suggested that it must have been forgotten over night, and was,

doubtless, at that moment in its native key-hole. Notwithstanding that

Mr Quilp had a strong conviction to the contrary, founded on his

recollection of having carefully taken it out, he was fain to admit that

this was possible, and therefore went grumbling to the door where,

sure enough, he found it.

Now, just as Mr Quilp laid his hand upon the lock, and saw with great

astonishment that the fastenings were undone, the knocking came

again with the most irritating violence, and the daylight which had

been shining through the key-hole was intercepted on the outside by a

human eye. The dwarf was very much exasperated, and wanting

somebody to wreak his ill-humour upon, determined to dart out

suddenly, and favour Mrs Quilp with a gentle acknowledgment of her

attention in making that hideous uproar.

With this view, he drew back the lock very silently and softly, and

opening the door all at once, pounced out upon the person on the

other side, who had at that moment raised the knocker for another

application, and at whom the dwarf ran head first: throwing out his

hands and feet together, and biting the air in the fulness of his malice.

So far, however, from rushing upon somebody who offered no

resistance and implored his mercy, Mr Quilp was no sooner in the

arms of the individual whom he had taken for his wife than he found

himself complimented with two staggering blows on the head, and two

more, of the same quality, in the chest; and closing with his assailant,

such a shower of buffets rained down upon his person as sufficed to

convince him that he was in skilful and experienced hands. Nothing

daunted by this reception, he clung tight to his opponent, and bit and

hammered away with such good-will and heartiness, that it was at

least a couple of minutes before he was dislodged. Then, and not until

then, Daniel Quilp found himself, all flushed and dishevelled, in the

middle of the street, with Mr Richard Swiveller performing a kind of

dance round him and requiring to know 'whether he wanted any

more?'

There's plenty more of it at the same shop,' said Mr Swiveller, by

turns advancing and retreating in a threatening attitude, 'a large and

extensive assortment always on hand - country orders executed with

promptitude and despatch - will you have a little more, Sir - don't say

no, if you'd rather not.'

I thought it was somebody else,' said Quilp, rubbing his shoulders,

why didn't you say who you were?'

Why didn't you say who YOU were?' returned Dick, 'instead of flying

out of the house like a Bedlamite ?'

The Old Curiosity Shop