Poor Little Miss La Creevy

 Miss La Creevy is the kind old landlady who owns the house where Mrs. Nickleby and Kate board in Nicholas Nickleby. She is a very solitary and lonely creature, but also very friendly and cheerful and full of kindness and has a genuine desire to help the Nicklebys in their unfortunate circumstances. She is a miniature painter and is always very eager at the prospect of a new model to paint, and delights to tell stories of all the many people she has painted portraits of.
 I quite enjoyed her character in the novel and was rather disappointed that she did not play a bigger role in the 2002 movie adaptation, (although in all other respects, the film is splendid. Except perhaps for the casting of Madeline Bray--is it just me, or is Anne Hathaway remarkably easy to make fun of?--but that is a topic for another time.) However, I did think Sophie Thompson's Miss La Creevy was quite delightful, regardless of how small the part was. (Well, she's the sister of Emma Thompson, could one honestly expect anything less?)
 Here is an excerpt from Nicholas Nickleby containing a confrontation between Miss La Creevy and Miss Knag, the snobbish and disdainful head seamstress at Madame Mantalini's establishment. I found it very funny indeed!

  Relieved by this expression of opinion, albeit it was vented upon empty air, Miss La Creevy trotted on to Madame Mantalini's; and being informed that the governing power was not yet out of bed, requested an interview with the second in command; whereupon Miss Knag appeared.
 "So far as I am concerned," said Miss Knag, when the message had been delivered, with many ornaments of speech; "I could spare Miss Nickleby for evermore."
 "Oh, indeed, ma'am!" rejoined miss La Creevy, highly offended. "But, you see, you are not mistress of the business, and therefore it's of no great consequence."
 "Very good, ma'am," said Miss Knag. "Have you any further commands for me?"
 "No. I have not, ma'am," rejoined Miss La Creevy.
 "Then good morning, ma'am," said Miss Knag.
 "Good morning to you, ma'am; and many obligations for your extreme politeness and good breeding," rejoined Miss La Creevy.
  Thus terminating the interview during which both ladies had trembled very much, and been marvellously polite-- certain indications that they were within an inch of a very desperate quarrel-- Miss La Creey bounced out of the room, and into the street.
 "I wonder who that is," said the queer little soul. "A nice person to know, I should think! I wish I had the painting of her: I'd do her justice." So, feeling quite satisfied that she had said a very cutting thing at Miss Knag's expense, Miss La Creevy had a hearty laugh, and went home to breakfast, in great good humour.

And here is another excerpt, a mere few paragraphs later:

 Here was one of the advantages of having lived alone so long! The little bustling, active, cheerful creature existed entirely within herself, talked to herself, made a confidant of herself, was as sarcastic as she could be, on people who offended her, by herself; pleased herself, and did no harm. If she indulged in scandal, nobody's reputation suffered; if she enjoyed a little bit of revenge, no living soul was one atom the worse. One of the many to whom, from straightened circumstances, a consequent inability to form the associations they would wish, and a disinclination to mix with the society they could obtain, London is as complete a solitude as the plains of Syria, the humble artist had pursued her lonely, but contented way for many years; and, until the peculiar misfortunes of the Nickleby family had attracted her attention, had made no friends, though brimful of the friendliest feelings to all mankind. There are many warm hearts in the same solitary guise as poor little Miss La Creevy's.

 Rather sad but sweet, isn't it? I think Miss La Creevy and Miss Knag's 'desperate quarrell' is absolutely hilarious! I wonder, is there anyone quite as clever as Charles Dickens?


                       Very Truly Yours,

                                          Emma Jane