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telling stories of travellers who had lost their way in such weather on
heaths and moors; and to love a warm hearth more than ever.
The dwarf's humour, as we know, was to have a fireside to himself;
and when he was disposed to be convivial, to enjoy himself alone. By
no means insensible to the comfort of being within doors, he ordered
Tom Scott to pile the little stove with coals, and, dismissing his work
for that day, determined to be jovial.
To this end, he lighted up fresh candles and heaped more fuel on the
fire; and having dined off a beefsteak, which he cooked himself in
somewhat of a savage and cannibal-like manner, brewed a great bowl
of hot punch, lighted his pipe, and sat down to spend the evening.
At this moment, a low knocking at the cabin-door arrested his
attention. When it had been twice or thrice repeated, he softly opened
the little window, and thrusting his head out, demanded who was
there.
'
'
Only me, Quilp,' replied a woman's voice.
Only you!' cried the dwarf, stretching his neck to obtain a better view
of his visitor. 'And what brings you here, you jade? How dare you
approach the ogre's castle, eh?'
'I have come with some news,' rejoined his spouse. 'Don't be angry
with me.'
'Is it good news, pleasant news, news to make a man skip and snap
his fingers?' said the dwarf. 'Is the dear old lady dead?'
'
I don't know what news it is, or whether it's good or bad,' rejoined his
wife.
'
Then she's alive,' said Quilp, 'and there's nothing the matter with her.
Go home again, you bird of evil note, go home!' 'I have brought a
letter,' cried the meek little woman.
'Toss it in at the window here, and go your ways,' said Quilp,
interrupting her, 'or I'll come out and scratch you.'
'
No, but please, Quilp - do hear me speak,' urged his submissive wife,
in tears. 'Please do!'
'Speak then,' growled the dwarf with a malicious grin. 'Be quick and
short about it. Speak, will you?'
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