I like the story so far (of course, it's only the very beginning). I almost think that this first chapter could have been a vignette on it's own and been done in one.

I liked the introductions of Little Nell, Kit and the old man (though I'm bugged that we don't know the narrating character's name). I'm curious to know why Nell was out of the house so late and where the old man went that he had to leave her all alone.