which might be productive of very important results in connexion with

the supper.

Upon this head, however, he had no cause for any anxiety, for the

whole performance was applauded to the echo, and voluntary

contributions were showered in with a liberality which testified yet

more strongly to the general delight. Among the laughter none was

more loud and frequent than the old man's. Nell's was unheard, for

she, poor child, with her head drooping on his shoulder, had fallen

asleep, and slept too soundly to be roused by any of his efforts to

awaken her to a participation in his glee.

The supper was very good, but she was too tired to eat, and yet would

not leave the old man until she had kissed him in his bed. He, happily

insensible to every care and anxiety, sat listening with a vacant smile

and admiring face to all that his new friend said; and it was not until

they retired yawning to their room, that he followed the child up

stairs.

It was but a loft partitioned into two compartments, where they were

to rest, but they were well pleased with their lodging and had hoped

for none so good. The old man was uneasy when he had lain down,

and begged that Nell would come and sit at his bedside as she had

done for so many nights. She hastened to him, and sat there till he

slept.

There was a little window, hardly more than a chink in the wall, in her

room, and when she left him, she opened it, quite wondering at the

silence. The sight of the old church, and the graves about it in the

moonlight, and the dark trees whispering among themselves, made

her more thoughtful than before. She closed the window again, and

sitting down upon the bed, thought of the life that was before them.

She had a little money, but it was very little, and when that was gone,

they must begin to beg. There was one piece of gold among it, and an

emergency might come when its worth to them would be increased a

hundred fold. It would be best to hide this coin, and never produce it

unless their case was absolutely desperate, and no other resource was

left them.

Her resolution taken, she sewed the piece of gold into her dress, and

going to bed with a lighter heart sunk into a deep slumber.

The Old Curiosity Shop