“I am very happy as I am, grandfather,” said the child.
“Tush, tush!” returned the old man, “The time must come, I am very sure it must.”
The girl cheerfully helped the old man with his cloak, and, when he was ready, took a candle to light him out[7]. The old man folded her in his arms and bade God bless her.
“Sleep soundly, Nell,” he said in a low voice,” and angels guard your bed! Do not forget your prayers, my sweet.”
“No indeed,” answered the child fervently, “they make me feel so happy!”
“That’s well; I know they do; they should,” said the old man. “Bless thee a hundred times! Early in the morning I shall be home.”
With this, they separated. The child opened the door. The old man’s figure was soon beyond her sight.
A young man stood lounging with his foot upon a chair, and regarded the old man with a contemptuous sneer. He was a young man of one-and-twenty; well made[8], and certainly handsome, though his manner and even his dress had a dissipated, insolent air.
“Here I am,” said the young fellow, “and here I shall stop, I tell you again that I want to see my sister!’’
“Your sister!” said the old man bitterly.
“Ah! You can’t change the relationship,” returned the other. “If you could, you’d have done it long ago. I want to see my sister, that you keep here, poisoning her mind with your sly secrets. I know you had the money you can hardly count. I want to see her; and I will.”
“Here’s a moralist to talk of poisoned minds!” cried the old man. “You are a liar, sir, who knows how dear she is to me, and seeks to wound me.”
“Well,” said the young fellow, “There’s a friend of mine waiting outside, and as it seems that I may have to wait some time, I’ll call him in.”
Saying this, he stepped to the door, and looking down the street beckoned several times to some person.
“There. It’s Dick Swiveller[9],” said the young fellow, pushing him in. “Sit down, Swiveller.”
“But is the old man agreeable?” said Mr. Swiveller in an undertone[10].
“Sit down,” repeated his companion.
Mr. Swiveller complied, and looking about him with a propitiatory smile, observed that last week was a fine week for the ducks, and this week was a fine week for the dust. He furthermore apologized for any negligence that might be perceptible in his dress, on the ground that last night he had been drinking much.