Chapter XLI

Kit made his way through the crowded streets, dividing the stream of

people, dashing across the busy road-ways, diving into lanes and

alleys, and stopping or turning aside for nothing, until he came in

front of the Old Curiosity Shop, when he came to a stand; partly from

habit and partly from being out of breath.

It was a gloomy autumn evening, and he thought the old place had

never looked so dismal as in its dreary twilight. The windows broken,

the rusty sashes rattling in their frames, the deserted house a dull

barrier dividing the glaring lights and bustle of the street into two long

lines, and standing in the midst, cold, dark, and empty - presented a

cheerless spectacle which mingled harshly with the bright prospects

the boy had been building up for its late inmates, and came like a

disappointment or misfortune. Kit would have had a good fire roaring

up the empty chimneys, lights sparkling and shining through the

windows, people moving briskly to and fro, voices in cheerful

conversation, something in unison with the new hopes that were astir.

He had not expected that the house would wear any different aspect -

had known indeed that it could not - but coming upon it in the midst

of eager thoughts and expectations, it checked the current in its flow,

and darkened it with a mournful shadow.

Kit, however, fortunately for himself, was not learned enough or

contemplative enough to be troubled with presages of evil afar off,

and, having no mental spectacles to assist his vision in this respect,

saw nothing but the dull house, which jarred uncomfortably upon his

previous thoughts. So, almost wishing that he had not passed it,

though hardly knowing why, he hurried on again, making up by his

increased speed for the few moments he had lost.

Now, if she should be out,' thought Kit, as he approached the poor

dwelling of his mother, 'and I not able to find her, this impatient

gentleman would be in a pretty taking. And sure enough there's no

light, and the door's fast. Now, God forgive me for saying so, but if this

is Little Bethel's doing, I wish Little Bethel was - was farther off,' said

Kit checking himself, and knocking at the door.

A second knock brought no reply from within the house; but caused a

woman over the way to look out and inquire who that was, awanting

Mrs Nubbles.

Me,' said Kit. 'She's at - at Little Bethel, I suppose?' - getting out the

name of the obnoxious conventicle with some reluctance, and laying a

spiteful emphasis upon the words.

The neighbour nodded assent.

The Old Curiosity Shop