Doctor Marigold

Doctor Marigold is a traveling salesperson and a good man. But his wife beats their daughter Sophy and he is too weak-willed to do anything about it. When Sophy dies, Marigold is soon left with nothing. Life gives him a second chance at happiness when he adopts a deaf and mute girl from the owner of a traveling circus. He names her after Sophy and invents a sign language. But, however much he wants to protect and keep her to himself, he can't stop her from living her own life.
Doctor Marigold is a treasure of a short story; funny, touching and wonderfully written. A perfect introduction to Dickens.