The Old Curiosity Shop

The single gentleman procures rooms at the inn for himself and for Kit’s mother. They are surprised to run into Quilp at the inn. The gentleman confronts Quilp, demanding to know if he is following them and what his business is there. Quilp denies all accusations but privately recalls previously connecting Kit with the single gentleman because Dick saw them at the notary together. Quilp planned to spy on Kit and his mother and followed them both from Little Bethel to the wedding. Once he learned their purpose by eavesdropping on the crowds, he followed them to the inn and staged their encounter there. Quilp reflects on his hatred of Nell, her grandfather, the single gentleman, Kit, and Kit’s mother. Quilp follows Kit’s mother home, where Kit confronts him and threatens to beat him if he does not leave their family alone.

Quilp returns home and is surprised to overhear his wife and mother-in-law talking with a group of men. Quilp grabs his boy, Tom Scott, as soon as he answers the door; Tom says that since no one had seen or heard from Quilp in several days, everyone upstairs thought he drowned at the wharf where he was last seen. Quilp sneaks upstairs and sees Mrs. Jiniwin, Sampson, Mrs. Quilp, and a few men who work at the wharf. Quilp jumps out and surprises them all. He dismisses Sampson and the wharfmen. Once alone, he turns to his wife “like a dismounted nightmare” (348). 

Quilp berates his wife for believing him dead, despite the fact that she has been genuinely concerned for his well-being. He declares his departure to his countinghouse at the wharf and his intention to turn it into a kind of bachelor’s quarters. As Mrs. Quilp packs his things, Quilp takes the fireplace poker, sneaks into Mrs. Jiniwin’s room, and beats her legs with it as she sleeps.

Tom carries Quilp’s belongings down to the wharf around four in the morning. Quilp orders old ship furnishings to be brought in the next day; he calls his new bachelor’s quarters a Robinson Crusoe-like island. Quilp visits Dick, who has been thinking of running away from his post at the Brasses because he so dislikes being a legal clerk. Dick is also sad that Sophy has since married someone else, and he blames Quilp and Fred’s scheming for his heartbreak. Quilp shares his intentions to introduce Fred to the single gentleman, but Dick has already done so. Dick also tells Quilp that at their meeting, the single gentleman claimed to be Fred’s grandfather.

Quilp tries to visit the Brasses again, but both siblings and Dick are out of the office. Quilp demands that the servant girl take down his message. He then goes to the Wilderness for drinks and waits to see if the Brasses receive the invitation that he left asking them to join him. In due time they arrive, and Quilp enlists them in his plan to get Kit out of the way.