Charles Dickens

Nell and Her Grandfather - Original Edition Charles Dickens

One evening an Old Gentleman was taking a walk in the city of London, when some one spoke to him in a soft, sweet voice that fell pleasantly upon his ears. He turned hastily round, and found at his elbow a pretty little girl of some thirteen summers, who begged to be directed to a certain street which was in quite another part of London."It is a very long way from here, my child," said the Old Gentleman."I know that, sir," she replied timidly. "I am afraid it is a very long way, for I came from there to-night.""Alone?" said the Old Gentleman."Oh yes; I don't mind that. But I am a little afraid now, for I have lost my road.""And what made you ask it of me? Suppose I should tell you wrong?""I am sure you will not do that," said the little maiden. "You are such a very old gentleman, and walk so slow yourself."As the child spoke these words a tear came into her clear eye, and her slight figure trembled as she looked up into the Old Gentleman's face."Come," said he, "I'll take you there."She put her hand in his as if she had known him from her cradle; and they trudged away together, the little creature rather seeming to lead and take care of the Old Gentleman than he to be protecting her."Who has sent you so far by yourself?" said he."Somebody who is very kind to me, sir.""And what have you been doing?""That I must not tell," said the child. The Old Gentleman looked at the little creature with surprise, for he wondered what kind of errand it might be that made her unwilling to answer the question. Her quick eye seemed to read his thoughts. As it met his she added that there was no harm in what she had been doing, but it was a great secret-a secret which she did not even know herself. This was said with perfect frankness. She now walked on as before, talking cheerfully by the way; but she said no more about her home, beyond remarking that they were going quite a new road, and asking if it were a short one. At length, clapping her hands with pleasure and running on before her new friend for a short distance, the little girl stopped at a door, and remaining on the step till the Old Gentleman came up, knocked at it when he joined her. When she had knocked twice or thrice there was a noise as if some person were moving inside, and at length a faint light was seen through the glass of the upper part of the door. As this light approached very slowly it showed clearly both what kind of person it was who advanced and what kind of apartment it was through which he came. He was a little old man, with long gray hair, whose face and figure, as he held the light above his head and looked before him, could be plainly seen. The place through which he made his way was one of those found in odd corners of the town, and known as "curiosity shops." There were suits of mail standing like ghosts in armour here and there; rusty weapons of various kinds; twisted figures in china, and wood, and iron, and ivory; curtains, and strange furniture that might have been designed in dreams. The thin, worn face of the little old man was suited to the place. He might have groped among old churches, and tombs, and deserted houses, and gathered all the spoils with his own hands. As he turned the key in the lock he looked at the Old Gentleman with some surprise.