'I'll take down the heads if you please, sir. Remarkable documents,' added + the lawyer, raising his eyes to the ceiling, 'most remarkable documents. + He states his points so clearly that it's a treat to have 'em! I don't + know any act of parliament that's equal to him in clearness.' + </p> + <p> + 'I shall deprive you of a treat,' said Quilp. 'Put up your book. We don't + want any documents. So. There's a lad named Kit—' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally nodded, implying that she knew of him. + </p> + <p> + 'Kit!' said Mr Sampson.—'Kit! Ha! I've heard the name before, but I + don't exactly call to mind—I don't exactly—' + </p> + <p> + 'You're as slow as a tortoise, and more thick-headed than a rhinoceros,' + returned his obliging client with an impatient gesture. + </p> + <p> + 'He's extremely pleasant!' cried the obsequious Sampson. 'His acquaintance + with Natural History too is surprising. Quite a Buffoon, quite!' + </p> + <p> + There is no doubt that Mr Brass intended some compliment or other; and it + has been argued with show of reason that he would have said Buffon, but + made use of a superfluous vowel. Be this as it may, Quilp gave him no time + for correction, as he performed that office himself by more than tapping + him on the head with the handle of his umbrella. + </p> + <p> + 'Don't let's have any wrangling,' said Miss Sally, staying his hand. 'I've + showed you that I know him, and that's enough.' + </p> + <p> + 'She's always foremost!' said the dwarf, patting her on the back and + looking contemptuously at Sampson. 'I don't like Kit, Sally.' + </p> + <p> + 'Nor I,' rejoined Miss Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Nor I,' said Sampson. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, that's right!' cried Quilp. 'Half our work is done already. This Kit + is one of your honest people; one of your fair characters; a prowling + prying hound; a hypocrite; a double-faced, white-livered, sneaking spy; a + crouching cur to those that feed and coax him, and a barking yelping dog + to all besides.' + </p> + <p> + 'Fearfully eloquent!' cried Brass with a sneeze. 'Quite appalling!' + </p> + <p> + 'Come to the point,' said Miss Sally, 'and don't talk so much.' + </p> + <p> + 'Right again!' exclaimed Quilp, with another contemptuous look at Sampson, + 'always foremost! I say, Sally, he is a yelping, insolent dog to all + besides, and most of all, to me. In short, I owe him a grudge.' 'That's + enough, sir,' said Sampson. + </p> + <p> + 'No, it's not enough, sir,' sneered Quilp; 'will you hear me out? Besides + that I owe him a grudge on that account, he thwarts me at this minute, and + stands between me and an end which might otherwise prove a golden one to + us all. Apart from that, I repeat that he crosses my humour, and I hate + him. Now, you know the lad, and can guess the rest. Devise your own means + of putting him out of my way, and execute them. Shall it be done?' + </p> + <p> + 'It shall, sir,' said Sampson. + </p> + <p> + 'Then give me your hand,' retorted Quilp. 'Sally, girl, yours. I rely as + much, or more, on you than him. Tom Scott comes back. Lantern, pipes, more + grog, and a jolly night of it!' + </p> + <p> + No other word was spoken, no other look exchanged, which had the slightest + reference to this, the real occasion of their meeting. The trio were well + accustomed to act together, and were linked to each other by ties of + mutual interest and advantage, and nothing more was needed. Resuming his + boisterous manner with the same ease with which he had thrown it off, + Quilp was in an instant the same uproarious, reckless little savage he had + been a few seconds before. It was ten o'clock at night before the amiable + Sally supported her beloved and loving brother from the Wilderness, by + which time he needed the utmost support her tender frame could render; his + walk being from some unknown reason anything but steady, and his legs + constantly doubling up in unexpected places. + </p> + <p> + Overpowered, notwithstanding his late prolonged slumbers, by the fatigues + of the last few days, the dwarf lost no time in creeping to his dainty + house, and was soon dreaming in his hammock. Leaving him to visions, in + which perhaps the quiet figures we quitted in the old church porch were + not without their share, be it our task to rejoin them as they sat and + watched. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap52"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 52 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span>fter a long time, the schoolmaster appeared at the wicket-gate of the + churchyard, and hurried towards them, Tingling in his hand, as he came + along, a bundle of rusty keys. He was quite breathless with pleasure and + haste when he reached the porch, and at first could only point towards the + old building which the child had been contemplating so earnestly. + </p> + <p> + 'You see those two old houses,' he said at last. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, surely,' replied Nell. 'I have been looking at them nearly all the + time you have been away.' + </p> + <p> + 'And you would have looked at them more curiously yet, if you could have + guessed what I have to tell you,' said her friend. 'One of those houses is + mine.' + </p> + <p> + Without saying any more, or giving the child time to reply, the + schoolmaster took her hand, and, his honest face quite radiant with + exultation, led her to the place of which he spoke. + </p> + <p> + They stopped before its low arched door. After trying several of the keys + in vain, the schoolmaster found one to fit the huge lock, which turned + back, creaking, and admitted them into the house. + </p> + <p> + The room into which they entered was a vaulted chamber once nobly + ornamented by cunning architects, and still retaining, in its beautiful + groined roof and rich stone tracery, choice remnants of its ancient + splendour. Foliage carved in the stone, and emulating the mastery of + Nature's hand, yet remained to tell how many times the leaves outside had + come and gone, while it lived on unchanged. The broken figures supporting + the burden of the chimney-piece, though mutilated, were still + distinguishable for what they had been—far different from the dust + without—and showed sadly by the empty hearth, like creatures who had + outlived their kind, and mourned their own too slow decay. + </p> + <p> + In some old time—for even change was old in that old place—a + wooden partition had been constructed in one part of the chamber to form a + sleeping-closet, into which the light was admitted at the same period by a + rude window, or rather niche, cut in the solid wall. This screen, together + with two seats in the broad chimney, had at some forgotten date been part + of the church or convent; for the oak, hastily appropriated to its present + purpose, had been little altered from its former shape, and presented to + the eye a pile of fragments of rich carving from old monkish stalls. + </p> + <p> + An open door leading to a small room or cell, dim with the light that came + through leaves of ivy, completed the interior of this portion of the ruin. + It was not quite destitute of furniture. A few strange chairs, whose arms + and legs looked as though they had dwindled away with age; a table, the + very spectre of its race: a great old chest that had once held records in + the church, with other quaintly-fashioned domestic necessaries, and store + of fire-wood for the winter, were scattered around, and gave evident + tokens of its occupation as a dwelling-place at no very distant time. + </p> + <p> + The child looked around her, with that solemn feeling with which we + contemplate the work of ages that have become but drops of water in the + great ocean of eternity. The old man had followed them, but they were all + three hushed for a space, and drew their breath softly, as if they feared + to break the silence even by so slight a sound. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0373m.jpg" alt="0373m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0373.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'It is a very beautiful place!' said the child, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + 'I almost feared you thought otherwise,' returned the schoolmaster. 'You + shivered when we first came in, as if you felt it cold or gloomy.' + </p> + <p> + 'It was not that,' said Nell, glancing round with a slight shudder. + 'Indeed I cannot tell you what it was, but when I saw the outside, from + the church porch, the same feeling came over me. It is its being so old + and grey perhaps.' + </p> + <p> + 'A peaceful place to live in, don't you think so?' said her friend. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes,' rejoined the child, clasping her hands earnestly. 'A quiet, + happy place—a place to live and learn to die in!' She would have + said more, but that the energy of her thoughts caused her voice to falter, + and come in trembling whispers from her lips. + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + 'A place to live, and learn to live, and gather health of mind and body + in,' said the schoolmaster; 'for this old house is yours.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ours!' cried the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Ay,' returned the schoolmaster gaily, 'for many a merry year to come, I + hope. I shall be a close neighbour—only next door—but this + house is yours.' + </p> + <p> + Having now disburdened himself of his great surprise, the schoolmaster sat + down, and drawing Nell to his side, told her how he had learnt that + ancient tenement had been occupied for a very long time by an old person, + nearly a hundred years of age, who kept the keys of the church, opened and + closed it for the services, and showed it to strangers; how she had died + not many weeks ago, and nobody had yet been found to fill the office; how, + learning all this in an interview with the sexton, who was confined to his + bed by rheumatism, he had been bold to make mention of his + fellow-traveller, which had been so favourably received by that high + authority, that he had taken courage, acting on his advice, to propound + the matter to the clergyman. In a word, the result of his exertions was, + that Nell and her grandfather were to be carried before the last-named + gentleman next day; and, his approval of their conduct and appearance + reserved as a matter of form, that they were already appointed to the + vacant post. + </p> + <p> + 'There's a small allowance of money,' said the schoolmaster. 'It is not + much, but still enough to live upon in this retired spot. By clubbing our + funds together, we shall do bravely; no fear of that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Heaven bless and prosper you!' sobbed the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Amen, my dear,' returned her friend cheerfully; 'and all of us, as it + will, and has, in leading us through sorrow and trouble to this tranquil + life. But we must look at <i>my</i> house now. Come!' + </p> + <p> + They repaired to the other tenement; tried the rusty keys as before; at + length found the right one; and opened the worm-eaten door. It led into a + chamber, vaulted and old, like that from which they had come, but not so + spacious, and having only one other little room attached. It was not + difficult to divine that the other house was of right the schoolmaster's, + and that he had chosen for himself the least commodious, in his care and + regard for them. Like the adjoining habitation, it held such old articles + of furniture as were absolutely necessary, and had its stack of fire-wood. + </p> + <p> + To make these dwellings as habitable and full of comfort as they could, + was now their pleasant care. In a short time, each had its cheerful fire + glowing and crackling on the hearth, and reddening the pale old wall with + a hale and healthy blush. Nell, busily plying her needle, repaired the + tattered window-hangings, drew together the rents that time had worn in + the threadbare scraps of carpet, and made them whole and decent. The + schoolmaster swept and smoothed the ground before the door, trimmed the + long grass, trained the ivy and creeping plants which hung their drooping + heads in melancholy neglect; and gave to the outer walls a cheery air of + home. The old man, sometimes by his side and sometimes with the child, + lent his aid to both, went here and there on little patient services, and + was happy. Neighbours, too, as they came from work, proffered their help; + or sent their children with such small presents or loans as the strangers + needed most. It was a busy day; and night came on, and found them + wondering that there was yet so much to do, and that it should be dark so + soon. + </p> + <p> + They took their supper together, in the house which may be henceforth + called the child's; and, when they had finished their meal, drew round the + fire, and almost in whispers—their hearts were too quiet and glad + for loud expression—discussed their future plans. Before they + separated, the schoolmaster read some prayers aloud; and then, full of + gratitude and happiness, they parted for the night. + </p> + <p> + At that silent hour, when her grandfather was sleeping peacefully in his + bed, and every sound was hushed, the child lingered before the dying + embers, and thought of her past fortunes as if they had been a dream And + she only now awoke. The glare of the sinking flame, reflected in the oaken + panels whose carved tops were dimly seen in the dusky roof—the aged + walls, where strange shadows came and went with every flickering of the + fire—the solemn presence, within, of that decay which falls on + senseless things the most enduring in their nature: and, without, and + round about on every side, of Death—filled her with deep and + thoughtful feelings, but with none of terror or alarm. A change had been + gradually stealing over her, in the time of her loneliness and sorrow. + With failing strength and heightening resolution, there had sprung up a + purified and altered mind; there had grown in her bosom blessed thoughts + and hopes, which are the portion of few but the weak and drooping. There + were none to see the frail, perishable figure, as it glided from the fire + and leaned pensively at the open casement; none but the stars, to look + into the upturned face and read its history. The old church bell rang out + the hour with a mournful sound, as if it had grown sad from so much + communing with the dead and unheeded warning to the living; the fallen + leaves rustled; the grass stirred upon the graves; all else was still and + sleeping. + </p> + <p> + Some of those dreamless sleepers lay close within the shadow of the church—touching + the wall, as if they clung to it for comfort and protection. Others had + chosen to lie beneath the changing shade of trees; others by the path, + that footsteps might come near them; others, among the graves of little + children. Some had desired to rest beneath the very ground they had + trodden in their daily walks; some, where the setting sun might shine upon + their beds; some, where its light would fall upon them when it rose. + Perhaps not one of the imprisoned souls had been able quite to separate + itself in living thought from its old companion. If any had, it had still + felt for it a love like that which captives have been known to bear + towards the cell in which they have been long confined, and, even at + parting, hung upon its narrow bounds affectionately. + </p> + <p> + It was long before the child closed the window, and approached her bed. + Again something of the same sensation as before—an involuntary chill—a + momentary feeling akin to fear—but vanishing directly, and leaving + no alarm behind. Again, too, dreams of the little scholar; of the roof + opening, and a column of bright faces, rising far away into the sky, as + she had seen in some old scriptural picture once, and looking down on her, + asleep. It was a sweet and happy dream. The quiet spot, outside, seemed to + remain the same, saving that there was music in the air, and a sound of + angels' wings. After a time the sisters came there, hand in hand, and + stood among the graves. And then the dream grew dim, and faded. + </p> + <p> + With the brightness and joy of morning, came the renewal of yesterday's + labours, the revival of its pleasant thoughts, the restoration of its + energies, cheerfulness, and hope. They worked gaily in ordering and + arranging their houses until noon, and then went to visit the clergyman. + </p> + <p> + He was a simple-hearted old gentleman, of a shrinking, subdued spirit, + accustomed to retirement, and very little acquainted with the world, which + he had left many years before to come and settle in that place. His wife + had died in the house in which he still lived, and he had long since lost + sight of any earthly cares or hopes beyond it. + </p> + <p> + He received them very kindly, and at once showed an interest in Nell; + asking her name, and age, her birthplace, the circumstances which had led + her there, and so forth. The schoolmaster had already told her story. They + had no other friends or home to leave, he said, and had come to share his + fortunes. He loved the child as though she were his own. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, well,' said the clergyman. 'Let it be as you desire. She is very + young.' +</p> + <p> +'Old in adversity and trial, sir,' replied the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + 'God help her. Let her rest, and forget them,' said the old gentleman. + 'But an old church is a dull and gloomy place for one so young as you, my + child.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh no, sir,' returned Nell. 'I have no such thoughts, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I would rather see her dancing on the green at nights,' said the old + gentleman, laying his hand upon her head, and smiling sadly, 'than have + her sitting in the shadow of our mouldering arches. You must look to this, + and see that her heart does not grow heavy among these solemn ruins. Your + request is granted, friend.' + </p> + <p> + After more kind words, they withdrew, and repaired to the child's house; + where they were yet in conversation on their happy fortune, when another + friend appeared. + </p> + <p> + This was a little old gentleman, who lived in the parsonage-house, and had + resided there (so they learnt soon afterwards) ever since the death of the + clergyman's wife, which had happened fifteen years before. He had been his + college friend and always his close companion; in the first shock of his + grief he had come to console and comfort him; and from that time they had + never parted company. The little old gentleman was the active spirit of + the place, the adjuster of all differences, the promoter of all + merry-makings, the dispenser of his friend's bounty, and of no small + charity of his own besides; the universal mediator, comforter, and friend. + None of the simple villagers had cared to ask his name, or, when they knew + it, to store it in their memory. Perhaps from some vague rumour of his + college honours which had been whispered abroad on his first arrival, + perhaps because he was an unmarried, unencumbered gentleman, he had been + called the bachelor. The name pleased him, or suited him as well as any + other, and the Bachelor he had ever since remained. And the bachelor it + was, it may be added, who with his own hands had laid in the stock of fuel + which the wanderers had found in their new habitation. + </p> + <p> + The bachelor, then—to call him by his usual appellation—lifted + the latch, showed his little round mild face for a moment at the door, and + stepped into the room like one who was no stranger to it. + </p> + <p> + 'You are Mr Marton, the new schoolmaster?' he said, greeting Nell's kind + friend. + </p> + <p> + 'I am, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'You come well recommended, and I am glad to see you. I should have been + in the way yesterday, expecting you, but I rode across the country to + carry a message from a sick mother to her daughter in service some miles + off, and have but just now returned. This is our young church-keeper? You + are not the less welcome, friend, for her sake, or for this old man's; nor + the worse teacher for having learnt humanity.' 'She has been ill, sir, + very lately,' said the schoolmaster, in answer to the look with which + their visitor regarded Nell when he had kissed her cheek. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes. I know she has,' he rejoined. 'There have been suffering and + heartache here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed there have, sir.' + </p> + <p> + The little old gentleman glanced at the grandfather, and back again at the + child, whose hand he took tenderly in his, and held. + </p> + <p> + 'You will be happier here,' he said; 'we will try, at least, to make you + so. You have made great improvements here already. Are they the work of + your hands?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'We may make some others—not better in themselves, but with better + means perhaps,' said the bachelor. 'Let us see now, let us see.' + </p> + <p> + Nell accompanied him into the other little rooms, and over both the + houses, in which he found various small comforts wanting, which he engaged + to supply from a certain collection of odds and ends he had at home, and + which must have been a very miscellaneous and extensive one, as it + comprehended the most opposite articles imaginable. They all came, + however, and came without loss of time; for the little old gentleman, + disappearing for some five or ten minutes, presently returned, laden with + old shelves, rugs, blankets, and other household gear, and followed by a + boy bearing a similar load. These being cast on the floor in a promiscuous + heap, yielded a quantity of occupation in arranging, erecting, and putting + away; the superintendence of which task evidently afforded the old + gentleman extreme delight, and engaged him for some time with great + briskness and activity. When nothing more was left to be done, he charged + the boy to run off and bring his schoolmates to be marshalled before their + new master, and solemnly reviewed. + </p> + <p> + 'As good a set of fellows, Marton, as you'd wish to see,' he said, turning + to the schoolmaster when the boy was gone; 'but I don't let 'em know I + think so. That wouldn't do, at all.' + </p> + <p> + The messenger soon returned at the head of a long row of urchins, great + and small, who, being confronted by the bachelor at the house door, fell + into various convulsions of politeness; clutching their hats and caps, + squeezing them into the smallest possible dimensions, and making all + manner of bows and scrapes, which the little old gentleman contemplated + with excessive satisfaction, and expressed his approval of by a great many + nods and smiles. Indeed, his approbation of the boys was by no means so + scrupulously disguised as he had led the schoolmaster to suppose, inasmuch + as it broke out in sundry loud whispers and confidential remarks which + were perfectly audible to them every one. +</p> + <p> +'This first boy, schoolmaster,' + said the bachelor, 'is John Owen; a lad of good parts, sir, and frank, + honest temper; but too thoughtless, too playful, too light-headed by far. + That boy, my good sir, would break his neck with pleasure, and deprive his + parents of their chief comfort—and between ourselves, when you come + to see him at hare and hounds, taking the fence and ditch by the + finger-post, and sliding down the face of the little quarry, you'll never + forget it. It's beautiful!' + </p> + <p> + John Owen having been thus rebuked, and being in perfect possession of the + speech aside, the bachelor singled out another boy. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, look at that lad, sir,' said the bachelor. 'You see that fellow? + Richard Evans his name is, sir. An amazing boy to learn, blessed with a + good memory, and a ready understanding, and moreover with a good voice and + ear for psalm-singing, in which he is the best among us. Yet, sir, that + boy will come to a bad end; he'll never die in his bed; he's always + falling asleep in sermon-time—and to tell you the truth, Mr Marton, + I always did the same at his age, and feel quite certain that it was + natural to my constitution and I couldn't help it.' + </p> + <p> + This hopeful pupil edified by the above terrible reproval, the bachelor + turned to another. + </p> + <p> + 'But if we talk of examples to be shunned,' said he, 'if we come to boys + that should be a warning and a beacon to all their fellows, here's the + one, and I hope you won't spare him. This is the lad, sir; this one with + the blue eyes and light hair. This is a swimmer, sir, this fellow—a + diver, Lord save us! This is a boy, sir, who had a fancy for plunging into + eighteen feet of water, with his clothes on, and bringing up a blind man's + dog, who was being drowned by the weight of his chain and collar, while + his master stood wringing his hands upon the bank, bewailing the loss of + his guide and friend. I sent the boy two guineas anonymously, sir,' added + the bachelor, in his peculiar whisper, 'directly I heard of it; but never + mention it on any account, for he hasn't the least idea that it came from + me.' + </p> + <p> + Having disposed of this culprit, the bachelor turned to another, and from + him to another, and so on through the whole array, laying, for their + wholesome restriction within due bounds, the same cutting emphasis on such + of their propensities as were dearest to his heart and were unquestionably + referrable to his own precept and example. Thoroughly persuaded, in the + end, that he had made them miserable by his severity, he dismissed them + with a small present, and an admonition to walk quietly home, without any + leapings, scufflings, or turnings out of the way; which injunction, he + informed the schoolmaster in the same audible confidence, he did not think + he could have obeyed when he was a boy, had his life depended on it. + </p> + <p> + Hailing these little tokens of the bachelor's disposition as so many + assurances of his own welcome course from that time, the schoolmaster + parted from him with a light heart and joyous spirits, and deemed himself + one of the happiest men on earth. The windows of the two old houses were + ruddy again, that night, with the reflection of the cheerful fires that + burnt within; and the bachelor and his friend, pausing to look upon them + as they returned from their evening walk, spoke softly together of the + beautiful child, and looked round upon the churchyard with a sigh. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap53"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 53 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">N</span>ell was stirring early in the morning, and having discharged her + household tasks, and put everything in order for the good schoolmaster + (though sorely against his will, for he would have spared her the pains), + took down, from its nail by the fireside, a little bundle of keys with + which the bachelor had formally invested her on the previous day, and went + out alone to visit the old church. + </p> + <p> + The sky was serene and bright, the air clear, perfumed with the fresh + scent of newly fallen leaves, and grateful to every sense. The + neighbouring stream sparkled, and rolled onward with a tuneful sound; the + dew glistened on the green mounds, like tears shed by Good Spirits over + the dead. Some young children sported among the tombs, and hid from each + other, with laughing faces. They had an infant with them, and had laid it + down asleep upon a child's grave, in a little bed of leaves. It was a new + grave—the resting-place, perhaps, of some little creature, who, meek + and patient in its illness, had often sat and watched them, and now + seemed, to their minds, scarcely changed. + </p> + <p> + She drew near and asked one of them whose grave it was. The child answered + that that was not its name; it was a garden—his brother's. It was + greener, he said, than all the other gardens, and the birds loved it + better because he had been used to feed them. When he had done speaking, + he looked at her with a smile, and kneeling down and nestling for a moment + with his cheek against the turf, bounded merrily away. + </p> + <p> + She passed the church, gazing upward at its old tower, went through the + wicket gate, and so into the village. The old sexton, leaning on a crutch, + was taking the air at his cottage door, and gave her good morrow. + </p> + <p> + 'You are better?' said the child, stopping to speak with him. + </p> + <p> + 'Ay surely,' returned the old man. 'I'm thankful to say, much better.' + </p> + <p> + '<i>You </i>will be quite well soon.' + </p> + <p> + 'With Heaven's leave, and a little patience. But come in, come in!' The + old man limped on before, and warning her of the downward step, which he + achieved himself with no small difficulty, led the way into his little + cottage. + </p> + <p> + 'It is but one room you see. There is another up above, but the stair has + got harder to climb o' late years, and I never use it. I'm thinking of + taking to it again, next summer, though.' + </p> + <p> + The child wondered how a grey-headed man like him—one of his trade + too—could talk of time so easily. He saw her eyes wandering to the + tools that hung upon the wall, and smiled. + </p> + <p> + 'I warrant now,' he said, 'that you think all those are used in making + graves.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed, I wondered that you wanted so many.' + </p> + <p> + 'And well you might. I am a gardener. I dig the ground, and plant things + that are to live and grow. My works don't all moulder away, and rot in the + earth. You see that spade in the centre?' + </p> + <p> + 'The very old one—so notched and worn? Yes.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's the sexton's spade, and it's a well-used one, as you see. We're + healthy people here, but it has done a power of work. If it could speak + now, that spade, it would tell you of many an unexpected job that it and I + have done together; but I forget 'em, for my memory's a poor one.—That's + nothing new,' he added hastily. 'It always was.' + </p> + <p> + 'There are flowers and shrubs to speak to your other work,' said the + child. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes. And tall trees. But they are not so separate from the sexton's + labours as you think.' + </p> + <p> + 'No!' + </p> + <p> + 'Not in my mind, and recollection—such as it is,' said the old man. + 'Indeed they often help it. For say that I planted such a tree for such a + man. There it stands, to remind me that he died. When I look at its broad + shadow, and remember what it was in his time, it helps me to the age of my + other work, and I can tell you pretty nearly when I made his grave.' + </p> + <p> + 'But it may remind you of one who is still alive,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Of twenty that are dead, in connexion with that one who lives, then,' + rejoined the old man; 'wife, husband, parents, brothers, sisters, + children, friends—a score at least. So it happens that the sexton's + spade gets worn and battered. I shall need a new one—next summer.' + </p> + <p> + The child looked quickly towards him, thinking that he jested with his age + and infirmity: but the unconscious sexton was quite in earnest. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' he said, after a brief silence. 'People never learn. They never + learn. It's only we who turn up the ground, where nothing grows and + everything decays, who think of such things as these—who think of + them properly, I mean. You have been into the church?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am going there now,' the child replied. + </p> + <p> + 'There's an old well there,' said the sexton, 'right underneath the + belfry; a deep, dark, echoing well. Forty year ago, you had only to let + down the bucket till the first knot in the rope was free of the windlass, + and you heard it splashing in the cold dull water. By little and little + the water fell away, so that in ten year after that, a second knot was + made, and you must unwind so much rope, or the bucket swung tight and + empty at the end. In ten years' time, the water fell again, and a third + knot was made. In ten years more, the well dried up; and now, if you lower + the bucket till your arms are tired, and let out nearly all the cord, + you'll hear it, of a sudden, clanking and rattling on the ground below; + with a sound of being so deep and so far down, that your heart leaps into + your mouth, and you start away as if you were falling in.' + </p> + <p> + 'A dreadful place to come on in the dark!' exclaimed the child, who had + followed the old man's looks and words until she seemed to stand upon its + brink. + </p> + <p> + 'What is it but a grave!' said the sexton. 'What else! And which of our + old folks, knowing all this, thought, as the spring subsided, of their own + failing strength, and lessening life? Not one!' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you very old yourself?' asked the child, involuntarily. + </p> + <p> + 'I shall be seventy-nine—next summer.' + </p> + <p> + 'You still work when you are well?' + </p> + <p> + 'Work! To be sure. You shall see my gardens hereabout. Look at the window + there. I made, and have kept, that plot of ground entirely with my own + hands. By this time next year I shall hardly see the sky, the boughs will + have grown so thick. I have my winter work at night besides.' + </p> + <p> + He opened, as he spoke, a cupboard close to where he sat, and produced + some miniature boxes, carved in a homely manner and made of old wood. + </p> + <p> + 'Some gentlefolks who are fond of ancient days, and what belongs to them,' + he said, 'like to buy these keepsakes from our church and ruins. + Sometimes, I make them of scraps of oak, that turn up here and there; + sometimes of bits of coffins which the vaults have long preserved. See + here—this is a little chest of the last kind, clasped at the edges + with fragments of brass plates that had writing on 'em once, though it + would be hard to read it now. I haven't many by me at this time of year, + but these shelves will be full—next summer.' + </p> + <p> + The child admired and praised his work, and shortly afterwards departed; + thinking, as she went, how strange it was, that this old man, drawing from + his pursuits, and everything around him, one stern moral, never + contemplated its application to himself; and, while he dwelt upon the + uncertainty of human life, seemed both in word and deed to deem himself + immortal. But her musings did not stop here, for she was wise enough to + think that by a good and merciful adjustment this must be human nature, + and that the old sexton, with his plans for next summer, was but a type of + all mankind. + </p> + <p> + Full of these meditations, she reached the church. It was easy to find the + key belonging to the outer door, for each was labelled on a scrap of + yellow parchment. Its very turning in the lock awoke a hollow sound, and + when she entered with a faltering step, the echoes that it raised in + closing, made her start. + </p> + <p> + If the peace of the simple village had moved the child more strongly, + because of the dark and troubled ways that lay beyond, and through which + she had journeyed with such failing feet, what was the deep impression of + finding herself alone in that solemn building, where the very light, + coming through sunken windows, seemed old and grey, and the air, redolent + of earth and mould, seemed laden with decay, purified by time of all its + grosser particles, and sighing through arch and aisle, and clustered + pillars, like the breath of ages gone! Here was the broken pavement, worn, + so long ago, by pious feet, that Time, stealing on the pilgrims' steps, + had trodden out their track, and left but crumbling stones. Here were the + rotten beam, the sinking arch, the sapped and mouldering wall, the lowly + trench of earth, the stately tomb on which no epitaph remained—all—marble, + stone, iron, wood, and dust—one common monument of ruin. The best + work and the worst, the plainest and the richest, the stateliest and the + least imposing—both of Heaven's work and Man's—all found one + common level here, and told one common tale. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0384m.jpg" alt="0384m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0384.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Some part of the edifice had been a baronial chapel, and here were + effigies of warriors stretched upon their beds of stone with folded hands—cross-legged, + those who had fought in the Holy Wars—girded with their swords, and + cased in armour as they had lived. Some of these knights had their own + weapons, helmets, coats of mail, hanging upon the walls hard by, and + dangling from rusty hooks. Broken and dilapidated as they were, they yet + retained their ancient form, and something of their ancient aspect. Thus + violent deeds live after men upon the earth, and traces of war and + bloodshed will survive in mournful shapes long after those who worked the + desolation are but atoms of earth themselves. + </p> + <p> + The child sat down, in this old, silent place, among the stark figures on + the tombs—they made it more quiet there, than elsewhere, to her + fancy—and gazing round with a feeling of awe, tempered with a calm + delight, felt that now she was happy, and at rest. She took a Bible from + the shelf, and read; then, laying it down, thought of the summer days and + the bright springtime that would come—of the rays of sun that would + fall in aslant, upon the sleeping forms—of the leaves that would + flutter at the window, and play in glistening shadows on the pavement—of + the songs of birds, and growth of buds and blossoms out of doors—of + the sweet air, that would steal in, and gently wave the tattered banners + overhead. What if the spot awakened thoughts of death! Die who would, it + would still remain the same; these sights and sounds would still go on, as + happily as ever. It would be no pain to sleep amidst them. + </p> + <p> + She left the chapel—very slowly and often turning back to gaze again—and + coming to a low door, which plainly led into the tower, opened it, and + climbed the winding stair in darkness; save where she looked down, through + narrow loopholes, on the place she had left, or caught a glimmering vision + of the dusty bells. At length she gained the end of the ascent and stood + upon the turret top. + </p> + <p> + Oh! the glory of the sudden burst of light; the freshness of the fields + and woods, stretching away on every side, and meeting the bright blue sky; + the cattle grazing in the pasturage; the smoke, that, coming from among + the trees, seemed to rise upward from the green earth; the children yet at + their gambols down below—all, everything, so beautiful and happy! It + was like passing from death to life; it was drawing nearer Heaven. + </p> + <p> + The children were gone, when she emerged into the porch, and locked the + door. As she passed the school-house she could hear the busy hum of + voices. Her friend had begun his labours only on that day. The noise grew + louder, and, looking back, she saw the boys come trooping out and disperse + themselves with merry shouts and play. 'It's a good thing,' thought the + child, 'I am very glad they pass the church.' And then she stopped, to + fancy how the noise would sound inside, and how gently it would seem to + die away upon the ear. + </p> + <p> + Again that day, yes, twice again, she stole back to the old chapel, and in + her former seat read from the same book, or indulged the same quiet train + of thought. Even when it had grown dusk, and the shadows of coming night + made it more solemn still, the child remained, like one rooted to the + spot, and had no fear or thought of stirring. + </p> + <p> + They found her there, at last, and took her home. She looked pale but very + happy, until they separated for the night; and then, as the poor + schoolmaster stooped down to kiss her cheek, he thought he felt a tear + upon his face. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap54"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 54 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he bachelor, among his various occupations, found in the old church a + constant source of interest and amusement. Taking that pride in it which + men conceive for the wonders of their own little world, he had made its + history his study; and many a summer day within its walls, and many a + winter's night beside the parsonage fire, had found the bachelor still + poring over, and adding to, his goodly store of tale and legend. + </p> + <p> + As he was not one of those rough spirits who would strip fair Truth of + every little shadowy vestment in which time and teeming fancies love to + array her—and some of which become her pleasantly enough, serving, + like the waters of her well, to add new graces to the charms they half + conceal and half suggest, and to awaken interest and pursuit rather than + languor and indifference—as, unlike this stern and obdurate class, + he loved to see the goddess crowned with those garlands of wild flowers + which tradition wreathes for her gentle wearing, and which are often + freshest in their homeliest shapes—he trod with a light step and + bore with a light hand upon the dust of centuries, unwilling to demolish + any of the airy shrines that had been raised above it, if any good feeling + or affection of the human heart were hiding thereabouts. Thus, in the case + of an ancient coffin of rough stone, supposed, for many generations, to + contain the bones of a certain baron, who, after ravaging, with cut, and + thrust, and plunder, in foreign lands, came back with a penitent and + sorrowing heart to die at home, but which had been lately shown by learned + antiquaries to be no such thing, as the baron in question (so they + contended) had died hard in battle, gnashing his teeth and cursing with + his latest breath—the bachelor stoutly maintained that the old tale + was the true one; that the baron, repenting him of the evil, had done + great charities and meekly given up the ghost; and that, if ever baron + went to heaven, that baron was then at peace. In like manner, when the + aforesaid antiquaries did argue and contend that a certain secret vault + was not the tomb of a grey-haired lady who had been hanged and drawn and + quartered by glorious Queen Bess for succouring a wretched priest who + fainted of thirst and hunger at her door, the bachelor did solemnly + maintain, against all comers, that the church was hallowed by the said + poor lady's ashes; that her remains had been collected in the night from + four of the city's gates, and thither in secret brought, and there + deposited; and the bachelor did further (being highly excited at such + times) deny the glory of Queen Bess, and assert the immeasurably greater + glory of the meanest woman in her realm, who had a merciful and tender + heart. As to the assertion that the flat stone near the door was not the + grave of the miser who had disowned his only child and left a sum of money + to the church to buy a peal of bells, the bachelor did readily admit the + same, and that the place had given birth to no such man. In a word, he + would have had every stone, and plate of brass, the monument only of deeds + whose memory should survive. All others he was willing to forget. They + might be buried in consecrated ground, but he would have had them buried + deep, and never brought to light again. + </p> + <p> + It was from the lips of such a tutor, that the child learnt her easy task. + Already impressed, beyond all telling, by the silent building and the + peaceful beauty of the spot in which it stood—majestic age + surrounded by perpetual youth—it seemed to her, when she heard these + things, sacred to all goodness and virtue. It was another world, where sin + and sorrow never came; a tranquil place of rest, where nothing evil + entered. + </p> + <p> + When the bachelor had given her in connection with almost every tomb and + flat grave-stone some history of its own, he took her down into the old + crypt, now a mere dull vault, and showed her how it had been lighted up in + the time of the monks, and how, amid lamps depending from the roof, and + swinging censers exhaling scented odours, and habits glittering with gold + and silver, and pictures, and precious stuffs, and jewels all flashing and + glistening through the low arches, the chaunt of aged voices had been many + a time heard there, at midnight, in old days, while hooded figures knelt + and prayed around, and told their rosaries of beads. Thence, he took her + above ground again, and showed her, high up in the old walls, small + galleries, where the nuns had been wont to glide along—dimly seen in + their dark dresses so far off—or to pause like gloomy shadows, + listening to the prayers. He showed her too, how the warriors, whose + figures rested on the tombs, had worn those rotting scraps of armour up + above—how this had been a helmet, and that a shield, and that a + gauntlet—and how they had wielded the great two-handed swords, and + beaten men down, with yonder iron mace. All that he told the child she + treasured in her mind; and sometimes, when she awoke at night from dreams + of those old times, and rising from her bed looked out at the dark church, + she almost hoped to see the windows lighted up, and hear the organ's + swell, and sound of voices, on the rushing wind. + </p> + <p> + The old sexton soon got better, and was about again. From him the child + learnt many other things, though of a different kind. He was not able to + work, but one day there was a grave to be made, and he came to overlook + the man who dug it. He was in a talkative mood; and the child, at first + standing by his side, and afterwards sitting on the grass at his feet, + with her thoughtful face raised towards his, began to converse with him. + </p> + <p> + Now, the man who did the sexton's duty was a little older than he, though + much more active. But he was deaf; and when the sexton (who peradventure, + on a pinch, might have walked a mile with great difficulty in half-a-dozen + hours) exchanged a remark with him about his work, the child could not + help noticing that he did so with an impatient kind of pity for his + infirmity, as if he were himself the strongest and heartiest man alive. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm sorry to see there is this to do,' said the child when she + approached. 'I heard of no one having died.' + </p> + <p> + 'She lived in another hamlet, my dear,' returned the sexton. 'Three mile + away.' + </p> + <p> + 'Was she young?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ye-yes' said the sexton; not more than sixty-four, I think. David, was + she more than sixty-four?' + </p> + <p> + David, who was digging hard, heard nothing of the question. The sexton, as + he could not reach to touch him with his crutch, and was too infirm to + rise without assistance, called his attention by throwing a little mould + upon his red nightcap. + </p> + <p> + 'What's the matter now?' said David, looking up. + </p> + <p> + 'How old was Becky Morgan?' asked the sexton. + </p> + <p> + 'Becky Morgan?' repeated David. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' replied the sexton; adding in a half compassionate, half irritable + tone, which the old man couldn't hear, 'you're getting very deaf, Davy, + very deaf to be sure!' + </p> + <p> + The old man stopped in his work, and cleansing his spade with a piece of + slate he had by him for the purpose—and scraping off, in the + process, the essence of Heaven knows how many Becky Morgans—set + himself to consider the subject. + </p> + <p> + 'Let me think' quoth he. 'I saw last night what they had put upon the + coffin—was it seventy-nine?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no,' said the sexton. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah yes, it was though,' returned the old man with a sigh. 'For I remember + thinking she was very near our age. Yes, it was seventy-nine.' + </p> + <p> + 'Are you sure you didn't mistake a figure, Davy?' asked the sexton, with + signs of some emotion. + </p> + <p> + 'What?' said the old man. 'Say that again.' + </p> + <p> + 'He's very deaf. He's very deaf indeed,' cried the sexton petulantly; 'are + you sure you're right about the figures?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh quite,' replied the old man. 'Why not?' + </p> + <p> + 'He's exceedingly deaf,' muttered the sexton to himself. 'I think he's + getting foolish.' + </p> + <p> + The child rather wondered what had led him to this belief, as, to say the + truth, the old man seemed quite as sharp as he, and was infinitely more + robust. As the sexton said nothing more just then, however, she forgot it + for the time, and spoke again. + </p> + <p> + 'You were telling me,' she said, 'about your gardening. Do you ever plant + things here?' + </p> + <p> + 'In the churchyard?' returned the sexton, 'Not I.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have seen some flowers and little shrubs about,' the child rejoined; + 'there are some over there, you see. I thought they were of your rearing, + though indeed they grow but poorly.' + </p> + <p> + 'They grow as Heaven wills,' said the old man; 'and it kindly ordains that + they shall never flourish here.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do not understand you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, this it is,' said the sexton. 'They mark the graves of those who had + very tender, loving friends.' + </p> + <p> + 'I was sure they did!' the child exclaimed. 'I am very glad to know they + do!' + </p> + <p> + 'Aye,' returned the old man, 'but stay. Look at them. See how they hang + their heads, and droop, and wither. Do you guess the reason?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' the child replied. + </p> + <p> + 'Because the memory of those who lie below, passes away so soon. At first + they tend them, morning, noon, and night; they soon begin to come less + frequently; from once a day, to once a week; from once a week to once a + month; then, at long and uncertain intervals; then, not at all. Such + tokens seldom flourish long. I have known the briefest summer flowers + outlive them.' + </p> + <p> + 'I grieve to hear it,' said the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! so say the gentlefolks who come down here to look about them,' + returned the old man, shaking his head, 'but I say otherwise. "It's a + pretty custom you have in this part of the country," they say to me + sometimes, "to plant the graves, but it's melancholy to see these things + all withering or dead." I crave their pardon and tell them that, as I take + it, 'tis a good sign for the happiness of the living. And so it is. It's + nature.' + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps the mourners learn to look to the blue sky by day, and to the + stars by night, and to think that the dead are there, and not in graves,' + said the child in an earnest voice. + </p> + <p> + 'Perhaps so,' replied the old man doubtfully. 'It may be.' + </p> + <p> + 'Whether it be as I believe it is, or no,' thought the child within + herself, 'I'll make this place my garden. It will be no harm at least to + work here day by day, and pleasant thoughts will come of it, I am sure.' + </p> + <p> + Her glowing cheek and moistened eye passed unnoticed by the sexton, who + turned towards old David, and called him by his name. It was plain that + Becky Morgan's age still troubled him; though why, the child could + scarcely understand. + </p> + <p> + The second or third repetition of his name attracted the old man's + attention. Pausing from his work, he leant on his spade, and put his hand + to his dull ear. + </p> + <p> + 'Did you call?' he said. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been thinking, Davy,' replied the sexton, 'that she,' he pointed + to the grave, 'must have been a deal older than you or me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Seventy-nine,' answered the old man with a shake of the head, 'I tell you + that I saw it.' + </p> + <p> + 'Saw it?' replied the sexton; 'aye, but, Davy, women don't always tell the + truth about their age.' + </p> + <p> + 'That's true indeed,' said the other old man, with a sudden sparkle in his + eye. 'She might have been older.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm sure she must have been. Why, only think how old she looked. You and + I seemed but boys to her.' + </p> + <p> + 'She did look old,' rejoined David. 'You're right. She did look old.' + </p> + <p> + 'Call to mind how old she looked for many a long, long year, and say if + she could be but seventy-nine at last—only our age,' said the + sexton. + </p> + <p> + 'Five year older at the very least!' cried the other. + </p> + <p> + 'Five!' retorted the sexton. 'Ten. Good eighty-nine. I call to mind the + time her daughter died. She was eighty-nine if she was a day, and tries to + pass upon us now, for ten year younger. Oh! human vanity!' + </p> + <p> + The other old man was not behindhand with some moral reflections on this + fruitful theme, and both adduced a mass of evidence, of such weight as to + render it doubtful—not whether the deceased was of the age + suggested, but whether she had not almost reached the patriarchal term of + a hundred. When they had settled this question to their mutual + satisfaction, the sexton, with his friend's assistance, rose to go. + </p> + <p> + 'It's chilly, sitting here, and I must be careful—till the summer,' + he said, as he prepared to limp away. + </p> + <p> + 'What?' asked old David. + </p> + <p> + 'He's very deaf, poor fellow!' cried the sexton. 'Good-bye!' +</p> + <p> +'Ah!' said + old David, looking after him. 'He's failing very fast. He ages every day.' + </p> + <p> + And so they parted; each persuaded that the other had less life in him + than himself; and both greatly consoled and comforted by the little + fiction they had agreed upon, respecting Becky Morgan, whose decease was + no longer a precedent of uncomfortable application, and would be no + business of theirs for half a score of years to come. + </p> + <p> + The child remained, for some minutes, watching the deaf old man as he + threw out the earth with his shovel, and, often stopping to cough and + fetch his breath, still muttered to himself, with a kind of sober chuckle, + that the sexton was wearing fast. At length she turned away, and walking + thoughtfully through the churchyard, came unexpectedly upon the + schoolmaster, who was sitting on a green grave in the sun, reading. + </p> + <p> + 'Nell here?' he said cheerfully, as he closed his book. 'It does me good + to see you in the air and light. I feared you were again in the church, + where you so often are.' + </p> + <p> + 'Feared!' replied the child, sitting down beside him. 'Is it not a good + place?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, yes,' said the schoolmaster. 'But you must be gay sometimes—nay, + don't shake your head and smile so sadly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Not sadly, if you knew my heart. Do not look at me as if you thought me + sorrowful. There is not a happier creature on earth, than I am now.' + </p> + <p> + Full of grateful tenderness, the child took his hand, and folded it + between her own. 'It's God's will!' she said, when they had been silent + for some time. + </p> + <p> + 'What?' + </p> + <p> + 'All this,' she rejoined; 'all this about us. But which of us is sad now? + You see that I am smiling.' + </p> + <p> + 'And so am I,' said the schoolmaster; 'smiling to think how often we shall + laugh in this same place. Were you not talking yonder?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,'the child rejoined. + </p> + <p> + 'Of something that has made you sorrowful?' + </p> + <p> + There was a long pause. + </p> + <p> + 'What was it?' said the schoolmaster, tenderly. 'Come. Tell me what it + was.' + </p> + <p> + 'I rather grieve—I <i>do</i> rather grieve to think,' said the child, + bursting into tears, 'that those who die about us, are so soon forgotten.' + </p> + <p> + 'And do you think,' said the schoolmaster, marking the glance she had + thrown around, 'that an unvisited grave, a withered tree, a faded flower + or two, are tokens of forgetfulness or cold neglect? Do you think there + are no deeds, far away from here, in which these dead may be best + remembered? Nell, Nell, there may be people busy in the world, at this + instant, in whose good actions and good thoughts these very graves—neglected + as they look to us—are the chief instruments.' + </p> + <p> + 'Tell me no more,' said the child quickly. 'Tell me no more. I feel, I + know it. How could I be unmindful of it, when I thought of you?' + </p> + <p> + 'There is nothing,' cried her friend, 'no, nothing innocent or good, that + dies, and is forgotten. Let us hold to that faith, or none. An infant, a + prattling child, dying in its cradle, will live again in the better + thoughts of those who loved it, and will play its part, through them, in + the redeeming actions of the world, though its body be burnt to ashes or + drowned in the deepest sea. There is not an angel added to the Host of + Heaven but does its blessed work on earth in those that loved it here. + Forgotten! oh, if the good deeds of human creatures could be traced to + their source, how beautiful would even death appear; for how much charity, + mercy, and purified affection, would be seen to have their growth in dusty + graves!' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the child, 'it is the truth; I know it is. Who should feel its + force so much as I, in whom your little scholar lives again! Dear, dear, + good friend, if you knew the comfort you have given me!' + </p> + <p> + The poor schoolmaster made her no answer, but bent over her in silence; + for his heart was full. + </p> + <p> + They were yet seated in the same place, when the grandfather approached. + Before they had spoken many words together, the church clock struck the + hour of school, and their friend withdrew. + </p> + <p> + 'A good man,' said the grandfather, looking after him; 'a kind man. Surely + he will never harm us, Nell. We are safe here, at last, eh? We will never + go away from here?' + </p> + <p> + The child shook her head and smiled. + </p> + <p> + 'She needs rest,' said the old man, patting her cheek; 'too pale—too + pale. She is not like what she was.' + </p> + <p> + 'When?' asked the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' said the old man, 'to be sure—when? How many weeks ago? Could + I count them on my fingers? Let them rest though; they're better gone.' +</p> + <p> + 'Much better, dear,' replied the child. 'We will forget them; or, if we + ever call them to mind, it shall be only as some uneasy dream that has + passed away.' + </p> + <p> + 'Hush!' said the old man, motioning hastily to her with his hand and + looking over his shoulder; 'no more talk of the dream, and all the + miseries it brought. There are no dreams here. 'Tis a quiet place, and + they keep away. Let us never think about them, lest they should pursue us + again. Sunken eyes and hollow cheeks—wet, cold, and famine—and + horrors before them all, that were even worse—we must forget such + things if we would be tranquil here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank Heaven!' inwardly exclaimed the child, 'for this most happy + change!' + </p> + <p> + 'I will be patient,' said the old man, 'humble, very thankful, and + obedient, if you will let me stay. But do not hide from me; do not steal + away alone; let me keep beside you. Indeed, I will be very true and + faithful, Nell.' + </p> + <p> + 'I steal away alone! why that,' replied the child, with assumed gaiety, + 'would be a pleasant jest indeed. See here, dear grandfather, we'll make + this place our garden—why not! It is a very good one—and + to-morrow we'll begin, and work together, side by side.' + </p> + <p> + 'It is a brave thought!' cried her grandfather. 'Mind, darling—we + begin to-morrow!' + </p> + <p> + Who so delighted as the old man, when they next day began their labour! + Who so unconscious of all associations connected with the spot, as he! + They plucked the long grass and nettles from the tombs, thinned the poor + shrubs and roots, made the turf smooth, and cleared it of the leaves and + weeds. They were yet in the ardour of their work, when the child, raising + her head from the ground over which she bent, observed that the bachelor + was sitting on the stile close by, watching them in silence. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0394m.jpg" alt="0394m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0394.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'A kind office,' said the little gentleman, nodding to Nell as she + curtseyed to him. 'Have you done all that, this morning?' + </p> + <p> + 'It is very little, sir,' returned the child, with downcast eyes, 'to what + we mean to do.' + </p> + <p> + 'Good work, good work,' said the bachelor. 'But do you only labour at the + graves of children, and young people?' + </p> + <p> + 'We shall come to the others in good time, sir,' replied Nell, turning her + head aside, and speaking softly. + </p> + <p> + It was a slight incident, and might have been design or accident, or the + child's unconscious sympathy with youth. But it seemed to strike upon her + grandfather, though he had not noticed it before. He looked in a hurried + manner at the graves, then anxiously at the child, then pressed her to his + side, and bade her stop to rest. Something he had long forgotten, appeared + to struggle faintly in his mind. It did not pass away, as weightier things + had done; but came uppermost again, and yet again, and many times that + day, and often afterwards. Once, while they were yet at work, the child, + seeing that he often turned and looked uneasily at her, as though he were + trying to resolve some painful doubts or collect some scattered thoughts, + urged him to tell the reason. But he said it was nothing—nothing—and, + laying her head upon his arm, patted her fair cheek with his hand, and + muttered that she grew stronger every day, and would be a woman, soon. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap55"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 55 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">F</span>rom that time, there sprung up in the old man's mind, a solicitude about + the child which never slept or left him. There are chords in the human + heart—strange, varying strings—which are only struck by + accident; which will remain mute and senseless to appeals the most + passionate and earnest, and respond at last to the slightest casual touch. + In the most insensible or childish minds, there is some train of + reflection which art can seldom lead, or skill assist, but which will + reveal itself, as great truths have done, by chance, and when the + discoverer has the plainest end in view. From that time, the old man + never, for a moment, forgot the weakness and devotion of the child; from + the time of that slight incident, he who had seen her toiling by his side + through so much difficulty and suffering, and had scarcely thought of her + otherwise than as the partner of miseries which he felt severely in his + own person, and deplored for his own sake at least as much as hers, awoke + to a sense of what he owed her, and what those miseries had made her. + Never, no, never once, in one unguarded moment from that time to the end, + did any care for himself, any thought of his own comfort, any selfish + consideration or regard distract his thoughts from the gentle object of + his love. + </p> + <p> + He would follow her up and down, waiting till she should tire and lean + upon his arm—he would sit opposite to her in the chimney-corner, + content to watch, and look, until she raised her head and smiled upon him + as of old—he would discharge by stealth, those household duties + which tasked her powers too heavily—he would rise, in the cold dark + nights, to listen to her breathing in her sleep, and sometimes crouch for + hours by her bedside only to touch her hand. He who knows all, can only + know what hopes, and fears, and thoughts of deep affection, were in that + one disordered brain, and what a change had fallen on the poor old man. + Sometimes—weeks had crept on, then—the child, exhausted, + though with little fatigue, would pass whole evenings on a couch beside + the fire. At such times, the schoolmaster would bring in books, and read + to her aloud; and seldom an evening passed, but the bachelor came in, and + took his turn of reading. The old man sat and listened—with little + understanding for the words, but with his eyes fixed upon the child—and + if she smiled or brightened with the story, he would say it was a good + one, and conceive a fondness for the very book. When, in their evening + talk, the bachelor told some tale that pleased her (as his tales were sure + to do), the old man would painfully try to store it in his mind; nay, when + the bachelor left them, he would sometimes slip out after him, and humbly + beg that he would tell him such a part again, that he might learn to win a + smile from Nell. + </p> + <p> + But these were rare occasions, happily; for the child yearned to be out of + doors, and walking in her solemn garden. Parties, too, would come to see + the church; and those who came, speaking to others of the child, sent + more; so even at that season of the year they had visitors almost daily. + The old man would follow them at a little distance through the building, + listening to the voice he loved so well; and when the strangers left, and + parted from Nell, he would mingle with them to catch up fragments of their + conversation; or he would stand for the same purpose, with his grey head + uncovered, at the gate as they passed through. + </p> + <p> + They always praised the child, her sense and beauty, and he was proud to + hear them! But what was that, so often added, which wrung his heart, and + made him sob and weep alone, in some dull corner! Alas! even careless + strangers—they who had no feeling for her, but the interest of the + moment—they who would go away and forget next week that such a being + lived—even they saw it—even they pitied her—even they + bade him good day compassionately, and whispered as they passed. + </p> + <p> + The people of the village, too, of whom there was not one but grew to have + a fondness for poor Nell; even among them, there was the same feeling; a + tenderness towards her—a compassionate regard for her, increasing + every day. The very schoolboys, light-hearted and thoughtless as they + were, even they cared for her. The roughest among them was sorry if he + missed her in the usual place upon his way to school, and would turn out + of the path to ask for her at the latticed window. If she were sitting in + the church, they perhaps might peep in softly at the open door; but they + never spoke to her, unless she rose and went to speak to them. Some + feeling was abroad which raised the child above them all. + </p> + <p> + So, when Sunday came. They were all poor country people in the church, for + the castle in which the old family had lived, was an empty ruin, and there + were none but humble folks for seven miles around. There, as elsewhere, + they had an interest in Nell. They would gather round her in the porch, + before and after service; young children would cluster at her skirts; and + aged men and women forsake their gossips, to give her kindly greeting. + None of them, young or old, thought of passing the child without a + friendly word. Many who came from three or four miles distant, brought her + little presents; the humblest and rudest had good wishes to bestow. + </p> + <p> + She had sought out the young children whom she first saw playing in the + churchyard. One of these—he who had spoken of his brother—was + her little favourite and friend, and often sat by her side in the church, + or climbed with her to the tower-top. It was his delight to help her, or + to fancy that he did so, and they soon became close companions. + </p> + <p> + It happened, that, as she was reading in the old spot by herself one day, + this child came running in with his eyes full of tears, and after holding + her from him, and looking at her eagerly for a moment, clasped his little + arms passionately about her neck. + </p> + <p> + 'What now?' said Nell, soothing him. 'What is the matter?' + </p> + <p> + 'She is not one yet!' cried the boy, embracing her still more closely. + 'No, no. Not yet.' + </p> + <p> + She looked at him wonderingly, and putting his hair back from his face, + and kissing him, asked what he meant. + </p> + <p> + 'You must not be one, dear Nell,' cried the boy. 'We can't see them. They + never come to play with us, or talk to us. Be what you are. You are better + so.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do not understand you,' said the child. 'Tell me what you mean.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, they say,' replied the boy, looking up into her face, that you will + be an Angel, before the birds sing again. But you won't be, will you? + Don't leave us Nell, though the sky is bright. Do not leave us!' + </p> + <p> + The child dropped her head, and put her hands before her face. + </p> + <p> + 'She cannot bear the thought!' cried the boy, exulting through his tears. + 'You will not go. You know how sorry we should be. Dear Nell, tell me that + you'll stay amongst us. Oh! Pray, pray, tell me that you will.' + </p> + <p> + The little creature folded his hands, and knelt down at her feet. + </p> + <p> + 'Only look at me, Nell,' said the boy, 'and tell me that you'll stop, and + then I shall know that they are wrong, and will cry no more. Won't you say + yes, Nell?' + </p> + <p> + Still the drooping head and hidden face, and the child quite silent—save + for her sobs. + </p> + <p> + 'After a time,' pursued the boy, trying to draw away her hand, 'the kind + angels will be glad to think that you are not among them, and that you + stayed here to be with us. Willy went away, to join them; but if he had + known how I should miss him in our little bed at night, he never would + have left me, I am sure.' + </p> + <p> + Yet the child could make him no answer, and sobbed as though her heart + were bursting. 'Why would you go, dear Nell? I know you would not be happy + when you heard that we were crying for your loss. They say that Willy is + in Heaven now, and that it's always summer there, and yet I'm sure he + grieves when I lie down upon his garden bed, and he cannot turn to kiss + me. But if you do go, Nell,' said the boy, caressing her, and pressing his + face to hers, 'be fond of him for my sake. Tell him how I love him still, + and how much I loved you; and when I think that you two are together, and + are happy, I'll try to bear it, and never give you pain by doing wrong—indeed + I never will!' + </p> + <p> + The child suffered him to move her hands, and put them round his neck. + There was a tearful silence, but it was not long before she looked upon + him with a smile, and promised him, in a very gentle, quiet voice, that + she would stay, and be his friend, as long as Heaven would let her. He + clapped his hands for joy, and thanked her many times; and being charged + to tell no person what had passed between them, gave her an earnest + promise that he never would. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0399m.jpg" alt="0399m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0399.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Nor did he, so far as the child could learn; but was her quiet companion + in all her walks and musings, and never again adverted to the theme, which + he felt had given her pain, although he was unconscious of its cause. + Something of distrust lingered about him still; for he would often come, + even in the dark evenings, and call in a timid voice outside the door to + know if she were safe within; and being answered yes, and bade to enter, + would take his station on a low stool at her feet, and sit there patiently + until they came to seek, and take him home. Sure as the morning came, it + found him lingering near the house to ask if she were well; and, morning, + noon, or night, go where she would, he would forsake his playmates and his + sports to bear her company. + </p> + <p> + 'And a good little friend he is, too,' said the old sexton to her once. + 'When his elder brother died—elder seems a strange word, for he was + only seven years old—I remember this one took it sorely to heart.' + </p> + <p> + The child thought of what the schoolmaster had told her, and felt how its + truth was shadowed out even in this infant. + </p> + <p> + 'It has given him something of a quiet way, I think,' said the old man, + 'though for that he is merry enough at times. I'd wager now that you and + he have been listening by the old well.' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed we have not,' the child replied. 'I have been afraid to go near + it; for I am not often down in that part of the church, and do not know + the ground.' + </p> + <p> + 'Come down with me,' said the old man. 'I have known it from a boy. Come!' + </p> + <p> + They descended the narrow steps which led into the crypt, and paused among + the gloomy arches, in a dim and murky spot. + </p> + <p> + 'This is the place,' said the old man. 'Give me your hand while you throw + back the cover, lest you should stumble and fall in. I am too old—I + mean rheumatic—to stoop, myself.' + </p> + <p> + 'A black and dreadful place!' exclaimed the child. + </p> + <p> + 'Look in,' said the old man, pointing downward with his finger. + </p> + <p> + The child complied, and gazed down into the pit. + </p> + <p> + 'It looks like a grave itself,' said the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'It does,' replied the child. + </p> + <p> + 'I have often had the fancy,' said the sexton, 'that it might have been + dug at first to make the old place more gloomy, and the old monks more + religious. It's to be closed up, and built over.' + </p> + <p> + The child still stood, looking thoughtfully into the vault. + </p> + <p> + 'We shall see,' said the sexton, 'on what gay heads other earth will have + closed, when the light is shut out from here. God knows! They'll close it + up, next spring.' + </p> + <p> + 'The birds sing again in spring,' thought the child, as she leaned at her + casement window, and gazed at the declining sun. 'Spring! a beautiful and + happy time!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap56"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 56 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span> day or two after the Quilp tea-party at the Wilderness, Mr Swiveller + walked into Sampson Brass's office at the usual hour, and being alone in + that Temple of Probity, placed his hat upon the desk, and taking from his + pocket a small parcel of black crape, applied himself to folding and + pinning the same upon it, after the manner of a hatband. Having completed + the construction of this appendage, he surveyed his work with great + complacency, and put his hat on again—very much over one eye, to + increase the mournfulness of the effect. These arrangements perfected to + his entire satisfaction, he thrust his hands into his pockets, and walked + up and down the office with measured steps. + </p> + <p> + 'It has always been the same with me,' said Mr Swiveller, 'always. 'Twas + ever thus—from childhood's hour I've seen my fondest hopes decay, I + never loved a tree or flower but 'twas the first to fade away; I never + nursed a dear Gazelle, to glad me with its soft black eye, but when it + came to know me well, and love me, it was sure to marry a + market-gardener.' + </p> + <p> + Overpowered by these reflections, Mr Swiveller stopped short at the + clients' chair, and flung himself into its open arms. + </p> + <p> + 'And this,' said Mr Swiveller, with a kind of bantering composure, 'is + life, I believe. Oh, certainly. Why not! I'm quite satisfied. I shall + wear,' added Richard, taking off his hat again and looking hard at it, as + if he were only deterred by pecuniary considerations from spurning it with + his foot, 'I shall wear this emblem of woman's perfidy, in remembrance of + her with whom I shall never again thread the windings of the mazy; whom I + shall never more pledge in the rosy; who, during the short remainder of my + existence, will murder the balmy. Ha, ha, ha!' + </p> + <p> + It may be necessary to observe, lest there should appear any incongruity + in the close of this soliloquy, that Mr Swiveller did not wind up with a + cheerful hilarious laugh, which would have been undoubtedly at variance + with his solemn reflections, but that, being in a theatrical mood, he + merely achieved that performance which is designated in melodramas + 'laughing like a fiend,'—for it seems that your fiends always laugh + in syllables, and always in three syllables, never more nor less, which is + a remarkable property in such gentry, and one worthy of remembrance. + </p> + <p> + The baleful sounds had hardly died away, and Mr Swiveller was still + sitting in a very grim state in the clients' chair, when there came a ring—or, + if we may adapt the sound to his then humour, a knell—at the office + bell. Opening the door with all speed, he beheld the expressive + countenance of Mr Chuckster, between whom and himself a fraternal greeting + ensued. + </p> + <p> + 'You're devilish early at this pestiferous old slaughter-house,' said that + gentleman, poising himself on one leg, and shaking the other in an easy + manner. + </p> + <p> + 'Rather,' returned Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Rather!' retorted Mr Chuckster, with that air of graceful trifling which + so well became him. 'I should think so. Why, my good feller, do you know + what o'clock it is—half-past nine a.m. in the morning?' + </p> + <p> + 'Won't you come in?' said Dick. 'All alone. Swiveller solus. "'Tis now the + witching—"' + </p> + <p> + '"Hour of night!"' + </p> + <p> + '"When churchyards yawn,"' + </p> + <p> + '"And graves give up their dead."' + </p> + <p> + At the end of this quotation in dialogue, each gentleman struck an + attitude, and immediately subsiding into prose walked into the office. + Such morsels of enthusiasm are common among the Glorious Apollos, and were + indeed the links that bound them together, and raised them above the cold + dull earth. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, and how are you my buck?' said Mr Chuckster, taking a stool. 'I was + forced to come into the City upon some little private matters of my own, + and couldn't pass the corner of the street without looking in, but upon my + soul I didn't expect to find you. It is so everlastingly early.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller expressed his acknowledgments; and it appearing on further + conversation that he was in good health, and that Mr Chuckster was in the + like enviable condition, both gentlemen, in compliance with a solemn + custom of the ancient Brotherhood to which they belonged, joined in a + fragment of the popular duet of 'All's Well,' with a long shake at the + end. + </p> + <p> + 'And what's the news?' said Richard. + </p> + <p> + 'The town's as flat, my dear feller,' replied Mr Chuckster, 'as the + surface of a Dutch oven. There's no news. By-the-bye, that lodger of yours + is a most extraordinary person. He quite eludes the most vigorous + comprehension, you know. Never was such a feller!' + </p> + <p> + 'What has he been doing now?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'By Jove, Sir,' returned Mr Chuckster, taking out an oblong snuff-box, the + lid whereof was ornamented with a fox's head curiously carved in brass, + 'that man is an unfathomable. Sir, that man has made friends with our + articled clerk. There's no harm in him, but he is so amazingly slow and + soft. Now, if he wanted a friend, why couldn't he have one that knew a + thing or two, and could do him some good by his manners and conversation. + I have my faults, sir,' said Mr Chuckster— + </p> + <p> + 'No, no,' interposed Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes I have, I have my faults, no man knows his faults better than I + know mine. But,' said Mr Chuckster, 'I'm not meek. My worst enemies—every + man has his enemies, Sir, and I have mine—never accused me of being + meek. And I tell you what, Sir, if I hadn't more of these qualities that + commonly endear man to man, than our articled clerk has, I'd steal a + Cheshire cheese, tie it round my neck, and drown myself. I'd die degraded, + as I had lived. I would upon my honour.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Chuckster paused, rapped the fox's head exactly on the nose with the + knuckle of the fore-finger, took a pinch of snuff, and looked steadily at + Mr Swiveller, as much as to say that if he thought he was going to sneeze, + he would find himself mistaken. + </p> + <p> + 'Not contented, Sir,' said Mr Chuckster, 'with making friends with Abel, + he has cultivated the acquaintance of his father and mother. Since he came + home from that wild-goose chase, he has been there— actually been + there. He patronises young Snobby besides; you'll find, Sir, that he'll be + constantly coming backwards and forwards to this place: yet I don't + suppose that beyond the common forms of civility, he has ever exchanged + half-a-dozen words with me. Now, upon my soul, you know,' said Mr + Chuckster, shaking his head gravely, as men are wont to do when they + consider things are going a little too far, 'this is altogether such a + low-minded affair, that if I didn't feel for the governor, and know that + he could never get on without me, I should be obliged to cut the + connection. I should have no alternative.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller, who sat on another stool opposite to his friend, stirred the + fire in an excess of sympathy, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + 'As to young Snob, sir,' pursued Mr Chuckster with a prophetic look, + 'you'll find he'll turn out bad. In our profession we know something of + human nature, and take my word for it, that the feller that came back to + work out that shilling, will show himself one of these days in his true + colours. He's a low thief, sir. He must be.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Chuckster being roused, would probably have pursued this subject + further, and in more emphatic language, but for a tap at the door, which + seeming to announce the arrival of somebody on business, caused him to + assume a greater appearance of meekness than was perhaps quite consistent + with his late declaration. Mr Swiveller, hearing the same sound, caused + his stool to revolve rapidly on one leg until it brought him to his desk, + into which, having forgotten in the sudden flurry of his spirits to part + with the poker, he thrust it as he cried 'Come in!' + </p> + <p> + Who should present himself but that very Kit who had been the theme of Mr + Chuckster's wrath! Never did man pluck up his courage so quickly, or look + so fierce, as Mr Chuckster when he found it was he. Mr Swiveller stared at + him for a moment, and then leaping from his stool, and drawing out the + poker from its place of concealment, performed the broad-sword exercise + with all the cuts and guards complete, in a species of frenzy. + </p> + <p> + 'Is the gentleman at home?' said Kit, rather astonished by this uncommon + reception. + </p> + <p> + Before Mr Swiveller could make any reply, Mr Chuckster took occasion to + enter his indignant protest against this form of inquiry; which he held to + be of a disrespectful and snobbish tendency, inasmuch as the inquirer, + seeing two gentlemen then and there present, should have spoken of the + other gentleman; or rather (for it was not impossible that the object of + his search might be of inferior quality) should have mentioned his name, + leaving it to his hearers to determine his degree as they thought proper. + Mr Chuckster likewise remarked, that he had some reason to believe this + form of address was personal to himself, and that he was not a man to be + trifled with—as certain snobs (whom he did not more particularly + mention or describe) might find to their cost. + </p> + <p> + 'I mean the gentleman up-stairs,' said Kit, turning to Richard Swiveller. + 'Is he at home?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why?' rejoined Dick. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0404m.jpg" alt="0404m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0404.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Because if he is, I have a letter for him.' + </p> + <p> + 'From whom?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'From Mr Garland.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Dick, with extreme politeness. 'Then you may hand it over, Sir. + And if you're to wait for an answer, Sir, you may wait in the passage, + Sir, which is an airy and well-ventilated apartment, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you,' returned Kit. 'But I am to give it to himself, if you + please.' + </p> + <p> + The excessive audacity of this retort so overpowered Mr Chuckster, and so + moved his tender regard for his friend's honour, that he declared, if he + were not restrained by official considerations, he must certainly have + annihilated Kit upon the spot; a resentment of the affront which he did + consider, under the extraordinary circumstances of aggravation attending + it, could but have met with the proper sanction and approval of a jury of + Englishmen, who, he had no doubt, would have returned a verdict of + justifiable Homicide, coupled with a high testimony to the morals and + character of the Avenger. Mr Swiveller, without being quite so hot upon + the matter, was rather shamed by his friend's excitement, and not a little + puzzled how to act (Kit being quite cool and good-humoured), when the + single gentleman was heard to call violently down the stairs. + </p> + <p> + 'Didn't I see somebody for me, come in?' cried the lodger. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Sir,' replied Dick. 'Certainly, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then where is he?' roared the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'He's here, sir,' rejoined Mr Swiveller. 'Now young man, don't you hear + you're to go up-stairs? Are you deaf?' + </p> + <p> + Kit did not appear to think it worth his while to enter into any + altercation, but hurried off and left the Glorious Apollos gazing at each + other in silence. + </p> + <p> + 'Didn't I tell you so?' said Mr Chuckster. 'What do you think of that?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller being in the main a good-natured fellow, and not perceiving + in the conduct of Kit any villany of enormous magnitude, scarcely knew + what answer to return. He was relieved from his perplexity, however, by + the entrance of Mr Sampson and his sister, Sally, at sight of whom Mr + Chuckster precipitately retired. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass and his lovely companion appeared to have been holding a + consultation over their temperate breakfast, upon some matter of great + interest and importance. On the occasion of such conferences, they + generally appeared in the office some half an hour after their usual time, + and in a very smiling state, as though their late plots and designs had + tranquillised their minds and shed a light upon their toilsome way. In the + present instance, they seemed particularly gay; Miss Sally's aspect being + of a most oily kind, and Mr Brass rubbing his hands in an exceedingly + jocose and light-hearted manner. +</p> + <p> +'Well, Mr Richard,' said Brass. 'How are + we this morning? Are we pretty fresh and cheerful sir—eh, Mr + Richard?' + </p> + <p> + 'Pretty well, sir,' replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'That's well,' said Brass. 'Ha ha! We should be as gay as larks, Mr + Richard—why not? It's a pleasant world we live in sir, a very + pleasant world. There are bad people in it, Mr Richard, but if there were + no bad people, there would be no good lawyers. Ha ha! Any letters by the + post this morning, Mr Richard?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller answered in the negative. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' said Brass, 'no matter. If there's little business to-day, there'll + be more to-morrow. A contented spirit, Mr Richard, is the sweetness of + existence. Anybody been here, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'Only my friend'—replied Dick. 'May we ne'er want a—' + </p> + <p> + 'Friend,' Brass chimed in quickly, 'or a bottle to give him. Ha ha! + That's the way the song runs, isn't it? A very good song, Mr Richard, very + good. I like the sentiment of it. Ha ha! Your friend's the young man from + Witherden's office I think—yes—May we ne'er want a— + Nobody else at all, been, Mr Richard?' + </p> + <p> + 'Only somebody to the lodger,' replied Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh indeed!' cried Brass. 'Somebody to the lodger eh? Ha ha! May we ne'er + want a friend, or a——Somebody to the lodger, eh, Mr Richard?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Dick, a little disconcerted by the excessive buoyancy of + spirits which his employer displayed. 'With him now.' + </p> + <p> + 'With him now!' cried Brass; 'Ha ha! There let 'em be, merry and free, + toor rul lol le. Eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh certainly,' replied Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'And who,' said Brass, shuffling among his papers, 'who is the lodger's + visitor—not a lady visitor, I hope, eh, Mr Richard? The morals of + the Marks you know, sir—"when lovely women stoops to folly"—and + all that—eh, Mr Richard?' + </p> + <p> + 'Another young man, who belongs to Witherden's too, or half belongs + there,' returned Richard. 'Kit, they call him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Kit, eh!' said Brass. 'Strange name—name of a dancing-master's + fiddle, eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha! Kit's there, is he? Oh!' + </p> + <p> + Dick looked at Miss Sally, wondering that she didn't check this uncommon + exuberance on the part of Mr Sampson; but as she made no attempt to do so, + and rather appeared to exhibit a tacit acquiescence in it, he concluded + that they had just been cheating somebody, and receiving the bill. + </p> + <p> + 'Will you have the goodness, Mr Richard,' said Brass, taking a letter from + his desk, 'just to step over to Peckham Rye with that? There's no answer, + but it's rather particular and should go by hand. Charge the office with + your coach-hire back, you know; don't spare the office; get as much out of + it as you can—clerk's motto—Eh, Mr Richard? Ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller solemnly doffed the aquatic jacket, put on his coat, took + down his hat from its peg, pocketed the letter, and departed. As soon as + he was gone, up rose Miss Sally Brass, and smiling sweetly at her brother + (who nodded and smote his nose in return) withdrew also. + </p> + <p> + Sampson Brass was no sooner left alone, than he set the office-door wide + open, and establishing himself at his desk directly opposite, so that he + could not fail to see anybody who came down-stairs and passed out at the + street door, began to write with extreme cheerfulness and assiduity; + humming as he did so, in a voice that was anything but musical, certain + vocal snatches which appeared to have reference to the union between + Church and State, inasmuch as they were compounded of the Evening Hymn and + God save the King. + </p> + <p> + Thus, the attorney of Bevis Marks sat, and wrote, and hummed, for a long + time, except when he stopped to listen with a very cunning face, and + hearing nothing, went on humming louder, and writing slower than ever. At + length, in one of these pauses, he heard his lodger's door opened and + shut, and footsteps coming down the stairs. Then, Mr Brass left off + writing entirely, and, with his pen in his hand, hummed his very loudest; + shaking his head meanwhile from side to side, like a man whose whole soul + was in the music, and smiling in a manner quite seraphic. + </p> + <p> + It was towards this moving spectacle that the staircase and the sweet + sounds guided Kit; on whose arrival before his door, Mr Brass stopped his + singing, but not his smiling, and nodded affably: at the same time + beckoning to him with his pen. + </p> + <p> + 'Kit,' said Mr Brass, in the pleasantest way imaginable, 'how do you do?' + </p> + <p> + Kit, being rather shy of his friend, made a suitable reply, and had his + hand upon the lock of the street door when Mr Brass called him softly + back. + </p> + <p> + 'You are not to go, if you please, Kit,' said the attorney in a mysterious + and yet business-like way. 'You are to step in here, if you please. Dear + me, dear me! When I look at you,' said the lawyer, quitting his stool, and + standing before the fire with his back towards it, 'I am reminded of the + sweetest little face that ever my eyes beheld. I remember your coming + there, twice or thrice, when we were in possession. Ah Kit, my dear + fellow, gentleman in my profession have such painful duties to perform + sometimes, that you needn't envy us—you needn't indeed!' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't, sir,' said Kit, 'though it isn't for the like of me to judge.' + </p> + <p> + 'Our only consolation, Kit,' pursued the lawyer, looking at him in a sort + of pensive abstraction, 'is, that although we cannot turn away the wind, + we can soften it; we can temper it, if I may say so, to the shorn lambs.' + </p> + <p> + 'Shorn indeed!' thought Kit. 'Pretty close!' But he didn't say <i>so</i>. + </p> + <p> + 'On that occasion, Kit,' said Mr Brass, 'on that occasion that I have just + alluded to, I had a hard battle with Mr Quilp (for Mr Quilp is a very hard + man) to obtain them the indulgence they had. It might have cost me a + client. But suffering virtue inspired me, and I prevailed.' + </p> + <p> + 'He's not so bad after all,' thought honest Kit, as the attorney pursed up + his lips and looked like a man who was struggling with his better + feelings. + </p> + <p> + 'I respect you, Kit,' said Brass with emotion. 'I saw enough of your + conduct, at that time, to respect you, though your station is humble, and + your fortune lowly. It isn't the waistcoat that I look at. It is the + heart. The checks in the waistcoat are but the wires of the cage. But the + heart is the bird. Ah! How many sich birds are perpetually moulting, and + putting their beaks through the wires to peck at all mankind!' + </p> + <p> + This poetic figure, which Kit took to be in a special allusion to his own + checked waistcoat, quite overcame him; Mr Brass's voice and manner added + not a little to its effect, for he discoursed with all the mild austerity + of a hermit, and wanted but a cord round the waist of his rusty surtout, + and a skull on the chimney-piece, to be completely set up in that line of + business. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, well,' said Sampson, smiling as good men smile when they + compassionate their own weakness or that of their fellow-creatures, 'this + is wide of the bull's-eye. You're to take that, if you please.' As he + spoke, he pointed to a couple of half-crowns on the desk. + </p> + <p> + Kit looked at the coins, and then at Sampson, and hesitated. + </p> + <p> + 'For yourself,' said Brass. 'From—' + </p> + <p> + 'No matter about the person they came from,' replied the lawyer. 'Say me, + if you like. We have eccentric friends overhead, Kit, and we mustn't ask + questions or talk too much—you understand? You're to take them, + that's all; and between you and me, I don't think they'll be the last + you'll have to take from the same place. I hope not. Good bye, Kit. Good + bye!' + </p> + <p> + With many thanks, and many more self-reproaches for having on such slight + grounds suspected one who in their very first conversation turned out such + a different man from what he had supposed, Kit took the money and made the + best of his way home. Mr Brass remained airing himself at the fire, and + resumed his vocal exercise, and his seraphic smile, simultaneously. + </p> + <p> + 'May I come in?' said Miss Sally, peeping. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes, you may come in,' returned her brother. + </p> + <p> + 'Ahem!' coughed Miss Brass interrogatively. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, yes,' returned Sampson, 'I should say as good as done.' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap57"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 57 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>r Chuckster's indignant apprehensions were not without foundation. + Certainly the friendship between the single gentleman and Mr Garland was + not suffered to cool, but had a rapid growth and flourished exceedingly. + They were soon in habits of constant intercourse and communication; and + the single gentleman labouring at this time under a slight attack of + illness—the consequence most probably of his late excited feelings + and subsequent disappointment—furnished a reason for their holding + yet more frequent correspondence; so that some one of the inmates of Abel + Cottage, Finchley, came backwards and forwards between that place and + Bevis Marks, almost every day. + </p> + <p> + As the pony had now thrown off all disguise, and without any mincing of + the matter or beating about the bush, sturdily refused to be driven by + anybody but Kit, it generally happened that whether old Mr Garland came, + or Mr Abel, Kit was of the party. Of all messages and inquiries, Kit was, + in right of his position, the bearer; thus it came about that, while the + single gentleman remained indisposed, Kit turned into Bevis Marks every + morning with nearly as much regularity as the General Postman. + </p> + <p> + Mr Sampson Brass, who no doubt had his reasons for looking sharply about + him, soon learnt to distinguish the pony's trot and the clatter of the + little chaise at the corner of the street. Whenever the sound reached his + ears, he would immediately lay down his pen and fall to rubbing his hands + and exhibiting the greatest glee. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha ha!' he would cry. 'Here's the pony again! Most remarkable pony, + extremely docile, eh, Mr Richard, eh sir?' + </p> + <p> + Dick would return some matter-of-course reply, and Mr Brass standing on + the bottom rail of his stool, so as to get a view of the street over the + top of the window-blind, would take an observation of the visitors. + </p> + <p> + 'The old gentleman again!' he would exclaim, 'a very prepossessing old + gentleman, Mr Richard—charming countenance, sir—extremely calm—benevolence + in every feature, sir. He quite realises my idea of King Lear, as he + appeared when in possession of his kingdom, Mr Richard—the same good + humour, the same white hair and partial baldness, the same liability to be + imposed upon. Ah! A sweet subject for contemplation, sir, very sweet!' + </p> + <p> + Then Mr Garland having alighted and gone up-stairs, Sampson would nod and + smile to Kit from the window, and presently walk out into the street to + greet him, when some such conversation as the following would ensue. + </p> + <p> + 'Admirably groomed, Kit'—Mr Brass is patting the pony—'does + you great credit—amazingly sleek and bright to be sure. He literally + looks as if he had been varnished all over.' + </p> + <p> + Kit touches his hat, smiles, pats the pony himself, and expresses his + conviction, 'that Mr Brass will not find many like him.' + </p> + <p> + 'A beautiful animal indeed!' cries Brass. 'Sagacious too?' + </p> + <p> + 'Bless you!' replies Kit, 'he knows what you say to him as well as a + Christian does.' + </p> + <p> + 'Does he indeed!' cries Brass, who has heard the same thing in the same + place from the same person in the same words a dozen times, but is + paralysed with astonishment notwithstanding. 'Dear me!' + </p> + <p> + 'I little thought the first time I saw him, Sir,' says Kit, pleased with + the attorney's strong interest in his favourite, 'that I should come to be + as intimate with him as I am now.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' rejoins Mr Brass, brim-full of moral precepts and love of virtue. 'A + charming subject of reflection for you, very charming. A subject of proper + pride and congratulation, Christopher. Honesty is the best policy.—I + always find it so myself. I lost forty-seven pound ten by being honest + this morning. But it's all gain, it's gain!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass slyly tickles his nose with his pen, and looks at Kit with the + water standing in his eyes. Kit thinks that if ever there was a good man + who belied his appearance, that man is Sampson Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'A man,' says Sampson, 'who loses forty-seven pound ten in one morning by + his honesty, is a man to be envied. If it had been eighty pound, the + luxuriousness of feeling would have been increased. Every pound lost, + would have been a hundredweight of happiness gained. The still small + voice, Christopher,' cries Brass, smiling, and tapping himself on the + bosom, 'is a-singing comic songs within me, and all is happiness and joy!' + </p> + <p> + Kit is so improved by the conversation, and finds it go so completely home + to his feelings, that he is considering what he shall say, when Mr Garland + appears. The old gentleman is helped into the chaise with great + obsequiousness by Mr Sampson Brass; and the pony, after shaking his head + several times, and standing for three or four minutes with all his four + legs planted firmly on the ground, as if he had made up his mind never to + stir from that spot, but there to live and die, suddenly darts off, + without the smallest notice, at the rate of twelve English miles an hour. + Then, Mr Brass and his sister (who has joined him at the door) exchange an + odd kind of smile—not at all a pleasant one in its expression—and + return to the society of Mr Richard Swiveller, who, during their absence, + has been regaling himself with various feats of pantomime, and is + discovered at his desk, in a very flushed and heated condition, violently + scratching out nothing with half a penknife. + </p> + <p> + Whenever Kit came alone, and without the chaise, it always happened that + Sampson Brass was reminded of some mission, calling Mr Swiveller, if not + to Peckham Rye again, at all events to some pretty distant place from + which he could not be expected to return for two or three hours, or in all + probability a much longer period, as that gentleman was not, to say the + truth, renowned for using great expedition on such occasions, but rather + for protracting and spinning out the time to the very utmost limit of + possibility. Mr Swiveller out of sight, Miss Sally immediately withdrew. + Mr Brass would then set the office-door wide open, hum his old tune with + great gaiety of heart, and smile seraphically as before. Kit coming + down-stairs would be called in; entertained with some moral and agreeable + conversation; perhaps entreated to mind the office for an instant while Mr + Brass stepped over the way; and afterwards presented with one or two + half-crowns as the case might be. This occurred so often, that Kit, + nothing doubting but that they came from the single gentleman who had + already rewarded his mother with great liberality, could not enough admire + his generosity; and bought so many cheap presents for her, and for little + Jacob, and for the baby, and for Barbara to boot, that one or other of + them was having some new trifle every day of their lives. + </p> + <p> + While these acts and deeds were in progress in and out of the office of + Sampson Brass, Richard Swiveller, being often left alone therein, began to + find the time hang heavy on his hands. For the better preservation of his + cheerfulness therefore, and to prevent his faculties from rusting, he + provided himself with a cribbage-board and pack of cards, and accustomed + himself to play at cribbage with a dummy, for twenty, thirty, or sometimes + even fifty thousand pounds aside, besides many hazardous bets to a + considerable amount. + </p> + <p> + As these games were very silently conducted, notwithstanding the magnitude + of the interests involved, Mr Swiveller began to think that on those + evenings when Mr and Miss Brass were out (and they often went out now) he + heard a kind of snorting or hard-breathing sound in the direction of the + door, which it occurred to him, after some reflection, must proceed from + the small servant, who always had a cold from damp living. Looking + intently that way one night, he plainly distinguished an eye gleaming and + glistening at the keyhole; and having now no doubt that his suspicions + were correct, he stole softly to the door, and pounced upon her before she + was aware of his approach. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! I didn't mean any harm indeed, upon my word I didn't,' cried the + small servant, struggling like a much larger one. 'It's so very dull, + down-stairs, Please don't you tell upon me, please don't.' + </p> + <p> + 'Tell upon you!' said Dick. 'Do you mean to say you were looking through + the keyhole for company?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, upon my word I was,' replied the small servant. + </p> + <p> + 'How long have you been cooling your eye there?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh ever since you first began to play them cards, and long before.' + </p> + <p> + Vague recollections of several fantastic exercises with which he had + refreshed himself after the fatigues of business, and to all of which, no + doubt, the small servant was a party, rather disconcerted Mr Swiveller; + but he was not very sensitive on such points, and recovered himself + speedily. + </p> + <p> + 'Well—come in'—he said, after a little consideration. 'Here—sit + down, and I'll teach you how to play.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! I durstn't do it,' rejoined the small servant; 'Miss Sally 'ud kill + me, if she know'd I come up here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Have you got a fire down-stairs?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'A very little one,' replied the small servant. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Sally couldn't kill me if she know'd I went down there, so I'll + come,' said Richard, putting the cards into his pocket. 'Why, how thin you + are! What do you mean by it?' + </p> + <p> + 'It ain't my fault.' + </p> + <p> + 'Could you eat any bread and meat?' said Dick, taking down his hat. 'Yes? + Ah! I thought so. Did you ever taste beer?' +</p> + <p> +'I had a sip of it once,' said the small servant. + </p> + <p> + 'Here's a state of things!' cried Mr Swiveller, raising his eyes to the + ceiling. 'She never tasted it—it can't be tasted in a sip! Why, how + old are you?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller opened his eyes very wide, and appeared thoughtful for a + moment; then, bidding the child mind the door until he came back, vanished + straightway. + </p> + <p> + Presently, he returned, followed by the boy from the public-house, who + bore in one hand a plate of bread and beef, and in the other a great pot, + filled with some very fragrant compound, which sent forth a grateful + steam, and was indeed choice purl, made after a particular recipe which Mr + Swiveller had imparted to the landlord, at a period when he was deep in + his books and desirous to conciliate his friendship. Relieving the boy of + his burden at the door, and charging his little companion to fasten it to + prevent surprise, Mr Swiveller followed her into the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + 'There!' said Richard, putting the plate before her. 'First of all clear + that off, and then you'll see what's next.' + </p> + <p> + The small servant needed no second bidding, and the plate was soon empty. + </p> + <p> + 'Next,' said Dick, handing the purl, 'take a pull at that; but moderate + your transports, you know, for you're not used to it. Well, is it good?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! isn't it?' said the small servant. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller appeared gratified beyond all expression by this reply, and + took a long draught himself, steadfastly regarding his companion while he + did so. These preliminaries disposed of, he applied himself to teaching + her the game, which she soon learnt tolerably well, being both + sharp-witted and cunning. + </p> + <p> + 'Now,' said Mr Swiveller, putting two sixpences into a saucer, and + trimming the wretched candle, when the cards had been cut and dealt, + 'those are the stakes. If you win, you get 'em all. If I win, I get 'em. + To make it seem more real and pleasant, I shall call you the Marchioness, + do you hear?' + </p> + <p> + The small servant nodded. + </p> + <p> + 'Then, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'fire away!' + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness, holding her cards very tight in both hands, considered + which to play, and Mr Swiveller, assuming the gay and fashionable air + which such society required, took another pull at the tankard, and waited + for her lead. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0414m.jpg" alt="0414m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0414.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap58"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 58 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">M</span>r Swiveller and his partner played several rubbers with varying success, + until the loss of three sixpences, the gradual sinking of the purl, and + the striking of ten o'clock, combined to render that gentleman mindful of + the flight of Time, and the expediency of withdrawing before Mr Sampson + and Miss Sally Brass returned. + </p> + <p> + 'With which object in view, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller gravely, 'I + shall ask your ladyship's permission to put the board in my pocket, and to + retire from the presence when I have finished this tankard; merely + observing, Marchioness, that since life like a river is flowing, I care + not how fast it rolls on, ma'am, on, while such purl on the bank still is + growing, and such eyes light the waves as they run. Marchioness, your + health. You will excuse my wearing my hat, but the palace is damp, and the + marble floor is—if I may be allowed the expression—sloppy.' + </p> + <p> + As a precaution against this latter inconvenience, Mr Swiveller had been + sitting for some time with his feet on the hob, in which attitude he now + gave utterance to these apologetic observations, and slowly sipped the + last choice drops of nectar. + </p> + <p> + 'The Baron Sampsono Brasso and his fair sister are (you tell me) at the + Play?' said Mr Swiveller, leaning his left arm heavily upon the table, and + raising his voice and his right leg after the manner of a theatrical + bandit. + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness nodded. + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' said Mr Swiveller, with a portentous frown. ''Tis well. Marchioness!—but + no matter. Some wine there. Ho!' He illustrated these melodramatic morsels + by handing the tankard to himself with great humility, receiving it + haughtily, drinking from it thirstily, and smacking his lips fiercely. + </p> + <p> + The small servant, who was not so well acquainted with theatrical + conventionalities as Mr Swiveller (having indeed never seen a play, or + heard one spoken of, except by chance through chinks of doors and in other + forbidden places), was rather alarmed by demonstrations so novel in their + nature, and showed her concern so plainly in her looks, that Mr Swiveller + felt it necessary to discharge his brigand manner for one more suitable to + private life, as he asked, + </p> + <p> + 'Do they often go where glory waits 'em, and leave you here?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, yes; I believe you they do,' returned the small servant. 'Miss + Sally's such a one-er for that, she is.' + </p> + <p> + 'Such a what?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Such a one-er,' returned the Marchioness. + </p> + <p> + After a moment's reflection, Mr Swiveller determined to forego his + responsible duty of setting her right, and to suffer her to talk on; as it + was evident that her tongue was loosened by the purl, and her + opportunities for conversation were not so frequent as to render a + momentary check of little consequence. + </p> + <p> + 'They sometimes go to see Mr Quilp,' said the small servant with a shrewd + look; 'they go to a many places, bless you!' + </p> + <p> + 'Is Mr Brass a wunner?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Not half what Miss Sally is, he isn't,' replied the small servant, + shaking her head. 'Bless you, he'd never do anything without her.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! He wouldn't, wouldn't he?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Sally keeps him in such order,' said the small servant; 'he always + asks her advice, he does; and he catches it sometimes. Bless you, you + wouldn't believe how much he catches it.' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose,' said Dick, 'that they consult together, a good deal, and talk + about a great many people—about me for instance, sometimes, eh, + Marchioness?' + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness nodded amazingly. + </p> + <p> + 'Complimentary?' said Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness changed the motion of her head, which had not yet left off + nodding, and suddenly began to shake it from side to side, with a + vehemence which threatened to dislocate her neck. + </p> + <p> + 'Humph!' Dick muttered. 'Would it be any breach of confidence, + Marchioness, to relate what they say of the humble individual who has now + the honour to—?' + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Sally says you're a funny chap,' replied his friend. + </p> + <p> + 'Well, Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'that's not uncomplimentary. + Merriment, Marchioness, is not a bad or a degrading quality. Old King Cole + was himself a merry old soul, if we may put any faith in the pages of + history.' + </p> + <p> + 'But she says,' pursued his companion, 'that you an't to be trusted.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, really Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, thoughtfully; 'several + ladies and gentlemen—not exactly professional persons, but + tradespeople, ma'am, tradespeople—have made the same remark. The + obscure citizen who keeps the hotel over the way, inclined strongly to + that opinion to-night when I ordered him to prepare the banquet. It's a + popular prejudice, Marchioness; and yet I am sure I don't know why, for I + have been trusted in my time to a considerable amount, and I can safely + say that I never forsook my trust until it deserted me—never. Mr + Brass is of the same opinion, I suppose?' + </p> + <p> + His friend nodded again, with a cunning look which seemed to hint that Mr + Brass held stronger opinions on the subject than his sister; and seeming + to recollect herself, added imploringly, 'But don't you ever tell upon me, + or I shall be beat to death.' + </p> + <p> + 'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, rising, 'the word of a gentleman is as + good as his bond—sometimes better, as in the present case, where his + bond might prove but a doubtful sort of security. I am your friend, and I + hope we shall play many more rubbers together in this same saloon. But, + Marchioness,' added Richard, stopping in his way to the door, and wheeling + slowly round upon the small servant, who was following with the candle; + 'it occurs to me that you must be in the constant habit of airing your eye + at keyholes, to know all this.' + </p> + <p> + 'I only wanted,' replied the trembling Marchioness, 'to know where the key + of the safe was hid; that was all; and I wouldn't have taken much, if I + had found it—only enough to squench my hunger.' + </p> + <p> + 'You didn't find it then?' said Dick. 'But of course you didn't, or you'd + be plumper. Good night, Marchioness. Fare thee well, and if for ever, then + for ever fare thee well—and put up the chain, Marchioness, in case + of accidents.' + </p> + <p> + With this parting injunction, Mr Swiveller emerged from the house; and + feeling that he had by this time taken quite as much to drink as promised + to be good for his constitution (purl being a rather strong and heady + compound), wisely resolved to betake himself to his lodgings, and to bed + at once. Homeward he went therefore; and his apartments (for he still + retained the plural fiction) being at no great distance from the office, + he was soon seated in his own bed-chamber, where, having pulled off one + boot and forgotten the other, he fell into deep cogitation. + </p> + <p> + 'This Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, folding his arms, 'is a very + extraordinary person—surrounded by mysteries, ignorant of the taste + of beer, unacquainted with her own name (which is less remarkable), and + taking a limited view of society through the keyholes of doors—can + these things be her destiny, or has some unknown person started an + opposition to the decrees of fate? It is a most inscrutable and + unmitigated staggerer!' + </p> + <p> + When his meditations had attained this satisfactory point, he became aware + of his remaining boot, of which, with unimpaired solemnity he proceeded to + divest himself; shaking his head with exceeding gravity all the time, and + sighing deeply. + </p> + <p> + 'These rubbers,' said Mr Swiveller, putting on his nightcap in exactly the + same style as he wore his hat, 'remind me of the matrimonial fireside. + Cheggs's wife plays cribbage; all-fours likewise. She rings the changes on + 'em now. From sport to sport they hurry her to banish her regrets, and + when they win a smile from her, they think that she forgets—but she + don't. By this time, I should say,' added Richard, getting his left cheek + into profile, and looking complacently at the reflection of a very little + scrap of whisker in the looking-glass; 'by this time, I should say, the + iron has entered into her soul. It serves her right!' + </p> + <p> + Melting from this stern and obdurate, into the tender and pathetic mood, + Mr Swiveller groaned a little, walked wildly up and down, and even made a + show of tearing his hair, which, however, he thought better of, and + wrenched the tassel from his nightcap instead. At last, undressing himself + with a gloomy resolution, he got into bed. + </p> + <p> + Some men in his blighted position would have taken to drinking; but as Mr + Swiveller had taken to that before, he only took, on receiving the news + that Sophy Wackles was lost to him for ever, to playing the flute; + thinking after mature consideration that it was a good, sound, dismal + occupation, not only in unison with his own sad thoughts, but calculated + to awaken a fellow-feeling in the bosoms of his neighbours. In pursuance + of this resolution, he now drew a little table to his bedside, and + arranging the light and a small oblong music-book to the best advantage, + took his flute from its box, and began to play most mournfully. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0418m.jpg" alt="0418m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0418.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + The air was 'Away with melancholy'—a composition, which, when it is + played very slowly on the flute, in bed, with the further disadvantage of + being performed by a gentleman but imperfectly acquainted with the + instrument, who repeats one note a great many times before he can find the + next, has not a lively effect. Yet, for half the night, or more, Mr + Swiveller, lying sometimes on his back with his eyes upon the ceiling, and + sometimes half out of bed to correct himself by the book, played this + unhappy tune over and over again; never leaving off, save for a minute or + two at a time to take breath and soliloquise about the Marchioness, and + then beginning again with renewed vigour. It was not until he had quite + exhausted his several subjects of meditation, and had breathed into the + flute the whole sentiment of the purl down to its very dregs, and had + nearly maddened the people of the house, and at both the next doors, and + over the way—that he shut up the music-book, extinguished the + candle, and finding himself greatly lightened and relieved in his mind, + turned round and fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + He awoke in the morning, much refreshed; and having taken half an hour's + exercise at the flute, and graciously received a notice to quit from his + landlady, who had been in waiting on the stairs for that purpose since the + dawn of day, repaired to Bevis Marks; where the beautiful Sally was + already at her post, bearing in her looks a radiance, mild as that which + beameth from the virgin moon. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller acknowledged her presence by a nod, and exchanged his coat + for the aquatic jacket; which usually took some time fitting on, for in + consequence of a tightness in the sleeves, it was only to be got into by a + series of struggles. This difficulty overcome, he took his seat at the + desk. + </p> + <p> + 'I say'—quoth Miss Brass, abruptly breaking silence, 'you haven't + seen a silver pencil-case this morning, have you?' + </p> + <p> + 'I didn't meet many in the street,' rejoined Mr Swiveller. 'I saw one—a + stout pencil-case of respectable appearance—but as he was in company + with an elderly penknife, and a young toothpick with whom he was in + earnest conversation, I felt a delicacy in speaking to him.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, but have you?' returned Miss Brass. 'Seriously, you know.' + </p> + <p> + 'What a dull dog you must be to ask me such a question seriously,' said Mr + Swiveller. 'Haven't I this moment come?' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, all I know is,' replied Miss Sally, 'that it's not to be found, and + that it disappeared one day this week, when I left it on the desk.' + </p> + <p> + 'Halloa!' thought Richard, 'I hope the Marchioness hasn't been at work + here.' + </p> + <p> + 'There was a knife too,' said Miss Sally, 'of the same pattern. They were + given to me by my father, years ago, and are both gone. You haven't missed + anything yourself, have you?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller involuntarily clapped his hands to the jacket to be quite + sure that it <i>was </i>a jacket and not a skirted coat; and having satisfied + himself of the safety of this, his only moveable in Bevis Marks, made + answer in the negative. + </p> + <p> + 'It's a very unpleasant thing, Dick,' said Miss Brass, pulling out the tin + box and refreshing herself with a pinch of snuff; 'but between you and me—between + friends you know, for if Sammy knew it, I should never hear the last of it—some + of the office-money, too, that has been left about, has gone in the same + way. In particular, I have missed three half-crowns at three different + times.' + </p> + <p> + 'You don't mean that?' cried Dick. 'Be careful what you say, old boy, for + this is a serious matter. Are you quite sure? Is there no mistake?' + </p> + <p> + 'It is so, and there can't be any mistake at all,' rejoined Miss Brass + emphatically. + </p> + <p> + 'Then by Jove,' thought Richard, laying down his pen, 'I am afraid the + Marchioness is done for!' + </p> + <p> + The more he discussed the subject in his thoughts, the more probable it + appeared to Dick that the miserable little servant was the culprit. When + he considered on what a spare allowance of food she lived, how neglected + and untaught she was, and how her natural cunning had been sharpened by + necessity and privation, he scarcely doubted it. And yet he pitied her so + much, and felt so unwilling to have a matter of such gravity disturbing + the oddity of their acquaintance, that he thought, and thought truly, that + rather than receive fifty pounds down, he would have the Marchioness + proved innocent. + </p> + <p> + While he was plunged in very profound and serious meditation upon this + theme, Miss Sally sat shaking her head with an air of great mystery and + doubt; when the voice of her brother Sampson, carolling a cheerful strain, + was heard in the passage, and that gentleman himself, beaming with + virtuous smiles, appeared. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Richard, sir, good morning! Here we are again, sir, entering upon + another day, with our bodies strengthened by slumber and breakfast, and + our spirits fresh and flowing. Here we are, Mr Richard, rising with the + sun to run our little course—our course of duty, sir—and, like + him, to get through our day's work with credit to ourselves and advantage + to our fellow-creatures. A charming reflection sir, very charming!' + </p> + <p> + While he addressed his clerk in these words, Mr Brass was, somewhat + ostentatiously, engaged in minutely examining and holding up against the + light a five-pound bank note, which he had brought in, in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Mr Richard not receiving his remarks with anything like enthusiasm, his + employer turned his eyes to his face, and observed that it wore a troubled + expression. + </p> + <p> + 'You're out of spirits, sir,' said Brass. 'Mr Richard, sir, we should fall + to work cheerfully, and not in a despondent state. It becomes us, Mr + Richard, sir, to—' + </p> + <p> + Here the chaste Sarah heaved a loud sigh. + </p> + <p> + 'Dear me!' said Mr Sampson, 'you too! Is anything the matter? Mr Richard, + sir—' + </p> + <p> + Dick, glancing at Miss Sally, saw that she was making signals to him, to + acquaint her brother with the subject of their recent conversation. As his + own position was not a very pleasant one until the matter was set at rest + one way or other, he did so; and Miss Brass, plying her snuff-box at a + most wasteful rate, corroborated his account. + </p> + <p> + The countenance of Sampson fell, and anxiety overspread his features. + Instead of passionately bewailing the loss of his money, as Miss Sally had + expected, he walked on tiptoe to the door, opened it, looked outside, shut + it softly, returned on tiptoe, and said in a whisper, + </p> + <p> + 'This is a most extraordinary and painful circumstance—Mr Richard, + sir, a most painful circumstance. The fact is, that I myself have missed + several small sums from the desk, of late, and have refrained from + mentioning it, hoping that accident would discover the offender; but it + has not done so—it has not done so. Sally—Mr Richard, sir—this + is a particularly distressing affair!' + </p> + <p> + As Sampson spoke, he laid the bank-note upon the desk among some papers, + in an absent manner, and thrust his hands into his pockets. Richard + Swiveller pointed to it, and admonished him to take it up. + </p> + <p> + 'No, Mr Richard, sir,' rejoined Brass with emotion, 'I will not take it + up. I will let it lie there, sir. To take it up, Mr Richard, sir, would + imply a doubt of you; and in you, sir, I have unlimited confidence. We + will let it lie there, Sir, if you please, and we will not take it up by + any means.' With that, Mr Brass patted him twice or thrice on the + shoulder, in a most friendly manner, and entreated him to believe that he + had as much faith in his honesty as he had in his own. + </p> + <p> + Although at another time Mr Swiveller might have looked upon this as a + doubtful compliment, he felt it, under the then-existing circumstances, a + great relief to be assured that he was not wrongfully suspected. When he + had made a suitable reply, Mr Brass wrung him by the hand, and fell into a + brown study, as did Miss Sally likewise. Richard too remained in a + thoughtful state; fearing every moment to hear the Marchioness impeached, + and unable to resist the conviction that she must be guilty. + </p> + <p> + When they had severally remained in this condition for some minutes, Miss + Sally all at once gave a loud rap upon the desk with her clenched fist, + and cried, 'I've hit it!'—as indeed she had, and chipped a piece out + of it too; but that was not her meaning. + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' cried Brass anxiously. 'Go on, will you!' + </p> + <p> + 'Why,' replied his sister with an air of triumph, 'hasn't there been + somebody always coming in and out of this office for the last three or + four weeks; hasn't that somebody been left alone in it sometimes—thanks + to you; and do you mean to tell me that that somebody isn't the thief!' + </p> + <p> + 'What somebody?' blustered Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, what do you call him—Kit.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Garland's young man?' + </p> + <p> + 'To be sure.' + </p> + <p> + 'Never!' cried Brass. 'Never. I'll not hear of it. Don't tell me'—said + Sampson, shaking his head, and working with both his hands as if he were + clearing away ten thousand cobwebs. 'I'll never believe it of him. Never!' + </p> + <p> + 'I say,' repeated Miss Brass, taking another pinch of snuff, 'that he's + the thief.' + </p> + <p> + 'I say,' returned Sampson violently, 'that he is not. What do you mean? + How dare you? Are characters to be whispered away like this? Do you know + that he's the honestest and faithfullest fellow that ever lived, and that + he has an irreproachable good name? Come in, come in!' + </p> + <p> + These last words were not addressed to Miss Sally, though they partook of + the tone in which the indignant remonstrances that preceded them had been + uttered. They were addressed to some person who had knocked at the + office-door; and they had hardly passed the lips of Mr Brass, when this + very Kit himself looked in. + </p> + <p> + 'Is the gentleman up-stairs, sir, if you please?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, Kit,' said Brass, still fired with an honest indignation, and + frowning with knotted brows upon his sister; 'Yes Kit, he is. I am glad to + see you Kit, I am rejoiced to see you. Look in again, as you come + down-stairs, Kit. That lad a robber!' cried Brass when he had withdrawn, + 'with that frank and open countenance! I'd trust him with untold gold. Mr + Richard, sir, have the goodness to step directly to Wrasp and Co.'s in + Broad Street, and inquire if they have had instructions to appear in + Carkem and Painter. <i>That </i>lad a robber,' sneered Sampson, flushed and + heated with his wrath. 'Am I blind, deaf, silly; do I know nothing of + human nature when I see it before me? Kit a robber! Bah!' + </p> + <p> + Flinging this final interjection at Miss Sally with immeasurable scorn and + contempt, Sampson Brass thrust his head into his desk, as if to shut the + base world from his view, and breathed defiance from under its half-closed + lid. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap59"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 59 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen Kit, having discharged his errand, came down-stairs from the single + gentleman's apartment after the lapse of a quarter of an hour or so, Mr + Sampson Brass was alone in the office. He was not singing as usual, nor + was he seated at his desk. The open door showed him standing before the + fire with his back towards it, and looking so very strange that Kit + supposed he must have been suddenly taken ill. + </p> + <p> + 'Is anything the matter, sir?' said Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Matter!' cried Brass. 'No. Why anything the matter?' + </p> + <p> + 'You are so very pale,' said Kit, 'that I should hardly have known you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Pooh pooh! mere fancy,' cried Brass, stooping to throw up the cinders. + 'Never better, Kit, never better in all my life. Merry too. Ha ha! How's + our friend above-stairs, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'A great deal better,' said Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad to hear it,' rejoined Brass; 'thankful, I may say. An excellent + gentleman—worthy, liberal, generous, gives very little trouble—an + admirable lodger. Ha ha! Mr Garland—he's well I hope, Kit—and + the pony—my friend, my particular friend you know. Ha ha!' + </p> + <p> + Kit gave a satisfactory account of all the little household at Abel + Cottage. Mr Brass, who seemed remarkably inattentive and impatient, + mounted on his stool, and beckoning him to come nearer, took him by the + button-hole. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been thinking, Kit,' said the lawyer, 'that I could throw some + little emoluments in your mother's way—You have a mother, I think? + If I recollect right, you told me—' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes, Sir, yes certainly.' + </p> + <p> + 'A widow, I think? an industrious widow?' + </p> + <p> + 'A harder-working woman or a better mother never lived, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' cried Brass. 'That's affecting, truly affecting. A poor widow + struggling to maintain her orphans in decency and comfort, is a delicious + picture of human goodness.—Put down your hat, Kit.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you Sir, I must be going directly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Put it down while you stay, at any rate,' said Brass, taking it from him + and making some confusion among the papers, in finding a place for it on + the desk. 'I was thinking, Kit, that we have often houses to let for + people we are concerned for, and matters of that sort. Now you know we're + obliged to put people into those houses to take care of 'em—very + often undeserving people that we can't depend upon. What's to prevent our + having a person that we <i>can </i>depend upon, and enjoying the delight of doing + a good action at the same time? I say, what's to prevent our employing + this worthy woman, your mother? What with one job and another, there's + lodging—and good lodging too—pretty well all the year round, + rent free, and a weekly allowance besides, Kit, that would provide her + with a great many comforts she don't at present enjoy. Now what do you + think of that? Do you see any objection? My only desire is to serve you, + Kit; therefore if you do, say so freely.' + </p> + <p> + As Brass spoke, he moved the hat twice or thrice, and shuffled among the + papers again, as if in search of something. + </p> + <p> + 'How can I see any objection to such a kind offer, sir?' replied Kit with + his whole heart. 'I don't know how to thank you sir, I don't indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why then,' said Brass, suddenly turning upon him and thrusting his face + close to Kit's with such a repulsive smile that the latter, even in the + very height of his gratitude, drew back, quite startled. 'Why then, it's + done.' + </p> + <p> + Kit looked at him in some confusion. + </p> + <p> + 'Done, I say,' added Sampson, rubbing his hands and veiling himself again + in his usual oily manner. 'Ha ha! and so you shall find Kit, so you shall + find. But dear me,' said Brass, 'what a time Mr Richard is gone! A sad + loiterer to be sure! Will you mind the office one minute, while I run + up-stairs? Only one minute. I'll not detain you an instant longer, on any + account, Kit.' + </p> + <p> + Talking as he went, Mr Brass bustled out of the office, and in a very + short time returned. Mr Swiveller came back, almost at the same instant; + and as Kit was leaving the room hastily, to make up for lost time, Miss + Brass herself encountered him in the doorway. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' sneered Sally, looking after him as she entered. 'There goes your + pet, Sammy, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah! There he goes,' replied Brass. 'My pet, if you please. An honest + fellow, Mr Richard, sir—a worthy fellow indeed!' + </p> + <p> + 'Hem!' coughed Miss Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you, you aggravating vagabond,' said the angry Sampson, 'that I'd + stake my life upon his honesty. Am I never to hear the last of this? Am I + always to be baited, and beset, by your mean suspicions? Have you no + regard for true merit, you malignant fellow? If you come to that, I'd + sooner suspect your honesty than his.' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally pulled out the tin snuff-box, and took a long, slow pinch, + regarding her brother with a steady gaze all the time. + </p> + <p> + 'She drives me wild, Mr Richard, sir,' said Brass, 'she exasperates me + beyond all bearing. I am heated and excited, sir, I know I am. These are + not business manners, sir, nor business looks, but she carries me out of + myself.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why don't you leave him alone?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Because she can't, sir,' retorted Brass; 'because to chafe and vex me is + a part of her nature, Sir, and she will and must do it, or I don't believe + she'd have her health. But never mind,' said Brass, 'never mind. I've + carried my point. I've shown my confidence in the lad. He has minded the + office again. Ha ha! Ugh, you viper!' + </p> + <p> + The beautiful virgin took another pinch, and put the snuff-box in her + pocket; still looking at her brother with perfect composure. + </p> + <p> + 'He has minded the office again,' said Brass triumphantly; 'he has had my + confidence, and he shall continue to have it; he—why, where's the—' + </p> + <p> + 'What have you lost?' inquired Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Dear me!' said Brass, slapping all his pockets, one after another, and + looking into his desk, and under it, and upon it, and wildly tossing the + papers about, 'the note, Mr Richard, sir, the five-pound note—what + can have become of it? I laid it down here—God bless me!' + </p> + <p> + 'What!' cried Miss Sally, starting up, clapping her hands, and scattering + the papers on the floor. 'Gone! Now who's right? Now who's got it? Never + mind five pounds—what's five pounds? He's honest, you know, quite + honest. It would be mean to suspect him. Don't run after him. No, no, not + for the world!' + </p> + <p> + 'Is it really gone though?' said Dick, looking at Brass with a face as + pale as his own. + </p> + <p> + 'Upon my word, Mr Richard, Sir,' replied the lawyer, feeling in all his + pockets with looks of the greatest agitation, 'I fear this is a black + business. It's certainly gone, Sir. What's to be done?' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't run after him,' said Miss Sally, taking more snuff. 'Don't run + after him on any account. Give him time to get rid of it, you know. It + would be cruel to find him out!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller and Sampson Brass looked from Miss Sally to each other, in a + state of bewilderment, and then, as by one impulse, caught up their hats + and rushed out into the street—darting along in the middle of the + road, and dashing aside all obstructions, as though they were running for + their lives. + </p> + <p> + It happened that Kit had been running too, though not so fast, and having + the start of them by some few minutes, was a good distance ahead. As they + were pretty certain of the road he must have taken, however, and kept on + at a great pace, they came up with him, at the very moment when he had + taken breath, and was breaking into a run again. + </p> + <p> + 'Stop!' cried Sampson, laying his hand on one shoulder, while Mr Swiveller + pounced upon the other. 'Not so fast sir. You're in a hurry?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, I am,' said Kit, looking from one to the other in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + 'I—I—can hardly believe it,' panted Sampson, 'but something of + value is missing from the office. I hope you don't know what.' + </p> + <p> + 'Know what! good Heaven, Mr Brass!' cried Kit, trembling from head to + foot; 'you don't suppose—' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no,' rejoined Brass quickly, 'I don't suppose anything. Don't say I + said you did. You'll come back quietly, I hope?' + </p> + <p> + 'Of course I will,' returned Kit. 'Why not?' + </p> + <p> + 'To be sure!' said Brass. 'Why not? I hope there may turn out to be no why + not. If you knew the trouble I've been in, this morning, through taking + your part, Christopher, you'd be sorry for it.' + </p> + <p> + 'And I am sure you'll be sorry for having suspected me sir,' replied Kit. + 'Come. Let us make haste back.' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly!' cried Brass, 'the quicker, the better. Mr Richard—have + the goodness, sir, to take that arm. I'll take this one. It's not easy + walking three abreast, but under these circumstances it must be done, sir; + there's no help for it.' + </p> + <p> + Kit did turn from white to red, and from red to white again, when they + secured him thus, and for a moment seemed disposed to resist. But, quickly + recollecting himself, and remembering that if he made any struggle, he + would perhaps be dragged by the collar through the public streets, he only + repeated, with great earnestness and with the tears standing in his eyes, + that they would be sorry for this—and suffered them to lead him off. + While they were on the way back, Mr Swiveller, upon whom his present + functions sat very irksomely, took an opportunity of whispering in his ear + that if he would confess his guilt, even by so much as a nod, and promise + not to do so any more, he would connive at his kicking Sampson Brass on + the shins and escaping up a court; but Kit indignantly rejecting this + proposal, Mr Richard had nothing for it, but to hold him tight until they + reached Bevis Marks, and ushered him into the presence of the charming + Sarah, who immediately took the precaution of locking the door. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, you know,' said Brass, 'if this is a case of innocence, it is a case + of that description, Christopher, where the fullest disclosure is the best + satisfaction for everybody. Therefore if you'll consent to an + examination,' he demonstrated what kind of examination he meant by turning + back the cuffs of his coat, 'it will be a comfortable and pleasant thing + for all parties.' + </p> + <p> + 'Search me,' said Kit, proudly holding up his arms. 'But mind, sir—I + know you'll be sorry for this, to the last day of your life.' + </p> + <p> + 'It is certainly a very painful occurrence,' said Brass with a sigh, as he + dived into one of Kit's pockets, and fished up a miscellaneous collection + of small articles; 'very painful. Nothing here, Mr Richard, Sir, all + perfectly satisfactory. Nor here, sir. Nor in the waistcoat, Mr Richard, + nor in the coat tails. So far, I am rejoiced, I am sure.' + </p> + <p> + Richard Swiveller, holding Kit's hat in his hand, was watching the + proceedings with great interest, and bore upon his face the slightest + possible indication of a smile, as Brass, shutting one of his eyes, looked + with the other up the inside of one of the poor fellow's sleeves as if it + were a telescope—when Sampson turning hastily to him, bade him + search the hat. + </p> + <p> + 'Here's a handkerchief,' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'No harm in that sir,' rejoined Brass, applying his eye to the other + sleeve, and speaking in the voice of one who was contemplating an immense + extent of prospect. 'No harm in a handkerchief Sir, whatever. The faculty + don't consider it a healthy custom, I believe, Mr Richard, to carry one's + handkerchief in one's hat—I have heard that it keeps the head too + warm—but in every other point of view, its being there, is extremely + satisfactory—extremely so.' + </p> + <p> + An exclamation, at once from Richard Swiveller, Miss Sally, and Kit + himself, cut the lawyer short. He turned his head, and saw Dick standing + with the bank-note in his hand. + </p> + <p> + 'In the hat?' cried Brass in a sort of shriek. + </p> + <p> + 'Under the handkerchief, and tucked beneath the lining,' said Dick, aghast + at the discovery. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass looked at him, at his sister, at the walls, at the ceiling, at + the floor—everywhere but at Kit, who stood quite stupefied and + motionless. + </p> + <p> + 'And this,' cried Sampson, clasping his hands, 'is the world that turns + upon its own axis, and has Lunar influences, and revolutions round + Heavenly Bodies, and various games of that sort! This is human natur, is + it! Oh natur, natur! This is the miscreant that I was going to benefit + with all my little arts, and that, even now, I feel so much for, as to + wish to let him go! But,' added Mr Brass with greater fortitude, 'I am + myself a lawyer, and bound to set an example in carrying the laws of my + happy country into effect. Sally my dear, forgive me, and catch hold of + him on the other side. Mr Richard, sir, have the goodness to run and fetch + a constable. The weakness is past and over sir, and moral strength + returns. A constable, sir, if you please!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap60"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 60 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it stood as one entranced, with his eyes opened wide and fixed upon the + ground, regardless alike of the tremulous hold which Mr Brass maintained + on one side of his cravat, and of the firmer grasp of Miss Sally upon the + other; although this latter detention was in itself no small + inconvenience, as that fascinating woman, besides screwing her knuckles + inconveniently into his throat from time to time, had fastened upon him in + the first instance with so tight a grip that even in the disorder and + distraction of his thoughts he could not divest himself of an uneasy sense + of choking. Between the brother and sister he remained in this posture, + quite unresisting and passive, until Mr Swiveller returned, with a police + constable at his heels. + </p> + <p> + This functionary, being, of course, well used to such scenes; looking upon + all kinds of robbery, from petty larceny up to housebreaking or ventures + on the highway, as matters in the regular course of business; and + regarding the perpetrators in the light of so many customers coming to be + served at the wholesale and retail shop of criminal law where he stood + behind the counter; received Mr Brass's statement of facts with about as + much interest and surprise, as an undertaker might evince if required to + listen to a circumstantial account of the last illness of a person whom he + was called in to wait upon professionally; and took Kit into custody with + a decent indifference. + </p> + <p> + 'We had better,' said this subordinate minister of justice, 'get to the + office while there's a magistrate sitting. I shall want you to come along + with us, Mr Brass, and the—' he looked at Miss Sally as if in some + doubt whether she might not be a griffin or other fabulous monster. + </p> + <p> + 'The lady, eh?' said Sampson. + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' replied the constable. 'Yes—the lady. Likewise the young man + that found the property.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Richard, Sir,' said Brass in a mournful voice. 'A sad necessity. But + the altar of our country sir—' + </p> + <p> + 'You'll have a hackney-coach, I suppose?' interrupted the constable, + holding Kit (whom his other captors had released) carelessly by the arm, a + little above the elbow. 'Be so good as send for one, will you?' + </p> + <p> + 'But, hear me speak a word,' cried Kit, raising his eyes and looking + imploringly about him. 'Hear me speak a word. I am no more guilty than any + one of you. Upon my soul I am not. I a thief! Oh, Mr Brass, you know me + better. I am sure you know me better. This is not right of you, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I give you my word, constable—' said Brass. But here the constable + interposed with the constitutional principle 'words be blowed;' observing + that words were but spoon-meat for babes and sucklings, and that oaths + were the food for strong men. + </p> + <p> + 'Quite true, constable,' assented Brass in the same mournful tone. + 'Strictly correct. I give you my oath, constable, that down to a few + minutes ago, when this fatal discovery was made, I had such confidence in + that lad, that I'd have trusted him with—a hackney-coach, Mr + Richard, sir; you're very slow, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who is there that knows me,' cried Kit, 'that would not trust me— + that does not? ask anybody whether they have ever doubted me; whether I + have ever wronged them of a farthing. Was I ever once dishonest when I was + poor and hungry, and is it likely I would begin now! Oh consider what you + do. How can I meet the kindest friends that ever human creature had, with + this dreadful charge upon me!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass rejoined that it would have been well for the prisoner if he had + thought of that before, and was about to make some other gloomy + observations when the voice of the single gentleman was heard, demanding + from above-stairs what was the matter, and what was the cause of all that + noise and hurry. Kit made an involuntary start towards the door in his + anxiety to answer for himself, but being speedily detained by the + constable, had the agony of seeing Sampson Brass run out alone to tell the + story in his own way. + </p> + <p> + 'And he can hardly believe it, either,' said Sampson, when he returned, + 'nor nobody will. I wish I could doubt the evidence of my senses, but + their depositions are unimpeachable. It's of no use cross-examining my + eyes,' cried Sampson, winking and rubbing them, 'they stick to their first + account, and will. Now, Sarah, I hear the coach in the Marks; get on your + bonnet, and we'll be off. A sad errand! a moral funeral, quite!' + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Brass,' said Kit. 'Do me one favour. Take me to Mr Witherden's first.' + </p> + <p> + Sampson shook his head irresolutely. + </p> + <p> + 'Do,' said Kit. 'My master's there. For Heaven's sake, take me there, + first.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, I don't know,' stammered Brass, who perhaps had his reasons for + wishing to show as fair as possible in the eyes of the notary. 'How do we + stand in point of time, constable, eh?' + </p> + <p> + The constable, who had been chewing a straw all this while with great + philosophy, replied that if they went away at once they would have time + enough, but that if they stood shilly-shallying there, any longer, they + must go straight to the Mansion House; and finally expressed his opinion + that that was where it was, and that was all about it. + </p> + <p> + Mr Richard Swiveller having arrived inside the coach, and still remaining + immoveable in the most commodious corner with his face to the horses, Mr + Brass instructed the officer to remove his prisoner, and declared himself + quite ready. Therefore, the constable, still holding Kit in the same + manner, and pushing him on a little before him, so as to keep him at about + three-quarters of an arm's length in advance (which is the professional + mode), thrust him into the vehicle and followed himself. Miss Sally + entered next; and there being now four inside, Sampson Brass got upon the + box, and made the coachman drive on. + </p> + <p> + Still completely stunned by the sudden and terrible change which had taken + place in his affairs, Kit sat gazing out of the coach window, almost + hoping to see some monstrous phenomenon in the streets which might give + him reason to believe he was in a dream. Alas! Everything was too real and + familiar: the same succession of turnings, the same houses, the same + streams of people running side by side in different directions upon the + pavement, the same bustle of carts and carriages in the road, the same + well-remembered objects in the shop windows: a regularity in the very + noise and hurry which no dream ever mirrored. Dream-like as the story was, + it was true. He stood charged with robbery; the note had been found upon + him, though he was innocent in thought and deed; and they were carrying + him back, a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Absorbed in these painful ruminations, thinking with a drooping heart of + his mother and little Jacob, feeling as though even the consciousness of + innocence would be insufficient to support him in the presence of his + friends if they believed him guilty, and sinking in hope and courage more + and more as they drew nearer to the notary's, poor Kit was looking + earnestly out of the window, observant of nothing,—when all at once, + as though it had been conjured up by magic, he became aware of the face of + Quilp. + </p> + <p> + And what a leer there was upon the face! It was from the open window of a + tavern that it looked out; and the dwarf had so spread himself over it, + with his elbows on the window-sill and his head resting on both his hands, + that what between this attitude and his being swoln with suppressed + laughter, he looked puffed and bloated into twice his usual breadth. Mr + Brass, on recognising him, immediately stopped the coach. As it came to a + halt directly opposite to where he stood, the dwarf pulled off his hat, + and saluted the party with a hideous and grotesque politeness. +</p> + <p> +'Aha!' he + cried. 'Where now, Brass? where now? Sally with you too? Sweet Sally! And + Dick? Pleasant Dick! And Kit! Honest Kit!' + </p> + <p> + 'He's extremely cheerful!' said Brass to the coachman. 'Very much so! Ah, + sir—a sad business! Never believe in honesty any more, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why not?' returned the dwarf. 'Why not, you rogue of a lawyer, why not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Bank-note lost in our office sir,' said Brass, shaking his head. 'Found + in his hat sir—he previously left alone there—no mistake at + all sir—chain of evidence complete—not a link wanting.' + </p> + <p> + 'What!' cried the dwarf, leaning half his body out of window. 'Kit a + thief! Kit a thief! Ha ha ha! Why, he's an uglier-looking thief than can + be seen anywhere for a penny. Eh, Kit—eh? Ha ha ha! Have you taken + Kit into custody before he had time and opportunity to beat me! Eh, Kit, + eh?' And with that, he burst into a yell of laughter, manifestly to the + great terror of the coachman, and pointed to a dyer's pole hard by, where + a dangling suit of clothes bore some resemblance to a man upon a gibbet. + </p> + <p> + 'Is it coming to that, Kit!' cried the dwarf, rubbing his hands violently. + 'Ha ha ha ha! What a disappointment for little Jacob, and for his darling + mother! Let him have the Bethel minister to comfort and console him, + Brass. Eh, Kit, eh? Drive on coachey, drive on. Bye bye, Kit; all good go + with you; keep up your spirits; my love to the Garlands—the dear old + lady and gentleman. Say I inquired after 'em, will you? Blessings on 'em, + on you, and on everybody, Kit. Blessings on all the world!' + </p> + <p> + With such good wishes and farewells, poured out in a rapid torrent until + they were out of hearing, Quilp suffered them to depart; and when he could + see the coach no longer, drew in his head, and rolled upon the ground in + an ecstacy of enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the notary's, which they were not long in doing, for + they had encountered the dwarf in a bye street at a very little distance + from the house, Mr Brass dismounted; and opening the coach door with a + melancholy visage, requested his sister to accompany him into the office, + with the view of preparing the good people within, for the mournful + intelligence that awaited them. Miss Sally complying, he desired Mr + Swiveller to accompany them. So, into the office they went; Mr Sampson and + his sister arm-in-arm; and Mr Swiveller following, alone. + </p> + <p> + The notary was standing before the fire in the outer office, talking to Mr + Abel and the elder Mr Garland, while Mr Chuckster sat writing at the desk, + picking up such crumbs of their conversation as happened to fall in his + way. This posture of affairs Mr Brass observed through the glass-door as + he was turning the handle, and seeing that the notary recognised him, he + began to shake his head and sigh deeply while that partition yet divided + them. + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' said Sampson, taking off his hat, and kissing the two fore-fingers + of his right hand beaver glove, 'my name is Brass—Brass of Bevis + Marks, Sir. I have had the honour and pleasure, Sir, of being concerned + against you in some little testamentary matters. How do you do, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'My clerk will attend to any business you may have come upon, Mr Brass,' + said the notary, turning away. + </p> + <p> + 'Thank you Sir,' said Brass, 'thank you, I am sure. Allow me, Sir, to + introduce my sister—quite one of us Sir, although of the weaker sex—of + great use in my business Sir, I assure you. Mr Richard, sir, have the + goodness to come foward if you please—No really,' said Brass, + stepping between the notary and his private office (towards which he had + begun to retreat), and speaking in the tone of an injured man, 'really + Sir, I must, under favour, request a word or two with you, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Brass,' said the other, in a decided tone, 'I am engaged. You see that + I am occupied with these gentlemen. If you will communicate your business + to Mr Chuckster yonder, you will receive every attention.' + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen,' said Brass, laying his right hand on his waistcoat, and + looking towards the father and son with a smooth smile—'Gentlemen, I + appeal to you—really, gentlemen—consider, I beg of you. I am + of the law. I am styled "gentleman" by Act of Parliament. I maintain the + title by the annual payment of twelve pound sterling for a certificate. I + am not one of your players of music, stage actors, writers of books, or + painters of pictures, who assume a station that the laws of their country + don't recognise. I am none of your strollers or vagabonds. If any man + brings his action against me, he must describe me as a gentleman, or his + action is null and void. I appeal to you—is this quite respectful? + Really gentlemen—' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, will you have the goodness to state your business then, Mr Brass?' + said the notary. + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' rejoined Brass, 'I will. Ah Mr Witherden! you little know the—but + I will not be tempted to travel from the point, sir, I believe the name of + one of these gentlemen is Garland.' + </p> + <p> + 'Of both,' said the notary. + </p> + <p> + 'In-deed!' rejoined Brass, cringing excessively. 'But I might have known + that, from the uncommon likeness. Extremely happy, I am sure, to have the + honour of an introduction to two such gentlemen, although the occasion is + a most painful one. One of you gentlemen has a servant called Kit?' + </p> + <p> + 'Both,' replied the notary. +</p> + <p> +'Two Kits?' said Brass smiling. 'Dear me!' + </p> + <p> + 'One Kit, sir,' returned Mr Witherden angrily, 'who is employed by both + gentlemen. What of him?' + </p> + <p> + 'This of him, sir,' rejoined Brass, dropping his voice impressively. 'That + young man, sir, that I have felt unbounded and unlimited confidence in, + and always behaved to as if he was my equal—that young man has this + morning committed a robbery in my office, and been taken almost in the + fact.' + </p> + <p> + 'This must be some falsehood!' cried the notary. + </p> + <p> + 'It is not possible,' said Mr Abel. + </p> + <p> + 'I'll not believe one word of it,' exclaimed the old gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass looked mildly round upon them, and rejoined, + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Witherden, sir, <i>your </i>words are actionable, and if I was a man of low + and mean standing, who couldn't afford to be slandered, I should proceed + for damages. Hows'ever, sir, being what I am, I merely scorn such + expressions. The honest warmth of the other gentleman I respect, and I'm + truly sorry to be the messenger of such unpleasant news. I shouldn't have + put myself in this painful position, I assure you, but that the lad + himself desired to be brought here in the first instance, and I yielded to + his prayers. Mr Chuckster, sir, will you have the goodness to tap at the + window for the constable that's waiting in the coach?' + </p> + <p> + The three gentlemen looked at each other with blank faces when these words + were uttered, and Mr Chuckster, doing as he was desired, and leaping off + his stool with something of the excitement of an inspired prophet whose + foretellings had in the fulness of time been realised, held the door open + for the entrance of the wretched captive. + </p> + <p> + Such a scene as there was, when Kit came in, and bursting into the rude + eloquence with which Truth at length inspired him, called Heaven to + witness that he was innocent, and that how the property came to be found + upon him he knew not! Such a confusion of tongues, before the + circumstances were related, and the proofs disclosed! Such a dead silence + when all was told, and his three friends exchanged looks of doubt and + amazement! + </p> + <p> + 'Is it not possible,' said Mr Witherden, after a long pause, 'that this + note may have found its way into the hat by some accident,—such as + the removal of papers on the desk, for instance?' + </p> + <p> + But this was clearly shown to be quite impossible. Mr Swiveller, though an + unwilling witness, could not help proving to demonstration, from the + position in which it was found, that it must have been designedly + secreted. + </p> + <p> + 'It's very distressing,' said Brass, 'immensely distressing, I am sure. + When he comes to be tried, I shall be very happy to recommend him to mercy + on account of his previous good character. I did lose money before, + certainly, but it doesn't quite follow that he took it. The presumption's + against him—strongly against him—but we're Christians, I + hope?' + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose,' said the constable, looking round, 'that no gentleman here + can give evidence as to whether he's been flush of money of late, Do you + happen to know, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'He has had money from time to time, certainly,' returned Mr Garland, to + whom the man had put the question. 'But that, as he always told me, was + given him by Mr Brass himself.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes to be sure,' said Kit eagerly. 'You can bear me out in that, Sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' cried Brass, looking from face to face with an expression of stupid + amazement. + </p> + <p> + 'The money you know, the half-crowns, that you gave me—from the + lodger,' said Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh dear me!' cried Brass, shaking his head and frowning heavily. 'This is + a bad case, I find; a very bad case indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'What! Did you give him no money on account of anybody, Sir?' asked Mr + Garland, with great anxiety. + </p> + <p> + 'I give him money, Sir!' returned Sampson. 'Oh, come you know, this is too + barefaced. Constable, my good fellow, we had better be going.' + </p> + <p> + 'What!' shrieked Kit. 'Does he deny that he did? ask him, somebody, pray. + Ask him to tell you whether he did or not!' + </p> + <p> + 'Did you, sir?' asked the notary. + </p> + <p> + 'I tell you what, gentlemen,' replied Brass, in a very grave manner, + 'he'll not serve his case this way, and really, if you feel any interest + in him, you had better advise him to go upon some other tack. Did I, sir? + Of course I never did.' + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen,' cried Kit, on whom a light broke suddenly, 'Master, Mr Abel, + Mr Witherden, every one of you—he did it! What I have done to offend + him, I don't know, but this is a plot to ruin me. Mind, gentlemen, it's a + plot, and whatever comes of it, I will say with my dying breath that he + put that note in my hat himself! Look at him, gentlemen! see how he + changes colour. Which of us looks the guilty person—he, or I?' + </p> + <p> + 'You hear him, gentlemen?' said Brass, smiling, 'you hear him. Now, does + this case strike you as assuming rather a black complexion, or does it + not? Is it at all a treacherous case, do you think, or is it one of mere + ordinary guilt? Perhaps, gentlemen, if he had not said this in your + presence and I had reported it, you'd have held this to be impossible + likewise, eh?' + </p> + <p> + With such pacific and bantering remarks did Mr Brass refute the foul + aspersion on his character; but the virtuous Sarah, moved by stronger + feelings, and having at heart, perhaps, a more jealous regard for the + honour of her family, flew from her brother's side, without any previous + intimation of her design, and darted at the prisoner with the utmost fury. + It would undoubtedly have gone hard with Kit's face, but that the wary + constable, foreseeing her design, drew him aside at the critical moment, + and thus placed Mr Chuckster in circumstances of some jeopardy; for that + gentleman happening to be next the object of Miss Brass's wrath; and rage + being, like love and fortune, blind; was pounced upon by the fair + enslaver, and had a false collar plucked up by the roots, and his hair + very much dishevelled, before the exertions of the company could make her + sensible of her mistake. + </p> + <p> + The constable, taking warning by this desperate attack, and thinking + perhaps that it would be more satisfactory to the ends of justice if the + prisoner were taken before a magistrate, whole, rather than in small + pieces, led him back to the hackney-coach without more ado, and moreover + insisted on Miss Brass becoming an outside passenger; to which proposal + the charming creature, after a little angry discussion, yielded her + consent; and so took her brother Sampson's place upon the box: Mr Brass + with some reluctance agreeing to occupy her seat inside. These + arrangements perfected, they drove to the justice-room with all speed, + followed by the notary and his two friends in another coach. Mr Chuckster + alone was left behind—greatly to his indignation; for he held the + evidence he could have given, relative to Kit's returning to work out the + shilling, to be so very material as bearing upon his hypocritical and + designing character, that he considered its suppression little better than + a compromise of felony. + </p> + <p> + At the justice-room, they found the single gentleman, who had gone + straight there, and was expecting them with desperate impatience. But not + fifty single gentlemen rolled into one could have helped poor Kit, who in + half an hour afterwards was committed for trial, and was assured by a + friendly officer on his way to prison that there was no occasion to be + cast down, for the sessions would soon be on, and he would, in all + likelihood, get his little affair disposed of, and be comfortably + transported, in less than a fortnight. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap61"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 61 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">L</span>et moralists and philosophers say what they may, it is very questionable + whether a guilty man would have felt half as much misery that night, as + Kit did, being innocent. The world, being in the constant commission of + vast quantities of injustice, is a little too apt to comfort itself with + the idea that if the victim of its falsehood and malice have a clear + conscience, he cannot fail to be sustained under his trials, and somehow + or other to come right at last; 'in which case,' say they who have hunted + him down, '—though we certainly don't expect it—nobody will be + better pleased than we.' Whereas, the world would do well to reflect, that + injustice is in itself, to every generous and properly constituted mind, + an injury, of all others the most insufferable, the most torturing, and + the most hard to bear; and that many clear consciences have gone to their + account elsewhere, and many sound hearts have broken, because of this very + reason; the knowledge of their own deserts only aggravating their + sufferings, and rendering them the less endurable. + </p> + <p> + The world, however, was not in fault in Kit's case. But Kit was innocent; + and knowing this, and feeling that his best friends deemed him guilty—that + Mr and Mrs Garland would look upon him as a monster of ingratitude—that + Barbara would associate him with all that was bad and criminal—that + the pony would consider himself forsaken—and that even his own + mother might perhaps yield to the strong appearances against him, and + believe him to be the wretch he seemed—knowing and feeling all this, + he experienced, at first, an agony of mind which no words can describe, + and walked up and down the little cell in which he was locked up for the + night, almost beside himself with grief. + </p> + <p> + Even when the violence of these emotions had in some degree subsided, and + he was beginning to grow more calm, there came into his mind a new + thought, the anguish of which was scarcely less. The child—the + bright star of the simple fellow's life—she, who always came back + upon him like a beautiful dream—who had made the poorest part of his + existence, the happiest and best—who had ever been so gentle, and + considerate, and good—if she were ever to hear of this, what would + she think! As this idea occurred to him, the walls of the prison seemed to + melt away, and the old place to reveal itself in their stead, as it was + wont to be on winter nights—the fireside, the little supper table, + the old man's hat, and coat, and stick—the half-opened door, leading + to her little room—they were all there. And Nell herself was there, + and he—both laughing heartily as they had often done—and when + he had got as far as this, Kit could go no farther, but flung himself upon + his poor bedstead and wept. + </p> + <p> + It was a long night, which seemed as though it would have no end; but he + slept too, and dreamed—always of being at liberty, and roving about, + now with one person and now with another, but ever with a vague dread of + being recalled to prison; not that prison, but one which was in itself a + dim idea—not of a place, but of a care and sorrow: of something + oppressive and always present, and yet impossible to define. At last, the + morning dawned, and there was the jail itself—cold, black, and + dreary, and very real indeed. +</p> + <p> +He was left to himself, however, and there + was comfort in that. He had liberty to walk in a small paved yard at a + certain hour, and learnt from the turnkey, who came to unlock his cell and + show him where to wash, that there was a regular time for visiting, every + day, and that if any of his friends came to see him, he would be fetched + down to the grate. When he had given him this information, and a tin + porringer containing his breakfast, the man locked him up again; and went + clattering along the stone passage, opening and shutting a great many + other doors, and raising numberless loud echoes which resounded through + the building for a long time, as if they were in prison too, and unable to + get out. + </p> + <p> + This turnkey had given him to understand that he was lodged, like some few + others in the jail, apart from the mass of prisoners; because he was not + supposed to be utterly depraved and irreclaimable, and had never occupied + apartments in that mansion before. Kit was thankful for this indulgence, + and sat reading the church catechism very attentively (though he had known + it by heart from a little child), until he heard the key in the lock, and + the man entered again. + </p> + <p> + 'Now then,' he said, 'come on!' + </p> + <p> + 'Where to, Sir?' asked Kit. + </p> + <p> + The man contented himself by briefly replying 'Wisitors;' and taking him + by the arm in exactly the same manner as the constable had done the day + before, led him, through several winding ways and strong gates, into a + passage, where he placed him at a grating and turned upon his heel. Beyond + this grating, at the distance of about four or five feet, was another + exactly like it. In the space between, sat a turnkey reading a newspaper, + and outside the further railing, Kit saw, with a palpitating heart, his + mother with the baby in her arms; Barbara's mother with her never-failing + umbrella; and poor little Jacob, staring in with all his might, as though + he were looking for the bird, or the wild beast, and thought the men were + mere accidents with whom the bars could have no possible concern. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0438m.jpg" alt="0438m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0438.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + But when little Jacob saw his brother, and, thrusting his arms between the + rails to hug him, found that he came no nearer, but still stood afar off + with his head resting on the arm by which he held to one of the bars, he + began to cry most piteously; whereupon, Kit's mother and Barbara's mother, + who had restrained themselves as much as possible, burst out sobbing and + weeping afresh. Poor Kit could not help joining them, and not one of them + could speak a word. During this melancholy pause, the turnkey read his + newspaper with a waggish look (he had evidently got among the facetious + paragraphs) until, happening to take his eyes off for an instant, as if to + get by dint of contemplation at the very marrow of some joke of a deeper + sort than the rest, it appeared to occur to him, for the first time, that + somebody was crying. + </p> + <p> + 'Now, ladies, ladies,' he said, looking round with surprise, 'I'd advise + you not to waste time like this. It's allowanced here, you know. You + mustn't let that child make that noise either. It's against all rules.' + </p> + <p> + 'I'm his poor mother, sir,'—sobbed Mrs Nubbles, curtseying humbly, + 'and this is his brother, sir. Oh dear me, dear me!' + </p> + <p> + 'Well!' replied the turnkey, folding his paper on his knee, so as to get + with greater convenience at the top of the next column. 'It can't be + helped you know. He ain't the only one in the same fix. You mustn't make a + noise about it!' + </p> + <p> + With that he went on reading. The man was not unnaturally cruel or + hard-hearted. He had come to look upon felony as a kind of disorder, like + the scarlet fever or erysipelas: some people had it—some hadn't—just + as it might be. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! my darling Kit,' said his mother, whom Barbara's mother had + charitably relieved of the baby, 'that I should see my poor boy here!' + </p> + <p> + 'You don't believe that I did what they accuse me of, mother dear?' cried + Kit, in a choking voice. + </p> + <p> + 'I believe it!' exclaimed the poor woman, 'I that never knew you tell a + lie, or do a bad action from your cradle—that have never had a + moment's sorrow on your account, except it was the poor meals that you + have taken with such good humour and content, that I forgot how little + there was, when I thought how kind and thoughtful you were, though you + were but a child!—I believe it of the son that's been a comfort to + me from the hour of his birth until this time, and that I never laid down + one night in anger with! I believe it of you Kit!—' + </p> + <p> + 'Why then, thank God!' said Kit, clutching the bars with an earnestness + that shook them, 'and I can bear it, mother! Come what may, I shall always + have one drop of happiness in my heart when I think that you said that.' + </p> + <p> + At this the poor woman fell a-crying again, and Barbara's mother too. And + little Jacob, whose disjointed thoughts had by this time resolved + themselves into a pretty distinct impression that Kit couldn't go out for + a walk if he wanted, and that there were no birds, lions, tigers or other + natural curiosities behind those bars—nothing indeed, but a caged + brother—added his tears to theirs with as little noise as possible. + </p> + <p> + Kit's mother, drying her eyes (and moistening them, poor soul, more than + she dried them), now took from the ground a small basket, and submissively + addressed herself to the turnkey, saying, would he please to listen to her + for a minute? The turnkey, being in the very crisis and passion of a joke, + motioned to her with his hand to keep silent one minute longer, for her + life. Nor did he remove his hand into its former posture, but kept it in + the same warning attitude until he had finished the paragraph, when he + paused for a few seconds, with a smile upon his face, as who should say + 'this editor is a comical blade—a funny dog,' and then asked her + what she wanted. + </p> + <p> + 'I have brought him a little something to eat,' said the good woman. 'If + you please, Sir, might he have it?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,—he may have it. There's no rule against that. Give it to me + when you go, and I'll take care he has it.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, but if you please sir—don't be angry with me sir—I am his + mother, and you had a mother once—if I might only see him eat a + little bit, I should go away, so much more satisfied that he was all + comfortable.' + </p> + <p> + And again the tears of Kit's mother burst forth, and of Barbara's mother, + and of little Jacob. As to the baby, it was crowing and laughing with its + might—under the idea, apparently, that the whole scene had been + invented and got up for its particular satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The turnkey looked as if he thought the request a strange one and rather + out of the common way, but nevertheless he laid down his paper, and coming + round where Kit's mother stood, took the basket from her, and after + inspecting its contents, handed it to Kit, and went back to his place. It + may be easily conceived that the prisoner had no great appetite, but he + sat down on the ground, and ate as hard as he could, while, at every + morsel he put into his mouth, his mother sobbed and wept afresh, though + with a softened grief that bespoke the satisfaction the sight afforded + her. + </p> + <p> + While he was thus engaged, Kit made some anxious inquiries about his + employers, and whether they had expressed any opinion concerning him; but + all he could learn was that Mr Abel had himself broken the intelligence to + his mother, with great kindness and delicacy, late on the previous night, + but had himself expressed no opinion of his innocence or guilt. Kit was on + the point of mustering courage to ask Barbara's mother about Barbara, when + the turnkey who had conducted him, reappeared, a second turnkey appeared + behind his visitors, and the third turnkey with the newspaper cried + 'Time's up!'—adding in the same breath 'Now for the next party!' and + then plunging deep into his newspaper again. Kit was taken off in an + instant, with a blessing from his mother, and a scream from little Jacob, + ringing in his ears. As he was crossing the next yard with the basket in + his hand, under the guidance of his former conductor, another officer + called to them to stop, and came up with a pint pot of porter in his hand. + </p> + <p> + 'This is Christopher Nubbles, isn't it, that come in last night for + felony?' said the man. + </p> + <p> + His comrade replied that this was the chicken in question. + </p> + <p> + 'Then here's your beer,' said the other man to Christopher. 'What are you + looking at? There an't a discharge in it.' + </p> + <p> + 'I beg your pardon,' said Kit. 'Who sent it me?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, your friend,' replied the man. 'You're to have it every day, he + says. And so you will, if he pays for it.' + </p> + <p> + 'My friend!' repeated Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'You're all abroad, seemingly,' returned the other man. 'There's his + letter. Take hold!' + </p> + <p> + Kit took it, and when he was locked up again, read as follows. + </p> + <p> + 'Drink of this cup, you'll find there's a spell in its every drop 'gainst + the ills of mortality. Talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen! <i>Her</i> + cup was a fiction, but this is reality (Barclay and Co.'s).—If they + ever send it in a flat state, complain to the Governor. Yours, R. S.' + </p> + <p> + 'R. S.!' said Kit, after some consideration. 'It must be Mr Richard + Swiveller. Well, its very kind of him, and I thank him heartily.' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap62"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 62 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">A</span> faint light, twinkling from the window of the counting-house on Quilp's + wharf, and looking inflamed and red through the night-fog, as though it + suffered from it like an eye, forewarned Mr Sampson Brass, as he + approached the wooden cabin with a cautious step, that the excellent + proprietor, his esteemed client, was inside, and probably waiting with his + accustomed patience and sweetness of temper the fulfilment of the + appointment which now brought Mr Brass within his fair domain. + </p> + <p> + 'A treacherous place to pick one's steps in, of a dark night,' muttered + Sampson, as he stumbled for the twentieth time over some stray lumber, and + limped in pain. 'I believe that boy strews the ground differently every + day, on purpose to bruise and maim one; unless his master does it with his + own hands, which is more than likely. I hate to come to this place without + Sally. She's more protection than a dozen men.' + </p> + <p> + As he paid this compliment to the merit of the absent charmer, Mr Brass + came to a halt; looking doubtfully towards the light, and over his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + 'What's he about, I wonder?' murmured the lawyer, standing on tiptoe, and + endeavouring to obtain a glimpse of what was passing inside, which at that + distance was impossible—'drinking, I suppose,—making himself + more fiery and furious, and heating his malice and mischievousness till + they boil. I'm always afraid to come here by myself, when his account's a + pretty large one. I don't believe he'd mind throttling me, and dropping me + softly into the river when the tide was at its strongest, any more than + he'd mind killing a rat—indeed I don't know whether he wouldn't + consider it a pleasant joke. Hark! Now he's singing!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Quilp was certainly entertaining himself with vocal exercise, but it + was rather a kind of chant than a song; being a monotonous repetition of + one sentence in a very rapid manner, with a long stress upon the last + word, which he swelled into a dismal roar. Nor did the burden of this + performance bear any reference to love, or war, or wine, or loyalty, or + any other, the standard topics of song, but to a subject not often set to + music or generally known in ballads; the words being these:—'The + worthy magistrate, after remarking that the prisoner would find some + difficulty in persuading a jury to believe his tale, committed him to take + his trial at the approaching sessions; and directed the customary + recognisances to be entered into for the pros-e-cu-tion.' + </p> + <p> + Every time he came to this concluding word, and had exhausted all possible + stress upon it, Quilp burst into a shriek of laughter, and began again. + </p> + <p> + 'He's dreadfully imprudent,' muttered Brass, after he had listened to two + or three repetitions of the chant. 'Horribly imprudent. I wish he was + dumb. I wish he was deaf. I wish he was blind. Hang him,' cried Brass, as + the chant began again. 'I wish he was dead!' + </p> + <p> + Giving utterance to these friendly aspirations in behalf of his client, Mr + Sampson composed his face into its usual state of smoothness, and waiting + until the shriek came again and was dying away, went up to the wooden + house, and knocked at the door. + </p> + <p> + 'Come in!' cried the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'How do you do to-night sir?' said Sampson, peeping in. 'Ha ha ha! How do + you do sir? Oh dear me, how very whimsical! Amazingly whimsical to be + sure!' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0444m.jpg" alt="0444m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0444.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'Come in, you fool!' returned the dwarf, 'and don't stand there shaking + your head and showing your teeth. Come in, you false witness, you + perjurer, you suborner of evidence, come in!' + </p> + <p> + 'He has the richest humour!' cried Brass, shutting the door behind him; + 'the most amazing vein of comicality! But isn't it rather injudicious, sir—?' + </p> + <p> + 'What?' demanded Quilp. 'What, Judas?' + </p> + <p> + 'Judas!' cried Brass. 'He has such extraordinary spirits! His humour is so + extremely playful! Judas! Oh yes—dear me, how very good! Ha ha ha!' +</p> + <p> + All this time, Sampson was rubbing his hands, and staring, with ludicrous + surprise and dismay, at a great, goggle-eyed, blunt-nosed figure-head of + some old ship, which was reared up against the wall in a corner near the + stove, looking like a goblin or hideous idol whom the dwarf worshipped. A + mass of timber on its head, carved into the dim and distant semblance of a + cocked hat, together with a representation of a star on the left breast + and epaulettes on the shoulders, denoted that it was intended for the + effigy of some famous admiral; but, without those helps, any observer + might have supposed it the authentic portrait of a distinguished merman, + or great sea-monster. Being originally much too large for the apartment + which it was now employed to decorate, it had been sawn short off at the + waist. Even in this state it reached from floor to ceiling; and thrusting + itself forward, with that excessively wide-awake aspect, and air of + somewhat obtrusive politeness, by which figure-heads are usually + characterised, seemed to reduce everything else to mere pigmy proportions. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you know it?' said the dwarf, watching Sampson's eyes. 'Do you see the + likeness?' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' said Brass, holding his head on one side, and throwing it a little + back, as connoisseurs do. 'Now I look at it again, I fancy I see a—yes, + there certainly is something in the smile that reminds me of—and yet + upon my word I—' + </p> + <p> + Now, the fact was, that Sampson, having never seen anything in the + smallest degree resembling this substantial phantom, was much perplexed; + being uncertain whether Mr Quilp considered it like himself, and had + therefore bought it for a family portrait; or whether he was pleased to + consider it as the likeness of some enemy. He was not very long in doubt; + for, while he was surveying it with that knowing look which people assume + when they are contemplating for the first time portraits which they ought + to recognise but don't, the dwarf threw down the newspaper from which he + had been chanting the words already quoted, and seizing a rusty iron bar, + which he used in lieu of poker, dealt the figure such a stroke on the nose + that it rocked again. + </p> + <p> + 'Is it like Kit—is it his picture, his image, his very self?' cried + the dwarf, aiming a shower of blows at the insensible countenance, and + covering it with deep dimples. 'Is it the exact model and counterpart of + the dog—is it—is it—is it?' And with every repetition of + the question, he battered the great image, until the perspiration streamed + down his face with the violence of the exercise. + </p> + <p> + Although this might have been a very comical thing to look at from a + secure gallery, as a bull-fight is found to be a comfortable spectacle by + those who are not in the arena, and a house on fire is better than a play + to people who don't live near it, there was something in the earnestness + of Mr Quilp's manner which made his legal adviser feel that the + counting-house was a little too small, and a deal too lonely, for the + complete enjoyment of these humours. Therefore, he stood as far off as he + could, while the dwarf was thus engaged; whimpering out but feeble + applause; and when Quilp left off and sat down again from pure exhaustion, + approached with more obsequiousness than ever. + </p> + <p> + 'Excellent indeed!' cried Brass. 'He he! Oh, very good Sir. You know,' + said Sampson, looking round as if in appeal to the bruised animal, 'he's + quite a remarkable man—quite!' + </p> + <p> + 'Sit down,' said the dwarf. 'I bought the dog yesterday. I've been + screwing gimlets into him, and sticking forks in his eyes, and cutting my + name on him. I mean to burn him at last.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ha ha!' cried Brass. 'Extremely entertaining, indeed!' + </p> + <p> + 'Come here,' said Quilp, beckoning him to draw near. 'What's injudicious, + hey?' + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing Sir—nothing. Scarcely worth mentioning Sir; but I thought + that song—admirably humorous in itself you know—was perhaps + rather—' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Quilp, 'rather what?' + </p> + <p> + 'Just bordering, or as one may say remotely verging, upon the confines of + injudiciousness perhaps, Sir,' returned Brass, looking timidly at the + dwarf's cunning eyes, which were turned towards the fire and reflected its + red light. + </p> + <p> + 'Why?' inquired Quilp, without looking up. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, you know, sir,' returned Brass, venturing to be more familiar: '—the + fact is, sir, that any allusion to these little combinings together, of + friends, for objects in themselves extremely laudable, but which the law + terms conspiracies, are—you take me, sir?—best kept snug and + among friends, you know.' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh!' said Quilp, looking up with a perfectly vacant countenance. 'What do + you mean?' + </p> + <p> + 'Cautious, exceedingly cautious, very right and proper!' cried Brass, + nodding his head. 'Mum, sir, even here—my meaning, sir, exactly.' + </p> + <p> + '<i>Your </i>meaning exactly, you brazen scarecrow,—what's your meaning?' + retorted Quilp. 'Why do you talk to me of combining together? Do I + combine? Do I know anything about your combinings?' + </p> + <p> + 'No no, sir—certainly not; not by any means,' returned Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'If you so wink and nod at me,' said the dwarf, looking about him as if + for his poker, 'I'll spoil the expression of your monkey's face, I will.' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't put yourself out of the way I beg, sir,' rejoined Brass, checking + himself with great alacrity. 'You're quite right, sir, quite right. I + shouldn't have mentioned the subject, sir. It's much better not to. You're + quite right, sir. Let us change it, if you please. You were asking, sir, + Sally told me, about our lodger. He has not returned, sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'No?' said Quilp, heating some rum in a little saucepan, and watching it + to prevent its boiling over. 'Why not?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, sir,' returned Brass, 'he—dear me, Mr Quilp, sir—' + </p> + <p> + 'What's the matter?' said the dwarf, stopping his hand in the act of + carrying the saucepan to his mouth. + </p> + <p> + 'You have forgotten the water, sir,' said Brass. 'And—excuse me, sir—but + it's burning hot.' + </p> + <p> + Deigning no other than a practical answer to this remonstrance, Mr Quilp + raised the hot saucepan to his lips, and deliberately drank off all the + spirit it contained, which might have been in quantity about half a pint, + and had been but a moment before, when he took it off the fire, bubbling + and hissing fiercely. Having swallowed this gentle stimulant, and shaken + his fist at the admiral, he bade Mr Brass proceed. + </p> + <p> + 'But first,' said Quilp, with his accustomed grin, 'have a drop yourself—a + nice drop—a good, warm, fiery drop.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, sir,' replied Brass, 'if there was such a thing as a mouthful of + water that could be got without trouble—' + </p> + <p> + 'There's no such thing to be had here,' cried the dwarf. 'Water for + lawyers! Melted lead and brimstone, you mean, nice hot blistering pitch + and tar—that's the thing for them—eh, Brass, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Ha ha ha!' laughed Mr Brass. 'Oh very biting! and yet it's like being + tickled—there's a pleasure in it too, sir!' + </p> + <p> + 'Drink that,' said the dwarf, who had by this time heated some more. 'Toss + it off, don't leave any heeltap, scorch your throat and be happy!' + </p> + <p> + The wretched Sampson took a few short sips of the liquor, which + immediately distilled itself into burning tears, and in that form came + rolling down his cheeks into the pipkin again, turning the colour of his + face and eyelids to a deep red, and giving rise to a violent fit of + coughing, in the midst of which he was still heard to declare, with the + constancy of a martyr, that it was 'beautiful indeed!' While he was yet in + unspeakable agonies, the dwarf renewed their conversation. + </p> + <p> + 'The lodger,' said Quilp, '—what about him?' +</p> + <p> +'He is still, sir,' + returned Brass, with intervals of coughing, 'stopping with the Garland + family. He has only been home once, Sir, since the day of the examination + of that culprit. He informed Mr Richard, sir, that he couldn't bear the + house after what had taken place; that he was wretched in it; and that he + looked upon himself as being in a certain kind of way the cause of the + occurrence.—A very excellent lodger Sir. I hope we may not lose + him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yah!' cried the dwarf. 'Never thinking of anybody but yourself—why + don't you retrench then—scrape up, hoard, economise, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, sir,' replied Brass, 'upon my word I think Sarah's as good an + economiser as any going. I do indeed, Mr Quilp.' + </p> + <p> + 'Moisten your clay, wet the other eye, drink, man!' cried the dwarf. 'You + took a clerk to oblige me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Delighted, sir, I am sure, at any time,' replied Sampson. 'Yes, Sir, I + did.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then now you may discharge him,' said Quilp. 'There's a means of + retrenchment for you at once.' + </p> + <p> + 'Discharge Mr Richard, sir?' cried Brass. + </p> + <p> + 'Have you more than one clerk, you parrot, that you ask the question? + Yes.' + </p> + <p> + 'Upon my word, Sir,' said Brass, 'I wasn't prepared for this--' + </p> + <p> + 'How could you be?' sneered the dwarf, 'when I wasn't? How often am I to + tell you that I brought him to you that I might always have my eye on him + and know where he was—and that I had a plot, a scheme, a little + quiet piece of enjoyment afoot, of which the very cream and essence was, + that this old man and grandchild (who have sunk underground I think) + should be, while he and his precious friend believed them rich, in reality + as poor as frozen rats?' + </p> + <p> + 'I quite understood that, sir,' rejoined Brass. 'Thoroughly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Well, Sir,' retorted Quilp, 'and do you understand now, that they're not + poor—that they can't be, if they have such men as your lodger + searching for them, and scouring the country far and wide?' + </p> + <p> + 'Of course I do, Sir,' said Sampson. + </p> + <p> + 'Of course you do,' retorted the dwarf, viciously snapping at his words. + 'Of course do you understand then, that it's no matter what comes of this + fellow? of course do you understand that for any other purpose he's no man + for me, nor for you?' + </p> + <p> + 'I have frequently said to Sarah, sir,' returned Brass, 'that he was of no + use at all in the business. You can't put any confidence in him, sir. If + you'll believe me I've found that fellow, in the commonest little matters + of the office that have been trusted to him, blurting out the truth, + though expressly cautioned. The aggravation of that chap sir, has exceeded + anything you can imagine, it has indeed. Nothing but the respect and + obligation I owe to you, sir—' + </p> + <p> + As it was plain that Sampson was bent on a complimentary harangue, unless + he received a timely interruption, Mr Quilp politely tapped him on the + crown of his head with the little saucepan, and requested that he would be + so obliging as to hold his peace. + </p> + <p> + 'Practical, sir, practical,' said Brass, rubbing the place and smiling; + 'but still extremely pleasant—immensely so!' + </p> + <p> + 'Hearken to me, will you?' returned Quilp, 'or I'll be a little more + pleasant, presently. There's no chance of his comrade and friend + returning. The scamp has been obliged to fly, as I learn, for some + knavery, and has found his way abroad. Let him rot there.' + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly, sir. Quite proper.—Forcible!' cried Brass, glancing at + the admiral again, as if he made a third in company. 'Extremely forcible!' + </p> + <p> + 'I hate him,' said Quilp between his teeth, 'and have always hated him, + for family reasons. Besides, he was an intractable ruffian; otherwise he + would have been of use. This fellow is pigeon-hearted and light-headed. I + don't want him any longer. Let him hang or drown—starve—go to + the devil.' + </p> + <p> + 'By all means, sir,' returned Brass. 'When would you wish him, sir, to—ha, + ha!—to make that little excursion?' + </p> + <p> + 'When this trial's over,' said Quilp. 'As soon as that's ended, send him + about his business.' + </p> + <p> + 'It shall be done, sir,' returned Brass; 'by all means. It will be rather + a blow to Sarah, sir, but she has all her feelings under control. Ah, Mr + Quilp, I often think, sir, if it had only pleased Providence to bring you + and Sarah together, in earlier life, what blessed results would have + flowed from such a union! You never saw our dear father, sir?—A + charming gentleman. Sarah was his pride and joy, sir. He would have closed + his eyes in bliss, would Foxey, Mr Quilp, if he could have found her such + a partner. You esteem her, sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'I love her,' croaked the dwarf. + </p> + <p> + 'You're very good, Sir,' returned Brass, 'I am sure. Is there any other + order, sir, that I can take a note of, besides this little matter of Mr + Richard?' + </p> + <p> + 'None,' replied the dwarf, seizing the saucepan. 'Let us drink the lovely + Sarah.' + </p> + <p> + 'If we could do it in something, sir, that wasn't quite boiling,' + suggested Brass humbly, 'perhaps it would be better. I think it will be + more agreeable to Sarah's feelings, when she comes to hear from me of the + honour you have done her, if she learns it was in liquor rather cooler + than the last, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + But to these remonstrances, Mr Quilp turned a deaf ear. Sampson Brass, who + was, by this time, anything but sober, being compelled to take further + draughts of the same strong bowl, found that, instead of at all + contributing to his recovery, they had the novel effect of making the + counting-house spin round and round with extreme velocity, and causing the + floor and ceiling to heave in a very distressing manner. After a brief + stupor, he awoke to a consciousness of being partly under the table and + partly under the grate. This position not being the most comfortable one + he could have chosen for himself, he managed to stagger to his feet, and, + holding on by the admiral, looked round for his host. + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass's first impression was, that his host was gone and had left him + there alone—perhaps locked him in for the night. A strong smell of + tobacco, however, suggested a new train of ideas, he looked upward, and + saw that the dwarf was smoking in his hammock. + </p> + <p> + 'Good bye, Sir,' cried Brass faintly. 'Good bye, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Won't you stop all night?' said the dwarf, peeping out. 'Do stop all + night!' + </p> + <p> + 'I couldn't indeed, Sir,' replied Brass, who was almost dead from nausea + and the closeness of the room. 'If you'd have the goodness to show me a + light, so that I may see my way across the yard, sir—' + </p> + <p> + Quilp was out in an instant; not with his legs first, or his head first, + or his arms first, but bodily—altogether. + </p> + <p> + 'To be sure,' he said, taking up a lantern, which was now the only light + in the place. 'Be careful how you go, my dear friend. Be sure to pick your + way among the timber, for all the rusty nails are upwards. There's a dog + in the lane. He bit a man last night, and a woman the night before, and + last Tuesday he killed a child—but that was in play. Don't go too + near him.' + </p> + <p> + 'Which side of the road is he, sir?' asked Brass, in great dismay. + </p> + <p> + 'He lives on the right hand,' said Quilp, 'but sometimes he hides on the + left, ready for a spring. He's uncertain in that respect. Mind you take + care of yourself. I'll never forgive you if you don't. There's the light + out—never mind—you know the way—straight on!' Quilp had + slily shaded the light by holding it against his breast, and now stood + chuckling and shaking from head to foot in a rapture of delight, as he + heard the lawyer stumbling up the yard, and now and then falling heavily + down. At length, however, he got quit of the place, and was out of + hearing. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf shut himself up again, and sprang once more into his hammock. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap63"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 63 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he professional gentleman who had given Kit the consolatory piece of + information relative to the settlement of his trifle of business at the + Old Bailey, and the probability of its being very soon disposed of, turned + out to be quite correct in his prognostications. In eight days' time, the + sessions commenced. In one day afterwards, the Grand Jury found a True + Bill against Christopher Nubbles for felony; and in two days from that + finding, the aforesaid Christopher Nubbles was called upon to plead Guilty + or Not Guilty to an Indictment for that he the said Christopher did + feloniously abstract and steal from the dwelling-house and office of one + Sampson Brass, gentleman, one Bank Note for Five Pounds issued by the + Governor and Company of the Bank of England; in contravention of the + Statutes in that case made and provided, and against the peace of our + Sovereign Lord the King, his crown and dignity. + </p> + <p> + To this indictment, Christopher Nubbles, in a low and trembling voice, + pleaded Not Guilty; and here, let those who are in the habit of forming + hasty judgments from appearances, and who would have had Christopher, if + innocent, speak out very strong and loud, observe, that confinement and + anxiety will subdue the stoutest hearts; and that to one who has been + close shut up, though it be only for ten or eleven days, seeing but stone + walls and a very few stony faces, the sudden entrance into a great hall + filled with life, is a rather disconcerting and startling circumstance. To + this, it must be added, that life in a wig is to a large class of people + much more terrifying and impressive than life with its own head of hair; + and if, in addition to these considerations, there be taken into account + Kit's natural emotion on seeing the two Mr Garlands and the little Notary + looking on with pale and anxious faces, it will perhaps seem matter of no + very great wonder that he should have been rather out of sorts, and unable + to make himself quite at home. + </p> + <p> + Although he had never seen either of the Mr Garlands, or Mr Witherden, + since the time of his arrest, he had been given to understand that they + had employed counsel for him. Therefore, when one of the gentlemen in wigs + got up and said 'I am for the prisoner, my Lord,' Kit made him a bow; and + when another gentleman in a wig got up and said 'And I'm against him, my + Lord,' Kit trembled very much, and bowed to him too. And didn't he hope in + his own heart that his gentleman was a match for the other gentleman, and + would make him ashamed of himself in no time! + </p> + <p> + The gentleman who was against him had to speak first, and being in + dreadfully good spirits (for he had, in the last trial, very nearly + procured the acquittal of a young gentleman who had had the misfortune to + murder his father) he spoke up, you may be sure; telling the jury that if + they acquitted this prisoner they must expect to suffer no less pangs and + agonies than he had told the other jury they would certainly undergo if + they convicted that prisoner. And when he had told them all about the + case, and that he had never known a worse case, he stopped a little while, + like a man who had something terrible to tell them, and then said that he + understood an attempt would be made by his learned friend (and here he + looked sideways at Kit's gentleman) to impeach the testimony of those + immaculate witnesses whom he should call before them; but he did hope and + trust that his learned friend would have a greater respect and veneration + for the character of the prosecutor; than whom, as he well knew, there did + not exist, and never had existed, a more honourable member of that most + honourable profession to which he was attached. And then he said, did the + jury know Bevis Marks? And if they did know Bevis Marks (as he trusted for + their own character, they did) did they know the historical and elevating + associations connected with that most remarkable spot? Did they believe + that a man like Brass could reside in a place like Bevis Marks, and not be + a virtuous and most upright character? And when he had said a great deal + to them on this point, he remembered that it was an insult to their + understandings to make any remarks on what they must have felt so strongly + without him, and therefore called Sampson Brass into the witness-box, + straightway. + </p> + <p> + Then up comes Mr Brass, very brisk and fresh; and, having bowed to the + judge, like a man who has had the pleasure of seeing him before, and who + hopes he has been pretty well since their last meeting, folds his arms, + and looks at his gentleman as much as to say 'Here I am—full of + evidence—Tap me!' And the gentleman does tap him presently, and with + great discretion too; drawing off the evidence by little and little, and + making it run quite clear and bright in the eyes of all present. Then, + Kit's gentleman takes him in hand, but can make nothing of him; and after + a great many very long questions and very short answers, Mr Sampson Brass + goes down in glory. + </p> + <p> + To him succeeds Sarah, who in like manner is easy to be managed by Mr + Brass's gentleman, but very obdurate to Kit's. In short, Kit's gentleman + can get nothing out of her but a repetition of what she has said before + (only a little stronger this time, as against his client), and therefore + lets her go, in some confusion. Then, Mr Brass's gentleman calls Richard + Swiveller, and Richard Swiveller appears accordingly. + </p> + <p> + Now, Mr Brass's gentleman has it whispered in his ear that this witness is + disposed to be friendly to the prisoner—which, to say the truth, he + is rather glad to hear, as his strength is considered to lie in what is + familiarly termed badgering. Wherefore, he begins by requesting the + officer to be quite sure that this witness kisses the book, then goes to + work at him, tooth and nail. + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Swiveller,' says this gentleman to Dick, when he had told his tale + with evident reluctance and a desire to make the best of it: 'Pray sir, + where did you dine yesterday?'—'Where did I dine yesterday?'—'Aye, + sir, where did you dine yesterday—was it near here, sir?'—'Oh + to be sure—yes—just over the way.'—'To be sure. Yes. + Just over the way,' repeats Mr Brass's gentleman, with a glance at the + court.—'Alone, sir?'—'I beg your pardon,' says Mr Swiveller, + who has not caught the question—'Alone, sir?' repeats Mr Brass's + gentleman in a voice of thunder, 'did you dine alone? Did you treat + anybody, sir? Come!'—'Oh yes, to be sure—yes, I did,' says Mr + Swiveller with a smile.—'Have the goodness to banish a levity, sir, + which is very ill-suited to the place in which you stand (though perhaps + you have reason to be thankful that it's only that place),' says Mr + Brass's gentleman, with a nod of the head, insinuating that the dock is Mr + Swiveller's legitimate sphere of action; 'and attend to me. You were + waiting about here, yesterday, in expectation that this trial was coming + on. You dined over the way. You treated somebody. Now, was that somebody + brother to the prisoner at the bar?'—Mr Swiveller is proceeding to + explain—'Yes or No, sir,' cries Mr Brass's gentleman—'But will + you allow me—'—'Yes or No, sir'—'Yes it was, but—'—'Yes + it was,' cries the gentleman, taking him up short. 'And a very pretty + witness <i>you </i>are!' + </p> + <p> + Down sits Mr Brass's gentleman. Kit's gentleman, not knowing how the + matter really stands, is afraid to pursue the subject. Richard Swiveller + retires abashed. Judge, jury and spectators have visions of his lounging + about, with an ill-looking, large-whiskered, dissolute young fellow of six + feet high. The reality is, little Jacob, with the calves of his legs + exposed to the open air, and himself tied up in a shawl. Nobody knows the + truth; everybody believes a falsehood; and all because of the ingenuity of + Mr Brass's gentleman. + </p> + <p> + Then come the witnesses to character, and here Mr Brass's gentleman shines + again. It turns out that Mr Garland has had no character with Kit, no + recommendation of him but from his own mother, and that he was suddenly + dismissed by his former master for unknown reasons. 'Really Mr Garland,' + says Mr Brass's gentleman, 'for a person who has arrived at your time of + life, you are, to say the least of it, singularly indiscreet, I think.' + The jury think so too, and find Kit guilty. He is taken off, humbly + protesting his innocence. The spectators settle themselves in their places + with renewed attention, for there are several female witnesses to be + examined in the next case, and it has been rumoured that Mr Brass's + gentleman will make great fun in cross-examining them for the prisoner. + </p> + <p> + Kit's mother, poor woman, is waiting at the grate below stairs, + accompanied by Barbara's mother (who, honest soul! never does anything but + cry, and hold the baby), and a sad interview ensues. The newspaper-reading + turnkey has told them all. He don't think it will be transportation for + life, because there's time to prove the good character yet, and that is + sure to serve him. He wonders what he did it for. 'He never did it!' cries + Kit's mother. 'Well,' says the turnkey, 'I won't contradict you. It's all + one, now, whether he did it or not.' + </p> + <p> + Kit's mother can reach his hand through the bars, and she clasps it— + God, and those to whom he has given such tenderness, only know in how much + agony. Kit bids her keep a good heart, and, under pretence of having the + children lifted up to kiss him, prays Barbara's mother in a whisper to + take her home. + </p> + <p> + 'Some friend will rise up for us, mother,' cried Kit, 'I am sure. If not + now, before long. My innocence will come out, mother, and I shall be + brought back again; I feel confidence in that. You must teach little Jacob + and the baby how all this was, for if they thought I had ever been + dishonest, when they grew old enough to understand, it would break my + heart to know it, if I was thousands of miles away.—Oh! is there no + good gentleman here, who will take care of her!' + </p> + <p> + The hand slips out of his, for the poor creature sinks down upon the + earth, insensible. Richard Swiveller comes hastily up, elbows the + bystanders out of the way, takes her (after some trouble) in one arm after + the manner of theatrical ravishers, and, nodding to Kit, and commanding + Barbara's mother to follow, for he has a coach waiting, bears her swiftly + off. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0454m.jpg" alt="0454m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0454.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Well; Richard took her home. And what astonishing absurdities in the way + of quotation from song and poem he perpetrated on the road, no man knows. + He took her home, and stayed till she was recovered; and, having no money + to pay the coach, went back in state to Bevis Marks, bidding the driver + (for it was Saturday night) wait at the door while he went in for + 'change.' + </p> + <p> + 'Mr Richard, sir,' said Brass cheerfully, 'Good evening!' + </p> + <p> + Monstrous as Kit's tale had appeared, at first, Mr Richard did, that + night, half suspect his affable employer of some deep villany. Perhaps it + was but the misery he had just witnessed which gave his careless nature + this impulse; but, be that as it may, it was very strong upon him, and he + said in as few words as possible, what he wanted. + </p> + <p> + 'Money?' cried Brass, taking out his purse. 'Ha ha! To be sure, Mr + Richard, to be sure, sir. All men must live. You haven't change for a + five-pound note, have you sir?' + </p> + <p> + 'No,' returned Dick, shortly. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Brass, 'here's the very sum. That saves trouble. You're very + welcome I'm sure.—Mr Richard, sir—' Dick, who had by this time + reached the door, turned round. + </p> + <p> + 'You needn't,' said Brass, 'trouble yourself to come back any more, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'You see, Mr Richard,' said Brass, thrusting his hands in his pockets, and + rocking himself to and fro on his stool, 'the fact is, that a man of your + abilities is lost, Sir, quite lost, in our dry and mouldy line. It's + terrible drudgery—shocking. I should say, now, that the stage, or + the—or the army, Mr Richard—or something very superior in the + licensed victualling way—was the kind of thing that would call out + the genius of such a man as you. I hope you'll look in to see us now and + then. Sally, Sir, will be delighted I'm sure. She's extremely sorry to + lose you, Mr Richard, but a sense of her duty to society reconciles her. + An amazing creature that, sir! You'll find the money quite correct, I + think. There's a cracked window sir, but I've not made any deduction on + that account. Whenever we part with friends, Mr Richard, let us part + liberally. A delightful sentiment, sir!' + </p> + <p> + To all these rambling observations, Mr Swiveller answered not one word, + but, returning for the aquatic jacket, rolled it into a tight round ball: + looking steadily at Brass meanwhile as if he had some intention of bowling + him down with it. He only took it under his arm, however, and marched out + of the office in profound silence. When he had closed the door, he + re-opened it, stared in again for a few moments with the same portentous + gravity, and nodding his head once, in a slow and ghost-like manner, + vanished. + </p> + <p> + He paid the coachman, and turned his back on Bevis Marks, big with great + designs for the comforting of Kit's mother and the aid of Kit himself. + </p> + <p> + But the lives of gentlemen devoted to such pleasures as Richard Swiveller, + are extremely precarious. The spiritual excitement of the last fortnight, + working upon a system affected in no slight degree by the spirituous + excitement of some years, proved a little too much for him. That very + night, Mr Richard was seized with an alarming illness, and in twenty-four + hours was stricken with a raging fever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap64"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 64 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>ossing to and fro upon his hot, uneasy bed; tormented by a fierce thirst + which nothing could appease; unable to find, in any change of posture, a + moment's peace or ease; and rambling, ever, through deserts of thought + where there was no resting-place, no sight or sound suggestive of + refreshment or repose, nothing but a dull eternal weariness, with no + change but the restless shiftings of his miserable body, and the weary + wandering of his mind, constant still to one ever-present anxiety—to + a sense of something left undone, of some fearful obstacle to be + surmounted, of some carking care that would not be driven away, and which + haunted the distempered brain, now in this form, now in that, always + shadowy and dim, but recognisable for the same phantom in every shape it + took: darkening every vision like an evil conscience, and making slumber + horrible—in these slow tortures of his dread disease, the + unfortunate Richard lay wasting and consuming inch by inch, until, at + last, when he seemed to fight and struggle to rise up, and to be held down + by devils, he sank into a deep sleep, and dreamed no more. + </p> + <p> + He awoke. With a sensation of most blissful rest, better than sleep + itself, he began gradually to remember something of these sufferings, and + to think what a long night it had been, and whether he had not been + delirious twice or thrice. Happening, in the midst of these cogitations, + to raise his hand, he was astonished to find how heavy it seemed, and yet + how thin and light it really was. Still, he felt indifferent and happy; + and having no curiosity to pursue the subject, remained in the same waking + slumber until his attention was attracted by a cough. This made him doubt + whether he had locked his door last night, and feel a little surprised at + having a companion in the room. Still, he lacked energy to follow up this + train of thought; and unconsciously fell, in a luxury of repose, to + staring at some green stripes on the bed-furniture, and associating them + strangely with patches of fresh turf, while the yellow ground between made + gravel-walks, and so helped out a long perspective of trim gardens. + </p> + <p> + He was rambling in imagination on these terraces, and had quite lost + himself among them indeed, when he heard the cough once more. The walks + shrunk into stripes again at the sound, and raising himself a little in + the bed, and holding the curtain open with one hand, he looked out. + </p> + <p> + The same room certainly, and still by candlelight; but with what unbounded + astonishment did he see all those bottles, and basins, and articles of + linen airing by the fire, and such-like furniture of a sick chamber—all + very clean and neat, but all quite different from anything he had left + there, when he went to bed! The atmosphere, too, filled with a cool smell + of herbs and vinegar; the floor newly sprinkled; the—the what? The + Marchioness? + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0458m.jpg" alt="0458m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0458.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Yes; playing cribbage with herself at the table. There she sat, intent + upon her game, coughing now and then in a subdued manner as if she feared + to disturb him—shuffling the cards, cutting, dealing, playing, + counting, pegging—going through all the mysteries of cribbage as if + she had been in full practice from her cradle! Mr Swiveller contemplated + these things for a short time, and suffering the curtain to fall into its + former position, laid his head on the pillow again. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm dreaming,' thought Richard, 'that's clear. When I went to bed, my + hands were not made of egg-shells; and now I can almost see through 'em. + If this is not a dream, I have woke up, by mistake, in an Arabian Night, + instead of a London one. But I have no doubt I'm asleep. Not the least.' + </p> + <p> + Here the small servant had another cough. + </p> + <p> + 'Very remarkable!' thought Mr Swiveller. 'I never dreamt such a real cough + as that before. I don't know, indeed, that I ever dreamt either a cough or + a sneeze. Perhaps it's part of the philosophy of dreams that one never + does. There's another—and another—I say!—I'm dreaming + rather fast!' + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of testing his real condition, Mr Swiveller, after some + reflection, pinched himself in the arm. + </p> + <p> + 'Queerer still!' he thought. 'I came to bed rather plump than otherwise, + and now there's nothing to lay hold of. I'll take another survey.' + </p> + <p> + The result of this additional inspection was, to convince Mr Swiveller + that the objects by which he was surrounded were real, and that he saw + them, beyond all question, with his waking eyes. + </p> + <p> + 'It's an Arabian Night; that's what it is,' said Richard. 'I'm in Damascus + or Grand Cairo. The Marchioness is a Genie, and having had a wager with + another Genie about who is the handsomest young man alive, and the + worthiest to be the husband of the Princess of China, has brought me away, + room and all, to compare us together. Perhaps,' said Mr Swiveller, turning + languidly round on his pillow, and looking on that side of his bed which + was next the wall, 'the Princess may be still—No, she's gone.' + </p> + <p> + Not feeling quite satisfied with this explanation, as, even taking it to + be the correct one, it still involved a little mystery and doubt, Mr + Swiveller raised the curtain again, determined to take the first + favourable opportunity of addressing his companion. An occasion presented + itself. The Marchioness dealt, turned up a knave, and omitted to take the + usual advantage; upon which Mr Swiveller called out as loud as he could—'Two + for his heels!' + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness jumped up quickly and clapped her hands. 'Arabian Night, + certainly,' thought Mr Swiveller; 'they always clap their hands instead of + ringing the bell. Now for the two thousand black slaves, with jars of + jewels on their heads!' + </p> + <p> + It appeared, however, that she had only clapped her hands for joy; for + directly afterward she began to laugh, and then to cry; declaring, not in + choice Arabic but in familiar English, that she was 'so glad, she didn't + know what to do.' + </p> + <p> + 'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, thoughtfully, 'be pleased to draw + nearer. First of all, will you have the goodness to inform me where I + shall find my voice; and secondly, what has become of my flesh?' + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness only shook her head mournfully, and cried again; whereupon + Mr Swiveller (being very weak) felt his own eyes affected likewise. + </p> + <p> + 'I begin to infer, from your manner, and these appearances, Marchioness,' + said Richard after a pause, and smiling with a trembling lip, 'that I have + been ill.' + </p> + <p> + 'You just have!' replied the small servant, wiping her eyes. 'And haven't + you been a talking nonsense!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Dick. 'Very ill, Marchioness, have I been?' + </p> + <p> + 'Dead, all but,' replied the small servant. 'I never thought you'd get + better. Thank Heaven you have!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller was silent for a long while. By and bye, he began to talk + again, inquiring how long he had been there. + </p> + <p> + 'Three weeks to-morrow,' replied the servant. + </p> + <p> + 'Three what?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Weeks,' returned the Marchioness emphatically; 'three long, slow weeks.' + </p> + <p> + The bare thought of having been in such extremity, caused Richard to fall + into another silence, and to lie flat down again, at his full length. The + Marchioness, having arranged the bed-clothes more comfortably, and felt + that his hands and forehead were quite cool—a discovery that filled + her with delight—cried a little more, and then applied herself to + getting tea ready, and making some thin dry toast. + </p> + <p> + While she was thus engaged, Mr Swiveller looked on with a grateful heart, + very much astonished to see how thoroughly at home she made herself, and + attributing this attention, in its origin, to Sally Brass, whom, in his + own mind, he could not thank enough. When the Marchioness had finished her + toasting, she spread a clean cloth on a tray, and brought him some crisp + slices and a great basin of weak tea, with which (she said) the doctor had + left word he might refresh himself when he awoke. She propped him up with + pillows, if not as skilfully as if she had been a professional nurse all + her life, at least as tenderly; and looked on with unutterable + satisfaction while the patient—stopping every now and then to shake + her by the hand—took his poor meal with an appetite and relish, + which the greatest dainties of the earth, under any other circumstances, + would have failed to provoke. Having cleared away, and disposed everything + comfortably about him again, she sat down at the table to take her own + tea. + </p> + <p> + 'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, 'how's Sally?' + </p> + <p> + The small servant screwed her face into an expression of the very + uttermost entanglement of slyness, and shook her head. + </p> + <p> + 'What, haven't you seen her lately?' said Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Seen her!' cried the small servant. 'Bless you, I've run away!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller immediately laid himself down again quite flat, and so + remained for about five minutes. By slow degrees he resumed his sitting + posture after that lapse of time, and inquired: + </p> + <p> + 'And where do you live, Marchioness?' + </p> + <p> + 'Live!' cried the small servant. 'Here!' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Mr Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + And with that he fell down flat again, as suddenly as if he had been shot. + Thus he remained, motionless and bereft of speech, until she had finished + her meal, put everything in its place, and swept the hearth; when he + motioned her to bring a chair to the bedside, and, being propped up again, + opened a farther conversation. + </p> + <p> + 'And so,' said Dick, 'you have run away?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said the Marchioness, 'and they've been a tizing of me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Been—I beg your pardon,' said Dick—'what have they been + doing?' + </p> + <p> + 'Been a tizing of me—tizing you know—in the newspapers,' + rejoined the Marchioness. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, aye,' said Dick, 'advertising?' + </p> + <p> + The small servant nodded, and winked. Her eyes were so red with waking and + crying, that the Tragic Muse might have winked with greater consistency. + And so Dick felt. + </p> + <p> + 'Tell me,' said he, 'how it was that you thought of coming here.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, you see,' returned the Marchioness, 'when you was gone, I hadn't any + friend at all, because the lodger he never come back, and I didn't know + where either him or you was to be found, you know. But one morning, when I + was—' + </p> + <p> + 'Was near a keyhole?' suggested Mr Swiveller, observing that she faltered. + </p> + <p> + 'Well then,' said the small servant, nodding; 'when I was near the office + keyhole—as you see me through, you know—I heard somebody + saying that she lived here, and was the lady whose house you lodged at, + and that you was took very bad, and wouldn't nobody come and take care of + you. Mr Brass, he says, "It's no business of mine," he says; and Miss + Sally, she says, "He's a funny chap, but it's no business of mine;" and + the lady went away, and slammed the door to, when she went out, I can tell + you. So I run away that night, and come here, and told 'em you was my + brother, and they believed me, and I've been here ever since.' + </p> + <p> + 'This poor little Marchioness has been wearing herself to death!' cried + Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'No I haven't,' she returned, 'not a bit of it. Don't you mind about me. I + like sitting up, and I've often had a sleep, bless you, in one of them + chairs. But if you could have seen how you tried to jump out o' winder, + and if you could have heard how you used to keep on singing and making + speeches, you wouldn't have believed it—I'm so glad you're better, + Mr Liverer.' + </p> + <p> + 'Liverer indeed!' said Dick thoughtfully. 'It's well I am a liverer. I + strongly suspect I should have died, Marchioness, but for you.' + </p> + <p> + At this point, Mr Swiveller took the small servant's hand in his again, + and being, as we have seen, but poorly, might in struggling to express his + thanks have made his eyes as red as hers, but that she quickly changed the + theme by making him lie down, and urging him to keep very quiet. + </p> + <p> + 'The doctor,' she told him, 'said you was to be kept quite still, and + there was to be no noise nor nothing. Now, take a rest, and then we'll + talk again. I'll sit by you, you know. If you shut your eyes, perhaps + you'll go to sleep. You'll be all the better for it, if you do.' + </p> + <p> + The Marchioness, in saying these words, brought a little table to the + bedside, took her seat at it, and began to work away at the concoction of + some cooling drink, with the address of a score of chemists. Richard + Swiveller being indeed fatigued, fell into a slumber, and waking in about + half an hour, inquired what time it was. + </p> + <p> + 'Just gone half after six,' replied his small friend, helping him to sit + up again. + </p> + <p> + 'Marchioness,' said Richard, passing his hand over his forehead and + turning suddenly round, as though the subject but that moment flashed upon + him, 'what has become of Kit?' + </p> + <p> + He had been sentenced to transportation for a great many years, she said. + </p> + <p> + 'Has he gone?' asked Dick—'his mother—how is she,—what + has become of her?' + </p> + <p> + His nurse shook her head, and answered that she knew nothing about them. + 'But, if I thought,' said she, very slowly, 'that you'd keep quiet, and + not put yourself into another fever, I could tell you—but I won't + now.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, do,' said Dick. 'It will amuse me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! would it though!' rejoined the small servant, with a horrified look. + 'I know better than that. Wait till you're better and then I'll tell you.' + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p> + Dick looked very earnestly at his little friend: and his eyes, being large + and hollow from illness, assisted the expression so much, that she was + quite frightened, and besought him not to think any more about it. What + had already fallen from her, however, had not only piqued his curiosity, + but seriously alarmed him, wherefore he urged her to tell him the worst at + once. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh there's no worst in it,' said the small servant. 'It hasn't anything + to do with you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has it anything to do with—is it anything you heard through chinks + or keyholes—and that you were not intended to hear?' asked Dick, in + a breathless state. + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' replied the small servant. + </p> + <p> + 'In—in Bevis Marks?' pursued Dick hastily. 'Conversations between + Brass and Sally?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' cried the small servant again. + </p> + <p> + Richard Swiveller thrust his lank arm out of bed, and, gripping her by the + wrist and drawing her close to him, bade her out with it, and freely too, + or he would not answer for the consequences; being wholly unable to endure + the state of excitement and expectation. She, seeing that he was greatly + agitated, and that the effects of postponing her revelation might be much + more injurious than any that were likely to ensue from its being made at + once, promised compliance, on condition that the patient kept himself + perfectly quiet, and abstained from starting up or tossing about. + </p> + <p> + 'But if you begin to do that,' said the small servant, 'I'll leave off. + And so I tell you.' + </p> + <p> + 'You can't leave off, till you have gone on,' said Dick. 'And do go on, + there's a darling. Speak, sister, speak. Pretty Polly say. Oh tell me + when, and tell me where, pray Marchioness, I beseech you!' + </p> + <p> + Unable to resist these fervent adjurations, which Richard Swiveller poured + out as passionately as if they had been of the most solemn and tremendous + nature, his companion spoke thus: + </p> + <p> + 'Well! Before I run away, I used to sleep in the kitchen—where we + played cards, you know. Miss Sally used to keep the key of the kitchen + door in her pocket, and she always come down at night to take away the + candle and rake out the fire. When she had done that, she left me to go to + bed in the dark, locked the door on the outside, put the key in her pocket + again, and kept me locked up till she come down in the morning—very + early I can tell you—and let me out. I was terrible afraid of being + kept like this, because if there was a fire, I thought they might forget + me and only take care of themselves you know. So, whenever I see an old + rusty key anywhere, I picked it up and tried if it would fit the door, and + at last I found in the dust cellar a key that did fit it.' + </p> + <p> + Here, Mr Swiveller made a violent demonstration with his legs. But the + small servant immediately pausing in her talk, he subsided again, and + pleading a momentary forgetfulness of their compact, entreated her to + proceed. + </p> + <p> + 'They kept me very short,' said the small servant. 'Oh! you can't think + how short they kept me! So I used to come out at night after they'd gone + to bed, and feel about in the dark for bits of biscuit, or sangwitches + that you'd left in the office, or even pieces of orange peel to put into + cold water and make believe it was wine. Did you ever taste orange peel + and water?' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller replied that he had never tasted that ardent liquor; and once + more urged his friend to resume the thread of her narrative. + </p> + <p> + 'If you make believe very much, it's quite nice,' said the small servant, + 'but if you don't, you know, it seems as if it would bear a little more + seasoning, certainly. Well, sometimes I used to come out after they'd gone + to bed, and sometimes before, you know; and one or two nights before there + was all that precious noise in the office—when the young man was + took, I mean—I come upstairs while Mr Brass and Miss Sally was + a-sittin' at the office fire; and I tell you the truth, that I come to + listen again, about the key of the safe.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller gathered up his knees so as to make a great cone of the + bedclothes, and conveyed into his countenance an expression of the utmost + concern. But the small servant pausing, and holding up her finger, the + cone gently disappeared, though the look of concern did not. + </p> + <p> + 'There was him and her,' said the small servant, 'a-sittin' by the fire, + and talking softly together. Mr Brass says to Miss Sally, "Upon my word," + he says "it's a dangerous thing, and it might get us into a world of + trouble, and I don't half like it." She says—you know her way—she + says, "You're the chickenest-hearted, feeblest, faintest man I ever see, + and I think," she says, "that I ought to have been the brother, and you + the sister. Isn't Quilp," she says, "our principal support?" "He certainly + is," says Mr Brass, "And an't we," she says, "constantly ruining somebody + or other in the way of business?" "We certainly are," says Mr Brass. "Then + does it signify," she says, "about ruining this Kit when Quilp desires + it?" "It certainly does not signify," says Mr Brass. Then they whispered + and laughed for a long time about there being no danger if it was well + done, and then Mr Brass pulls out his pocket-book, and says, "Well," he + says, "here it is—Quilp's own five-pound note. We'll agree that way, + then," he says. "Kit's coming to-morrow morning, I know. While he's + up-stairs, you'll get out of the way, and I'll clear off Mr Richard. + Having Kit alone, I'll hold him in conversation, and put this property in + his hat. I'll manage so, besides," he says, "that Mr Richard shall find it + there, and be the evidence. And if that don't get Christopher out of Mr + Quilp's way, and satisfy Mr Quilp's grudges," he says, "the Devil's in + it." Miss Sally laughed, and said that was the plan, and as they seemed to + be moving away, and I was afraid to stop any longer, I went down-stairs + again.—There!' + </p> + <p> + The small servant had gradually worked herself into as much agitation as + Mr Swiveller, and therefore made no effort to restrain him when he sat up + in bed and hastily demanded whether this story had been told to anybody. + </p> + <p> + 'How could it be?' replied his nurse. 'I was almost afraid to think about + it, and hoped the young man would be let off. When I heard 'em say they + had found him guilty of what he didn't do, you was gone, and so was the + lodger—though I think I should have been frightened to tell him, + even if he'd been there. Ever since I come here, you've been out of your + senses, and what would have been the good of telling you then?' + </p> + <p> + 'Marchioness,' said Mr Swiveller, plucking off his nightcap and flinging + it to the other end of the room; 'if you'll do me the favour to retire for + a few minutes and see what sort of a night it is, I'll get up.' + </p> + <p> + 'You mustn't think of such a thing,' cried his nurse. + </p> + <p> + 'I must indeed,' said the patient, looking round the room. 'Whereabouts + are my clothes?' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh, I'm so glad—you haven't got any,' replied the Marchioness. + </p> + <p> + 'Ma'am!' said Mr Swiveller, in great astonishment. + </p> + <p> + 'I've been obliged to sell them, every one, to get the things that was + ordered for you. But don't take on about that,' urged the Marchioness, as + Dick fell back upon his pillow. 'You're too weak to stand, indeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am afraid,' said Richard dolefully, 'that you're right. What ought I to + do! what is to be done!' + </p> + <p> + It naturally occurred to him on very little reflection, that the first + step to take would be to communicate with one of the Mr Garlands + instantly. It was very possible that Mr Abel had not yet left the office. + In as little time as it takes to tell it, the small servant had the + address in pencil on a piece of paper; a verbal description of father and + son, which would enable her to recognise either, without difficulty; and a + special caution to be shy of Mr Chuckster, in consequence of that + gentleman's known antipathy to Kit. Armed with these slender powers, she + hurried away, commissioned to bring either old Mr Garland or Mr Abel, + bodily, to that apartment. + </p> + <p> + 'I suppose,' said Dick, as she closed the door slowly, and peeped into the + room again, to make sure that he was comfortable, 'I suppose there's + nothing left—not so much as a waistcoat even?' + </p> + <p> + 'No, nothing.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's embarrassing,' said Mr Swiveller, 'in case of fire—even an + umbrella would be something—but you did quite right, dear + Marchioness. I should have died without you!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap65"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 65 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">I</span>t was well for the small servant that she was of a sharp, quick nature, + or the consequence of sending her out alone, from the very neighbourhood + in which it was most dangerous for her to appear, would probably have been + the restoration of Miss Sally Brass to the supreme authority over her + person. Not unmindful of the risk she ran, however, the Marchioness no + sooner left the house than she dived into the first dark by-way that + presented itself, and, without any present reference to the point to which + her journey tended, made it her first business to put two good miles of + brick and mortar between herself and Bevis Marks. + </p> + <p> + When she had accomplished this object, she began to shape her course for + the notary's office, to which—shrewdly inquiring of apple-women and + oyster-sellers at street-corners, rather than in lighted shops or of + well-dressed people, at the hazard of attracting notice—she easily + procured a direction. As carrier-pigeons, on being first let loose in a + strange place, beat the air at random for a short time before darting off + towards the spot for which they are designed, so did the Marchioness + flutter round and round until she believed herself in safety, and then + bear swiftly down upon the port for which she was bound. + </p> + <p> + She had no bonnet—nothing on her head but a great cap which, in some + old time, had been worn by Sally Brass, whose taste in head-dresses was, + as we have seen, peculiar—and her speed was rather retarded than + assisted by her shoes, which, being extremely large and slipshod, flew off + every now and then, and were difficult to find again, among the crowd of + passengers. Indeed, the poor little creature experienced so much trouble + and delay from having to grope for these articles of dress in mud and + kennel, and suffered in these researches so much jostling, pushing, + squeezing and bandying from hand to hand, that by the time she reached the + street in which the notary lived, she was fairly worn out and exhausted, + and could not refrain from tears. + </p> + <p> + But to have got there at last was a great comfort, especially as there + were lights still burning in the office window, and therefore some hope + that she was not too late. So the Marchioness dried her eyes with the + backs of her hands, and, stealing softly up the steps, peeped in through + the glass door. + </p> + <p> + Mr Chuckster was standing behind the lid of his desk, making such + preparations towards finishing off for the night, as pulling down his + wristbands and pulling up his shirt-collar, settling his neck more + gracefully in his stock, and secretly arranging his whiskers by the aid of + a little triangular bit of looking glass. Before the ashes of the fire + stood two gentlemen, one of whom she rightly judged to be the notary, and + the other (who was buttoning his great-coat and was evidently about to + depart immediately) Mr Abel Garland. + </p> + <p> + Having made these observations, the small spy took counsel with herself, + and resolved to wait in the street until Mr Abel came out, as there would + be then no fear of having to speak before Mr Chuckster, and less + difficulty in delivering her message. With this purpose she slipped out + again, and crossing the road, sat down upon a door-step just opposite. + </p> + <p> + She had hardly taken this position, when there came dancing up the street, + with his legs all wrong, and his head everywhere by turns, a pony. This + pony had a little phaeton behind him, and a man in it; but neither man nor + phaeton seemed to embarrass him in the least, as he reared up on his hind + legs, or stopped, or went on, or stood still again, or backed, or went + side-ways, without the smallest reference to them—just as the fancy + seized him, and as if he were the freest animal in creation. When they + came to the notary's door, the man called out in a very respectful manner, + 'Woa then'—intimating that if he might venture to express a wish, it + would be that they stopped there. The pony made a moment's pause; but, as + if it occurred to him that to stop when he was required might be to + establish an inconvenient and dangerous precedent, he immediately started + off again, rattled at a fast trot to the street corner, wheeled round, + came back, and then stopped of his own accord. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh! you're a precious creatur!' said the man—who didn't venture by + the bye to come out in his true colours until he was safe on the pavement. + 'I wish I had the rewarding of you—I do.' + </p> + <p> + 'What has he been doing?' said Mr Abel, tying a shawl round his neck as he + came down the steps. + </p> + <p> + 'He's enough to fret a man's heart out,' replied the hostler. 'He is the + most wicious rascal—Woa then, will you?' + </p> + <p> + 'He'll never stand still, if you call him names,' said Mr Abel, getting + in, and taking the reins. 'He's a very good fellow if you know how to + manage him. This is the first time he has been out, this long while, for + he has lost his old driver and wouldn't stir for anybody else, till this + morning. The lamps are right, are they? That's well. Be here to take him + to-morrow, if you please. Good night!' + </p> + <p> + And, after one or two strange plunges, quite of his own invention, the + pony yielded to Mr Abel's mildness, and trotted gently off. + </p> + <p> + All this time Mr Chuckster had been standing at the door, and the small + servant had been afraid to approach. She had nothing for it now, + therefore, but to run after the chaise, and to call to Mr Abel to stop. + Being out of breath when she came up with it, she was unable to make him + hear. The case was desperate; for the pony was quickening his pace. The + Marchioness hung on behind for a few moments, and, feeling that she could + go no farther, and must soon yield, clambered by a vigorous effort into + the hinder seat, and in so doing lost one of the shoes for ever. + </p> + <p> + Mr Abel being in a thoughtful frame of mind, and having quite enough to do + to keep the pony going, went jogging on without looking round: little + dreaming of the strange figure that was close behind him, until the Marchioness, + having in some degree recovered her breath, and the loss of her shoe, and + the novelty of her position, uttered close into his ear, the words—'I + say, Sir'— + </p> + <p> + He turned his head quickly enough then, and stopping the pony, cried, with + some trepidation, 'God bless me, what is this!' + </p> + <p> + 'Don't be frightened, Sir,' replied the still panting messenger. 'Oh I've + run such a way after you!' + </p> + <p> + 'What do you want with me?' said Mr Abel. 'How did you come here?' + </p> + <p> + 'I got in behind,' replied the Marchioness. 'Oh please drive on, sir—don't + stop—and go towards the City, will you? And oh do please make haste, + because it's of consequence. There's somebody wants to see you there. He + sent me to say would you come directly, and that he knowed all about Kit, + and could save him yet, and prove his innocence.' + </p> + <p> + 'What do you tell me, child?' + </p> + <p> + 'The truth, upon my word and honour I do. But please to drive on— + quick, please! I've been such a time gone, he'll think I'm lost.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Abel involuntarily urged the pony forward. The pony, impelled by some + secret sympathy or some new caprice, burst into a great pace, and neither + slackened it, nor indulged in any eccentric performances, until they + arrived at the door of Mr Swiveller's lodging, where, marvellous to + relate, he consented to stop when Mr Abel checked him. + </p> + <p> + 'See! It's the room up there,' said the Marchioness, pointing to one where + there was a faint light. 'Come!' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0468m.jpg" alt="0468m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0468.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr Abel, who was one of the simplest and most retiring creatures in + existence, and naturally timid withal, hesitated; for he had heard of + people being decoyed into strange places to be robbed and murdered, under + circumstances very like the present, and, for anything he knew to the + contrary, by guides very like the Marchioness. His regard for Kit, + however, overcame every other consideration. So, entrusting Whisker to the + charge of a man who was lingering hard by in expectation of the job, he + suffered his companion to take his hand, and to lead him up the dark and + narrow stairs. + </p> + <p> + He was not a little surprised to find himself conducted into a + dimly-lighted sick chamber, where a man was sleeping tranquilly in bed. + </p> + <p> + 'An't it nice to see him lying there so quiet?' said his guide, in an + earnest whisper. 'Oh! you'd say it was, if you had only seen him two or + three days ago.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Abel made no answer, and, to say the truth, kept a long way from the + bed and very near the door. His guide, who appeared to understand his + reluctance, trimmed the candle, and taking it in her hand, approached the + bed. As she did so, the sleeper started up, and he recognised in the + wasted face the features of Richard Swiveller. + </p> + <p> + 'Why, how is this?' said Mr Abel kindly, as he hurried towards him. 'You + have been ill?' + </p> + <p> + 'Very,' replied Dick. 'Nearly dead. You might have chanced to hear of your + Richard on his bier, but for the friend I sent to fetch you. Another shake + of the hand, Marchioness, if you please. Sit down, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Abel seemed rather astonished to hear of the quality of his guide, and + took a chair by the bedside. + </p> + <p> + 'I have sent for you, Sir,' said Dick—'but she told you on what + account?' + </p> + <p> + 'She did. I am quite bewildered by all this. I really don't know what to + say or think,' replied Mr Abel. + </p> + <p> + 'You'll say that presently,' retorted Dick. 'Marchioness, take a seat on + the bed, will you? Now, tell this gentleman all that you told me; and be + particular. Don't you speak another word, Sir.' + </p> + <p> + The story was repeated; it was, in effect, exactly the same as before, + without any deviation or omission. Richard Swiveller kept his eyes fixed + on his visitor during its narration, and directly it was concluded, took + the word again. + </p> + <p> + 'You have heard it all, and you'll not forget it. I'm too giddy and too + queer to suggest anything; but you and your friends will know what to do. + After this long delay, every minute is an age. If ever you went home fast + in your life, go home fast to-night. Don't stop to say one word to me, but + go. She will be found here, whenever she's wanted; and as to me, you're + pretty sure to find me at home, for a week or two. There are more reasons + than one for that. Marchioness, a light! If you lose another minute in + looking at me, sir, I'll never forgive you!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Abel needed no more remonstrance or persuasion. He was gone in an + instant; and the Marchioness, returning from lighting him down-stairs, + reported that the pony, without any preliminary objection whatever, had + dashed away at full gallop. + </p> + <p> + 'That's right!' said Dick; 'and hearty of him; and I honour him from this + time. But get some supper and a mug of beer, for I am sure you must be + tired. Do have a mug of beer. It will do me as much good to see you take + it as if I might drink it myself.' + </p> + <p> + Nothing but this assurance could have prevailed upon the small nurse to + indulge in such a luxury. Having eaten and drunk to Mr Swiveller's extreme + contentment, given him his drink, and put everything in neat order, she + wrapped herself in an old coverlet and lay down upon the rug before the + fire. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller was by that time murmuring in his sleep, 'Strew then, oh + strew, a bed of rushes. Here will we stay, till morning blushes. Good + night, Marchioness!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap66"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 66 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">O</span>n awaking in the morning, Richard Swiveller became conscious, by slow + degrees, of whispering voices in his room. Looking out between the + curtains, he espied Mr Garland, Mr Abel, the notary, and the single + gentleman, gathered round the Marchioness, and talking to her with great + earnestness but in very subdued tones—fearing, no doubt, to disturb + him. He lost no time in letting them know that this precaution was + unnecessary, and all four gentlemen directly approached his bedside. Old + Mr Garland was the first to stretch out his hand, and inquire how he felt. + </p> + <p> + Dick was about to answer that he felt much better, though still as weak as + need be, when his little nurse, pushing the visitors aside and pressing up + to his pillow as if in jealousy of their interference, set his breakfast + before him, and insisted on his taking it before he underwent the fatigue + of speaking or of being spoken to. Mr Swiveller, who was perfectly + ravenous, and had had, all night, amazingly distinct and consistent dreams + of mutton chops, double stout, and similar delicacies, felt even the weak + tea and dry toast such irresistible temptations, that he consented to eat + and drink on one condition. + </p> + <p> + 'And that is,' said Dick, returning the pressure of Mr Garland's hand, + 'that you answer me this question truly, before I take a bit or drop. Is + it too late?' + </p> + <p> + 'For completing the work you began so well last night?' returned the old + gentleman. 'No. Set your mind at rest on that point. It is not, I assure + you.' + </p> + <p> + Comforted by this intelligence, the patient applied himself to his food + with a keen appetite, though evidently not with a greater zest in the + eating than his nurse appeared to have in seeing him eat. The manner of + this meal was this:—Mr Swiveller, holding the slice of toast or cup + of tea in his left hand, and taking a bite or drink, as the case might be, + constantly kept, in his right, one palm of the Marchioness tight locked; + and to shake, or even to kiss this imprisoned hand, he would stop every + now and then, in the very act of swallowing, with perfect seriousness of + intention, and the utmost gravity. As often as he put anything into his + mouth, whether for eating or drinking, the face of the Marchioness lighted + up beyond all description; but whenever he gave her one or other of these + tokens of recognition, her countenance became overshadowed, and she began + to sob. Now, whether she was in her laughing joy, or in her crying one, + the Marchioness could not help turning to the visitors with an appealing + look, which seemed to say, 'You see this fellow—can I help this?'—and + they, being thus made, as it were, parties to the scene, as regularly + answered by another look, 'No. Certainly not.' This dumb-show, taking + place during the whole time of the invalid's breakfast, and the invalid + himself, pale and emaciated, performing no small part in the same, it may + be fairly questioned whether at any meal, where no word, good or bad, was + spoken from beginning to end, so much was expressed by gestures in + themselves so slight and unimportant. + </p> + <p> + At length—and to say the truth before very long—Mr Swiveller + had despatched as much toast and tea as in that stage of his recovery it + was discreet to let him have. But the cares of the Marchioness did not + stop here; for, disappearing for an instant and presently returning with a + basin of fair water, she laved his face and hands, brushed his hair, and + in short made him as spruce and smart as anybody under such circumstances + could be made; and all this, in as brisk and business-like a manner, as if + he were a very little boy, and she his grown-up nurse. To these various + attentions, Mr Swiveller submitted in a kind of grateful astonishment + beyond the reach of language. When they were at last brought to an end, + and the Marchioness had withdrawn into a distant corner to take her own + poor breakfast (cold enough by that time), he turned his face away for + some few moments, and shook hands heartily with the air. + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen,' said Dick, rousing himself from this pause, and turning round + again, 'you'll excuse me. Men who have been brought so low as I have been, + are easily fatigued. I am fresh again now, and fit for talking. We're + short of chairs here, among other trifles, but if you'll do me the favour + to sit upon the bed—' + </p> + <p> + 'What can we do for you?' said Mr Garland, kindly. + </p> + <p> + 'If you could make the Marchioness yonder, a Marchioness, in real, sober + earnest,' returned Dick, 'I'd thank you to get it done off-hand. But as + you can't, and as the question is not what you will do for me, but what + you will do for somebody else who has a better claim upon you, pray sir + let me know what you intend doing.' + </p> + <p> + 'It's chiefly on that account that we have come just now,' said the single + gentleman, 'for you will have another visitor presently. We feared you + would be anxious unless you knew from ourselves what steps we intended to + take, and therefore came to you before we stirred in the matter.' + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen,' returned Dick, 'I thank you. Anybody in the helpless state + that you see me in, is naturally anxious. Don't let me interrupt you, + sir.' + </p> + <p> + 'Then, you see, my good fellow,' said the single gentleman, 'that while we + have no doubt whatever of the truth of this disclosure, which has so + providentially come to light—' + </p> + <p> + 'Meaning hers?' said Dick, pointing towards the Marchioness. + </p> + <p> + '—Meaning hers, of course. While we have no doubt of that, or that a + proper use of it would procure the poor lad's immediate pardon and + liberation, we have a great doubt whether it would, by itself, enable us + to reach Quilp, the chief agent in this villany. I should tell you that + this doubt has been confirmed into something very nearly approaching + certainty by the best opinions we have been enabled, in this short space + of time, to take upon the subject. You'll agree with us, that to give him + even the most distant chance of escape, if we could help it, would be + monstrous. You say with us, no doubt, if somebody must escape, let it be + any one but he.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' returned Dick, 'certainly. That is if somebody must—but upon + my word, I'm unwilling that anybody should. Since laws were made for every + degree, to curb vice in others as well as in me—and so forth you + know—doesn't it strike you in that light?' + </p> + <p> + The single gentleman smiled as if the light in which Mr Swiveller had put + the question were not the clearest in the world, and proceeded to explain + that they contemplated proceeding by stratagem in the first instance; and + that their design was to endeavour to extort a confession from the gentle + Sarah. + </p> + <p> + 'When she finds how much we know, and how we know it,' he said, 'and that + she is clearly compromised already, we are not without strong hopes that + we may be enabled through her means to punish the other two effectually. + If we could do that, she might go scot-free for aught I cared.' + </p> + <p> + Dick received this project in anything but a gracious manner, representing + with as much warmth as he was then capable of showing, that they would + find the old buck (meaning Sarah) more difficult to manage than Quilp + himself—that, for any tampering, terrifying, or cajolery, she was a + very unpromising and unyielding subject—that she was of a kind of + brass not easily melted or moulded into shape—in short, that they + were no match for her, and would be signally defeated. But it was in vain + to urge them to adopt some other course. The single gentleman has been + described as explaining their joint intentions, but it should have been + written that they all spoke together; that if any one of them by chance + held his peace for a moment, he stood gasping and panting for an + opportunity to strike in again: in a word, that they had reached that + pitch of impatience and anxiety where men can neither be persuaded nor + reasoned with; and that it would have been as easy to turn the most + impetuous wind that ever blew, as to prevail on them to reconsider their + determination. So, after telling Mr Swiveller how they had not lost sight + of Kit's mother and the children; how they had never once even lost sight + of Kit himself, but had been unremitting in their endeavours to procure a + mitigation of his sentence; how they had been perfectly distracted between + the strong proofs of his guilt, and their own fading hopes of his + innocence; and how he, Richard Swiveller, might keep his mind at rest, for + everything should be happily adjusted between that time and night;—after + telling him all this, and adding a great many kind and cordial + expressions, personal to himself, which it is unnecessary to recite, Mr + Garland, the notary, and the single gentleman, took their leaves at a very + critical time, or Richard Swiveller must assuredly have been driven into + another fever, whereof the results might have been fatal. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0474m.jpg" alt="0474m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0474.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Mr Abel remained behind, very often looking at his watch and at the room + door, until Mr Swiveller was roused from a short nap, by the setting-down + on the landing-place outside, as from the shoulders of a porter, of some + giant load, which seemed to shake the house, and made the little physic + bottles on the mantel-shelf ring again. Directly this sound reached his + ears, Mr Abel started up, and hobbled to the door, and opened it; and + behold! there stood a strong man, with a mighty hamper, which, being + hauled into the room and presently unpacked, disgorged such treasures as + tea, and coffee, and wine, and rusks, and oranges, and grapes, and fowls + ready trussed for boiling, and calves'-foot jelly, and arrow-root, and + sago, and other delicate restoratives, that the small servant, who had + never thought it possible that such things could be, except in shops, + stood rooted to the spot in her one shoe, with her mouth and eyes watering + in unison, and her power of speech quite gone. But, not so Mr Abel; or the + strong man who emptied the hamper, big as it was, in a twinkling; and not + so the nice old lady, who appeared so suddenly that she might have come + out of the hamper too (it was quite large enough), and who, bustling about + on tiptoe and without noise—now here, now there, now everywhere at + once—began to fill out the jelly in tea-cups, and to make chicken + broth in small saucepans, and to peel oranges for the sick man and to cut + them up in little pieces, and to ply the small servant with glasses of + wine and choice bits of everything until more substantial meat could be + prepared for her refreshment. The whole of which appearances were so + unexpected and bewildering, that Mr Swiveller, when he had taken two + oranges and a little jelly, and had seen the strong man walk off with the + empty basket, plainly leaving all that abundance for his use and benefit, + was fain to lie down and fall asleep again, from sheer inability to + entertain such wonders in his mind. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the single gentleman, the Notary, and Mr Garland, repaired to a + certain coffee-house, and from that place indited and sent a letter to + Miss Sally Brass, requesting her, in terms mysterious and brief, to favour + an unknown friend who wished to consult her, with her company there, as + speedily as possible. The communication performed its errand so well, that + within ten minutes of the messenger's return and report of its delivery, + Miss Brass herself was announced. + </p> + <p> + 'Pray ma'am,' said the single gentleman, whom she found alone in the room, + 'take a chair.' + </p> + <p> + Miss Brass sat herself down, in a very stiff and frigid state, and seemed—as + indeed she was—not a little astonished to find that the lodger and + her mysterious correspondent were one and the same person. + </p> + <p> + 'You did not expect to see me?' said the single gentleman. + </p> + <p> + 'I didn't think much about it,' returned the beauty. 'I supposed it was + business of some kind or other. If it's about the apartments, of course + you'll give my brother regular notice, you know—or money. That's + very easily settled. You're a responsible party, and in such a case lawful + money and lawful notice are pretty much the same.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am obliged to you for your good opinion,' retorted the single + gentleman, 'and quite concur in these sentiments. But that is not the + subject on which I wish to speak with you.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh!' said Sally. 'Then just state the particulars, will you? I suppose + it's professional business?' + </p> + <p> + 'Why, it is connected with the law, certainly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Very well,' returned Miss Brass. 'My brother and I are just the same. I + can take any instructions, or give you any advice.' + </p> + <p> + 'As there are other parties interested besides myself,' said the single + gentleman, rising and opening the door of an inner room, 'we had better + confer together. Miss Brass is here, gentlemen.' +</p> + <p> +Mr Garland and the Notary + walked in, looking very grave; and, drawing up two chairs, one on each + side of the single gentleman, formed a kind of fence round the gentle + Sarah, and penned her into a corner. Her brother Sampson under such + circumstances would certainly have evinced some confusion or anxiety, but + she—all composure—pulled out the tin box, and calmly took a + pinch of snuff. + </p> + <p> + 'Miss Brass,' said the Notary, taking the word at this crisis, 'we + professional people understand each other, and, when we choose, can say + what we have to say, in very few words. You advertised a runaway servant, + the other day?' + </p> + <p> + 'Well,' returned Miss Sally, with a sudden flush overspreading her + features, 'what of that?' + </p> + <p> + 'She is found, ma'am,' said the Notary, pulling out his + pocket-handkerchief with a flourish. 'She is found.' + </p> + <p> + 'Who found her?' demanded Sarah hastily. + </p> + <p> + 'We did, ma'am—we three. Only last night, or you would have heard + from us before.' + </p> + <p> + 'And now I have heard from you,' said Miss Brass, folding her arms as + though she were about to deny something to the death, 'what have you got + to say? Something you have got into your heads about her, of course. Prove + it, will you—that's all. Prove it. You have found her, you say. I + can tell you (if you don't know it) that you have found the most artful, + lying, pilfering, devilish little minx that was ever born.—Have you + got her here?' she added, looking sharply round. + </p> + <p> + 'No, she is not here at present,' returned the Notary. 'But she is quite + safe.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ha!' cried Sally, twitching a pinch of snuff out of her box, as + spitefully as if she were in the very act of wrenching off the small + servant's nose; 'she shall be safe enough from this time, I warrant you.' + </p> + <p> + 'I hope so,' replied the Notary. 'Did it occur to you for the first time, + when you found she had run away, that there were two keys to your kitchen + door?' + </p> + <p> + Miss Sally took another pinch, and putting her head on one side, looked at + her questioner, with a curious kind of spasm about her mouth, but with a + cunning aspect of immense expression. + </p> + <p> + 'Two keys,' repeated the Notary; 'one of which gave her the opportunities + of roaming through the house at nights when you supposed her fast locked + up, and of overhearing confidential consultations—among others, that + particular conference, to be described to-day before a justice, which you + will have an opportunity of hearing her relate; that conference which you + and Mr Brass held together, on the night before that most unfortunate and + innocent young man was accused of robbery, by a horrible device of which I + will only say that it may be characterised by the epithets which you have + applied to this wretched little witness, and by a few stronger ones + besides.' + </p> + <p> + Sally took another pinch. Although her face was wonderfully composed, it + was apparent that she was wholly taken by surprise, and that what she had + expected to be taxed with, in connection with her small servant, was + something very different from this. + </p> + <p> + 'Come, come, Miss Brass,' said the Notary, 'you have great command of + feature, but you feel, I see, that by a chance which never entered your + imagination, this base design is revealed, and two of its plotters must be + brought to justice. Now, you know the pains and penalties you are liable + to, and so I need not dilate upon them, but I have a proposal to make to + you. You have the honour of being sister to one of the greatest scoundrels + unhung; and, if I may venture to say so to a lady, you are in every + respect quite worthy of him. But connected with you two is a third party, + a villain of the name of Quilp, the prime mover of the whole diabolical + device, who I believe to be worse than either. For his sake, Miss Brass, + do us the favour to reveal the whole history of this affair. Let me remind + you that your doing so, at our instance, will place you in a safe and + comfortable position—your present one is not desirable—and + cannot injure your brother; for against him and you we have quite + sufficient evidence (as you hear) already. I will not say to you that we + suggest this course in mercy (for, to tell you the truth, we do not + entertain any regard for you), but it is a necessity to which we are + reduced, and I recommend it to you as a matter of the very best policy. + Time,' said Mr Witherden, pulling out his watch, 'in a business like this, + is exceedingly precious. Favour us with your decision as speedily as + possible, ma'am.' + </p> + <p> + With a smile upon her face, and looking at each of the three by turns, + Miss Brass took two or three more pinches of snuff, and having by this + time very little left, travelled round and round the box with her + forefinger and thumb, scraping up another. Having disposed of this + likewise and put the box carefully in her pocket, she said,— + </p> + <p> + 'I am to accept or reject at once, am I?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' said Mr Witherden. + </p> + <p> + The charming creature was opening her lips to speak in reply, when the + door was hastily opened too, and the head of Sampson Brass was thrust into + the room. + </p> + <p> + 'Excuse me,' said the gentleman hastily. 'Wait a bit!' + </p> + <p> + So saying, and quite indifferent to the astonishment his presence + occasioned, he crept in, shut the door, kissed his greasy glove as + servilely as if it were the dust, and made a most abject bow. + </p> + <p> + 'Sarah,' said Brass, 'hold your tongue if you please, and let me speak. + Gentlemen, if I could express the pleasure it gives me to see three such + men in a happy unity of feeling and concord of sentiment, I think you + would hardly believe me. But though I am unfortunate—nay, gentlemen, + criminal, if we are to use harsh expressions in a company like this—still, + I have my feelings like other men. I have heard of a poet, who remarked + that feelings were the common lot of all. If he could have been a pig, + gentlemen, and have uttered that sentiment, he would still have been + immortal.' + </p> + <p> + 'If you're not an idiot,' said Miss Brass harshly, 'hold your peace.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sarah, my dear,' returned her brother, 'thank you. But I know what I am + about, my love, and will take the liberty of expressing myself + accordingly. Mr Witherden, Sir, your handkerchief is hanging out of your + pocket—would you allow me to—, + </p> + <p> + As Mr Brass advanced to remedy this accident, the Notary shrunk from him + with an air of disgust. Brass, who over and above his usual prepossessing + qualities, had a scratched face, a green shade over one eye, and a hat + grievously crushed, stopped short, and looked round with a pitiful smile. + </p> + <p> + 'He shuns me,' said Sampson, 'even when I would, as I may say, heap coals + of fire upon his head. Well! Ah! But I am a falling house, and the rats + (if I may be allowed the expression in reference to a gentleman I respect + and love beyond everything) fly from me! Gentlemen—regarding your + conversation just now, I happened to see my sister on her way here, and, + wondering where she could be going to, and being—may I venture to + say?—naturally of a suspicious turn, followed her. Since then, I + have been listening.' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0479m.jpg" alt="0479m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0479.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + 'If you're not mad,' interposed Miss Sally, 'stop there, and say no more.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sarah, my dear,' rejoined Brass with undiminished politeness, 'I thank + you kindly, but will still proceed. Mr Witherden, sir, as we have the + honour to be members of the same profession—to say nothing of that + other gentleman having been my lodger, and having partaken, as one may + say, of the hospitality of my roof—I think you might have given me + the refusal of this offer in the first instance. I do indeed. Now, my dear + Sir,' cried Brass, seeing that the Notary was about to interrupt him, + 'suffer me to speak, I beg.' + </p> + <p> + Mr Witherden was silent, and Brass went on. + </p> + <p> + 'If you will do me the favour,' he said, holding up the green shade, and + revealing an eye most horribly discoloured, 'to look at this, you will + naturally inquire, in your own minds, how did I get it. If you look from + that, to my face, you will wonder what could have been the cause of all + these scratches. And if from them to my hat, how it came into the state in + which you see it. Gentlemen,' said Brass, striking the hat fiercely with + his clenched hand, 'to all these questions I answer—Quilp!' + </p> + <p> + The three gentlemen looked at each other, but said nothing. + </p> + <p> + 'I say,' pursued Brass, glancing aside at his sister, as though he were + talking for her information, and speaking with a snarling malignity, in + violent contrast to his usual smoothness, 'that I answer to all these + questions,—Quilp—Quilp, who deludes me into his infernal den, + and takes a delight in looking on and chuckling while I scorch, and burn, + and bruise, and maim myself—Quilp, who never once, no never once, in + all our communications together, has treated me otherwise than as a dog—Quilp, + whom I have always hated with my whole heart, but never so much as lately. + He gives me the cold shoulder on this very matter as if he had had nothing + to do with it, instead of being the first to propose it. I can't trust + him. In one of his howling, raving, blazing humours, I believe he'd let it + out, if it was murder, and never think of himself so long as he could + terrify me. Now,' said Brass, picking up his hat again and replacing the + shade over his eye, and actually crouching down, in the excess of his + servility, 'what does all this lead to?—what should you say it led + me to, gentlemen?—could you guess at all near the mark?' + </p> + <p> + Nobody spoke. Brass stood smirking for a little while, as if he had + propounded some choice conundrum; and then said: + </p> + <p> + 'To be short with you, then, it leads me to this. If the truth has come + out, as it plainly has in a manner that there's no standing up against—and + a very sublime and grand thing is Truth, gentlemen, in its way, though + like other sublime and grand things, such as thunder-storms and that, + we're not always over and above glad to see it—I had better turn + upon this man than let this man turn upon me. It's clear to me that I am + done for. Therefore, if anybody is to split, I had better be the person + and have the advantage of it. Sarah, my dear, comparatively speaking + you're safe. I relate these circumstances for my own profit.' + </p> + <p> + With that, Mr Brass, in a great hurry, revealed the whole story; bearing + as heavily as possible on his amiable employer, and making himself out to + be rather a saint-like and holy character, though subject—he + acknowledged—to human weaknesses. He concluded thus: + </p> + <p> + 'Now, gentlemen, I am not a man who does things by halves. Being in for a + penny, I am ready, as the saying is, to be in for a pound. You must do + with me what you please, and take me where you please. If you wish to have + this in writing, we'll reduce it into manuscript immediately. You will be + tender with me, I am sure. I am quite confident you will be tender with + me. You are men of honour, and have feeling hearts. I yielded from + necessity to Quilp, for though necessity has no law, she has her lawyers. + I yield to you from necessity too; from policy besides; and because of + feelings that have been a pretty long time working within me. Punish + Quilp, gentlemen. Weigh heavily upon him. Grind him down. Tread him under + foot. He has done as much by me, for many and many a day.' + </p> + <p> + Having now arrived at the conclusion of his discourse, Sampson checked the + current of his wrath, kissed his glove again, and smiled as only parasites + and cowards can. + </p> + <p> + 'And this,' said Miss Brass, raising her head, with which she had hitherto + sat resting on her hands, and surveying him from head to foot with a + bitter sneer, 'this is my brother, is it! This is my brother, that I have + worked and toiled for, and believed to have had something of the man in + him!' + </p> + <p> + 'Sarah, my dear,' returned Sampson, rubbing his hands feebly; 'you disturb + our friends. Besides you—you're disappointed, Sarah, and, not + knowing what you say, expose yourself.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes, you pitiful dastard,' retorted the lovely damsel, 'I understand you. + You feared that I should be beforehand with you. But do you think that I + would have been enticed to say a word! I'd have scorned it, if they had + tried and tempted me for twenty years.' + </p> + <p> + 'He he!' simpered Brass, who, in his deep debasement, really seemed to + have changed sexes with his sister, and to have made over to her any spark + of manliness he might have possessed. 'You think so, Sarah, you think so + perhaps; but you would have acted quite different, my good fellow. You + will not have forgotten that it was a maxim with Foxey—our revered + father, gentlemen—"Always suspect everybody." That's the maxim to go + through life with! If you were not actually about to purchase your own + safety when I showed myself, I suspect you'd have done it by this time. + And therefore I've done it myself, and spared you the trouble as well as + the shame. The shame, gentlemen,' added Brass, allowing himself to be + slightly overcome, 'if there is any, is mine. It's better that a female + should be spared it.' + </p> + <p> + With deference to the better opinion of Mr Brass, and more particularly to + the authority of his Great Ancestor, it may be doubted, with humility, + whether the elevating principle laid down by the latter gentleman, and + acted upon by his descendant, is always a prudent one, or attended in + practice with the desired results. This is, beyond question, a bold and + presumptuous doubt, inasmuch as many distinguished characters, called men + of the world, long-headed customers, knowing dogs, shrewd fellows, capital + hands at business, and the like, have made, and do daily make, this axiom + their polar star and compass. Still, the doubt may be gently insinuated. + And in illustration it may be observed, that if Mr Brass, not being + over-suspicious, had, without prying and listening, left his sister to + manage the conference on their joint behalf, or prying and listening, had + not been in such a mighty hurry to anticipate her (which he would not have + been, but for his distrust and jealousy), he would probably have found + himself much better off in the end. Thus, it will always happen that these + men of the world, who go through it in armour, defend themselves from + quite as much good as evil; to say nothing of the inconvenience and + absurdity of mounting guard with a microscope at all times, and of wearing + a coat of mail on the most innocent occasions. + </p> + <p> + The three gentlemen spoke together apart, for a few moments. At the end of + their consultation, which was very brief, the Notary pointed to the + writing materials on the table, and informed Mr Brass that if he wished to + make any statement in writing, he had the opportunity of doing so. At the + same time he felt bound to tell him that they would require his + attendance, presently, before a justice of the peace, and that in what he + did or said, he was guided entirely by his own discretion. + </p> + <p> + 'Gentlemen,' said Brass, drawing off his glove, and crawling in spirit + upon the ground before them, 'I will justify the tenderness with which I + know I shall be treated; and as, without tenderness, I should, now that + this discovery has been made, stand in the worst position of the three, + you may depend upon it I will make a clean breast. Mr Witherden, sir, a + kind of faintness is upon my spirits—if you would do me the favour + to ring the bell and order up a glass of something warm and spicy, I + shall, notwithstanding what has passed, have a melancholy pleasure in + drinking your good health. I had hoped,' said Brass, looking round with a + mournful smile, 'to have seen you three gentlemen, one day or another, + with your legs under the mahogany in my humble parlour in the Marks. But + hopes are fleeting. Dear me!' + </p> + <p> + Mr Brass found himself so exceedingly affected, at this point, that he + could say or do nothing more until some refreshment arrived. Having + partaken of it, pretty freely for one in his agitated state, he sat down + to write. + </p> + <p> + The lovely Sarah, now with her arms folded, and now with her hands clasped + behind her, paced the room with manly strides while her brother was thus + employed, and sometimes stopped to pull out her snuff-box and bite the + lid. She continued to pace up and down until she was quite tired, and then + fell asleep on a chair near the door. + </p> + <p> + It has been since supposed, with some reason, that this slumber was a sham + or feint, as she contrived to slip away unobserved in the dusk of the + afternoon. Whether this was an intentional and waking departure, or a + somnambulistic leave-taking and walking in her sleep, may remain a subject + of contention; but, on one point (and indeed the main one) all parties are + agreed. In whatever state she walked away, she certainly did not walk back + again. + </p> + <p> + Mention having been made of the dusk of the afternoon, it will be inferred + that Mr Brass's task occupied some time in the completion. It was not + finished until evening; but, being done at last, that worthy person and + the three friends adjourned in a hackney-coach to the private office of a + justice, who, giving Mr Brass a warm reception and detaining him in a + secure place that he might insure to himself the pleasure of seeing him on + the morrow, dismissed the others with the cheering assurance that a + warrant could not fail to be granted next day for the apprehension of Mr + Quilp, and that a proper application and statement of all the + circumstances to the secretary of state (who was fortunately in town), + would no doubt procure Kit's free pardon and liberation without delay. + </p> + <p> + And now, indeed, it seemed that Quilp's malignant career was drawing to a + close, and that retribution, which often travels slowly—especially + when heaviest—had tracked his footsteps with a sure and certain + scent and was gaining on him fast. Unmindful of her stealthy tread, her + victim holds his course in fancied triumph. Still at his heels she comes, + and once afoot, is never turned aside! + </p> + <p> + Their business ended, the three gentlemen hastened back to the lodgings of + Mr Swiveller, whom they found progressing so favourably in his recovery as + to have been able to sit up for half an hour, and to have conversed with + cheerfulness. Mrs Garland had gone home some time since, but Mr Abel was + still sitting with him. After telling him all they had done, the two Mr + Garlands and the single gentleman, as if by some previous understanding, + took their leaves for the night, leaving the invalid alone with the Notary + and the small servant. + </p> + <p> + 'As you are so much better,' said Mr Witherden, sitting down at the + bedside, 'I may venture to communicate to you a piece of news which has + come to me professionally.' + </p> + <p> + The idea of any professional intelligence from a gentleman connected with + legal matters, appeared to afford Richard any-thing but a pleasing + anticipation. Perhaps he connected it in his own mind with one or two + outstanding accounts, in reference to which he had already received divers + threatening letters. His countenance fell as he replied, + </p> + <p> + 'Certainly, sir. I hope it's not anything of a very disagreeable nature, + though?' + </p> + <p> + 'If I thought it so, I should choose some better time for communicating + it,' replied the Notary. 'Let me tell you, first, that my friends who have + been here to-day, know nothing of it, and that their kindness to you has + been quite spontaneous and with no hope of return. It may do a + thoughtless, careless man, good, to know that.' + </p> + <p> + Dick thanked him, and said he hoped it would. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been making some inquiries about you,' said Mr Witherden, 'little + thinking that I should find you under such circumstances as those which + have brought us together. You are the nephew of Rebecca Swiveller, + spinster, deceased, of Cheselbourne in Dorsetshire.' + </p> + <p> + 'Deceased!' cried Dick. + </p> + <p> + 'Deceased. If you had been another sort of nephew, you would have come + into possession (so says the will, and I see no reason to doubt it) of + five-and-twenty thousand pounds. As it is, you have fallen into an annuity + of one hundred and fifty pounds a year; but I think I may congratulate you + even upon that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Sir,' said Dick, sobbing and laughing together, 'you may. For, please + God, we'll make a scholar of the poor Marchioness yet! And she shall walk + in silk attire, and siller have to spare, or may I never rise from this + bed again!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap67"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 67 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">U</span>nconscious of the proceedings faithfully narrated in the last chapter, + and little dreaming of the mine which had been sprung beneath him (for, to + the end that he should have no warning of the business a-foot, the + profoundest secrecy was observed in the whole transaction), Mr Quilp + remained shut up in his hermitage, undisturbed by any suspicion, and + extremely well satisfied with the result of his machinations. Being + engaged in the adjustment of some accounts—an occupation to which + the silence and solitude of his retreat were very favourable—he had + not strayed from his den for two whole days. The third day of his devotion + to this pursuit found him still hard at work, and little disposed to stir + abroad. + </p> + <p> + It was the day next after Mr Brass's confession, and consequently, that + which threatened the restriction of Mr Quilp's liberty, and the abrupt + communication to him of some very unpleasant and unwelcome facts. Having + no intuitive perception of the cloud which lowered upon his house, the + dwarf was in his ordinary state of cheerfulness; and, when he found he was + becoming too much engrossed by business with a due regard to his health + and spirits, he varied its monotonous routine with a little screeching, or + howling, or some other innocent relaxation of that nature. + </p> + <p> + He was attended, as usual, by Tom Scott, who sat crouching over the fire + after the manner of a toad, and, from time to time, when his master's back + was turned, imitating his grimaces with a fearful exactness. The + figure-head had not yet disappeared, but remained in its old place. The + face, horribly seared by the frequent application of the red-hot poker, + and further ornamented by the insertion, in the tip of the nose, of a + tenpenny nail, yet smiled blandly in its less lacerated parts, and seemed, + like a sturdy martyr, to provoke its tormentor to the commission of new + outrages and insults. +</p> + <p> +The day, in the highest and brightest quarters of + the town, was damp, dark, cold and gloomy. In that low and marshy spot, + the fog filled every nook and corner with a thick dense cloud. Every + object was obscure at one or two yards' distance. The warning lights and + fires upon the river were powerless beneath this pall, and, but for a raw + and piercing chillness in the air, and now and then the cry of some + bewildered boatman as he rested on his oars and tried to make out where he + was, the river itself might have been miles away. + </p> + <p> + The mist, though sluggish and slow to move, was of a keenly searching + kind. No muffling up in furs and broadcloth kept it out. It seemed to + penetrate into the very bones of the shrinking wayfarers, and to rack them + with cold and pains. Everything was wet and clammy to the touch. The warm + blaze alone defied it, and leaped and sparkled merrily. It was a day to be + at home, crowding about the fire, telling stories of travellers who had + lost their way in such weather on heaths and moors; and to love a warm + hearth more than ever. + </p> + <p> + The dwarf's humour, as we know, was to have a fireside to himself; and + when he was disposed to be convivial, to enjoy himself alone. By no means + insensible to the comfort of being within doors, he ordered Tom Scott to + pile the little stove with coals, and, dismissing his work for that day, + determined to be jovial. + </p> + <p> + To this end, he lighted up fresh candles and heaped more fuel on the fire; + and having dined off a beefsteak, which he cooked himself in somewhat of a + savage and cannibal-like manner, brewed a great bowl of hot punch, lighted + his pipe, and sat down to spend the evening. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, a low knocking at the cabin-door arrested his attention. + When it had been twice or thrice repeated, he softly opened the little + window, and thrusting his head out, demanded who was there. + </p> + <p> + 'Only me, Quilp,' replied a woman's voice. + </p> + <p> + 'Only you!' cried the dwarf, stretching his neck to obtain a better view + of his visitor. 'And what brings you here, you jade? How dare you approach + the ogre's castle, eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'I have come with some news,' rejoined his spouse. 'Don't be angry with + me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Is it good news, pleasant news, news to make a man skip and snap his + fingers?' said the dwarf. 'Is the dear old lady dead?' + </p> + <p> + 'I don't know what news it is, or whether it's good or bad,' rejoined his + wife. + </p> + <p> + 'Then she's alive,' said Quilp, 'and there's nothing the matter with her. + Go home again, you bird of evil note, go home!' +</p> + <p> +'I have brought a letter,' + cried the meek little woman. + </p> + <p> + 'Toss it in at the window here, and go your ways,' said Quilp, + interrupting her, 'or I'll come out and scratch you.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, but please, Quilp—do hear me speak,' urged his submissive wife, + in tears. 'Please do!' + </p> + <p> + 'Speak then,' growled the dwarf with a malicious grin. 'Be quick and short + about it. Speak, will you?' + </p> + <p> + 'It was left at our house this afternoon,' said Mrs Quilp, trembling, 'by + a boy who said he didn't know from whom it came, but that it was given to + him to leave, and that he was told to say it must be brought on to you + directly, for it was of the very greatest consequence.—But please,' + she added, as her husband stretched out his hand for it, 'please let me + in. You don't know how wet and cold I am, or how many times I have lost my + way in coming here through this thick fog. Let me dry myself at the fire + for five minutes. I'll go away directly you tell me to, Quilp. Upon my + word I will.' + </p> + <p> + Her amiable husband hesitated for a few moments; but, bethinking himself + that the letter might require some answer, of which she could be the + bearer, closed the window, opened the door, and bade her enter. Mrs Quilp + obeyed right willingly, and, kneeling down before the fire to warm her + hands, delivered into his a little packet. + </p> + <p> + 'I'm glad you're wet,' said Quilp, snatching it, and squinting at her. + 'I'm glad you're cold. I'm glad you lost your way. I'm glad your eyes are + red with crying. It does my heart good to see your little nose so pinched + and frosty.' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Quilp!' sobbed his wife. 'How cruel it is of you!' + </p> + <p> + 'Did she think I was dead?' said Quilp, wrinkling his face into a most + extraordinary series of grimaces. 'Did she think she was going to have all + the money, and to marry somebody she liked? Ha ha ha! Did she?' + </p> + <p> + These taunts elicited no reply from the poor little woman, who remained on + her knees, warming her hands, and sobbing, to Mr Quilp's great delight. + But, just as he was contemplating her, and chuckling excessively, he + happened to observe that Tom Scott was delighted too; wherefore, that he + might have no presumptuous partner in his glee, the dwarf instantly + collared him, dragged him to the door, and after a short scuffle, kicked + him into the yard. In return for this mark of attention, Tom immediately + walked upon his hands to the window, and—if the expression be + allowable—looked in with his shoes: besides rattling his feet upon + the glass like a Banshee upside down. As a matter of course, Mr Quilp lost + no time in resorting to the infallible poker, with which, after some + dodging and lying in ambush, he paid his young friend one or two such + unequivocal compliments that he vanished precipitately, and left him in + quiet possession of the field. + </p> + <p> + 'So! That little job being disposed of,' said the dwarf, coolly, 'I'll + read my letter. Humph!' he muttered, looking at the direction. 'I ought to + know this writing. Beautiful Sally!' + </p> + <p> + Opening it, he read, in a fair, round, legal hand, as follows: + </p> + <p> + 'Sammy has been practised upon, and has broken confidence. It has all come + out. You had better not be in the way, for strangers are going to call + upon you. They have been very quiet as yet, because they mean to surprise + you. Don't lose time. I didn't. I am not to be found anywhere. If I was + you, I wouldn't either. S. B., late of B. M.' + </p> + <p> + To describe the changes that passed over Quilp's face, as he read this + letter half-a-dozen times, would require some new language: such, for + power of expression, as was never written, read, or spoken. For a long + time he did not utter one word; but, after a considerable interval, during + which Mrs Quilp was almost paralysed with the alarm his looks engendered, + he contrived to gasp out, + </p> + <p> + 'If I had him here. If I only had him here—' + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Quilp!' said his wife, 'what's the matter? Who are you angry with?' + </p> + <p> + '—I should drown him,' said the dwarf, not heeding her. 'Too easy a + death, too short, too quick—but the river runs close at hand. Oh! if + I had him here! just to take him to the brink coaxingly and pleasantly,—holding + him by the button-hole—joking with him,—and, with a sudden + push, to send him splashing down! Drowning men come to the surface three + times they say. Ah! To see him those three times, and mock him as his face + came bobbing up,—oh, what a rich treat that would be!' + </p> + <p> + 'Quilp!' stammered his wife, venturing at the same time to touch him on + the shoulder: 'what has gone wrong?' + </p> + <p> + She was so terrified by the relish with which he pictured this pleasure to + himself that she could scarcely make herself intelligible. + </p> + <p> + 'Such a bloodless cur!' said Quilp, rubbing his hands very slowly, and + pressing them tight together. 'I thought his cowardice and servility were + the best guarantee for his keeping silence. Oh Brass, Brass—my dear, + good, affectionate, faithful, complimentary, charming friend—if I + only had you here!' + </p> + <p> + His wife, who had retreated lest she should seem to listen to these + mutterings, ventured to approach him again, and was about to speak, when + he hurried to the door, and called Tom Scott, who, remembering his late + gentle admonition, deemed it prudent to appear immediately. + </p> + <p> + 'There!' said the dwarf, pulling him in. 'Take her home. Don't come here + to-morrow, for this place will be shut up. Come back no more till you hear + from me or see me. Do you mind?' + </p> + <p> + Tom nodded sulkily, and beckoned Mrs Quilp to lead the way. + </p> + <p> + 'As for you,' said the dwarf, addressing himself to her, 'ask no questions + about me, make no search for me, say nothing concerning me. I shall not be + dead, mistress, and that'll comfort you. He'll take care of you.' + </p> + <p> + 'But, Quilp? What is the matter? Where are you going? Do say something + more?' + </p> + <p> + 'I'll say that,' said the dwarf, seizing her by the arm, 'and do that too, + which undone and unsaid would be best for you, unless you go directly.' + </p> + <p> + 'Has anything happened?' cried his wife. 'Oh! Do tell me that?' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' snarled the dwarf. 'No. What matter which? I have told you what to + do. Woe betide you if you fail to do it, or disobey me by a hair's + breadth. Will you go!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am going, I'll go directly; but,' faltered his wife, 'answer me one + question first. Has this letter any connexion with dear little Nell? I + must ask you that—I must indeed, Quilp. You cannot think what days + and nights of sorrow I have had through having once deceived that child. I + don't know what harm I may have brought about, but, great or little, I did + it for you, Quilp. My conscience misgave me when I did it. Do answer me + this question, if you please?' + </p> + <p> + The exasperated dwarf returned no answer, but turned round and caught up + his usual weapon with such vehemence, that Tom Scott dragged his charge + away, by main force, and as swiftly as he could. It was well he did so, + for Quilp, who was nearly mad with rage, pursued them to the neighbouring + lane, and might have prolonged the chase but for the dense mist which + obscured them from his view and appeared to thicken every moment. + </p> + <p> + 'It will be a good night for travelling anonymously,' he said, as he + returned slowly, being pretty well breathed with his run. 'Stay. We may + look better here. This is too hospitable and free.' + </p> + <p> + By a great exertion of strength, he closed the two old gates, which were + deeply sunken in the mud, and barred them with a heavy beam. That done, he + shook his matted hair from about his eyes, and tried them.—Strong + and fast. + </p> + <p> + 'The fence between this wharf and the next is easily climbed,' said the + dwarf, when he had taken these precautions. 'There's a back lane, too, + from there. That shall be my way out. A man need know his road well, to + find it in this lovely place to-night. I need fear no unwelcome visitors + while this lasts, I think.' + </p> + <p> + Almost reduced to the necessity of groping his way with his hands (it had + grown so dark and the fog had so much increased), he returned to his lair; + and, after musing for some time over the fire, busied himself in + preparations for a speedy departure. + </p> + <p> + While he was collecting a few necessaries and cramming them into his + pockets, he never once ceased communing with himself in a low voice, or + unclenched his teeth, which he had ground together on finishing Miss + Brass's note. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh Sampson!' he muttered, 'good worthy creature—if I could but hug + you! If I could only fold you in my arms, and squeeze your ribs, as I + <i>could </i>squeeze them if I once had you tight—what a meeting there + would be between us! If we ever do cross each other again, Sampson, we'll + have a greeting not easily to be forgotten, trust me. This time, Sampson, + this moment when all had gone on so well, was so nicely chosen! It was so + thoughtful of you, so penitent, so good. Oh, if we were face to face in + this room again, my white-livered man of law, how well contented one of us + would be!' + </p> + <p> + There he stopped; and raising the bowl of punch to his lips, drank a long + deep draught, as if it were fair water and cooling to his parched mouth. + Setting it down abruptly, and resuming his preparations, he went on with + his soliloquy. + </p> + <p> + 'There's Sally,' he said, with flashing eyes; 'the woman has spirit, + determination, purpose—was she asleep, or petrified? She could have + stabbed him—poisoned him safely. She might have seen this coming on. + Why does she give me notice when it's too late? When he sat there,—yonder + there, over there,—with his white face, and red head, and sickly + smile, why didn't I know what was passing in his heart? It should have + stopped beating, that night, if I had been in his secret, or there are no + drugs to lull a man to sleep, or no fire to burn him!' + </p> + <p> + Another draught from the bowl; and, cowering over the fire with a + ferocious aspect, he muttered to himself again. + </p> + <p> + 'And this, like every other trouble and anxiety I have had of late times, + springs from that old dotard and his darling child—two wretched + feeble wanderers! I'll be their evil genius yet. And you, sweet Kit, + honest Kit, virtuous, innocent Kit, look to yourself. Where I hate, I + bite. I hate you, my darling fellow, with good cause, and proud as you are + to-night, I'll have my turn.——What's that?' + </p> + <p> + A knocking at the gate he had closed. A loud and violent knocking. Then, a + pause; as if those who knocked had stopped to listen. Then, the noise + again, more clamorous and importunate than before. +</p> + <p> +'So soon!' said the + dwarf. 'And so eager! I am afraid I shall disappoint you. It's well I'm + quite prepared. Sally, I thank you!' + </p> + <p> + As he spoke, he extinguished the candle. In his impetuous attempts to + subdue the brightness of the fire, he overset the stove, which came + tumbling forward, and fell with a crash upon the burning embers it had + shot forth in its descent, leaving the room in pitchy darkness. The noise + at the gate still continuing, he felt his way to the door, and stepped + into the open air. + </p> + <p> + At that moment the knocking ceased. It was about eight o'clock; but the + dead of the darkest night would have been as noon-day in comparison with + the thick cloud which then rested upon the earth, and shrouded everything + from view. He darted forward for a few paces, as if into the mouth of some + dim, yawning cavern; then, thinking he had gone wrong, changed the + direction of his steps; then stood still, not knowing where to turn. + </p> + <p> + 'If they would knock again,' said Quilp, trying to peer into the gloom by + which he was surrounded, 'the sound might guide me! Come! Batter the gate + once more!' + </p> + <p> + He stood listening intently, but the noise was not renewed. Nothing was to + be heard in that deserted place, but, at intervals, the distant barkings + of dogs. The sound was far away—now in one quarter, now answered in + another—nor was it any guide, for it often came from shipboard, as + he knew. + </p> + <p> + 'If I could find a wall or fence,' said the dwarf, stretching out his + arms, and walking slowly on, 'I should know which way to turn. A good, + black, devil's night this, to have my dear friend here! If I had but that + wish, it might, for anything I cared, never be day again.' + </p> + <p> + As the word passed his lips, he staggered and fell—and next moment + was fighting with the cold dark water! + </p> + <p> + For all its bubbling up and rushing in his ears, he could hear the + knocking at the gate again—could hear a shout that followed it—could + recognise the voice. For all his struggling and plashing, he could + understand that they had lost their way, and had wandered back to the + point from which they started; that they were all but looking on, while he + was drowned; that they were close at hand, but could not make an effort to + save him; that he himself had shut and barred them out. He answered the + shout—with a yell, which seemed to make the hundred fires that + danced before his eyes tremble and flicker, as if a gust of wind had + stirred them. It was of no avail. The strong tide filled his throat, and + bore him on, upon its rapid current. + </p> + <p> + Another mortal struggle, and he was up again, beating the water with his + hands, and looking out, with wild and glaring eyes that showed him some + black object he was drifting close upon. The hull of a ship! He could + touch its smooth and slippery surface with his hand. One loud cry, now—but + the resistless water bore him down before he could give it utterance, and, + driving him under it, carried away a corpse. + </p> + <p> + It toyed and sported with its ghastly freight, now bruising it against the + slimy piles, now hiding it in mud or long rank grass, now dragging it + heavily over rough stones and gravel, now feigning to yield it to its own + element, and in the same action luring it away, until, tired of the ugly + plaything, it flung it on a swamp—a dismal place where pirates had + swung in chains through many a wintry night—and left it there to + bleach. + </p> + <p> + And there it lay alone. The sky was red with flame, and the water that + bore it there had been tinged with the sullen light as it flowed along. + The place the deserted carcass had left so recently, a living man, was now + a blazing ruin. There was something of the glare upon its face. The hair, + stirred by the damp breeze, played in a kind of mockery of death—such + a mockery as the dead man himself would have delighted in when alive—about + its head, and its dress fluttered idly in the night wind. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0492m.jpg" alt="0492m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0492.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap68"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 68 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">L</span>ighted rooms, bright fires, cheerful faces, the music of glad voices, + words of love and welcome, warm hearts, and tears of happiness—what + a change is this! But it is to such delights that Kit is hastening. They + are awaiting him, he knows. He fears he will die of joy, before he gets + among them. + </p> + <p> + They have prepared him for this, all day. He is not to be carried off + to-morrow with the rest, they tell him first. By degrees they let him know + that doubts have arisen, that inquiries are to be made, and perhaps he may + be pardoned after all. At last, the evening being come, they bring him to + a room where some gentlemen are assembled. Foremost among them is his good + old master, who comes and takes him by the hand. He hears that his + innocence is established, and that he is pardoned. He cannot see the + speaker, but he turns towards the voice, and in trying to answer, falls + down insensible. + </p> + <p> + They recover him again, and tell him he must be composed, and bear this + like a man. Somebody says he must think of his poor mother. It is because + he does think of her so much, that the happy news had overpowered him. + They crowd about him, and tell him that the truth has gone abroad, and + that all the town and country ring with sympathy for his misfortunes. He + has no ears for this. His thoughts, as yet, have no wider range than home. + Does she know it? what did she say? who told her? He can speak of nothing + else. + </p> + <p> + They make him drink a little wine, and talk kindly to him for a while, + until he is more collected, and can listen, and thank them. He is free to + go. Mr Garland thinks, if he feels better, it is time they went away. The + gentlemen cluster round him, and shake hands with him. He feels very + grateful to them for the interest they have in him, and for the kind + promises they make; but the power of speech is gone again, and he has much + ado to keep his feet, even though leaning on his master's arm. + </p> + <p> + As they come through the dismal passages, some officers of the jail who + are in waiting there, congratulate him, in their rough way, on his + release. The newsmonger is of the number, but his manner is not quite + hearty—there is something of surliness in his compliments. He looks + upon Kit as an intruder, as one who has obtained admission to that place + on false pretences, who has enjoyed a privilege without being duly + qualified. He may be a very good sort of young man, he thinks, but he has + no business there, and the sooner he is gone, the better. + </p> + <p> + The last door shuts behind them. They have passed the outer wall, and + stand in the open air—in the street he has so often pictured to + himself when hemmed in by the gloomy stones, and which has been in all his + dreams. It seems wider and more busy than it used to be. The night is bad, + and yet how cheerful and gay in his eyes! One of the gentlemen, in taking + leave of him, pressed some money into his hand. He has not counted it; but + when they have gone a few paces beyond the box for poor Prisoners, he + hastily returns and drops it in. + </p> + <p> + Mr Garland has a coach waiting in a neighbouring street, and, taking Kit + inside with him, bids the man drive home. At first, they can only travel + at a foot pace, and then with torches going on before, because of the + heavy fog. But, as they get farther from the river, and leave the closer + portions of the town behind, they are able to dispense with this + precaution and to proceed at a brisker rate. On the road, hard galloping + would be too slow for Kit; but, when they are drawing near their journey's + end, he begs they may go more slowly, and, when the house appears in + sight, that they may stop—only for a minute or two, to give him time + to breathe. + </p> + <p> + But there is no stopping then, for the old gentleman speaks stoutly to + him, the horses mend their pace, and they are already at the garden-gate. + Next minute, they are at the door. There is a noise of tongues, and tread + of feet, inside. It opens. Kit rushes in, and finds his mother clinging + round his neck. + </p> + <p> + And there, too, is the ever faithful Barbara's mother, still holding the + baby as if she had never put it down since that sad day when they little + hoped to have such joy as this—there she is, Heaven bless her, + crying her eyes out, and sobbing as never woman sobbed before; and there + is little Barbara—poor little Barbara, so much thinner and so much + paler, and yet so very pretty—trembling like a leaf and supporting + herself against the wall; and there is Mrs Garland, neater and nicer than + ever, fainting away stone dead with nobody to help her; and there is Mr + Abel, violently blowing his nose, and wanting to embrace everybody; and + there is the single gentleman hovering round them all, and constant to + nothing for an instant; and there is that good, dear, thoughtful little + Jacob, sitting all alone by himself on the bottom stair, with his hands on + his knees like an old man, roaring fearfully without giving any trouble to + anybody; and each and all of them are for the time clean out of their + wits, and do jointly and severally commit all manner of follies. + </p> + <p> + And even when the rest have in some measure come to themselves again, and + can find words and smiles, Barbara—that soft-hearted, gentle, + foolish little Barbara—is suddenly missed, and found to be in a + swoon by herself in the back parlour, from which swoon she falls into + hysterics, and from which hysterics into a swoon again, and is, indeed, so + bad, that despite a mortal quantity of vinegar and cold water she is + hardly a bit better at last than she was at first. Then, Kit's mother + comes in and says, will he come and speak to her; and Kit says 'Yes,' and + goes; and he says in a kind voice 'Barbara!' and Barbara's mother tells + her that 'it's only Kit;' and Barbara says (with her eyes closed all the + time) 'Oh! but is it him indeed?' and Barbara's mother says 'To be sure it + is, my dear; there's nothing the matter now.' And in further assurance + that he's safe and sound, Kit speaks to her again; and then Barbara goes + off into another fit of laughter, and then into another fit of crying; and + then Barbara's mother and Kit's mother nod to each other and pretend to + scold her—but only to bring her to herself the faster, bless you!—and + being experienced matrons, and acute at perceiving the first dawning + symptoms of recovery, they comfort Kit with the assurance that 'she'll do + now,' and so dismiss him to the place from whence he came. + </p> + <p> + Well! In that place (which is the next room) there are decanters of wine, + and all that sort of thing, set out as grand as if Kit and his friends + were first-rate company; and there is little Jacob, walking, as the + popular phrase is, into a home-made plum-cake, at a most surprising pace, + and keeping his eye on the figs and oranges which are to follow, and + making the best use of his time, you may believe. Kit no sooner comes in, + than that single gentleman (never was such a busy gentleman) charges all + the glasses—bumpers—and drinks his health, and tells him he + shall never want a friend while he lives; and so does Mr Garland, and so + does Mrs Garland, and so does Mr Abel. But even this honour and + distinction is not all, for the single gentleman forthwith pulls out of + his pocket a massive silver watch—going hard, and right to half a + second—and upon the back of this watch is engraved Kit's name, with + flourishes all over; and in short it is Kit's watch, bought expressly for + him, and presented to him on the spot. You may rest assured that Mr and + Mrs Garland can't help hinting about their present, in store, and that Mr + Abel tells outright that he has his; and that Kit is the happiest of the + happy. + </p> + <p> + There is one friend he has not seen yet, and as he cannot be conveniently + introduced into the family circle, by reason of his being an iron-shod + quadruped, Kit takes the first opportunity of slipping away and hurrying + to the stable. The moment he lays his hand upon the latch, the pony neighs + the loudest pony's greeting; before he has crossed the threshold, the pony + is capering about his loose box (for he brooks not the indignity of a + halter), mad to give him welcome; and when Kit goes up to caress and pat + him, the pony rubs his nose against his coat, and fondles him more + lovingly than ever pony fondled man. It is the crowning circumstance of + his earnest, heartfelt reception; and Kit fairly puts his arm round + Whisker's neck and hugs him. + </p> + <p> + But how comes Barbara to trip in there? and how smart she is again! she + has been at her glass since she recovered. How comes Barbara in the + stable, of all places in the world? Why, since Kit has been away, the pony + would take his food from nobody but her, and Barbara, you see, not + dreaming that Christopher was there, and just looking in, to see that + everything was right, has come upon him unawares. Blushing little Barbara! + </p> + <p> + It may be that Kit has caressed the pony enough; it may be that there are + even better things to caress than ponies. He leaves him for Barbara at any + rate, and hopes she is better. Yes. Barbara is a great deal better. She is + afraid—and here Barbara looks down and blushes more—that he + must have thought her very foolish. 'Not at all,' says Kit. Barbara is + glad of that, and coughs—Hem!—just the slightest cough + possible—not more than that. + </p> + <p> + What a discreet pony when he chooses! He is as quiet now as if he were of + marble. He has a very knowing look, but that he always has. 'We have + hardly had time to shake hands, Barbara,' says Kit. Barbara gives him + hers. Why, she is trembling now! Foolish, fluttering Barbara! + </p> + <p> + Arm's length? The length of an arm is not much. Barbara's was not a long + arm, by any means, and besides, she didn't hold it out straight, but bent + a little. Kit was so near her when they shook hands, that he could see a + small tiny tear, yet trembling on an eyelash. It was natural that he + should look at it, unknown to Barbara. It was natural that Barbara should + raise her eyes unconsciously, and find him out. Was it natural that at + that instant, without any previous impulse or design, Kit should kiss + Barbara? He did it, whether or no. Barbara said 'for shame,' but let him + do it too—twice. He might have done it thrice, but the pony kicked + up his heels and shook his head, as if he were suddenly taken with + convulsions of delight, and Barbara being frightened, ran away—not + straight to where her mother and Kit's mother were, though, lest they + should see how red her cheeks were, and should ask her why. Sly little + Barbara! + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0496m.jpg" alt="0496m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0496.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + When the first transports of the whole party had subsided, and Kit and his + mother, and Barbara and her mother, with little Jacob and the baby to + boot, had had their suppers together—which there was no hurrying + over, for they were going to stop there all night—Mr Garland called + Kit to him, and taking him into a room where they could be alone, told him + that he had something yet to say, which would surprise him greatly. Kit + looked so anxious and turned so pale on hearing this, that the old + gentleman hastened to add, he would be agreeably surprised; and asked him + if he would be ready next morning for a journey. + </p> + <p> + 'For a journey, sir!' cried Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'In company with me and my friend in the next room. Can you guess its + purpose?' + </p> + <p> + Kit turned paler yet, and shook his head. + </p> + <p> + 'Oh yes. I think you do already,' said his master. 'Try.' + </p> + <p> + Kit murmured something rather rambling and unintelligible, but he plainly + pronounced the words 'Miss Nell,' three or four times—shaking his + head while he did so, as if he would add that there was no hope of that. + </p> + <p> + But Mr Garland, instead of saying 'Try again,' as Kit had made sure he + would, told him very seriously, that he had guessed right. + </p> + <p> + 'The place of their retreat is indeed discovered,' he said, 'at last. And + that is our journey's end.' + </p> + <p> + Kit faltered out such questions as, where was it, and how had it been + found, and how long since, and was she well and happy? + </p> + <p> + 'Happy she is, beyond all doubt,' said Mr Garland. 'And well, I—I + trust she will be soon. She has been weak and ailing, as I learn, but she + was better when I heard this morning, and they were full of hope. Sit you + down, and you shall hear the rest.' + </p> + <p> + Scarcely venturing to draw his breath, Kit did as he was told. Mr Garland + then related to him, how he had a brother (of whom he would remember to + have heard him speak, and whose picture, taken when he was a young man, + hung in the best room), and how this brother lived a long way off, in a + country-place, with an old clergyman who had been his early friend. How, + although they loved each other as brothers should, they had not met for + many years, but had communicated by letter from time to time, always + looking forward to some period when they would take each other by the hand + once more, and still letting the Present time steal on, as it was the + habit for men to do, and suffering the Future to melt into the Past. How + this brother, whose temper was very mild and quiet and retiring—such + as Mr Abel's—was greatly beloved by the simple people among whom he + dwelt, who quite revered the Bachelor (for so they called him), and had + every one experienced his charity and benevolence. How even those slight + circumstances had come to his knowledge, very slowly and in course of + years, for the Bachelor was one of those whose goodness shuns the light, + and who have more pleasure in discovering and extolling the good deeds of + others, than in trumpeting their own, be they never so commendable. How, + for that reason, he seldom told them of his village friends; but how, for + all that, his mind had become so full of two among them—a child and + an old man, to whom he had been very kind—that, in a letter received + a few days before, he had dwelt upon them from first to last, and had told + such a tale of their wandering, and mutual love, that few could read it + without being moved to tears. How he, the recipient of that letter, was + directly led to the belief that these must be the very wanderers for whom + so much search had been made, and whom Heaven had directed to his + brother's care. How he had written for such further information as would + put the fact beyond all doubt; how it had that morning arrived; had + confirmed his first impression into a certainty; and was the immediate + cause of that journey being planned, which they were to take to-morrow. + </p> + <p> + 'In the meantime,' said the old gentleman rising, and laying his hand on + Kit's shoulder, 'you have a great need of rest; for such a day as this + would wear out the strongest man. Good night, and Heaven send our journey + may have a prosperous ending!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap69"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 69 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">K</span>it was no sluggard next morning, but, springing from his bed some time + before day, began to prepare for his welcome expedition. The hurry of + spirits consequent upon the events of yesterday, and the unexpected + intelligence he had heard at night, had troubled his sleep through the + long dark hours, and summoned such uneasy dreams about his pillow that it + was rest to rise. + </p> + <p> + But, had it been the beginning of some great labour with the same end in + view—had it been the commencement of a long journey, to be performed + on foot in that inclement season of the year, to be pursued under very + privation and difficulty, and to be achieved only with great distress, + fatigue, and suffering—had it been the dawn of some painful + enterprise, certain to task his utmost powers of resolution and endurance, + and to need his utmost fortitude, but only likely to end, if happily + achieved, in good fortune and delight to Nell—Kit's cheerful zeal + would have been as highly roused: Kit's ardour and impatience would have + been, at least, the same. + </p> + <p> + Nor was he alone excited and eager. Before he had been up a quarter of an + hour the whole house were astir and busy. Everybody hurried to do + something towards facilitating the preparations. The single gentleman, it + is true, could do nothing himself, but he overlooked everybody else and + was more locomotive than anybody. The work of packing and making ready + went briskly on, and by daybreak every preparation for the journey was + completed. Then Kit began to wish they had not been quite so nimble; for + the travelling-carriage which had been hired for the occasion was not to + arrive until nine o'clock, and there was nothing but breakfast to fill up + the intervening blank of one hour and a half. Yes there was, though. There + was Barbara. Barbara was busy, to be sure, but so much the better—Kit + could help her, and that would pass away the time better than any means + that could be devised. Barbara had no objection to this arrangement, and + Kit, tracking out the idea which had come upon him so suddenly overnight, + began to think that surely Barbara was fond of him, and surely he was fond + of Barbara. + </p> + <p> + Now, Barbara, if the truth must be told—as it must and ought to be—Barbara + seemed, of all the little household, to take least pleasure in the bustle + of the occasion; and when Kit, in the openness of his heart, told her how + glad and overjoyed it made him, Barbara became more downcast still, and + seemed to have even less pleasure in it than before! + </p> + <p> + 'You have not been home so long, Christopher,' said Barbara—and it + is impossible to tell how carelessly she said it—'You have not been + home so long, that you need to be glad to go away again, I should think.' + </p> + <p> + 'But for such a purpose,' returned Kit. 'To bring back Miss Nell! To see + her again! Only think of that! I am so pleased too, to think that you will + see her, Barbara, at last.' + </p> + <p> + Barbara did not absolutely say that she felt no gratification on this + point, but she expressed the sentiment so plainly by one little toss of + her head, that Kit was quite disconcerted, and wondered, in his + simplicity, why she was so cool about it. + </p> + <p> + 'You'll say she has the sweetest and beautifullest face you ever saw, I + know,' said Kit, rubbing his hands. 'I'm sure you'll say that.' + </p> + <p> + Barbara tossed her head again. + </p> + <p> + 'What's the matter, Barbara?' said Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Nothing,' cried Barbara. And Barbara pouted—not sulkily, or in an + ugly manner, but just enough to make her look more cherry-lipped than + ever. + </p> + <p> + There is no school in which a pupil gets on so fast, as that in which Kit + became a scholar when he gave Barbara the kiss. He saw what Barbara meant + now—he had his lesson by heart all at once—she was the book—there + it was before him, as plain as print. + </p> + <p> + 'Barbara,' said Kit, 'you're not cross with me?' + </p> + <p> + Oh dear no! Why should Barbara be cross? And what right had she to be + cross? And what did it matter whether she was cross or not? Who minded + her! + </p> + <p> + 'Why, I do,' said Kit. 'Of course I do.' + </p> + <p> + Barbara didn't see why it was of course, at all. + </p> + <p> + Kit was sure she must. Would she think again? + </p> + <p> + Certainly, Barbara would think again. No, she didn't see why it was of + course. She didn't understand what Christopher meant. And besides she was + sure they wanted her up stairs by this time, and she must go, indeed— + </p> + <p> + 'No, but Barbara,' said Kit, detaining her gently, 'let us part friends. I + was always thinking of you, in my troubles. I should have been a great + deal more miserable than I was, if it hadn't been for you.' + </p> + <p> + Goodness gracious, how pretty Barbara was when she coloured—and when + she trembled, like a little shrinking bird! + </p> + <p> + 'I am telling you the truth, Barbara, upon my word, but not half so strong + as I could wish,' said Kit. 'When I want you to be pleased to see Miss + Nell, it's only because I like you to be pleased with what pleases me—that's + all. As to her, Barbara, I think I could almost die to do her service, but + you would think so too, if you knew her as I do. I am sure you would.' + </p> + <p> + Barbara was touched, and sorry to have appeared indifferent. + </p> + <p> + 'I have been used, you see,' said Kit, 'to talk and think of her, almost + as if she was an angel. When I look forward to meeting her again, I think + of her smiling as she used to do, and being glad to see me, and putting + out her hand and saying, "It's my own old Kit," or some such words as + those—like what she used to say. I think of seeing her happy, and + with friends about her, and brought up as she deserves, and as she ought + to be. When I think of myself, it's as her old servant, and one that loved + her dearly, as his kind, good, gentle mistress; and who would have gone—yes, + and still would go—through any harm to serve her. Once, I couldn't + help being afraid that if she came back with friends about her she might + forget, or be ashamed of having known, a humble lad like me, and so might + speak coldly, which would have cut me, Barbara, deeper than I can tell. + But when I came to think again, I felt sure that I was doing her wrong in + this; and so I went on, as I did at first, hoping to see her once more, + just as she used to be. Hoping this, and remembering what she was, has + made me feel as if I would always try to please her, and always be what I + should like to seem to her if I was still her servant. If I'm the better + for that—and I don't think I'm the worse—I am grateful to her + for it, and love and honour her the more. That's the plain honest truth, + dear Barbara, upon my word it is!' + </p> + <p> + Little Barbara was not of a wayward or capricious nature, and, being full + of remorse, melted into tears. To what more conversation this might have + led, we need not stop to inquire; for the wheels of the carriage were + heard at that moment, and, being followed by a smart ring at the garden + gate, caused the bustle in the house, which had laid dormant for a short + time, to burst again into tenfold life and vigour. + </p> + <p> + Simultaneously with the travelling equipage, arrived Mr Chuckster in a + hackney cab, with certain papers and supplies of money for the single + gentleman, into whose hands he delivered them. This duty discharged, he + subsided into the bosom of the family; and, entertaining himself with a + strolling or peripatetic breakfast, watched, with genteel indifference, + the process of loading the carriage. + </p> + <p> + 'Snobby's in this, I see, Sir?' he said to Mr Abel Garland. 'I thought he + wasn't in the last trip because it was expected that his presence wouldn't + be acceptable to the ancient buffalo.' + </p> + <p> + 'To whom, Sir?' demanded Mr Abel. + </p> + <p> + 'To the old gentleman,' returned Mr Chuckster, slightly abashed. + </p> + <p> + 'Our client prefers to take him now,' said Mr Abel, drily. 'There is no + longer any need for that precaution, as my father's relationship to a + gentleman in whom the objects of his search have full confidence, will be + a sufficient guarantee for the friendly nature of their errand.' + </p> + <p> + 'Ah!' thought Mr Chuckster, looking out of window, 'anybody but me! Snobby + before me, of course. He didn't happen to take that particular five-pound + note, but I have not the smallest doubt that he's always up to something + of that sort. I always said it, long before this came out. Devilish pretty + girl that! 'Pon my soul, an amazing little creature!' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0502m.jpg" alt="502m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0502.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + Barbara was the subject of Mr Chuckster's commendations; and as she was + lingering near the carriage (all being now ready for its departure), that + gentleman was suddenly seized with a strong interest in the proceedings, + which impelled him to swagger down the garden, and take up his position at + a convenient ogling distance. Having had great experience of the sex, and + being perfectly acquainted with all those little artifices which find the + readiest road to their hearts, Mr Chuckster, on taking his ground, planted + one hand on his hip, and with the other adjusted his flowing hair. This is + a favourite attitude in the polite circles, and, accompanied with a + graceful whistling, has been known to do immense execution. + </p> + <p> + Such, however, is the difference between town and country, that nobody + took the smallest notice of this insinuating figure; the wretches being + wholly engaged in bidding the travellers farewell, in kissing hands to + each other, waving handkerchiefs, and the like tame and vulgar practices. + For now the single gentleman and Mr Garland were in the carriage, and the + post-boy was in the saddle, and Kit, well wrapped and muffled up, was in + the rumble behind; and Mrs Garland was there, and Mr Abel was there, and + Kit's mother was there, and little Jacob was there, and Barbara's mother + was visible in remote perspective, nursing the ever-wakeful baby; and all + were nodding, beckoning, curtseying, or crying out, 'Good bye!' with all + the energy they could express. In another minute, the carriage was out of + sight; and Mr Chuckster remained alone on the spot where it had lately + been, with a vision of Kit standing up in the rumble waving his hand to + Barbara, and of Barbara in the full light and lustre of his eyes—his + eyes—Chuckster's—Chuckster the successful—on whom ladies + of quality had looked with favour from phaetons in the parks on Sundays—waving + hers to Kit! + </p> + <p> + How Mr Chuckster, entranced by this monstrous fact, stood for some time + rooted to the earth, protesting within himself that Kit was the Prince of + felonious characters, and very Emperor or Great Mogul of Snobs, and how he + clearly traced this revolting circumstance back to that old villany of the + shilling, are matters foreign to our purpose; which is to track the + rolling wheels, and bear the travellers company on their cold, bleak + journey. + </p> + <p> + It was a bitter day. A keen wind was blowing, and rushed against them + fiercely: bleaching the hard ground, shaking the white frost from the + trees and hedges, and whirling it away like dust. But little cared Kit for + weather. There was a freedom and freshness in the wind, as it came howling + by, which, let it cut never so sharp, was welcome. As it swept on with its + cloud of frost, bearing down the dry twigs and boughs and withered leaves, + and carrying them away pell-mell, it seemed as though some general + sympathy had got abroad, and everything was in a hurry, like themselves. + The harder the gusts, the better progress they appeared to make. It was a + good thing to go struggling and fighting forward, vanquishing them one by + one; to watch them driving up, gathering strength and fury as they came + along; to bend for a moment, as they whistled past; and then to look back + and see them speed away, their hoarse noise dying in the distance, and the + stout trees cowering down before them. + </p> + <p> + All day long, it blew without cessation. The night was clear and + starlight, but the wind had not fallen, and the cold was piercing. + Sometimes—towards the end of a long stage—Kit could not help + wishing it were a little warmer: but when they stopped to change horses, + and he had had a good run, and what with that, and the bustle of paying + the old postilion, and rousing the new one, and running to and fro again + until the horses were put to, he was so warm that the blood tingled and + smarted in his fingers' ends—then, he felt as if to have it one + degree less cold would be to lose half the delight and glory of the + journey: and up he jumped again, right cheerily, singing to the merry + music of the wheels as they rolled away, and, leaving the townspeople in + their warm beds, pursued their course along the lonely road. + </p> + <p> + Meantime the two gentlemen inside, who were little disposed to sleep, + beguiled the time with conversation. As both were anxious and expectant, + it naturally turned upon the subject of their expedition, on the manner in + which it had been brought about, and on the hopes and fears they + entertained respecting it. Of the former they had many, of the latter few—none + perhaps beyond that indefinable uneasiness which is inseparable from + suddenly awakened hope, and protracted expectation. + </p> + <p> + In one of the pauses of their discourse, and when half the night had worn + away, the single gentleman, who had gradually become more and more silent + and thoughtful, turned to his companion and said abruptly: + </p> + <p> + 'Are you a good listener?' + </p> + <p> + 'Like most other men, I suppose,' returned Mr Garland, smiling. 'I can be, + if I am interested; and if not interested, I should still try to appear + so. Why do you ask?' + </p> + <p> + 'I have a short narrative on my lips,' rejoined his friend, 'and will try + you with it. It is very brief.' + </p> + <p> + Pausing for no reply, he laid his hand on the old gentleman's sleeve, and + proceeded thus: + </p> + <p> + 'There were once two brothers, who loved each other dearly. There was a + disparity in their ages—some twelve years. I am not sure but they + may insensibly have loved each other the better for that reason. Wide as + the interval between them was, however, they became rivals too soon. The + deepest and strongest affection of both their hearts settled upon one + object. + </p> + <p> + 'The youngest—there were reasons for his being sensitive and + watchful—was the first to find this out. I will not tell you what + misery he underwent, what agony of soul he knew, how great his mental + struggle was. He had been a sickly child. His brother, patient and + considerate in the midst of his own high health and strength, had many and + many a day denied himself the sports he loved, to sit beside his couch, + telling him old stories till his pale face lighted up with an unwonted + glow; to carry him in his arms to some green spot, where he could tend the + poor pensive boy as he looked upon the bright summer day, and saw all + nature healthy but himself; to be, in any way, his fond and faithful + nurse. I may not dwell on all he did, to make the poor, weak creature love + him, or my tale would have no end. But when the time of trial came, the + younger brother's heart was full of those old days. Heaven strengthened it + to repay the sacrifices of inconsiderate youth by one of thoughtful + manhood. He left his brother to be happy. The truth never passed his lips, + and he quitted the country, hoping to die abroad. + </p> + <p> + 'The elder brother married her. She was in Heaven before long, and left + him with an infant daughter. + </p> + <p> + 'If you have seen the picture-gallery of any one old family, you will + remember how the same face and figure—often the fairest and + slightest of them all—come upon you in different generations; and + how you trace the same sweet girl through a long line of portraits—never + growing old or changing—the Good Angel of the race—abiding by + them in all reverses—redeeming all their sins— + </p> + <p> + 'In this daughter the mother lived again. You may judge with what devotion + he who lost that mother almost in the winning, clung to this girl, her + breathing image. She grew to womanhood, and gave her heart to one who + could not know its worth. Well! Her fond father could not see her pine and + droop. He might be more deserving than he thought him. He surely might + become so, with a wife like her. He joined their hands, and they were + married. + </p> + <p> + 'Through all the misery that followed this union; through all the cold + neglect and undeserved reproach; through all the poverty he brought upon + her; through all the struggles of their daily life, too mean and pitiful + to tell, but dreadful to endure; she toiled on, in the deep devotion of + her spirit, and in her better nature, as only women can. Her means and + substance wasted; her father nearly beggared by her husband's hand, and + the hourly witness (for they lived now under one roof) of her ill-usage + and unhappiness,—she never, but for him, bewailed her fate. Patient, + and upheld by strong affection to the last, she died a widow of some three + weeks' date, leaving to her father's care two orphans; one a son of ten or + twelve years old; the other a girl—such another infant child—the + same in helplessness, in age, in form, in feature—as she had been + herself when her young mother died. + </p> + <p> + 'The elder brother, grandfather to these two children, was now a broken + man; crushed and borne down, less by the weight of years than by the heavy + hand of sorrow. With the wreck of his possessions, he began to trade—in + pictures first, and then in curious ancient things. He had entertained a + fondness for such matters from a boy, and the tastes he had cultivated + were now to yield him an anxious and precarious subsistence. + </p> + <p> + 'The boy grew like his father in mind and person; the girl so like her + mother, that when the old man had her on his knee, and looked into her + mild blue eyes, he felt as if awakening from a wretched dream, and his + daughter were a little child again. The wayward boy soon spurned the + shelter of his roof, and sought associates more congenial to his taste. + The old man and the child dwelt alone together. + </p> + <p> + 'It was then, when the love of two dead people who had been nearest and + dearest to his heart, was all transferred to this slight creature; when + her face, constantly before him, reminded him, from hour to hour, of the + too early change he had seen in such another—of all the sufferings + he had watched and known, and all his child had undergone; when the young + man's profligate and hardened course drained him of money as his father's + had, and even sometimes occasioned them temporary privation and distress; + it was then that there began to beset him, and to be ever in his mind, a + gloomy dread of poverty and want. He had no thought for himself in this. + His fear was for the child. It was a spectre in his house, and haunted him + night and day. + </p> + <p> + 'The younger brother had been a traveller in many countries, and had made + his pilgrimage through life alone. His voluntary banishment had been + misconstrued, and he had borne (not without pain) reproach and slight for + doing that which had wrung his heart, and cast a mournful shadow on his + path. Apart from this, communication between him and the elder was + difficult, and uncertain, and often failed; still, it was not so wholly + broken off but that he learnt—with long blanks and gaps between each + interval of information—all that I have told you now. + </p> + <p> + 'Then, dreams of their young, happy life—happy to him though laden + with pain and early care—visited his pillow yet oftener than before; + and every night, a boy again, he was at his brother's side. With the + utmost speed he could exert, he settled his affairs; converted into money + all the goods he had; and, with honourable wealth enough for both, with + open heart and hand, with limbs that trembled as they bore him on, with + emotion such as men can hardly bear and live, arrived one evening at his + brother's door!' + </p> + <p> + The narrator, whose voice had faltered lately, stopped. + </p> + <p> + 'The rest,' said Mr Garland, pressing his hand after a pause, 'I know.' + </p> + <p> + 'Yes,' rejoined his friend, 'we may spare ourselves the sequel. You know + the poor result of all my search. Even when by dint of such inquiries as + the utmost vigilance and sagacity could set on foot, we found they had + been seen with two poor travelling showmen—and in time discovered + the men themselves—and in time, the actual place of their retreat; + even then, we were too late. Pray God, we are not too late again!' + </p> + <p> + 'We cannot be,' said Mr Garland. 'This time we must succeed.' + </p> + <p> + 'I have believed and hoped so,' returned the other. 'I try to believe and + hope so still. But a heavy weight has fallen on my spirits, my good + friend, and the sadness that gathers over me, will yield to neither hope + nor reason.' + </p> + <p> + 'That does not surprise me,' said Mr Garland; 'it is a natural consequence + of the events you have recalled; of this dreary time and place; and above + all, of this wild and dismal night. A dismal night, indeed! Hark! how the + wind is howling!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap70"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 70 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">D</span>ay broke, and found them still upon their way. Since leaving home, they + had halted here and there for necessary refreshment, and had frequently + been delayed, especially in the night time, by waiting for fresh horses. + They had made no other stoppages, but the weather continued rough, and the + roads were often steep and heavy. It would be night again before they + reached their place of destination. + </p> + <p> + Kit, all bluff and hardened with the cold, went on manfully; and, having + enough to do to keep his blood circulating, to picture to himself the + happy end of this adventurous journey, and to look about him and be amazed + at everything, had little spare time for thinking of discomforts. Though + his impatience, and that of his fellow-travellers, rapidly increased as + the day waned, the hours did not stand still. The short daylight of winter + soon faded away, and it was dark again when they had yet many miles to + travel. + </p> + <p> + As it grew dusk, the wind fell; its distant moanings were more low and + mournful; and, as it came creeping up the road, and rattling covertly + among the dry brambles on either hand, it seemed like some great phantom + for whom the way was narrow, whose garments rustled as it stalked along. + By degrees it lulled and died away, and then it came on to snow. + </p> + <p> + The flakes fell fast and thick, soon covering the ground some inches deep, + and spreading abroad a solemn stillness. The rolling wheels were + noiseless, and the sharp ring and clatter of the horses' hoofs, became a + dull, muffled tramp. The life of their progress seemed to be slowly + hushed, and something death-like to usurp its place. + </p> + <p> + Shading his eyes from the falling snow, which froze upon their lashes and + obscured his sight, Kit often tried to catch the earliest glimpse of + twinkling lights, denoting their approach to some not distant town. He + could descry objects enough at such times, but none correctly. Now, a tall + church spire appeared in view, which presently became a tree, a barn, a + shadow on the ground, thrown on it by their own bright lamps. Now, there + were horsemen, foot-passengers, carriages, going on before, or meeting + them in narrow ways; which, when they were close upon them, turned to + shadows too. A wall, a ruin, a sturdy gable end, would rise up in the + road; and, when they were plunging headlong at it, would be the road + itself. Strange turnings too, bridges, and sheets of water, appeared to + start up here and there, making the way doubtful and uncertain; and yet + they were on the same bare road, and these things, like the others, as + they were passed, turned into dim illusions. + </p> + <p> + He descended slowly from his seat—for his limbs were numbed—when + they arrived at a lone posting-house, and inquired how far they had to go + to reach their journey's end. It was a late hour in such by-places, and + the people were abed; but a voice answered from an upper window, Ten + miles. The ten minutes that ensued appeared an hour; but at the end of + that time, a shivering figure led out the horses they required, and after + another brief delay they were again in motion. +</p> + <p> +It was a cross-country + road, full, after the first three or four miles, of holes and cart-ruts, + which, being covered by the snow, were so many pitfalls to the trembling + horses, and obliged them to keep a footpace. As it was next to impossible + for men so much agitated as they were by this time, to sit still and move + so slowly, all three got out and plodded on behind the carriage. The + distance seemed interminable, and the walk was most laborious. As each was + thinking within himself that the driver must have lost his way, a church + bell, close at hand, struck the hour of midnight, and the carriage + stopped. It had moved softly enough, but when it ceased to crunch the + snow, the silence was as startling as if some great noise had been + replaced by perfect stillness. + </p> + <p> + 'This is the place, gentlemen,' said the driver, dismounting from his + horse, and knocking at the door of a little inn. 'Halloa! Past twelve + o'clock is the dead of night here.' + </p> + <p> + The knocking was loud and long, but it failed to rouse the drowsy inmates. + All continued dark and silent as before. They fell back a little, and + looked up at the windows, which were mere black patches in the whitened + house front. No light appeared. The house might have been deserted, or the + sleepers dead, for any air of life it had about it. + </p> + <p> + They spoke together with a strange inconsistency, in whispers; unwilling + to disturb again the dreary echoes they had just now raised. + </p> + <p> + 'Let us go on,' said the younger brother, 'and leave this good fellow to + wake them, if he can. I cannot rest until I know that we are not too late. + Let us go on, in the name of Heaven!' + </p> + <p> + They did so, leaving the postilion to order such accommodation as the + house afforded, and to renew his knocking. Kit accompanied them with a + little bundle, which he had hung in the carriage when they left home, and + had not forgotten since—the bird in his old cage—just as she + had left him. She would be glad to see her bird, he knew. + </p> + <p> + The road wound gently downward. As they proceeded, they lost sight of the + church whose clock they had heard, and of the small village clustering + round it. The knocking, which was now renewed, and which in that stillness + they could plainly hear, troubled them. They wished the man would forbear, + or that they had told him not to break the silence until they returned. + </p> + <p> + The old church tower, clad in a ghostly garb of pure cold white, again + rose up before them, and a few moments brought them close beside it. A + venerable building—grey, even in the midst of the hoary landscape. + An ancient sun-dial on the belfry wall was nearly hidden by the + snow-drift, and scarcely to be known for what it was. Time itself seemed + to have grown dull and old, as if no day were ever to displace the + melancholy night. + </p> + <p> + A wicket gate was close at hand, but there was more than one path across + the churchyard to which it led, and, uncertain which to take, they came to + a stand again. + </p> + <p> + The village street—if street that could be called which was an + irregular cluster of poor cottages of many heights and ages, some with + their fronts, some with their backs, and some with gable ends towards the + road, with here and there a signpost, or a shed encroaching on the path—was + close at hand. There was a faint light in a chamber window not far off, + and Kit ran towards that house to ask their way. + </p> + <p> + His first shout was answered by an old man within, who presently appeared + at the casement, wrapping some garment round his throat as a protection + from the cold, and demanded who was abroad at that unseasonable hour, + wanting him. + </p> + <p> + ''Tis hard weather this,' he grumbled, 'and not a night to call me up in. + My trade is not of that kind that I need be roused from bed. The business + on which folks want me, will keep cold, especially at this season. What do + you want?' + </p> + <p> + 'I would not have roused you, if I had known you were old and ill,' said + Kit. + </p> + <p> + 'Old!' repeated the other peevishly. 'How do you know I am old? Not so old + as you think, friend, perhaps. As to being ill, you will find many young + people in worse case than I am. More's the pity that it should be so—not + that I should be strong and hearty for my years, I mean, but that they + should be weak and tender. I ask your pardon though,' said the old man, + 'if I spoke rather rough at first. My eyes are not good at night—that's + neither age nor illness; they never were—and I didn't see you were a + stranger.' + </p> + <p> + 'I am sorry to call you from your bed,' said Kit, 'but those gentlemen you + may see by the churchyard gate, are strangers too, who have just arrived + from a long journey, and seek the parsonage-house. You can direct us?' + </p> + <p> + 'I should be able to,' answered the old man, in a trembling voice, 'for, + come next summer, I have been sexton here, good fifty years. The right + hand path, friend, is the road.—There is no ill news for our good + gentleman, I hope?' + </p> + <p> + Kit thanked him, and made him a hasty answer in the negative; he was + turning back, when his attention was caught by the voice of a child. + Looking up, he saw a very little creature at a neighbouring window. + </p> + <p> + 'What is that?' cried the child, earnestly. 'Has my dream come true? Pray + speak to me, whoever that is, awake and up.' + </p> + <p> + 'Poor boy!' said the sexton, before Kit could answer, 'how goes it, + darling?' +</p> + <p> +'Has my dream come true?' exclaimed the child again, in a voice + so fervent that it might have thrilled to the heart of any listener. 'But + no, that can never be! How could it be—Oh! how could it!' + </p> + <p> + 'I guess his meaning,' said the sexton. 'To bed again, poor boy!' + </p> + <p> + 'Ay!' cried the child, in a burst of despair. 'I knew it could never be, I + felt too sure of that, before I asked! But, all to-night, and last night + too, it was the same. I never fall asleep, but that cruel dream comes + back.' + </p> + <p> + 'Try to sleep again,' said the old man, soothingly. 'It will go in time.' + </p> + <p> + 'No no, I would rather that it staid—cruel as it is, I would rather + that it staid,' rejoined the child. 'I am not afraid to have it in my + sleep, but I am so sad—so very, very sad.' + </p> + <p> + The old man blessed him, the child in tears replied Good night, and Kit + was again alone. + </p> + <p> + He hurried back, moved by what he had heard, though more by the child's + manner than by anything he had said, as his meaning was hidden from him. + They took the path indicated by the sexton, and soon arrived before the + parsonage wall. Turning round to look about them when they had got thus + far, they saw, among some ruined buildings at a distance, one single + solitary light. + </p> + <p> + It shone from what appeared to be an old oriel window, and being + surrounded by the deep shadows of overhanging walls, sparkled like a star. + Bright and glimmering as the stars above their heads, lonely and + motionless as they, it seemed to claim some kindred with the eternal lamps + of Heaven, and to burn in fellowship with them. + </p> + <p> + 'What light is that!' said the younger brother. + </p> + <p> + 'It is surely,' said Mr Garland, 'in the ruin where they live. I see no + other ruin hereabouts.' + </p> + <p> + 'They cannot,' returned the brother hastily, 'be waking at this late hour—' + </p> + <p> + Kit interposed directly, and begged that, while they rang and waited at + the gate, they would let him make his way to where this light was shining, + and try to ascertain if any people were about. Obtaining the permission he + desired, he darted off with breathless eagerness, and, still carrying the + birdcage in his hand, made straight towards the spot. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0512m.jpg" alt="0512m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0512.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + It was not easy to hold that pace among the graves, and at another time he + might have gone more slowly, or round by the path. Unmindful of all + obstacles, however, he pressed forward without slackening his speed, and + soon arrived within a few yards of the window. He approached as softly as + he could, and advancing so near the wall as to brush the whitened ivy with + his dress, listened. There was no sound inside. The church itself was not + more quiet. Touching the glass with his cheek, he listened again. No. And + yet there was such a silence all around, that he felt sure he could have + heard even the breathing of a sleeper, if there had been one there. + </p> + <p> + A strange circumstance, a light in such a place at that time of night, + with no one near it. + </p> + <p> + A curtain was drawn across the lower portion of the window, and he could + not see into the room. But there was no shadow thrown upon it from within. + To have gained a footing on the wall and tried to look in from above, + would have been attended with some danger—certainly with some noise, + and the chance of terrifying the child, if that really were her + habitation. Again and again he listened; again and again the same + wearisome blank. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the spot with slow and cautious steps, and skirting the ruin for a + few paces, he came at length to a door. He knocked. No answer. But there + was a curious noise inside. It was difficult to determine what it was. It + bore a resemblance to the low moaning of one in pain, but it was not that, + being far too regular and constant. Now it seemed a kind of song, now a + wail—seemed, that is, to his changing fancy, for the sound itself + was never changed or checked. It was unlike anything he had ever heard; + and in its tone there was something fearful, chilling, and unearthly. + </p> + <p> + The listener's blood ran colder now than ever it had done in frost and + snow, but he knocked again. There was no answer, and the sound went on + without any interruption. He laid his hand softly upon the latch, and put + his knee against the door. It was secured on the inside, but yielded to + the pressure, and turned upon its hinges. He saw the glimmering of a fire + upon the old walls, and entered. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap71"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 71 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he dull, red glow of a wood fire—for no lamp or candle burnt within + the room—showed him a figure, seated on the hearth with its back + towards him, bending over the fitful light. The attitude was that of one + who sought the heat. It was, and yet was not. The stooping posture and the + cowering form were there, but no hands were stretched out to meet the + grateful warmth, no shrug or shiver compared its luxury with the piercing + cold outside. With limbs huddled together, head bowed down, arms crossed + upon the breast, and fingers tightly clenched, it rocked to and fro upon + its seat without a moment's pause, accompanying the action with the + mournful sound he had heard. + </p> + <p> + The heavy door had closed behind him on his entrance, with a crash that + made him start. The figure neither spoke, nor turned to look, nor gave in + any other way the faintest sign of having heard the noise. The form was + that of an old man, his white head akin in colour to the mouldering embers + upon which he gazed. He, and the failing light and dying fire, the + time-worn room, the solitude, the wasted life, and gloom, were all in + fellowship. Ashes, and dust, and ruin! + </p> + <p> + Kit tried to speak, and did pronounce some words, though what they were he + scarcely knew. Still the same terrible low cry went on—still the + same rocking in the chair—the same stricken figure was there, + unchanged and heedless of his presence. + </p> + <p> + He had his hand upon the latch, when something in the form—distinctly + seen as one log broke and fell, and, as it fell, blazed up—arrested + it. He returned to where he had stood before—advanced a pace—another—another + still. Another, and he saw the face. Yes! Changed as it was, he knew it + well. + </p> + <p> + 'Master!' he cried, stooping on one knee and catching at his hand. 'Dear + master. Speak to me!' + </p> + <p> + The old man turned slowly towards him; and muttered in a hollow voice, + </p> + <p> + 'This is another!—How many of these spirits there have been + to-night!' + </p> + <p> + 'No spirit, master. No one but your old servant. You know me now, I am + sure? Miss Nell—where is she—where is she?' + </p> + <p> + 'They all say that!' cried the old man. 'They all ask the same question. A + spirit!' + </p> + <p> + 'Where is she?' demanded Kit. 'Oh tell me but that,—but that, dear + master!' + </p> + <p> + 'She is asleep—yonder—in there.' + </p> + <p> + 'Thank God!' + </p> + <p> + 'Aye! Thank God!' returned the old man. 'I have prayed to Him, many, and + many, and many a livelong night, when she has been asleep, He knows. Hark! + Did she call?' + </p> + <p> + 'I heard no voice.' + </p> + <p> + 'You did. You hear her now. Do you tell me that you don't hear <i>that</i>?' + </p> + <p> + He started up, and listened again. + </p> + <p> + 'Nor that?' he cried, with a triumphant smile, 'Can any body know that + voice so well as I? Hush! Hush!' +</p> + <p> +Motioning to him to be silent, he stole + away into another chamber. After a short absence (during which he could be + heard to speak in a softened soothing tone) he returned, bearing in his + hand a lamp. + </p> + <p> + 'She is still asleep,' he whispered. 'You were right. She did not call—unless + she did so in her slumber. She has called to me in her sleep before now, + sir; as I have sat by, watching, I have seen her lips move, and have + known, though no sound came from them, that she spoke of me. I feared the + light might dazzle her eyes and wake her, so I brought it here.' + </p> + <p> + He spoke rather to himself than to the visitor, but when he had put the + lamp upon the table, he took it up, as if impelled by some momentary + recollection or curiosity, and held it near his face. Then, as if + forgetting his motive in the very action, he turned away and put it down + again. + </p> + <p> + 'She is sleeping soundly,' he said; 'but no wonder. Angel hands have + strewn the ground deep with snow, that the lightest footstep may be + lighter yet; and the very birds are dead, that they may not wake her. She + used to feed them, Sir. Though never so cold and hungry, the timid things + would fly from us. They never flew from her!' + </p> + <p> + Again he stopped to listen, and scarcely drawing breath, listened for a + long, long time. That fancy past, he opened an old chest, took out some + clothes as fondly as if they had been living things, and began to smooth + and brush them with his hand. + </p> + <p> + 'Why dost thou lie so idle there, dear Nell,' he murmured, 'when there are + bright red berries out of doors waiting for thee to pluck them! Why dost + thou lie so idle there, when thy little friends come creeping to the door, + crying "where is Nell—sweet Nell?"—and sob, and weep, because + they do not see thee. She was always gentle with children. The wildest + would do her bidding—she had a tender way with them, indeed she + had!' + </p> + <p> + Kit had no power to speak. His eyes were filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + 'Her little homely dress,—her favourite!' cried the old man, + pressing it to his breast, and patting it with his shrivelled hand. 'She + will miss it when she wakes. They have hid it here in sport, but she shall + have it—she shall have it. I would not vex my darling, for the wide + world's riches. See here—these shoes—how worn they are—she + kept them to remind her of our last long journey. You see where the little + feet went bare upon the ground. They told me, afterwards, that the stones + had cut and bruised them. She never told me that. No, no, God bless her! + and, I have remembered since, she walked behind me, sir, that I might not + see how lame she was—but yet she had my hand in hers, and seemed to + lead me still.' + </p> + <p> + He pressed them to his lips, and having carefully put them back again, + went on communing with himself—looking wistfully from time to time + towards the chamber he had lately visited. + </p> + <p> + 'She was not wont to be a lie-abed; but she was well then. We must have + patience. When she is well again, she will rise early, as she used to do, + and ramble abroad in the healthy morning time. I often tried to track the + way she had gone, but her small footstep left no print upon the dewy + ground, to guide me. Who is that? Shut the door. Quick!—Have we not + enough to do to drive away that marble cold, and keep her warm!' + </p> + <p> + The door was indeed opened, for the entrance of Mr Garland and his friend, + accompanied by two other persons. These were the schoolmaster, and the + bachelor. The former held a light in his hand. He had, it seemed, but gone + to his own cottage to replenish the exhausted lamp, at the moment when Kit + came up and found the old man alone. + </p> + <p> + He softened again at sight of these two friends, and, laying aside the + angry manner—if to anything so feeble and so sad the term can be + applied—in which he had spoken when the door opened, resumed his + former seat, and subsided, by little and little into the old action, and + the old, dull, wandering sound. + </p> + <p> + Of the strangers, he took no heed whatever. He had seen them, but appeared + quite incapable of interest or curiosity. The younger brother stood apart. + The bachelor drew a chair towards the old man, and sat down close beside + him. After a long silence, he ventured to speak. + </p> + <p> + 'Another night, and not in bed!' he said softly; 'I hoped you would be + more mindful of your promise to me. Why do you not take some rest?' + </p> + <p> + 'Sleep has left me,' returned the old man. 'It is all with her!' + </p> + <p> + 'It would pain her very much to know that you were watching thus,' said + the bachelor. 'You would not give her pain?' + </p> + <p> + 'I am not so sure of that, if it would only rouse her. She has slept so + very long. And yet I am rash to say so. It is a good and happy sleep—eh?' + </p> + <p> + 'Indeed it is,' returned the bachelor. 'Indeed, indeed, it is!' + </p> + <p> + 'That's well!—and the waking—' faltered the old man. + </p> + <p> + 'Happy too. Happier than tongue can tell, or heart of man conceive.' + </p> + <p> + They watched him as he rose and stole on tiptoe to the other chamber where + the lamp had been replaced. They listened as he spoke again within its + silent walls. They looked into the faces of each other, and no man's cheek + was free from tears. He came back, whispering that she was still asleep, + but that he thought she had moved. It was her hand, he said—a little—a + very, very little—but he was pretty sure she had moved it—perhaps + in seeking his. He had known her do that, before now, though in the + deepest sleep the while. And when he had said this, he dropped into his + chair again, and clasping his hands above his head, uttered a cry never to + be forgotten. + </p> + <p> + The poor schoolmaster motioned to the bachelor that he would come on the + other side, and speak to him. They gently unlocked his fingers, which he + had twisted in his grey hair, and pressed them in their own. + </p> + <p> + 'He will hear me,' said the schoolmaster, 'I am sure. He will hear either + me or you if we beseech him. She would, at all times.' + </p> + <p> + 'I will hear any voice she liked to hear,' cried the old man. 'I love all + she loved!' + </p> + <p> + 'I know you do,' returned the schoolmaster. 'I am certain of it. Think of + her; think of all the sorrows and afflictions you have shared together; of + all the trials, and all the peaceful pleasures, you have jointly known.' + </p> + <p> + 'I do. I do. I think of nothing else.' + </p> + <p> + 'I would have you think of nothing else to-night—of nothing but + those things which will soften your heart, dear friend, and open it to old + affections and old times. It is so that she would speak to you herself, + and in her name it is that I speak now.' + </p> + <p> + 'You do well to speak softly,' said the old man. 'We will not wake her. I + should be glad to see her eyes again, and to see her smile. There is a + smile upon her young face now, but it is fixed and changeless. I would + have it come and go. That shall be in Heaven's good time. We will not wake + her.' + </p> + <p> + 'Let us not talk of her in her sleep, but as she used to be when you were + journeying together, far away—as she was at home, in the old house + from which you fled together—as she was, in the old cheerful time,' + said the schoolmaster. + </p> + <p> + 'She was always cheerful—very cheerful,' cried the old man, looking + steadfastly at him. 'There was ever something mild and quiet about her, I + remember, from the first; but she was of a happy nature.' + </p> + <p> + 'We have heard you say,' pursued the schoolmaster, 'that in this and in + all goodness, she was like her mother. You can think of, and remember + her?' + </p> + <p> + He maintained his steadfast look, but gave no answer. + </p> + <p> + 'Or even one before her,' said the bachelor. 'It is many years ago, and + affliction makes the time longer, but you have not forgotten her whose + death contributed to make this child so dear to you, even before you knew + her worth or could read her heart? Say, that you could carry back your + thoughts to very distant days—to the time of your early life—when, + unlike this fair flower, you did not pass your youth alone. Say, that you + could remember, long ago, another child who loved you dearly, you being + but a child yourself. Say, that you had a brother, long forgotten, long + unseen, long separated from you, who now, at last, in your utmost need + came back to comfort and console you—' + </p> + <p> + 'To be to you what you were once to him,' cried the younger, falling on + his knee before him; 'to repay your old affection, brother dear, by + constant care, solicitude, and love; to be, at your right hand, what he + has never ceased to be when oceans rolled between us; to call to witness + his unchanging truth and mindfulness of bygone days, whole years of + desolation. Give me but one word of recognition, brother—and never—no + never, in the brightest moment of our youngest days, when, poor silly + boys, we thought to pass our lives together—have we been half as + dear and precious to each other as we shall be from this time hence!' + </p> + <p> + The old man looked from face to face, and his lips moved; but no sound + came from them in reply. + </p> + <p> + 'If we were knit together then,' pursued the younger brother, 'what will + be the bond between us now! Our love and fellowship began in childhood, + when life was all before us, and will be resumed when we have proved it, + and are but children at the last. As many restless spirits, who have + hunted fortune, fame, or pleasure through the world, retire in their + decline to where they first drew breath, vainly seeking to be children + once again before they die, so we, less fortunate than they in early life, + but happier in its closing scenes, will set up our rest again among our + boyish haunts, and going home with no hope realised, that had its growth + in manhood—carrying back nothing that we brought away, but our old + yearnings to each other—saving no fragment from the wreck of life, + but that which first endeared it—may be, indeed, but children as at + first. And even,' he added in an altered voice, 'even if what I dread to + name has come to pass—even if that be so, or is to be (which Heaven + forbid and spare us!)—still, dear brother, we are not apart, and + have that comfort in our great affliction.' + </p> + <p> + By little and little, the old man had drawn back towards the inner + chamber, while these words were spoken. He pointed there, as he replied, + with trembling lips. + </p> + <p> + 'You plot among you to wean my heart from her. You never will do that—never + while I have life. I have no relative or friend but her—I never had—I + never will have. She is all in all to me. It is too late to part us now.' + </p> + <p> + Waving them off with his hand, and calling softly to her as he went, he + stole into the room. They who were left behind, drew close together, and + after a few whispered words—not unbroken by emotion, or easily + uttered—followed him. They moved so gently, that their footsteps + made no noise; but there were sobs from among the group, and sounds of + grief and mourning. + </p> + <p> + For she was dead. There, upon her little bed, she lay at rest. The solemn + stillness was no marvel now. + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0520m.jpg" alt="0520m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0520.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + She was dead. No sleep so beautiful and calm, so free from trace of pain, + so fair to look upon. She seemed a creature fresh from the hand of God, + and waiting for the breath of life; not one who had lived and suffered + death. + </p> + <p> + Her couch was dressed with here and there some winter berries and green + leaves, gathered in a spot she had been used to favour. 'When I die, put + near me something that has loved the light, and had the sky above it + always.' Those were her words. + </p> + <p> + She was dead. Dear, gentle, patient, noble Nell was dead. Her little bird—a + poor slight thing the pressure of a finger would have crushed—was + stirring nimbly in its cage; and the strong heart of its child mistress + was mute and motionless for ever. + </p> + <p> + Where were the traces of her early cares, her sufferings, and fatigues? + All gone. Sorrow was dead indeed in her, but peace and perfect happiness + were born; imaged in her tranquil beauty and profound repose. + </p> + <p> + And still her former self lay there, unaltered in this change. Yes. The + old fireside had smiled upon that same sweet face; it had passed, like a + dream, through haunts of misery and care; at the door of the poor + schoolmaster on the summer evening, before the furnace fire upon the cold + wet night, at the still bedside of the dying boy, there had been the same + mild lovely look. So shall we know the angels in their majesty, after + death. + </p> + <p> + The old man held one languid arm in his, and had the small hand tight + folded to his breast, for warmth. It was the hand she had stretched out to + him with her last smile—the hand that had led him on, through all + their wanderings. Ever and anon he pressed it to his lips; then hugged it + to his breast again, murmuring that it was warmer now; and, as he said it, + he looked, in agony, to those who stood around, as if imploring them to + help her. + </p> + <p> + She was dead, and past all help, or need of it. The ancient rooms she had + seemed to fill with life, even while her own was waning fast—the + garden she had tended—the eyes she had gladdened—the noiseless + haunts of many a thoughtful hour—the paths she had trodden as it + were but yesterday—could know her never more. + </p> + <p> + 'It is not,' said the schoolmaster, as he bent down to kiss her on the + cheek, and gave his tears free vent, 'it is not on earth that Heaven's + justice ends. Think what earth is, compared with the World to which her + young spirit has winged its early flight; and say, if one deliberate wish + expressed in solemn terms above this bed could call her back to life, + which of us would utter it!' + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap72"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 72 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">W</span>hen morning came, and they could speak more calmly on the subject of + their grief, they heard how her life had closed. + </p> + <p> + She had been dead two days. They were all about her at the time, knowing + that the end was drawing on. She died soon after daybreak. They had read + and talked to her in the earlier portion of the night, but as the hours + crept on, she sunk to sleep. They could tell, by what she faintly uttered + in her dreams, that they were of her journeyings with the old man; they + were of no painful scenes, but of people who had helped and used them + kindly, for she often said 'God bless you!' with great fervour. Waking, + she never wandered in her mind but once, and that was of beautiful music + which she said was in the air. God knows. It may have been. + </p> + <p> + Opening her eyes at last, from a very quiet sleep, she begged that they + would kiss her once again. That done, she turned to the old man with a + lovely smile upon her face—such, they said, as they had never seen, + and never could forget—and clung with both her arms about his neck. + They did not know that she was dead, at first. + </p> + <p> + She had spoken very often of the two sisters, who, she said, were like + dear friends to her. She wished they could be told how much she thought + about them, and how she had watched them as they walked together, by the + river side at night. She would like to see poor Kit, she had often said of + late. She wished there was somebody to take her love to Kit. And, even + then, she never thought or spoke about him, but with something of her old, + clear, merry laugh. + </p> + <p> + For the rest, she had never murmured or complained; but with a quiet mind, + and manner quite unaltered—save that she every day became more + earnest and more grateful to them—faded like the light upon a + summer's evening. + </p> + <p> + The child who had been her little friend came there, almost as soon as it + was day, with an offering of dried flowers which he begged them to lay + upon her breast. It was he who had come to the window overnight and spoken + to the sexton, and they saw in the snow traces of small feet, where he had + been lingering near the room in which she lay, before he went to bed. He + had a fancy, it seemed, that they had left her there alone; and could not + bear the thought. + </p> + <p> + He told them of his dream again, and that it was of her being restored to + them, just as she used to be. He begged hard to see her, saying that he + would be very quiet, and that they need not fear his being alarmed, for he + had sat alone by his young brother all day long when he was dead, and had + felt glad to be so near him. They let him have his wish; and indeed he + kept his word, and was, in his childish way, a lesson to them all. + </p> + <p> + Up to that time, the old man had not spoken once—except to her—or + stirred from the bedside. But, when he saw her little favourite, he was + moved as they had not seen him yet, and made as though he would have him + come nearer. Then, pointing to the bed, he burst into tears for the first + time, and they who stood by, knowing that the sight of this child had done + him good, left them alone together. + </p> + <p> + Soothing him with his artless talk of her, the child persuaded him to take + some rest, to walk abroad, to do almost as he desired him. And when the + day came on, which must remove her in her earthly shape from earthly eyes + for ever, he led him away, that he might not know when she was taken from + him. + </p> + <p> + They were to gather fresh leaves and berries for her bed. It was Sunday—a + bright, clear, wintry afternoon—and as they traversed the village + street, those who were walking in their path drew back to make way for + them, and gave them a softened greeting. Some shook the old man kindly by + the hand, some stood uncovered while he tottered by, and many cried 'God + help him!' as he passed along. + </p> + <p> + 'Neighbour!' said the old man, stopping at the cottage where his young + guide's mother dwelt, 'how is it that the folks are nearly all in black + to-day? I have seen a mourning ribbon or a piece of crape on almost every + one.' + </p> + <p> + She could not tell, the woman said. +</p> + <p> +'Why, you yourself—you wear the + colour too?' he said. 'Windows are closed that never used to be by day. + What does this mean?' + </p> + <p> + Again the woman said she could not tell. + </p> + <p> + 'We must go back,' said the old man, hurriedly. 'We must see what this + is.' + </p> + <p> + 'No, no,' cried the child, detaining him. 'Remember what you promised. Our + way is to the old green lane, where she and I so often were, and where you + found us, more than once, making those garlands for her garden. Do not + turn back!' + </p> + <p> + 'Where is she now?' said the old man. 'Tell me that.' + </p> + <p> + 'Do you not know?' returned the child. 'Did we not leave her, but just + now?' + </p> + <p> + 'True. True. It was her we left—was it?' + </p> + <p> + He pressed his hand upon his brow, looked vacantly round, and as if + impelled by a sudden thought, crossed the road, and entered the sexton's + house. He and his deaf assistant were sitting before the fire. Both rose + up, on seeing who it was. + </p> + <p> + The child made a hasty sign to them with his hand. It was the action of an + instant, but that, and the old man's look, were quite enough. + </p> + <p> + 'Do you—do you bury any one to-day?' he said, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + 'No, no! Who should we bury, Sir?' returned the sexton. + </p> + <p> + 'Aye, who indeed! I say with you, who indeed!' + </p> + <p> + 'It is a holiday with us, good Sir,' returned the sexton mildly. 'We have + no work to do to-day.' + </p> + <p> + 'Why then, I'll go where you will,' said the old man, turning to the + child. 'You're sure of what you tell me? You would not deceive me? I am + changed, even in the little time since you last saw me.' + </p> + <p> + 'Go thy ways with him, Sir,' cried the sexton, 'and Heaven be with ye + both!' + </p> + <p> + 'I am quite ready,' said the old man, meekly. 'Come, boy, come—' and + so submitted to be led away. + </p> + <p> + And now the bell—the bell she had so often heard, by night and day, + and listened to with solemn pleasure almost as a living voice—rung + its remorseless toll, for her, so young, so beautiful, so good. Decrepit + age, and vigorous life, and blooming youth, and helpless infancy, poured + forth—on crutches, in the pride of strength and health, in the full + blush of promise, in the mere dawn of life—to gather round her tomb. + Old men were there, whose eyes were dim and senses failing—grandmothers, + who might have died ten years ago, and still been old—the deaf, the + blind, the lame, the palsied, the living dead in many shapes and forms, to + see the closing of that early grave. What was the death it would shut in, + to that which still could crawl and creep above it! + </p> + <p> + Along the crowded path they bore her now; pure as the newly-fallen snow + that covered it; whose day on earth had been as fleeting. Under the porch, + where she had sat when Heaven in its mercy brought her to that peaceful + spot, she passed again; and the old church received her in its quiet + shade. + </p> + <p> + They carried her to one old nook, where she had many and many a time sat + musing, and laid their burden softly on the pavement. The light streamed + on it through the coloured window—a window, where the boughs of + trees were ever rustling in the summer, and where the birds sang sweetly + all day long. With every breath of air that stirred among those branches + in the sunshine, some trembling, changing light, would fall upon her + grave. + </p> + <p> + Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust! Many a young hand dropped in + its little wreath, many a stifled sob was heard. Some—and they were + not a few—knelt down. All were sincere and truthful in their sorrow. + </p> + <p> + The service done, the mourners stood apart, and the villagers closed round + to look into the grave before the pavement-stone should be replaced. One + called to mind how he had seen her sitting on that very spot, and how her + book had fallen on her lap, and she was gazing with a pensive face upon + the sky. Another told, how he had wondered much that one so delicate as + she, should be so bold; how she had never feared to enter the church alone + at night, but had loved to linger there when all was quiet, and even to + climb the tower stair, with no more light than that of the moon rays + stealing through the loopholes in the thick old wall. A whisper went about + among the oldest, that she had seen and talked with angels; and when they + called to mind how she had looked, and spoken, and her early death, some + thought it might be so, indeed. Thus, coming to the grave in little knots, + and glancing down, and giving place to others, and falling off in + whispering groups of three or four, the church was cleared in time, of all + but the sexton and the mourning friends. + </p> + <p> + They saw the vault covered, and the stone fixed down. Then, when the dusk + of evening had come on, and not a sound disturbed the sacred stillness of + the place—when the bright moon poured in her light on tomb and + monument, on pillar, wall, and arch, and most of all (it seemed to them) + upon her quiet grave—in that calm time, when outward things and + inward thoughts teem with assurances of immortality, and worldly hopes and + fears are humbled in the dust before them—then, with tranquil and + submissive hearts they turned away, and left the child with God. + </p> + <p> + Oh! it is hard to take to heart the lesson that such deaths will teach, + but let no man reject it, for it is one that all must learn, and is a + mighty, universal Truth. When Death strikes down the innocent and young, + for every fragile form from which he lets the panting spirit free, a + hundred virtues rise, in shapes of mercy, charity, and love, to walk the + world, and bless it. Of every tear that sorrowing mortals shed on such + green graves, some good is born, some gentler nature comes. In the + Destroyer's steps there spring up bright creations that defy his power, + and his dark path becomes a way of light to Heaven. + </p> + <p> + It was late when the old man came home. The boy had led him to his own + dwelling, under some pretence, on their way back; and, rendered drowsy by + his long ramble and late want of rest, he had sunk into a deep sleep by + the fireside. He was perfectly exhausted, and they were careful not to + rouse him. The slumber held him a long time, and when he at length awoke + the moon was shining. + </p> + <p> + The younger brother, uneasy at his protracted absence, was watching at the + door for his coming, when he appeared in the pathway with his little + guide. He advanced to meet them, and tenderly obliging the old man to lean + upon his arm, conducted him with slow and trembling steps towards the + house. + </p> + <p> + He repaired to her chamber, straight. Not finding what he had left there, + he returned with distracted looks to the room in which they were + assembled. From that, he rushed into the schoolmaster's cottage, calling + her name. They followed close upon him, and when he had vainly searched + it, brought him home. + </p> + <p> + With such persuasive words as pity and affection could suggest, they + prevailed upon him to sit among them and hear what they should tell him. + Then endeavouring by every little artifice to prepare his mind for what + must come, and dwelling with many fervent words upon the happy lot to + which she had been removed, they told him, at last, the truth. The moment + it had passed their lips, he fell down among them like a murdered man. + </p> + <p> + For many hours, they had little hope of his surviving; but grief is + strong, and he recovered. + </p> + <p> + If there be any who have never known the blank that follows death—the + weary void—the sense of desolation that will come upon the strongest + minds, when something familiar and beloved is missed at every turn—the + connection between inanimate and senseless things, and the object of + recollection, when every household god becomes a monument and every room a + grave—if there be any who have not known this, and proved it by + their own experience, they can never faintly guess how, for many days, the + old man pined and moped away the time, and wandered here and there as + seeking something, and had no comfort. + </p> + <p> + Whatever power of thought or memory he retained, was all bound up in her. + He never understood, or seemed to care to understand, about his brother. + To every endearment and attention he continued listless. If they spoke to + him on this, or any other theme—save one—he would hear them + patiently for awhile, then turn away, and go on seeking as before. + </p> + <p> + On that one theme, which was in his and all their minds, it was impossible + to touch. Dead! He could not hear or bear the word. The slightest hint of + it would throw him into a paroxysm, like that he had had when it was first + spoken. In what hope he lived, no man could tell; but that he had some + hope of finding her again—some faint and shadowy hope, deferred from + day to day, and making him from day to day more sick and sore at heart—was + plain to all. + </p> + <p> + They bethought them of a removal from the scene of this last sorrow; of + trying whether change of place would rouse or cheer him. His brother + sought the advice of those who were accounted skilful in such matters, and + they came and saw him. Some of the number staid upon the spot, conversed + with him when he would converse, and watched him as he wandered up and + down, alone and silent. Move him where they might, they said, he would + ever seek to get back there. His mind would run upon that spot. If they + confined him closely, and kept a strict guard upon him, they might hold + him prisoner, but if he could by any means escape, he would surely wander + back to that place, or die upon the road. + </p> + <p> + The boy, to whom he had submitted at first, had no longer any influence + with him. At times he would suffer the child to walk by his side, or would + even take such notice of his presence as giving him his hand, or would + stop to kiss his cheek, or pat him on the head. At other times, he would + entreat him—not unkindly—to be gone, and would not brook him + near. But, whether alone, or with this pliant friend, or with those who + would have given him, at any cost or sacrifice, some consolation or some + peace of mind, if happily the means could have been devised; he was at all + times the same—with no love or care for anything in life—a + broken-hearted man. + </p> + <p> + At length, they found, one day, that he had risen early, and, with his + knapsack on his back, his staff in hand, her own straw hat, and little + basket full of such things as she had been used to carry, was gone. As + they were making ready to pursue him far and wide, a frightened schoolboy + came who had seen him, but a moment before, sitting in the church—upon + her grave, he said. + </p> + <p> + They hastened there, and going softly to the door, espied him in the + attitude of one who waited patiently. They did not disturb him then, but + kept a watch upon him all that day. When it grew quite dark, he rose and + returned home, and went to bed, murmuring to himself, 'She will come + to-morrow!' + </p> + <p> + Upon the morrow he was there again from sunrise until night; and still at + night he laid him down to rest, and murmured, 'She will come to-morrow!' + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0528m.jpg" alt="0528m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0528.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + And thenceforth, every day, and all day long, he waited at her grave, for + her. How many pictures of new journeys over pleasant country, of + resting-places under the free broad sky, of rambles in the fields and + woods, and paths not often trodden—how many tones of that one + well-remembered voice, how many glimpses of the form, the fluttering + dress, the hair that waved so gaily in the wind—how many visions of + what had been, and what he hoped was yet to be—rose up before him, + in the old, dull, silent church! He never told them what he thought, or + where he went. He would sit with them at night, pondering with a secret + satisfaction, they could see, upon the flight that he and she would take + before night came again; and still they would hear him whisper in his + prayers, 'Lord! Let her come to-morrow!' + </p> + <p> + The last time was on a genial day in spring. He did not return at the + usual hour, and they went to seek him. He was lying dead upon the stone. + </p> + <p> + They laid him by the side of her whom he had loved so well; and, in the + church where they had often prayed, and mused, and lingered hand in hand, + the child and the old man slept together. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="chap73"></a> + </p> + <h3> + CHAPTER 73 + </h3> +<p class="pfirst"><span class="dropcap" style="font-size: 4.00em">T</span>he magic reel, which, rolling on before, has led the chronicler thus far, + now slackens in its pace, and stops. It lies before the goal; the pursuit + is at an end. + </p> + <p> + It remains but to dismiss the leaders of the little crowd who have borne + us company upon the road, and so to close the journey. + </p> + <p> + Foremost among them, smooth Sampson Brass and Sally, arm in arm, claim our + polite attention. + </p> + <p> + Mr Sampson, then, being detained, as already has been shown, by the + justice upon whom he called, and being so strongly pressed to protract his + stay that he could by no means refuse, remained under his protection for a + considerable time, during which the great attention of his entertainer + kept him so extremely close, that he was quite lost to society, and never + even went abroad for exercise saving into a small paved yard. So well, + indeed, was his modest and retiring temper understood by those with whom + he had to deal, and so jealous were they of his absence, that they + required a kind of friendly bond to be entered into by two substantial + housekeepers, in the sum of fifteen hundred pounds a-piece, before they + would suffer him to quit their hospitable roof—doubting, it + appeared, that he would return, if once let loose, on any other terms. Mr + Brass, struck with the humour of this jest, and carrying out its spirit to + the utmost, sought from his wide connection a pair of friends whose joint + possessions fell some halfpence short of fifteen pence, and proffered them + as bail—for that was the merry word agreed upon both sides. These + gentlemen being rejected after twenty-four hours' pleasantry, Mr Brass + consented to remain, and did remain, until a club of choice spirits called + a Grand Jury (who were in the joke) summoned him to a trial before twelve + other wags for perjury and fraud, who in their turn found him guilty with + a most facetious joy,—nay, the very populace entered into the whim, + and when Mr Brass was moving in a hackney-coach towards the building where + these wags assembled, saluted him with rotten eggs and carcases of + kittens, and feigned to wish to tear him into shreds, which greatly + increased the comicality of the thing, and made him relish it the more, no + doubt. + </p> + <p> + To work this sportive vein still further, Mr Brass, by his counsel, moved + in arrest of judgment that he had been led to criminate himself, by + assurances of safety and promises of pardon, and claimed the leniency + which the law extends to such confiding natures as are thus deluded. After + solemn argument, this point (with others of a technical nature, whose + humorous extravagance it would be difficult to exaggerate) was referred to + the judges for their decision, Sampson being meantime removed to his + former quarters. Finally, some of the points were given in Sampson's + favour, and some against him; and the upshot was, that, instead of being + desired to travel for a time in foreign parts, he was permitted to grace + the mother country under certain insignificant restrictions. + </p> + <p> + These were, that he should, for a term of years, reside in a spacious + mansion where several other gentlemen were lodged and boarded at the + public charge, who went clad in a sober uniform of grey turned up with + yellow, had their hair cut extremely short, and chiefly lived on gruel and + light soup. It was also required of him that he should partake of their + exercise of constantly ascending an endless flight of stairs; and, lest + his legs, unused to such exertion, should be weakened by it, that he + should wear upon one ankle an amulet or charm of iron. These conditions + being arranged, he was removed one evening to his new abode, and enjoyed, + in common with nine other gentlemen, and two ladies, the privilege of + being taken to his place of retirement in one of Royalty's own carriages. + </p> + <p> + Over and above these trifling penalties, his name was erased and blotted + out from the roll of attorneys; which erasure has been always held in + these latter times to be a great degradation and reproach, and to imply + the commission of some amazing villany—as indeed it would seem to be + the case, when so many worthless names remain among its better records, + unmolested. + </p> + <p> + Of Sally Brass, conflicting rumours went abroad. Some said with confidence + that she had gone down to the docks in male attire, and had become a + female sailor; others darkly whispered that she had enlisted as a private + in the second regiment of Foot Guards, and had been seen in uniform, and + on duty, to wit, leaning on her musket and looking out of a sentry-box in + St James's Park, one evening. There were many such whispers as these in + circulation; but the truth appears to be that, after the lapse of some + five years (during which there is no direct evidence of her having been + seen at all), two wretched people were more than once observed to crawl at + dusk from the inmost recesses of St Giles's, and to take their way along + the streets, with shuffling steps and cowering shivering forms, looking + into the roads and kennels as they went in search of refuse food or + disregarded offal. These forms were never beheld but in those nights of + cold and gloom, when the terrible spectres, who lie at all other times in + the obscene hiding-places of London, in archways, dark vaults and cellars, + venture to creep into the streets; the embodied spirits of Disease, and + Vice, and Famine. It was whispered by those who should have known, that + these were Sampson and his sister Sally; and to this day, it is said, they + sometimes pass, on bad nights, in the same loathsome guise, close at the + elbow of the shrinking passenger. + </p> + <p> + The body of Quilp being found—though not until some days had elapsed—an + inquest was held on it near the spot where it had been washed ashore. The + general supposition was that he had committed suicide, and, this appearing + to be favoured by all the circumstances of his death, the verdict was to + that effect. He was left to be buried with a stake through his heart in + the centre of four lonely roads. + </p> + <p> + It was rumoured afterwards that this horrible and barbarous ceremony had + been dispensed with, and that the remains had been secretly given up to + Tom Scott. But even here, opinion was divided; for some said Tom dug them + up at midnight, and carried them to a place indicated to him by the widow. + It is probable that both these stories may have had their origin in the + simple fact of Tom's shedding tears upon the inquest—which he + certainly did, extraordinary as it may appear. He manifested, besides, a + strong desire to assault the jury; and being restrained and conducted out + of court, darkened its only window by standing on his head upon the sill, + until he was dexterously tilted upon his feet again by a cautious beadle. + </p> + <p> + Being cast upon the world by his master's death, he determined to go + through it upon his head and hands, and accordingly began to tumble for + his bread. Finding, however, his English birth an insurmountable obstacle + to his advancement in this pursuit (notwithstanding that his art was in + high repute and favour), he assumed the name of an Italian image lad, with + whom he had become acquainted; and afterwards tumbled with extraordinary + success, and to overflowing audiences. +</p> + <p> +Little Mrs Quilp never quite + forgave herself the one deceit that lay so heavy on her conscience, and + never spoke or thought of it but with bitter tears. Her husband had no + relations, and she was rich. He had made no will, or she would probably + have been poor. Having married the first time at her mother's instigation, + she consulted in her second choice nobody but herself. It fell upon a + smart young fellow enough; and as he made it a preliminary condition that + Mrs Jiniwin should be thenceforth an out-pensioner, they lived together + after marriage with no more than the average amount of quarrelling, and + led a merry life upon the dead dwarf's money. + </p> + <p> + Mr and Mrs Garland, and Mr Abel, went out as usual (except that there was + a change in their household, as will be seen presently), and in due time + the latter went into partnership with his friend the notary, on which + occasion there was a dinner, and a ball, and great extent of dissipation. + Unto this ball there happened to be invited the most bashful young lady + that was ever seen, with whom Mr Abel happened to fall in love. HOW it + happened, or how they found it out, or which of them first communicated + the discovery to the other, nobody knows. But certain it is that in course + of time they were married; and equally certain it is that they were the + happiest of the happy; and no less certain it is that they deserved to be + so. And it is pleasant to write down that they reared a family; because + any propagation of goodness and benevolence is no small addition to the + aristocracy of nature, and no small subject of rejoicing for mankind at + large. + </p> + <p> + The pony preserved his character for independence and principle down to + the last moment of his life; which was an unusually long one, and caused + him to be looked upon, indeed, as the very Old Parr of ponies. He often + went to and fro with the little phaeton between Mr Garland's and his + son's, and, as the old people and the young were frequently together, had + a stable of his own at the new establishment, into which he would walk of + himself with surprising dignity. He condescended to play with the + children, as they grew old enough to cultivate his friendship, and would + run up and down the little paddock with them like a dog; but though he + relaxed so far, and allowed them such small freedoms as caresses, or even + to look at his shoes or hang on by his tail, he never permitted any one + among them to mount his back or drive him; thus showing that even their + familiarity must have its limits, and that there were points between them + far too serious for trifling. + </p> + <p> + He was not unsusceptible of warm attachments in his later life, for when + the good bachelor came to live with Mr Garland upon the clergyman's + decease, he conceived a great friendship for him, and amiably submitted to + be driven by his hands without the least resistance. He did no work for + two or three years before he died, but lived in clover; and his last act + (like a choleric old gentleman) was to kick his doctor. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller, recovering very slowly from his illness, and entering into + the receipt of his annuity, bought for the Marchioness a handsome stock of + clothes, and put her to school forthwith, in redemption of the vow he had + made upon his fevered bed. After casting about for some time for a name + which should be worthy of her, he decided in favour of Sophronia Sphynx, + as being euphonious and genteel, and furthermore indicative of mystery. + Under this title the Marchioness repaired, in tears, to the school of his + selection, from which, as she soon distanced all competitors, she was + removed before the lapse of many quarters to one of a higher grade. It is + but bare justice to Mr Swiveller to say, that, although the expenses of + her education kept him in straitened circumstances for half a dozen years, + he never slackened in his zeal, and always held himself sufficiently + repaid by the accounts he heard (with great gravity) of her advancement, + on his monthly visits to the governess, who looked upon him as a literary + gentleman of eccentric habits, and of a most prodigious talent in + quotation. + </p> + <p> + In a word, Mr Swiveller kept the Marchioness at this establishment until + she was, at a moderate guess, full nineteen years of age— + good-looking, clever, and good-humoured; when he began to consider + seriously what was to be done next. On one of his periodical visits, while + he was revolving this question in his mind, the Marchioness came down to + him, alone, looking more smiling and more fresh than ever. Then, it + occurred to him, but not for the first time, that if she would marry him, + how comfortable they might be! So Richard asked her; whatever she said, it + wasn't No; and they were married in good earnest that day week. Which gave + Mr Swiveller frequent occasion to remark at divers subsequent periods that + there had been a young lady saving up for him after all. + </p> + <p> + A little cottage at Hampstead being to let, which had in its garden a + smoking-box, the envy of the civilised world, they agreed to become its + tenants, and, when the honey-moon was over, entered upon its occupation. + To this retreat Mr Chuckster repaired regularly every Sunday to spend the + day—usually beginning with breakfast—and here he was the great + purveyor of general news and fashionable intelligence. For some years he + continued a deadly foe to Kit, protesting that he had a better opinion of + him when he was supposed to have stolen the five-pound note, than when he + was shown to be perfectly free of the crime; inasmuch as his guilt would + have had in it something daring and bold, whereas his innocence was but + another proof of a sneaking and crafty disposition. By slow degrees, + however, he was reconciled to him in the end; and even went so far as to + honour him with his patronage, as one who had in some measure reformed, + and was therefore to be forgiven. But he never forgot or pardoned that + circumstance of the shilling; holding that if he had come back to get + another he would have done well enough, but that his returning to work out + the former gift was a stain upon his moral character which no penitence or + contrition could ever wash away. + </p> + <p> + Mr Swiveller, having always been in some measure of a philosophic and + reflective turn, grew immensely contemplative, at times, in the + smoking-box, and was accustomed at such periods to debate in his own mind + the mysterious question of Sophronia's parentage. Sophronia herself + supposed she was an orphan; but Mr Swiveller, putting various slight + circumstances together, often thought Miss Brass must know better than + that; and, having heard from his wife of her strange interview with Quilp, + entertained sundry misgivings whether that person, in his lifetime, might + not also have been able to solve the riddle, had he chosen. These + speculations, however, gave him no uneasiness; for Sophronia was ever a + most cheerful, affectionate, and provident wife to him; and Dick + (excepting for an occasional outbreak with Mr Chuckster, which she had the + good sense rather to encourage than oppose) was to her an attached and + domesticated husband. And they played many hundred thousand games of + cribbage together. And let it be added, to Dick's honour, that, though we + have called her Sophronia, he called her the Marchioness from first to + last; and that upon every anniversary of the day on which he found her in + his sick room, Mr Chuckster came to dinner, and there was great + glorification. + </p> + <p> + The gamblers, Isaac List and Jowl, with their trusty confederate Mr James + Groves of unimpeachable memory, pursued their course with varying success, + until the failure of a spirited enterprise in the way of their profession, + dispersed them in various directions, and caused their career to receive a + sudden check from the long and strong arm of the law. This defeat had its + origin in the untoward detection of a new associate—young Frederick + Trent—who thus became the unconscious instrument of their punishment + and his own. + </p> + <p> + For the young man himself, he rioted abroad for a brief term, living by + his wits—which means by the abuse of every faculty that worthily + employed raises man above the beasts, and so degraded, sinks him far below + them. It was not long before his body was recognised by a stranger, who + chanced to visit that hospital in Paris where the drowned are laid out to + be owned; despite the bruises and disfigurements which were said to have + been occasioned by some previous scuffle. But the stranger kept his own + counsel until he returned home, and it was never claimed or cared for. + </p> + <p> + The younger brother, or the single gentleman, for that designation is more + familiar, would have drawn the poor schoolmaster from his lone retreat, + and made him his companion and friend. But the humble village teacher was + timid of venturing into the noisy world, and had become fond of his + dwelling in the old churchyard. Calmly happy in his school, and in the + spot, and in the attachment of Her little mourner, he pursued his quiet + course in peace; and was, through the righteous gratitude of his friend—let + this brief mention suffice for that—a POOR school-master no more. + </p> + <p> + That friend—single gentleman, or younger brother, which you will—had + at his heart a heavy sorrow; but it bred in him no misanthropy or monastic + gloom. He went forth into the world, a lover of his kind. For a long, long + time, it was his chief delight to travel in the steps of the old man and + the child (so far as he could trace them from her last narrative), to halt + where they had halted, sympathise where they had suffered, and rejoice + where they had been made glad. Those who had been kind to them, did not + escape his search. The sisters at the school—they who were her + friends, because themselves so friendless—Mrs Jarley of the + wax-work, Codlin, Short—he found them all; and trust me, the man who + fed the furnace fire was not forgotten. + </p> + <p> + Kit's story having got abroad, raised him up a host of friends, and many + offers of provision for his future life. He had no idea at first of ever + quitting Mr Garland's service; but, after serious remonstrance and advice + from that gentleman, began to contemplate the possibility of such a change + being brought about in time. A good post was procured for him, with a + rapidity which took away his breath, by some of the gentlemen who had + believed him guilty of the offence laid to his charge, and who had acted + upon that belief. Through the same kind agency, his mother was secured + from want, and made quite happy. Thus, as Kit often said, his great + misfortune turned out to be the source of all his subsequent prosperity. + </p> + <p> + Did Kit live a single man all his days, or did he marry? Of course he + married, and who should be his wife but Barbara? And the best of it was, + he married so soon that little Jacob was an uncle, before the calves of + his legs, already mentioned in this history, had ever been encased in + broadcloth pantaloons,—though that was not quite the best either, + for of necessity the baby was an uncle too. The delight of Kit's mother + and of Barbara's mother upon the great occasion is past all telling; + finding they agreed so well on that, and on all other subjects, they took + up their abode together, and were a most harmonious pair of friends from + that time forth. And hadn't Astley's cause to bless itself for their all + going together once a quarter—to the pit—and didn't Kit's + mother always say, when they painted the outside, that Kit's last treat + had helped to that, and wonder what the manager would feel if he but knew + it as they passed his house! + </p> + <p> + When Kit had children six and seven years old, there was a Barbara among + them, and a pretty Barbara she was. Nor was there wanting an exact + facsimile and copy of little Jacob, as he appeared in those remote times + when they taught him what oysters meant. Of course there was an Abel, own + godson to the Mr Garland of that name; and there was a Dick, whom Mr + Swiveller did especially favour. The little group would often gather round + him of a night and beg him to tell again that story of good Miss Nell who + died. This, Kit would do; and when they cried to hear it, wishing it + longer too, he would teach them how she had gone to Heaven, as all good + people did; and how, if they were good, like her, they might hope to be + there too, one day, and to see and know her as he had done when he was + quite a boy. Then, he would relate to them how needy he used to be, and + how she had taught him what he was otherwise too poor to learn, and how + the old man had been used to say 'she always laughs at Kit;' at which they + would brush away their tears, and laugh themselves to think that she had + done so, and be again quite merry. + </p> + <p> + He sometimes took them to the street where she had lived; but new + improvements had altered it so much, it was not like the same. The old + house had been long ago pulled down, and a fine broad road was in its + place. At first he would draw with his stick a square upon the ground to + show them where it used to stand. But he soon became uncertain of the + spot, and could only say it was thereabouts, he thought, and these + alterations were confusing. + </p> + <p> + Such are the changes which a few years bring about, and so do things pass + away, like a tale that is told! + </p> +<div class="fig" style="width:65%"> + <img src="images/0536m.jpg" alt="0536m " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0536.jpg"><i>Original</i></a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP *** + +***** This file should be named 700-h.htm or 700-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/0/700/ + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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