 Chapter 60 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 60 Kid stood as one entranced with his eyes opened wide and fixed upon the ground, regardless alike of the tremulous hold which Mr. Brass maintained on one side of his cravat, and of the firmer grasp of Miss Sally upon the other. Although this latter detention was in itself no small inconvenience, as that fascinating woman, besides screwing her knuckles rather inconveniently into his throat from time to time, had fastened upon him in the first instance with so tight a grip that even the disorder and distraction of his thoughts he could not divest himself of an uneasy sense of choking. Between the brother and sister he remained in this posture, quite unresisting and passive, until Mr. Swivola returned with the police constable at his heels. This functionary, being of course well used in such scenes, looking upon all kinds of robbery from petilosin, up to household breaking or ventures on the highway, as matters in the regular course of business, and regarding the perpetrators in the light of so many customers coming to be served at the wholesale and retail shop of criminal law, where he stood behind the counter, received Mr. Brass' statement of facts, with about as much interest and surprise as an undertaker might evince if required to listen to a circumstantial account of the last illness of a person whom he has called in to wait upon professionally, and took Kit into custody with a decent indifference. We had better, said the subordinate minister of justice. Get to the office while there's a magistrate sitting. I shall want you to come along with us, Mr. Brass and thee. He looked at Miss Sally as if in some doubt, whether she might not be a griffin or rather fabulous monster. The lady her? said Samson. Ah, replied the constable. Yes, the lady. Likewise the young man that found the property. Mr. Richard, sir, said Brass in a mournful voice. A sad necessity, but the alter of our country, sir. You'll have a hackney-coach, I suppose. Interrupted the constable holding Kit, whom his other captors had released, carelessly by the arm, a little above the elbow. Be so good a scent for one, will you? But hear me speak a word. Cried Kit, raising his eyes and looking imploringly about him. Hear me speak a word. I am no more guilty than any one of you. Upon my soul I am not. I am a thief. Oh, Mr. Brass, you know me better. I am sure you know me better. This is not right of you indeed. I give you my word, constable, said Brass. But hear the constable interposed with the constitutional principle. Words be blowed. Observing that words were but spoonmeat for babes and sacklings and that oaths were the food for strong men. Quite true, constable. Ascented Brass in the same mournful tone. Strictly correct. I give you my oath, constable, that down to a few minutes ago, when this fatal discovery was made, I had such confidence in that lad that I'd have trusted him with a hackney-coach, Mr. Richardson. You are very slow, sir. Who is there that knows me? Cried Kit, that would not trust me. That does not. Ask anybody whether they have ever doubted me, whether I have ever wronged them of a farthing. Was I ever once dishonest when I was poor and hungry? And is it likely I would begin now? Or consider what you do. How can I meet the kindest friends that ever human nature had with this dreadful charge upon me? Mr. Brass rejoined that it would have been well for the prisoner if he had thought of that before and was about to make some other gloomy observations The voice of the single gentleman was heard demanding from above stairs what was the matter and what was the cause of all that noise and hurry. Kit made an involuntary start towards the door in his anxiety to answer for himself, but being speedily detained by the constable, had the agony of seeing Samson Brass run out alone to tell the story in his own way. And he can hardly believe it either, said Samson when he returned. No, nobody will. I wish I could doubt the evidence of my senses, but their depositions are unimpeachable. It's of no use cross-examining my eyes, cried Samson, winking and rubbing them. They stick to their first account and will. Now, Sarah, I hear the coach in the marks. Get on your bonnet, I will be off. A sad errand, a moral funeral quiet. Mr. Brass, said Kit, do me one favor. Take me to Mr. Witherdon's first. Samson trick his caddy resolutely. Do, said Kit, my master's there. For heaven's sake, take me there first. Well, I don't know, stammered Brass, who perhaps had his reasons for wishing to show as fair as possible in the eyes of the notary. How do we stand in the point of time constable, eh? The constable who had been chewing a straw all this while with great philosophy, replied that if they went away at once, they would have time enough, but that if they stood shealy-shallying there any longer, they must go straight to the mansion house, and finally expressed his opinion that that was where it was and that was all about it. Mr. Richard Swivel, having arrived inside the coach and still remaining immovable in the most commodious corner with his face to the horses, Mr. Brass instructed the officer to remove his prisoner and declared himself quite ready. Therefore the constable, still holding Kit in the same manner and pushing him on a little before him, saw as to keep him at about three-quarters of an arm's length in advance, which is the professional mode, thrust him into the vehicle and followed himself. Miss Sally entered next, and there being now four inside, Samson Brass got upon the box and made the coachman drive on. Still completely stunned by the sudden and terrible change which had taken place in his affairs, Kit sat gazing out of the coach window, almost hoping to see some monstrous phenomenon in the streets, which might give him reason to believe he was in a dream. Alas, everything was too real and familiar. The same succession of turnings, the same houses, the same streams of people running side by side in different directions upon the pavement, the same bustle of carts and carriages in the road, the same well-remembered objects in the shop windows, a regularity in the very noise and hurry which no dream ever mirrored. Dream like as the story was, it was true. He stood charged with robbery. The note had been found upon him, though he was innocent in thought and deed, and they were carrying him back a prisoner. Absorbed in these painful ruminations, thinking with a drooping heart of his mother and little Jacob, feeling as though even the consciousness of innocence would be insufficient to support him in the presence of his friends if they believed him guilty, and sinking in hope and courage more and more as they drew nearer to the notaries, poor Kit was looking earnestly out of the window, observant of nothing. When all at once, as though it had been conjured up by magic, he became aware of the face of Quilp. And what a leer there was upon the face. It was from the open window of a tavern that it looked out, and the dwarf had so spread himself over it with his elbows on the window sill and his head resting on both his hands that what between this attitude and his being swole with suppressed laughter, he looked puffed and bloated into twice his usual breath. Mr. Brasson, recognizing him immediately, stopped the coach. As it came to a halt directly opposite to where he stood, the dwarf pulled off his hat and saluted the party with a hideous and grotesque politeness. Aha! he cried. Where now, Brass? Where now? Sally with you, too. Sweet Sally. And Dick, pleasant Dick. And Kit, honest Kit. He's extremely cheerful, said Brasson to the coachman. Very much so. Oh, sir, a sad business. Never believe in honesty any more, sir. Why not? returned the dwarf. Why not, you rogue of a lawyer? Why not? Banknote lost in our office, sir, said Brass, shaking his head. Found in his cat, sir. He previously left alone there no mistake at all, sir. Chain of evidence complete, not a link wanting. What? cried the dwarf, leaning half his body out of the window. Kit, a thief? Kit, a thief? Why, he's an uglier-looking thief than can be seen anywhere for a penny. Hey, Kit, hey! Ha, ha, ha! Have you taken Kit into custody before he had time and opportunity to beat me? Hey, Kit, hey! And with that he burst into a yell of laughter, manifestly to the great terror of the coachman, and pointed to a dire spoil hard by, where a dangling suit of clothes bore some resemblance to a man upon a jibbit. Is it coming to that, Kit? cried the dwarf, rubbing his hands violently. Ha, ha, ha, ha! What a disappointment for little Jacob and for his darling mother. Let him have the battle-minister to comfort and console him. Brass, hey, Kit, hey! Drive on, coachy, drive on! Bye-bye, Kit. Oh, good go with you, keep up your spirits. My love to the garlands, the dear old lady and gentleman, say I inquired after him, will you? Blessings on him and on you and on everybody, Kit. Blessings on all the world. With such good wishes and farewells poured out in a rapid torrent until they were out of hearing, Quilp suffered them to depart. And when he could see the coach no longer, drew in his head and rolled upon the ground in an ecstasy of enjoyment. When they reached the notaries, which they were not long in doing, for they had encountered the dwarf in a by-street at a very little distance from the house, Mr. Brass dismounted. And opening the coach door with a melancholy visage, requested his sister to accompany him into the office, with the view of preparing the good people within for the mournful intelligence that awaited them. Miss Sally, complying, he desired Mr. Swivola to accompany them. So, into the office they went. Mr. Samson and his sister, arm in arm, and Mr. Swivola following alone. The notary was standing before the fire in the outer office, talking to Mr. Abel and the elder Mr. Garland, while Mr. Chakster sat writing at the desk, picking up such crumbs of their conversation as happened to fall in his way. This posture of affairs Mr. Brass observed through the glass door as he was turning the handle, and seeing that the notary recognized him, he began to shake his head and sigh deeply while that partition yet divided them. Sir, said Samson, taking off his hat and kissing the two forefingers of his right hand beaver glove. My name is Brass, Brass of Beaver's Mark, sir. I have had the honor and pleasure, sir, of being concerned against you in some little testamentary matters. How do you do, sir? My clerk will attend to any business you may have come upon, Mr. Brass, said the notary, turning away. Thank you, sir, said Brass. Thank you, I am sure. Allow me, sir, to introduce my sister. Quite one of us, sir, although of the weaker sex. Of great use in my business, sir, I assure you. Mr. Richard, sir, I have the goodness to come forward, if you please. No, really, said Brass, stepping between the notary and his private office, towards which he had begun to retreat, and speaking in the tone of an injured man. Really, sir, I must, under favor, request a word or two with you, indeed. Mr. Brass, said the other in a decided tone. I am engaged. You see that I am occupied with these gentlemen. If you will communicate your business to Mr. Chuck Steyonder, you will receive every attention. Gentlemen, said Brass, laying his right hand on his waistcoat, and looking towards the father and son with a smooth smile. Gentlemen, I appeal to you. Really, gentlemen, consider I beg of you. I am of the law. I am styled gentlemen by act of parliament. I maintain the title by the annual payment of 12 pounds sterling for a certificate. I am not one of your players of music, stage actors, writers of books or painters of pictures, who assume a station that the laws of their country don't recognize. I am none of your strollers or vagabonds. If any man brings his action against me, he must describe me as a gentleman, or his action is null and void. I appeal to you. Is this quite respectful? Really, gentlemen? Well, will you have the goodness to state your business then, Mr. Brass? Said the notary. Sir, rejoined Brass. I will. Mr. Whitherton, you little know the... But I will not be tempted to travel from the point, sir. I believe the name of one of these gentlemen is Garland. Of both, said the notary. Indeed, rejoined Brass, cringing excessively. But I might have known that from the uncommon likeness, extremely happy, I am sure, to have the honor of an introduction to two such gentlemen, although the occasion is a most painful one. One of you, gentlemen, has a servant called Kit. Both, replied the notary. Two Kits, said Brass smiling. Dear me! One Kit, sir, returned Mr Whitherton angrily, who is employed by both gentlemen. What of him? This of him, sir, rejoined Brass, dropping his voice impressively. That young man, sir, that I have felt unbounded and unlimited confidence in and always behaved to us if he was my equal, that young man has this morning committed a robbery in my office and been taken almost in the fact. This must be some falsehood, cried the notary. It is not possible, said Mr. Abel. I'll not believe one word of it, exclaimed the old gentleman. Mr. Brass looked mildly round upon them and rejoined. Mr. Whitherton, sir, your words are actionable, and if I was a man of low and mean standing who couldn't afford to be slandered, I should proceed for damages. Howsever, sir, being what I am, I merely scorn such expressions, the honest warmth of the other gentlemen I respect, and I am truly sorry to be the messenger of such unpleasant news. I shouldn't have put myself in this painful position, I assure you, but that the lad himself desired to be brought here in the first instance and I yielded to his prayers. Mr. Chakster, sir, will you have the goodness to tap at the window for the constable that's waiting in the coach? Three gentlemen looked at each other with blank faces when these words were uttered. And Mr. Chakster, doing as he was desired, and leaping off his stool with something of the excitement of an inspired prophet, whose foretellings had in the fullness of time been realized, held the door open for the entrance of the wretched captive. Such a scene as there was when Kit came in and bursting into the rude eloquence with which truth at length inspired him, called heaven to witness that he was innocent and that how the property came to be found upon him he knew not. Such a confusion of tongues before the circumstances were related and the proofs disclosed. Such a dead silence when always told and his three friends exchanged looks of doubt and amazement. Is it not possible, said Mr. Whitherdon after a long pause, that this note may have found its way into the head by some accident, such as the removal of papers on the desk, for instance? But this was clearly shown to be quite impossible. Mr. Swibola, though an unwilling witness, could not help proving to demonstration from the position in which it was found that it must have been designedly secreted. It's very distressing, said Brass, immensely distressing, I am sure. When he comes to be tried, I shall be very happy to recommend him to mercy on account of his previous good character. I did lose money before, certainly, but it doesn't quite follow that he took it. The presumptions against him, strongly against him, but we are Christians, I hope. I suppose, said the constable looking round, that no gentleman here can give evidence as to whether he's been flush of money of light. Do you happen to know, sir? He has had money from time to time, certainly, returned Mr. Garland to whom the man had put the question, but that, as he always told me, was given him by Mr. Brass himself. Yes, to be sure, said kid eagerly, you can bear me out in that, sir. Eh? cried Brass, looking from face to face with an expression of stupid amazement. The money you know, the half crowns that you gave me from the lodger, said kid. Oh, dear me! cried Brass, shaking his skin and frowning heavily. This is a bad case, I find. A very bad case indeed. What? did you give him no money on account of anybody, sir? asked Mr. Garland with great anxiety. I give him money, sir? returned Samson. Oh, come, you know, this is too bare-faced. Constable, my good fellow, we had better be going. What? shrieked kid. Does he deny that he did? Ask him somebody pray. Ask him to tell you whether he did or not. Did you, sir? asked the notary. I tell you what, gentlemen? replied Brass in a very grave manner. I cannot serve his case this way, and really, if you feel any interest in him, you had better advise him to go upon some other tack. Did I, sir? Of course I never did. Gentlemen, cried kid on whom a light broke suddenly. Master, Mr. Abel, Mr. Whitherton, every one of you, he did it. What I have done to offend him, I don't know, but this is a plot to ruin me. Mine, gentlemen, it's a plot, and whatever comes of it, I will say with my dying breath that he put that note in my hat himself. Look at him, gentlemen. See how he changes colour. Which of us looks the guilty person, he or I? You hear him, gentlemen? said Brass-smiling. You hear him? Now, does this case strike you as assuming rather a black complexion, or does it not? Is it at all a treacherous case, do you think, or is it one of mere ordinary guilt? Perhaps, gentlemen, if he had not said this in your presence and I had reported it, you'd have held this to be impossible likewise, eh? With such pacific and bantering remarks did Mr. Brass refute the foul aspiration of his character. But the virtuous Sarah moved by stronger feelings, and having at heart perhaps a more jealous regard for the honour of her family, flew from her brother's sight without any previous intimation of her design, and darted at the prisoner with the utmost fury. It would undoubtedly have gone hard with Kit's face, but that, the weary constable, for seeing her design, drew him aside at the critical moment, and thus placed Mr. Chakster in circumstances of some jeopardy. For that gentleman happening to be next the object of Miss Brass's wrath, and rage being like love and fortune blind, was bounced upon by the fair and slaver, and had a false collar plucked up by the roots, and his hair very much disheveled, before the exertions of the company could make her sensible of her mistake. The constable, taking warning by this desperate attack, and thinking perhaps that it would be more satisfactory to the ends of justice if the prisoner was taken before a magistrate, whole rather than in small pieces, led him back to the hackney coach without more ado, and further insisted on Miss Brass becoming an outside passenger. To which proposal the charming creature, after a little angry discussion, yielded her consent. And so took her brother Samson's place upon the box, Mr. Brass with some reluctance agreeing to occupy her seat inside. These arrangements perfected, they drove to the justice room with all speed, followed by the notary and his two friends in another coach. Mr. Chakster alone was left behind, greatly to his indignation, for he held the evidence he could have given relative to kids returning to work out the shilling to be so very material as bearing upon his hypocritical and designing character that he considered its suppression little better than a compromise of felony. At the justice room, they found a single gentleman who had gone straight there and was expecting them with desperate impatience. But not fifty single gentlemen rolled into one could have helped poor kid who in half an hour afterwards was committed for trial and was assured by a friendly officer on his way to prison that there was no occasion to be cast down or the sessions would soon be on and he would in all likelihood get his little affair disposed of and be comfortably transported in less than a fortnight. End of chapter 60 Chapter 61 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 61 Let moralists and philosophers say what they may. It is very questionable whether a guilty man would have felt half as much misery that night as Kit did being innocent. The world, being in the constant commission of vast quantities of injustice, is a little too apt to comfort itself with the idea that if the victim of its falsehood and malice have a clear conscience he cannot fail to be sustained under his trials and somehow or other to come right at last. In which case, say they who have hunted him down, though we certainly don't expect it, nobody will be better pleased than we. Whereas the world would do well to reflect that injustice is in itself to every generous and properly constituted mind an injury of all others the most insufferable, the most torturing and the most hard to bear and that many clear consciences have gone to their account elsewhere and many sound hearts have broken because of this very reason. The knowledge of their own desserts only aggravating their sufferings and rendering them the less indurable. The world however was not in a fault in Kit's case, but Kit was innocent and knowing this and feeling that his best friends deemed him guilty that Mr. and Mrs. Garland would look upon him as a monster of ingratitude that Barbara would associate him with all that was bad and criminal that the pony would consider himself forsaken and that even his own mother might perhaps yield to the strong appearances against him and believe him to be the wretch he seemed. Knowing and feeling all this he experienced at first an agony of mind which no words can describe and walked up and down the little cell in which he was locked up for the night almost beside himself with grief. Even when the violence of these emotions had in some degree subsided and he was beginning to grow more calm there came into his mind a new thought the anguish of which was scarcely less. The child, the bright star of the simple fellow's life she, who always came back upon him like a beautiful dream who had made the poorest part of his existence the happiest and best who had ever been so gentle and considerate and good if she were ever to hear of this, what would she think? As this idea occurred to him the walls of the prison seemed to melt away and the old place to reveal itself in their stead as it was won't to be on winter nights the fireside, the little supper table the old man's hat and coat and stick the half open door leading to her little room they were all there and now herself was there and he, both laughing heartily as they had often done and when he had got as far as this he could go no farther but flunk himself upon his poor bedstead and wept it was a long night that seemed as though it would have no end but he slept too and dreamed always of being at liberty and roving about now with one person and now with another but ever with a vague dread of being recalled to prison not that prison, but one which was in itself a dim idea not of a place, but of a care and sorrow of something oppressive and always present and yet impossible to define at last the morning dawned and there was the jail itself cold, black and dreary and very real indeed he was left to himself however and there was comfort in that he had liberty to walk in a small paved yard at a certain hour and learned from the turnkey who came to unlock his cell and show him where to wash that there was a regular time for visiting every day and that if any of his friends came to see him he would be fetched down to the grate when he had given him this information that a foreigner containing his breakfast the man locked him up again and went clattering along the stone passage opening and shutting a great many other doors and raising numberless loud echoes which resounded through the building for a long time as if they were in prison too and unable to get out this turnkey had given him to understand that he was lodged like some few others in the jail apart from the mass of prisoners because he was not supposed to be utterly depraved and irreclaimable and had never occupied apartments in that mansion before he was thankful for this indulgence and sat reading the church catechism very attentively though he had known it by heart from a little child until he heard the key in the lock and the man entered again now then he said come on where to sir? asked Kit the man contented himself by briefly replying visitors and taking him by the arm in exactly the same manner as the constable had done the day before led him through several winding ways and strong gates into a passage where he placed him at a grating and turned upon his heel beyond this grating at the distance of about four or five feet was another exactly like it in the space between sat a turnkey reading a newspaper and outside the further railing Kit saw with a palpitating heart his mother with the baby in her arms Barbara's mother with her never failing umbrella and poor little Jacob staring in with all his might as though he were looking for the bird or the wild beast and thought the men were mere accidents with whom the bars could have no possible concern but directly little Jacob saw his brother and thrusting his arms between the rails to hug him found that he came no nearer but still stood afar off with his head resting on the arm by which he held to one of his bars he began to cry most piteously whereupon Kit's mother and Barbara's mother who had restrained themselves as much as possible burst out sobbing and weeping afresh poor Kit could not help joining them and not one of them could speak a word during this melancholy pause the turnkey read his newspaper with a wagish look he had evidently got among the facetious paragraphs until happening to take his eyes off it for an instant as if to get by dint of contemplation at the very marrow of some joke of a deeper sort than the rest it appeared to occur to him for the first time that somebody was crying now ladies, ladies he said looking round with surprise I'd advise you not to waste time like this it's allowance here you know you mustn't let that child make that noise either it's against all rules I'm his poor mother sir sob, miss Nubbles, curtsy and humbly and this is his brother sir oh dear me, dear me well replied the turnkey folding his paper on his knee saw us to get with greater convenience at the top of the next column it can't be helped you know he aren't the only one in the same fix you mustn't take a noise about it with that, he went on reading the man was not naturally cruel or hard hearted he had come to look upon felony as a kind of disorder like the scarlet fever or a reciprocal some people had it, some hadn't just as it might be oh my darling kid said his mother, Humbarbara's mother had charitably relieved of the baby that I should see my poor boy here you don't believe I did what they accuse me of, mother dear cried kid in a choking voice I believe it exclaimed the poor woman I, that never knew you tell a lie or do a bad action from your cradle that have never had a moment sorrow on your account except it was for the poor meal that you have taken with such good humor and content that I forgot how little there was when I thought how kind and thoughtful you were though you were but a child I believe it of the son that's been a comfort to me from the hour of his birth to this time and that I never lay down one night in anger with I believe it of you kid why then, thank God said kid clutching the bars with an earnestness that shook them and I can bear it, mother come what may I shall always have one drop of happiness in my heart when I think that you said that at this the poor woman fell a crying again and Barbara's mother too and little Jacob whose disjointed thoughts had by this time resolved themselves into a pretty distinct impression that kid couldn't go out for a walk if he wanted and that there were no birds, lions, tigers or other natural curiosities behind those bars nothing indeed, but a caged brother added his tears to theirs with as little noise as possible kid's mother drying her eyes and moistening them poor soul more than she dried them now took from the ground a small basket and submissively addressed herself to the turnkey saying would he please to listen to her for a minute the turnkey being in the very crisis and passion of a joke motioned to her with his hand to keep silent one minute longer for her life nor did he remove his hand into its former posture but kept it in the same warning attitude until he had finished the paragraph when he paused for a few seconds with a smile upon his face as who should say this editor is a comical blight a funny dog and then asked her what she wanted I have brought him a little something to eat said the good woman if you please sir might he have it yes he may have it there is no rule against that give it to me when you go and I'll take care he has it no but if you please sir don't be angry with me sir I am his mother and you had a mother once if I might only see him eat a little bit I should go he's so much more satisfied that he was all comfortable and again the tears of kids mother burst forth and of Barbara's mother and of little Jacob as to the baby it was crowing and laughing with all its might under the idea apparently that the whole scene had been invented and got up for its particular satisfaction the turnkey looked as if he thought the request a strange one and rather out of the common way but nevertheless he laid down his paper and coming round to where kids mother stood took the basket from her and after inspecting its contents handed it to Kit and went back to his place it may be easily conceived that the prisoner had no great appetite but he sat down upon the ground and had as hard as he could while every morsel he put into his mouth his mother sobbed and wept afresh though with the softened grief that bespoke the satisfaction the sight afforded her while he was thus engaged Kit made some anxious inquiries about his employers and whether they had expressed any opinion about him but all he could learn was that Mr. Abel had himself broken the intelligence to his mother with great kindness and delicacy late on the previous night but had himself expressed no opinion of his innocence or guilt Kit was on the point of mustering courage to ask Barbara's mother about Barbara when the turnkey who had conducted him reappeared a second turnkey appeared behind his visitors and the third turnkey with the newspaper cried times up adding in the same breath now for the next party and then plunging deep into his newspaper again Kit was taken off in an instant with a blessing from his mother and a scream from little Jacob ringing in his ears as he was crossing the next yard with a basket in his hand under the guidance of his former conductor another officer called to them to stop and came up with a pint pot of porter in his hand this is Christopher Nobles isn't it that come in last night for felony said the man his comrade replied that this was the chicken in question then here's your beer said the other man to Christopher what are you looking at there aren't a discharge in it I beg your pardon said Kit who sent it me why your friend replied the man you're to have it every day he says and so you will if you pace for it my friend repeated Kit you're all abroad seemingly returned the other man there's his letter, take hold Kit took it and when he was locked up again read as follows drink of this cup you'll find there's a spell in its every drop against the ills of mortality talk of the cordial that sparkled for Helen her cup was a fiction but this is reality Barclay and companies if they ever send it in a flat state complain to the governor yours RS RS said Kit after some consideration it must be Mr. Richard Swivola well it's very kind of him and I thank him heartily end of chapter 61 chapter 62 of the old Curiosity shop this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information on to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the old Curiosity shop by Charles Dickens chapter 62 a faint light twinkling from the window of the counting house on Quilp's Wharf and looking inflamed and red through the night fog as though it suffered from it like an eye forewarned Mr. Samson Brass as he approached the wooden cabin with a cautious step that the excellent proprietor his esteemed client was inside and probably waiting with his accustomed patients and sweetness of temper the fulfilment of the appointment which now brought Mr. Brass within his fair domain a treacherous place to pick one steps in of a dark night muttered Samson as he stumbled for the 20th time over some stray lumber and limped in pain I believe that boys drew the ground differently every day on purpose to bruise and maim one unless his master does it with his own hands which is more than likely I hate to come to this place without Sally she's more protection than a dozen men as he paid this compliment to the merit of the absent charmer Mr. Brass came to a halt looking doubtfully towards the light and over his shoulder What's he about I wonder murmured the lawyer standing on tiptoe and endeavouring to obtain a glimpse of what was passing inside which at that distance was impossible drinking I suppose making himself more fiery and furious and heating his malice and mischievousness till they boil I'm always afraid to come here by myself when his accounts a pretty large one I don't believe he'd mind throttling me and dropping me softly into the river when the tide was at its strongest any more than he'd mind killing a rat indeed I don't know whether he wouldn't consider it a pleasant joke Park now he's singing Mr. Quillp was certainly entertaining himself with vocal exercise but it was rather a kind of chant than a song being a monotonous repetition of one sentence in a very rapid manner with a long stress upon the last word which he swelled into a dismal roar nor did the burden of this performance bear any reference to love or war or wine or loyalty or any other the standard topics of song but to a subject not often said to music or generally known in ballads the words being these the worthy magistrate after remarking that the prisoner would find some difficulty in persuading a jury to believe his tale committed him to take his trial at the approaching sessions and directed the customer reconnaissance is to be entered into for the prosecution every time he came to this concluding word and had exhausted all possible stress upon it Quillp burst into a shriek of laughter and began again his dreadfully imprudent mattered brass after he had listened to two or three repetitions of the chant horribly imprudent I wish he was dumb I wish he was deaf I wish he was blind cried brass as the chant began again I wish he was dead giving utterance to these friendly aspirations in behalf of his client Mr. Samson composed his face into its usual state of smoothness and waiting until the shriek came again and was dying away went up to the wooden house and knocked at the door come in cried the dwarf how do you do tonight sir said Samson peeping in hahaha how do you do sir oh dear me how very whimsical amazingly whimsical to be sure come in you fool return the dwarf and don't stand there shaking your head and showing your teeth come in you false witness you perjurer you subordinate of evidence come in he has the richest humor cried brass shutting the door behind him the most amazing vein of comicality isn't it rather injudicious sir what what Judas Judas cried brass he has such extraordinary spirits his humor is so extremely playful Judas oh yes dear me how very good hahaha all this time Samson was rubbing his hands and staring with ludicrous surprise and dismay at a great goggle-eyed blunt-nosed figurehead of some old ship which was reared up against the wall in a corner near the stove looking like a goblin or hideous idol whom the dwarf worshipped a mass of timber on its head carved into the dim and distant semblance of a cocked head together with a representation of a star on the left breast and epaulettes on the shoulders denoted that it was intended for the effigy of some famous admiral without those helps any observer might have supposed it the authentic portrait of a distinguished merman or great sea monster being originally much too large for the apartment which it was now employed to decorate it had been so on short of at the waist even in this state it reached from floor to ceiling and thrusting itself forward with that excessively wide awake aspect and air of some obstrusive politeness by which figureheads are usually characterized seemed to reduce everything else to mere pygmy proportions do you know it said the dwarf watching samson's eyes do you see the likeness hey said brass holding his head on one side and throwing it a little back as connoisseurs do now I look at it again I fancy I see yes there's certainly something in the smile that reminds me of and yet upon my word I now the fact was that samson having never seen anything in the smallest degree resembling this substantial phantom was much perplexed being uncertain whether mister quill considered it like himself and had therefore bought it for a family portrait or whether he was pleased to consider it as the likeness of some enemy he was not very long in doubt for while he was surveying it with that knowing look which people assume when they are contemplating for the first time portraits which they ought to recognize but don't the dwarf threw down the newspaper from which he had been chanting the words already quoted and seizing a rusty iron bar which he used in lieu of poker dealt the figure such a stroke on the nose that it rocked again is it like kid is it his picture his image his very self cried the dwarf taking a shower of blows at the insensible countenance and covering it with deep dimples is it the extract model and counter part of the dog is it is it is it and with every repetition of the question he buttered the great image until the perspiration streamed down his face with the violence of the exercise although this might have been a very comical thing to look at from a secure gallery as a bullfight is found to be a comfortable spectacle by those who are not in the arena and a house on fire is better than a play to people who don't live near it there was something in the earnestness of Mr. Quilp's manner which made his legal advisor feel that the counting house was a little too small and a great deal too lonely for the due enjoyment of these humours therefore he stood as far off as he could while the dwarf was thus engaged in burying out but feeble applause and when he left off and sat down again from pure exhaustion approached with more obsequiousness than ever excellent indeed cried Brass very good sir you know said Samson looking round as if in appeal to the bruised admiral he's quite a remarkable man quite sit down yesterday I've been screwing gimlet into him and sticking forks in his eyes and cutting my name on him I mean to burn him at last cried Brass extremely entertaining indeed come here said Quilp beckoning him to draw near what's in judicious hey nothing sir nothing scarcely worth mentioning sir but I thought that song admirably humorous in itself you know was perhaps rather yes said Quilp rather what just bordering or as one may say remotely verging upon the confines of injudiciousness perhaps sir returned Brass looking timidly at the dwarf's cunning eyes which were turned towards the fire and reflected its red light why inquired Quilp without looking up why you know sir returned Brass venturing to be more familiar the fact is sir that any allusion to these little combines together of friends for objects in themselves extremely laudable but which the lauderms conspiracies are you take me sir best kept snug and among friends you know hey said Quilp looking up with a perfectly vacant countenance what do you mean cautious exceedingly cautious very right and proper cried Brass nodding his head mom sir even here my meaning sir exactly your meaning exactly you brazen scarecrow what's your meaning retorted Quilp why do you talk to me of combining together do I combine do I know anything about your combines no no sir certainly not not by any means returned Brass if you so wink and nod at me said the dwarf looking about him as if for his poker I'll spoil the expression of your monkey's face I will don't put yourself out of the way I beg sir rejoined Brass checking himself with great alacrity you're quite right sir quite right I shouldn't have mentioned the subject sir it's much better not to you're quite right sir let us change it if you please you were asking sir he told me about our lodger he has not returned sir no said Quilp heating some rum in a little saucepan and watching it to prevent it spoiling over why not why sir returned Brass he dear me Mr Quilp sir what's the matter said the dwarf stopping his hand in the act of carrying the saucepan to his mouth you have forgotten the water sir said Brass and excuse me sir but it's burning hot deigning no other than a practical answer to this remonstrance Mr Quilp raised the hot saucepan to his lips and deliberately drank off all the spirit it contained which might have been in quantity about half a pint and had been but a moment before when he took it off the fire bubbling and hissing fiercely having swallowed this gentle stimulant and shaken his fist at the admiral the bad Mr Brass proceed but first said Quilp with his accustomed grin have a drop yourself a nice drop a good warm fiery drop why sir replied Brass if there was such a thing as a mouthful of water that could be got without trouble there's no such thing to be had here cried the dwarf water for lawyers melted lead and brimstone humane nice hot blistering pitch and ha that's the thing for them a brass a ha ha ha laughed Mr Brass oh very biting and yet it's like being tickled there's a pleasure in it too sir drink that said the dwarf who had by this time heated some more toss it off don't leave any heel tap scored your throat and be happy the wretched samson took a few short sips of the liquor which immensely distilled itself into burning tears and in that form came rolling down his cheeks into the pipkin again turning the colour of his face and eyelids to a deep red and giving rise to a violent fit of coughing in the midst of which he was still heard to declare with the constancy of a martyr that it was beautiful indeed while he was yet in unspeakable agonies the dwarf renewed their conversation the lodger said quilp what about him he is still sir returned brass with intervals of coughing stopping with the garland family he has only been home once sir since the day of the examination of that culprit he informed Mr Richard sir that he couldn't bear the house after what had taken place that he was wretched in it and that he looked upon himself as being in a certain kind of way the cause of the occurrence a very excellent lodger sir I hope we may not lose him yeah the dwarf never thinking of anybody but yourself why don't you retrench then scrape up hoard economize why sir replied brass upon my word I think sir is as good as an economizer as any going I do indeed Mr quilp moisten your clay wet the other eye drink man cried the dwarf you took a clock to oblige me delighted sir I am sure at any time replied samson yes sir I did then now you may discharge him said quilp there's a means of retrenchment for you at once discharge Mr Richard sir cried brass have you more than one clock you parrot that you ask the question yes upon my word sir said brass I wasn't prepared for this how could you be sneered the dwarf when I wasn't how often am I to tell you that I brought him to you that I might always have my eye in him and know where he was and that I had a plot a scheme a little quiet piece of enjoyment a food of which the very cream and essence was that this old man and grandchild who have sunk underground I think should be while he and his precious friend believed him rich in reality as poor as frozen rats I quite understood that sir rejoined brass thoroughly well sir retorted quilp and do you understand now that they're not poor that they can't be if they have such menace your lodger searching for them and scouring the country far and wide of course I do sir said samson of course you do retorted the dwarf viciously snapping at his words of course do you understand then that it's no matter what comes of this fellow of course do you understand that for any other purpose he's no man for me nor for you I have frequently said to Sarah sir returned brass that he was of no use at all in the business you can't put any confidence in him sir if you'll believe me I found that fellow in the commonest little matters of the office that have been trusted to him blurting out the truth though expressly cautioned the aggravation of that chap sir has exceeded anything you can imagine it has indeed nothing but the respect and obligation I owe to you sir as it was plain that samson was spent on a complimentary harangue unless he received a timely interruption mister quill politely tapped him on the crown of his head with a little saucepan and requested that he would be so obliging as to hold his pace practical sir practical said brass rubbing the place and smiling but still extremely pleasant immensely so Hark unto me will you returned quillp or I'll be a little more pleasant presently there's no chance of his comrade and friend returning the scam has been obliged to fly as I learn for some navery and has found his way abroad let him rot there certainly sir quite proper forcible cried brass glancing at the admiral again as if he made a third in company extremely forcible I hate him said quill between his teeth and have always hated him for family reasons besides he was an intractable ruffian otherwise he would have been a views this fellow is pigeon hearted and lightheaded I don't want him any longer let him hang or drown starve go to the devil by all means sir returned brass when would you wish him sir to to make that little excursion when this trials over said quillp as soon as that's ended send him about his business it shall be done sir returned brass by all means it will be rather a blow to Sarah sir but she has all her feelings under control Mr. Quillp I often think sir if it had only pleased Providence to bring you and Sarah together in earlier life what blessed results would have flowed from such a union you never saw our dear father sir a charming gentleman Sarah was his pride and joy sir he would have closed his eyes in bliss would foxy Mr. Quillp if you could have found her such a partner you esteem her sir I love her croak the dwarf you're very good sir returned brass I am sure is there any other order sir that I can take a note of besides this little matter of Mr. Richard none reply the dwarf seizing the saucepan let us drink the lovely Sarah if we could do it in something sir that wasn't quite boiling suggested brass humbly perhaps it would be better I think it will be more agreeable to her feelings when she comes to hear from me of the honour you have done her if she learns it was quicker rather cooler than the last sir but to these remonstrances Mr. Quillp turned a deaf ear Samson brass who was by this time anything but sober being compelled to take further drafts of the same strong bowl found that instead of at all contributing to his recovery they had the noble effect of making the accounting house spin round and round with extreme velocity and causing the floor and ceiling to heave in a very distressing manner after a brief stupor he awoke to a consciousness of being partly under the table and partly under the grate this position not being the most comfortable one he could have chosen for himself he managed to stagger to his feet and holding on by the admiral looked round for his host Mr. Brass' first impression was that his host was gone and had left him there alone perhaps locked him in for the night a strong smell of tobacco however, suggesting a new train of ideas he looked upwards and saw that the dwarf was smoking in his hammock goodbye sir cried Brass faintly goodbye sir won't you stop all night said the dwarf peeping out do stop all night I couldn't indeed sir replied Brass who was almost dead from nosia and the closeness of the room if you'd have the goodness to show me a light so that I may see my way across the yard sir Quilp was out in an instant not with his legs first or his head first or his arms first but bodily all together to be sure he said taking up a lantern which was now the only light in the place be careful how you go my dear friend be sure to pick your way among the timber for all the rusty nails are upwards there's a dog in the lane he bit a man last night and a woman the night before and last Tuesday he killed a child but that was in play don't go too near him which side of the road is he sir asked Brass in great dismay he lives on the right hand said Quilp but sometimes he hides on the left ready for a spring he's uncertain in that respect mind you take care of yourself I'll never forgive you if you don't there's the light out never mind you know the way straight on Quilp had slightly shaded the light by holding it against his breast and now stood chuckling and shaking from head to foot in a rapture of delight as he heard the lawyer stumbling up the yard and now and then falling heavily down at length however he got quit of the place and was out of hearing the dwarf shut himself up again and sprung once more into his hammock end of chapter 62 chapter 63 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 63 the professional gentleman who had given Kit that consolidated a piece of information relative to the settlement of his trifle of business at the old Bailey and the probability of its being very soon disposed of turned out to be quite correct in his prognostications in 8 days time the sessions commenced in one day afterwards the grant jury found a true bill against Christopher Knubbles for felony and in two days from that finding the aforesaid Christopher Knubbles was called upon to plead guilty or not guilty for an indictment for that he the said Christopher did feloniously abstract and steal from the dwelling house and office of one Samson Brass gentlemen one bank note for five pounds issued by the governor and company of the Bank of England in contravention of the statutes in that case made and provided and against the peace of our sovereign lord the king his crown and dignity and Christopher Knubbles in a low and trembling voice pleaded not guilty and here let those who are in the habit of forming hasty judgments from appearances and who would have had Christopher if innocent speak out very strong and loud observe that confinement and anxiety will subdue the stoutest hearts and that to one who has been closed shut up though it be only for one or eleven days seeing but stone walls and a very few stony faces the sudden entrance into a great hall filled with life is a rather disconcerting and startling circumstance to this it must be added that life in a wig is to a large class of people much more terrifying and impressive than life with its own head of hair and if in addition to these considerations there be further taken into account its natural emotion on seeing the two Mr. Garland's and the little notary looking on with pale and anxious faces it will perhaps seem matter of no very great wonder that he should have been rather out of sorts and unable to make himself exactly at home although he had never seen either of the Mr. Garland's or Mr. Witherden since the time of his arrest he had been given to understand that they had employed counsel for him therefore when one of the gentlemen in Wigs got up and said I am for the prisoner my lord he'd made him a bow and when another gentleman in a wig got up and said and I'm against him my lord he'd trembled very much and bowed to him too and didn't he hope in his own heart that his gentleman was a match for the other gentleman and would make him ashamed of himself in no time the gentleman who was against him had to speak first and being in dreadfully good spirits for he had in the last trial very nearly procured the acquittal of a young gentleman who had had the misfortune to murder his father he spoke up you may be sure telling the jury that if they acquitted this prisoner they must expect to suffer no less pangs and agonies than he had told the other jury they would certainly undergo if they convicted that prisoner and when he had told them all about the case and that he had never known a worse case he stopped a little while like a man who had something terrible to tell them and then said that he understood an attempt would be made by his learned friend and here he looked sideways at kids gentlemen to impeach the testimony of those immaculate witnesses whom he should call before them but he did hope and trust that his learned friend would have a greater respect and veneration for the character of the prosecutor then whom as he well knew there did not exist and never had existed a more honourable member of that most honourable profession to which he was attached and then he said did the jury know beavis marks and if they did know beavis marks as he trusted for their own characters they did did they know the historical and elevating associations connected that most remarkable spot did they believe that a man like brass could reside in a place like beavis marks and not be a virtuous and most upright character and when he had said a great deal to them on this point he remembered that it was an insult to their understandings to make any remarks on what they must have felt so strongly without him and therefore called samson brass into the witness box straight way then up comes mr brass very brisk and fresh and having bowed to the judge like a man who has had the pleasure of seeing him before and who hopes he has been pretty well since their last meeting folds his arms and looks at his gentleman as matches to say here I am full of evidence tap me and the gentleman does tap him presently and with great discretion too drawing off the evidence by little and little and making it run quite clear and bright in the eyes of all present then kids gentleman takes him in hand but can make nothing of him and after a great many very long questions and very short answers mr samson brass goes down in glory to him succeeds sarah who in like manner is easy to be managed by mr brass's gentleman but very obdurate to kids in short kids gentleman can get nothing out of her but a repetition of what she has said before only a little stronger this time as against his client and therefore lets her go in some confusion then mr brass's gentleman calls richard swivella and richard swivella appears accordingly now mr brass's gentleman has it whispered in his ear that this witness is disposed to be friendly to the prisoner and managed to say the truth he is rather glad to hear as his strength is considered to lie in what is familiarly termed badgering wherefore he begins by requesting the officer to be quite sure that this witness kisses the book and then goes to work at him tooth and nail mr swivella says this gentleman to dick when he has told his tale with evident reluctance and a desire to make the best of it where did you die in yesterday where did I die in yesterday I sir where did you die in yesterday was it near here sir oh to be sure yes just over the way to be sure yes just over the way repeats brass's gentleman with a glance at the court alone sir I beg your pardon says mr swivella who has not caught the question alone sir repeats mr brass's gentleman in a voice of thunder did you die in alone did you treat anybody sir come oh yes to be sure yes I did says mr swivella with a smile have the goodness to banish a levity sir which is very ill suited to the place in which you stand though perhaps you have reason to be thankful that it's only that place says mr brass's gentleman you were waiting about here yesterday in expectation that this trial was coming on you dined over the way you treated somebody now was that somebody brother to the prisoner at the bar mr swivella is proceeding to explain yes oh no sir cries mr brass's gentleman but will you allow me yes or no sir I beg your pardon I beg your pardon I beg your pardon yes or no sir yes it was but yes it was cries the gentleman taking him up short and a very pretty witness you are down sits mr brass's gentleman kids gentlemen not knowing how the material stands is afraid to pursue the subject Richard swivella retires abashed judge, jury and spectators have visions that he's lounging about with an ill looking large whiskered dissolute young fellow of six feet high the reality is little Jacob with the calves of his legs exposed to the open air and himself tied up in a shoal nobody knows the truth everybody believes a falsehood and all because of the ingenuity of mr brass's gentleman then come the witnesses to character and here mr brass's gentleman shines again it turns out that mr garland has had no character with kit no recommendation of him but from his own mother and that he was suddenly dismissed by his former master for unknown reasons really mr garland says mr brass's gentleman for a person who has arrived at your time of life you are to say the least of it singularly indiscreet I think the jury thinks so too and find kit guilty he is taken off humbly protesting his innocence the spectators settle themselves in their places with renewed attention for there are several female witnesses to be examined in the next case and it has been rumored that mr brass's gentleman will make great fun in cross-examining them for the prisoner kit's mother, poor woman is waiting at the great below stairs accompanied by mr brass mother who honest soul never does anything but cry and hold the baby and a sad interview ensues the newspaper reading turnkey has told them all he don't think it will be transportation for life because there's time to prove the good character yet and that is sure to serve him he wonders what he did it for he never did it cries kit's mother well says the turnkey I won't contradict you it's all one now whether he did or not kit's mother can reach his hand through the bars and clasps it god and those to whom he has given such tenderness only know in how much agony kit beats her keep a good heart and under pretence of having the children lifted up to kiss him praise barbarous mother in a whisper to take her home some friend will rise up for us mother cries kit I am sure if not now before long my innocence will come out mother and I shall be brought back again I feel a confidence in that you must teach little jacob and the baby how all this was for if they thought I had ever been dishonest when they grew old enough to understand it would break my heart to know it if I was thousands of miles away oh is there no good gentleman here care of her the hand slips out of his for the poor creature sings down upon the earth insensible Richard Swivelhar comes hastily up elbows the bystanders out of the way takes her after some trouble in one arm after the manner of theatrical ravishes and nodding to kit and commanding barbarous mother to follow for he has a coach waiting bears her swiftly off well Richard took her home and what astonishing absurdities in the way of quotation from song and poem he perpetrated on the road no man knows he took her home and stayed till she was recovered and having no money to pay the coach went back in state to be this marks bidding the driver for it was Saturday night wait at the door while he went in for change Mr. Richard sir good evening monstrous a skit's tail had appeared at first Mr. Richard did that night half suspect his affable employer of some deep villainy perhaps it was but the misery he had just witnessed which gave his careless nature this impulse but be that as it may it was very strong upon him and he said in as few words as possible what he wanted money he thought about his purse to be sure Mr. Richard to be sure sir all men must live you haven't changed for a five pound note have you sir no returned dick shortly oh said brass here's the very sum that saves trouble you're very welcome I'm sure Mr. Richard sir dick who had by this time reached the door turned round you needn't yourself to come back anymore sir eh you see Mr. Richard said brass thrusting his hands in his pockets and rocking himself to and throw upon his stool the fact is that a man of your abilities is lost sir quite lost in our dry and moldy line it's terrible drudgery shocking I should say now that the stage or the army Mr. Richard or something very superior in the licensed vitualing way was the kind of thing that would call out the genius of such a man as you I hope you look in to see us now and then Sally sir will be delighted I'm sure she's extremely sorry to lose you Mr. Richard but a sense of her duty to society reconciles her an amazing creature that sir you'll find the money quite correct I think there's a cracker window sir but I have not made any deduction on that account we part with friends Mr. Richard let us part liberally a delightful sentiment sir to all these rambling observations Mr. Swivel answered not one word but returning for the aquatic jacket rolled it into a tight round ball looking steadily at brass meanwhile as if he had some intention of bowling him down with it he only took it under his arm however and marched out of the office in profound silence shortly he had closed the door he opened it stared in again for a few moments with the same portent as gravity and nodding his head once in a slow and ghost like manner vanished he paid the coachman and turned his back on beavers marks big with great designs for the comforting of kids mother and the aid of kid himself but the lives of gentlemen devoted to such pleasures as Richard Swivel are extremely precarious the spiritual excitement of the last fortnight working upon a system affected in no slight degree by the spiritual excitement of some years proved a little too much for him that very night Mr. Richard was seized with an alarming illness and in 24 hours was stricken with a raging fever end of chapter 63 chapter 64 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 64 tossing to and fro upon his hot uneasy bed tormented by a fierce thirst which nothing could appease unable to find in any change of posture a moments peace or ease and rambling forever through deserts of thought where there was no resting place no sight or sound suggestive of refreshment or repose nothing but a dull eternal weariness with no change but the restless shiftings of his miserable body and the wary wanderings of his mind constant still to one ever present anxiety to a sense of something left undone of some fearful obstacle to be surmounted of some car king care that would not be driven away and haunted the distempered brain now in this form now in that always shadowy and dim but recognizable for the same phantom in every shape it took darkening every vision like an evil conscience and making slumber horrible in these slow torches of his dread disease the unfortunate Richard lay wasting and consuming inch by inch until at last when he seemed to fight and struggle to rise up and to be held down by devils he sunk into deep sleep and dreamed no more he awoke and with a sensation of most blissful rest better than sleep itself began gradually to remember something of these sufferings and to think what a long night it had been and whether he had not been delirious twice or thrice happening in the midst of these cogitations to raise his hand he was astonished to find how heavy it seemed and yet how thin and light it really was still he felt indifferent and happy and having no curiosity to pursue the subject remained in the same waking slumber until his attention was attracted back off this made him doubt whether he had locked his door last night and feel a little surprised at having a companion in the room still he lacked energy to follow this train of thought and unconsciously fell in a luxury of repose to staring at some green stripes upon the bed furniture and associating them strangely with patches of fresh turf while the yellow ground between made gravel walks and so helped out a long perspective of trim gardens he was rambling in imagination upon these terraces and had quite lost himself among them indeed when he heard the cough once more the walks shrunk into stripes again at the sound and raising himself a little in the bed and holding the curtain open with one hand he looked out the same room certainly and still by candlelight but with what unbounded astonishment did he see all those bottles and basins and articles of linen airing by the fire and such like furniture of a sick chamber all very clean and neat but all quite different from anything he had left there when he went to bed the atmosphere too filled with a cool smell of herbs and vinegar the floor newly sprinkled the what the machiness yes playing cribbit with herself at the table there she sat intent upon her game coughing now and then in a subdued manner as if she feared to disturb him shuffling the cards cutting, dealing playing, counting, pegging going through all the mysteries of cribbage as though she had been in full practice from her cradle Mr. Swivel contemplated these things for a short time and suffering the curtain to fall into its former position laid his head upon the pillow again I'm dreaming thought Richard when I went to bed my hands were not made of egg shells and now I can almost see through them if this is not a dream I have woke up by mistaken an Arabian knight instead of a London one but I have no doubt I'm asleep not the least here the small servant had another cough very remarkable thought Mr. Swivel I never dreamt such a real cough as that before I wouldn't know indeed that I ever dreamt either a cough or a sneeze perhaps it's part of the philosophy of dreams that one never does there's another and another I say I'm dreaming rather fast for the purpose of testing his real condition Mr. Swivel after some reflection pinched himself in the arm queer as still he thought I came to bed but he didn't come than otherwise and now there's nothing to lay hold of I'll take another survey the result of this further inspection was to convince Mr. Swivel that the objects by which he was surrounded were real and that he saw them beyond all question with his waking eyes it's an Arabian knight that's what it is said Richard I'm in Damascus or Grand Cairo I had a wager with another genie about who is the handsomest young man alive and the worthiest to be the husband of the princess of China has brought me away room and all to compare us together perhaps said Mr. Swivel turning languidly round upon his pillow and looking on that side of his bed which was next the wall the princess may be still no she's gone not feeling quite satisfied with this explanation as even taking it to be the correct one it's still involved a little mystery and doubt Mr. Swivel erased the curtain again determined to take the first favourable opportunity of addressing his companion an occasion soon presented itself the margin is dealt turned up a nave and omitted to take the usual advantage upon which Mr. Swivel are called out as loud as he could too for his heels the margin is jumped up quickly and clapped her hands Arabian knight certainly thought Mr. Swivel they always clapped their hands instead of ringing the bell now for the 2,000 black slaves with jars of jewels on their heads it appeared however the chicken only clapped her hands in joy or directly afterwards she began to laugh and then to cry declaring not in choice Arabic and familiar English but she was so glad she didn't know what to do margin is said Mr. Swivel thoughtfully be pleased to draw nearer first of all will you have the goodness to inform me where I shall find my voice and secondly what has become of my flesh the margin is only shook her head mournfully and cried again whereupon Mr. Swivel being very weak felt his own eyes worried likewise I begin to infer from your manner and these appearances margin is said Richard after a pause and smiling with a trembling lip that I have been ill you just have replied the small servant wiping her eyes and haven't you been a talking nonsense oh said Dick very ill margin is have I been dead all but replied the small servant I never thought you'd get better thank heaven you have Mr. Swivel over silent for a long while by and by he began to talk again inquiring how long he had been there three weeks tomorrow replied the small servant three what said Dick weeks return the margin is emphatically three long slow wakes the bear thought of having been in such extremity caused Richard to fall into another silence and to lie flat down again at his full length the margin is having arranged the bedclothes more comfortably and felt that his hands and forehead were quite cool a discovery that filled her with delight cried a little more and then applied herself to getting tea ready and making some thin dry toast while she was thus engaged Mr. Swivel looked on with a grateful heart very much astonished to see how thoroughly at home she made herself and attributing this attention in its origin to Sally Brass whom in his own mind he could not thank enough when the margin is had finished her toasting she spread a clean cloth on a tray and brought him some crisp slices and a great basin of weak tea with which she said the doctor had left word he might refresh himself when he awoke and propped him up with pillows if not as skillfully as if she had been a professional nurse all her life at least astendably and looked on with an utterable satisfaction while the patient stopping every now and then to shake her by the hand took his poor meal with an appetite and relish which the greatest dainties of the earth under any other circumstances would have failed to provoke having cleared her way and disposed everything comfortably to bleep out him again she sat down at the table to take her own tea margin is said Mr. Swivola how Sally the small servant screwed her face into an expression of the very uttermost entanglement of slinus and took her head what haven't you seen her lately said Dick seen her cried the small servant bless you I've run away Mr. Swivola immediately laid himself down again quite flat and so remained for about five minutes by slow degrees he resumed his sitting posture after that lapse of time and inquired and where do you leave margin is leave cried the small servant here said Mr. Swivola and with that he fell down flat again as suddenly as if he had been shot thus he remained motionless and bereft of speech until she had finished her meal put everything in its place and swept the hearth when he motioned her to bring a chair to the bedside and being propped up again opened a farther conversation and so said Dick you have run away yes said the marginess and they've been a tithing of me been I beg your pardon said Dick what have they been doing been a tithing of me tithing you know in the newspapers rejoined the marginess aye aye said Dick advertising the small servant nodded and winked her eyes were so red with waking and crying that the tragic muse might have winked with greater consistency and so Dick felt tell me said he how it was that you thought of coming here why you see returned the marginess when you was gone I hadn't any friend at all because the lodger he never come back and I didn't know where either him or you was to be found you know but one morning when I was was near a keyhole suggested Mr. Swivel are observing that she faltered well then said the small servant nodding when I was near the office keyhole as you see me through you know I heard somebody saying that she lived here and was the lady whose house you lodged at and that you was took very bad and wouldn't nobody come and take care of you Mr. Brass he says it's no business of mine he says and Miss Sally she says is a funny chap but it's no business of mine and the lady went away and slammed the door too when she went out I can tell you so I ran away that night and come here and told him you was my brother and they believed me and I've been here ever since this poor little Martianess has been wearing herself to death cried a dick no I haven't she returned now a bit of it don't you mind about me I like sitting up and I've often had a sleep bless you in one of them chairs but if you could have seen how you tried to jump out or in there and if you could have heard how you used to keep on singing and making speeches you wouldn't have believed it I'm so glad you're better Mr. Levera Levera indeed said dick thoughtfully it's well I am a Levera I strongly suspect I should have died Martianess but for you at this point Mr. Swivel took the small servant's hand in his again and being as we have seen but poorly might in struggling to express his thanks have made his eyes as red as hers but that she quickly changed the theme by making him lie down trying to keep very quiet the doctor she told him said you was to be kept quiet still and there was to be no noise not nothing now take a rest and then we'll talk again I'll sit by you you know if you shut your eyes perhaps you'll go to sleep you'll be all the better for it if you do the Martianess in saying these words brought a little table to the bedside took her seat at it and began to work away at the concoction with some cooling drink with the address of a score of chemists Richard Swivel being indeed fatigued fell into a slumber and waking in about half an hour inquired what time it was just gone half after six replied his small friend helping him to sit up again Martianess said Richard passing his hand over his forehead and turning suddenly round as though the subject but that moment flashed upon him he had become of kit he had been sentenced to transportation for a great many sins she said has he gone asked Dick his mother how is she what has become of her his nurse shook her head and answered that she knew nothing about them but if I thought said she very slowly that you'd keep quiet and not put yourself into another fever I could tell you but I won't now yes do said Dick it will amuse me oh would it though rejoined the small servant with a horrified look I know better than that wait till you're better and then I'll tell you Dick looked very earnestly at his little friend and his eyes being large and hollow from illness assisted the expression so much that she was quite frightened and besought him not to think anymore about it what had already fallen from her however had not only peaked his curiosity but seriously alarmed him wherefore he urged her to tell him the worst at once oh there's no worst in it said the small servant it hasn't anything to do with you has it anything to do with is it anything you heard through chinks or keyholes and that you were not intended to hear asked Dick in a breathless state yes replied the small servant in bivous marks pursued Dick hastily conversations between brass and sally yes cried the small servant again Richard Swiveller thrust his lank arm out of bed and gripping her by the wrist and drawing her close to him bat her out with it and freely too or he would not answer for the consequences being wholly unable to endure the state of excitement and expectation she seeing that he was greatly agitated and that the effects of postponing her revelation might be much more injurious than any that were likely to ensue from its being made at once promised compliance on condition that the patient kept himself perfectly quiet and abstained from starting up or tossing about but if you begin to do that said the small servant I leave off and so I tell you you can't leave off till you have gone on said Dick and do go on there's a darling speak sister speak pretty polis say oh tell me when and tell me where pray Martian as I beseech you unable to resist these fervent adurations which Richard Swiveller poured out as passionately as if they had been of the most solemn and tremendous nature his companion spoke thus well before I ran away I used to sleep in the kitchen where we played cards you know miss Sally used to keep the key of the kitchen door in her pocket and she always come down at night to take away the candle and rake out the fire when she had done that she left me to go to bed in the dark locked the door on the outside put the key in her pocket again and kept me locked up till she come down in the morning very early I can tell you and let me out I was terrible afraid of being kept like this because if there was a fire I thought they might forget me and only take care of themselves you know so whenever I see an old rusty key anywhere I picked it up and tried if it would fit the door and at last I found in the dust celery key that did fit it here Mr. Swiveller made a violent demonstration with his legs but the small servant immediately pausing in her talk he subsided again and pleading a momentary forgetfulness of their compact and treated her to proceed they kept me very short said the small servant oh you can't think how short they kept me so I used to come out at night after they'd gone to bed and feel about in the dark for bits of biscuit or sandwiches that you'd left in the office or even pieces of orange peel to put into cold water and make believe it was wine did you ever taste orange peel in water Mr. Swiveller replied that he had never tasted that ardent liquor and once more urged his friend to resume the thread of her narrative if you make believe very much it's quite nice said the small servant but if you don't you know it seems as if it would bear a little more seasoning suddenly well sometimes I used to come out after they'd gone to bed and sometimes before you know and one or two nights before there was all that precious noise in the office when the young man was took I mean I come upstairs while Mr. Brass and Miss Sally was a sitting at the office fire and I tell you the truth that I come to listen again about the key of the safe Mr. Swiveller gathered up his knees so as to make a great cone of the bedclothes and conveyed into his countenance an expression of the utmost concern but the small servant pausing and holding up her finger the cone gently disappeared though the look of concern did not there was him and her said the small servant sitting by the fire and talking softly together Mr. Brass says to Miss Sally upon my word he says it's a dangerous thing and it might get us into a world of trouble and I don't half like it she says you know her way she says you're the chickenist hearted feeblest faintest man I ever see and I think she says that I ought to be in the brother until the sister isn't quillp she says our principal support certainly he says Mr. Brass and aren't we she says constantly ruining somebody or other in the way of business we certainly are says Mr. Brass then does it signify she says about ruining this kid when quillp desires it it certainly does not signify then they whispered and laughed for a long time about there being no danger if it was well done and then Mr. Brass pours out his pocketbook and says well he says here it is quillp's own five pound note we'll agree that way then he says it's coming tomorrow morning I know while he's upstairs you'll get out of the way and I'll clear off Mr. Richard having it alone I'll hold him in conversation and put this property in his hat I'll manage so besides he says that Mr. Richard shall find it there and be the evidence and if that don't get Christopher out of Mr. Quilp's way and satisfy Mr. Quilp's grudges he says the devils in it Miss Sally laughed and said that was the plan and as they seem to be moving away and I was afraid to stop any longer and went downstairs again there the small servant had gradually worked herself into as much agitation as Mr. Swivel are and therefore made no effort to restrain him when he sat up in bed and hastily demanded whether this story had been told to anybody how could it be replied his nurse I was almost afraid to think about it and hope the young man would be let off when I heard him say they had found him guilty of what he didn't do you was gone and so was the lodger though I think I should have been frightened to tell him even if he'd been there ever since I come here you've been out of your senses and what would you then? Margeonus said Mr. Swivel are plucking off his nightcap and flinging it to the other end of the room if you'll do me the favor to retire for a few minutes and see what sort of night it is I'll get up you mustn't think of such a thing cried his nurse I must indeed said the patient looking round the room whereabouts are my clothes oh I'm so glad you haven't got any replied the Margeonus said Mr. Swivel are in great astonishment I've been obliged to sell them everyone to get the things that was ordered for you but don't take on about that urge the Margeonus as Dick fell back upon his pillow you're too weak to stand indeed I am afraid said Richard Dolefully that you're right what ought I to do what is to be done it naturally occurred to him upon very little reflection that the first step to take would be to communicate with one of the Mr. Garland's instantly it was very possible that Mr. Abel had not yet left the office in as little time as it takes to tell it the small servant had the address in pencil on a piece of paper a verbal description of father and son which would enable her to recognize either without difficulty and a special caution to be shy of Mr. Chuckster in consequence of that gentlemen's known antipathy to Kit armed with these slender powers she hurried away commissioned to bring either old Mr. Garland or Mr. Abel bodily to that apartment I suppose said Dick as she closed the door slowly and peeped into the room again to make sure that he was comfortable I suppose there's nothing left not so much as a west cut even no nothing it's embarrassing said Mr. Swivola in case of fire even an umbrella would be something but you did quite right dear Martianess I should have died without you end of chapter 64 chapter 65 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 65 it was well for the small servant that she was of a sharp quick nature or the consequence of sending her out alone from the very neighborhood in which it was most dangerous for her to appear would probably have been the restoration of Miss Salibras to the supreme authority over her person not unmindful of the risk she ran however the Martianess no sooner left the house than she dived into the first dark byway that presented itself and without any present reference to the point to which her journey tended made it her first business to put two good miles of brick and mortar between herself and beavers marks when she had accomplished this object she began to shape her course for the notary's office to which shrewdly inquiring of apple women and oyster sellers at street corners rather than in lighted shops or of oil dressed people at the hazard of attracting notice she easily procured a direction as carrier pigeons on being first let loose in a strange place beat the air at random for a short time before darting off towards the spot for which they are designed so did the Martianess flat around and round until she believed herself in safety and then bare swiftly down upon the port for which she was bound she had no bonnet nothing on her head but a great cap which in some old time had been worn by Sally Brass whose taste in head dresses was as we have seen peculiar and her speed was rather retarded than assisted by her shoes which being extremely large and slip shot flew off every now and then and were difficult to find again among the crowd of passengers indeed the poor little creature experienced so much trouble and delay from having to grope for these articles in mud and kennel and suffered in these research as so much jostling, pushing, squeezing and banding from hand to hand that by the time she reached the street in which the notary lived she was fairly worn out and exhausted and could not refrain from tears but to have got there at last was a great comfort especially as there were lights still burning in the office window and therefore some hope that she was not too late so the Martianess tried her eyes with the backs of her hands and stealing softly at the steps peeped in through the glass door Mr. Chakster was standing behind the lid of his desk making such preparations towards finishing off for the night as pulling down his wrist bands and pulling up his shirt collar setting his neck more gracefully in his stock and secretly arranging his whiskers by the aid of a little triangular bit of looking glass before the ashes of the fire stood two gentlemen one of whom she rightly judged to be the notary and the other who was buttering his great coat and was evidently about to depart immediately Mr. Abel Garland having made these observations the small spy took counsel with herself and resolved to wait in the street until Mr. Abel came out as there would be then no fear of having to speak before Mr. Chakster and less difficulty in delivering her message with this purpose she slipped out again and crossing the road sat down upon a doorstep just opposite she had hardly taken this position when there came dancing up the street with his legs all wrong and he scared everywhere by turns a pony this pony had a little fate in behind him and a man in it but neither man nor fate and seemed to embarrass him in the least as he reared up on his hind legs he either stopped or went on or stood still again or backed or went sideways without the smallest reference to them just as the fancy seized him and as if he was the freest animal in the creation when they came to the notary store the man called out in a very respectful manner whoa then intimating that if he might venture to express a wish it would be that they stopped there the pony made a moments pause but as if it occurred to him that to stop where he was required might be to establish an inconvenient and dangerous precedent he immediately started off again rattled at a fast trot to the street corner wheeled around came back and then stopped of his own accord oh you're a precious creature said the man who didn't venture by the by to come out in his true colors until he was safe upon the pavement I wish I had the rewarding of you I do what has he been doing said Mr. Abel tying a shoal around his neck as he came down the steps is enough to fright a man's art heart replied the osla he is the most vicious rascal whoa then will you he'll never stand still if you call him names said Mr. Abel getting in and taking the reins he's a very good fellow if you know how to manage him this is the first time he has been out this long while he has been out this time he has been out this long while for he has lost his old driver and wouldn't stir for anybody else till this morning the lamps are right are they that's well be here to take him tomorrow if you please good night and after one or two strange plunges quite of his own invention the pony yielded to Mr. Abel's mildness and trotted gently off all this time Mr. Chuckster had been standing at the door and the small servant had been afraid to approach she had nothing for it now therefore but to run after the chaise and call to Mr. Abel to stop being out of breath by the time she came up with it she was unable to make him here the case was desperate for the pony was quickening his pace the margin is hung on behind for a few moments and feeling that she could go no farther and must soon yield clambered by vigorous effort into the hinders seat and in so doing lost one of the shoes forever Mr. Abel being in a thoughtful frame of mind and having quite enough to do to keep the pony going went jogging on without looking round little dreaming of the strange figure that was close behind him until the margin is having in some degree recovered her breath and the loss of her shoe and the novelty of her position uttered close into his ear the words I say sir he turned his head quickly enough then and stopping the pony cried with some trepidation God bless me what is this don't be frightened sir replied the still pounding messenger oh I've run such a way after you what do you want with me said Mr. Abel how did you come here I got in behind replied the margin is oh please drive on sir drive on sir don't stop and go towards the city will you and oh do please my case because it's of consequence there's somebody wants to see you there he sent me to say would you come directly and that he knowed all about kid and could save him yet and prove his innocence what do you tell me child the truth upon my word an honor I do but please do drive on quick please I've been such a time gone you'll think I'm lost Mr. Abel involuntarily urged the pony forward the pony, impelled by some secret sympathy or some new caprice burst into a great pace and neither slackened it nor indulged in any eccentric performances until they arrived at the door of Mr. Swivel as lodging where, marvelous to relate he consented to stop when Mr. Abel checked him see it's that room up there set the marginess pointing to one where there was a faint light come Mr. Abel who was one of the simplest and most retiring creatures in existence and naturally timid with all hesitated for he had heard of people being decoyed into strange places to be robbed and murdered under circumstances very like the present and for anything he knew to the contrary by guides very like the marginess his regard for kid however overcame every other consideration so interesting whisker to the charge of a man who was lingering hard by in expectation of the job he suffered his companion to take his hand and to lead him up the dark and narrow stairs he was not a little surprised to find himself conducted into a dimly lighted sick chamber where a man was sleeping tranquilly in bed ain't it nice to see him lying there so quiet set his guide in an earnest whisper oh you'd say it was if you had only seen him two or three days ago Mr. Abel made no answer and to say the truth kept a long way from the bed and very near the door his guide who appeared to understand his reluctance trimmed the candle and taking it in her hand approached the bed as she did so the sleeper started up and he recognized in the wasted face the features of Richard Swivola why how is this said Mr. Abel kindly as he hurried towards him you have been ill very replied Dick nearly dead you might have chance to hear of your Richard on his beer but for the friend I sent to fetch you another shake of the hand marginess if you please Mr. Abel seemed rather astonished to hear of the quality of his guide and took a chair by the bedside I have sent for you sir said Dick but she told you on what account she did I am quite bewildered by all this I really don't know what to say or think replied Mr. Abel you'll say that presently retorted Dick marginess take a seat on the bed will you now tell this gentleman all that you told me and be particular don't you speak another word sir the story was repeated it was in effect exactly the same as before without any deviation or omission Richard Swivola kept his eyes fixed on his visitor during its narration and directly it was concluded took the word again you have heard it all and you'll not forget it I am too giddy and too queer to suggest anything but you and your friends will know what to do after this long delay every minute is an age if ever you went home fast in your life go home fast tonight don't stop to say one word to me but go she will be found here whenever she's wanted and as to me you're pretty sure to find me at home for a week or two there are more reasons than one for that if you lose another minute in looking at me sir I'll never forgive you Mr. Abel needed no further remonstrance or persuasion he was gone in an instant and the Martianess returning from lighting him downstairs reported that the pony without any preliminary objection whatever had dashed away at full gallop that's right said Dick and hearty of him and I honor him from this time but get some supper and a mug of beer for I am sure you must be tired do have a mug of beer it will do me as much good to see you take it as if I might drink it myself nothing but this assurance could have prevailed upon the small nurse to indulge in such a luxury having eaten and drunk to Mr. Swivel's extreme contentment given him his drink and put everything in neat order she wrapped herself in an old coverlet and laid down upon the rug before the fire Mr. Swivel was by that time murmuring in his sleep Strew then, oh strew a bed of rushes here will we stay till morning blushes good night, Martianess End of chapter 65