About this story
Below stairs at Bevis Marks the Marchioness deals cribbage on a wash tub lid and hears through the floor the plot that plants a five-pound note in Kit's hat. Quilp goes down his own hidden stair into the black tide. Seventy-three chapters carry the waxwork wagons to the churchyard where the bell stops a county in its haymaking.
How it opens
Twilight collected among armour, cracked mirrors, and wooden saints in the cramped old shop.
Dust softened every object except the brass door bell, which announced visitors with a shriek.
Your writing lesson is ready, Miss Nell, if the alphabet has forgiven me.
GrandfatherKeep the lamps low tonight, child; old things sell better when mystery improves them.
Choose
Begin with your name, since you ought to own it clearly.
Read the labels first and write whichever word you like.