observed if he had been present, 'collared' the baby without speaking

a word.

Hush, mother!' whispered Kit. 'Come along with me, I've got

something to tell you.'

Where am I?' said Mrs Nubbles.

In this blessed Little Bethel,' returned her son, peevishly.

Blessed indeed!' cried Mrs Nubbles, catching at the word. 'Oh,

Christopher, how have I been edified this night!'

'Yes, yes, I know,' said Kit hastily; 'but come along, mother,

everybody's looking at us. Don't make a noise - bring Jacob - that's

right!'

Stay, Satan, stay!' cried the preacher, as Kit was moving off.

This gentleman says you're to stay, Christopher,' whispered his

mother.

'Stay, Satan, stay!' roared the preacher again. 'Tempt not the woman

that doth incline her ear to thee, but harken to the voice of him that

calleth. He hath a lamb from the fold!' cried the preacher, raising his

voice still higher and pointing to the baby. 'He beareth off a lamb, a

precious lamb! He goeth about, like a wolf in the night season, and

inveigleth the tender lambs!'

Kit was the best-tempered fellow in the world, but considering this

strong language, and being somewhat excited by the circumstances in

which he was placed, he faced round to the pulpit with the baby in his

arms, and replied aloud, 'No, I don't. He's my brother.'

'He's MY brother!' cried the preacher.

He isn't,' said Kit indignantly. 'How can you say such a thing? And

don't call me names if you please; what harm have I done? I shouldn't

have come to take 'em away, unless I was obliged, you may depend

upon that. I wanted to do it very quiet, but you wouldn't let me. Now,

you have the goodness to abuse Satan and them, as much as you like,

Sir, and to let me alone if you please.'

So saying, Kit marched out of the chapel, followed by his mother and

little Jacob, and found himself in the open air, with an indistinct

recollection of having seen the people wake up and look surprised,

and of Quilp having remained, throughout the interruption, in his old

The Old Curiosity Shop