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as hanging over the side of the coach at the risk of his life, and staring in with his great goggle eyes, which seemed in hers the more horrible from his face being upside down; dodging her in this way from one window to another; getting nimbly down whenever they changed horses and thrusting his head in at the window with a dismal squint: which ingenious tortures had such an effect upon Mrs Nubbles, that she was quite unable for the time to resist the belief that Mr Quilp did in his own person represent and embody that Evil Power, who was so vigorously attacked at Little Bethel, and who, by reason of her backslidings in respect of Astleys and oysters, was now frolicsome and rampant. Kit, having been apprised by letter of his mothers intended return, was waiting for her at the coach- office; and great was his surprise when he saw, leering over the coachmans shoulder like some familiar demon invisible to all eyes but his, the well-known face of Quilp. How are you, Christopher? croaked the dwarf from the coach-top. All right, Christopher. Mothers inside. Why, how did he come here, mother? whispered Kit. I dont know how he came or why, my dear, rejoined Mrs Nubbles, dismounting with her sons assistance, But he has been a terrifying of me out of my seven senses all this blessed day. He has? cried Kit. You wouldnt believe it, that you wouldnt, replied his mother; but dont say a word to him, for I really dont believe hes human. Hush! Dont turn round as if I was talking of him, but hes a squinting at me now in the full blaze of the coach-lamp, quite awful! In spite of his mothers injunction, Kit turned sharply round to look. Mr Quilp was serenely gazing at the stars, quite absorbed in celestial contemplation. Oh, hes the artfullest creetur! cried Mrs Nubbles. But come away. Dont speak to him for the world. Yes I will, mother. What nonsense. I say, Sir Mr Quilp affected to start, and looked smilingly round. You let my mother alone, will you? said Kit. How dare you tease a poor lone woman like her, making her miserable and melancholy as if she hadnt got enough to make her so, without you. Ant you ashamed of yourself, you little monster? Monster! said Quilp inwardly, with a smile. Ugliest dwarf that could be seen anywhere for a pennymonsterah! You show her any of your impudence again, resumed Kit, shouldering the bandbox, and I tell you what, Mr Quilp, I wont bear with you any more. You have no right to do it; Im sure we never interfered with you. This isnt the first time; and if ever you worry or frighten her again, youll oblige me (though I should be very sorry to do it, on account of your size) to beat you. Quilp said not a word in reply, but walking so close to Kit as to bring his eyes within two or three inches of his face, looked fixedly at him, retreated a little distance without averting his gaze, approached again, again withdrew, and so on for half-a-dozen times, like a head in a phantasmagoria. Kit stood his ground as if in expectation of an immediate assault, but finding that nothing came of these gestures, snapped his fingers and walked away; his mother dragging him off as fast as she could, and, even in the midst of his news of little Jacob and the baby, looking anxiously over her shoulder to see if Quilp were following. |
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