| 143 | 144 | 145 | 146 | 147 |
| 1 | 133 | 265 | 398 | 530 |
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'They may be wrong of course,' returned the mother, 'I can't tell about
that, though I don't think it's at all unlikely that they're in the right,
for the talk is that the old gentleman had put by a little money that
nobody knew of, not even that ugly little man you talk to me about -
what's his name - Quilp; and that he and Miss Nell have gone to live
abroad where it can't be taken from them, and they will never be
disturbed. That don't seem very far out of the way now, do it?'
Kit scratched his head mournfully, in reluctant admission that it did
not, and clambering up to the old nail took down the cage and set
himself to clean it and to feed the bird. His thoughts reverting from
this occupation to the little old gentleman who had given him the
shilling, he suddenly recollected that that was the very day - nay,
nearly the very hour - at which the little old gentleman had said he
should be at the Notary's house again. He no sooner remembered this,
than he hung up the cage with great precipitation, and hastily
explaining the nature of his errand, went off at full speed to the
appointed place.
It was some two minutes after the time when he reached the spot,
which was a considerable distance from his home, but by great good
luck the little old gentleman had not yet arrived; at least there was no
pony-chaise to be seen, and it was not likely that he had come and
gone again in so short a space. Greatly relieved to find that he was not
too late, Kit leant against a lamp-post to take breath, and waited the
advent of the pony and his charge.
Sure enough, before long the pony came trotting round the corner of
the street, looking as obstinate as pony might, and picking his steps
as if he were spying about for the cleanest places, and would by no
means dirty his feet or hurry himself inconveniently. Behind the pony
sat the little old gentleman, and by the old gentleman's side sat the
little old lady, carrying just such a nosegay as she had brought before.
The old gentleman, the old lady, the pony, and the chaise, came up
the street in perfect unanimity, until they arrived within some half a
dozen doors of the Notary's house, when the pony, deceived by a
brass-plate beneath a tailor's knocker, came to a halt, and maintained
by a sturdy silence, that that was the house they wanted.
'Now, Sir, will you ha' the goodness to go on; this is not the place,'
said the old gentleman.
The pony looked with great attention into a fire-plug which was near
him, and appeared to be quite absorbed in contemplating it.
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