'Oh! I didn't mean any harm indeed, upon my word I didn't,' cried the

small servant, struggling like a much larger one. 'It's so very dull,

down-stairs, Please don't you tell upon me, please don't.'

'Tell upon you!' said Dick. 'Do you mean to say you were looking

through the keyhole for company?'

Yes, upon my word I was,' replied the small servant.

How long have you been cooling your eye there?' said Dick.

Oh ever since you first began to play them cards, and long before.'

Vague recollections of several fantastic exercises with which he had

refreshed himself after the fatigues of business, and to all of which, no

doubt, the small servant was a party, rather disconcerted Mr

Swiveller; but he was not very sensitive on such points, and recovered

himself speedily.

Well - come in' - he said, after a little consideration. 'Here - sit down,

and I'll teach you how to play.'

Oh! I durstn't do it,' rejoined the small servant; 'Miss Sally 'ud kill me,

if she know'd I come up here.'

Have you got a fire down-stairs?' said Dick.

A very little one,' replied the small servant.

Miss Sally couldn't kill me if she know'd I went down there, so I'll

come,' said Richard, putting the cards into his pocket. 'Why, how thin

you are! What do you mean by it?'

It ain't my fault.'

Could you eat any bread and meat?' said Dick, taking down his hat.

Yes? Ah! I thought so. Did you ever taste beer?' 'I had a sip of it once,'

said the small servant.

Here's a state of things!' cried Mr Swiveller, raising his eyes to the

ceiling. 'She never tasted it - it can't be tasted in a sip! Why, how old

are you?'

'I don't know.'

Mr Swiveller opened his eyes very wide, and appeared thoughtful for a

moment; then, bidding the child mind the door until he came back,

vanished straightway.

The Old Curiosity Shop