It was left at our house this afternoon,' said Mrs Quilp, trembling, 'by

a boy who said he didn't know from whom it came, but that it was

given to him to leave, and that he was told to say it must be brought

on to you directly, for it was of the very greatest consequence. - But

please,' she added, as her husband stretched out his hand for it,

'please let me in. You don't know how wet and cold I am, or how many

times I have lost my way in coming here through this thick fog. Let me

dry myself at the fire for five minutes. I'll go away directly you tell me

to, Quilp. Upon my word I will.'

Her amiable husband hesitated for a few moments; but, bethinking

himself that the letter might require some answer, of which she could

be the bearer, closed the window, opened the door, and bade her

enter. Mrs Quilp obeyed right willingly, and, kneeling down before the

fire to warm her hands, delivered into his a little packet.

I'm glad you're wet,' said Quilp, snatching it, and squinting at her.

I'm glad you're cold. I'm glad you lost your way. I'm glad your eyes are

red with crying. It does my heart good to see your little nose so

pinched and frosty.'

'Oh Quilp!' sobbed his wife. 'How cruel it is of you!'

'Did she think I was dead?' said Quilp, wrinkling his face into a most

extraordinary series of grimaces. 'Did she think she was going to have

all the money, and to marry somebody she liked? Ha ha ha! Did she?'

These taunts elicited no reply from the poor little woman, who

remained on her knees, warming her hands, and sobbing, to Mr

Quilp's great delight. But, just as he was contemplating her, and

chuckling excessively, he happened to observe that Tom Scott was

delighted too; wherefore, that he might have no presumptuous partner

in his glee, the dwarf instantly collared him, dragged him to the door,

and after a short scuffle, kicked him into the yard. In return for this

mark of attention, Tom immediately walked upon his hands to the

window, and - if the expression be allowable - looked in with his

shoes: besides rattling his feet upon the glass like a Banshee upside

down. As a matter of course, Mr Quilp lost no time in resorting to the

infallible poker, with which, after some dodging and lying in ambush,

he paid his young friend one or two such unequivocal compliments

that he vanished precipitately, and left him in quiet possession of the

field.

So! That little job being disposed of,' said the dwarf, coolly, 'I'll read

my letter. Humph!' he muttered, looking at the direction. 'I ought to

know this writing. Beautiful Sally!'

Opening it, he read, in a fair, round, legal hand, as follows:

The Old Curiosity Shop