 Chapter 30 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 30 At length the play came to an end, and Mr. Isaac Liss rose the only winner. Matt and the landlord bore their losses with professional fortitude. Isaac pocketed his gains with the air of a man who had quite made up his mind to win, all along, and was neither surprised nor pleased. Nell's little purse was exhausted, but although it lay empty by his side and the other players get now risen from the table, the old man sat pouring over the cards, dealing them as they had been dealt before, and turning up the different hands to see what each man would have held if they had still been playing. He was quite absorbed in this occupation, when the child drew near and laid her hand upon his shoulder, telling him it was near midnight. See the curse of poverty, Nell. He said pointing to the packs he had spread out upon the table. If I could have gone on a little longer, only a little longer, the luck would have turned on my side. Yes, it's as plain as the marks upon the cards. See here, and there, and here again. Put them away, urged the child. Try to forget them. He rejoined, raising his haggard face to hers, and regarding her with an incredulous stare. To forget them. How are we ever to grow rich if I forget them? The child could only shake her head. No, no, Nell, said the old man patting her cheek. They must not be forgotten. We must make amends for this as soon as we can. Patience, patience, and we'll write thee yet. I promise thee, lose today, win tomorrow, and nothing can be won without anxiety and care. Nothing. Come, I am ready. Do you know what the time is? said Mr Groves, who was smoking with his friends, past twelve o'clock. And a rainy night, added the stout man. The valiant soldier by James Groves. Good beds, cheap entertainment for man and beast. Said Mr Groves, quoting his signboard. Half past twelve o'clock. It's very late, said the uneasy child. I wish we had gone before. What will they think of us? It will be two o'clock by the time we get back. What would it cost, sir, if we stopped here? Two good beds, one and sixpence. Supper and beer, one shilling, total two shillings and sixpence. Replied the valiant soldier. Now, Nell had still the piece of gold sewn in her dress. And when she came to consider the lateness of the hour, and the somnolent habits of Mrs. Jolly, and to imagine the state of consternation in which they would certainly throw that good lady by knocking her up in the middle of the night. And when she reflected on the other hand, that if they remained where they were, and rose early in the morning, they might get back before she awoke, and could plead the violence of the storm by which they had been overtaken, as a good apology for their absence. She decided, after a great deal of hesitation, to remain. She therefore took her grandfather aside, and telling him that she had still enough left to defray the coast of their lodging, proposed that they should stay there for the night. If I had had but that money before, if I had only known of it a few minutes ago, muttered the old man. We will decide to stop here, if you please," said Nell, turning hastily to the landlord. I think that's prudent. Returned Mr. Groves. You shall have your suppers directly. Accordingly, when Mr. Groves had smoked his pipe out, knocked out the ashes, and placed it carefully in a corner of the fireplace, with the bowled downwards, he brought in the old man. Nell and her grandfather had sparingly, but both were occupied with their own reflections. The other gentlemen, because Constitution's beer was too weak and tamer-liquid, consoled themselves with spirits and tobacco. The other gentlemen, because Constitution's beer was too weak and tamer-liquid, consoled themselves with spirits and tobacco. As they would leave the house very early in the morning, the child was anxious to pay for their entertainment before they retired to bed. But as she felt the necessity of concealing her little horde from her grandfather and had to change the peace of God, she took it secretly from its place of concealment and embraced an opportunity of following the landlord when he went out of the room and tendered it to him in the little bar. Will you give me the change here, if you please? said the child. Mr. James Groves was evidently surprised and looked at the money and rang it and looked at the child and at the money again, as though he had a mind to inquire how she came by it. The coin being genuine, however, and changed at his house, he probably felt like a wise landlord, but it was no business of his. At any rate, he counted out the change and gave it her. The child was returning to the room where they had passed the evening. When she fancied, she saw a figure just gliding in at the door. There was nothing but a long, dark passage between this door and the place where she had changed the money, and being very certain that no person had passed in or out while she stood there, the thought struck her that she had been watched. But by whom? When she re-entered the room, she found its inmates exactly as she had left them. A stout fellow lay upon two chairs, resting his head on his hand, and the squinting man reposed in a similar attitude on the opposite side of the table. Between them sat her grandfather, looking intently at the winner with a kind of hungry admiration and hanging upon his words as if he were some superior being. She was puzzled for a moment and looked round to see if any else were there. No. Then she asked her grandfather in a whisper whether anybody had left the room while she was absent. No, he said, no body. It must have been her fancy then. And yet it was strange that without anything in her previous thoughts to lead to it she should have imagined this figure so very distinctly. She was still wondering and thinking of it when a girl came to light her to bed. The old man took leave of the company at the same time and they went upstairs together. It was a great, rambling house with dull corridors and wide staircases which the flaring candles seemed to make more gloomy. She left her grandfather in his chamber and followed her guide to another which was at the end of a passage and approached by some half dozen crazy steps. This was prepared for her. The girl lingered a little while to talk and tell her grievances. She had not a good place, she said. The wages were low and the work was hard. She was going to leave it in a fortnight. The child couldn't recommend her to another, she supposed. Instead she was afraid another would be difficult to get after living there but the house had a very indifferent character. There was far too much card playing and such like. She was very much mistaken if some of the people who came there oftenest were quite as honest as they might be but she wouldn't have it known that she had said so for the world. Then there were some rambling allusions to a rejected sweetheart who had threatened to go soldiering a final promise of knocking at the door early in the morning and good night. The child did not feel comfortable when she was left alone. She could not help thinking of the figure stealing through the passage downstairs and what the girl had said did not tend to reassure her. The men were very ill looking. They might get there living by robbing and murdering travelers. Who could tell? Reasoning herself out of these fears or losing sight of them for a little while there came the anxiety to which the adventures of the night gave rise. Here was the old passion awakened again in her grandfather's breast and to what further distraction it might tempt him heaven only knew. What fears their absence might have occasioned already? Persons might be seeking for them even then. Would they be forgiven in the morning or turned adrift again? Oh, why had they stopped in that strange place? It would have been better under any circumstances to have gone on. At last sleep gradually stole upon her a broken, pitiful sleep troubled by dreams of falling from high towers and waking with a start and in great terror. A deeper slumber followed this and then what? That figure in the room. A figure was there. Yes, she had drawn up the blind to admit the light when it should be dawn and there between the food of the bed and the dark casement it crouched and slunk along, groping its way with noiseless hands and stealing around the bed. She had no voice to cry for help, no power to move and she is still watching it. On it came, on silently and stealthily, to the bed's head the breath so near her pillow that she shrunk back into it lest those wandering hands should light upon her face. Back again it stole to the window and turned its head towards her. The dark form was a mere blot upon the lighter darkness of the room that saw the turning of the head and felt and knew how the eyes looked and the ears listened. There it remained, motionless as she. At length, still keeping the face towards her, it busied its hands in something and she heard the chink of money. Then on it came again, silent and stealthy as before and replacing the garments it had taken from the bedside dropped upon its hands and knees and crawled away. How slowly it seemed to move, now that she could hear but not see it, creeping along the floor. It reached the door at last and stood upon its feet. The steps creaked beneath its noiseless tread and it was gone. The first impulse of the child was to fly from the terror of being by herself in that room to have somebody by not to be alone and then her power of speech would be restored. With no consciousness of having moved she gained the door. There was the dreadful shadow pausing at the bottom of the steps. She could not pass it. She might have done so perhaps in the darkness without being seized but her blood curdled at the thought. The figure stood quite still and so did she. Not boldly but of necessity, while going back into the room was hardly less terrible than going on. The rain beat fast and furiously without and ran down in plashing streams from the thatched roof. Some summer insect with no escape into the air flew blindly to and fro beating its body against the walls and ceiling and filling the silent place with murmurs. The figure moved again. The child involuntarily did the same. Once in her grandfather's room she would be safe. It crept along the passage until it came to the very door she longed so ardently to reach. The child, in the agony of being so near, had almost darted forward with the design of bursting into the room and closing it behind her when the figure stopped again. The idea flashed suddenly upon her. What if it entered there and had a design upon the old man's life? She turned faint and sick. It did. It went in. There was a light inside. The figure was now within the chamber and she, still dumb, quite dumb and almost senseless, stood looking on. The door was partly open. Not knowing what she meant to do but meaning to preserve him or be killed herself she staggered forward and looked in. What side was that which met her view? The bed had not been laid on but was smooth and empty and at a table sat the old man himself the only living creature there. His white face pinched and sharpened by the greediness which made his eyes unnaturally bright counting the money of which his hands had robbed her. End of chapter 30 Chapter 31 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 31 With steps more faltering and unsteady than those with which she had approached the room the child withdrew from the door and groped her way back to her own chamber. The terror she had lately felt was nothing compared with that which now oppressed her. No strange robber no treacherous host conniving at the plunder of his guests or stealing to their beds to kill them in their sleep. No nightly prowler however terrible and cruel could have awakened in her bosom half the dread which the recognition of her silent visitor inspired. The gray-headed old man gliding like a ghost into her room and acting the thief while he supposed her fast asleep. Then bearing off his prize and hanging over it with the gas leg exaltation she had witnessed was worse, immeasurably worse and far more dreadful for the moment to reflect upon than anything her wildest fancy could have suggested. If he should return there was no lock or bolt upon the door and if distrustful of having left some money yet behind he should come back to seek for more. A vague awe and horror surrounded the idea of his slinging in again with stealthy tread and turning his face toward the empty bed while she shrank down close at his feet to avoid his touch which was almost insupportable. She sat and listened. Hark! A food step on the stairs and now the door was slowly opening. It was but imagination yet imagination had all the terrors of reality. Nay, it was worse for the reality would have come and gone and there an end but in imagination it was always coming and never went away. The feeling which beset the child was one of dim uncertain horror. She had no fear of the dear old grandfather in whose love for her this disease of the brain had been engendered but the man she had seen that night wrapped in the game of chance lurking in her room and counting the money by the glimmering light seemed like another creature in his shape a monstrous distortion of his image. A something to recoil from and be the more afraid of because it bore a likeness to him and kept close about her as he did. She could scarcely connect her own affectionate companion saved by his loss with this old man so like yet so unlike him. She had wept to see him dull and quiet how much greater cause she had for weeping now. The child sat watching and thinking of these things until the phantom in her mind so increased in gloom and terror that she felt it would be a relief to hear the old man's voice or if he were asleep even to see him and banish some of the fears that clustered round his image. She stole down the stairs and passage again the door was still ajar as she had left it and the candle burning as before. She had her own candle in her hand prepared to say if he were waking that she was uneasy and could not rest and had come to see if his were still alight. Looking into the room she saw him lying calmly on his bed and so took courage to enter. Faster sleep no passion in the face no avarice no anxiety no wild desire all gentle tranquil and at peace. This was not the gambler or the shadow in her room this was not even the worn and jaded man whose face had so often met her own in the grey morning light. This was her dear old friend her harmless fellow traveler her good kind grandfather. She had no fear as she looked upon his slumbering features but she had a deep and weighty sorrow and it found its relief in tears. God bless him said the child stooping softly to kiss his placid cheek I see too well now that they would indeed part us if they found us out and shut him up for the light of the sun and sky he has only me to help him God bless us both. Lighting her candle she retreated as silently as she had come and gaining her own room once more sat up during the remainder of that long long miserable night at last the day turned her waning candle pale and she fell asleep she was quickly roused by the girl who had shown her up to bed and as soon as she was dressed prepared to go down to her grandfather but first she searched her pocket and found that her money was all gone not a sixpence remained the old man was ready and in a few seconds they were on their road the child thought he rather avoided her eye and appeared to expect that she would tell him of her loss she felt she must do that or he might suspect the truth grandfather she said in a tremulous voice after they had walked about a mile in silence do you think they're honest people at the house yonder why? returned the old man trembling do you think they're honest? yes they played honestly I'll tell you why I ask rejoined Nell I lost some money last night out of my bedroom I am sure unless it was taken by somebody in jest only in jest dear grandfather which would make me laugh heartily if I could but know it who would take money in jest returned the old man in a hurried manner those who take money take it to keep don't talk of jest then it was stolen out of my room dear said the child whose last hope was destroyed by the manner of this reply but is there no more Nell? said the old man no more anywhere was it all taken? every farthing of it was there nothing left? nothing replied the child we must get more the old man we must earn it Nell hoard it up scrape it together come by somehow never mind this loss tell nobody of it and perhaps we may regain it don't ask how we may regain it and a great deal more but tell nobody or trouble may come of it and so they took it out of their room when thou were to sleep he added in a compassionate tone very different from the secret cunning way in which he had spoken until now poor Nell poor little Nell the child hung down her head and wept the sympathizing tone in which he spoke was quite sincere she was sure of that it was not the lightest part of her sorrow to know that this was done for her not a word about it to anyone but me said the old man no, not even to me he uttered hastily for it can do no good all the losses that ever were are not worth tears from thy eyes darling why should they be when we will win them back let them go said the child looking up let them go once and forever and I would never shed another tear if every penny had been a thousand pounds well, well returned the old man checking himself as some impetuous answer rose to his lips she knows no better I ought to be thankful of it but listen to me said the child earnestly will you listen to me I, I, I'll listen returned the old man still without looking at her a pretty voice it has always a sweet sound to me always had when it was her mother's poor child let me persuade you then oh do let me persuade you said the child to think no more of gains or losses and to try no fortune but the fortune we pursue together we pursue this aim together retorted her grandfather still looking away and seeming to confer with himself was image sanctified the game have we been worse off? resumed the child since you forgot these cares and we have been travelling on together have we not been much better and happier without home to shelter us than ever we were in that unhappy house when they were on your mind she speaks the truth murmured the old man in the same tone as before it must not turn me but it is the truth no doubt it is only remember what we have been since that bright morning when we turned our backs upon it for the last time said Nell only remember what we have been since we have been free of all those miseries what peaceful days and quiet nights we have had what pleasant times we have known what happiness we have enjoyed if we have been tired or hungry we have been soon refreshed and slept the sounder for it think what beautiful things we have seen and how contented we have felt and why was this blessed change he stopped her with a motion of his hand and bad her talk to him no more just then for he was busy after a time he kissed her cheek still motioning her to silence and walked on looking far before him and sometimes stopping and gazing with a puckered brow upon the ground as if you are painfully trying to collect his disordered thoughts once she saw tears in his eyes when he had gone on Das for some time he took her hand in his as he was accustomed to do with nothing of the violence or animation of his late manner and so by degrees so fine that the child could not trace them he settled down into his usual quiet way and suffered her to lead him where she would when they presented themselves in the midst of the stupendous collection she sat around as Nell had anticipated that Mrs. Jolly was not yet out of bed and that although she had suffered some uneasiness on their account overnight and had indeed sat up for them until past 11 o'clock she had retired in the persuasion that being overtaken by storm at some distance from home they had sought the nearest shelter and would not return before morning Nell immediately applied herself with great acidity to the decoration and preparation of the room and had the satisfaction of completing her task and dressing herself neatly before the beloved of the royal family came down to breakfast we haven't had, said Mrs. Jolly when the meal was over more than eight of Miss Montflothers' young ladies all the time we've been here and there's 26 of them as I was told by the cook when I asked her a question or two to put her on the free list we must try them with a parcel of new bills and you shall take it my dear and see what effect that has upon them the proposed expedition being one of paramount importance Mrs. Jolly adjusted Nell's bonnet with her own hands and declaring that she certainly did look very pretty and reflected credit on the establishment dismissed her with many commendations and certain needful directions as to the turnings on the right which she was to take and the turnings on the left which she was to avoid thus instructed Nell had no difficulty in finding out Miss Montflothers' boarding and day establishment which was a large house with a high wall and a large garden gate with a large brass plate and a small grating through which Miss Montflothers parlor made inspected all visitors before admitting them for nothing in the shape of a man no, not even a milkman was suffered without special license to pass that gate even the tax-gatherer who astowed and wore spectacles and a broad-brimmed hat and the taxes handed through the grating more obdurate than gate of adamant or brass this gate of Miss Montflothers frowned on all mankind the very butcher respected it as a gate of mystery and left off whistling when he rang the bell as Nell approached the awful door it turned slowly upon its hinges with a creaking noise and forth from the solemn grove beyond came a long file of young ladies, two and two all with open books in their hands and some with parasols likewise and last of the goodly procession came Miss Montflothers bearing herself a parasol of lilac silk and supported by two smiling teachers each mortally envious of the other and devoted into Miss Montflothers confused by the looks and whispers of the girls Nell stood with downcast eyes and suffered the procession to pass on until Miss Montflothers bringing up the rear approached her when she curtsied and presented her little packet on receipt whereof Miss Montflothers commanded that the line should halt you're the waxwork child are you not said Miss Montflothers yes ma'am replied Nell colouring deeply for the young ladies had collected about her and she was the centre on which all eyes were fixed and don't you think you must be a very wicked little child said Miss Montflothers who was of rather uncertain temper and lost no opportunity of impressing moral truths upon the tender minds of the young ladies to be a waxwork child at all poor Nell had never viewed her position in this light and not knowing what to say remained silent blushing more deeply than before don't you know said Miss Montflothers that it's very naughty and unfeminine and the perversion of the properties wisely and benignantly transmitted to us with expansive powers to be roused from their dormant state through the medium of cultivation the two teachers murmured their respectful approval of this home thrust and looked at Nell as though they would have said that there indeed Miss Montflothers had hit her very hard and they smiled and glanced at Miss Montflothers and then their eyes meeting they exchanged looks which plainly said that each considered herself smiley and ordinary to Miss Montflothers and regarded the others having no right to smile and that her so doing was an act of presumption and impertinence don't you feel how naughty it is of you resumed Miss Montflothers to be a waxwork child when you might have the proud consciousness of assisting to the extent of your infant powers the manufacturers of your country or improving your mind by the constant contemplation of the steam engine and of earning a comfortable and independent substance of from two and nipons to three shillings per week don't you know that the harder you are at work the happier you are how doth the little murmured one of the teachers in quotation from Dr. Watts ah said Miss Montflothers turning smartly round who said that of course the teacher who had not said it indicated the rival who had whom Miss Montflothers frowningly requested to hold her peace by that means throwing the informing teacher into raptures of joy the little busy bee said Miss Montflothers drawing herself up is applicable only to gentile children in books or work or healthful play is quite right as far as they are concerned and the work means painting on velvet fancy needle work or embroidery in such cases as these pointing to Nell with her parasol and in the case of all poor people's children we should read it thus in work, work, work in work away let my first ears be passed that I may give for every day some good account at last a deep hum of applause rose not only from the two teachers but from all the pupils who were equally astonished to hear Miss Montflothers improvising after this brilliant style for although she had been long known as a politician she had never appeared before as an original poet just then somebody happened to discover that Nell was crying and all eyes were again turned towards her there were indeed tears in her eyes and drawing out her handkerchief to brush them away she happened to let it fall before she could stoop to pick it up one young lady of about 15 or 16 who had been standing a little apart from the others as though she had no recognized place among them sprang forward and put it in her hand she was gliding timidly away again when she was arrested by the governess it was Miss Edwards who did that I know said Miss Montflothers predictively now I am sure that was Miss Edwards it was Miss Edwards and everybody said it was Miss Edwards and Miss Edwards herself admitted that it was is it not Miss Montflothers putting down her parasol to take a severe review of the offender most remarkable thing Miss Edwards that you have an attachment to the lower classes which always draws you to their sights or rather is it not a most extraordinary thing that all I say and do will not wean you from propensities which your original station in life have unhappy rendered habitual to you you extremely vulgar minded girl I really intended no harm said a sweet voice it was a momentary impulse indeed unimpulse? repeated Miss Montflothers cornfully I wonder that you presume to speak of impulses to me both the teachers assented I am astonished both the teachers were astonished I suppose it is an impulse which induces you to take the part of every groveling and debased person that comes in your way both the teachers supposed so too but I would have you know Miss Edwards resume the governess in a tone of increased severity that you cannot be permitted if it be only for the sake of preserving a proper example and decorum in this establishment that you cannot be permitted and that you shall not be permitted to fly in the face of your superiors in this exceedingly gross manner if you have no reason to feel a becoming pride before waxwork children there are young ladies here who have and you must either defer to those young ladies or leave the establishment Miss Edwards this young lady being motherless and poor was apprenticed at the school taught for nothing teaching others what she learned for nothing boarded for nothing lodged for nothing and sat down and rated as something immeasurably less than nothing by all the dwellers in the house the servant maids felt her inferiority for they were better treated free to come and go and regarded in their stations with much more respect the teachers were infinitely superior for they had paid to go to school in their time and were paid now the pupils cared little for a companion who had no grand stories to tell about home no friends to come with post horses they received in all humility with cake and wine by the governess no differential servant to attend and bear her home for the holidays nothing gentile to talk about and nothing to display but why was Miss Monflather's always vexed and irritated with the poor apprentice how did that come to pass why? the gayest feather in Miss Monflather's cap and the brightest glory of Miss Monflather's school was a baronet's daughter the real live daughter of a real live baronet who, by some extraordinary reversal of the laws of nature was not only plain in features but a darling intellect while the poor apprentice had both a ready wit and a handsome face and figure seems incredible here was Miss Edwards who only paid a small premium which had been spent long ago every day outshining and excelling the baronet's daughter who learned all the extras or was taught them all and whose half-early bill came to double that of any other young ladies in the school making no account of the honour and the reputation of her pupillage therefore, and because she was a dependent Miss Monflather's had a great dislike to Miss Edwards and was spiteful to her and aggravated by her and when she had compassion on little Nell verbally fell upon and maltreated her as we have already seen you will not take the air today Miss Edwards said Miss Monflather's have the goodness to retire to your own room and not to leave it without permission the poor girl was moving hastily away when she was suddenly in nautical phrase brought to by a subdued shriek from Miss Monflather's she has passed me without any salute cried the governess raising her eyes to the sky she has actually passed me without the slightest acknowledgement of my presence the young lady turned and curtsied Nell could see that she raised her dark eyes to the face of her superior and that their expression and that of her whole attitude for the instant was one of mute but most touching appeal against this ungenerous usage Miss Monflather's only tossed her head in reply and the great gate closed upon a bursting heart as for you you wicked child said Miss Monflather's turning to Nell tell your mistress that if she presumes to take the liberty of sending to me anymore I will write to the legislative authorities and have her put in the stocks or compelled to do penance in a white sheet and you may depend upon it that you shall certainly experience the treadmill if you dare to come here again now ladies on the procession filed off two and two with the books and parasols and Miss Monflather's calling the Baronet's daughter to walk with her and smooth her ruffled feelings discarded the two teachers who by this time had exchanged their smiles for looks of sympathy and left them to bring up the rear and hate each other a little more for being obliged to walk together End of Chapter 31 Chapter 32 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 32 Mrs. Jale is wroth on first learning that she had been threatened with the indignative stocks and penance past all description the genuine and only Jale exposed to public scorn jeered by children and flouted by Beatles the delight of the nobility and gentry shown of a bonnet which a lady mares might have sighed to wear and arrayed in a white sheet as a spectacle of modification and humility and Miss Monflather's the audacious creature who presumed even in the dimest and remotest distance of her imagination to conjure up the degrading picture I am a most inclined said Mrs. Jale bursting with the fullness of her anger and the weakness of her means of revenge to turn atheist when I think of it but instead of adopting this course of retaliation Mrs. Jale on second thoughts brought out the suspicious bottle and ordering glasses to be set forth upon her favorite drum and sinking into a chair behind it called her satellites about her and to them several times recounted word for word their fronts she had received this done she begged them in a kind of deep despair to drink then laughed then cried and took a little sip herself then laughed and cried again and took a little more and so by degrees the worthy lady went on increasing in smiles and decreasing in tears until at last she could not laugh enough at Miss Monflather's who from being an object of dire vexation became one of sheer ridicule and absurdity for which of us is best of her wonder quote Mrs. Jale she or may it's only talking when all is said and done and if she talks of may in the stalks why I can talk of her in the stalks which is a good deal funnier if we come to that Lord what does it matter after all having arrived at this comfortable frame of mind to which she had been greatly assisted by certain short interjectional remarks of the philosophical George Mrs. Jale consoled Nell with many kind words and requested as a personal favor that whenever she thought of Miss Monflather's she would do nothing else but laugh at her all the days of her life so ended Mrs. Jale's wrath which subsided long before the going down of the sun Nell's anxieties however were of a deeper kind and the checks they imposed upon her cheerfulness were not so easily removed that evening as she had dreaded her grandfather stole away and did not come back until the night was far spent worn out as she was and fatigued in mind and body she sat up alone counting the minutes until he returned penniless, broken-spirited and wretched but still hotly bent upon his infatuation Get me money he said wildly as they parted for the night I must have money Nell it shall be paid to thee back with gallant interest one day but all the money that comes into thy hands must be mine not for myself but to use for thee remember Nell, to use for thee what could the child do with the knowledge she had but give him every penny that came into her hands lest he should be tempted on to rob their benefactress if she told the truth so thought the child he would be treated as a madman if she did not supply him with money he would supply himself supplying him she fed the fire that burned him up and put him perhaps beyond recovery distracted by these thoughts born down by the weight of the sorrow which she dared not tell tortured by a crowd of apprehensions whenever the old man was absent and dreading alike his stay and his return the color for a sucre cheek her eye grew dim and her heart was a precedent heavy all her old sorrows had come back upon her augmented by new fears and doubts by day they were ever present to her mind by night they hovered round her pillow and haunted her in dreams it was natural that in the midst of her affliction she should often revert to that sweet young lady of whom she had only caught a hasty glance but whose sympathy expressed in one slight brief action dwelt in her memory like the kindness of ears she would often think if she had such a friend as that to whom to tell her griefs how much lighter her heart would be that if she were but free to hear that voice she would be happier then she would wish that she were something better that she were not quite so poor and humble that she dared address her without fearing repulse and then feel that there was an immeasurable distance between them and have no hope that the young lady thought of her any more it was now holiday time at the schools and the young ladies had gone home and Miss Monflathers was reported to be flourishing in London and damaging the hearts of middle-aged gentlemen but nobody said anything about Miss Edwards whether she had gone home or whether she had any home to go whether she was still at the school or anything about her but one evening as Nell was returning from a lonely walk she happened to pass the inn where the stagecoach is stopped just as one drove up and there was the beautiful girl she so well remembered pressing forward to embrace a young child they were helping down from the roof well this was her sister her little sister whom she had not seen saw the story went afterwards for five years and to bring whom to that place on a short visit she had been saving her poor means all that time Nell felt as if her heart would break when she saw them meet they went a little apart from the knot of people who had congregated about the coach and fell upon each other's neck and sobbed and wept with joy their plain and simple dress the distance which the child had come alone their agitation and delight and the tears they shed would have told their history by themselves they became a little more composed in a short time and went away not so much hand in hand as clinging to each other are you sure you're happy sister said the child as they passed where Nell was standing quite happy now she answered but always said the child ah sister why do you turn away your face Nell could not help following at a little distance they went to the house of an old nurse where the elder sister had engaged a bedroom for the child I shall come to you early every morning she said and we can be together all the day why not at night time too dear sister would they be angry with you for that why were the eyes of little Nell wet that night with tears like those of the two sisters why did she bear a grateful heart because they had met and feel it pain to think that they would shortly part let us not believe that any selfish reverence unconscious though it might have been to her own trials awoke this sympathy but thank God that the innocent joys of others can strongly move us and that we even in our fallen nature have one source of pure emotion which must be prized in heaven by morning's cheerful glow but often are still by evening's gentle light a child with a respect for the short and happy intercourse of these two sisters which forbade her to approach and say a thankful word although she yearned to do so followed them at a distance in their walks and rambles stopping when they stopped sitting on the grass when they sat down rising when they went on and feeling it a companionship and delight to be so near them their evening walk was by a riverside here every night the child was too unseen by them unthought of, unregarded but feeling as they were her friends as if they had confidences and trusts together as if her load were lightened and less hard to bear as if they mingled their sorrows as if they found mutual consolation it was a weak fancy perhaps the childish fancy of a young and lonely creature but night after night and still the sisters loitered in the same place and still the child followed with a mild and softened heart she was much startled on returning home one night to find that Mrs. Jolly had commanded an announcement to be prepared to the effect that the stupendous collection would only remain in its present quarters one day longer in fulfillment of which threat for all announcements connected with public amusements are well known to be irrevocable and most exact the stupendous collection shut up next day are we going from this place directly ma'am? said Nell look here child returned Mrs. Jolly that'll inform you and so saying Mrs. Jolly produced another announcement where in it was stated that in consequence of the numerous inquiries at the waxwork door and in consequence of crowds having been disappointed in obtaining admission the exhibition would be continued for one week longer and would reopen next day for now that the schools are gone and the regular sightseers exhausted said Mrs. Jolly we come to the general public and they want stimulating upon the following day at noon Mrs. Jolly established herself behind the highly ornamented table attended by the distinguished effigies before mentioned and ordered the doors to be thrown open for the re-admission of a discerning and enlightened public but the first days operations were by no means of a successful character in as much as the general public though they manifested a lively interest in Mrs. Jolly personally when such of her wax and satellites as were to be seen for nothing were not affected by any impulses moving them to the payment of six months ahead thus notwithstanding that a great many people continued to stare at the entry and the figures therein displayed and remained there with great perseverance by the hour at a time to hear the barrel organ played and to read the bills and notwithstanding that they were kind enough to recommend their friends to patronize the exhibition in the like manner until the doorway was regularly blockaded by half the population of the town who when they went off duty were relieved by the other half it was not found that the treasury was any the richer or that the prospects of the establishment were at all encouraging in this depressed state of the classical market Mrs. Jolly made extraordinary efforts to stimulate the popular taste and wet the popular curiosity certain machinery in the body of the Nan on the Leeds over the door was cleaned up and put in motion so that the figures shook its head paralytically all day long to the great admiration of a drunken but very protestant barber over the way who looked upon the said paralytic motion as typical of the degrading effect wrought upon the human mind by the ceremonies of the Romish church and is caused upon that theme with great eloquence and morality the two carters constantly passed in and out of the exhibition room under various disguises protesting aloud that the site was better worth the money than anything they had beheld in all their lives and urging the bystanders with tears in their eyes not to neglect such a brilliant gratification Mrs. Jolly sat in the pay place chinking silver monies from noon till night and solemnly calling upon the crowd to take notice that the price of admission was only six pence and that the departure of the whole collection on a short tour among the crowned heads of Europe was positively fixed for that day week so be in time, be in time, be in time said Mrs. Jolly at the close of every such address remember that this is Jolly's stupendous collection of upwards of 100 figures and that it is the only collection in the world all others being in posters and deceptions be in time, be in time, be in time End of Chapter 32 Chapter 33 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 33 As the cause of this tale requires that we should become acquainted somewhere hereabouts with the pure particulars connected with the domestic economy of Mr. Samson Brass and as a more convenient place than the present is not likely to occur for that purpose The historian takes the friendly reader by the hand and springing with him into the air and cleaving the same at a greater rate than ever Don Cleopas Leandro Perez Zambulo and his familiar traveled through that pleasant region in company a lights with him upon the pavement of Bevis Marks The intrepid aeronauts alight before a small dark house once the residence of Mr. Samson Brass In the parlor window of this little habitation which is so close upon the footway that the passenger who takes the wall brushes the dim glass with his coat sleeve matched to its improvement for it is very dirty in this parlor window in the days of its occupation by Samson Brass their hung, all awry and slack and discoloured by the sun a curtain of faded green so threadbare from long services by no means to intercept the view of the little dark room but rather to afford a favourable medium through which to observe it accurately There was not much to look at a rickety table with spare bundles of papers yellow and ragged from long carriage in the pocket ostentatiously displayed upon its top a couple of stools set face to face on opposite sides of this crazy piece of furniture a treacherous old chair by the fireplace whose withered arms had hugged full many a client and helped to squeeze him dry a second hand weak box used as a depository for blank rits and declarations and other small forms of law once the sole contents of the head which belonged to the wig which belonged to the box as they were now of the box itself two or three common books of practice a jar of ink, a pounce box, a stunted hearth broom a carpet trodden to shreds but still clinging with the tightness of desperation to its tacks these with the yellow wainscot of the walls the smoke-discoloured ceiling the dust and cobwebs were among the most prominent decorations of the office of Mr. Samson Brass but this was mere still life of no greater importance than the plate Brass, Solicitor upon the door and the bill first floor to lead to a single gentleman which was tied to the knocker the office commonly held two examples of animated nature more to the purpose of this history and in whom it has a stronger interest and more particular concern of these one was Mr. Brass himself who has already appeared in these pages the other was his clerk, assistant housekeeper secretary, confidential plotter advisor, intriguer and bill of cost increaser, Miss Brass a kind of amazon at common law of whom it may be desirable to offer a brief description Miss Sally Brass then was a lady of 35 or thereabouts of a gaunt and bony figure and a resolute bearing which if it repressed the softer emotions of love and kept admirers at a distance certainly inspired a feeling akin to awe in the breasts of those male strangers who had the happiness to approach her in face she bore a striking resemblance to her brother, Samson so exact indeed was the likeness between them that had it consorted with Miss Brass's maiden modesty and gentle womanhood to have assumed her brother's clothes in a frolic and sat down beside him it would have been difficult for the oldest friend of the family to determine which was Samson and which Sally especially as the lady carried upon her upper lip certain reddish demonstrations which if the imagination had been assisted by her attire might have been mistaken for a beard these were however in all probability nothing more than eyelashes in a wrong place as the eyes of Miss Brass were quite free from any such natural impertinences in complexion Miss Brass was sallow rather a dirty sallow so to speak but this hue was agreeably relieved by the healthy glow which mantled in the extreme tip of her laughing nose her voice was exceedingly impressive deep and rich in quality and once heard not easily forgotten her usual dress was a green gown in color not unlike the curtain of the office window made tight to the figure and terminating at the throat where it was fastened behind by a peculiarly large and massive button feeling no doubt that simplicity and plainness are the soul of elegance Miss Brass wore no collar or cochief except upon her head which was invariably ornamented with a brown gore scarf like the wing of the fabled vampire and which twisted into any form that happened to suggest itself formed an easy and graceful head dress such was Miss Brass in person in mind she was of a strong and vigorous turn having from her earliest youth devoted herself to uncommon ardor to the study of law not wasting her speculations upon its eagle flights which are rare but tracing it attentively through all the slippery and eel-like crawling in which it commonly pursues its way nor had she, like many persons of great intellect confined herself to theory or stopped short where practical usefulness begins inasmuch as she could ingross fair copy fill up printed forms with perfect accuracy and in short transact any ordinary duty of the office down to pouncing a skin of parchment or mending a pen it is difficult to understand how possessed of these combined attractions she should remain Miss Brass but whether she had steeled her heart against mankind or whether those who might have wooed and won her were deterred by fears that being learned in the law she might have too near her fingers ends those particular statutes which regulate what are familiar returned actions for breach certain it is that she was still in a state of celibacy and still in daily occupation of her old stool opposite to that of her brother Samson and equally certain it is by the way that between these two stools a great many people had come to the ground one morning Mr. Samson Brass set upon his stool copying some legal process and viciously digging his pen deep into the paper as if he were writing upon the very heart of the party against whom it was directed and Miss Sally Brass set upon her stool making a new pen preparatory to drawing out a little bill which was her favorite occupation and so they sat in silence for a long time until Miss Brass broke silence have you nearly done Sammy? said Miss Brass for in her mild and feminine lips Samson became Sammy and all things were softened down no returned her brother it would have been all done though if you had helped at the right time oh yes indeed cried Miss Sally you want my help don't you you too that are going to keep a clock am I going to keep a clock for my own pleasure or because of my own wish you provoking rascal said Mr. Brass putting his pen in his mouth and grinning spitefully at his sister what do you taunt me about going to keep a clock for it may be observed in this place lest the fact of Mr. Brass calling a lady a rascal should occasion any wonderment or surprise that he was so habituated to having her near him in a man's capacity that he had gradually accustomed himself to talk to her as though she were really a man and this feeling was so perfectly reciprocal that not only did Mr. Brass often call Miss Brass a rascal or even put an adjective before the rascal but Miss Brass looked upon it as quite a matter of cause and was as little moved as any other lady would be by being called an angel what do you taunt me after three hours of talk last night with going to keep a clock for repeated Mr. Brass grinning again with a pen in his mouth like some noble man's or gentleman's crest is it my fault all I know is said Miss Sally smiling dryly for she delighted in nothing so much as irritating her brother that if every one of your clients is to force us to keep a clock whether we want to or not you had better leave of business strike yourself off the roll and get taken in execution as soon as you can have we got any other client like him said Brass have we got another client like him now will you answer me that do you mean in the face said his sister do I mean in the face sneered Samson Brass reaching over to take up the billbook and fluttering its leaves rapidly look here Daniel Quilp Esquire Daniel Quilp Esquire Daniel Quilp Esquire Esquire Daniel Quilp Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire Esquire long I expect without me, returned his sister composedly. Don't you be a fool and provoke me, Sammy, but mind what you're doing and do it." Samson Brass, who was at heart in great fear of his sister, sulkily bent over his writing again and listened as she said. If I determined that the clerk ought not to come, of course he wouldn't be allowed to come. You know that well enough, so don't talk nonsense. Mr. Brass received this observation with increased meekness, merely remarking under his breath, that he didn't like that kind of joking, and that Miss Sally would be a much better fellow if she forebore to aggravate him. To this compliment Miss Sally replied that she had a relish for the amusement and had no intention to forego its gratification. Mr. Brass not caring, as it seemed, to pursue the subject any further, they both plied their pens at a great pace, and there the discussion ended. While they were thus employed, the window was suddenly darkened, as by some person standing close against it. As Mr. Brass and Miss Sally looked up to ascertain the cause, the top sash was nimbly lowered from without, and Quilp thrust in his head. Hello? he said, standing on tiptoe on the window sill, and looking down into the room. Is there anybody at home? Is there any of the devil's wear here? Is Brass at a premium air? Ho, ho, ho! laughed the lawyer in an affected ecstasy. Oh, very good, sir. Oh, very good indeed. Quite eccentric. Dear me, what humor he has. Is that my Sally? croaked the dwarf, ogling the famous Brass. Is it justice with the bandage off her eyes, and without the sword and scales? Is it the strong arm of the law? Is it the Virgin of Beavis? What an amazing flow of spirits! cried Brass. Upon my word, it's quite extraordinary. Open the door, said Quilp. I've got him here. Such a clerk for you, Brass. Such a prize, such an ace of trumps. Be quick and open the door, or if there's another lawyer near, and he should happen to look out of window, he'll snap him up before your eyes, he will. It is probable that the loss of the Phoenix of Clerks, even to a rival practitioner, would not have broken Mr. Brass' heart. But pretending great alacrity, he rose from his seat and going to the door returned, introducing his client, who led by the hand no less a person than Mr. Richard Swivola. There she is, said Quilp, stopping short at the door, and wrinkling up his eyebrows as he looked towards Miss Sally. There is the woman I ought to have married. There is the beautiful Sarah. There is the female who has all the charms of her sex and none of their weaknesses. Oh, Sally, Sally. To this amorous address Miss Brass briefly responded, Bother. Hard-hearted as the metal from which she takes her name, said Quilp. Why don't you change it, melt down the Brass and take another name? Hold your nonsense, Mr. Quilp. Do. Returned Miss Sally with a grim smile. I wonder you're not ashamed of yourself before a strange young man. The strange young man, said Quilp, handing Dick Swivola forward, is too susceptible himself not to understand me well. This is Mr. Swivola, my intimate friend, a gentleman of good family and great expectations, but who, having rather involved himself, by youthful indiscretion, is content for a time to fill the humble station of a clerk, humble, but here most enviable. What a delicious atmosphere. If Mr. Quilp spoke figuratively and meant to imply that the air breathed by Miss Sally Brass was sweetened and rarified by that dainty creature, he had doubtless good reason for what he said. But if he spoke of the delights of the atmosphere of Mr. Brass's office in a literal sense, he had certainly a peculiar taste, and it was of a close and earthy kind. And, besides being frequently impregnated with strong whiffs of the second-hand wearing apparel exposed for sale in Duke's place in Hounsditch, had a decided flavor of rats and mice, and a taint of moldiness. Perhaps some doubts of its pure delight presented themselves to Mr. Swivola as he gave vent to one or two short abrupt sniffs, and looked incredulously at the grinning dwarf. Mr. Swivola, said Quilp, being pretty well accustomed to the agricultural pursuits of sowing wild oats, Miss Sally prudently considers that half a loaf is better than no bread, to be out of harm's way he prudently thinks is something too, and therefore he accepts your brother's offer. Brass, Mr. Swivola is yours. I am very glad, sir, said Mr. Brass, very glad indeed. Mr. Swivola, sir, is fortunate enough to have your friendship. You may be very proud, sir, to have the friendship of Mr. Quilp. Dick murmured something about never wanting a friend or a bottle to give him, and also gasped forth his favorite allusion to the wing of friendship, and it's never molting a feather, but his faculties appeared to be absorbed in the contemplation of Miss Sally Brass, at whom he stared with blank and rueful looks, which delighted the watchful dwarf beyond measure. As to the divine Miss Sally herself, she wrapped her hands as men of business do, and took a few turns up and down the office with her pen behind her ear. I suppose, said the dwarf turning briskly to his legal friend, that Mr. Swivola enters upon his duties at once, it's Monday morning. At once, if you please, sir, by all means, returned Brass. Miss Sally will teach him law, the delightful study of the law, said Quilp, shall be his guide, his friend, his companion, his black stone, his coke upon little ton, his young lawyer's best companion. He is exceedingly eloquent, said Brass like a man abstracted and looking at the roofs of the opposite houses with his cans in his pockets. He has an extraordinary flow of language, beautiful really. With Miss Sally, Quilp went on, and the beautiful fictions of the law, his days will pass like minutes. Those charming creations of the poet, John Doe and Richard Rowe, when they first dawn upon him, will open a new world for the enlargement of his mind and the improvement of his heart. Oh, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful indeed, cried Brass. It's a treat to hear him. Where will Mr. Swivola sit? said Quilp, looking round. Why, will buy another stool, sir? returned Brass. We hadn't any thoughts of having a gentleman with us, sir, until you were kind enough to suggest it, and our accommodation is not extensive. We'll look about for a second-hand stool, sir. In the meantime, if Mr. Swivola will take my seat and try his hand at a fair copy of this ejectment, as I shall be out pretty well all the morning. Walk with me, said Quilp. I have a word or two to say to you on points of business. Can you spare the time? Can I spare the time to walk with you, sir? Oh, you're joking, sir. You're joking with me, replied the lawyer, putting on his hat. I'm ready, sir, quite ready. My time must be fully occupied indeed, sir, not to leave me time to walk with you. It's not everybody, sir, who has an opportunity of improving himself by the conversation of Mr. Quilp. The dwarf glanced sarcastically at his brazen friend, and with a short dry cough, turned upon his heel to bid adieu to Miss Sally. After a very gallant parting on his side, and a very cool and gentle manly sort of the one on hers, he nodded to Dick Swivola and withdrew with the attorney. Dick stood at the desk in a state of utter stupefaction, staring with all his might at the beauty as Sally, as if she had been some curious animal whose like had never lived. When the dwarf got into the street, he mounted again upon the window sill and looked into the office for a moment with a grinning face, as a man might peep into a cage. Dick glanced upward at him, but without any token of recognition. And long after he had disappeared, still stood gazing upon Miss Sally Brass, seeing or thinking of nothing else, and rooted to the spot. Miss Brass, being by this time deep in the bill of costs, took no notice whatever of Dick, but went scratching on with a noisy pen, scoring down the figures with evident delight, and working like a steam engine. There stood Dick, gazing now at the green gown, now at the brown headdress, now at the face, and now at the rapid pen, in a state of stupid perplexity, wondering how he got into the company of that strange monster, and whether it was a dream, and he would ever wake. At last he heaved a deep sigh, and began slowly pulling off his coat. Mr Swivelar pulled off his coat, and folded it up with great elaboration, staring at Miss Sally all the time. Then put on a blue jacket with a double row of gilt buttons, which he had originally ordered for aquatic expeditions, but had brought with him that morning for office purposes, and, still keeping his eye upon her, suffered himself to drop down silently upon Mr Brass' tool. Then he underwent a relapse, and becoming powerless again, rested his chin upon his hand, and opened his eyes so wide, that it appeared quite out of the question that he could ever close them anymore. When he had looked so long that he could see nothing, Dick took his eyes off the fair object of his amazement, turned over the leaves of the draft he was to copy, dipped his pen into the ink stand, and at last, and by slow approaches, began to write. But he had not written half a dozen words, when, reaching over to the ink stand to take a fresh dip, he happened to raise his eyes. There was the intolerable brown-haired dress, there was the green gown, there, in short, was Ms Sally Brass, a raid in all her charms, and more tremendous than ever. This happened so often that Mr Swivola, by degrees, began to feel strange influences creeping over him. Horrible desires to annihilate this Sally Brass, mysterious promptings to knock her headdress off and try how she looked without it. There was a very large ruler on the table, a large, black, shining ruler. Mr Swivola took it up and began to rub his nose with it. From rubbing his nose with the ruler, to poising it in his hand, and giving it an occasional flourish after the Tomahawk manner, the transition was easy and natural. In some of these flourishes, it went close to Ms Sally's head. The ragged edges of the headdress fluttered with the wind it raised, advanced but an inch, and that great brown knot was on the ground. Yet still the unconscious maiden worked away and never raised her eyes. Well, this was a great relief. It was a good thing to write doggedly and obstinately until he was desperate, and then snatch up the ruler and whirl it about the brown headdress with the consciousness that he could have it off if he liked. It was a good thing to draw it back and rub his nose very hard with it if he thought Ms Sally was going to look up and to recompense himself with more hardy flourishes when he found she was still absorbed. By these means Mr Swivola calmed the agitation of his feelings until his applications to the ruler became less fierce and frequent and he could even write as many as half a dozen consecutive lines without having recourse to it which was a great victory. End of chapter 33 chapter 34 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 34 In cause of time, that is to say, after a couple of hours or so of diligent application, Ms Brass arrived at the conclusion of her task and recorded the fact by wiping her pen upon the green gown and taking a pinch of snuff from a little rounded tin box which she carried in her pocket. Having disposed of this temperate refreshment she arose from her stool, tied her papers into a formal packet with red tape and taking them under her arm marched out of the office. Mr Swivola had scarcely sprung off his seat and commenced the performance of a maniac hornpipe when he was interrupted in the fullness of his joy at being again alone by the opening of the door and the reappearance of Ms Sally's head. I am going out, said Ms Brass. Very good, ma'am, returned Dick, and don't hurry yourself on my account to come back, ma'am, he added in woolly. If anybody comes on office business, take their messages, and say that the gentleman who attends to that matter isn't in at present will you, said Ms Brass. I will, ma'am, replied Dick. I shan't be very long, said Ms Brass, retiring. I am sorry to hear it, ma'am, rejoined Dick when she had shut the door. I hope you may be unexpectedly detained, ma'am, if you could manage to be run over, ma'am, but not seriously, so much the better. Uttering these expressions of goodwill with extreme gravity, Mr Swivola sat down in the client's chair and pondered. Then took a few turns up and down the room and fell into the chair again. So I am Brass's clark, am I, said Dick. Brass's clark, er, and the clark of Brass's sister, clark to a female dragon. Very good, very good. What shall I be next? Shall I be a convict in a felt hat and a gray suit, trotting about a dockyard with my number neatly embroidered on my uniform, and the order of the garter on my leg, restrained from chafing my ankle by a twisted belcher hunkerchief? Shall I be that? Will that do? Or is it too genteel? Whatever you please, have it your own way, of course. As he was entirely alone, it may be presumed that, in these remarks, Mr Swivola addressed himself to his fate or destiny, whom, as we learn by the precedents, it is the custom of heroes to taunt in a very bitter and ironical manner when they find themselves in situations of an unpleasant nature. This is the more probable from the circumstance of Mr Swivola directing his observations to the ceiling, which these bodily personages are usually supposed to inhabit, except in theatrical cases, when they live in the heart of a great chandelier. Quilp offers me this place, which he says he can ensure me, resumed Dick after a thoughtful silence and telling off the circumstances of his position one by one upon his fingers. Fred, who I could have taken my affidavit, would not have heard of such a thing, backs Quilp to my astonishment and urges me to take it also. Staggerer, number one. My aunt in the country stops the supplies and writes an affectionate note to say that she has made a new will and left me out of it. Staggerer, number two. No money, no credit, no support from Fred, who seems to turn steady all at once. Notice to quit the old lodgings, Staggerer's three, four, five and six. Under an accumulation of Staggerer's, no man can be considered a free agent. No man knocks himself down. If his destiny knocks him down, his destiny must pick him up again. Then I am very glad that mine has brought all this upon itself, and I shall be as careless as I can, and make myself quite at home despite it. So go on my buck, said Mr. Swivola, taking his leave of the ceiling with a significant nod, and let us see which of us will be tired first. Dismissing the subject of his downfall with these reflections, which were no doubt very profound, and are indeed not altogether unknown in certain systems of moral philosophy, Mr. Swivola shook off his despondency and assumed the cheerful ease of an irresponsible clerk. As a means towards his composure and self-possession, he entered into a more minute examination of the office than he had yet had time to make. He looked into the wig-box, the books, the ink-bottle, untied and inspected all the papers, carved a few devices on the table with a sharp blade of Mr. Brass's pen-knife, and wrote his name on the inside of the wooden coal-scuttle. Having, as it were, taken formal possession of his clerkship in virtue of these proceedings, he opened the window and leaned negligently out of it until a beer-boy happened to pass, whom he commanded to set down his tray and to serve him with a pint of mild porter, which he drank upon the spot and promptly paid for, with the view of breaking ground for a system of future credit and opening a correspondence tending there too without loss of time. Then three or four little boys dropped in on legal errands from three or four attorneys of the brass grade, whom Mr. Swivola received and dismissed with about as professional a manner and as correct and comprehensive an understanding of their business as would have been shown by a clown in a pantomime under similar circumstances. These things done and over, he got upon his stool again and tried his hand at the drawing caricatures of Ms. Brass with a pen and ink, whistling very cheerfully all the time. He was occupied in this diversion when a coach stopped near the door and presently afterwards there was a loud double knock. As this was no business of Mr. Swivola's, the person not ringing the office bell, he pursued his diversion with perfect composure, notwithstanding that he rather thought there was nobody else in the house. In this however he was mistaken, for after the knock had been repeated with increased impatience, the door was opened and somebody with a very heavy tread went up the stairs and into the room above. Mr. Swivola was wondering whether this might be another Ms. Brass, twin sister to the dragon, when there came a wrapping of knuckles at the office door. Come in, said Dick. Don't stand upon ceremony. The business will get rather complicated if I have many more customers. Come in. Oh please, said a little voice very low down in the doorway. Will you come and show the lodgings? Dick leaned over the table and described a small slip-shot girl in a dirty coarse apron and bib, which left nothing of her visible but her face and feet. She might as well have been dressed in a violin case. Why, who are you? said Dick, to which the only reply was, oh please, will you come and show the lodgings? There never was such an old-fashioned child in her looks and manner. She must have been at work from her cradle. She seemed as much afraid of Dick as Dick was amazed of her. I haven't got anything to do with the lodgings, said Dick. Tell him to call again. Oh, but please, will you come and show the lodgings? Returned the girl. It's 18 shillings a week and there's finding plate and linen. Boots and clothes is extra, and the fires in winter time is eight pence a day. Why don't you show them yourself? You seem to know all about them, said Dick. Miss Sally said I wasn't too, because people wouldn't believe the attendance was good if they saw how small I was fast. Well, but they'll see how small you are afterwards, won't they? said Dick. Ah, but then they'll have taken him for a fortnight certain, replied the child with a shrewd look, and people don't like moving when they're once settled. This is a queer sort of thing, mothered Dick rising. What do you mean to say you are the cook? Yes, I do plain cooking, replied the child. I'm housemaid, too. I do all the work of the house. I suppose brass and the dragon and I do the dirtiest part of it, thought Dick. And he might have thought much more, being in a doubtful and hesitating mood, but that the girl again urged her request, and certain mysterious bumping sounds on the passage on staircase seemed to give note of the applicants' impatience. Richard Swivel are therefore sticking a pen behind each ear, and carrying another in his mouth as a token of his great importance and devotion to business, hurried out to meet and treat with the single gentleman. He was a little surprised to perceive that the bumping sounds were occasioned by the progress upstairs of the single gentleman's trunk, which, being nearly twice as wide as the staircase and exceedingly heavy with all, it was no easy matter for the united exertions of the single gentleman and the coachman to convey the steep ascent. But there they were, crushing each other and pushing and pulling with all their might, and getting the trunk tight and fast in all kinds of impossible angles, and to pass them was out of the question. For which sufficient reason, Mr Swivel are followed slowly behind, entering a new protest on every stair against the house of Mr Samson Brass being thus taken by storm. To these remonstrances, the single gentleman answered not a word, but when the trunk was at last got into the bedroom, sat down upon it, and wiped his bald head and face with his handkerchief. He was very warm, and well he might be. For, not to mention the exertion of getting the trunk upstairs, he was closely muffled in winter garments, though the thermometer had stood all day at 81 in the shade. I believe, sir, said Richard Swivel are taking his pen out of his mouth, that you desire to look at these apartments. They are very charming apartments, sir. They command an uninterrupted view of over the way, and they are within one minute's walk of the corner of the street. There is exceedingly mild water, sir, in the immediate vicinity, and the contingent advantages are extraordinary. What's the rent? said the single gentleman. One pound per week, replied Dick, improving on the terms. I'll take them. The boots and clothes are extras, said Dick, and the fires in wintertime are, are all agreed to, answered the single gentleman. Two weeks certain, said Dick, are they two weeks? Cried the single gentleman gruffly, eyeing him from top to toe. Two years, I shall live here for two years. Here, ten pounds down, the bargains made. Why, you see, said Dick, my name is not Brass, and who said it was? My name's not Brass, what then? The name of the master of the house is said Dick. I'm glad of it, returned the single gentleman. It's a good name for a lawyer. Coachman, you may go. So may you, sir. Mr. Swivel was so much confounded by the single gentleman, riding roughshod over him at this rate, that he stood looking at him almost as hard as he had looked at Miss Sally. The single gentleman, however, was not in the slightest degree affected by this circumstance, but proceeded with perfect composure to unwind the shawl, which was tied around his neck, and then to pull off his boots. Freed of these encumbrances, he went on to divest himself of his other clothing, which he folded up piece by piece, and ranged in order on the trunk. Then he pulled down the window blinds, drew the curtains, wound up his watch, and, quite leisurely and methodically, got into bed. Take down the bill, where he's parting words, as he looked out from between the curtains, and let nobody call me till I ring the bell. With that the curtains closed, and he seemed to snore immediately. This is a most remarkable and supernatural sort of house, said Mr. Swivel, as he walked into the office with the bill in his hand. She dragons in the business, conducting themselves like professional gentlemen, playing cooks of three feet high, appearing mysteriously from underground, strangers walking in and going to bed without leave or license in the middle of the day. If he should be one of the miraculous fellows that turn up now and then, and has gone to sleep for two years, I shall be in a pleasant situation. It's my destiny, however, and I hope Brass may like it. I shall be sorry if he don't, but it's no business of mine. I have nothing whatever to do with it. End of chapter 34, chapter 35 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 35. Mr. Brass, on returning home, received the report of his clerk with much complacency and satisfaction, and was particular in inquiring after the 10-pound note, which, proving on examination to be a good and lawful note of the governor and company of the Bank of England, increased his good humor considerably. Indeed, he so overflowed with liberality and condescension, that, in the fullness of his heart, he invited Mr. Swivola to partake of a bowl of punch with him at that remote and indefinite period, which is currently denominated one of these days, and paid him many handsome compliments on the uncommon aptitude for business, which his conduct on the first day of his devotion to it had so plainly evinced. It was a maxim with Mr. Brass, that the habit of paying compliments kept a man's tongue oiled without any expense. And, as that useful member ought never to grow rusty or creak in turning on its hinges in the case of a practitioner of the law, in whom it should be always glib and easy, he lost few opportunities of improving himself by the utterance of handsome speeches and eulogistic expressions. And this had passed into such a habit with him, that if he could not be correctly said to have his tongue at his fingers' ends, he might certainly be said to have it anywhere but in his face, which being, as we have already seen, of a harsh and repulsive character was not oiled so easily, but frowned above all the smooth speeches, one of nature's beacons, warning of those who navigated the shoals and breakers of the world, or of that dangerous straight the law, and admonishing them to seek less treacherous harbours, and try their fortune elsewhere. While Mr. Brass by turns overwhelmed his clerk with compliments and inspected the ten-pound note, Miss Sally showed little emotion and that of no pleasurable kind, for as the tendency of her legal practice had been to fix her thoughts on small gains and grippings. And, to wet and sharpen her natural wisdom, she was not a little disappointed that the single gentleman had obtained the lodgings at such an easy rate, arguing that when he was seen to have set his mind upon them, he should have been at the least charged double or treble the usual terms, and that, in exact proportion as he pressed forward, Mr. Swibola should have hung back. But neither the good opinion of Mr. Brass, nor the dissatisfaction of Miss Sally, wrote any impression upon this young gentleman, who, throwing the responsibility of this and all other acts and deeds thereafter to be done by him upon his unlucky destiny, was quite resigned and comfortable, fully prepared for the worst, and philosophically indifferent to the best. Good morning, Mr. Richard, said Brass, on the second day of Mr. Swibola's clerkship. Sally found you a second-hand stool, sir, yesterday evening in Whitechapel. She's a rare fellow at a bargain, I can tell you, Mr. Richard. You'll find that a first-rate stool, sir, take my word for it. It's rather a crazy one to look at, said Dick. You'll find it a most amazing stool to sit down upon, you may depend, returned Mr. Brass. It was bought in the open street just opposite the hospital, and as it has been standing there a month or two, it has got rather dusty and a little brown from being in the sand, that's all. I hope it hasn't got any fevers or anything of that sort in it, said Dick, sitting himself down discontentedly between Mr. Samson and the Chased Sally. One of the legs is longer than the others. Then we get a bit of timber in, sir, retorted Brass. We get a bit of timber in, sir, and that's another advantage of my sister's going to market for us. Miss Brass, Mr. Richard, is the... Will you keep quiet? Interrupted the fair subject of these remarks, looking up from her papers. How am I to work if you keep on chattering? What an uncertain chap you are, returned the lawyer. Sometimes you are all for a chat. At another time you're all for work. A man never knows what humour he'll find you in. I'm in a working humour now, said Sally, so don't disturb me if you please, and don't take him, Miss Sally pointed with the feather of her pen to Richard, off his business. He won't do more than he can help, I dare say. Mr. Brass had evidently a strong inclination to make an angry reply, but was deterred by prudent or timid considerations, as he only mattered something about aggravation and a vagabond. Not associating the terms with any individual, but mentioning them as connected with some abstract ideas which happened to occur to him. They went on writing for a long time in silence after this, in such a dull silence that Mr. Svivola, who required excitement, had several times fallen asleep, and written diverse strange words in an unknown character with his eyes shut, when Miss Sally at length broke in upon the monotony of the office by pulling out the little tin box, taking a noisy pinch of snuff, and then expressing her opinion that Mr. Richard Svivola had done it. Don what, ma'am? said Richard. Do you know, returned Miss Brass, that the lawyer isn't up yet, that nothing has been seen or heard of him since he went to bed yesterday afternoon? Well, ma'am? said Dick. I suppose he may sleep his tent-pound out in peace and quietness if he likes. Ah, I begin to think he'll never wake. Observed Miss Sally. It's a very remarkable circumstance, said Brass, laying down his pen. Really, very remarkable. Mr. Richard, you'll remember if this gentle man should be found to have hung himself to the bed post, or any unpleasant accident of that kind should happen. You'll remember, Mr. Richard, that this tent-pound note was given to you in part payment of two years' rent? You'll bear that in mind, Mr. Richard. You had better make a note of it, sir, in case you should ever be called upon to give evidence. Mr. Swivelor took a large sheet of full-scap, and with a countenance of profound gravity, began to make a very small note in one corner. We can never be too cautious, said Mr. Brass. There is a deal of wickedness going about the world, a deal of wickedness. Did the gentleman happen to say so? But never mind that at present, sir. Finish that little memorandum first. Dick did so, and handed it to Mr. Brass. Who had dismounted from his stool, and was walking up and down the office. Oh, this is the memorandum, is it? said Brass, running his eye over the document. Very good. Now, Mr. Richard, did the gentleman say anything else? No. Are you sure, Mr. Richard? said Brass solemnly. That the gentleman said nothing else? Devil a word, sir, replied Dick. Think again, sir, said Brass. It's my duty, sir, in the position in which I stand, and as an honourable member of the legal profession. The first profession in this country, sir, or in any other country, or in any of the planets that shine above us at night, and are supposed to be inhabited. It's my duty, sir, as an honourable member of that profession, not to put to you a leading question in a matter of this delicacy and importance. Did the gentleman, sir, who took the first floor of you yesterday afternoon, and who brought with him a box of property, a box of property, say anything more than is set down in this memorandum? Come, don't be a fool, said Miss Sally. Dick looked at her, and then at Brass, and then at Miss Sally again, and still said, No. Do you stake it, Mr. Richard, how dull you are, cried Brass, relaxing into her smile. Did he say anything about his property? There. That's the way to put it, said Miss Sally, nodding to her brother. Did he say, for instance, added Brass in a kind of comfortable cosy tone? I don't assert that he did say so, mind, I only ask you to refresh your memory. Did he say, for instance, that he was a stranger in London, that it was not his humour, or within his ability to give any references, that he felt we had a right to require them, and that, in case anything should happen to him at any time, he particularly desired that whatever property he had upon the premises should be considered mine, as some slight recompense for the trouble and annoyance I should sustain. And were you, in short, added Brass, still more comfortably and cosily than before, were you induced to accept him on my behalf as a tenant upon those conditions? Certainly not, replied Dick. Why there, Mr Richard? said Brass, doubting at him a supercilious and reproachful look. It's my opinion that you've mistaken your calling and will never make a lawyer. Not if you live a thousand years, added Miss Sally, whereupon the brother and sister took each a noisy pinch of snuff from the little tin box and fell into a gloomy thoughtfulness. Nothing further passed on to Mr Swivola's dinner time, which was at three o'clock, and seemed about three weeks in coming. At the first stroke of the hour, the new clerk disappeared. At the last stroke of five, he reappeared, and the office, as if by magic, became fragrant with the smell of gin and water and lemon peel. Mr Richard, said Brass, this man's not up yet. Nothing will wake him, sir. What's to be done? I should let him have his sleep out. Returned Dick. Sleep out! cried Brass. Why he has been asleep now six and twenty hours. We have been moving chests of drawers over his head. We have knocked double knocks at the street door. We have made the servant girl fall downstairs several times. She's a lightweight, and it don't hurt her much, but nothing wakes him. Perhaps a ladder, suggested Dick, and getting in at the first floor window. But then there's a door between. Besides, the neighbors would be up in arms, said Brass. What do you say to getting on the roof of the house through the trap door and dropping down the chimney, suggested Dick. That would be an excellent plan, said Brass, if anybody would be… And here he looked very hard at Mr Swivola. Would be kind, and friendly, and generous enough to undertake it. I daresay it would not be anything like as disagreeable as one supposes. Dick had made the suggestion, thinking that the duty might possibly fall within Miss Sally's department. As he said nothing further, and declined taking the hint, Mr Brass was feigned to propose that they should go upstairs together, and make a last effort to awaken the sleeper by some less violent means, which, if they failed on this last trial, must positively be succeeded by stronger measures. Mr Swivola, ascending, armed himself with his stool, and the large ruler, and repaired with his employer to the scene of action, where Miss Brass was already ringing a handbell with all her might. And yet without producing the smallest effect upon their mysterious lodger. There are his boots, Mr Richard, said Brass. Very obstinate-looking articles there, too, quote Richard Swivola. And truly, they were a sturdy and blover pair of boots as one would wish to see, as firmly planted on the ground as if their owners' legs and feet had been in them, and seeming, with their broad soles and blunt toes, to hold possession of their place by main force. I can't see anything but the curtain of the bed, said Brass, applying his eye to the keyhole of the door. Is here strong man, Mr Richard? Very, answered Dick. It would be an extremely unpleasant circumstance if he was to bounce out suddenly, said Brass. Keep the stairs clear. I should be more than a match for him, of course, but I'm the master of the house, and the laws of hospitality must be respected. Hello there, hello, hello. While Mr Brass, with his eyes curiously twisted into the keyhole, uttered these sounds as a means of attracting the lord's attention. And while Miss Brass blight the handbell, Mr Swivola put his stool close against the wall. By the side of the door, and mounting on the top and standing bold upright, so that if the lodger did make a rush, he would most probably pass him in its own word, Fiori, began a violent battery with the ruler upon the upper panels of the door. Captivated with his own ingenuity, and confident in the strength of his position, which he had taken up after a method of those hard individuals who opened the pit and gallery doors of theaters on crowded nights, Mr Swivola rained down such a shower of blows that the noise of the bell was drowned, and the small servant who lingered on the stairs below, ready to fly at a moment's notice, was obliged to hold her ears lest she should be rendered deaf for life. Suddenly the door was unlocked on the inside and flung violently open. The small servant flew to the call cellar, Miss Sally dived into her own bedroom. Mr Brass, who was not remarkable for personal courage, ran into the next street, and finding that nobody followed him, armed with a poker or other offensive weapon, put his hands in his pockets, walked very slowly all at once, and whistled. Meanwhile, Mr Swivola, on the top of the stool, drew himself into as flat a shape as possible against the wall, and looked, not unconcernedly, down upon the single gentleman who appeared at the door growling and cursing in a very awful manner, and, with the boots in his hand, seemed to have an intention of hurling them downstairs on speculation. This idea, however, he abandoned. He was turning into his room again, still growling vengefully, when his eyes met those of the watchful Richard. Have you been making that horrible noise? said the single gentleman. I have been helping, sir, returned Dick, keeping his eye upon him, and waving the ruler gently in his right hand, as an indication of what the single gentleman had to expect if he attempted any violence. How dare you then! said the lodger. To this, Dick made no other reply than by inquiring whether the lodger held it to be consistent with the conduct and character of a gentleman to go to sleep for six and twenty hours at a stretch, and whether the peace of an amiable and virtuous family was to weigh as nothing in the balance. Is my peace nothing? said the single gentleman. Is their peace nothing, sir? returned Dick. I don't wish to hold out any threats, sir. Indeed, the law does not allow of threats, for to threaten is an indictable offence, but if ever you do that again, take care you are not sat upon by the coroner and buried in a crossroad before you wake. We have been distracted with fears that you were dead, sir, said Dick, gently sliding to the ground. And the short and the long of it is, that we cannot allow a single gentleman to come into this establishment and sleep like double gentleman without paying extra for it. Indeed, cried the lodger. Yes, sir, indeed. Returned Dick, yielding to his destiny and saying whatever came up amost. An equal quantity of slumber was never got out of one bed and bedstead, and if you are going to sleep in that way, you must pay for a double bedded room. Instead of being thrown into a greater passion by these remarks, the lodger lapsed into a broad grin and looked at Mr. Swivelow with twinkling eyes. He was a brown-faced, sunburned man and appeared browner and more sunburned from having a white nightcap on. As it was clear that he was a choleric fellow in some respects, Mr. Swivelow was relieved to find him in such good humor and, to encourage him in it, smiled himself. The lodger, in the testiness of being so rudely roused, had pushed his nightcap very much on one side of his bald head. This gave him a rakeish eccentric air which, now that he had leisure to observe it, charmed Mr. Swivelow exceedingly. Therefore, by way of propitiation, he expressed his hope that the gentleman was going to get up and further that he would never do so anymore. Come here, you impudent rascal, was the lodger's answer as he re-entered his room. Mr. Swivelow followed him in, leaving the stool outside, but reserving the ruler in case of a surprise. He rather congratulated himself on his prudence when the single gentleman, without notice or explanation of any kind, double-locked the door. Can you drink anything? was his next inquiry. Mr. Swivelow replied that he had very recently been asswaging the pangs of thirst, but that he was still open to a modest quencher if the materials were at hand. Without another word spoken on either side, the lodger took from his great trunk a kind of temple shining as a polished silver and placed it carefully on the table. Greatly interested in his proceedings, Mr. Swivelow observed him closely. Into one little chamber of this temple he dropped an egg. Into another some coffee. Into a third a compact piece of raw steak from a neat tin case. Into a fourth he poured some water. Then with the aid of a phosphorus box and some matches, he procured a light and applied it to a spirit lamp which had a place of its own below the temple. Then he shut down the lids of all the little chambers. Then he opened them and then by some wonderful and unseen agency the steak was done, the egg was poiled, the coffee was accurately prepared and his breakfast was ready. Hot water said the lodger, handing it to Mr. Swivelow with as much coolness as if he had a kitchen fire before him. Extraordinary rum, sugar and a troubling glass, mix for yourself and make haste. Dick complied, his eyes wandering all the time from the temple on the table, which seemed to do everything, to the great trunk which seemed to hold everything. The lodger took his breakfast like a man who was used to work these miracles and thought nothing of them. The man of the house is a lawyer, is he not? said the lodger. Dick nodded. The rum was amazing. The woman of the house, what's she? A dragon, said Dick. The single gentleman, perhaps because he had met with such things in his travels, or perhaps because he was a single gentleman, evinced no surprise but merely inquired. Why for sister? Sister, said Dick, so much the better, said the single gentleman. He can get rid of her when he likes. I want to do as I like young man, he added after a short silence, to go to bed when I like, get up when I like, come in when I like, go out when I like, to be asked no questions and be surrounded by no spies. In this last respect, servants are the devil. There's only one here. And a very little one, said Dick. And a very little one, repeated the lodger. Well, the place will suit me, will it? Yes, said Dick. Sharks, I suppose, said the lodger. Dick nodded ascent and drained his glass. Let them know my humour, said the single gentleman rising. If they disturb me, they lose a good tenant. If they know me to be that, they know enough. If they try to know more, it's a notice to quit. It's better to understand these things at once. Good day. I beg your pardon, said Dick, holding in his passage to the door, which the lodger prepared to open. When he who adores thee has left but the name, what do you mean? But the name, said Dick, has left but the name, in case of letters or parcels. I never have any, returned the lodger. Or in the case anybody should call, nobody ever calls on me. If any mistake should arise from not having the name, don't say it was my fault, sir. I did Dick still lingering. Oh, blame not the bard. I'll blame nobody. Said the lodger with such irascibility that in a moment Dick found himself on the staircase and the locked door between them. Mr. Brass and Ms. Salli were lurking hard by, having been indeed only rooted from the keyhole by Mr. Svivalo's abrupt exit. As their utmost exertions had not enabled them to overhear a word of the interview, however, in consequence of a quarrel for precedence, which, though limited of necessity to pushes and pinches and such quiet pantomime, had lasted the whole time, they hurried him down to the office to hear his account of the conversation. This Mr. Svivalo gave them, faithfully as regarded the wishes and character of the single gentleman, and poetically as concerned the great trunk of which he gave a description more remarkable for brilliancy of imagination than a strict adherence to truth. Declaring, with many stronger separations, that it contained a specimen of every kind of rich food and wine known in these times, and in particular that it was on a self-acting kind and served up whatever was required as he supposed by clockwork. He also gave them to understand that the cooking apparatus roasted a fine piece of sirloin of beef weighing about six pounds of wadioupois in two minutes and a quarter as he had himself witnessed and proved by his sense of taste. And further, that, however the effect was produced, he had distinctly seen water boil and bubble up when the single gentleman winked, from which facts he, Mr. Svivalo, was led to infer that the lodger was some great conjurer or chemist, or both, whose residence under that roof could not fail at some future days to shed a great credit and distinction on the name of Brass, and add a new interest to the history of Beavis Marx. There was one point which Mr. Svivalo deemed it unnecessary to enlarge upon, and that was the fact of the modest quencher, which, by reason of its intrinsic strength and its coming close upon the heels of the temperate beverage he had discussed at dinner, awakened a slight degree of fever, and rendered necessary two or three other modest quenchers at the public house in the course of the evening. End of chapter 35