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Chapter XXII
The remainder of that day and the whole of the next were a busy time
for the Nubbles family, to whom everything connected with Kit's outfit
and departure was matter of as great moment as if he had been about
to penetrate into the interior of Africa, or to take a cruise round the
world. It would be difficult to suppose that there ever was a box which
was opened and shut so many times within four-and-twenty hours, as
that which contained his wardrobe and necessaries; and certainly
there never was one which to two small eyes presented such a mine of
clothing, as this mighty chest with its three shirts and proportionate
allowance of stockings and pocket-handkerchiefs, disclosed to the
astonished vision of little Jacob. At last it was conveyed to the
carrier's, at whose house at Finchley Kit was to find it next day; and
the box being gone, there remained but two questions for
consideration: firstly, whether the carrier would lose, or dishonestly
feign to lose, the box upon the road; secondly, whether Kit's mother
perfectly understood how to take care of herself in the absence of her
son.
'
I don't think there's hardly a chance of his really losing it, but carriers
are under great temptation to pretend they lose things, no doubt,' said
Mrs Nubbles apprehensively, in reference to the first point.
'
No doubt about it,' returned Kit, with a serious look; 'upon my word,
mother, I don't think it was right to trust it to itself. Somebody ought
to have gone with it, I'm afraid.'
'We can't help it now,' said his mother; 'but it was foolish and wrong.
People oughtn't to be tempted.'
Kit inwardly resolved that he would never tempt a carrier any more,
save with an empty box; and having formed this Christian
determination, he turned his thoughts to the second question.
'YOU know you must keep up your spirits, mother, and not be
lonesome because I'm not at home. I shall very often be able to look in
when I come into town I dare say, and I shall send you a letter
sometimes, and when the quarter comes round, I can get a holiday of
course; and then see if we don't take little Jacob to the play, and let
him know what oysters means.'
'I hope plays mayn't be sinful, Kit, but I'm a'most afraid,' said Mrs
Nubbles.
'I know who has been putting that in your head,' rejoined her son
disconsolately; 'that's Little Bethel again. Now I say, mother, pray
don't take to going there regularly, for if I was to see your good-
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