The Old Curiosity Shop / Лавка древностей

13

Dick Swiveller entered the shop and saw Daniel Quilp.

“You came for some purpose, I suppose,” said Quilp. “What is it you want?”

“I want to know how the old gentleman is,” rejoined Mr. Swiveller, “and to see Nell. I’m a friend of the family, sir, at least I’m the friend of one of the family, and that’s the same thing.”

“You’d better walk in then,” said the dwarf. “Go on, sir, go on.”

“You seem to make yourself at home here,” said Dick, who was unacquainted with Mr.

Quilp’s authority.

“I am at home, young gentleman,” returned the dwarf.

Dick was pondering what these words might mean, and still more what the presence of Mr. Brass might mean, when Mrs. Quilp came downstairs, declaring that the rooms above were empty.

“Empty, you fool!” said the dwarf.

“I have been into every room, Quilp,” answered his trembling wife, “and there’s not a soul in any of them.”

Quilp turned to Mr.

Brass.

“Indeed,” he said, “we knew that they’d go away today, but not that they’d go so early, or so quietly. But they have their reasons, they have their reasons.”

“Where did they go?” said the wondering Dick.

Swiveller was utterly aghast. The old man and all the money melted away.

“Well,” said Dick, “I suppose it’s of no use, my staying here.”

“Not the least in the world,” rejoined the dwarf.

By this time, certain vans had arrived for the conveyance of the goods.

The dwarf observed, that a boy was prying in at the outer door. It was Kit, and Mr. Quilp hailed him by his name.

“Come here, you sir,” said the dwarf. “Well, so your old master and young mistress have gone?”

“Where?” rejoined Kit, looking round.

“Do you mean to say you don’t know where?” answered Quilp sharply. “Where have they gone, eh?”

“I don’t know,” said Kit.

“Oh!” said the dwarf after a little consideration.

“Then, I think they’ll come to you.”

“Do you think they will?” cried Kit eagerly.

“Why not?” returned the dwarf. “And when they do, let me know; do you hear? Let me know, and I’ll give you something. I want to do them a kindness, and I can’t do them a kindness unless I know where they are. You hear what I say?”

14

The child trembled with a mingled sensation of hope and fear.