Chapter 12

           

           Atlength,thecrisisoftheoldman’sdisorderwaspast,andhebegantomend.Byveryslowandfeebledegreeshisconsciousnesscameback;butthemindwasweakenedanditsfunctionswereimpaired.Hewaspatient,andquiet;oftensatbrooding,butnotdespondently,foralongspace;waseasilyamused,evenbyasun-beamonthewallorceiling;madenocomplaintthatthedayswerelong,orthenightstedious;andappearedindeedtohavelostallcountoftime,andeverysenseofcareorweariness.Hewouldsit,forhourstogether,withNell’ssmallhandinhis,playingwiththefingersandstoppingsometimestosmoothherhairorkissherbrow;and,whenhesawthattearswereglisteninginhereyes,wouldlook,amazed,abouthimforthecause,andforgethiswonderevenwhilehelooked.

           Thechildandherodeout;theoldmanproppedupwithpillows,andthechildbesidehim.Theywerehandinhandasusual.Thenoiseandmotioninthestreetsfatiguedhisbrainatfirst,buthewasnotsurprised,orcurious,orpleased,orirritated.Hewasaskedifherememberedthis,orthat.‘Oyes,’hesaid,‘quitewellwhynot?’Sometimesheturnedhishead,andlooked,withearnestgazeandoutstretchedneck,aftersomestrangerinthecrowd,untilhedisappearedfromsight;but,tothequestionwhyhedidthis,heanswerednotaword.

           Hewassittinginhiseasychaironeday,andNelluponastoolbesidehim,whenamanoutsidethedoorinquiredifhemightenter.‘Yes,’hesaidwithoutemotion,‘itwasQuilp,heknew.Quilpwasmasterthere.Ofcoursehemightcomein.’Andsohedid.

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