Sketches by Boz - Penn State University

Charles DickensOur next-door neighbour was now perfectly happy. neighbour an aversion to single gentlemen, we knowHe had got a lodger at last, of just his own way of thinking—aserious, well-disposed man, who abhorred gai-appearance in the parlour window intimated gener-not; we only know that the next bill which made itsety, and loved retirement. He took down the bill with a ally, that there were furnished apartments to let onlight heart, and pictured in imagination a long series of the first floor. The bill was soon removed. The newquiet Sundays, on which he and his lodger would exchangemutual civilities and Sunday papers.excited our interest.lodgers at first attracted our curiosity, and afterwardsThe serious man arrived, and his luggage was to arrivefrom the country next morning. He borrowed a clean his mother, a lady of about fifty, or it might be less. TheThey were a young lad of eighteen or nineteen, andshirt, and a prayer-book, from our next-door neighbour, mother wore a widow’s weeds, and the boy was alsoand retired to rest at an early hour, requesting that he clothed in deep mourning. They were poor—very poor;might be called punctually at ten o’clock next morning—notbefore, as he was much fatigued.the boy earned, by copying writings, and translatingfor their only means of support arose from the pittanceHe was called, and did not answer: he was called for booksellers.again, but there was no reply. Our next-door neighbour They had removed from some country place and settledbecame alarmed, and burst the door open. The serious in London; partly because it afforded better chances ofman had left the house mysteriously; carrying with employment for the boy, and partly, perhaps, with thehim the shirt, the prayer-book, a teaspoon, and the natural desire to leave a place where they had been inbedclothes.better circumstances, and where their poverty wasWhether this occurrence, coupled with the irregularitiesof his former lodger, gave our next-door revealing their wants and privations to strangers.known. They were proud under their reverses, and aboveHow47