After the night that they first met and talked in the kitchen, Smike followed Nicholas everywhere. But when Squeers saw this, he beat Smike more than before
‘they’re harder with me than ever.’ Smike cried one evening to Nicholas in the empty schoolroom.
‘I know,’ Nicholas replied, putting a hand on Smike’s shoulder kindly. ‘you’ll be happier when I’ve gone.’
‘Are you leaving?’ asked Smike, suddenly worried
‘No’ said Nicholas. ‘I was just thinking aloud.’
‘But will you go one day?.
Yes, one day I must go out in to the world.’
And can we meet- out in the world?. Asked Smike.
Of course, said Nicholas. And I’ll help you there and not make your life worse, as I’ve done here.’
Just then, Squeers arrived, and Smike disappeared.
Smike was not Nicholas’s only worry at Dotheboys Hall.
There was also Squeers;s daughter, fanny. One day- not long after Nicholas arrived-Fanny went into the schoolroom to get a pen. Nicholas gave her a friendly smile. ‘What a wonderful smile he has,’ she thought. And at once she decided that she was in love.
Soon after that, Fanny asked Nicholas to tea when Mrs Squeers was out . Fanny’s best friend Tilda, and Tilda’s fiancé, John Browdie, also came. There was bread and butter to eat, and Nicholas ate it very fast. When he saw this, John Browdie started Laughing.
‘You won’t get fat if you stay in this school!. He said.
‘John, don’t speak to Mr. Nickleby like that!. cried Fanny.
‘Oh, Fanny. Shall we leave you and Mr.Nickleby alone’
Asked Tilda, laughing