 Chapter 1 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 1 Night is generally my time for walking. In the summer I often leave home early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or even escape for days or weeks together. But saving in the country, I seldom go out into after dark, though heaven be thanked, I love its light and feel the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any creature living. I have fallen insensibly into this habit, but because it favors my infirmity, and because it affords me greater opportunity of speculating on the characters and occupations of those who fill the streets. The glare and hurry of broad noon are not adapted to idle pursuits like mine. A glimpse of passing faces caught by the light of a street lamp or a shop window is often better for my purpose than their full revelation in the daylight. And if I must add the truth, night is kinder in this respect than day, which too often destroys an air-built castle at the moment of its completion, without the least ceremony or remorse. That constant pacing to and fro, that never-ending restlessness, that incessant tread of feet wearing the rough stones smooth and glossy, is it not a wonder how the dwellers in narrow ways can bear to hear it? Think of a sick man in such a place as St. Martin's court, listening to the footsteps and in the midst of pain and weariness obliged, despite himself, as though it were a task he must perform, to detect the child's step from their man's. The slip-shot beggar from the booted exquisite, the lounging from the busy, the dull heel of the sauntering outcast, from the quick tread of an expectant pleasure seeker. Think of the hum and noise always being present to his sense, and of the stream of life that will not stop pouring on, on, on, through all his restless dreams, as if he were condemned to lie dead but conscious in a noisy churchyard, and had no hope of rest for centuries to come. Then the crowds forever passing and repassing on the bridges, on those which are free of toilet last, and many stop on fine evenings looking listlessly down upon the water, with some vague idea that by and by it runs between green banks which grow wider and wider, until at last it joins the broad vast sea, where some halt to rest from heavy loads, and think as they look over the parapet that to smoke and lounge away one's life, and lie sleeping in the sun upon a hot tarpaulin in a dull, slow, sluggish barge, must be happiness and alloyed, and where some, and a very different class, pause with heaver loads than they, remembering to have heard, or read in old time, that a drowning was not a harder death, but of all means of suicide the easiest and best. Covent Garden Market at sunrise too, in the spring or summer, when the fragrance of sweet flowers is in the air, overpowering even the unwholesome streams of last night's debauchery, and driving the dusky thrust whose cage has hung outside a garret window all night long, half mad with joy. Poor bird, the only neighbouring thing at all akin to the other little captives, some of whom, shrinking from the hot hens of drunken purchasers, lie drooping on the path already, while others, soddened by close contact, await the time when they shall be watered and freshened up to please more sober company, and make old clerks who pass them on their road to business wonder what has filled their breasts with visions of the country. But my present purpose is not to expatiate upon my walks. The story I am about to relate, and to which I shall recur at intervals, arose out of one of these rambles, and thus I have been led to speak of them by way of preface. One night I had roamed into the city, and was walking slowly in my usual way, musing upon a great many things, when I was arrested by an inquiry, the purport of which did not reach me, but which seemed to be addressed to myself, and was preferred in a soft, sweet voice that struck me very pleasantly. I turned hastily round, and found at my elbow a pretty little girl, who begged to be directed to a certain street at a considerable distance, and indeed in quite another quarter of the town. It is a very long way from here, said I, my child. I know that, sir, she replied timidly. I am afraid it is a very long way, for I came from there to-night. Alone? said I, in some surprise. Oh yes, I don't mind that, but I am a little frightened now, for I had lost my road. And what made you ask it of me? Suppose I should tell you wrong? I am sure you will not do that, said the little creature. You are such a very old gentleman, and walk so slow yourself. I cannot describe how much I was impressed by this appeal, and the energy with which it was made, which brought a tear into the child's clear eye, and made her slight figure tremble as she looked up into my face. Come, said I, I'll take you there. She put her hand in mine as confidingly as if she had known me from her cradle, and we trudged away together. The little creature accommodating her pace to mine, and rather seeming to lead and take care of me than I to be protecting her. I observed that every now and then she stole a curious look at my face, as if to make quite sure that I was not deceiving her, and at these glances, very sharp and keen they were too, seemed to increase her confidence at every repetition. For my part, my curiosity and interest were at least equal to the child's, for child she certainly was. Although I thought it probably from what I could make out that her very small and delicate frame imparted a peculiar youthfulness to her appearance. Though more scantily attired than she might have been, she was dressed with perfect neatness and betrayed no marks of poverty or neglect. Who has sent you so far by yourself, said I, someone who is very kind to me, sir, and what have you been doing? That I must not tell, said the child firmly. There was something in the manner of this reply, which caused me to look at the little creature with an involuntary expression of surprise. For I wondered what kind of errand it might be that occasioned her to be prepared for questioning. Her quick eye seemed to read my thoughts, for as it met mine, she added that there was no harm in what she had been doing. But it was a great secret, a secret which she did not even know herself. This was said with no appearance of cunning or deceit, but with an unsuspicious frankness that bore the impressive truth. She walked on as before, growing more familiar with me as we proceeded, and talking cheerfully, by the way, but she said no more about her home, beyond remarking that we were going quite a new road, and asking if it were a short one. While we were thus engaged, I revolved in my mind a hundred different explanations of the riddle and rejected them every one. I really felt ashamed to take advantage of the ingeniousness or grateful feeling of the child for the purpose of gratifying my curiosity. I love these little people, and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us. As I had felt pleased at first by her confidence, I determined to deserve it, and to do credit to the nature which had prompted her to repose it in me. There was no reason, however, why I should refrain from seeing the person who had inconsiderately sent her to so great a distance by night and alone. And as it was not improbable, that if she found herself near home, she might take farewell of me, and deprive me of the opportunity, I avoided the most frequented ways, and took the most intricate, and thus it was not until we arrived in the street itself that she knew where we were. Clapping her hands with pleasure and running on before me for a short distance, my little acquaintance stopped at the door, and remaining on the step till I came up, knocked at it when I joined her. A part of this door was of glass unprotected by any shutter, which I did not observe at first, for all was very dark and silent within. And I was anxious, as indeed the child was also for an answer to our summons. When she had knocked twice or thrice, there was a noise as if some person were moving inside, and at length a faint light appeared through the glass, which, as it approached very slowly, the bearer having to make his way through a great many scattered articles enabled me to see both what kind of person it was who advanced and what kind of place it was through which he came. It was an old man with long grey hair, whose face and figure as he held the light above his head and looked before him as he approached, I could plainly see. Though much altered by age, I fancied I could recognize in his pear and slender form something of that delicate mode, which I had noticed in a child. Their bright blue eyes were certainly alike, but his face was so deeply furrowed and so very full of care that here all resemblance ceased. The place through which he made his way at leisure was one of those receptacles for old and curious things which seemed to crouch in odd corners of this town and to hide their musty treasures from the public eye in jealousy and distrust. There were suits of males standing like ghosts in armor here and there, fantastic carvings brought from monkish cloisters, rusty weapons of various kinds, distorted figures in china and wood and iron and ivory, tapestry and strange furniture that might have been designed in dreams. The haggard aspect of the little old man was wonderfully suited to the place. He might have groped among old churches and tombs and deserted houses and gathered all the spoils with his own hands. There was nothing in the whole collection but was in keeping with himself nothing that looked older or more warm than he. As he turned the key in the lock, he surveyed me with some astonishment which was not diminished when he looked from me to my companion. The door being opened, the child addressed him as grandfather and told him the little story of our companionship. Why, bless thee, child, said the old man patting her on the head. How could thou miss thy way? What if I had lost thee, Nell? I could have found my way back to you, grandfather, said that the child boldly. Never fear. The old man kissed her, then turning to me and begging me to walk in. I did so. The door was closed and locked. Preceding me with the light, he led me through the place I had already seen from without into a small sitting-room behind in which was another door opening into a kind of closet where I saw a little bed that a fairy might have slept in. It looked so very small and was so prettily arranged. The child took a candle and tripped into this little room, leaving the old man and me together. You must be tired, sir, said he as he placed the chair near the fire. How can I thank you? By taking more care of your grandchild another time, my good friend, I replied, More care, said the old man in a shrill voice, More care of Nellie, why, Who ever loved a child as I love Nell? He said this with such evident surprise that I was perplexed what answer to make. And the more so, because coupled with something feeble and wandering in his manner, there is marks of deep and anxious thought which convinced me that he could not be as I had been at first inclined to suppose in a state of dotage or imbecility. I don't think you consider. I began, I don't consider, cried the old man interrupting me. I don't consider her. Ah, how little you know of the truth, little Nellie, little Nellie. It would be impossible for any man, not what his form of speech might be, to express more affection than the dealer in curiosities did in these four words. I waited for him to speak again, but he rested his chin upon his hand and shaking his head twice or thrice, fixed his eyes upon the fire. While we were sitting thus in silence, the door of the closet opened and the child returned, her light brown hair hanging loose about her neck and her face flashed with the haste she had made to rejoin us. She busied herself immediately in preparing supper and while she was thus engaged, I remarked that the old man took an opportunity of observing me more closely than he had done yet. I was surprised to see that all this time everything was done by the child and that there appeared to be no other persons but ourselves in the house. I took advantage of a moment when she was absent to venture a hint on this point to which the old man replied that there were few grown persons as trustworthy or as careful as she. It always grieves me, I observed, roused by what I took to be his selfishness. It always grieves me to contemplate the initiation of children into the ways of life when they are scarcely more than infants. It checks their confidence and simplicity, two of the best qualities that heaven gives them. And demands that they share our sorrows before they are capable of entering into our enjoyments. It will never check hers, said the old man looking steadily at me. The springs are too deep. Besides, the children of the poor know but few pleasures. Even the cheap delights of childhood must be bought and paid for. But forgive me for saying this, you are surely not so very poor, said I. She is not my child, sir, returned the old man. Her mother was, and she was poor. I saved nothing, not a penny, though I live as you see, but he laid his hand upon my arm and lent forward to whisper, She shall be rich one of these days, and a fine lady. Don't you think ill of me because I use her help? She gives it cheerfully as you see, and it would break her heart if she knew that I suffered anybody else to do for me what her little hands could undertake. I don't consider, he cried with sudden querulousness, why God knows that this one child is their thought and object of my life, and yet he never prospers me. No, never. At this juncture the subject of our conversation again returned, and the old man, motioning to me to approach the table, broke off and said no more. We had scarcely begun our repast when there was a knock at the door by which I had entered, and Nell bursting into a hearty laugh which I was rejoiced to hear, but it was childlike and full of hilarity, said it was no doubt dear old kid coming back at last. Foolish Nell, said the old man fondling with her hair. She always laughs at poor kid. The child laughed again more heartily than before. I could not help smiling from pure sympathy. The little old man took up a candle and went to open the door. When he came back, kid was at his heels. Kid was a shock-headed, shambling, awkward lad with an uncommonly wide mouth, very red cheeks, a turned up nose, and certainly the most comical expression of face I ever saw. He stopped short at the door seeing a stranger, twirled in his hand a perfectly round old hat without any vestige of a brim, and resting himself now on one leg and now on the other, and changing them constantly, stood in the doorway, looking into the parlour with the most extraordinary leer that I ever beheld. I entertained a grateful feeling towards the boy from that minute, for I felt that he was the comedy of the child's life. He said, why, then, it was a goodish stretch master, returned kid. Of course, you have come back hungry. Why, then, I do consider myself rather so master, was the answer. The lad had a remarkable manner of standing sideways as he spoke and thrusting his head forward over his shoulder, as if he could not get at his voice without that accompanying action. I think he would have amused one anywhere, but the child's exquisite enjoyment of his audity and the relief it was to find that there was something she associated with merriment in a place that appeared so unsuited to her, were quite irresistible. It was a great point, too, that kid himself was flattered by the sensation he created, and after several efforts to preserve his gravity, burst into a loud roar with his mouth wide open and his eyes nearly shut, laughing violently. The old man had again relapsed into his former abstraction and took no notice of what passed, but I remarked that when her laugh was over, the child's bright eyes were dimmed with tears, called forth by the fullness of heart, with which she welcomed her and cooth-favored it after the little anxiety of the night. As for kid himself, there had been all the time one of that sort which very little would change into a cry. He carried a large slice of bread and meat and a mug of beer into a corner and applied himself to disposing of them with great veracity. Ah, said the old man turning to me with a sigh, as if I had spoken to him but that moment, you don't know what you say when you tell me that I don't consider her. You must not attach too great weight to a remark founded on first appearance as my friend, said I. No. Returned the old man thoughtfully. No. Come here, the nail. The little girl hastened from her seat and put her arm about his neck. Do I love the nail? said he. Say, do I love the nail or no? The child only answered by her caresses and laid her head upon his breast. Why does thou sob, said the grandfather, pressing her closer to him and glancing towards me? Is it because thou knowest I love thee and dost not like that I should seem to doubt it by my question? Well, well, then let us say I love thee dearly. Indeed, indeed you do, replied the child with great earnestness. Kit knows you do. Kit, who in dispatching his bread and meat had been swallowing two-thirds of his knife at every mouthful with the coolness of a juggler, stopped short in his operations and being thus appealed to, and bowed. Nobody is in such a fool as to say he doesn't, after which he incapacitated himself for further conversation by taking a most prodigious sandwich at one bite. She is poor now, said the old man, petting the child's cheek. But I say again that the time is coming when she shall be rich. It has been a long time coming, but it must come at last. A very long time, but it surely must come. It has come to other men who do nothing but waste and riot. When will it come to me? I am very happy as I am, grandfather, said the child. Tush, returned the old man. Thou dost not know how shouldest thou? Then he mattered again between his teeth. The time must come. I am very sure it must. It will be all the better for coming late. And then he sighed and fell into his former musing state. And still holding the child between his knees appeared to be insensible to everything around him. By this time it wanted but a few minutes of midnight, and I rose to go, which recalled him to himself. One moment, sir, he said, Now, Kit, near midnight, boy, and you still here, get home, get home, and be true to your time in the morning for there's work to do. Good night, there, bid him good night, Nell, and let him be gone. Good night, Kit, said the child, and he went in kindness. Good night, Miss Nell, returned the boy. And thank this gentle man interposed the old man, but for whose care I might have lost my little girl to-night. No, no, Master, said Kit, that won't do, that won't. What do you mean? cried the old man. I'd have found her, Master, said Kit, I'd have found her. I'd bet that I'd find her around I would as quick as anybody, Master, ha, ha, ha. Once more, opening his mouth and shutting his eyes, and laughing like a stenter, Kit gradually backed to the door and rode himself out. Free of the room, the boy was not slow in taking his departure. When he had gone, and the child was occupied in clearing the table, the old man said, I haven't seemed to thank you, sir, for what you have done to-night, but I do thank you humbly and heartily, and so does she, and her thanks are better worth than mine. I should be sorry that you went away, and thought I was unmindful of your goodness, or careless of her, I am not indeed. I was sure of that, I said, from what I had seen. But, I added, may I ask a question? I saw, replied the old man. What is it? This delicate child, said I, with so much beauty and intelligence, has she nobody to care for her but you? Has she no other companion or advisor? No, he returned, looking anxiously in my face. No, and she wants no other. But are you not fearful, said I, that you may misunderstand a chart so tender? I am sure you mean well, but are you quite certain that you know how to execute such a trust as this? I am an old man like you, and I am actuated by an old man's concern in all that is young and promising. Do you not think that what I have seen of you and this little creature tonight must have an interest not wholly free from pain? Sir, rejoined the old man after a moment's silence, I have no right to feel hurt at what you say. It is true that in many respects I am the child, and she the grown person that you have seen already. But waking or sleeping, by night or day, in sickness or health, she is the one object of my care, and if you knew of how much care you would look on me with different eyes, you would indeed. Ah, it's a weary life for an old man, a weary, weary life, but there is a great end to gain and that I keep before me. Seeing that he was in a state of excitement and impatience, I turned to put on an outer coat which I had thrown off on entering the room, purposing to say no more. I was surprised to see the child standing patiently by with a cloak upon her arm and in her hand a hat and stick. Those are not mine, my dear, said I. No, returned the child. They are grandfathers, but he is not going out tonight? Oh, yes, he is, said the child with a smile. And what becomes of you, my pretty one? Me? I stay here, of course, I always do. I looked in astonishment towards the old man, but he was, or faint to be, busyed in the arrangement of his dress. From him I looked back to the slight gentle figure of the child. Alone, in that gloomy place in dreary night she evinced no consciousness of my surprise, but cheerfully helped the old man with his cloak and when he was ready took a candle to light us out. Finding that we did not follow as she expected, she looked back with a smile and waited for us. The old man showed by his face that he plainly understood the cause of my hesitation, but he merely signed to me and remained silent. I had no recourse but to comply. When we reached the door the child setting down the candle turned to say good night and raised her face to kiss me. Then she ran to the old man who folded her in his arms and bet God bless her. Sleep sound knell he said in a low voice and angels guard thy bed. Do not forget thy prayers, my sweet. No indeed! He said the child fervently they make me feel so happy. That's well. I know they do, they should said the old man. Bless thee a hundred times. Early in the morning I shall be home. You'll not ring twice! returned the child. The bell wakes me even in the middle of a dream. With this they separated. The child opened the door now guarded by a shutter which I had heard the boy put up and with another farewell was clear and tender note I have recalled a thousand times held it until we had passed out. The old man paused the moment while it was gently closed and fastened on the inside and satisfied that this was done walked on at a slow pace. At the street corner he stopped and regarding me with the troubled countenance said that our ways were widely different and that he must take his leave. I would have spoken but summoning up more alacrity than might have been expected in one of his appearance he hurried away. I could see that twice or thrice he looked back as if to ascertain that I was still watching him or perhaps to assure himself that I was not following at the distance. The obscurity of the night favored his disappearance and his figure was soon beyond my sight. I remained standing on the spot where he had left me unwilling to depart and yet unknowing why I should loiter there. I looked wistfully into the street we had lately quitted and after a time directed my steps that way. I passed and repassed the house and stopped and listened at the door all was dark and silent as the grave. Yet I lingered about and could not tear myself away thinking of all possible harm that might happen to the child of fires and robberies and even murder and feeling as if some evil must ensue if I turned my back upon the place. The closing of a door or window in the street brought me before the curiosity dealers once more. I crossed the road and looked up at the house to assure myself that the noise had not come from there. No. It was black, cold and lifeless as before. There were a few passengers astore. The street was sad and dismal and pretty well my own. A few stragglers from the theatres hurried by and now and then I turned aside to avoid some noisy drunkard as he reeled homewards but these interruptions were not frequent and soon ceased. The clocks struck one. Still I paced up and down promising myself that every time should be the last to leave with myself on some new plea as often as I did so. The more I thought of what the old man had said and of his looks and bearing the less I could account for what I had seen and heard. I had a strong misgiving that his nightly absence was for no good purpose. I had only come to know the fact through the innocence of the child and though the old man was bi at the time and saw my undisguised surprise he had preserved a strange mystery and offered no word of explanation. These reflections naturally recalled again more strongly than before his haggard face his wandering manner his restless anxious looks his affection for the child might not be inconsistent with the villainy of the worst kind. Even that very affection was in itself an extraordinary contradiction or how could he leave her thus? Disposed as I was to think badly of him I never doubted that his love for her was real. I could not admit the thought remembering what had passed between us and the tone of the voice in which he had called her by her name. Stay here, of course. The child had said in answer to my question I always do. What could take him from home by night and every night? I called up all the strange tales I had ever heard of dark and secret deeds committed in great towns and escaping detection for a long series of years. While as many of these stories were I could not find one adapted to this mystery which only became the more impenetrable in proportion as I sought to solve it. Occupied with such thoughts as these and a crowd of others all tending to the same point I continued to pace the street for too long hours. At length the rain began to descend heavily and then overpowered by fatigue, though no less interested than I had been at first I engaged the nearest coach and so got home. A cheerful fire was blazing on the hearth the lamp burnt brightly my clock received me with its old familiar welcome everything was quiet warm and cheering and in happy contrast to the gloom and darkness I had quitted. But all that night waking or in my sleep the same thoughts recurred and the same images retained possession of my brain. I had ever before me the old dark murky rooms the gaunt suits of male with their ghostly silent air the faces all awry grinning from wood and stone the dust and rust and warm that lives in wood and alone in the midst of all this lovely and dougly age the beautiful child in her gentle slumber smiling through her light and sunny dreams end of chapter one chapter two 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 two after combating for nearly a week the feeling which impelled me to revisit the place I had quitted under the circumstances already detailed I yielded to it at length and determining that this time I would present myself by the light of day bent my steps further early in the morning I walked past the house and took several turns in the street with that kind of hesitation which is natural to a man who is conscious that the visit he's about to pay is unexpected and may not be very acceptable however as the door of the shop was shut and it did not appear likely that I should be recognized by those within if I continued merely to pass up and down before it I soon conquered this irresolution and found myself in the curiosity dealer's warehouse the old man and another person were together in the back part and there seemed to have been high words between them for their voices which were raised to a very high pitch suddenly stopped on my entering and the old man advancing hastily towards me said in a tremulous tone that he was very glad I had come you interrupted us at a critical moment said he pointing to the man whom I had found in company with him this fellow will murder me one of these days he would have done so long ago if he had dared bar you would swear away my life if you could return the other after bestowing a stare and a frown on me we all know that I almost think I could cried the old man turning feeble upon him if oaths or prayers or words could read me a view they should I would be quit a view and would be relieved if you were dead I know it return the other I said so didn't I but neither oaths or prayers no words will kill me and therefore I live and mean to live and his mother died cried the old man passionately clasping his hands and looking upward and this is heaven's justice the other stood lunging with his foot upon a chair and regarded him with a contemptuous snare he was a young man 120 or thereabouts well made and certainly handsome though the expression of his face was far from prepossessing having in common with his manner and even his dress I dissipated insolent air which repelled one justice or no justice said the young fellow here I am and here I shall stop till such time as I think fit to go unless you send for assistance to put me out which you won't do I know I tell you again that I want to see my sister your sister said the old man bitterly ha you can't change the relationship return the other if you could you'd have done it long ago I want to see my sister that you keep cooped up here poisoning her mind with your sly secrets and pretending an affection for her that you may work her to death and add a few scraped shillings every week to the money you can hardly count I want to see her and I will here is a moralist to talk of poisoned minds here is a generous spirit to scorn scraped up shillings cried the old man turning from him to me a profligate who has forfeited every claim not only upon those who have the misfortune to be of his blood but upon society which knows nothing of him but his misdeeds a liar too he added in a lower voice as he drew closer to me who knows how dear she is to me and seeks to wound me even there because there is a stranger nearby strangers are nothing to me grandfather said the young fellow catching at the word no right to them I hope the best they can do is to keep an eye to their business and leave me to mine there is a friend of mine waiting outside and as it seems that I may have to wait some time I'll call him in with your leave saying this he stepped to the door and looking down the street back and several times he came in who to judge from the air of impatience with which these signals were accompanied required a great quantity of persuasion to induce him to advance at length they assaulted up on the opposite side of the way with a bad pretence of passing by accident a figure conspicuous for its dirty smartness which after a great many frowns and jerks of the head in resistance to the invitation ultimately crossed the road and was brought into the shop there it's Dick Swivola said the young fellow pushing him in said down Swivola but is the old mine agreeable said Mr. Swivola in an undertone Mr. Swivola complied and looking about him with a propitiary smile observed that last week was a fine week for the ducks and this week was a fine week for the dust he also observed that whilst standing by the post of the street corner he had observed a pig with a straw in his mouth issuing out of the tobacco shop from which appearance he augured that another fine week for the ducks was approaching and that rain would certainly ensue he furthermore took occasion to apologize for any negligence that might be perceptible in his dress on the ground that last night he had had the sun very strong in his eyes by which expression he was understood to convey to his carers in the most delicate manner possible the information that he had been extremely drunk but what said Mr. Swivola with a sigh what is the odd so long as the fire soul is skinned at the taper of conviviality and the wing of friendship never moulds a feather what is the odd so long as the spirit is expanded by means of rosy wine and the present moment is the least happiest of our existence your need intact the chairman here said his friend half aside Fred cried Mr. Swivola tapping his nose a word to the wise is sufficient for them we may be good and happy without riches Fred say not another syllable I know my cue smart is the word only one little whisper Fred is the old man friendly never your mind replied his friend right again quite right said Mr. Swivola caution is the word and caution is the act with that he winked as if in preservation of some deep secret and folding his arms and leaning back in his chair looked up at the ceiling with profound gravity it was perhaps not very unreasonable to suspect from what had already passed that Mr. Swivola was not quite recovered from the effects of the powerful sunlight to which he had made illusion but if no such suspicion had been awakened by his speech his wiry hair dull eyes and shallow face would still have been strong witnesses against him his attire was not as he had himself hinted remarkable for the nicest arrangement but was in a state of disorder which strongly induced the idea that he had gone to bed in it it consisted of a brown body coat with a great many brass buttons up the front and only one behind a bright check neck achieve a played waist coat sewed white trousers and a very limp hat worn with the wrong side foremost to hide a hole in the brim the breast of his coat was ornamented with an outside pocket from which they peeped forth the cleanest end of a very large and very ill-favoured handkerchief his dirty wristbands were pulled on as far as possible and ostentatiously folded back over his cuffs he displayed no gloves with a ring having at the top a bone hand with the semblance of a ring on its little finger and a black ball in its grasp with all these personal advantages to which may be added a strong savor of tobacco smoke and a prevailing greasiness of appearance Mr Swivel lent back in his chair with his eyes fixed on the ceiling and occasionally pitching his voice to the needful key obliged the company with a few bars then in the middle of a note relapsed into his former silence the old man sat himself down in a chair and with folded hands looked sometimes at his grandson and sometimes at his strange companion as if he were utterly powerless and had no resource but to leave them to do as they pleased the young man reclined against a table at no great distance from his friend in apparent indifference to everything and I who felt the difficulty of any interference notwithstanding that the old man had appealed to me both by words and looks made the best faint I could have been occupied in examining some of the goods that were disposed for sale and paying very little attention to a person before me the silence was not of long duration for Mr Swivel after favoring us with several melodious assurances that his heart was in the highlands that he wanted but his Arab steed as a preliminary to the achievement of great feats of valor and loyalty removed his eyes from the ceiling and subsided into prose again Fred said Mr Swivel is stopping short as if the idea had suddenly occurred to him and speaking in the same audible whisper as before is the old man friendly what does it matter return his friend peevishly no but is he yes of course what do I care whether he is or not emboldened as it seemed by this reply to enter into a more general conversation Mr Swivel a plainly laid himself out to captivate our attention he began by remarking that soda water though a good thing in the abstract was apt to lie cold upon the stomach and less qualified with ginger or a small infusion of brandy which later article held to be preferable in all cases saving for the one consideration of expense nobody venturing to dispute these positions he proceeded to observe that the human hair was a great retainer of tobacco smoke and that the young gentleman of Westminster and Eton after eating vast quantities of apples to conceal any scent of cigars from their anxious friends were usually detected in consequence of their heads possessing this remarkable property when he concluded that if the royal society would turn their attention to the circumstance and endeavour to find in the resources of science a means of preventing such untoward revelations they might indeed be looked upon as benefactors to mankind these opinions being equally incontrovertible with those he had already pronounced he went on to inform us that Jamaica rum though unquestionably unagreeble spirit of great richness and flavour the tobacco remaining constantly present to the taste next day and nobody being venturous enough to argue this point either he increased in confidence and became yet more companionable and communicative it's a devil of a thing gentlemen said Mr Swivola when relations fall out and disagree if the wind of friendship should never mould a feather the wing of relationship should never be clipped but be always expanded and serene and grandfather pegged away at each other with mutual violence when all might be bliss and concord why not join hands and forget it hold your tongue said his friend sir replied Mr Swivola don't you interrupt the chair gentlemen how does the case stand upon this present occasion here is a jolly old grandfather I say it with the utmost respect and here is a wild young grandson jolly old grandfather says to the wild young grandson I have brought you up and dedicated you Fred I have put you in the way of getting on in life you have bolded a little out of cause as young fellows often do and you shall never have another chance nor the ghost of half a one the wild young grandson makes answer to this and says you're as rich as rich can be you have been at no uncommon expense on my account you're saving up piles of money for my little sister that lives with you in secret stealthy, hug a muggering kind of away and with no manner of enjoyment why can't you stand a trifle for your grown-up relation the jolly old grandfather into these retorts not only that he declines to fork out with that cheerful readiness which is always so agreeable and pleasant in a gentleman of his time of life but that he will bow up and call names and make reflections whenever they meet then the plain question is enter the pity that this state of things should continue and how much better would it be for the gentleman to hand over a reasonable amount of tin and make it all right and comfortable having delivered this oration with the great many waves and flourishes of the hand Mr. Swivola abruptly thrust the head of his cane into his mouth as if to prevent himself from impairing the effect of his speech by adding one other word why do you hunt and persecute me, God help me said the old man turning to his grandson why do you bring your profligate companions here how often am I to tell you that my life is one of care and safe denial and that I am poor how often am I to tell you return the other looking coldly at him that I know better you have chosen your own path said the old man follow it leave Nail and meet a toil and work Nail will be a woman soon return the other and bread in your faith she'll forget her brother unless he shows himself sometimes take care said the old man with sparkling eyes that she does not forget you when you would have her memory keenest take care that the day don't come when you walk barefoot in the streets and she rides by in a gay carriage of her own you mean when she has your money retorted the other how like a poor man he talks and yet said the old man dropping his voice and speaking like one who thinks aloud how poor we are and what a life it is the cause is a young child's guiltless of all harm or wrong but nothing goes well with it hope and patience hope and patience these words were uttered in too low a tone to reach the ears of the young men Mr. Swivelre appeared to think he applied some mental struggle consequent upon the powerful effect of his address for he poked his friend with his cane and whispered his conviction that he had administered a clincher and that he expected a commission on the prophets discovering his mistake after a while he appeared to grow rather sleepily and discontented and had more than one suggested the propriety of an immediate departure when the door opened and the child herself appeared end of chapter 2 chapter 3 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 3 the child was closely followed by an elderly man of remarkably hard features and forbidding aspect and so low in stature as to be quite a dwarf though his head and face were large enough for the body of a giant his black eyes were restless sly and cunning his mouth and chin bristly with the stubble of a coarse hard beard and his complexion was one of that kind which never looks clean or wholesome but what added most to the grotesque expression of his face was a sly smile which appearing to be the mere result of habit and to have no connection with any mirthful or complacent feeling constantly revealed the few discoloured fangs that were yet scattered in his mouth and gave him the aspect of a panting dog his dress consisted of a large high crowned hat a worn-dark suit a pair of capacious shoes and a dirty white neckerchief and crumpled to disclose the greater portion of his wiry throat such hair as he had was of a grizzled black cut short and straight upon his temples and hanging in a frowsy fringe about his ears his hands which were of a rough coarse grain were very dirty his fingernails were crooked long and yellow there was ample time to note these particulars for besides that they were sufficiently obvious without very close observation some moments elapsed before anyone broke silence the child advanced timidly towards her brother and put her hand in his the dwarf, if we may call him so glanced keenly at all present and the curiosity dealer who plainly had not expected his uncouth visitor seemed disconcerted and embarrassed ah said the dwarf stretched out above his eyes had been surveying the young man attentively that should be your grandson neighbor say rather that he should not be replied the old man but he is and that said the dwarf pointing to Dick's Fivola some friend of his as welcome here as he said the old man and that inquired the dwarf wheeling round and asked me a gentleman who was so good as to bring Nell home the other night when she lost her way coming from your house the little man turned to the child as if to chide her or express his wonder but as she was talking to the young man he held his peace and bent his head to listen well Nelly said the young fellow allowed do they teach you to hate me, eh the child to love me perhaps pursued her brother with a sneer to do neither she returned they never speak to me about you indeed they never do I dare to be bound for that he said doubting a bitter look at the grandfather I dare be bound for that Nell oh I believe you there but I love you dearly Fred said the child I do indeed and always will the child repeated with great emotion but oh if you would leave of vexing him and making him unhappy then I could love you more I see said the young man as he stooped carelessly over the child and having kissed her pushed her from him there get you away now you have said your lesson you needn't whimper we part good friends enough if that's the matter he remained silent, following her with his eyes until she had gained her little room and closed the door and then turning to the dwarf said abruptly how are you mister meaning me? returned the dwarf Quilp is my name you might remember it's not a long one, Daniel Quilp how are you mister Quilp then pursued the other you have some influence with my grandfather there some and are in a few of his mysteries and secrets a few replied Quilp with equal dryness then let me tell him once for all through you that I will come into and go out of this place as often as I like so long as he keeps now here and that if he wants to be quit of me he must first be quit of her what have I done to be made a bugbear of and to be shunned and dreaded as if I brought the plague he'll tell you that I have no natural affection and that I care no more for Nell for her own sake than I do for him let him say so I care for the whim then of coming to and fro and reminding her of my existence I will see her when I please that's my point I came here today to maintain it and I'll come here again 50 times with the same object and always with the same success I said I would stop till I had gained it I have done so and now my visit's ended come dick stop! cried Mr Swivola as his companion turned toward the door sir I am your humble servant said Mr Quilp to whom the monosyllable was addressed before I leave the gay infestive see in the halls of dazzling light sir said Mr Swivola I will with your permission attempt a slight remark I came here sir this day under the impression that the old mine was friendly proceed sir said Daniel Quilp for the orator had made a sudden stop inspired by this idea and the sentiments it awakened sir and feeling as a mutual friend that badgering, baiting and bullying was not the sort of thing calculated to expand the souls and promote the social harmony of the contending parties I took upon myself to suggest a course which is the course to be adopted to the present occasion will you allow me to whisper half a syllable sir without waiting for the permission he sought Mr Swivola stepped up to the dwarf and leaning on his shoulder and stooping down to get at his ear said in a voice which was perfectly audible to all present the watch word to the old mine is fork is what? demanded Quilp is fork sir fork replied Mr Swivola slapping his picket you are awake sir the dwarf nodded Mr Swivola drew back and nodded likewise then drew a little further back and nodded again and so on by these means he in time reached the door where he gave a great cough to attract the dwarfs attention and gain an opportunity of expressing in dumb show the closest confidence and most inviolable secrecy having performed the serious pantomime that was necessary for the due conveyance of these ideas he cast himself upon his friend's track and vanished hum! said the dwarf with a sour look and a shrug of his shoulders so much for dear relations thank God I acknowledge none no need you either he added turning to the old man if you were not as weak as a reed and nearly a senseless what would you have me do? he retorted with a kind of helpless desperation it is easy to talk and snare what would you have me do? what would I do if I was in your case? said the dwarf something violent no doubt you're right there returned the little man highly gratified by the compliment for such evidently considered it and grinning like a devil as he wrapped his dirty hands together ask Mrs Quilp, pretty Mrs Quilp a very intimate, loving Mrs Quilp but that reminds me I have left her all alone and she will be anxious and no not a moment's peace till I return I know she's always in that condition when I'm away though she doesn't dare to say so unless I lead her on and tell her she may speak freely and I won't be angry with her oh well trained Mrs Quilp the creature appeared quite horrible with his monstrous head and little body slowly round and round and round again with something fantastic even in his manner of performing this slight action and dropping his shaggy brows and cocking his chin in the air glanced upward with a stealthy look of exaltation that an imp might have copied and appropriated to himself here he said putting his hand into his breast and sliding up to the old man as he spoke I brought it myself for fear of accidents as being in gold it was something large and heavy for now to carry in her bag she need be accustomed to such loads betimes thought neighbor for she will carry weight when you're dead heaven send she may I hope so said the old man with something like a groan hope so echoed the dwarf approaching close to his ear neighbor I would I knew in what good investment all these supplies are sunk but you're a deep man I keep it close my secret said the other with a haggard look yes you're right I keep it close very close he said no more but taking the money turned away with a slow uncertain step and pressed his hand upon his head like a weary and dejected man the dwarf watched him sharply while he passed into the little sitting room and locked it and I am safe above the chimney piece and after musing for a short space prepared to take his leave observing that unless he made good haste Mrs. Quill would certainly be in fits on his return and so neighbor he added I'll turn my face homewards leaving my love for Nellie and hoping she may never lose her way again though her doing so has procured me an honor I didn't expect with that he bowed and leered at me and with a keen glance around which seemed to comprehend every object within his range of vision however small or trivial when his way I had several times essayed to go myself but the old man had always opposed it and entreated me to remain as he renewed his entreaties on our being left alone and advert it with many thanks to the former occasion of our being together I willingly yielded to his persuasions and sat down pretending to examine some curious miniatures and a few old medals which he placed before me it needed no great pressing to induce me to stay for if my curiosity has been excited on the occasion of my first visit it certainly was not diminished now Nell joined us before long and bringing some needlework to the table sat by the old man's side it was pleasant to observe the fresh flowers in the room the pet bird the green bow shading his little cage the breath of freshness and youth which seemed to rustle through the old dull house and hover around the child it was curious but not so pleasant to turn from the beauty and grace of the girl to the stooping figure a care worn face an jaded aspect of the old man as he grew weaker and more feeble what would become of this lonely little creature poor protector as he was say that he died what will be her fate then the old man almost answered my thoughts as he laid his hand on hers and spoke aloud I'll be of better cheer Nell he said there must be good fortune in store for thee I do not ask it for myself but thee such miseries must fall on thy innocent head without it that I cannot believe but that being tempted it will come at last she looked cheerfully into his face but made no answer when I think said he of the many years many in thy short life that thou has lived with me of my monotonous existence knowing no companions of thy own age nor any childish pleasures of the solitude in which thou has grown and in which thou has lived apart from nearly all thy kind but one old man I sometimes fear I have dealt hardly by thee Nell grandfather cried the child in unfeigned surprise not in intention no no said he I have ever looked forward to the time that should enable thee to mix among the gayest and prettiest and take thy station with the best but I still look forward Nell I still look forward and if I should be forced to leave thee meanwhile how have I fitted thee for struggles with the world the poor bird yonder is as well qualified to encounter it and be turned adrift upon its mercies Hark! I hear a kid outside go to him Nell go to him she rose in hurrying way stopped turned back and put her arms about the old man's neck then left him and hurried away again but faster this time to hide her falling tears a word in your ear sir said the old man in a hurried whisper I have been rendered uneasy by what you said the other night and can only plead that I have done all for the best that it is too late to retract if I could though I cannot and that I hope to triumph yet all is for her sake I have borne great poverty myself and would spare her the sufferings that poverty carries with it I would spare her the miseries that brought her mother my own dear child to an early grave I would leave her not with resources which could be easily spent or squandered away but with what would place her beyond the reach a want forever you mark me sir she shall have no pittance fortune hush I can say no more than that now or at any other time and she is here again the eagerness with which all this was poured into my ears the trembling of the hand with which he clasped my arm the strained and starting eyes he fixed upon me the wild vehemence and agitation of his manner filled me with amazement all that I had heard and seen and a great part of what he had set himself led me to suppose that he was a wealthy man I could form no comprehension of his character unless he were one of those miserable riches who having made gain the soul and object of their lives and having succeeded in amassing great riches are constantly tortured by the dread of poverty and best by fears of loss and ruin many things he had said which I had been at a loss to understand were quite reconcilable with the idea thus presented to me and at length I concluded that beyond all doubt he was one of this unhappy race the opinion was not the result of hasty consideration for which indeed there was no opportunity at that time as the child came directly and soon occupied herself in preparations for giving kit a writing lesson of which it seemed he had a couple and one regularly on that evening to the great mirth and enjoyment both of himself and his instructors to relate how it was a long time before his modesty could be so far prevailed upon as it admit of his sitting down in the parlour in the presence of an unknown gentleman how when he did sit down he tucked up his sleeves and squared his elbows and put his face close to the copy book and squinted horribly at the lines the very first moment of having the pen in his hand he began to wallow in blots and to dope himself with ink up to the very roots of his care how if he did by accident form a letter properly he immediately smeared it out again with his arm in his preparations to make another how at every fresh mistake there was a fresh burst of merriment from the child and louder and not less hearty laugh from poor kid himself and how there was all the way through notwithstanding a gentle vision her part to teach and an anxious desire on his to learn to relate all these particulars would no doubt occupy more space and time than they deserve it will be sufficient to say that the lesson was given that evening past and night came on that the old man again grew restless and impatient that he quitted the house secretly at the same hour as before and that the child was once more left alone within its gloomy walls and now that I have carried this history so far in my own character and introduced these personages to the reader I shall for the convenience of the narrative detach myself from its further cause and leave those who have prominent and necessary parts in it to speak and act for themselves End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 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 4 Mr. and Mrs. Quill presided on Tower Hill and in her bower on Tower Hill Mrs. Quill was left to pine the absence of her lord when he quitted her on the business which he had already seen to transact Mr. Quill could scarcely be said to be of any particular trade or calling though his pursuits were diversified and his occupations numerous he collected the rents of whole colonies of filthy streets and alleys by the water side advanced money to the seaman petty officers of merchant vessels he had a share in the ventures of diverse mates of East India men smoked his smuggled cigars under the very nose of the custom house and made appointments on change with men in glazed hats and round jackets pretty well every day on the sari side of the river was a small rat infested dreary yard called Quill Swarf in which were a little wooden counting house burrowing all a rye in the dust as if it had fallen from the clouds and plowed into the ground a few fragments of rusty anchors several large iron rings some piles of rotten wood and two or three heaps of old sheet copper, crumpled, cracked and battered on Quill Swarf Daniel Quill was a ship breaker yet to judge from these appearances he must either have been a ship breaker on a very small scale or have broken his ships up very small indeed neither did the place present extraordinary aspect of life or activity as its only human occupant was an amphibious boy in a canvas suit whose sole change of occupation was from sitting on the head of a pile and throwing stones into the mud when the tide was out to standing with his hands in his pockets gazing listlessly on the motion and on the bustle of the river at high water the dwarfs lodging on tower hill comprised besides the needful accommodation for himself and Mrs Quillp a small sleeping closet for that lady's mother who resided with the couple and waged perpetual war with Daniel of whom notwithstanding she stood in no slight dread indeed the ugly creature contrived by some means or other whether by his ugliness or his ferocity or his natural cunning is no great matter to impress with a wholesome fear of his anger most of those with whom he was brought into daily contact and communication over nobody had he such complete ascendance as Mrs Quillp herself a pretty little mild-spoken blue-eyed woman who having allied herself in wedlock to the dwarf in one of those strange infatuations of which examples are by no means scarce performed a sound practical penance for her folly every day of her life it has been said that Mrs Quillp was pining in her bower in her bower she was but not alone for besides the old lady her mother of whom mentioned has recently been made there were present some half dozen ladies of the neighborhood who had happened by a strange accident and also by little understanding among themselves to drop in one after another just about tea time this being a season favourable to conversation and the room being a cool shady lazy kind of place with some plants at the open window shutting out the dust and interposing pleasantly enough between the tea table within and the old tower without it is no wonder that the ladies felt an inclination to talk and linger especially when they are taken into account the additional inducements of fresh butter new bread shrimps and watercresses now the ladies being together for these circumstances it was extremely natural that the disclosure should turn upon the propensity of mankind to tyrannize over the weaker sex and the duty that developed upon the weaker sex to resist that tyranny and assert their rights and dignity it was natural for four reasons firstly because Mrs Quillp being a young woman and notoriously under the dominion of her husband ought to be excited to rebel secondly because Mrs Quillp's parent was known to be lordably shrewish in her disposition and inclined to resist male authority thirdly because each visitor wished to show for herself how superior she was in this respect to the generality of her sex and fourthly because the company being accustomed to scandalize each other in pairs were deprived of their usual subject of conversation now and had consequently no better employment than to attack the common enemy moved by these considerations a stout lady opened the proceedings by inquiring with an air of great concern and sympathy how Mr Quillp was where until Mr Quillp's wife's mother replied sharply oh he was well enough nothing matters ever the matter with him and ill weeds were sure to thrive all the ladies then sighed in concert shook their heads gravely and looked at Mrs Quillp as a martyr ah said the spokeswoman I wish you'd give her a little of your advice Mrs Ginnewin Mrs Quillp had been a Miss Ginnewin it should be observed nobody knows better than you ma'am what us women owe to ourselves oh indeed ma'am replied Mrs Ginnewin when my poor husband her dear father ventured across word to me I'd have the good old lady did not finish the sentence but she twisted off the head of a shrimp with a vindictiveness which seemed to imply that the action was in some degree a substitute for words in this light it was clearly understood by the other party who immediately replied with great approbation you quite enter into my feelings ma'am and it's just what I did do myself but you have no call to do it said Mrs Ginnewin luckily for you you had no more occasion to do it than I had no woman need have if she was true to herself rejoined the stout lady do you hear that Betsy said Mrs Ginnewin in a warning voice how often have I said the same words to you and almost gone down my knees when I spoke him poor Mrs Quillp who had looked in a state of helplessness from one face of condolence to another smiled and shook her head doubtfully this was the signal for a general clamour which beginning in a low murmur gradually swelled into a great noise in which everybody spoke at once and all said that she being a young woman had no right to set up her opinions against the experiences of those who knew so much better that it was very wrong of her not to take the advice of people who had nothing at heart but her good the next door of being downright and grateful to conduct herself in that manner that if she had no respect for herself she ought to have some for other women all of whom she compromised by her meekness and that if she had no respect for other women the time would come when other women would have no respect for her and she would be very sorry for that they could tell her having dealt out these admonitions the ladies felt a more powerful assault than they had made upon the mixed tea new bread, fresh butter shrimps and watercresses and said that their vexation was so great to see her going on like that that they could hardly bring themselves to eat a single morsel it's all very fine to talk said Mrs. Quilp with much simplicity but I know that if I was to die tomorrow Quilp could marry anybody he pleased now that he could I know there was quite a scream of indignation at this idea marry whom he pleased they would like to see him dare to think of marrying any of them they would like to see the faintest approach to such a thing one lady, a widow was quite certain she could stop him if he hinted at it very well said Mrs. Quilp nodding her head as I said just now it's very easy to talk but I say again that I know that I'm sure Quilp has such a way with him when he likes that the best looking woman here couldn't refuse him if I was dead and she was free and she chose to make love to him come everybody bridled up on this remark as much as to say I know you mean me let him try that's all and yet for some hidden reason they were all angry with the widow the lady whispered in her neighbour's ear that it was very plain that said widow thought herself the person referred to and what a pus she was mother knows said Mrs. Quilp that what I say is quite correct for she often said so before we were married didn't you say so mother this enquiry involved the respected lady in rather a delicate position for she certainly had been an active party in making her daughter Mrs. Quilp and besides it was not supporting the family credit to encourage the idea that she had married a woman whom nobody else would have on the other hand to exaggerate the captivating qualities of her son-in-law would be to weaken the cause of revolt in which all her energies were deeply engaged beset by these opposing considerations Mrs. Ginny Winn admitted the powers of insinuation but denied the right to govern and with a timely complement to the stout lady brought back the discussion to the point from which it had strayed oh it's a sensible and proper thing indeed that Mrs. George has said exclaimed the old lady if women are only true to themselves but Betsy isn't and more is the shame and pity before I'd let a man order me about as Quilp orders her said Mrs. George before I'd consent to stand in awe of a man as she does of him I'd kill myself and write a letter first to say he did it this remark being loudly commended and approved of another lady from the Mineries put in her word Mr. Quilp may be a very nice man said this lady and I suppose there is no doubt he is because Mrs. Quilp says he is and Mrs. Ginny Winn says he is and they ought to know or nobody does quite what one calls a handsome man nor quite a young man neither which might be a little excuse for him if anything could be whereas his wife is young and is good looking and is a woman which is the greatest thing after all this last clause being delivered with extraordinary pathos elicited a corresponding mama from the hearers stimulated by which the lady went on to remark that if such a husband was cross and unreasonable with such a wife then if he is interposed the mother putting down her teacup and brushing the crumbs out of her lap preparatory to making a solemn declaration if he is he is the greatest tyrant that ever lived she dared call her soul her own he makes her tremble with a word and even with a look he frightens her to death and she has in the spirit to give him a word back no, not a single word notwithstanding that the fact was very serious beforehand to all the tea drinkers and had been discussed and expatiated on at every tea drinking in the neighborhood for the last 12 months this official communication was no sooner made than they all began to talk at once and to vie with each other in vehemence and volubility Mrs. George remarked that people would talk that people had often said this to her before that Mrs. Simmons then and their present had told her so 20 times that she had always said no, Henrietta Simmons unless I see it with my own eyes and hear it with my own ears I never will believe it Mrs. Simmons corroborated this testimony and added strong evidence of her own the lady from the minaries recounted a successful cause of treatment under which she had placed her own husband who from manifesting one month after marriage unequivocal symptoms of the tiger by this means becomes subdued into a perfect lamb another lady recounted her own personal struggle and final triumph in the cause whereof she had found it necessary to call in her mother and two aunts and to weep incessantly night and day for six weeks a third who in the general confusion could secure no other listener fastened herself upon a young woman still and married who happened to be amongst them and conjured her as she valued her own peace of mind and happiness to profit by this solemn location to take example from the weakness of Mrs. Quillpe and from that time forth to direct her whole thoughts to taming and subduing the rebellious spirit of a man the noise was at its height and half the company had elevated their voices into a perfect shriek in order to drown the voices of the other half when Mrs. Ginnewin was seen to change color and shake her four fingers stealthily as if exhorting them to silence then and not until then Daniel Quillpe himself the cause and occasion of all this clamor was observed to be in the room looking on and listening with profound attention go on ladies go on said Daniel Mrs. Quillpe pray ask the ladies to stop to supper and have a couple of lobsters and something light and palatable I didn't ask them to teak Quillpe stammered his wife it's quite an accident so much the better Mrs. Quillpe these accidental parties are always the pleasantest said the dwarf rubbing his hands so hard that he seemed to be engaged in manufacturing of the dirt with which they were encrusted little charges for popcorns not going ladies you're not going surely his fair enemies tossed their head slightly as they sought their respective bonnets but left all verbal contention to Mrs. Ginny-Win who finding herself in the position of champion made a faint struggle to sustain the character and why not stop to supper Quillpe said the old lady if my daughter had a mind to be sure rejoined Daniel why not there is nothing dishonest or wrong in a supper I hope said Mrs. Ginny-Win why should there be nor anything unwholesome either unless there is lobster salad or prawns which I am told are not good for digestion it wouldn't you like your wife to be attacked with that or anything else that would make her uneasy would you said Mrs. Ginny-Win not for a score of worlds replied the dwarf with a grin not even to have a score of mother-in-laws at the same time would be my daughter's your wife Mr. Quillpe certainly said the old lady with a giggle meant for satirical and to imply that he needed to be reminded of the fact you're a wedded wife so she is certainly so she is observed the dwarf and she has her right to do as she likes I hope Quillpe said the old lady trembling partly with anger I hope she has he replied oh don't you know she has don't you know she has Mrs. Ginny-Win I know she ought to have Quillpe and would have if she was of my way of thinking why aren't you of your mother's way of thinking my dear said the dwarf turning round and addressing his wife why don't you always imitate your mother my dear she's the ornament of her sex your father said so every day of his life I'm sure he did her father was a blessed creature Quillpe and were the twenty thousand of some people said Mrs. Ginny-Win twenty hundred million thousand I should like to have known him remarked the dwarf I dare say he was a blessed creature then but I'm sure he is now it was a happy release I believe he had suffered a long time the old lady gave a gasp and came of it Quillpe resumed with the same malice in his eye and the same sarcastic politeness on his tongue you look ill Mrs. Ginny-Win I know you have been exciting yourself too much talking perhaps for it is your weakness go to bed go to bed I shall go when I please Quillpe and not before but please to do now do please to go now said the dwarf looked angrily at him but retreated as he advanced and falling back before him suffered him to shut the door upon her and bolt her out among the guests who were by this time crowding downstairs being left alone with his wife who sat trembling in a corner with her eyes fixed upon the ground the little man planted himself before her and folding his arms looked steadily at her for a long time without speaking he said at last yes Quillpe she replied meekly instead of pursuing the theme he had in his mind Quillpe folded his arms again and looked at her more sternly than before while she averted her eyes and kept them on the ground Mrs. Quillpe yes Quillpe if ever you listen to these burdens again I'll bite you with this laconic threat which he accompanied with a snarl the appearance of being particularly in earnest Mr. Quillpe bad her clear the teaboard away and bring the rum the spirit being set before him in a huge case bottle which had originally come out of some ship's locker he settled himself in an armchair with his large head and face squeezed up against the back and his little legs planted on the table now Mrs. Quillpe he said I feel in a smoking humour and shall probably raise away all night but sit where you are if you please in case I want you his wife returned no other reply than the necessary yes Quillpe and the small lord of the creation took his first cigar and mixed his first glass of grog the sun went down and the stars peeped out the tower turned from its own proper colours to grey and from grey to black the room became perfectly dark and the end of the cigar became fiery red but still Mr. Quillpe went on smoking and drinking in the same position and staring listlessly out of window with the dog-like smile always on his face say when Mrs. Quillpe made some involuntary movement of restlessness or fatigue and then it expanded into a grin of delight End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of the old curiosity shop This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information auto-volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens Chapter 5 Whether Mr. Quillpe took any sleep by snatches of a few wings at a time or whether he sat with his eyes wide open all night long certain it is that he kept his cigar alight and kindled every fresh one from the ashes of that which was nearly consumed without requiring the assistance of a candle nor did the striking of the clocks hour after hour appear to inspire him with any sense of drowsiness or any natural desire to go to rest but rather to increase his wakefulness which he showed at every such indication of the progress of the night by a suppressed cackling in his throat and a motion of his shoulders like one who laughs heartily but the same time slightly and by stealth At length the day broke and poor Mrs. Quillpe shivering with cold of early morning and harassed by fatigued munt of sleep was discovered sitting patiently on her chair raising her eyes at intervals in mute appeal to the compassion and clemency of her lord and gently reminding him by an occasion cough that she was still unpardoned and that her penance had been of long duration but her dwarfish spouse still smoked his cigar and drank his rum without hitting her and it was not until the sun had some time risen and the activity and noise of city day were rife in the street that he deigned to recognize her presence by any word or sign he might not have done so even then but for certain impatient tapping at the door he seemed to denote that some pretty hard knuckles were actively engaged upon the other side why, dear me he said looking round with a malicious grin it is day open the door sweet Mrs. Quillpe his obedient wife withdrew the bolt and her lady mother entered now Mrs. Ginny went bounced into the room with great impetiosity for supposing her son-in-law to be still a bed she had come to relieve her feelings by pronouncing a strong opinion upon his general conduct and character seeing that he was up and dressed and that the room appeared to have been occupied ever since she quitted it on the previous evening she stopped short in some embarrassment nothing escaped the hawk's eye of the ugly little man who perfectly understanding what passed in the old lady's mind turned uglier still in the fullness of his satisfaction and bet her good morning I am why Betsy said the old woman you haven't been, you don't mean to say you've been sitting up all night said Quillpe supplying the conclusion of the sentence yes, she has all night cried Mrs. Ginny win aye, all night is the dear old lady deaf said Quillpe with the smile of which her frown was part who says man and wife are bad company ha ha the time has flown you are a brute exclaimed Mrs. Ginny win calm calm said Quillpe willfully misunderstanding her of course you mustn't call her names she's married now you know and though she did beguile the time and keep me from my bed you must not be so tenderly careful of me as to be out of humor with her bless you for a dear old lady here's to your health I am much obliged to you old woman testifying by a certain restlessness in her hands a vehement desire to shake her matronly fist at her son-in-law oh, I am very much obliged to you grateful soul cried the dwarf Mrs. Quillpe yes, Quillpe said the timid sufferer help your mother to get breakfast, Mrs. Quillpe I am going to the wharf this morning the earlier the better, so be quick Mrs. Ginny win she was so brilliant by sitting down in a chair near the door unfolding her arms as if in a resolute determination to do nothing but a few whispered words from her daughter and a kind inquiry from her son-in-law whether she felt feigned with a hint that there was abundance of cold water in the next apartment rooted these symptoms effectually and she applied herself to the prescribed preparations with silent diligence while they were in progress Quillpe withdrew to their joining room and turning back his coat-collar proceeded to snare his countenance with a damp towel of very unwholesome appearance which made his complexion rather more cloudy than it was before but while he was thus engaged his caution and inquisitiveness did not forsake him for with a face as sharp and cunning as ever he often stopped even in his short process and stood listening for any conversation in the room of which he might be the theme ah he said after a short effort of attention it was not the towel over my years I thought it wasn't I am a little hunchy villain and a monster am I Mrs. Ginnywyn oh the pleasure of this discovery called up the old dog-like smile in full force when he had quite done with it he shook himself in a very dog-like manner and rejoined the ladies Mr. Quillpe now walked to front of a looking glass and was standing there putting on his neck a chief when Mrs. Ginnywyn happening to be behind him could not resist the inclination she felt to shake her fist at her tyrant son-in-law it was the gesture of an instant but as she did so and accompanied the action with a menacing look she met his eye in the glass catching her in the very act the same glance at the mirror conveyed to her the reflection of a horribly grotesque and distorted face with the tongue lolling out and the next instant the dwarf turning about with a perfectly bland and placid look inquired in a tone of great affection how are you now my dear old darling slight and ridiculous as the incident was it made him appear such a little fiend and with all such a keen and knowing one that the old woman felt too much afraid of him to utter a single word and suffered herself to be led by extraordinary politeness to the breakfast table here he by no means diminished the impression he had just produced for he had hard eggs shell and doll devoured gigantic prawns with the heads and tails on chewed tobacco and watercresses at the same time and with extraordinary greediness drank boiling tea without winking bit his fork and spoon till they bent again and in short performed so many horrifying and uncommon acts that the women were nearly frightened out of their wits and began to doubt if he were really a human creature at last, having gone through these proceedings and many others which were equally a part of his system Mr. Quilp left them reduced to a very obedient and humbled state and betook himself to the riverside where he took boat for the wharf on which he had bestowed his name it was flood tide when Daniel Quilp sat himself down in the ferry to cross to the opposite shore a fleet of barges were coming lazily on, some sideways some head first some stern first all in a wrong-headed, dogged, obstinate way bumping up against the larger craft running under the boughs of steamboats getting into every kind of nuke and corner where they had no business and being crunched on all sides like so many walnut shells while each with his pair of long sweeps struggling and splashing in the water looked like some lumbering fish in pain in some of the vessels at anchor all hands were busily engaged in coiling ropes, spreading out sails to dry, taking in or discharging their cargoes in others, no life was visible but two or three tarry boys and perhaps a barking dog running to and fro upon the deck or scrambling up to look over the side and bark the louder for the view coming slowly on through the forests of masts was a great steamship beating the water in short impatient strokes with her heavy paddles as though she wanted room to breathe and advancing in her huge bulk like a sea monster among the minnows of the Thames on either hand were long black tires of colliers between them vessels slowly working out of harbour with sails glistening in the sun and creaking noise on board echoed from a hundred quarters the water and all upon it was in active motion dancing and buoyant and bubbling up while the old grey tower and piles of building on the shore with many a church spy shooting up between looked cold Leon and seemed to disdain their chafing restless neighbour Daniel Quilp who was not much affected by a bright morning saving so far as it spared him the trouble of carrying the sailor caused himself to be put ashore hard by the wharf and proceeded thither through a narrow lane which partaking of the amphibious character of its frequenters had as much water as mud in its composition and a very liberal supply of both arrived at his destination the first object that presented itself to his view was a pair of very imperfectly short feet elevated in the air with the souls upwards which remarkable appearance was referable to the boy who being of an eccentric spirit and having a natural taste for tumbling was now standing on his head and contemplating the aspect of the river under these and common circumstances he was speedily brought on his heels by the sound of his master's voice and as soon as his head was in its right position Mr Quilp to speak expressively in the absence of a better verb punched it for him come, you let me alone said the boy parrying Quilp's hand with both his elbows alternatively you'll get something you won't like if you don't and so I tell you you dog, snarled Quilp I'll beat you with an iron rod I'll scratch you with a rusty nail I'll pinch your eyes if you talk to me I will with these threats he clenched his hand again and dexterously diving in between the elbows and catching the boy's head as it dodged from his right to side gave it three or four good hard knocks having now carried his point and insisted on it he left off you won't do it again said the boy nodding his head and drawing back with the elbows ready in case of the worst now stand still you dog said Quilp I won't do it again because I've done it as often as I want here take the key why don't you hit one of your size said the boy approaching very slowly where is there one of my size you dog? returned Quilp take the key oil brainy with it indeed he gave him a smart tap with a handle as he spoke now open the counting house the boy sulkily complied muttering at first but desisting when he looked around and saw that Quilp was following him with a steady look and here it may be remarked that between this boy and the dwarf Quilp would certainly suffer nobody to contract him but the boy and the boy would assuredly not have submitted to be so knocked about by anybody but Quilp when he had the power to run away at any time he chose now, said Quilp passing into the wooden counting house you mind the wharf I'll take the key I'll take the key I'll take the key I'll take the key you mind the wharf stand upon your head again and I'll cut one of your feet off the boy made no answer but directly Quilp had shut himself in stood on his head before the door then walked on his hands to the back and stood on his head there and then to the opposite side and repeated the performance there were indeed four sides to the counting house but he avoided that one where the window was deeming it probable that Quilp would be looking out of it this was prudent for in point of fact the dwarf knowing his disposition was lying in wait at a little distance from the sash armed with a large piece of wood which being rough and jagged and studied in many parts with broken nails might possibly have hurt him it was a dirty little box discounting house with nothing in it but an old rickety desk and two stools a hat peg an ink stand with no ink and the stamp of one pen and an 8 day clock which hadn't gone for 18 years at least and of which the minute hand had been twisted off for a tooth pick Daniel Quilp pulled his hat over his brows climbed onto the desk which had a flat top and stretching his short length upon it went to sleep with ease of an old practitioner intending no doubt to compensate himself for the deprivation of last night's rest by a long and sound nap sound it might have been but long it was not for he had not been asleep a quarter of an hour when the boy opened the door and thrust in his head which was like a bundle of badly picked oakum Quilp was a light sleeper and started up directly here's somebody for you said the boy who? I don't know ask using the trifle of wood before mentioned and throwing it at him with such dexterity that it was well the boy disappeared before it reached the spot on which he had stood ask you dog not caring to venture within range of such missiles again the boy discreetly sent in his stead the first cause of the interruption who now presented herself at the door what Nelly? cried Quilp yes said the child waiting whether to enter or retreat for the dwarf just roused with his disheveled hair hanging all about him and a yellow handkerchief over his head was something fearful to behold it's only me sir come in said Quilp without getting off the desk come in stay just look out into the yard and see whether there's a boy standing on his head no sir replied Nell he's on his feet you're sure he is? said Quilp well now come in and shut the door what's your message Nelly? the child handed him a letter Mr Quilp without changing his position further than to turn over a little more on his side and rest his chin on his hand proceeded to make him