Chapter XLIX

Kit's mother might have spared herself the trouble of looking back so

often, for nothing was further from Mr Quilp's thoughts than any

intention of pursuing her and her son, or renewing the quarrel with

which they had parted. He went his way, whistling from time to time

some fragments of a tune; and with a face quite tranquil and

composed, jogged pleasantly towards home; entertaining himself as he

went with visions of the fears and terrors of Mrs Quilp, who, having

received no intelligence of him for three whole days and two nights,

and having had no previous notice of his absence, was doubtless by

that time in a state of distraction, and constantly fainting away with

anxiety and grief.

This facetious probability was so congenial to the dwarf's humour,

and so exquisitely amusing to him, that he laughed as he went along

until the tears ran down his cheeks; and more than once, when he

found himself in a bye-street, vented his delight in a shrill scream,

which greatly terrifying any lonely passenger, who happened to be

walking on before him expecting nothing so little, increased his mirth,

and made him remarkably cheerful and light-hearted.

In this happy flow of spirits, Mr Quilp reached Tower Hill, when,

gazing up at the window of his own sitting-room, he thought he

descried more light than is usual in a house of mourning. Drawing

nearer, and listening attentively, he could hear several voices in

earnest conversation, among which he could distinguish, not only

those of his wife and mother-in-law, but the tongues of men.

Ha!' cried the jealous dwarf, 'What's this! Do they entertain visitors

while I'm away!'

A smothered cough from above, was the reply. He felt in his pockets

for his latch-key, but had forgotten it. There was no resource but to

knock at the door.

A light in the passage,' said Quilp, peeping through the keyhole. 'A

very soft knock; and, by your leave, my lady, I may yet steal upon you

unawares. Soho!'

A very low and gentle rap received no answer from within. But after a

second application to the knocker, no louder than the first, the door

was softly opened by the boy from the wharf, whom Quilp instantly

gagged with one hand, and dragged into the street with the other.

You'll throttle me, master,' whispered the boy. 'Let go, will you.'

The Old Curiosity Shop