Quilp was a light sleeper and started up directly.
'Here's somebody for you,' said the boy.
'Who ?' 'I don't know.' 'Ask!' said Quilp, seizing the trifle of wood before mentioned and throwing it at him with such dexterity that it was well the boy disappeared before it reached the spot on which he had stood.

'Ask, you dog.' Not caring to venture within range of such missles again, the boy discreetly sent in his stead the first cause of the interruption, who now presented herself at the door.
'What, Nelly!' cried Quilp.
'Yes,' said the child, hesitating whether to enter or retreat, for the dwarf just roused, with his dishevelled hair hanging all about him and a yellow handkerchief over his head, was something fearful to behold; it's only me, sir.' 'Come in,' said Quilp, without getting off the desk.

'Come in.

Stay.
Just look out into the yard, and see whether there's a boy standing on his head.' 'No, sir,' replied Nell.

'He's on his feet.' 'You're sure he is ?' said Quilp.