"What I want your granddaughter for," said Mrs. Jarley, "is to point 'em
out to the company, for she has a way with her that people wouldn't
think unpleasant. It's not a common offer, bear in mind; it's Jarley's
Waxwork. The duty's very light and genteel, the exhibition takes place
in assembly rooms or town halls. There is none of your open-air wagrancy
at Jarley's, remember. And the price of admission is only sixpence."
"We are very much obliged to you, ma'am," said Nell, speaking for her
grandfather, "and thankfully accept your offer."
"And you'll never be sorry for it," returned Mrs. Jarley. "So, as that's
all settled, let us have a bit of supper."
The next morning, the caravan having arrived at the town, and the
waxworks having been unpacked in the town hall, Mrs. Jarley sat down in
an armchair in the centre of the room, and began to instruct Nell in her
duty.
"That," said Mrs. Jarley in her exhibition tone, "is an unfortunate maid
of honour in the time of Queen Elizabeth, who died from pricking her
finger in consequence of working on a Sunday. Observe the blood which is
trickling from her finger, also the gold-eyed needle of the period, with
which she is at work."
Nell found in the lady of the caravan a kind and considerate person, who
had not only a peculiar relish for being comfortable herself, but for
making everybody about her comfortable also.
But the child noticed that her grandfather grew more and more listless
and vacant, and soon a greater sorrow was to come. The passion for
gambling revived in the old man one evening, when he and Nell, out
walking in the country, took passing shelter from a storm in a small
public-house. He saw men playing cards, and, allowed to join them, lost.
The next night he went off alone, and Nell, finding him gone, followed.
Her grandfather was with the card-players near an encampment of gypsies,
and, to her horror, he promised to bring more money.
Flight was now the only thing possible, before her grandfather should
steal. How else could he get the money?
_IV.--Beyond the Pale_
Flight by water! For two days they travelled on a barge, Nell sitting
with her grandfather in the boat. Rugged and noisy fellows were the
bargemen, and quite brutal among themselves, though civil enough to
their passengers. The barge floated into the wharf to which it belonged,
and now came flight by land through a strange, unfriendly town. The
travellers were penniless, and at nightfall took refuge in a deep
doorway.
A man, miserably clad and begrimed with smoke, found them here, and,
learning they were homeless, promised them shelter by the fire of a
great furnace.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account