# Short — The Old Curiosity Shop character guide

> Short in The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Mr. Short, Even Short

**First appearance:** 0019-xvii

## Who they are

A cheerful showman who operates the Punch and Judy show with Codlin.

## Relationships

### [Tommy Codlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/tommy_codlin)

_professional_

Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other.

### [Tommy Codlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/tommy_codlin)

_professional_

Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other.

### [Tommy Codlin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/characters/tommy_codlin)

_professional_

Short and Tommy Codlin are traveling showmen and business partners, though they often bicker and distrust each other.

## In the story

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xvi)

A merry, cheerful showman who greets the strangers and suggests they stay at the same public-house.

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

Invites Nell and her grandfather to join them; is popular with loungers for his association with Punch.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xviii)

Arrives with Nell and the grandfather, defends them as harmless, and voices his plan to prevent them from leaving.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_old_curiosity_shop_se/chapters/xix)

Short acts cheerfully but also shows a desire to keep Nell and her grandfather in custody, increasing Nell's unease.

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

Codlin's partner; more practical, he tells the single gentleman about Jerry who saw the old man with a waxwork.

## Links

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