It is not very difficult to forget rain and mud by the side of a cheerful

fire, and in a bright room. They were furnished with slippers and such

dry garments as the house or their own bundles afforded, and

ensconcing themselves, as Mr Codlin had already done, in the warm

chimney-corner, soon forgot their late troubles or only remembered

them as enhancing the delights of the present time. Overpowered by

the warmth and comfort and the fatigue they had undergone, Nelly

and the old man had not long taken their seats here, when they fell

asleep.

Who are they?' whispered the landlord. Short shook his head, and

wished he knew himself. 'Don't you know?' asked the host, turning to

Mr Codlin. 'Not I,' he replied. 'They're no good, I suppose.'

They're no harm,' said Short. 'Depend upon that. I tell you what - it's

plain that the old man an't in his right mind - '

'If you haven't got anything newer than that to say,' growled Mr

Codlin, glancing at the clock, 'you'd better let us fix our minds upon

the supper, and not disturb us.'

Here me out, won't you?' retorted his friend. 'It's very plain to me,

besides, that they're not used to this way of life. Don't tell me that that

handsome child has been in the habit of prowling about as she's done

these last two or three days. I know better.'

Well, who DOES tell you she has?' growled Mr Codlin, again glancing

at the clock and from it to the cauldron, 'can't you think of anything

more suitable to present circumstances than saying things and then

contradicting 'em?'

'I wish somebody would give you your supper,' returned Short, 'for

there'll be no peace till you've got it. Have you seen how anxious the

old man is to get on - always wanting to be furder away - furder away.

Have you seen that?'

'Ah! what then?' muttered Thomas Codlin.

'This, then,' said Short. 'He has given his friends the slip. Mind what I

say - he has given his friends the slip, and persuaded this delicate

young creetur all along of her fondness for him to be his guide and

travelling companion - where to, he knows no more than the man in

the moon. Now I'm not a going to stand that.'

YOU'RE not a going to stand that!' cried Mr Codlin, glancing at the

clock again and pulling his hair with both hands in a kind of frenzy,

but whether occasioned by his companion's observation or the tardy

pace of Time, it was difficult to determine. 'Here's a world to live in!'

The Old Curiosity Shop