there, as if at the most convenient round-table in all the world, sat

this roving lady, taking her tea and enjoying the prospect.

It happened that at that moment the lady of the caravan had her cup

(which, that everything about her might be of a stout and comfortable

kind, was a breakfast cup) to her lips, and that having her eyes lifted

to the sky in her enjoyment of the full flavour of the tea, not

unmingled possibly with just the slightest dash or gleam of something

out of the suspicious bottle - but this is mere speculation and not

distinct matter of history - it happened that being thus agreeably

engaged, she did not see the travellers when they first came up. It was

not until she was in the act of getting down the cup, and drawing a

long breath after the exertion of causing its contents to disappear,

that the lady of the caravan beheld an old man and a young child

walking slowly by, and glancing at her proceedings with eyes of

modest but hungry admiration.

'Hey!' cried the lady of the caravan, scooping the crumbs out of her lap

and swallowing the same before wiping her lips. 'Yes, to be sure - Who

won the Helter-Skelter Plate, child?'

Won what, ma'am?' asked Nell.

The Helter-Skelter Plate at the races, child - the plate that was run for

on the second day.'

On the second day, ma'am?'

Second day! Yes, second day,' repeated the lady with an air of

impatience. 'Can't you say who won the Helter-Skelter Plate when

you're asked the question civilly?'

'I don't know, ma'am.'

Don't know!' repeated the lady of the caravan; 'why, you were there. I

saw you with my own eyes.'

Nell was not a little alarmed to hear this, supposing that the lady

might be intimately acquainted with the firm of Short and Codlin; but

what followed tended to reassure her.

'And very sorry I was,' said the lady of the caravan, 'to see you in

company with a Punch; a low, practical, wulgar wretch, that people

should scorn to look at.'

I was not there by choice,' returned the child; 'we didn't know our

way, and the two men were very kind to us, and let us travel with

them. Do you - do you know them, ma'am?'

The Old Curiosity Shop