'If we could do it in something, sir, that wasn't quite boiling,'

suggested Brass humbly, 'perhaps it would be better. I think it will be

more agreeable to Sarah's feelings, when she comes to hear from me

of the honour you have done her, if she learns it was in liquor rather

cooler than the last, Sir.'

But to these remonstrances, Mr Quilp turned a deaf ear. Sampson

Brass, who was, by this time, anything but sober, being compelled to

take further draughts of the same strong bowl, found that, instead of

at all contributing to his recovery, they had the novel effect of making

the counting-house spin round and round with extreme velocity, and

causing the floor and ceiling to heave in a very distressing manner.

After a brief stupor, he awoke to a consciousness of being partly under

the table and partly under the grate. This position not being the most

comfortable one he could have chosen for himself, he managed to

stagger to his feet, and, holding on by the admiral, looked round for

his host.

Mr Brass's first impression was, that his host was gone and had left

him there alone - perhaps locked him in for the night. A strong smell

of tobacco, however, suggested a new train of ideas, he looked

upward, and saw that the dwarf was smoking in his hammock.

Good bye, Sir,' cried Brass faintly. 'Good bye, Sir.'

Won't you stop all night?' said the dwarf, peeping out. 'Do stop all

night!'

I couldn't indeed, Sir,' replied Brass, who was almost dead from

nausea and the closeness of the room. 'If you'd have the goodness to

show me a light, so that I may see my way across the yard, sir - '

Quilp was out in an instant; not with his legs first, or his head first, or

his arms first, but bodily - altogether.

To be sure,' he said, taking up a lantern, which was now the only

light in the place. 'Be careful how you go, my dear friend. Be sure to

pick your way among the timber, for all the rusty nails are upwards.

There's a dog in the lane. He bit a man last night, and a woman the

night before, and last Tuesday he killed a child - but that was in play.

Don't go too near him.'

'Which side of the road is he, sir?' asked Brass, in great dismay.

'He lives on the right hand,' said Quilp, 'but sometimes he hides on

the left, ready for a spring. He's uncertain in that respect. Mind you

take care of yourself. I'll never forgive you if you don't. There's the light

out - never mind - you know the way - straight on!' Quilp had slily

The Old Curiosity Shop