Do you know it?' said the dwarf, watching Sampson's eyes. 'Do you

see the likeness?'

Eh?' said Brass, holding his head on one side, and throwing it a little

back, as connoisseurs do. 'Now I look at it again, I fancy I see a - yes,

there certainly is something in the smile that reminds me of - and yet

upon my word I - '

Now, the fact was, that Sampson, having never seen anything in the

smallest degree resembling this substantial phantom, was much

perplexed; being uncertain whether Mr Quilp considered it like

himself, and had therefore bought it for a family portrait; or whether

he was pleased to consider it as the likeness of some enemy. He was

not very long in doubt; for, while he was surveying it with that

knowing look which people assume when they are contemplating for

the first time portraits which they ought to recognise but don't, the

dwarf threw down the newspaper from which he had been chanting

the words already quoted, and seizing a rusty iron bar, which he used

in lieu of poker, dealt the figure such a stroke on the nose that it

rocked again.

Is it like Kit - is it his picture, his image, his very self?' cried the

dwarf, aiming a shower of blows at the insensible countenance, and

covering it with deep dimples. 'Is it the exact model and counterpart of

the dog - is it - is it - is it?' And with every repetition of the question,

he battered the great image, until the perspiration streamed down his

face with the violence of the exercise.

Although this might have been a very comical thing to look at from a

secure gallery, as a bull-fight is found to be a comfortable spectacle by

those who are not in the arena, and a house on fire is better than a

play to people who don't live near it, there was something in the

earnestness of Mr Quilp's manner which made his legal adviser feel

that the counting-house was a little too small, and a deal too lonely,

for the complete enjoyment of these humours. Therefore, he stood as

far off as he could, while the dwarf was thus engaged; whimpering out

but feeble applause; and when Quilp left off and sat down again from

pure exhaustion, approached with more obsequiousness than ever.

Excellent indeed!' cried Brass. 'He he! Oh, very good Sir. You know,'

said Sampson, looking round as if in appeal to the bruised animal,

he's quite a remarkable man - quite!'

Sit down,' said the dwarf. 'I bought the dog yesterday. I've been

screwing gimlets into him, and sticking forks in his eyes, and cutting

my name on him. I mean to burn him at last.'

Ha ha!' cried Brass. 'Extremely entertaining, indeed!'

The Old Curiosity Shop