She was scared at first, but seemed to take courage while he spoke to
her. 'You are very good, sir. You speak very earnestly to me. But I--but I
wish you had not watched me.' He understood the emotion with which she said it, to arise in her
father's behalf; and he respected it, and was silent.
'Mrs Clennam has been of great service to me; I don't know what we
should have done without the employment she has given me; I am afraid
it may not be a good return to become secret with her; I can say no more
to-night, sir. I am sure you mean to be kind to us. Thank you, thank
you.' 'Let me ask you one question before I leave. Have you known my
mother long?' 'I think two years, sir,--The bell has stopped.'
'How did you know her first? Did she send here for you?'
'No. She does not even know that I live here. We have a friend, father
and I--a poor labouring man, but the best of friends--and I wrote out
that I wished to do needlework, and gave his address. And he got what
I wrote out displayed at a few places where it cost nothing, and Mrs
Clennam found me that way, and sent for me. The gate will be locked,
sir!' She was so tremulous and agitated, and he was so moved by compassion for
her, and by deep interest in her story as it dawned upon him, that he
could scarcely tear himself away. But the stoppage of the bell, and the
quiet in the prison, were a warning to depart; and with a few hurried
words of kindness he left her gliding back to her father.
But he remained too late. The inner gate was locked, and the lodge
closed. After a little fruitless knocking with his hand, he was standing
there with the disagreeable conviction upon him that he had got to get
through the night, when a voice accosted him from behind. 'Caught, eh?' said the voice.
'You won't go home till morning. Oh! It's
you, is it, Mr Clennam?' The voice was Tip's; and they stood looking at one another in the
prison-yard, as it began to rain. 'You've done it,' observed Tip; 'you must be sharper than that next
time.' 'But you are locked in too,' said Arthur.
'I believe I am!' said Tip, sarcastically. 'About! But not in your way.
I belong to the shop, only my sister has a theory that our governor must
never know it. I don't see why, myself.' 'Can I get any shelter?' asked Arthur.