THE WORKS OF CHARLES DICKENS VOLUME VIII THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP AND REPRINTED PIECES CHAPMAN AND HALL, LONDON THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP. CHAPTER LVI. A DAY or two after the Quilp tea-party at the Wilderness, Mr. Swiveller walked into Sampson Brass's office at the usual hour, and being alone in that Temple of Probity, placed his hat upon the desk, and taking from his pocket a small parcel of black crape, applied himself to folding and pinning the same upon it, after the manner of a hatband. Having completed the construction of this appendage, he surveyed his work with great complacency, and put his hat on again-very much over one eye, to increase the mournfulness of the effect. These arrangements perfected to his entire satisfaction, he thrust his hands into his pockets, and walked up and down the office with measured steps. "It has always been the same with me," said Mr. Swiveller, always. 'Twas ever thus, from childhood's hour I've seen my fondest hopes decay, I never loved a tree or flower but 't was the first to fade away; I never nursed a dear Gazelle, to glad me with its soft black eye, but when it came to know me well, and love me, it was sure to marry a market-gardener." Overpowered by these reflections, Mr. Swiveller stopped short at the clients' chair, and flung himself into its open arms. "And this," said Mr. Swiveller, with a kind of bantering composure, "is life, I believe. Oh, certainly. Why not! I'm 8 B |