Chapter III

The child was closely followed by an elderly man of remarkably hard

features and forbidding aspect, and so low in stature as to be quite a

dwarf, though his head and face were large enough for the body of a

giant. His black eyes were restless, sly, and cunning; his mouth and

chin, bristly with the stubble of a coarse hard beard; and his

complexion was one of that kind which never looks clean or

wholesome. But what added most to the grotesque expression of his

face was a ghastly smile, which, appearing to be the mere result of

habit and to have no connection with any mirthful or complacent

feeling, constantly revealed the few discoloured fangs that were yet

scattered in his mouth, and gave him the aspect of a panting dog. His

dress consisted of a large high-crowned hat, a worn dark suit, a pair

of capacious shoes, and a dirty white neckerchief sufficiently limp and

crumpled to disclose the greater portion of his wiry throat. Such hair

as he had was of a grizzled black, cut short and straight upon his

temples, and hanging in a frowzy fringe about his ears. His hands,

which were of a rough, coarse grain, were very dirty; his fingernails

were crooked, long, and yellow.

There was ample time to note these particulars, for besides that they

were sufficiently obvious without very close observation, some

moments elapsed before any one broke silence. The child advanced

timidly towards her brother and put her hand in his, the dwarf (if we

may call him so) glanced keenly at all present, and the curiosity-

dealer, who plainly had not expected his uncouth visitor, seemed

disconcerted and embarrassed.

'Ah!' said the dwarf, who with his hand stretched out above his eyes

had been surveying the young man attentively, 'that should be your

grandson, neighbour!'

Say rather that he should not be,' replied the old man. 'But he is.'

And that?' said the dwarf, pointing to Dick Swiveller.

Some friend of his, as welcome here as he,' said the old man.

And that?' inquired the dwarf, wheeling round and pointing straight

at me.

'A gentleman who was so good as to bring Nell home the other night

when she lost her way, coming from your house.'

The little man turned to the child as if to chide her or express his

wonder, but as she was talking to the young man, held his peace, and

bent his head to listen.

The Old Curiosity Shop