No, no, master,' said Kit, 'that won't do, that won't.'

What do you mean?' cried the old man.

I'd have found her, master,' said Kit, 'I'd have found her. I'll bet that

I'd find her if she was above ground, I would, as quick as anybody,

master. Ha, ha, ha!'

Once more opening his mouth and shutting his eyes, and laughing

like a stentor, Kit gradually backed to the door, and roared himself

out.

Free of the room, the boy was not slow in taking his departure; when

he had gone, and the child was occupied in clearing the table, the old

man said:

'I haven't seemed to thank you, sir, for what you have done to-night,

but I do thank you humbly and heartily, and so does she, and her

thanks are better worth than mine. I should be sorry that you went

away, and thought I was unmindful of your goodness, or careless of

her - I am not indeed.'

I was sure of that, I said, from what I had seen. 'But,' I added, 'may I

ask you a question?'

Ay, sir,' replied the old man, 'What is it?'

This delicate child,' said I, 'with so much beauty and intelligence - has

she nobody to care for her but you? Has she no other companion or

advisor?'

'No,' he returned, looking anxiously in my face, 'no, and she wants no

other.'

'But are you not fearful,' said I, 'that you may misunderstand a charge

so tender? I am sure you mean well, but are you quite certain that you

know how to execute such a trust as this? I am an old man, like you,

and I am actuated by an old man's concern in all that is young and

promising. Do you not think that what I have seen of you and this

little creature to-night must have an interest not wholly free from

pain?'

Sir,' rejoined the old man after a moment's silence.' I have no right to

feel hurt at what you say. It is true that in many respects I am the

child, and she the grown person - that you have seen already. But

waking or sleeping, by night or day, in sickness or health, she is the

one object of my care, and if you knew of how much care, you would

look on me with different eyes, you would indeed. Ah! It's a weary life

The Old Curiosity Shop