The Old Curiosity Shop


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waistcoat and down his right leg, reached his toes again, and carefully  
surveyed him; this done, he crossed over, and coming up the other  
legt and thence approaching by the waistcoat as before, said when  
had got to his eyes, 'No sir, I haven't.:'  
'
Oh, indeed, sir!' said Mr Cheggs. 'I'm glad to hear it. You know where  
I'm to be found, I suppose, sir, in case you should have anything to  
say to me?'  
'
'
'
I can easily inquire, sir, when I want to know.'  
There's nothing more we need say, I believe, sir?'  
Nothing more, sir' - With that they closed the tremendous dialog by  
frowning mutually. Mr Cheggs hastened to tender his hand to Miss  
Sophy, and Mr Swiviller sat himself down in a corner in a very moody  
state.  
Hard by this corner, Mrs Wackles and Miss Wackles were seated,  
looking on at the dance; and unto Mrs and Miss Wackles, Miss Cheggs  
occasionally darted when her partner was occupied with his share of  
the figure, and made some remark or other which was gall and  
wormword to Richard Swiviller's soul. Looking into the eyes of Mrs  
and Miss Wackles for encouragement, and sitting very upright and  
uncomfortable on a couple of hard stools, were two of the day-  
scholars; and when Miss Wackles smiled, and Mrs Wackles smiled,  
the two little girls on the stools sought to curry favour by smiling  
likewise, in gracious acknowledgement of which attention the old lady  
frowned them down instantly, and said that if they dared to be guilty  
of such an impertinence again, they should be sent under convoy to  
their respective homes. This threat caused one of the young ladies,  
she being of a weak and trembling temperament, to shed tears, and  
for this offense they were both filed off immediately, with a dreadful  
promptitude that struck terror into the souls of all the pupils.  
'
'
I've got such news for you,' said Miss Cheggs approaching once more,  
Alick has been saying such things to Sophy. Upon my word, you  
know, it's quite serious and in earnest, that's clear.'  
'
'
What's he been saying, my dear?' demanded Mrs Wackles.  
All manner of things,' replied Miss Cheggs, 'you can't think how out  
he has been speaking!'  
Richard Swiviller considered it advisable to hear no more, but taking  
advantage of a pause in the dancing, and the approach of Mr Cheggs  
to pay his court to the old lady, swaggered with an extremely careful  
assumption of extreme carelessness toward the door, passing on the  


Page
60 61 62 63 64

Quick Jump
1 133 265 398 530