It was you that - that knocked,' said the dwarf, getting up with a

short groan, 'was it?'

Yes, I am the man,' replied Dick. 'That lady had begun when I came,

but she knocked too soft, so I relieved her.' As he said this, he pointed

towards Mrs Quilp, who stood trembling at a little distance.

Humph!' muttered the dwarf, darting an angry look at his wife, 'I

thought it was your fault! And you, sir - don't you know there has

been somebody ill here, that you knock as if you'd beat the door

down?'

Damme!' answered Dick, 'that's why I did it. I thought there was

somebody dead here.'

'You came for some purpose, I suppose,' said Quilp. 'What is it you

want?'

I want to know how the old gentleman is,' rejoined Mr Swiveller, 'and

to hear from Nell herself, with whom I should like to have a little talk.

I'm a friend of the family, sir - at least I'm the friend of one of the

family, and that's the same thing.'

You'd better walk in then,' said the dwarf. 'Go on, sir, go on. Now, Mrs

Quilp - after you, ma'am.'

Mrs Quilp hesitated, but Mr Quilp insisted. And it was not a contest of

politeness, or by any means a matter of form, for she knew very well

that her husband wished to enter the house in this order, that he

might have a favourable opportunity of inflicting a few pinches on her

arms, which were seldom free from impressions of his fingers in black

and blue colours. Mr Swiveller, who was not in the secret, was a little

surprised to hear a suppressed scream, and, looking round, to see

Mrs Quilp following him with a sudden jerk; but he did not remark on

these appearances, and soon forgot them.

Now, Mrs Quilp,' said the dwarf when they had entered the shop, 'go

you up stairs, if you please, to Nelly's room, and tell her that she's

wanted.'

'You seem to make yourself at home here,' said Dick, who was

unacquainted with Mr Quilp's authority.

'I AM at home, young gentleman,' returned the dwarf.

Dick was pondering what these words might mean, and still more

what the presence of Mr Brass might mean, when Mrs Quilp came

hurrying down stairs, declaring that the rooms above were empty.

The Old Curiosity Shop