 Chapter 42 of The Old Curiosity Shop This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 42 It behoves us to leave Kit for a while, thoughtful and expectant, and to follow the fortunes of little Nell. Resuming the thread of the narrative at the point where it was left some chapters back. In one of those wanderings in the evening time, when, following the two sisters at a humble distance, she felt, in her sympathy with them and her recognition of their trials of something akin to her own loneliness spirit, a comfort and consolation, which made such moments a time of deep delight. Though the softened pleasure they yielded was of that kind which lives and dies in tears. In one of those wanderings, at the quiet hour of twilight, when sky and earth and air and rippling water and sound of distant bells claimed kindred with emotions of the solitary child and inspired her with soothing thoughts, but not of a child's world or its easy joys. In one of those rambles which had now become her only pleasure or relief from care, light had faded into darkness and evening deepened into night, and still the young creature lingered in the gloom, feeling a companionship in nature so serene and still, when noise of tongues and glare of garish lights would have been solitude indeed. The sisters had gone home and she was alone. She raised her eyes to the bright stars, looking down so mildly from the wide worlds of air and gazing on them, found new stars burst upon her view and more beyond and more beyond again until the whole great expanse sparkled with shining spheres, rising higher and higher in immeasurable space, eternal in their numbers as in their changeless and incorruptible existence. She bent over the calm river and saw them shining in the same majestic order, as when the dove beheld them gleaming through the swollen waters upon the mountain tops down far below and dead mankind, a million fathoms deep. The child sat silently beneath a tree, hushed in her very breath by the stillness of the night and all its attendant wonders. The time and place awoke reflection and she thought with a quiet hope, less hope perhaps, than resignation on the past and present and what was yet before her. Between the old man and herself there had come a gradual separation, harder to bear than any former sorrow. Every evening and often in the daytime too, he was absent, alone, and although she well knew where he went and why, too well from the constant drain upon her scanty purse and from his haggard looks, he evaded all inquiry, maintained a strict reserve and even shunned her presence. She sat meditating sorrowfully upon this change and mingling it, as it were, with everything about her when the distant church clock bells struck nine. Rising at the sound, she retraced her steps and turned thoughtfully towards the town. She had gained a little wooden bridge which, thrown across the stream, led into a meadow in her way when she came suddenly upon a ruddy light and, looking forward more attentively, discerned that it proceeded from what appeared to be an encampment of gypsies who had made a fire in one corner at no great distance from the path and were sitting or lying around it. As she was too poor to have any fear of them, she did not alter her cause, which indeed she could not have done without going a long way around but quickened her pace a little and kept straight on. A movement of timid curiosity impelled her when she approached the spot to glance towards the fire. There was a form between it and her, the outline strongly developed against the light which caused her to stop abruptly. Then, as if she had reasoned with herself and were assured that it could not be or had satisfied herself that it was not that of the person she had supposed, she went on again. But at that instant the conversation whatever it was which had been carrying on near this fire was resumed and the tones of the voice that spoke, she could not distinguish words, sounded as familiar to her as her own. She turned and looked back. The person had been seated before but was now in a standing posture and leaning forward upon a stick on which he rested both hands. The attitude was no less familiar to her than the tone of voice had been. It was her grandfather. Her first impulse was to call him, a next to wonder who his associates could be and for what purpose they were together. Some vague apprehension succeeded and yielding to the strong inclination it awakened she drew nearer to the place, not advancing across the open field however but creeping towards it by the hedge. In this way she advanced within a few feet of the fire and standing among a few young trees could both see and hear without much danger of being observed. There were no women or children as she had seen in other gypsy camps they had passed in their way faring and but one gypsy, a tall athletic man who stood with his arms folded leaning against a tree at a little distance off looking now at the fire and now under his black eyelashes at three other men who were there with a watchful but half concealed interest in their conversation. Of these her grandfather was one. The others she recognized as the first guard players at the public house on the eventful night of the storm, the man whom they had called Isaac List and his graph companion. One of the low arched gypsy tents common to that people was pitched hard by but it either was or appeared to be empty. Well, are you going? said the stout man looking up from the ground where he was lying at his ease into her grandfather's face. You were in a mighty hurry a minute ago. Go if you like. You're your own master I hope. Don't vex him, returned Isaac List, who was squatting like a frog on the other side of the fire and had so screwed himself up that he seemed to be squinting all over. It didn't mean any offense. You keep me poor and plunder me and make a sport and jest of me besides said the old man turning from one to the other. You drive me mad among ye. The utter irresolution and feebleness of the grey-haired child contrasted with the keen and cunning looks of those in whose hands he was smote upon the little listener's heart which he constrained herself to attend to all that past and to note each look and word. Confound you, what do you mean? said the stout man rising a little and supporting himself upon his elbow. Keep you poor. You'd keep us poor if you could, wouldn't you? That's the way with you whining puny, pitiful players when you lose your martyrs but I don't find that when you win you look upon the other losers in that light as to plunder. cried the fellow raising his voice. Dummy, what do you mean by such un-gentlemanly language as plunder air? The speaker laid himself down again at full length and gave one or two short angry kicks as if in further expression of his unbounded indignation. It was quite plain that he acted the bully and his friend the peacemaker for some particular purpose or rather it would have been to anyone but the weak old man for they exchanged glances quite openly both with each other and with the gypsy who grinned his approval of the jest until his white teeth shone again. The old man stood helplessly among them for a little time and then said, turning to his assailant You yourself were speaking of plunder just now, you know Don't be so violent with me, you were, were you not? Not of plundering among present company honor among, among gentlemen sir returned the other who seemed to have been very near giving an awkward termination to the sentence Don't be hard upon him, Jowl said Isaac List He's very sorry for giving offence There, go on with what you were saying, go on I am a jolly old tender hearted lamb I am Right, Mr. Jowl, to be sitting here at my time of life giving advice when I know it won't be taken and that I shall get nothing but abuse for my pains but that's the way I've gone through life experience has never put a chill upon my warm heartedness I tell you he's very sorry, don't I? remonstrated Isaac List and that he wishes you'd go on Does he wish it? said the other I, grown to the old man sitting down and rocking himself to and fro Go on, go on it's in vain to fight with it I can't do it, go on I go on then, said Jowl where I left off when you got up so quick if you are persuaded that it's the time for luck to turn as it certainly is and find that you haven't means enough to try it and that's where it is for you know yourself that you never have the funds to keep on long enough at a sitting help yourself to what seems put in your way on purpose borrow it I say and when you're able, pay it back again certainly Isaac List struck in if this good lady escapes the wax works, has money and does keep it in a tin box when she goes to bed and doesn't lock her door for fear of fire it seems an easy thing quite a providence, I should call it but then I've been religiously brought up you see Isaac set his friend growing more eager and drawing himself closer to the old man while he's signed to the gypsy not to come between them you see Isaac, strangers are going in and out every hour of the day nothing would be more likely than for one of these strangers to get under the good lady's bed or lock himself in the cupboard suspicion would be very wide and would fall a long way from the mark no doubt I'd give him his revenge to the last farthing he brought whatever the amount was but could you urged Isaac List is your bank strong enough strong enough answered the other with assumed disdain yeah you sir, give me that box out of the straw this was addressed to the gypsy who crawled into the low tent on all fours and after some rummaging and rustling returned with a cash box which the man who had spoken opened with the key he wore about his person do you see this he said gathering up the money in his hand and letting it drop back into the box between his fingers like water do you hear it do you know the sound of gold there put it back and don't talk about banks again Isaac till you've got one of your own Isaac List with great apparent humility protested that he had never doubted the credit of a gentleman so notorious for his honourable dealing as Mr. Jowl and that he had hinted at the production of the box not for the satisfaction of his doubts or he could have none but with a view to being regaled with a sight of so much wealth which though it might be deemed by some but unsubstantial and visionary pleasure was to one in his circumstances a source of extreme delight only to be surpassed by its safe depository in his own personal pockets although Mr. List and Mr. Jowl addressed themselves to each other it was remarkable that they both looked narrowly at the old man who with his eyes fixed upon the fire sat brooding over it yet listening eagerly as it seemed from a certain involuntary motion of the head or twitching of the face from time to time to all they said my advice said Jowl lying down again with a careless air is plain I have given it in fact I act as a friend why should I help a man to the means perhaps of winning all I have unless I considered him my friend it's foolish I dare say to be so thoughtful of the welfare of other people but that's my constitution and I can't help it so don't blame me Isaac List I blame you returned the person addressed not for the world Mr. Jowl I wish I could afford to be as liberal as you and as you say he might pay it back if he won and if he lost you're not to take that into consideration at all said Jowl but suppose he did and nothing's less likely from all I know of chances why it's better to lose other people's money than one's own I hope ah and Isaac List rapturously the pleasures of winning the delight of picking up the money the bright shining yellow boys and sweeping them into one's pocket the deliciousness of having a triumph at last and thinking that one didn't stop short and turn back but went halfway to meet it the but you're not going old gentleman I'll do it said the old man who had risen and taken two or three hurried steps away and now returned as hurriedly I'll have it every penny why that's brave cried Isaac jumping up and slapping him on the shoulder and I respect you for having so much young blood left ha ha ha Joe Jowl's half sorry he advised you now we've got the laugh against him ha ha ha it gives me my revenge mind said the old man pointing to him eagerly with his driveled hand mind his stakes coin against coin down to the last one in the box be there many of you remember that I'm witness returned Isaac I'll see fair between you I have passed my word said Jowl with faint reluctance and I'll keep it when does this match come off I wish it was over tonight I must have the money first said the old man and that I'll have tomorrow why not tonight urge Jowl it's light now and I should be flushed and flurried said the old man no tomorrow night then tomorrow beat said Jowl a drop of comfort here luck to the best man fill the gypsy produced three tin cups and filled them to the brim with brandy the old man turned aside and muttered to himself before he drank her own name struck upon the listener's ear coupled with some wish so fervent that he seemed to breathe it in an agony of supplication God be merciful to us cried the child within herself and help us in this trying hour what shall I do to save him the remainder of their conversation was carried on in a lower tone of voice and was sufficiently concise relating merely to the execution of the project and the best precautions for diverting suspicion the old man then shook hands with his tempters and withdrew they watched his bowed and stooping figure as it retreated slowly and when he turned he scared to look back which he often did waved their hands or shouted some brief encouragement it was not until they had seen him gradually diminish into a mere speck upon the distant road that they turned to each other and ventured to laugh aloud so said Jowl warming his hands at the fire it's done at last he wanted more persuading than I expected it's three weeks ago since we first put this in his head what will he bring do you think whatever he brings it's halved between us returned Isaac list the other man nodded we must make quick work of it he said and then cut his acquaintance or we may be suspected sharps the word list and the gypsy acquiesced when they had all three amused themselves a little with their victims infatuation they dismissed the subject as one which had been sufficiently discussed and began to talk in a jargon which the child did not understand as their discourse appeared to relate to matters in which they were warmly interested however she deemed it the best time for escaping unobserved and crept away with slow and cautious steps keeping in the shadow of the hedges or forcing a path through them or the dry ditches until she could emerge upon the road at a point beyond their range of vision then she fled homewards as quickly as she could torn and bleeding from the wounds of thorns and briars but more lacerated in mind and threw herself upon her bed distracted the first idea that flashed upon her mind was flight instant flight dragging him from that place and rather dying of want upon the roadside than ever exposing him again to such terrible temptations then she remembered that the crime was not to be committed until next night and there was the immediate time for thinking and resolving what to do then she was distracted with a horrible fear that she might be committing it at that moment with a dread of hearing shrieks and cries piercing the silence of the night with fearful thoughts of what he might be tempted and led on to do if he were detected in the act and had but a woman to struggle with it was impossible to bear such torture she stole to the room where the money was opened the door and looked in God be praised he was not there and she was sleeping soundly she went back to her own room and tried to prepare herself for bed but who could sleep sleep who could lie passively down distracted by such terrors they came upon her more and more strongly yet half undressed and with her hair in wild disorder she flew to the old man's bedside clasped him by the wrist and roused him from his sleep what's this he cried starting up in bed and fixing his eyes upon her spectral face I have had a dreadful dream said the child with an energy that nothing but such terrors could have inspired a dreadful horrible dream I have had it once before it is a dream of grey-haired men like you in darkened rooms by night robbing the sleepers of their gold up up the old man shook in every joint and folded his hands like one who prays not to me said the child not to me to heaven to save us from such deeds this dream is too real I cannot sleep I cannot stay here alone under the roof where such dreams come up we must fly he looked at her as if she were a spirit she might have been for all the look of earth she had and trembled more and more there is no time to lose I will not lose one minute said the child up and away with me tonight murmured the old man yes, tonight replied the child tomorrow night will be too late the dream will have come again nothing but flight can save us up the old man rose from his bed his forehead be due with the cold sweat of fear and bending before the child as if she had been an angel messenger sent to lead him where she would made ready to follow her she took him by the hand and led him on as they passed the door of the room he had proposed to Robb she shattered and looked up into his face what a wide face was that and with what a look did he meet hers she took him to her own chamber and still holding him by the hand as if she feared to lose him for an instant gathered together the little stock she had and hung her basket on her arm the old man took his wallet from her hands and strapped it on his shoulders his staff too she had brought away and then she let him forth through the straight streets and narrow crooked outskirts their trembling feet passed quickly up the steep hill too crowned by the old grey castle they toiled with rapid steps and had not once looked behind but as they drew nearer the ruined walls the moon rose in all her gentle glory and from their venerable age garlanded with ivy, moss and waving grass a child looked back upon the sleeping town deep in the valley's shade and on the far off river with its winding track of light and on the distant hills and as she did so she clasped the hand she held less firmly and bursting into tears fell upon the old man's neck End of Chapter 42 Chapter 43 of The Old Curiosity Shop This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 43 Her momentary weakness passed The child again summoned the resolution which had until now sustained her and endeavouring to keep steadily in her view the one idea that they were flying from disgrace and crime and that her grandfather's preservation must depend solely upon her firmness unaided by one word of advice or any helping hand which touched him onward and looked back no more While he, subdued and abashed seemed to crouch before her and to shrink and cower down as if in the presence of some superior creature the child herself was sensible of a new feeling within her which elevated her nature and inspired her with an energy and confidence she had never known There was no divided responsibility now The whole burden of their two lives had fallen upon her and henceforth she must think and act for both I have saved him, she thought In all dangers and distresses I will remember that At any other time the recollection of having deserted the friend who had shown them so much homely kindness without a word of justification the thought that they were guilty of an appearance of treachery and ingratitude even the having parted from the two sisters would have filled her with sorrow and regret But now, all other considerations were lost in the new uncertainties and anxieties of their wild and wandering life and the very desperation of their condition roused and stimulated her In the pale moonlight which lent a whanness of its own the delicate face where thoughtful care already mingled with the winning grace and loveliness of youth the two bright eye the spiritual head the lips that pressed each other with such high resolve and courage of the heart the slight figure, firm in its bearing and yet so very weak told their silent tale but told it only to the wind that rustled by which taking up its burden carried perhaps to some mother's pillow faint dreams of childhood fading in its bloom and resting in the sleep that knows no waking the night crept on a pace the moon went down the stars grew pale and dim and morning called as they slowly approached then, from behind a distant hill the noble sun rose up driving the mist's infantum shapes before it and clearing the earth of their ghostly forms till darkness came again when it had climbed higher into the sky and there was warmth in its cheerful beams they laid them down to sleep upon a bank, hard by some water but Nell retained her grasp upon the old man's arm and long after he was slumbering soundly stretched him with untiring eyes fatigue stole over her at last her grasp relaxed tightened relaxed again and they slept side by side a confused sound of voices mingling with her dreams awoke her a man of a very uncouth and rough appearance was standing over them and two of his companions were looking on from a long heavy boat which had come close to the bank while they were sleeping the boat had neither oar nor sail but was towed by a couple of horses who with the rope to which there were harnesses slack and dripping in the water were resting on the path hello said the man roughly what's the matter here, er? we were only asleep, sir Nell, we have been walking all night a pair of queer travelers to be walking all night observed the man who had first accosted them one of you is a trifle too old for that sort of work and the other a trifle too young where are you going? Nell faltered and pointed at hazard towards the west upon which the man inquired if she meant a certain town which he named Nell, to avoid further questioning said yes, that was the place where have you come from? was the next question and this being an easier one to answer Nell mentioned the name of the village in which their friend the schoolmaster dwelt as being less likely to be known to the men or to provoke further inquiry I thought somebody had been robbing an ill-using you might be said the man that's all, good day returning his salute and feeling greatly relieved by his departure Nell looked after him as he mounted one of the horses and the boat went on it had not gone very far when it stopped again and she saw the man beckoning to her did you call to me? said Nell running up to them you may go with us if you like replied one of those in the boat we're going to the same place the child hesitated for a moment and thinking as she had thought with great trepidation more than once before that the men whom she had seen with her grandfather might perhaps in their eagerness for the booty follow them and regaining their influence over them set hers at naught and that if they went with these men all traces of them must surely be lost at that spot determined to accept the offer the boat came close to the bank again and before she had had any time for further consideration she and her grandfather were on board and gliding smoothly down the canal the sun shone pleasantly upon the bright water which was sometimes shaded by trees and sometimes open to a wide extent of country intersected by running streams and rich with wooden hills cultivated land and sheltered farms now and then a village with its modest spire thatched roofs and gable ends would peep out from among the trees and more than once a distant town with great church towers looming through its smoke and high factories or workshops rising above the massive houses would come in view and by the length of time it lingered in the distance show them how slowly they traveled their way lay for the most part through the low grounds and open plains and accept these distant places and occasionally some men working in the fields or lounging on the bridges under which they passed to see them creep along nothing encroached on their monotonous and secluded track Nell was rather disheartened they stopped at a kind of wharf late in the afternoon to learn from one of the men that they would not reach their place of destination until next day and that if she had no provision with her she had better bite there she had but a few pens having already bargained with them for some bread but even of these it was necessary to be very careful as they were on their way to an utterly strange place with no resource whatever a small loaf and a morsel of cheese therefore were all she could afford and with these she took her place in the boat again and after half an hour's delay during which the men were drinking at the public house proceeded on the journey they brought some beer and spirits into the boat with them and what was drinking freely before and again now were soon on a fair way of being quarrelsome and intoxicated avoiding the small cabin therefore which was very dark and filthy and to which they often invited both her and her grandfather Nell sat in the open air with the old man by her side listening to their boisterous hosts with a palpitating heart and almost wishing herself safe on shore again though she should have to walk all night they were in truth very ragged noisy fellows and quite brutal among themselves though civil enough to their two passengers thus when a quarrel arose between the man who was steering and his friend in the cabin upon the question who had first suggested the propriety of offering Nell some beer and when the quarrel led to a scuffle in which they beat each other fearfully to her inexpressible terror neither visited his displeasure upon her but each contended himself with venting it on his adversary on whom in addition to blows he bestowed a variety of compliments which happily for the child were conveyed in terms to her quite unintelligible the difference was finally adjusted by the man who had come out of the cabin knocking the other into it head first and taking the helm into his own hands without evincing the least discomposure himself or causing any in his friend who being of a tolerably strong constitution and perfectly neared to such trifles went to sleep as he was with his heels upwards and in a couple of minutes or so were snoring comfortably by this time it was night again and though the child felt cold being but poorly clad her anxious thoughts were far removed from her own suffering or uneasiness and busily engaged in endeavouring to devise some scheme for their joint subsistence the same spirit which had supported her on the previous night upheld and sustained her now her grandfather lay sleeping safely at her side and the crime to which his madness urged him was not committed that was her comfort how every circumstance of her short eventful life came thronging into her mind as they travelled on slight incidents never thought of or remembered until now faces seen once and ever since forgotten words spoken and scarcely heeded at the time scenes of a year ago and those of yesterday mixing up and linking themselves together familiar places shaping themselves out in the darkness from things which when approached were of all others the most remote and most unlike them sometimes a strange confusion in her mind relative to the occasion of her being there and the place to which she was going and the people she was with and imagination suggesting remarks and questions which sounded so plainly in her ears that she would start and turn and be almost tempted to reply all the fancies and contradictions common in watching and excitement and restless change of place beset the child she happened while she was that engaged to encounter the face of the man on deck in whom the sentimental stage of drunkenness had now succeeded to the boisterous and who, taking from his mouth a short pipe quilted over with string for its longer preservation requested that she would oblige him with a song you've got a very pretty voice a very soft eye and a very strong memory said this gentleman the voice and eye I'd got evidence for and the memory is an opinion of my own and I'm never wrong let me hear a song this minute I don't think I know one sir returned Nell you know 47 songs said the man with a gravity which admitted of no alteration on the subject 47's your number let me hear one of them the best give me a song this minute not knowing what might be the consequences of irritating her friend and trembling with the fear of doing so poor Nell sank him some little ditty which she had learned in happier times and which was so agreeable to his ear that on its conclusion he in the same peremptory manner requested to be favoured with another to which he was so obliging as to roar a chorus to no particular tune and with no words at all but which amply made up in its amazing energy for its deficiency in other respects the noise of this vocal performance awakened the other man who, staggering upon deck and shaking his late opponent by the hand swore that singing was his pride and joy and chief delight and that he desired no better entertainment with a third call more imperative than either of the two former Nell felt obliged to comply and this time a chorus was maintained not only by the two men together but also by the third man on horseback who, being by his position debarred from a nearer participation in the revels of the night roared when his companions roared and rent the very air in this way with little cessation and singing the same songs again and again the tired and exhausted child kept them in good humour all that night and many a cottageer who was roused from his soundest sleep by the discordant chorus as it floated away upon the wind hid his head beneath the bed clothes and trembled at the sounds at length the morning dawned it was no sooner light than it began to rain heavily as the child could not endure the intolerable vapours of the cabin they covered her in return for her exertions with some pieces of sail cloth and ends of tarpaulin which sufficed to keep her tolerably dry and to shelter her grandfather besides as the day advanced the rain increased at noon it poured down more hopelessly and heavily than ever without the faintest promise of abatement they had for some time been gradually approaching the place for which they were bound the water had become thicker and dirtier other barges coming from it passed them frequently the depths of coal ash and huts of staring brick marked the vicinity of some great manufacturing town while scattered streets and houses and smoke from distant furnaces indicated that they were already in the outskirts now the clustered roofs and piles of buildings trembling with the working of engines and dimly resounding with their shrieks and throbbing the tall chimneys vermitting forth a black vapour which hung in a dense ill-favoured cloud above the housetops and filled the air with gloom the clank of hammers beating upon iron the roar of busy streets and noisy crowds gradually augmenting until all the various sounds blended into one and none was distinguishable for itself announced the termination of their journey the boat floated into the wharf to which it belonged the men were occupied directly the child and her grandfather after waiting in vain to thank them or ask them whether they should go passed through a dirty lane into a crowded street and stood amid its din and tumult and in the pouring rain a strange bewildered and confused as if they had lived a thousand years before and were raised from the dead and placed there by a miracle End of Chapter 43 Chapter 44 of the Old Curiosity Shop This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 44 Throng of people hurried by into opposite streams with no symptom of cessation or exhaustion intent upon their own affairs and undisturbed in their business speculations by the roar of carts and wagons laden with clashing wares the slipping of horses feet upon the wet and greasy pavement the rattling of the rain on windows and umbrella tops the jostling of the more impatient passengers and all the noise and tumult of a crowded street in the high tide of its occupation while the two poor strangers, stunned and bewildered by the hurried they beheld but had no part in looked mournfully on feeling amidst the crowd a solitude which has no parallel but in the thirst of the shipwrecked mariner who tossed to and fro upon the billows of a mighty ocean his red eyes blinded by looking on the water which hems came in on every side has not one drop to cool his burning tongue they withdrew in a low archway for shelter from the rain and watched the faces of those who passed to find in one among them a ray of encouragement or hope some frowned, some smiled some muttered to themselves some made slight gestures as if anticipating the conversation in which they would shortly be engaged some wore the cunning look of bargaining and plotting some were anxious and eager some slow and dull in some countenances were written gain in others loss it was like being in the confidence of all these people to stand quietly there looking into their faces as they flitted past in busy places where each man has an object of his own and feels assured that every other man has his his character and purpose are written broadly in his face in the public walks and lounges of a town people go to see and to be seen and there the same expression with little variety is repeated a hundred times the working day faces come nearer to the truth and let it out more plainly falling into that kind of abstraction which such a solitude awakens the child continued to gaze upon the passing crowd with a wondering interest amounting almost to a temporary forgetfulness of her own condition but cold, wet, hunger, want of rest and lack of any place in which to lay her aching head soon brought her thoughts back to the point whence they had strayed no one passed who seemed to notice them or to whom she durst appeal after some time they left their place of refuge from the weather and it mingled into the concourse evening came on there was still wondering up and down with fewer people about them but with the same sense of solitude in their own breasts and the same indifference from all around the lights in the streets and shops made them feel yet more desolate for with their help night and darkness seemed to come on faster shivering with the cold and damp, ill in body and sick to death at heart a child needed her utmost firmness and resolution even to creep along why had they ever come to this noisy town when there were peaceful country places in which at least they might have hungered and thirsted with less suffering than in its squalid strife they were but an atom here in a mountain heap of misery the very sight of which increased their hopelessness and suffering the child had not only to endure the accumulated hardships of their destitute condition but to bear the reproaches of her grandfather who began to murmur at having been led away from their later boat and demand that they should return to it being now penniless and no relief or prospect of relief appearing they retraced their steps through the deserted streets and went back to the wharf hoping to find the boat in which they had come and to be allowed to sleep on board that night but here again they were disappointed for the gate was closed and some fierce dogs barking at their approach obliged them to retreat we must sleep in the open air tonight dear said the child in a weak voice as they turned away from this last repulse and tomorrow we will beg our way to some quiet part of the country and try to earn our bread in very humble work why did you bring me here? returned the old man fiercely I cannot bear these close eternal streets we came from a quiet part why did you force me to leave it? because I must have that dream I told you of no more said the child with a momentary firmness lost itself in tears and we must live among poor people or it will come again dear grandfather you are old and weak I know but look at me I never will complain if you will not but I had some suffering indeed poor houseless wondering motherless child cried the old man clasping his hands and gazing as if for the first time upon her anxious face stained dress and bruised and swollen feet as all my agony of care brought her to this at last was I a happy man once and have I lost happiness and all I had for this? if we were in the country now said the child with assumed cheerfulness as they walked on looking about them for a shelter we should find some good old tree stretching out his green arms as if he loved us and nodding and wrestling as if he would have us fall asleep thinking of him while he watched please God we shall be there soon tomorrow or next day at the farthest and in the meantime let us think dear that it was a good thing we came here for we are lost in the crowd and hurry of this place and if any cruel people should pursue us they could surely never trace us further there's comfort in that and here's a deep old doorway very dark but quite dry and warm too for the wind don't blow in here what's that? uttering a half shriek she recalled from a black figure which came suddenly out of the dark recess in which they were about to take refuge and stood still looking at them speak again it said do I know the voice no replied the child timidly we are strangers and having no money for a night's lodging we are going to rest here there was a feeble lamp at no great distance the only one in the place which was a kind of square yard but sufficient to show how poor and mean it was to this the figure beckoned them at the same time drawing within its rays as if to show that it had no desire to conceal itself or take them at an advantage the form was that of a man miserably clad and begrimmed with smoke which perhaps by its contrast with the natural color of his skin made him look paler than he really was that he was naturally of a very well and pallid aspect however his hollow cheeks sharp features and sunken eyes no less than a certain look of patient endurance sufficiently testified his voice was harsh by nature but not brutal and though his face besides possessing the characteristics already mentioned was overshadowed by a quantity of long dark hair its expression was neither ferocious nor cruel how came you to think of resting there he said oh how he added looking more attentively at the child do you come to want a place of rest at this time of night our misfortunes the grandfather answered ah the cause do you know said the man looking still more earnestly at Nell how wet she is and that the damn streets are not a place for her I know it well God help me he replied what can I do the man looked at Nell again and gently touched her garments from which the rain was running off in little streams I can give you warmth he said after a pause nothing else such lodgings as I have is in that house pointing to the doorway from which he had emerged but she is safer and better there than here the fire is in a rough place but you can pass the night beside it safely if you'll trust yourselves to me you see that red light yonder they raised their eyes and saw a lurid glare hanging in the dark sky the dull reflection of some distant fire it is not far said the man shall I take you there you were going to sleep upon cold bricks I can give you a bed of warm ashes nothing better without waiting for any further reply then he saw in their looks he took Nell in his arms and bet the old man follow carrying her as tenderly and as easily too as if she had been an infant and showing himself both swift and sure of food he led the way through what appeared to be the poorest and most wretched quarter of the town not turning aside to avoid the overflowing canals or running water spouts but holding his cause regardless of such obstructions and making his way straight through them they had proceeded thus in silence for some quarter of an hour and had lost sight of the glare to which he had pointed in the dark and narrow ways by which they had come when it suddenly burst upon them again streaming up from the high chimney of a building close before them this is the place he said, pausing at a door to put Nell down and take her hand don't be afraid there's nobody here will harm you it needed a strong confidence in this assurance to induce them to enter and what they saw inside did not diminish their apprehension and alarm in a large and lofty building supported by pillars of iron with great black apertures in the upper walls open to the external air echoing to the roof with the beating of hammers and roar of furnaces mingled with the hissing of red-hot metal plunged in water and a hundred strange unearthly noises never heard elsewhere in this gloomy place moving like demons among the flame and smoke dimly and fitfully seen flushed and tormented by the burning fires and wielding great weapons a faulty blow from anyone of which must have crushed some workmen's skull a number of men labored like giants others, reposing upon heaps of coals or ashes with their faces turned to the black vault above slept or rested from their toil others again opening the white-hot furnace doors cast fuel on the flames which came rushing and roaring forth to meet it and licked it up like oil others drew forth with clashing noise upon the ground great sheets of glowing steel emitting an insupportable heat and a dull deep light like that which reddens the eyes of savage beasts through these bewildering sights and deafening sounds their conductor led them to wear in a dark portion of the building one furnace burnt by night and day so at least they gathered from the motion of his lips for as yet they could only see him speak, not hear him a man who had been watching this fire and whose task was ended for the present, gladly withdrew and left them with their friend who, spreading Nell's little cloak upon a heap of ashes and showing her where she could hang her outer clothes to dry signed to her and the old man to lie down and sleep for himself he took his station on a ragged mat before the furnace door and resting his chin upon his hands watched the flame as it shone through the iron chings and the white ashes as they fell into their bright hot grave below the warmth of her bed, hard and humble as it was combined with the great fatigue she had undergone soon caused the tumult of the place to fall with a gentler sound upon the child's tired ears and was not long in lulling her to sleep the old man was stretched beside her and with her hand upon his neck she lay and dreamed it was year night when she awoke nor did she know how long or for how short a time she had slept but she found herself protected both from any cold air that might find its way into the building and from the scorching heat by some of the workmen's clothes and glancing at their friend saw that he sat in exactly the same attitude looking with a fixed earnestness of attention towards the fire and keeping so very still that he did not even seem to breathe she lay in the state between sleeping and waking looking so long at his motionless figure that at length she almost feared he had died as he sat there and softly rising and drawing close to him ventured to whisper in his ear he moved and glancing from her to the place she had lately occupied as if to assure himself that it was really the child so near him looked inquiringly into her face I feared you were ill? she said the other men are all in motion and you are so very quiet they leave me to myself replied they know my humour they laugh at me but don't arm me in it see yonder there that's my friend the fire said the child it has been alive as long as I have the man made answer we talk and think together all night long the child glanced quickly at him in her surprise but he had turned his eyes in their former direction and was musing as before it's like a book to me he said the only book I ever learned to read and many an old story tells me it's music for I should know his voice among a thousand and there are other voices in its roar it has its pictures too you don't know how many strange faces and different scenes I trace in the red hot coals it's my memory, that fire and shows me all my life the child bending down to listen to his words could not help remarking with what brightened eyes he continued to speak and muse yes he said with a faint smile it was the same when I was quite a baby and crawled about it till I fell asleep my father watched it then I do know mother asked the child no, she was dead women work hard in these parts she worked herself to death and as they said so then the fire has gone on saying the same thing ever since I suppose it was true I have always believed it were you brought up here then? said the child summer and winter he replied secretly at first but when they found it out they let him keep me here so the fire nursed me the same fire it has never gone out you are fond of it said the child of course I am he died before it I saw him fall down just there where those ashes are burning now and wondered I remember why he didn't help him have you been here ever since? asked the child ever since I came to watch it but there was a while between and a very cold dreary while it was it burned all the time though and wrought and leaped when I came back as it used to do in our play days you may guess from looking at me what kind of child I was but for all the difference between us I was a child and when I saw you in the street tonight you put me in mind of myself as I was after he died and made me wish to bring you to the old fire I thought of those old times again I saw you sleeping by it you should be sleeping now lie down again poor child lie down again with that he led her to her rude couch and covering her with the clothes with which she had found herself enveloped when she woke returned to his seat whence he moved no more and less to feed the furnace but remained motionless as a statue the child continued to watch him for a little time but soon yielded to the drowsiness that came upon her and in the dark strange place and on the heap of ashes she stepped as peacefully as if the room had been a palace chamber and the bed a bed of down when she awoke again broad day was shining through the lofty openings in the walls and stealing and slanting rays but midway down seemed to make the building darker than it had been at night the clang and tumult were still going on and the remorseless fires were burning fiercely as before and the images of night and day brought rest or quiet there her friend parted his breakfast a scanty mess of coffee and some coarse bread with the child and her grandfather and inquired whether they were going she told him that they sought some distant country place remote from towns or even other villages and with a faltering tongue inquired what road they would do best to take I know little of the country he said shaking his head for such as I pass all our lives before our furnace doors and seldom go forth to breathe but there are such places yonder and far from here said Nell I surely how could they be near us and be green and fresh the road lies too through miles and miles all lighted up by fires like ours a strange black road and one that would frighten you by night we are here and must go on the old man said the child boldly for she saw that the old man listened with anxious ears to this account rough people paths never made for little feet like yours a dismal blighted way is there no turning back my child there is none cried Nell pressing forward if you can direct us do if not pray do not seek to turn us from our purpose indeed you do not know the danger that we shun and how right and true we have been flying from it or you would not try to stop us I am sure you would not God forbid if it is so said there in cooth protector glancing from the eager child to her grandfather who hung his head and bent his eyes upon the ground I'll direct you from the door the best I can I wish I could do more he showed them then by which road they must leave the town and what cause they should hold and gained it he lingered so long on these instructions that the child with a fervent blessing tore herself away and stayed to hear no more but before they had reached the corner of the lane the man came running after them and pressing her hand left something in it too old, battered smoke and crusted penny pieces who knows but they shone as brightly in the eyes of angels as golden gifts that have been chronicled on tombs and thus they separated the child to lead her sacred charge further from guilt and shame and the laborer to attach a fresh interest to the spot where his guests had slept and read new histories in his furnace fire end of chapter 44 chapter 45 of the old curiosity shop this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the old curiosity shop by Charles Dickens chapter 45 in all their journeying they had never longed so ardently they had never so pined and wearied for the freedom of pure air and open country as now no, not even on that memorable morning when deserting their old home they abandoned themselves to the mercies of a strange world and left all the dumb and senseless things they had known and loved behind not even then had they so yearned for the fresh solitudes of wood hillside and field as now when the noise and dirt and vapor of the great manufacturing town reeking with lean misery and hungry wretchedness turned them in on every side and seemed to shut out hope and render escape impossible two days and nights thought the child he said two days and nights we should have to spend among such scenes as these oh if we live to reach the country once again if we get clear of these dreadful places though it is only to lie down and die with what a grateful heart we shall thank god for so much mercy with thoughts like this and with some vague design of traveling to a great distance among streams and mountains where only very poor and simple people lived and where they might maintain themselves by very humble helping work in farms free from such terrors as that from which they fled the child with no resource but the poor man's gift and no encouragement but that which flowed from her own heart and its sense of the truth and right of what she did nerfed herself to this last journey and boldly pursued her task we shall be very slow today dear she said as they toiled painfully through the streets my feet I saw and I have pains in all my limbs from the wet of yesterday I saw that he looked at us and thought of that when he said how long we should be upon the road it was a dreary way he told us of returned her grandfather petiously is there no other road will you not let me go some other way than this places lie beyond these said the child firmly where we may live in peace and be tempted to do no harm we will take the road that promises to have that end and we will not turn out of it if it were a hundred times worse than our fears to expect we would not dear would we no let us go on I am ready I am quite ready now the child walked with more difficulty than she had let her companion to expect for the pains that racked her joints were of no common severity and every exertion increased them but they rung from her no complaint or look of suffering and though the two travelers proceeded very slowly they did proceed and clearing the town in cause of time began to feel that they were fairly on their way a long suburb of red brick houses some with patches of garden ground where cold dust and factory smoke darkened the shrinking leaves and cause rang flowers and where the struggling vegetation sickened and sank under the hot breath of kiln and furnace making them by its presence seem yet more blighting and wholesome than in the town itself a long flat struggling suburb passed they came by slow degrees upon a cheerless region where not a blade of grass was seen to grow where not a bud put forth its promise in the spring where nothing green could live but on the surface of the stagnant pools which here and there lay idly sweltering by the black roadside advancing more and more into the shadow of this mournful place its dark depressing influence stole upon their spirits and filled them with a dismal gloom on every side and far as the eye could see into the heavy distance tall chimneys crowding on each other and presenting that endless repetition of the same dull, ugly form which is the horror of oppressive dreams poured out their plague of smoke obscured the light and made foul the melancholy air on mounds of ashes by the wayside sheltered only by few rough boards or rotten penthouse roofs strange engines spun and writhed like tortured creatures clanking their iron chains shrieking in their rapid whirl from time to time as though in torment and indurable and making the ground tremble with their agonies dismantled houses here and there appeared tottering to the earth propped up by fragments of others that had fallen down unroofed, windowless, blackened desolate but yet inhabited men, women, children whan in their looks and ragged in attire tended the engines fed their tributary fires begged upon the road or scald half naked from the doorless houses then came more of the wrathful monsters like they almost seemed to be in their wildness and their untamed air screeching and turning round and round again and still before behind and to the right and left was the same interminable perspective of brick towers never ceasing in their black vomit blasting all things living or inanimate, shutting out the face of day and closing in on all these horrors with a dense dark cloud but night time in this dreadful spot night when the smoke was changed to fire when every chimney spurred up its flame at places that had been dark walls all day now shone red hot with figures moving to and fro within their blazing jaws and calling to one another with hoarse cries night when the noise of every strange machine was aggravated by the darkness when the people near them looked at each other and more savage when bands of unemployed laborers paraded in the roads or clustered by torchlight round their leaders who told them in stern language of their wrongs and urged them on to frightful cries and threats when maddened men armed with sword and firebrand spurning the tears and prayers of women who would restrain them rushed forth on errands of terror and destruction to work no ruin half night when carts came rumbling by filled with rude coffins for contagious disease and death had been busy with the living crops when orphans cried and destructed women shrieked and followed in their wake night when some called for bread and some for drink to drown their cares and some with tears and some with staggering feet and some with bloodshot eyes night which unlike the night that heaven sends on earth brought with it no peace nor quiet nor signs of blessed sleep who shall tell the terrors of the night to that young wandering child and yet she lay down with nothing between her and the sky and with no fear for herself for she was past it now put up a prayer for the poor old man so very weak so very weak and spent she felt so very calm and unresisting that she had no thought of any once of her own but prayed that God would raise up some friend for him she tried to recall the way they had come and to look in the direction where the fire by which they had slept last night was burning she had forgotten to ask the name of the poor man their friend and when she had remembered him in her prayers it seemed ungrateful not to turn one look towards the spot where he was watching a penny loaf was all they had had that day it was very little but even hunger was forgotten in the strange tranquility that crept over her senses she lay down very gently and with a quiet smile upon her face fell into a slumber it was not like sleep and yet it must have been or why those pleasant dreams of the little scholar all night long morning came much weaker diminished powers even of sight and hearing and yet the child may know complaint perhaps would have made none even if she had not that inducement to be silent traveling by her side she felt a hopelessness of their ever being extricated together from that fall on place a dull conviction that she was very ill perhaps dying but no fear or anxiety a loathing of food that she was not conscious of until they expanded their last penny in the purchase of another loaf prevented her partaking even of this poor repast her grandfather at greedily which she was glad to see their way lay through the same scenes as yesterday with no variety or improvement there was the same thick air difficult to breathe the same blighted ground the same hopeless prospect the same misery and distress objects appeared more dim the noise less the path more rugged and uneven for sometimes she stumbled and became roused as it were in the effort to prevent herself from falling poor child the cause was in her tottering feet towards the afternoon her grandfather complained bitterly of hunger she approached one of the wretched hovels by the wayside and knocked with her hand upon the door what would you have here set a gaunt miserable man opening it charity a morsel of bread do you see that returned the man hoarsely pointing to a kind of bundle on the ground that's a dead child I and 500 other men were thrown out of work three months ago that is my third dead child and last do you think I have charity to bestow or a morsel of bread to spare the child recoiled from the door and it closed upon her impelled by strong necessity she knocked at another a neighboring one which yielding to the slight pressure of her hand flew open it seemed that a couple of poor families lived in this hovel for two women each among children of her own occupied different portions of the room in the centres to the grave gentlemen in black who appeared to have just entered and who held by the armor boy here woman he said here's your deaf and dumb son you might thank me for restoring him to you he was brought before me this morning charged with theft and with any other boy it would have gone hard I assure you but as I had compassion on his infirmities and thought he might have learnt no better I have managed to bring him back to you take more care of him for the future and won't you give me back my son said the other woman hastily rising and confronting him won't you give me back my son sir who was transported for the same offence was he deaf and dumb woman asked the gentlemen sternly was he not sir you know he was not he was cried the woman he was deaf dumb and blind to all that was good and right from his cradle a boy may have learnt no better where did mine learn better where could he who was there to teach him better where was it to be learned peace woman said the gentlemen your boy was in possession of all his senses he was cried the mother and he was there more easy to be let astray because he had them if you save this boy because he may not know right from wrong why did you not save mine who was never taught the difference you gentlemen have as good a right to punish a boy that got as kept in ignorance of sound and speech as you have to punish mine that you kept in ignorance how many of the girls and boys are men and women too that are brought before you and you don't pity are deaf and dumb in their minds and go wrong in that state and are punished in that state body and soul while you gentlemen are quarrelling among yourselves whether they ought to learn this or that be adjustment sir and give me back my son you are desperate said the gentlemen taking out his and I am sorry for you I am desperate return the woman and you have made me so give me back my son to work for these helpless children be adjustment sir and for God's sake as you have had mercy upon this boy give me back my son the child had seen and heard enough to know that this was not a place at which to ask for arms she let the old man softly from the door and they pursued their journey with less and less of hope or strength as they went on but with an undiminished resolution not to betray by any word or sign her sinking state so long as she had energy to move the child throughout the remainder of that hard day compelled herself to proceed not ever stopping to rest as frequently as usual to compensate in some measure for the tardy pace at which she was obliged to walk evening was drawing on but had not closed in when still travelling among the same dismal objects they came to a busy town faint and spiritless as they were its streets were insupportable after humbly asking for relief at some few doors and being repulsed they agreed to make their way out of it as speedily as they could and try if the inmates of any lone house beyond would have more pity on their exhausted state they were dragging themselves along through the last street and the child felt that the time was close at hand when her enfeebled powers would bear no more they appeared before them at this juncture going in the same direction as themselves a traveller on foot who with a portmanteau strapped to his back lent upon a stout stick as he walked from a book which he held in his other hand it was not an easy matter to come up with him and besiege his aid for he walked fast and was a little distance in advance at length he stopped to look more attentively at some passage in his book animated with a ray of hope the child shot on before her grandfather and going close to the stranger without rousing him by the sound of her footsteps began in a few faint words with his help he turned his head the child clapped her hands together uttered a wild shriek and fell senseless at his feet end of chapter 45 chapter 46 of the old curiosity shop this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the old curiosity shop by Charles Dickens chapter 46 it was the poor schoolmaster no other than the poor schoolmaster scarcely less moved and surprised by the sight of the child than she had been on recognizing him he stood for a moment silent and confounded by this unexpected apparition without even the presence of mind to raise her from the ground but quickly recovering his self-possession he threw down his stick and book and dropping on one knee beside her endeavored by such simple means as occurred to him to restore her to herself while her grandfather standing idly by wrung his hands and implored her with many endearing expressions to speak to him were it only a word she is quite exhausted said the schoolmaster glancing upward into his face you have taxed her powers too far friend she is perishing of want rejoined the old man I never thought how weak and ill she was till now casting a look upon him half reproachful and half compassionate the schoolmaster took the child in his arms and bidding the old man gather up her little basket and follow him directly bore her away at his utmost speed there was a small in with insight to which it would seem he had been directing his steps when so unexpectedly overtaken towards this place he hurried with his unconscious burden and rushing into the kitchen and calling upon the company there assembled to make way for God's sake deposited on a chair before the fire the company who rose in confusion upon the schoolmaster's entrance did as people usually do under such circumstances everybody called for his or her favorite remedy which nobody brought each cried for more air at the same time carefully excluding what air there was by closing round the object of sympathy and all wondered why somebody else didn't do what it never appeared to occur to them might be done by themselves the landlady however who possessed more readiness and activity than any of them and who had with all a quicker perception of the merits of the case soon came running in with a little hot brandy and water followed by her servant girl carrying vinegar hearts horn smelling salts and such other restoratives which being duly administered recovered the child so far as to enable her to thank them with a faint voice and to extend her hand to the poor schoolmaster who stood with an anxious face hard by without suffering her to speak another word or so much as to stir a finger anymore the women straightway carried her off to bed and having covered her up warm bathed her cold feet and wrapped them in flannel they dispatched a messenger for the doctor who was a red nose gentleman with a great bunch of seals dangling below a west cut of ribbed black satin arrived with all speed and taking his seat by the bedside of poor Nell drew out his watch and felt her pulse then he looked at her tongue then he felt her pulse again and while he did so he eyed the half empty wine glasses if in profound abstraction I should give her said the doctor at length spoonful every now and then of hot brandy and water why that's exactly what we've done sir said the delighted landlady I should also observed the doctor who had passed the foot bath on the stairs I should also said the doctor in the voice of an oracle put her feet in hot water and wrapped them up in flannel I should likewise said the doctor with increased salinity give her something light for supper the wing of a roasted foul now why goodness gracious me sir it's cooking at the kitchen fire this instant cried the landlady and so indeed it was or the schoolmaster had ordered it to be put down and it was getting on so well that the doctor might have smelt it if he had tried perhaps he did then said the doctor rising gravely give her a glass of hot malt port wine if she likes wine and a toast sir suggested the landlady I said the doctor in the tone of a man who makes a dignified concession and a toast of bread but be very particular to make it of bread if you please mom with which parting in junction slowly and portentously delivered the doctor departed leaving the whole house in admiration of that wisdom which tallied so closely with their own everybody said he was a very shrewd doctor indeed and knew perfectly what people's constitutions were which there appears some reason to suppose he did while her supper was preparing the child fell into a refreshing sleep from which they were obliged to rouse her when it was ready as she evinced extraordinary uneasiness on learning that her grandfather was below stairs and was greatly troubled at the thought of there being a part he took his supper with her finding her still very restless on this head they made him up a bed in an inner room to which he presently retired the key of this chamber happened by good fortune to be on that side of the door which was in Nell's room she turned it on him when the landlady had withdrawn and crept to bed again with a thankful heart the schoolmaster said for a long time smoking his pipe by the kitchen fire which was now deserted thinking with a very happy face on the fortunate chance which had brought him so opportunely to the child's assistance and parrying as well as in his simple way he could the inquisitive cross-examination of the landlady who had a great curiosity to be made acquainted with every particular of Nell's life and history the poor schoolmaster was so open-hearted and so little-versed in the most ordinary cunning or deceit that she could not have failed to succeed in the first five minutes but that he happened to be unacquainted with what she wished to know and so he told her the landlady by no means satisfied with this assurance which she considered an ingenious evasion of the question rejoined that he had his reasons of cause heaven forbid that she should wish to pry into the affairs of her customers which indeed were no business of hers who had so many of her own she had merely asked a civil question and to be sure she knew it would meet with a civil answer she was quite satisfied quite she had rather perhaps that he would have said at once to be communicative because that would have been plain and intelligible however she had no right to be offended of course he was the best judge and had a perfect right to say what he pleased nobody could dispute that for a moment oh dear Nell I assure you my good lady said the mild schoolmaster that I have told you the plain truth as I hope to be saved I have told you the truth why then I do believe you are an earnest rejoined the landlady with ready good humour and I'm very sorry I have tased you but curiosity knows the curse of our sex and that's the fact the landlord scratched his head as if he thought the curse sometimes involved the other sex likewise but he was prevented from making any remark to that effect if he had it in contemplation to do so you should question me for half a dozen hours at a sitting and welcome and I would answer you patiently for the kindness of heart you have shown tonight if I could he said as it is please to take care of her in the morning and let me know early how she is and to understand that I am paymaster for the three so parting with them on most friendly terms not the less cordial perhaps in this last direction the schoolmaster went to his bed and the host and hostess to theirs the report in the morning was that the child was better but was extremely weak and would at least require a day's rest and careful nursing before she could proceed upon her journey the schoolmaster received this communication with perfect cheerfulness observing that he had a day to spare two days for that matter and very well afford to wait as the patient was to sit up in the evening he appointed to visit her in her room at a certain hour and rambling out with his book did not return until the hour arrived Nell could not help weeping when they were left alone where at and at sight of her pale face and wasted figure the simple schoolmaster shed a few tears himself at the same time showing in very energetic language how foolish it was to do so and how very easily it could be avoided if one tried it makes me unhappy even in the midst of all this kindness said the child to think that we should be a burden upon you how can I ever thank you if I had not met you so far from home I must have died and he would have been left alone we'll not talk about dying said the schoolmaster and as to burdens I have made my fortune since you slept at my cottage indeed cried the child joyfully oh yes returned her friend I have been appointed Clarke and schoolmaster to a village a long way from here and a long way from the old one as you may suppose at five and thirty pounds a year five and thirty pounds I am very glad said the child so very very glad I am on my way there now resumed the schoolmaster they allowed me the stagecoach higher outside stagecoach higher all the way bless you they grudge me nothing but as the time at which I am expected there left me ample leisure I determined to walk instead how glad I am to think I did so how glad should we be yes yes said the schoolmaster moving restlessly in his chair certainly that's very true where are you going where are you coming from what have you been doing since you left me what had you been doing before now tell me do tell me I know very little of the world and perhaps you are better fitted to advise me in its affairs than I am qualified to give advice to you but I am very sincere and I have a reason you have not forgotten it for loving you I have felt since that time love for him who died had been transferred to you who stood beside his bed if this he added looking upwards is the beautiful creation that springs from ashes let its peace prosper with me as I deal tenderly and compassionately by this young child the plain frank kindness of the honest schoolmaster the affectionate earnestness of his speech and manner the truth which was stamped upon his every word and look gave the child a confidence in him which the utmost arts of treachery and dissimulation could never have awakened in her breast she told him all that they had no friend or relative that she had fled with the old man to save him from a mad house and all the miseries he dreaded that she was flying now to save him from himself and that she sought an asylum in some remote and primitive place where the temptation before which he fell would never enter her and her late sorrows and distresses could have no place the schoolmaster heard her with astonishment this child he thought has this child heroically persevered under old doubts and dangers struggled with poverty and suffering upheld and sustained by strong affection the consciousness of rectitude alone and yet the world is full of such heroism have I yet to learn that the hardest and best born trials are those which are never chronicled in any earthly record and are suffered every day and should I be surprised to hear the story of this child what more he thought of said matters not it was concluded that Nell and her grandfather should accompany him to the village whether he was bound and that he should endeavor to find them some humble occupation by which they could subsist we shall be sure to succeed said the schoolmaster heartily the cause is too good a one to fail they arranged to proceed upon their journey next evening as a stage wagon which traveled for some distance on the same road as they must take would stop at the inn to change horses and the driver for a small gratuity would give Nell a place inside a bargain was soon struck when the wagon came and in due time it rolled away with the child comfortably bestowed among the softer packages her grandfather and the schoolmaster walking on beside the driver and the landlady and all the good folks of the inn screaming out their good wishes and farewells what a soothing luxurious drowsy way of traveling to lie inside that slowly moving mountain listening to the tinkling of the horses bells the occasional smacking of the car to sweep the smooth rolling of the great broad wheels the rattle of the harness the cheery good nights of passing travelers jogging past on little short stepped horses all made pleasantly indistinct by the thick awning which seemed made for lazy listening under till one fell asleep the very going to sleep still with an indistinct idea as the head jogged to and fro upon the pillow of moving onward with no trouble or fatigue and hearing all these sounds like dreamy music lulling to the senses and the slow waking up and finding one self staring out through the breezy curtain half opened in the front far up into the cold bright sky with its countless stars and downward at the driver's lantern dancing on like its namesake jack of the swamps and marshes and sideways at the dark grim trees and forward at the long bare road rising up up up until it stopped abruptly at a sharp high ridge as if there were no more road and all beyond was sky and the stopping at the end to bait and being helped out and going into a room with fire and candles and winking very much and being agreeably reminded that the night was cold and anxious for very comfort's sake to think it colder than it was what a delicious journey was that journey in the wagon then the going on again so fresh at first and shortly afterwards so sleepy the waking from a sound nap as the mail came dashing past like a highway comet with gleaming lamps and rattling hooves and visions of a gun behind standing up to keep his feet warm and of a gentleman in a fur cap opening his eyes and looking wild and stupefied the stopping at the turnpike where the man was gone to bed and knocking at the door until he answered with a smothered shout from under the bed clothes in the little room above where the faint light was burning and presently came down night capped and shivering to throw the gate wide open and wish all wagons off the road except by day the cold sharp interval between night and morning the distant streak of light widening and spreading and turning from grey to white and from white to yellow and from yellow to burning red the presence of day with all its cheerfulness and life men and horses at the plow birds in the trees and hedges and boys in solitary fields frightening them away with rattles the coming to a town people busy in the market light carts and chases round the tavern yard tradesmen standing at their doors men running horses up and down the streets for sale pigs plunging and granting in the dirty distance getting off with long strings of their legs running into clean chemist shops and being dislodged with brooms by apprentices the night coach changing horses the passengers cheerless cold ugly and discontented with three months' grow of hair in one night the coachman freshers from a band box and exquisitely beautiful by contrast so much bustle so many things in motion such a variety of incidents when was there a journey with so many delights as that journey in the wagon sometimes sometimes walking for a mile or two while her grandfather rode inside and sometimes even prevailing upon the schoolmaster to take her place and lie down to rest now travelled on very happily until they came to a large town where the wagon stopped and where they spent a night they passed a large church and in the streets were a number of old houses built on a kind of earth or plaster crossed and recrossed in a great many directions with black beams which gave them a remarkable and very ancient look the doors too were arched and low some with oaken portals and quaint benches where the former inhabitants had sat on summer evenings the windows were latticed in little diamond paints that seemed to wink and blink upon the passengers as if they were dim of sight they had long since got clear of the smoke and furnaces and no two solitary instances where a factory planted among fields withered the space about it like a burning mountain when they had passed through this town they entered again upon the country and began to draw near their place of destination it was not so near however but that they spent another night upon the road not that their doing so was quite an act of necessity but that the schoolmaster who had reached within a few miles of his village had a fidgety sense of his dignity as the new clerk and was unwilling to make his entering dusty shoes and travel disordered dress it was a fine clear autumn morning when they came upon the scene of his promotion and stopped to contemplate its beauties see here's the church cried the delighted schoolmaster in a low voice beside it is the schoolhouse albis worn five and thirty pounds a year in this beautiful place they admired everything the old grey porch the maliant windows the venerable gravestones dotting the green churchyard the ancient tower the very weather cock the brown thatched roofs of cottage barn and homestead peeping from among the trees the stream that rippled by the distant water mill the blue welch mountains far away it was for such a spot the child had wearied in the dense dark miserable haunts of labour upon her bed of ashes and amidst the squalid horrors through which they had forced their way visions of such scenes beautiful indeed but not more beautiful than this sweet reality had been always present to her mind they had seemed to melt into a dim and airy distance as the prospect of ever beholding them again grew fainter but as they receded she had loved and panted for them more I must leave you somewhere for a few minutes said the schoolmaster at length breaking the silence into which they had fallen in their gladness I have a letter to present and inquiries to make you know where shall I take you to the little inn yonder let us wait here rejoined Nell the gate is open we will sit in the church porch till he come back a good place too said the schoolmaster leading the way towards it disencumbering himself of his sport mentor and placing it on the stone seat be sure that I come back with good news and I'm not long gone so the happy schoolmaster put on a brand new pair of gloves which he had carried in a little parcel in his pocket all the way and hurried off full of ardour and excitement the child watched him from the porch until the intervening foliage hit him from her view and then stepped softly out into the old church yard so solemn and quiet that every rustle of her dress upon the fallen leaves which strewed the path and made her footsteps noiseless seemed an invasion of its silence it was a very aged ghostly place the church had been built many hundreds of years ago and had once had a convent or monastery attached for arches in ruins remains of orial windows and fragments of blackened walls were yet standing while other portions of the old building which had crumbled away and fallen down were mingled with the church yard earth and overgrown with grass as if they too claimed a burying place and sought to mix their ashes with the dust of men hard by these gravestones of dead ears and forming a part of the ruin which some pains had been taken to render habitable in modern times were two small dwellings with sunken windows and oaken doors fast hastening to decay empty and desolate upon these tenements the attention of the child became exclusively riveted she knew not why the church, the ruin the antiquated graves had equal claims at least upon a stranger's thoughts but from the moment when her eyes first rested on these two dwellings she could turn to nothing else even when she had made the circuit of the enclosure and returning to the porch sat pensively waiting for their friend she took her station where she could still look upon them and felt as if fascinated towards that spot End of Chapter 46 Chapter 47 of The Old Curiosity Shop This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 47 Kid's mother and the single gentleman upon whose track it is expedient to follow with Harriet's steps lest this history should be chargeable within constancy and the offence of leaving its characters in situations of uncertainty and doubt Kid's mother and the single gentleman speeding onward in the post-chase in four whose departure from the notary's door we have already witnessed soon left the town behind them and struck fire from the flints of the broad highway and the woman being not a little embarrassed by the novelty of her situation and certain material apprehensions that perhaps by this time little Jacob or the baby or both had fallen into the fire or tumbled downstairs or had been squeezed behind doors or had scolded their windpipes in endeavouring to allay their thirst at the spouts of tea kettles preserved on an easy silence and meeting from the window the eyes of turnpike men omnibus drivers and others felt in the new dignity of her position like a mourner at a funeral who not being greatly afflicted by the loss of the departed recognises his everyday acquaintance from the window of the mourning coach but is constrained to preserve a decent solemnity and the appearance of being indifferent to all external objects to have been indifferent to the companionship of the single gentleman would have been tantamount to being gifted with nerves of steel never did chase in clothes or horses draw such a restless gentleman as he he never sat in the same position for two minutes together but was perpetually tossing his arms and legs about pulling up the sashes and letting them violently down or thrusting his head out of the window to draw it in again and thrust it out of another he carried in his pocket too a firebox of mysterious and unknown construction and as sure as ever kids mother closed her eyes so surely with grattle, fizz there was the single gentleman consulting his watch by a flame of fire and letting the sparks fall down among the straw as if there were no such thing as a possibility of himself and kids mother being roasted alive before the boys could stop their horses whenever they hold it to change there he was out of the carriage without letting down the steps bursting about the in-yard like a lighted cracker pulling out his watch by a lamp light and forgetting to look at it before he put it up again and in short committing so many extravagances that kids mother was quite afraid of him then when the horses were too in he came like a harlequin and before they had gone a mile out came the watch and the firebox together and kids mother was wide awake again with no hope of a wink of sleep for that stage are you comfortable the single gentleman would say after one of these exploits turning sharply round quite sir thank you are you sure aren't you cold it is a little chilly sir kids mother would reply I knew it cried the single gentleman letting down one of the front glasses she wants some brandy and water of course she does how could I forget it hello stop at the next din and call out for a glass of hot brandy and water it was in vain for kids mother to protest that she stood in need of nothing of the kind the single gentleman was inexorable and whenever he had exhausted all other modes and fashions of restlessness it invariably occurred to him that kids mother wanted brandy and water in this way they traveled on until near midnight when they stopped to supper for which meal the single gentleman ordered everything eatable that the house contained and because kids mother didn't eat everything at once and eat it all he took it into his head that she must be ill you're faint said the single gentleman who did nothing himself but walk about the room I see what's the matter with you mom you're faint thank you sir I'm not indeed I know you are I'm sure of it I dragged this poor woman from the bosom of her family at a minute's notice and she goes on getting fainter and fainter before my eyes I'm a pretty fellow how many children have you got mom two sir besides kit boys mom yes sir are they christened have you ever baptized as yet sir I'm godfather to both of them remember that if you please ma'am you had better have some mulled wine I couldn't touch a drop indeed sir you must said the single gentleman I see you wanted I ought to have thought of it before immediately flying to the bell and calling for mulled wine as impetuously as if it had been wanted for instant use in the recovery of some person apparently drowned the single gentleman made kits mother swallow a bumper of it at such a high temperature that the tears ran down her face and then hustled her off to the chaise again where not impossibly from the effects of this agreeable sedative she soon became insensible to his restlessness and fell fast asleep nor were the happy effects of this prescription of a transitory nature as notwithstanding that the disease was greater the journey longer than the single gentleman had anticipated she did not awake until it was broad day and they were clattering over the pavement of a town this is the place cried her companion letting down all the glasses drive to the waxwork the boy on the wheeler touched his head and setting spurs to his horse to the end that they might go in brilliantly all four broke into a smart canter and dashed through the streets with a noise that brought the good forks wandering to their doors and windows and drowned the sober voices of the town clocks as they chimed out half past eight they drove up to a door round which a crowd of persons were collected and there stopped what's this said the single gentleman thrusting out his head is anything the matter here a wedding sir a wedding with the voices hurrah the single gentleman rather bewildered by finding himself the center of this noisy throng alighted with the assistance of one of the pustillions and handed out to its mother at sight of whom the populace cried out here's another wedding and drawed and leaped for joy the world has gone mad I think said the single gentleman pressing through the concourse with his supposed bride stand back here will you and let me knock anything that makes a noise is satisfactory to a crowd a score of dirty hands were raised directly to knock for him and seldom has a knocker of equal powers being made to produce more deafening sounds than this particular engine on the occasion in question having rendered these voluntary services the throng modestly retired a little preferring that the single gentleman should bear their consequences alone now sir what do you want said a man with a large white bow at his buttonhole opening the door and confronting him with a very stoic aspect who has been married here my friend said the single gentleman I have you and to whom in the devil's name what right have you to ask return the bridegroom iron him from top to toe what right the single gentleman drawing the arm of kids mother more tightly through his own for that good woman evidently had it in contemplation to run away all right you little dream of mind good people if this fellow has been marrying a minor tut tut that can't be where is the child you have here my good fellow you call her nail where is she as he prepounded this question which kids mother echoed somebody in a room near at hand uttered a great shriek and a stout lady in a white dress came running to the door and supported herself upon the bridegroom's arm where is she cried this lady what news have you brought me what has become of her the single gentleman started back and gazed upon the face of the late mrs. jolly that morning wedded to the philosophic george to the eternal wrath and despair of mr. slum the poet with looks of conflicting apprehension disappointment and incredulity at length he stammered out I ask you where she is what do you mean oh sir cried the bride if you have come here to do her any good why weren't you here a week ago she is not not dead said the person to whom she addressed herself turning very pale no, not so bad as that I thank god cried the single gentleman feebly let me come in they drew back to admit him and when he had entered closed the door you see in me good people he said turning to the newly married couple one to whom life itself is not a dearer than the two persons whom I seek they would not know me my features are strange to them but if they or either of them are here take this good woman with you and let them see her first for her they both know if you deny them from any mistake and regard or fear for them judge of my intentions by their recognition of this person as their old humble friend I always said it cried the bride I knew she was not a common child alas sir we have no power to help you for all that we could do has been tried and vain with that they related to him without a disguise or concealment all that they knew of Nell and her grandfather from their first meeting with them down to the time of their sudden disappearance adding which was quite true that they had made every possible effort to trace them but without success having been at first in great alarm for their safety as well as on account of the suspicions to which they themselves might one day be exposed in consequence of their abrupt departure they dwelt upon the old man's imbecility of mind upon the uneasiness the child had always testified when he was absent upon the company he had been supposed to keep and upon the increased depression which had gradually crept over her and changed her both in health spirits whether she had missed the old man in the night and knowing or conjecturing whether he had been his steps had gone in pursuit or whether they had left the house together they had no means of determining certain they considered it that there was but slender prospect left of hearing of them again and that whether their flight originated with the old man or with the child to their return to all this the single gentleman listened with the air of a man quite born down by grief and disappointment he shed tears when they spoke of the grandfather and appeared in deep affliction not to protract this portion of our narrative and to make short work of a long story let it be briefly written that before the interview came to a close the single gentleman deemed he had sufficient evidence of having been told the truth and that he endeavored to force upon the bride and bridegroom an acknowledgement of their kindness to the unfriended child which however they steadily declined accepting in the end the happy couple jolted away in the caravan to spend their honeymoon in a country excursion and the single gentleman and kids mother stood ruefully before their carriage door where shall we drive you sir said the post boy you may drive me said the single gentleman to the he was not going to add in but he added it for the sake of kids mother and to the in they went rumors had already cut abroad that the little girl who used to show the waxwork was the child of great people who had been stolen from her parents in infancy and had only just been traced opinion was divided whether she was the daughter of a prince a duke an earl a vicount or a baron but all agreed upon the main fact and that the single gentleman was her father and all bent forward to catch a glimpse though it were only of the tip of his noble nose as he rode away desponding in his four horse chase what would he have given to know and what sorrow would have been saved if he had only known that at that moment both child and grandfather were seated in the old church porch patiently awaiting the school master's return end of chapter 47