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You think, said the boy, that its very small and inconvenient. So it is, but its very clean. Perhaps you think it would be noisy, but theres not a quieter court than ours in all the town. Dont be afraid of the children; the baby hardly ever cries, and the other one is very good besides, Id mind em. They wouldnt vex you much, Im sure. Do try, Miss Nell, do try. The little front room upstairs is very pleasant. You can see a piece of the church-clock, through the chimneys and almost tell the time; mother says it would be just the thing for you, and so it would, and youd have her to wait upon you both, and me to run of errands. We dont mean money, bless you; youre not to think of that. Will you try him, Miss Nell? Only say youll try him. Do try to make old master come, and ask him first what I have done will you only promise that, Miss Nell? Before the child could reply to this earnest solicitation, the street-door opened, and Mr Brass thrusting out his night-capped head called in a surly voice, Whos there! Kit immediately glided away, and Nell, closing the window softly, drew back into the room. Before Mr Brass had repeated his inquiry many times Mr Quilp, also embellished with a night-cap, emerged from the same door and looked carefully up and down the street, and up at all the windows of the house, from the opposite side. Finding that there was nobody in sight, he presently returned into the house with his legal friend, protesting (as the child heard from the staircase) that there was a league and plot against him; that he was in danger of being robbed and plundered by a band of conspirators who prowled about the house at all seasons; and that he would delay no longer but take immediate steps for disposing of the property and returning to his own peaceful roof. Having growled forth these, and a great many other threats of the same nature, he coiled himself once more in the childs little bed, and Nell crept softly up the stairs. It was natural enough that her short and unfinished dialogue with Kit should leave a strong impression on her mind, and influence her dreams that night and her recollections for a long, long time. Surrounded by unfeeling creditors, and mercenary attendants upon the sick, and meeting in the height of her anxiety and sorrow with little regard or sympathy even from the women about her, it is not surprising that the affectionate heart of the child should have been touched to the quick by one kind and generous spirit, however uncouth the temple in which it dwelt. Thank Heaven that the temples of such spirits are not made with hands, and that they may be more worthily hung with poor patchwork than with purple and fine linen! |
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