Nicholas Nickleby - The Original Classic Edition. Dickens Charles

'Look here, sir,' said Ralph; 'I'll put this matter in its true light in two seconds.'

       'If you'll have the goodness,' rejoined Squeers.

       'This is a boy, or a youth, or a lad, or a young man, or a hobbledehoy, or whatever you like to call him, of eighteen or nineteen, or

       thereabouts,' said Ralph.

       'That I see,' observed the schoolmaster.

       'So do I,' said Mr Snawley, thinking it as well to back his new friend occasionally.

       'His father is dead, he is wholly ignorant of the world, has no resources whatever, and wants something to do,' said Ralph. 'I recom-

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       mend him to this splendid establishment of yours, as an opening which will lead him to fortune if he turns it to proper account. Do you see that?'

       'Everybody must see that,' replied Squeers, half imitating the sneer with which the old gentleman was regarding his unconscious

       relative.

       'I do, of course,' said Nicholas, eagerly.

       'He does, of course, you observe,' said Ralph, in the same dry, hard manner. 'If any caprice of temper should induce him to cast aside this golden opportunity before he has brought it to perfection, I consider myself absolved from extending any assistance to his mother and sister. Look at him, and think of the use he may be to you in half-a-dozen ways! Now, the question is, whether, for

       some time to come at all events, he won't serve your purpose better than twenty of the kind of people you would get under ordinary circumstances. Isn't that a question for consideration?'

       'Yes, it is,' said Squeers, answering a nod of Ralph's head with a nod of his own.

       'Good,' rejoined Ralph. 'Let me have two words with you.'

       The two words were had apart; in a couple of minutes Mr Wackford Squeers announced that Mr Nicholas Nickleby was, from that moment, thoroughly nominated to, and installed in, the office of first assistant master at Dotheboys Hall.

       'Your uncle's recommendation has done it, Mr Nickleby,' said Wackford Squeers.

       Nicholas, overjoyed at his success, shook his uncle's hand warmly, and could almost have worshipped Squeers upon the spot.

       'He is an odd-looking man,' thought Nicholas. 'What of that? Porson was an odd-looking man, and so was Doctor Johnson; all these

       bookworms are.'

       'At eight o'clock tomorrow morning, Mr Nickleby,' said Squeers, 'the coach starts. You must be here at a quarter before, as we take

       these boys with us.'

       'Certainly, sir,' said Nicholas.

       'And your fare down, I have paid,' growled Ralph. 'So, you'll have nothing to do but keep yourself warm.'

       Here was another instance of his uncle's generosity! Nicholas felt his unexpected kindness so much, that he could scarcely find words to thank him; indeed, he had not found half enough, when they took leave of the schoolmaster, and emerged from the Saracen's Head gateway.

       'I shall be here in the morning to see you fairly off,' said Ralph. 'No skulking!'

       'Thank you, sir,' replied Nicholas; 'I never shall forget this kindness.'

       'Take care you don't,' replied his uncle. 'You had better go home now, and pack up what you have got to pack. Do you think you could find your way to Golden Square first?'

       'Certainly,' said Nicholas. 'I can easily inquire.'

       'Leave these papers with my clerk, then,' said Ralph, producing a small parcel, 'and tell him to wait till I come home.'

       Nicholas cheerfully undertook the errand, and bidding his worthy uncle an affectionate farewell, which that warm-hearted old gentle-

       man acknowledged by a growl, hastened away to execute his commission.

       He found Golden Square in due course; Mr Noggs, who had stepped out for a minute or so to the public-house, was opening the door with a latch-key, as he reached the steps.

       'What's that?' inquired Noggs, pointing to the parcel.

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       'Papers from my uncle,' replied Nicholas; 'and you're to have the goodness to wait till he comes home, if you please.'

       'Uncle!' cried Noggs.

       'Mr Nickleby,' said Nicholas in explanation.

       'Come in,' said Newman.

       Without another word he led Nicholas into the passage, and thence into the official pantry at the end of it, where he thrust him into a chair, and mounting upon his high stool, sat, with his arms hanging, straight down by his sides, gazing fixedly upon him, as from a tower of observation.

       'There is no answer,' said Nicholas, laying the parcel on a table beside him.

       Newman said nothing, but folding his arms, and thrusting his head forward so as to obtain a nearer view of Nicholas's face, scanned his features closely.

       'No answer,' said Nicholas, speaking very loud, under the impression that Newman Noggs was deaf.

       Newman placed his hands upon his knees, and, without uttering a syllable, continued the same close scrutiny of his companion's face.

       This was such a very singular proceeding on the part of an utter stranger, and his appearance was so extremely peculiar, that Nicholas, who had a sufficiently keen sense of the ridiculous, could not refrain from breaking into a smile as he inquired whether Mr Noggs had any commands for him.

       Noggs shook his head and sighed; upon which Nicholas rose, and remarking that he required no rest, bade him good-morning.

       It was a great exertion for Newman Noggs, and nobody knows to this day how he ever came to make it, the other party being wholly unknown to him, but he drew a long breath and actually said, out loud, without once stopping, that if the young gentleman did not object to tell, he should like to know what his uncle was going to do for him.

       Nicholas had not the least objection in the world, but on the contrary was rather pleased to have an opportunity of talking on

       the subject which occupied his thoughts; so, he sat down again, and (his sanguine imagination warming as he spoke) entered into a fervent and glowing description of all the honours and advantages to be derived from his appointment at that seat of learning, Dotheboys Hall.

       'But, what's the matter--are you ill?' said Nicholas, suddenly breaking off, as his companion, after throwing himself into a variety of uncouth attitudes, thrust his hands under the stool, and cracked his finger-joints as if he were snapping all the bones in his hands.

       Newman Noggs made no reply, but went on shrugging his shoulders and cracking his finger-joints; smiling horribly all the time, and

       looking steadfastly at nothing, out of the tops of his eyes, in a most ghastly manner.

       At first, Nicholas thought the mysterious man was in a fit, but, on further consideration, decided that he was in liquor, under which circumstances he deemed it prudent to make off at once. He looked back when he had got the streetdoor open. Newman Noggs was still indulging in the same extraordinary gestures, and the cracking of his fingers sounded louder that ever.

       CHAPTER 5

       Nicholas starts for Yorkshire. Of his Leave-taking and his Fellow-Travellers, and what befell them on the Road

       If tears dropped into a trunk were charms to preserve its owner from sorrow and misfortune, Nicholas Nickleby would have commenced his expedition under most happy auspices. There was so much to be done, and so little time to do it in; so many kind words to be spoken, and such bitter pain in the hearts in which they rose to impede their utterance; that the little preparations for his jour-

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       ney were made mournfully indeed. A hundred things which the anxious care of his mother and sister deemed indispensable for his comfort, Nicholas insisted on leaving behind, as they might prove of some after use, or might be convertible into money if occasion required. A hundred affectionate contests on such