# Sally Brass — The Old Curiosity Shop character guide

> Sally Brass in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Miss Sally Brass, Miss Brass, Sally, Sarah

**First appearance:** 0007-v

## Snapshot

Sampson's snuff-taking sister and clerk, a dragon in a brown headdress who keeps the office and starves the child below stairs.

## Who they are

Sally Brass runs her brother's office with a pen, a tin of snuff, and a total absence of tenderness, treating the hidden servant girl as something less than human. She is sharp, stingy, and utterly without sentiment, yet she takes Dick's coarse flattery in perfect good humor. Her casual cruelty to the Marchioness is one of the novel's quietest horrors, and it is through her basement that Dick stumbles toward the story's hidden victim.

## In the story

### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Sampson's gaunt, bony, and resolute sister and clerk; she has a deep voice, a green gown, and a brown gauze scarf; she effectively controls the office.

### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Finishes her work, takes snuff, and leaves the office, instructing Swiveller to take messages.

### [Chapter XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxv)

Impatient and sharp-tongued, she rings a hand-bell and later dives into her bedroom when the door is flung open.

### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Shows a cruel and miserly nature, feeding the small servant a tiny portion of meat while beating her, and is amused by Swiveller's antics.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Defends the shows against her brother's complaints and watches the performance from the window.

### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xlviii)

Mentioned as absent from the office alongside Sampson when Quilp arrived.

### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/li)

Attends the tea, remains composed despite the discomfort, and participates in the plot against Kit.

### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lvi)

Appears briefly, peeping into the office and exchanging a knowing look with her brother after Swiveller leaves.

### [LVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lviii)

Suspicious of Swiveller, signals him to tell her brother about the theft, and later claims to have 'hit it' regarding the culprit.

### [LIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lix)

Sally taunts her brother about his trust in Kit and takes snuff while the accusation unfolds. She locks the door after Kit is brought back.

### [Kit Accused](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lx)

Physically attacks Kit in court, showing fierce family loyalty.

### [LXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxii)

Mentioned by Brass as a source of protection and as someone who would feel a blow from the dismissal of Swiveller.

### [LXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxiv)

Mentioned as an active participant in the plot against Kit.

### [LXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxvi)

Sally scornfully rebukes her brother for his cowardice, declaring she would never have spoken even under pressure.

### [LXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxvii)

Writes the warning letter to Quilp, advising him to disappear as she has done.

### [LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/lxxiii)

Sally's fate is uncertain; rumors suggest she may have disguised herself as a sailor or soldier.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/sally_brass
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters