CHAPTER 7 

Mr and Mrs Squeers at Home 

Mr Squeers, being safely landed, left Nicholas and the boys standing with the luggage in the road, to amuse themselves by looking at the coach as it changed horses, while he ran into the tavern and went through the leg-stretching process at the bar. After some minutes, he returned, with his legs thoroughly stretched, if the hue of his nose and a short hiccup afforded any criterion; and at the same time there came out of the yard a rusty pony-chaise, and a cart, driven by two labouring men. 

'Put the boys and the boxes into the cart,' said Squeers, rubbing his hands; 'and this young man and me will go on in the chaise. Get in, Nickleby.' 

Nicholas obeyed. Mr. Squeers with some difficulty inducing the pony to obey also, they started off, leaving the cart-load of infant misery to follow at leisure. 

'Are you cold, Nickleby?' inquired Squeers, after they had travelled some distance in silence. 

'Rather, sir, I must say.' 

'Well, I don't find fault with that,' said Squeers; 'it's a long journey this weather.' 

'Is it much farther to Dotheboys Hall, sir?' asked Nicholas. 

'About three mile from here,' replied Squeers. 'But you needn't call it a Hall down here.' 

Nicholas coughed, as if he would like to know why. 

'The fact is, it ain't a Hall,' observed Squeers drily. 

'Oh, indeed!' said Nicholas, whom this piece of intelligence much astonished. 

'No,' replied Squeers. 'We call it a Hall up in London, because it sounds better, but they don't know it by that name in these parts. A man may call his house an island if he likes; there's no act of Parliament against that, I believe?'  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What are Nicholas and the boys waiting on?
2. Whose presence are Nicholas and co. waiting for?
3. 
Q2:
1. Where did Mr. Squeers and the group stop for a moment?
2. What was the site of the group's pit stop?
3. 
Q3:
1. What business did Mr. Squeers have in the tavern?
2. What was Mr. Squeers doing in the tavern?
3. 
Q4:
1. How long did Mr. Squeers spend in the tavern?
2. For what length of time was Mr. Squeers in the pub?
3. 
Q5:
1. Where did the group put their belongings?
2. Where did the boys place their luggage?
3. 
Q6:
1. What did the boys climb into?
2. What did the boys get into?
3. 
