The old gentleman got out, and helped out the old lady in Chapter XIV of Dickens's Old Curiosity Shop by Thomas Worth in the first Household Edition volume published by Harper & Bros., New York (1872), 51: 4 ⅛ x 5 ¼ inches (10.4 x 13.4 cm) framed. [Click on the image to enlarge it.]
Passage Illustrated: The Garlands and Kit Nubbles
"I beg your pardon, sir," said Kit. "I’m sorry you stopped, sir. I only meant did you want your horse minded."
"I’m going to get down in the next street," returned the old gentleman. "If you like to come on after us, you may have the job."
Kit thanked him, and joyfully obeyed. The pony ran off at a sharp angle to inspect a lamp-post on the opposite side of the way, and then went off at a tangent to another lamp-post on the other side. Having satisfied himself that they were of the same pattern and materials, he came to a stop apparently absorbed in meditation.
"Will you go on, sir," said the old gentleman, gravely, "or are we to wait here for you till it’s too late for our appointment?"
The pony remained immoveable.
"Oh you naughty Whisker," said the old lady. "Fie upon you! I’m ashamed of such conduct."
The pony appeared to be touched by this appeal to his feelings, for he trotted on directly, though in a sulky manner, and stopped no more until he came to a door whereon was a brass plate with the words "Witherden — Notary." Here the old gentleman got out and helped out the old lady, and then took from under the seat a nosegay resembling in shape and dimensions a full-sized warming-pan with the handle cut short off. This, the old lady carried into the house with a staid and stately air, and the old gentleman (who had a club-foot) followed close upon her. [Chapter XIV, 51]
Related Material about The Old Curiosity Shop
- Dickens's The Old Curiosity Shop (homepage)
- The Old Curiosity Shop Illustrated: A Team Effort by "The Clock Works"
- Illustrated Editions of The Old Curiosity Shop
- Kyd's Characters from Dickens (1889)
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
Dickens, Charles. The Old Curiosity Shop. Illustrated by Thomas Worth. The Household Edition. 16 vols. New York: Harper & Bros., 1872. I.
Created 24 August 2020
Last modified 26 November 2020