among them, and a pretty Barbara she was. Nor was there wanting an
exact facsimile and copy of little Jacob, as he appeared in those
remote times when they taught him what oysters meant. Of course there
was an Abel, own godson to the Mr Garland of that name; and there was a
Dick, whom Mr Swiveller did especially favour. The little group would
often gather round him of a night and beg him to tell again that story
of good Miss Nell who died. This, Kit would do; and when they cried to
hear it, wishing it longer too, he would teach them how she had gone to
Heaven, as all good people did; and how, if they were good, like her,
they might hope to be there too, one day, and to see and know her as he
had done when he was quite a boy. Then, he would relate to them how
needy he used to be, and how she had taught him what he was otherwise
too poor to learn, and how the old man had been used to say 'she always
laughs at Kit;' at which they would brush away their tears, and laugh
themselves to think that she had done so, and be again quite merry.

He sometimes took them to the street where she had lived; but new
improvements had altered it so much, it was not like the same. The old
house had been long ago pulled down, and a fine broad road was in its
place. At first he would draw with his stick a square upon the ground
to show them where it used to stand. But he soon became uncertain of
the spot, and could only say it was thereabouts, he thought, and these
alterations were confusing.

Such are the changes which a few years bring about, and so do things
pass away, like a tale that is told!

End of Project Gutenberg's The Old Curiosity Shop, by Charles Dickens

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