Mr. Brass sees a light inside the counting house, which is his destination for an appointment with Quilp. Brass hates how debris is strewn around differently every day, which makes walking at night hazardous. He is certain Quilp does it on purpose.
Brass is afraid of Quilp, though he is his main client. Brass thinks that Quilp would happily kill him. He wishes his sister Sally was with him to offer protection. He hears Quilp singing about Kit’s hearing. He knocks, and Quilp bids him to enter.
Inside, there is a huge ship figurehead. Quilp keeps beating on it and subjecting it to other abuses because it looks like Kit. Brass becomes more ill at ease with the violence of Quilp’s temperament.
Brass meekly tells Quilp he should not sing about Kit’s arrest. The less said about that, the better everyone is apt to be. Quilp points out he doesn’t know the means in which the Brasses implicated Kit. Brass backs down and apologizes.
He tells Quilp that Marks has not returned to his lodgings. He is staying with the Garlands. Marks told Swiveller that he couldn’t stand the place anymore, and he blames himself partially for what happened to Kit. Brass fears he’ll be losing a good tenant.
Quilp wants Brass to discharge Swiveller. He had put Swiveller in Brass’s employ to keep an eye on him. He was going to help Swiveller marry Nell, delighting in the joke that the man thought she was rich when she was actually poor. However, if someone like Marks is looking for Nell and her grandfather, obviously they are not poor. Quilp has also learned that Fred Trent will not be returning. He is outrunning a crime and has gone abroad. Quilp wants Swiveller to be let go as soon as the trial is over.
Brass has a few drinks and passes out. He wakes up later and bids Quilp goodbye. Quilp hands him a lantern and tells him to be careful of the vicious dog that has maimed and killed people.