# LVII explained — The Old Curiosity Shop

> Chapter companion for The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Kit Nubbles becomes a regular visitor to Bevis Marks, carrying messages between the single gentleman and the Garland family. Sampson Brass feigns friendship and virtue, secretly manipulating events. Meanwhile, Richard Swiveller, left alone in the office, discovers the small servant spying through the keyhole and befriends her, teaching her cribbage and nicknaming her 'the Marchioness'.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

The small servant's impoverished condition contrasts with Swiveller's relative freedom, highlighting class divisions.

### Greed and Exploitation

Sampson Brass manipulates Kit and Swiveller for his own ends, feigning virtue while exploiting them.

## Character check-ins

### Christopher Nubbles

Regularly visits Bevis Marks with messages, groomed by Brass's false praise.

### Sampson Brass

Feigns virtue and friendship, secretly manipulates Kit and Swiveller.

### Richard Swiveller

Left alone in the office, he discovers the small servant and teaches her cribbage.

### The Small Servant

Spies on Swiveller through the keyhole; he feeds her and nicknames her 'the Marchioness'.

### Abel Garland

Visits Bevis Marks with Kit, part of the frequent correspondence.

## Key lines

> Honesty is the best policy.⁠—I always find it so myself. I lost forty-seven pound ten by being honest this morning. But it’s all gain, it’s gain!

Brass claims honesty is best, boasting he lost money by being honest, though his sincerity is dubious.

_Brass's ironic moralizing reveals his hypocrisy._

> I shall call you the Marchioness, do you hear?

Swiveller gives the small servant the playful title 'Marchioness' as they play cards.

_Swiveller's whimsical naming shows his kindness and the beginning of their friendship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters