The Old Curiosity Shop

Nell and Mrs. Jarley go out the next morning, and Nell keeps a watchful eye out for Mr. Quilp. As they unpack the caravan, a Mr. Slum arrives. He sells Mrs. Jarley an acrostic poem to use as an advertisement for her show. He leaves to prepare a fair copy for printing. Once alone, Nell and Mrs. Jarley examine the wax figures. Nell learns all the necessary talking points for each figure, impressing Mrs. Jarley with her memory and skill. Mr. Slum returns with the poetry advertisement.

Mrs. Jarley has Nell ride in an advertisement cart with George, wearing artificial flowers and distributing handbills for the show. The townspeople immediately love Nell, and young boys even leave small gifts for her at the waxwork doors. When the school audiences attend, Mrs. Jarley alters various figures’ dress so that a murderess becomes Hannah More, and Mary Queen of Scots becomes Lord Byron.

Nell continues to have nightmares of Quilp catching her. One night, Nell and her grandfather go for a walk and get caught in a hard rainstorm. They become lost and take shelter at the nearest inn, The Valiant Soldiers. The owner, James Groves, welcomes them in. The grandfather overhears a group of men playing cards, and he takes Nell’s wages so he can join the gambling.