At this point, Mr Swiveller took the small servant's hand in his again,

and being, as we have seen, but poorly, might in struggling to express

his thanks have made his eyes as red as hers, but that she quickly

changed the theme by making him lie down, and urging him to keep

very quiet.

The doctor,' she told him, 'said you was to be kept quite still, and

there was to be no noise nor nothing. Now, take a rest, and then we'll

talk again. I'll sit by you, you know. If you shut your eyes, perhaps

you'll go to sleep. You'll be all the better for it, if you do.'

The Marchioness, in saying these words, brought a little table to the

bedside, took her seat at it, and began to work away at the concoction

of some cooling drink, with the address of a score of chemists. Richard

Swiveller being indeed fatigued, fell into a slumber, and waking in

about half an hour, inquired what time it was.

'Just gone half after six,' replied his small friend, helping him to sit up

again.

'Marchioness,' said Richard, passing his hand over his forehead and

turning suddenly round, as though the subject but that moment

flashed upon him, 'what has become of Kit?'

He had been sentenced to transportation for a great many years, she

said.

'Has he gone?' asked Dick - 'his mother - how is she, - what has

become of her?'

His nurse shook her head, and answered that she knew nothing about

them. 'But, if I thought,' said she, very slowly, 'that you'd keep quiet,

and not put yourself into another fever, I could tell you - but I won't

now.'

'Yes, do,' said Dick. 'It will amuse me.'

Oh! would it though!' rejoined the small servant, with a horrified look.

I know better than that. Wait till you're better and then I'll tell you.'

Dick looked very earnestly at his little friend: and his eyes, being large

and hollow from illness, assisted the expression so much, that she

was quite frightened, and besought him not to think any more about

it. What had already fallen from her, however, had not only piqued his

curiosity, but seriously alarmed him, wherefore he urged her to tell

him the worst at once.

The Old Curiosity Shop