 17 Another 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 with her 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. It was yet early, and the old man being still asleep, she walked out into the churchyard, washing 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. It was a very quiet place, as such a place should be, save for the coring 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 bowers lower down, and higher up, and midway, and to the right and left, and from the treetops, and others arriving hastily from the gray church turrets and old balfoury 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. 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-lattice windows into the church, with its worm-eaten books upon the desks, and bays 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 trestles 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. 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. "'Were you his mother?' said the child. "'I was his wife, my dear.' "'She the wife of a young man of three and twenty?' "'Ah, true! It was fifty-five years ago.' "'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.' "'Do you come here often?' asked the child. "'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! I pluck the daisies as they grow, and take them home,' said the old woman after 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.' 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 connection 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 cumbly girl who seemed to have died with him. The child left her gathering the flowers that grew upon the grave, and thoughtfully retraced her steps. 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 into breakfast, at which meal they all sat down together. "'And where are you going to die?' said the little man, addressing himself to Nell. "'Indeed, I hardly know. We have not determined yet,' replied the child. "'Where are you going, all, 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.' "'We'll go with you,' said the old man, Nell, with them, with them.' 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— "'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!' "'Trotters,' said Mr. Coddlin, who talked very slowly and ate very greedily, as is not uncommon with philosophers and misanthropes. "'You're too free.' "'Why, what harm can it do?' urged the other. "'Now arm at all in this particular case, perhaps,' replied Mr. Coddlin, "'but the principles are a dangerous one, and you're too free, I tell you. Well, will they to go with us or not?' "'Yes, they are,' said Mr. Coddlin, but you might have made a favour of it, mind you.' 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 and 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. Short, then, or Trotters, as the reader pleases, returned unto the remonstrance of his friend Mr. Thomas Coddlin, a Jacose 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. Coddlin, 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 drafts with a silent relish, and invited nobody to partake, thus again strongly indicating his misanthropical turn of mind. Breakfast being at length over, Mr. Coddlin called a bill, and charging the ale to the company generally, a practice also savoring of misanthropy, divided the sum total into two fair and equal parts, assigning one moiety to himself and friend, and the other to Nellie 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. And here Mr. Coddlin'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 puncher'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-star from the heads of his relations, an 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. Mr. Coddlin touched 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 to him on either hand, and Thomas Coddlin brought up the rear. 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 caralled a fragment of a song in that hilarious tone common to punches and their consorts. If people hurried to the windows, Mr. Coddlin 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. Coddlin 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 havens would be plentiful or scant. When it had been gathered into the last farthing, he resumed his load, and on they went again. 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 liable on the beetle, for which reason the authorities enforced a quick retreat. But they were generally well received, and seldom left a town without a tube of ragged children shouting at their heels. 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 a time, with songs and jests, and made the best of everything that happened. Mr. Coddlin, 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. They had stopped to rest beneath a finger-post where four roads met, and Mr. Coddlin, 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. "'It's Grinders Lot, ain't it?' cried Mr. Short in a loud key. "'Yes,' replied a couple of shrill voices. "'Come on, then,' said Short. "'Let's have a look at you. I thought it was you.' Thus invited, Grinders Lot approached with redoubled speed, and soon came up with the little party. Mr. Grinders 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 P-jacket, reaching to his ankles, and a glazed hat. The young lady, too, was muffled in an old-cloth police, and had a handkerchief tied about her head. Their scotch bonnets, ornamented with plumes of jet-black feathers, Mr. Grinder carried on his instrument. "'Bound! For the rice is icy,' 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 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. "'Practice!' said Short, pointing to the stilts. "'Ah, no!' returned Grinder. "'He comes. Either to walk in in him, or carry in of him. And they like walking in them best. It's very pleasant for the young men, and it's very nice. And which road are you taking? We go the nicest.' "'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 gain tonight is so many save tomorrow, and if you keep on, I think our best way is to do the same.' "'Where's your partner?' inquired Grinder. "'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 tonight. That's what he says.' "'Well, don't say such things as them in a spear which is devoted to something pleasanter,' urged Short. "'Respect associations,' told me. "'Even if you do cut up rough.' "'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 a custom to exhibit them to popular admiration. "'Rough or smooth, I won't go further than the mile and a half tonight. I put up at the jolly sand boys, 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.' 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. Any further controversy being now out of the question, Short was feigned 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 destinations, which he was the less unwilling to make for as the moon was now overcast, and the clouds were threatening rain. End of Chapter 17 Chapter 18 of the Old Curiosity Shop This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recorded by Mill Nicholson The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 18 The Jolly Sandboys was a small roadside 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 gypsy camps, carts laden with gambling booths, and their appurtences, itinerant showmen of various kinds, and beggars and trampers of every degree, all wending their way in the same direction. Mr. Codland was fearful of finding the accommodations for stalled. 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 doorpost 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. All alone, said Mr. Codland, putting down his burden and wiping his forehead, all alone as yet, rejoined the landlord, glancing at the sky, but we shall have more company tonight, I expect. Here, warner you boys, carry that show into the barn. Make haste in out of the wet tome, when it came on to rain, I told him to make the fire up, and there's a glorious blaze in the kitchen, I can tell you. Mr. Codland followed with a willing mind, and soon found that the landlord had not commended his preparations without good reason. The 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 they rushed out a savoury smell, while the steeper and more rich, and an unctuous steam came floating out, hanging in a delicious mist above their heads. When he did this, Mr. Codland's heart was touched. He sat down in the chimney corner, and smiled. Mr. Codland sat smiling in the chimney corner, eyeing the landlord as with the roguish look he held the cover in his hand, and, feigning that his doing so was needful to the welfare of the cookery, he made a lightful 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. Codland drew his sleeve across his lips, and said in a murmuring voice, What is it? It's a stew of tribe, 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, cauliflower, 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 having a long, hearty sniff of the fragrance that was hovering about, put on their cover again with the air of one whose toils on earth were over. Eh, what time! Will it be ready? asked Mr. Codland faintly. It will 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 will be done to a turn at twenty-two minutes before eleven. Then, said Mr. Codland, 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. Notting 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. Codland with that creamy froth upon the surface, which is one of the happy circumstances attendant on Muld Malt. Greatly softened by this soothing beverage, Mr. Codland now withought him of his companions, and acquainted mine host of the sandboys at their arrival might be shortly looked for. The rain was rattling against the windows, and pouring down in torrents, and such was Mr. Codland'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. 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, and 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! 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 of their own bundles afforded, and ensconcing themselves, as Mr. Codland had already done at their late troubles, or only remembered them as enhancing the delights at 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. Who are they? whispered the landlord. Short shook his head, and wished he knew himself. Don't you know? asked the host, turning to Mr. Codland. Not I. he replied. They're no good, I suppose. They're no harm. Said Short. Depend upon that. I'll tell you what, it's plain of the old man and in his right mind. If you haven't got anything newer than that to say, growled Mr. Codland, glancing at the clock, you better let us fix our minds upon the supper, and not disturb us. Hear me out, won't you? retorted his friend. He's very plain of me, besides, that they're not used to this way of life. Don't tell me that their handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about as she's done these last two or three days. I know better. Well, who does tell you she has? growled Mr. Codland, 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 them? I wish somebody would give you your supper. Return Short. Well, 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 further away, further away. Have you seen it? Ah, what then? muttered Thomas Codland. 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 creature 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 going to stand there. You're not going to stand at? cried Mr. Codland, glancing at the clock again and pulling his hair with both hands and 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. I, repeated Short emphatically and slowly, am not going to stand it. I'm not going to see this fair young child are 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 develop an intention of partnering company from us, I shall tighten measures for detaining of them and restoring them to their friends who, I dare say, have had their disconciliation pasted up on every wall in London by this time. Short, Mr. Codland, 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. 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. These were no other than four very dismal dogs who came pattering in one after the other, headed by an old bandy dog a 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. Neither short nor the landlord nor Thomas Codland, 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 dog 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. 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. Your people doubt usually travelling character, do they? said short pointing to the dresses of the dogs he must come expensive if they do. No, replied Jerry. No, he's not accustomed with us but we've been playing a little on the road today and we came out with a new wardrobe at the races so I didn't think it worthwhile to stop to undress down Pedro. This was addressed to the dog with the cap on who being a new member of the company 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. I've got an animal ear 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 animal ear or I think you know something of short ah cried short lace have a look at him here he is said Jerry producing a little terrier from his pocket he was once a Toby of yours weren't he in some versions of the great drama of punch there was 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 scawning 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 ceases him by the nose and rings the same with violence at which instance of canine attachment the spectators are deeply affected this was the character 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 boxed so furiously at the paste-board 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 the landlord now busied himself on laying the cloth in which process Mr. Cottern obligingly assisted by setting forth his own knife and fork in the most convenient place and establishing himself behind him 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 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 churrine 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 knell ventured to say grace and supper began 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 morses of food to them before she tasted it herself hungry though she was when they master interposed no, my dear no not an atom from any body-sand but mine, if you please that dog said Jerry pointing out the old leader of the troop and speaking in a terrible voice lost her eye-penny to-day he goes without his supper the unfortunate creature dropped upon his four legs directly wagged his tail and looked imploringly at his master 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 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 now, gentlemen said Jerry looking at them attentively the dog whose names called eats the dog whose names aren't called keep quiet 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 end of chapter 18 chapter 19 of the old curiosity shop this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recorded by Mill Nicholson the old curiosity shop by Charles Dickens chapter 19 supper was not yet over when they arrived at the Jolly Sand Boys 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 him out at his mouth which is one of his professional accomplishments the name of the first of these newcomers was Wuffin the other probably as a pleasant satire upon his ugliness was called Sweet William to render them as comfortable as he could the landlord disturbed himself nimbly and in a very short time both gentlemen were perfectly at their ease how's the giant said short when they all sat smoking round the fire rather weak upon his legs returned Mr. Wuffin I begin to be afraid he's going at the knees that's a bad look out said short I bad indeed replied Mr. Wuffin contemplating the fire with a sigh wants get a giant shitey upon his legs and the public care now more about him than they do for a dead cabbage stalk what becomes of old giants said short turning to him again after a little reflection they're usually kept in caravans to wait upon the dwarfs said Mr. Wuffin the maintain of him must come expensive when they can't be shown eh? remarked short eyeing him doubtfully it's better that than letting him go upon the parish or about the streets said Mr. Wuffin wants 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 so he would observe the landlord and short both together that's very true instead of which pursued Mr. Wuffin if you also advertise Shakespeare played entirely by wooden legs it's my belief you wouldn't draw a six-pinch I don't suppose you would said short and the landlord said so too these shows you see waving his pipe with an argumentative air these shows the policy of keeping the used up giants still in the caravans where they get food and lodging for nothing all their lives and in general very glad they ought to stop there there was one giant a blacken has left his caravans some year ago and took to carrying coach-bills about London making himself as cheap as crossing-sweepers he died I might know insinuation against any body in particular said Mr. Wuffin looking solemnly around but he was ruining the trade and he died the landlord drew his breath hard and looked at the owner of the dogs who nodded and said gruffly that he remembered I know you do Jerry said Mr. Wuffin 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 mourners has had three and twenty-ones I remember the time when old mourners had an east cottage in spa fields in the wintertime when the season was over eight miles and feet eight male and female dwarfs setting down the dinner every day it was waited on by eight old giants in green coats red smalls blue cotton stockings and eye loaves and there was one dwarf as he'd grown elderly and wishes whenever his giant wasn't quick enough to please him he used to stick pins in his legs not being able to reach up any higher I know that's a fact but mourners told it me himself what about the dwarves when they get old in quite the landlord the older a dwarf is the better worth he is return Mr. Wuffin a grey-headed dwarf well-winkled is beyond all suspicion but a giant weak in her legs and not standing upright keep him in the caravan but never show him never show him for any persuiving that can be offered while Mr. Wuffin and his two friends smoked their pipes and beguiled a time with such conversation as this the silent gentleman sat in a warm corner swallowing or seeming to swallow six penny-worth of hapens for practice balancing 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 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 Codland whom she had left to all appearance fast asleep downstairs what is the matter? said the child nothing's a matter my dear returned her visitor on your friend perhaps you haven't thought so but it's me that's your friend not him not who? the child inquired short my dear I'll tell you what said Codland for all is having a kind of way with him that you be very apt to like I'm the real open-hearted man I might look it but I am indeed the child began to be alarmed considering that the ale had taken effect upon Mr. Codland and that this commendation of himself was the consequence shorts very well and seems kind resumed a misanthrope but he overdas it now I don't certainly if there were any fault in Mr. Codland'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 type my advice said Codland 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 say so where and when inquired the child innocently oh now where in particular replied Codland 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 advisor that ever was and so interested in you so much more interested than short I think they're breaking up downstairs you needn't tell short you know that we've had this little talk together God bless you recollect the friend Codland's the friend not short short's very well as far as he goes but the real friend is Codland not short eking out these professions of the number of benevolent and protecting looks and great fervour of manner Thomas Codland 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 wrestling in the passage as if you were doubtful the dog-ad knocked at hers yes said the child from within it's me short a voice called through the keyhole I only wanted to say that we must be all fairly tomorrow morning my dear because unless we get the start of the dogs and the conjurer the villagers won't be worth a penny you be sure to be stirring early and go with us I'll call you the child answered in the affirmative and returning his good night hurt him creep away she felt some uneasiness at the anxiety of these men increased by the recollection of their whispering to gather downstairs and their slight confusion when she awoke nor 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 very early next morning short fulfilled his promise and knocking softly at her door and treated 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 conjurer who was talking in his sleep and for 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 she assumed a short himself to that gentleman's unspeakable gratification and relief 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 sand boys 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 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 here too foredone kept close to her and when he had an opportunity of looking at her unseen by his companion warned her by certain rye faces and jerks of the head not to put any trust in short 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 all these proceedings naturally made the child more watchful and suspicious and she soon observed that whenever they halted to perform outside a village, ale house or other place Mr. Codlin, while he went through his share of the entertainments kept his eye steadily upon her and the old man all 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 the 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 meanwhile they were drawing near the town where the races were to begin next day for from passing numerous groups of gypsies and trampers on the road wending their way towards it and struggling out from every byway and cross-country lane they 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 remote 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 passes by to stop and try their chance the crowd grew thicker and more noisy gilt gingerbread and 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 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 housetops in the large in-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 mane 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 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 less than 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 had 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 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 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 scanty supper the purchase of which reduced her little stock so low that she had only a few havens 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 and now they had come to the time when they must beg their bread soon after sunrise and 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 nose-gays 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 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? 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 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 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 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 hello what are you up to my dear said Mr. Codland raising his head and yawning then observing that his companion was fast asleep he added in an earnest whisper Codland's the friend remember not short making some nose gays the child replied I'm going to try and sell some these three days of the races will you have one as a present I mean Mr. Codland 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 Codland's the friend by God as the morning wore on Codland's 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 and smocked frocks and leather leggings came out in silken vests and hats and plumes as jugglers or mountain banks or in gorgeous liveries a soft-spoken servant at gambling booths or in sturdy yeoman dress as decoys at unlawful games black-eyed gypsy girls hooded in showy handkerchiefs knitted forth to tell fortunes and pale slender women with consumptive faces lingered upon the footsteps of ventriloquists and conjurers and countered 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 bans innumerable emerged from the holes and corners in which they had passed the night and flourished boldly in the sun along the unclear course short led his party the brazen trumpet and reveling in the voice of punch and at his heels went Thomas Codlan 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 gypsies who promised husbands and other adepts in their trade and although some ladies smile gently as they shook their heads and others cry to the gentleman beside them see what a pretty face they let the pretty face pass on and never thought that it looked tired or hungry 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 unfavorably at them and left her to herself she motioned away a gypsy woman urgent to tell her fortune saying that it was told already and had been for some years but called a child towards her and taking her flowers put money into her trembling hand and went home for God's sake many a time they went up and down those long, long lines seeing everything but the horses and the race and 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 Caudland was upon them and to escape without notice was impracticable at length, late in the day Mr. Caudland 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 and a loud laugh at some extemporaneous witticism of Mr. Shorts having allusion to the circumstances of the day roused her from her meditation and caused her to look around if they were ever to get away unseen that was the very moment Shorts 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 armed with laughing faces and Mr. Caudland 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 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 End of Chapter 19 Chapter 20 of the Old Curiosity Shop This LibriVox recording is in the public domain Recorded by Mill Nicholson The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 20 Day 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 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? the mother shook her head and reminded him how often he had been disappointed already for the matter of that said Kit, you speak true and sensible enough as you always do, mother still, are you consider that a week is quite long enough for him to be rambling about? don't you say so? quite long enough, Kit, longer than enough but they may not come back for all that 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 then what do you think, mother, has become of him? he don't think they've gone to see, anyhow? 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 I say, cried Kit with a rueful face don't talk like that, mother I'm afraid they have and that's the truth she said, it's a talk of all the neighbours and there are some even know of they having been seen on board ship and they'll 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 I don't believe it said Kit, not a word of it a set of idle chatterboxes how should they know? 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 talked to me about what's his name? Quilp and that Ian 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? 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 thought 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 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-chase 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 lent against a lamppost to take breath and waited the advent of the pony and his charge 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 nose-gay as she had brought before 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 now sir, will you have the goodness to go on? this is not the place said the old gentleman the pony looked with great attention into a fire-plug which was near him and appeared to be quite absorbed in contemplating it oh dear, such a naughty whisker cried the old lady being so good too and coming along so well I'm quite ashamed of him I don't know what we ought to do with him I really don't the pony, having thoroughly satisfied himself out of the nature and properties of the fire-plug looked into the air after his old enemy's the flies and as they 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 it was then that Kit presented himself at the pony's head and touched his hat with a smile why bless me cried the old gentleman the lad is here my dear, do you see I said I'll 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 my dear said the old gentleman this is an uncommon lad a good lad, I'm sure I'm sure he is rejoined the old lady a very good lad and I'm sure he is a good son 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. Witherton, smelling very hard at the nose-gay 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 the faces had not disappeared from the window many moments when Mr. Chuckster, in his official coat and 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 made him go in and he would mind the shea is 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 Kit entered the office in a great tremor and 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. Witherdon, too, was a bustling gentleman who talked loud and fast and all eyes were upon him and he was very shabby Well, boy, said Mr. Witherdon, you came to work out that chiling not to get another hay No, indeed, sir, replied Kit, taking courage to look up I never thought of such a thing Father alive, said the notary Dead, sir Mother? Yes, sir Married again, eh? 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 but this reply Mr. Witherdon buried his nose in the flowers again and whispered behind the nose gate that he believed the lad was as honest a lad as need be Now, said Mr. Garland when they had made some further inquiries of him I am not going to give you anything Thank you, sir Kit replied, and quite seriously, too for this announcement seemed to free him from the suspicion which the notary had hinted But, presumed 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 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 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, war, 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 the holders 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 discomforture 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 End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 of The Old Curiosity Shop This LibriVox recording is in the public domain Recorded by Mill Nicholson The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 21 Kit 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 fountainhead 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 sell he forth once more to seek his fortune for the day 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 Kit wondered to see the pony again in 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 we are here before you you see, Christopher said Mr. Garland was smiling yes, sir said Kit and as he said it he looked towards his mother for an explanation of the visit the gentleman's been kind enough my dear she said 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 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 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 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 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 caused a shrink from any enquiry 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 his mother but the best of husbands and the best of fathers besides which Kit could and would corroborate 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 when Kit's mother had done speaking the old lady struck in again and said that she was quite sure 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 whereout Kit's mother dropped a curtsy and became consoled then the good woman entered into a long and minute account of Kit's life and history from the earliest period down to that time not admitting to make mention of his miraculous fall out of a backpala window in 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 at the cheese mongers round the corner and diverse 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 requirements 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 which it appeared that both Kit's mother and herself had been at love and beyond all other women of what condition or age so ever 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 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 they were here at Pony by the bridle while they took their seats and saw them drive away with a lightened heart well mother said Kit hurrying back into the house I think my fortune's about made now I should think it was indeed rejoined his mother six pound a year only think ah said Kit trying to maintain the gravity which the consideration of such a sum demanded but grinning with the light in spite of himself this a property Kit drew a long breath when he had said this and putting his hands deep into his pockets as if they 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 please God we make such a lady of you for Sandy's mother such a scholar of Jacob child of the baby such a room of the one upstairs six pound a year ahem 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 Swivel at his heels 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 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 Swivel 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 had occasioned don't be frightened mistress said Quilp after a pause your son knows me I don't eat babies I don't like them it will be as well to stop that young screamer though in case I should be tempted to do him a mischief hello sir will you be quiet little Jacob stemmed the course of two tears which he was squeezing out of his eyes and instantly subsided into a silent horror 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 what should I come for retorted Kit I haven't any business with you no more than you had with me 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 he is not being here at all she replied I wish we knew where they've gone but 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 hmm muttered Quilp evidently disappointed to believe that this was true and that's much you've tell this gentleman too is it if the gentleman comes to ask the same question I can't tell him anything else sir but I only wish I could for our own sakes was the reply Quilp glanced at Richard Swivler 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 yes said Dick there was the object of the present expedition I fancied it possible but let us go ring fancies nil I'll begin it you seem disappointed observed Quilp a baffler sir a baffler that's all returned Dick I have vented 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 the dwarf eyed Richard with a sarcastic smile 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 sympathized with Mr. Swiveller exceedingly I am disappointed myself said Quilp out of near 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 why, of course it does Dick observed testily upon my word I am very sorry very sorry I am 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 bitter ill business now to lead you in another direction urged Quilp packing 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 schedom 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 Swivler, eh? as the dwarf spoke Dick's face relaxed into a compliant smile at 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 straight away the moment their backs were turned little Jacob thawed and resumed his crying from the point where Quilp had frozen him the summer house of which Mr Quilp had spoken was a rugged wooden box rotten and bare to sea which overhung the river's mud and threatened to slide down into it the town 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 with 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 to this inviting spot and treating him to observe its beauties as they passed along and on the table of the summer house scored deep with many agallos 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 Culper signed to Richard Swivler his portion and lighting his pipe from an end of a candle and a very old and battered lantern drew himself to gather upon a seat is it good said Culpe as Richard Swivler 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 does it cried Dick throwing away part of the contents of his glass and filling it up with water why, Ben can't I make you tell me that you drink such fire as this now we joined Culpe not drink it look here and here not drink it as he spoke Daniel Culpe 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 dischartered in a heavy cloud from his nose this feat accomplished he drew himself together in his former position and laughed excessively give us a toast cried Culpe rattling on the table in a dexterous manner with his fist and elbow alternately and 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 if you want a name said Dick Sophie Whackles Sophie Whackles screamed the dwarf Miss Sophie Whackles that is Mrs. Richard Swivler that shall be shall be ah said Dick you might have said that a few weeks ago but it won't do now my buck emo lately knew herself of Cheggs Pies and Cheggs cut Cheggs ears off rejoined Quillpe our ear of Cheggs her name is Swivler all nothing I'll drink her elf again and her fathers and her mothers and all her sisters and brothers the glorious family of the Whackles is all the Whackles is in one glass down with it to the Dregs well said Richard Swivler stopping short in the act of raising the glass to his lips and looking at the dwarf and 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 this candid declaration tended rather to increase than restrain Mr. Quillpes's eccentricity and Richard Swivler astonished to see him in such a roistering 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. Quillpe 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 Quillpes 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 stop said Quillpe 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 well do you think there's still a chance inquired Dick in surprise of this encouragement a chance echoed the dwarf a certainty Sophie Whackles may become a Cheggs or anything else she likes but not a Swivler ha ha ha you lucky dog he's richer than any Jew alive you're a made man I'm seeing you now nothing but Nelly's husband rolling in gold and silver I'll help you it shall be done mind my words he shall be done but how said Dick 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 with these hasty words Daniel quilt withdrew into a dismantled skittle ground behind the public house and throwing himself upon the ground actually screamed and rolled about in uncontrollable delight he's sport he cried sport ready to my hand all invented in a range and only to be enjoyed he was this shallow painted fellow who made my bones ached the other day was it it was his friend and fellow plotter Mr Trent that once made eyes at Mrs Quillpen leered and looked was it after laboring for two or three years in their precious scheme defined that they've got a beggar at last and one of them tied for life he shall marry Mary Nell he shall have her and I'll be the first man when they're not started hard and fast to tell him what they've gained and what I've helped them to you'll be a clearing of old scores you will be a time to remind them what a capital friend I was and how I helped them to the heiress in the height of his ecstasy Mr Quillpen 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 why don't you come and bite me why don't you come and tear me to pieces you coward said Quillpen, hissing and worrying the animal till he was nearly mad you're afraid, you bully you're afraid you know you are 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 damps around 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 and we found looking at the tide of exceeding gravity and thinking of that same gold and silver which Mr Quillpen had mentioned end of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 of the Old Curiosity Shop this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recorded by Mill Nicholson the Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 22 the remainder of that day and the whole of the next were a busy time for the Nobles family to whom everything connected with Kit's outfit and departure was matter of his 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 a 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 carriers 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 whether Kit's mother perfectly understood how to take care of herself and the absence of her son 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. Nobles apprehensively in reference to the first point 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 to have gone with it I'm afraid we can't help it now said his mother but it was foolish and wrong people oughtn't to be tempted 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 you 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 I hope plays may be sinful Kit but I'm almost afraid said Mrs. Nobles I know who's been putting that into your head rejoin her son disconsolently that's little Bethel again now I say mother pray don't take to go in there regularly for if I was to see your good-humoured face that has always made home cheerful turn 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 look in grievous likewise I should so take it a heart that I'm sure I should go and list for a soldier and run my head on purpose against the first cannonball I saw coming my way oh Kit don't talk like that 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 of mine to pull off last week can you suppose of any harm in looking as cheerful and being as cheerful 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 snaffle on the contrary don't I see every reason why I shouldn't just hear this and as natural as walking and as good for the health and as natural as a sheep's bleeding or a pig's grunting or always his name singing isn't it mother 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 them all 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 it's 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 his eyes and said grace and a very cheerful meal their scanty supper was 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 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 lorries he shone in the luster 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 without encountering any more remarkable adventure on the road and 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 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 fruttering 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 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 a abundance of time to look about him again though when he had rang it but nobody came so after ringing it twice or thrice he sat down upon his box and waited 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 open and a little servant girl very tidy, modest and demure but very pretty too, appeared I suppose you're Christopher sir said the servant girl Kit got off the box and said yes, he was I'm afraid you've rang a good many times perhaps she rejoined but we couldn't hear you he rang the pony 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 described Mr. Garland leading whisker in triumph up the garden after that self-willed pony had as he afterwards learned dodged the family around a small paddock in the rear for one hour and two quarters 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 complacence 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 Kitt 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 of promises and advice and Kitt 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 downstairs and give him something to eat and drink after his walk downstairs therefore Kitt went and at the bottom of the stairs there was such a kitchen it was never before seen or heard of out of a toy shop window there was everything in it as bright and glowing and as precisely ordered too as Barbara herself and in this kitchen Kitt 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 it did not appear however that there was anything remarkably tremendous about this strange Barbara who having lived a very quiet life very much and was quite as embarrassed and uncertain what she ought to say or do as Kitt 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 on 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 Kitt 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 Kitt lent over his plate and Barbara over her pea-shells each an extreme confusion at having been detected by the other End of Chapter 22