The Old Curiosity Shop

Once they are far enough away from the racing grounds, Nell and her grandfather stop to rest. Nell is tired but fortifies herself by remembering how helpless her grandfather would be without her. They walk on, happily listening to birdsongs, until they come upon another village. They see a schoolmaster outside, and he invites them to stay the night. Nell notices the walls of the schoolhouse are decorated with samples of student work—all in the same hand. The schoolmaster explains that the boy whose work it is usually visits each night but has been very sick lately. He goes to visit the boy, and Nell waits up for him to return. When he returns, the schoolmaster asks Nell to pray for his student, as his illness has worsened.

The schoolmaster has already gone out when Nell wakes. He returns with news that his student’s condition is even worse now than it was the night before. He offers Nell the option of staying another night, considering how worn-out her grandfather looks. Nell accepts and does chores around the schoolroom and the house to show her thanks. The students—a dozen or so boys aged four to fourteen—arrive for school. The boys copy letters, do math, and read their books.