me as
flowers in May, or coals at Christmas. Would you like this room, sir?
Honour me by walking in. Do me the favour, pray.'

'Goodness gracious me!' cried Kit's mother, falling back in extreme
surprise, 'only think of this!'

She had some reason to be astonished, for the person who proffered the
gracious invitation was no other than Daniel Quilp. The little door
out of which he had thrust his head was close to the inn larder; and
there he stood, bowing with grotesque politeness; as much at his ease
as if the door were that of his own house; blighting all the legs of
mutton and cold roast fowls by his close companionship, and looking
like the evil genius of the cellars come from underground upon some
work of mischief.

'Would you do me the honour?' said Quilp.

'I prefer being alone,' replied the single gentleman.

'Oh!' said Quilp. And with that, he darted in again with one jerk and
clapped the little door to, like a figure in a Dutch clock when the
hour strikes.

'Why it was only last night, sir,' whispered Kit's mother, 'that I left
him in Little Bethel.'

'Indeed!' said her fellow-passenger. 'When did that person come here,
waiter?'

'Come down by the night-coach, this morning, sir.'

'Humph! And when is he going?'

'Can't say, sir, really. When the chambermaid asked him just now if he
should want a bed, sir, he first made faces at her, and then wanted to
kiss her.'

'Beg him to walk this way,' said the single gentleman. 'I should be
glad to exchange a word with him, tell him. Beg him to come at once,
do you hear?'

The man stared on receiving these instructions, for the single
gentleman had not only displayed as much astonishment as Kit's mother
at sight of the dwarf, but, standing in no fear of him, had been at
less pains to conceal his dislike and repugnance. He departed on his
errand, however, and immediately returned, ushering in its object.

'Your servant, sir,' said the dwarf, 'I encountered your messenger
half-way. I thought you'd allow me to pay my compliments to you. I
hope you're well. I hope you're very well.'

There was a short pause, while the dwarf, with half-shut eyes and
puckered face, stood waiting for an answer. Receiving none, he turned
towards his more familiar acquaintance.

'Christopher's mother!' he cried. 'Such a dear lady, such a worthy
woman, so blest in her honest son! How is Christopher's mother? Have
change of air and scene improved her? Her littl