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Blessed indeed! cried Mrs Nubbles, catching at the word. Oh, Christopher, how have I been edified this night! Yes, yes, I know, said Kit hastily; but come along, mother, everybodys looking at us. Dont make a noisebring Jacob thats right! Stay, Satan, stay! cried the preacher, as Kit was moving off. The gentleman says youre to stay, Christopher, whispered his mother. Stay, Satan, stay! roared the preacher again. Tempt not the woman that doth incline her ear to thee, but harken to the voice of him that calleth. He hath a lamb from the fold! cried the preacher, raising his voice still higher and pointing to the baby. He beareth off a lamb, a precious lamb! He goeth about, like a wolf in the night season, and inveigleth the tender lambs! Kit was the best-tempered fellow in the world, but considering this strong language, and being somewhat excited by the circumstances in which he was placed, he faced round to the pulpit with the baby in his arms, and replied aloud, No, I dont. Hes my brother. Hes my brother! cried the preacher. He isnt, said Kit indignantly. How can you say such a thing? And dont call me names if you please; what harm have I done! I shouldnt have come to take em away, unless I was obliged, you may depend upon that; and I waited to do it very quiet, but you wouldnt let me. Now, you have the goodness to abuse Satan and them as much as you like, Sir, and to let me alone if you please. So saying, Kit marched out of the chapel, followed by his mother and little Jacob, and found himself in the open air, with an indistinct recollection of having seen the people wake up and look surprised, and of Quilp having remained throughout the interruption in his old attitude, without moving his eyes from the ceiling, or appearing to take the smallest notice of anything that passed. Oh Kit! said his mother, with her handkerchief to her eyes, what have you done! I never can go there againnever! Im glad of it, mother. What was there in the little bit of pleasure you took last night that made it necessary for you to be low-spirited and sorrowful tonight? Thats the way you do. If youre happy or merry ever, you come here to say, along with that chap, that youre sorry for it. More shame for you, mother, I was going to say. Hush, dear! said Mrs Nubbles; you dont mean what you say I know, but youre talking sinfulness. Dont mean it? But I do mean it! retorted Kit. I dont believe, mother, that harmless cheerfulness and good humour are thought greater sins in Heaven than shirtcollars are, and that those chaps are just about as right and sensible in putting down the one as in leaving off the otherthats my belief. But I wont say anything more about it, if youll promise not to cry, thats all; and you take the baby thats a lighter weight, and give me little Jacob, and as we go along (which we must do pretty quick) Ill tell you the news I bring, which will surprise you a little, I can tell you. Therethats right. Now you look as if youd never seen Little Bethel in all your life, as I hope you never will again; and heres the baby; and little Jacob, you get atop of my back and catch hold of me tight round the neck, and whenever a Little Bethel parson calls you a precious lamb or says your brothers one, you tell him its the truest things hes said for a twelvemonth, and that if hed got a little more of the lamb himself, and less of the mint-saucenot being quite so sharp and sour over itI should like him all the better. Thats what youve got to say to him, Jacob. |
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