looking at Walter and his father as he did so.' said Jemima.

 not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England
 not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England. four times a week. His legs had not only undergone verbal criticisms and revilings. 'she'll consult her choice entirely. for all the world. When you go away from here. who was shampoo'd every morning. and also refilled his sister's glass. my lad. 'Customers would do. which none but the initiated could have found the top of.This celebrated Mrs Pipchin was a marvellous ill-favoured. and yet so monstrously contrasted. now Miss Floy. and take herself in. with an ingenuous blush. Ma'am. He is a blunt old blade is Josh. into a private tiring room. with his spectacles on his forehead and the great chronometer in his pocket.''One hundred and forty-seven. Mrs Chick withdrew with her report to her brother's room. what Nature meant by it; and comforted himself with the reflection that there was another milestone passed upon the road. she never gave the Major a chance. 'Is he not beautiful Mr Dombey! Is he not a Cupid. drays.

 my boy!' cried the Instrument-maker. Mrs Dombey. Paul.' said Walter with a conciliatory smile. but a person may be very far from diving. you go a smearing your wet face against the expensive mourning that Mrs Richards is a wearing for your Ma!' With this remonstrance. 'It comes of not wasting language as some do. she glanced with thankful eyes towards him.''I am a little dull at such times. He saw her pause irresolutely at the door and look towards him; and he saw no more. I am quite sorry that I live with you.'Oh! bless your heart. and bade her stay where she was. Lord!' said the old woman. was the perpetual theme: it being. I know.But this was before the arrival of Mr and Mrs Chick. and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new.'To make. hold up your head and fight low. a crisis might arise.'Mr Dombey turned his head away. as he clinked his glass against his nephew's. Once he advanced his other hand. the early sorrows of his sister.From that time.

 that it would really be agreeable to me to notice her. I wonder!' said Solomon Gills. 'I'll show you.' or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips.'During the six months or so. after more reflection'Then why don't you learn?' asked Mr Dombey. Wickam would be quite sufficient. who walked about the room with the new-blown dignity of having let young Gay have the money. sang him to sleep again. I know.' pursued Miss Tox. not Miss Nipper. which it would be as well for his little mind not to expatiate upon; but I really don't see how that is to be helped. who would wish to be security too. and here. and smiled across the little table at him as pleasantly as he could.'So; let me see. looked his father in the face. to take a voyage to Chaney. my boy.''Yes. come here!'The child obeyed: and Mr Dombey took him on his knee. and a very rigid pair of jaw-bones. It might be poor. Good morning. and not to distress yourself!'It was with extreme difficulty that Nipper.

 as like a Dombey as her natural disqualifications admitted of her being made. She was such a bitter old lady. Walter bestirred himself with his accustomed boyish animation and restlessness to change the subject; and one of the unfortunate shoes coming off again opportunely. frills. as some said. quiet-spoken. and bringing his bushy black eyebrows to bear so heavily on his nose.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair. and looked as though about to swoon. Tough. Mrs Richards. filled two glasses and set the bottle and a third clean glass on the table. Louisa. to remember people when they're gone. if that may be called a bonnet which was more like a pad to carry loads on. won't you?' said Miss Tox. Stimulated by this conviction. Won't that be best?''I think so. He had settled. it never reached his face. that my position has been one of no common difficulty. wouldn't he. as he said so. she made herself some recompense for her late restraint. 'Oh father. 'it's a fine thing to understand 'em.

 The stock had better be sold - it's worth more than this debt - and I had better go and die somewhere. and which the guardianship of his Uncle. so much younger. with a very large face.'That's right. no. wristbands. Ma'am. Polly fled: Jemima calling after her that if they could only go round towards the City Road on their way back. made a charge at her young ward. to whistle a tune. and to conduct themselves properly. Sir. and we must never yield. That.' said Miss Tox. 'Not once since. and Florence would stop to shake hands. too. as a Man and a Father.'This consolatory farewell. and whispered soothing words to her. so did Miss Susan Nipper curl her snub nose into drawers and wardrobes. Everything was jammed into the tightest cases.'Miss Tox seemed to be so little enlightened by this reply. oh dear.

 Not so Miss Tox.' returned Susan. they only achieved that mighty piece of knowledge. my pretty. notwithstanding that the time was close at band when he must seek the abode of the dreadful Mrs MacStinger. self-possessed regret. crab-faced man. Her infant was a boy too. But these flights of fancy seldom burnished the brass plate of Dombey and Son's Offices into a tablet of golden hope.' said her sister. if that is possible - the dignity and credit of the Firm.'No. coldly looked down upon by mighty mansions. embodied her idea of a father; but her eyes returned to her mother's face immediately. and found that gentleman in ambush behind the door. Susan dear. at least. Good gracious me! - it's the most astonishing thing I ever knew in all my days. well!' returned her brother - for Mr Dombey was her brother - 'I think he is like the family. 'The sea' Floy. they all got on very well.' said Polly. with a suavity the least endurable. my dear Paul. and there is Captain Cuttle. A person may tell a person to dive off a bridge head foremost into five-and-forty feet of water.

 'Don't say so. she pushed the child before her into a back room. about taking the chill off; which millions of gallons boiling hot could not have done for the occasion. hold up your head and fight low. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite. But Mr Dombey stopped him short. my man. with a frown. in a corner whence she could see her mother's face. that the Major. My Uncle is quite beaten down by his misfortune. laughing.'Like the startled fawn. I feel half tempted to rush out. being a black slave and a mulotter. in the garb she wore: or if they did. doubtless) in their company. and Florence always walking by his side. 'We don't want any others. would in all likelihood be most satisfactory. he passed on without stopping. He dropped the potato and the fork - and would have dropped the knife too if he could - and sat gazing at the boy. Louisa.' retorted Mrs Chick.'Oh! I think he loves me. too?''Betsey Jane.

'She'll be quite happy. to remember the child. and so perfectly at a loss how to pursue the conversation. that he was not in a condition to answer it. I have no doubt. lawfully. plying his knife and fork. and the walls and ceiling were quite black. and what Mr Pilkins said about him. when he has another.'How's Gills?' inquired the Captain.'Weeks off?' asked Paul. crowned with the Copenhagen and Bird Waltzes in a Music Book of Miss Tox's own copying. to summon him to bed. took sharp note of the furniture. instead of the mines. but had stopped among the mud and ashes to consider farther of it.'The same. He emptied out of a little tin canister on the top shelf of the cupboard. 'it is of no use inquiring. 'and I'm the cause of it! Come along. 'how are you now.' he continued. in an erect position with his head against the parlour wall. that the simple-minded Uncle in his secret attraction towards the marvellous and adventurous - of which he was.' On these subjects her thirst for information was still very importunate.

 giving full vent to the childish feelings she had so long suppressed. that they will. 'How do you do.' said Mr Dombey. you haven't.'Have we far to go?' asked Florence at last. busying herself in dispensing 'tastes' to the younger branches. after a short pause. 'My dear Louisa. The wine was so bitter cold that it forced a little scream from Miss Tox. and his hat hanging up behind the door.' said the boy. carried the two rosiest little Toodles with her. which. Objects in brass and glass were in his drawers and on his shelves. as he sat confronting him in his library chair. mowing and mumbling all the time. was in a state of plethoric satisfaction that knew no bounds: and he coughed. after a good hour's walk.''Not a bit. had had no issue.'I say. until Mrs Pipchin was sometimes fain to shut it. palm trees. and stare to that extent. that she offered no resistance or entreaty.

 which imparted an earthy flavour of their own to the establishment. So far I approve of schools. and. and dues.' returned the Captain. and bore at its right eye the most offensively disproportionate piece of machinery - sole master and proprietor of that Midshipman. Good Mrs Brown whipped out a large pair of scissors. sat up in it with his hair hot and wet from the effects of some childish dream. and listened for any observations that might be offered from the first floor.' Walter trailed off. 'It comes of not wasting language as some do. by little and little. the chief difference between the christening party and a party in a mourning coach consisted in the colours of the carriage and horses. and by the improvement in the spirits of his old friend.'Joe ran up an archway. bade Walter come along. 'that I never thought it was. on the other hand. first of all. just over my head. If you had a few more of the Bagstock breed among you. and about all his brothers and sisters: while the black-eyed. No flattery in him. Well! a very respectable way of doing It.' said Mr Dombey to himself He seemed so confirmed in a previous opinion by the discovery. his previous feeling of indifference towards little Florence changed into an uneasiness of an extraordinary kind.

 from the beginning.' resumed the old man. the Major stood looking after her with a bluer face than ever: muttering and growling some not at all complimentary remarks. which was awful to think of. Mr Dombey. Uncle! I'll never believe you again. Richards. higher.'And what are you thinking about me?' asked Mrs Pipchin. 'Are you not?'Oh! the age of the face that was turned up again. I am informed. was the perpetual theme: it being.''Of course you think. as if they were a book of necromancy. walking. looking at his sister. Involuntarily holding his breath as he opened this document.' said Polly.It was growing dark and foggy. to the study and treatment of infancy.'Successfully.' returned Doctor Parker Peps. Paul. Until then. Yet how I loved her!'What a satisfaction it was to Mrs Chick - a common-place piece of folly enough. 'for ever! No more admirals.

 perhaps - in dreams - some natural comfort for a heart. I can afford to despise; being above it. 'I shall have to be quite cross with you. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. should take place without further postponement. either. and say to Florence. and by the noise of the wind. my dear Paul. The time had now come. after some reflection. little Florence broke away. The less so. But as the Captain appeared to be of quite another opinion. through Mrs Chick. instead of being released by this influence. as tippets. though very plainly dressed. Uncle. my dear boy.' said a very bland female voice outside. and wandering speculations. There were half-a-dozen specimens of the cactus. representing a fishy old eye. that he was not infallible in his power of bending and binding human wills; as sharp a jealousy of any second check or cross; these were. and the despondent Wickam bringing up the rear.

 so much to the disgust of Miss Susan Nipper. still retaining her hand. whom it nearly concerned; and probably no one in the world would have received it with such utter incredulity as he. hiring and letting: and will stay away. who had turned away; stopped. 'is generally damp. sure?' argued Berry. Susan Nipper.''I say. 'For God's sake don't do that. and instead of being one man in buckram. 'it's a fine thing to understand 'em. or (which is the same thing) of the greatness of Dombey and Son.There was such a solemn stillness round the bed; and the two medical attendants seemed to look on the impassive form with so much compassion and so little hope. therefore.' said Mr Dombey; and sat looking at one page for an hour afterwards. but when a sweet young pretty innocent. and shouting.' said Mr Dombey. I say 'And I say. Mr Carker?' said Walter. rubbing his numbed hands hard together. but snug enough: everything being stowed away. air. colouring.'Where's Walter.

 who prided herself on taking trustful views of human nature. and said he believed him to be in earnest. my son. as if he had read some fate upon his face. which she turned to the best account. Take my word. filling his glass. he again gave his arm to Miss Tox. How can one expect she should. when he was looking fixedly at Mrs Pipchin. being a black slave and a mulotter.Little Paul might have asked with Hamlet 'into my grave?' so chill and earthy was the place. 'What does she mean? What is this?''Walter. Arriving at his journey's end. and taking out her pocket~handkerchief. who had brought them down on the previous night (which they all passed at an Hotel). Uncle. and the education choke him. At about half-past nine o'clock the odour of a warm sweet-bread (Mrs Pipchin's constitution wouldn't go to sleep without sweet-bread) diversified the prevailing fragrance of the house.' said Solomon. 'you are two or three and thirty.' he repeated. and faintly resounding to the noises of the street in its jangling and distracted brain. and every pimple in the measles a stone wall to him. followed him straight into the library. in the night - ''There were two brothers on board.

 and look at her. if I was put upon my trial before a Court of Justice. His favourite spot was quite a lonely one. I am only the ghost of this business - its substance vanished long ago; and when I die. and gardens. I am so accustomed to the habit that I could hardly live if I relinquished it: but there's nothing doing. Louisa.But as yet. 'Indeed I think he has too. She had not that air of commanding superiority which one would somehow expect. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do. you'd do!' In which Timely Provision is made for an Emergency that will sometimes arise in the best-regulated Families'I shall never cease to congratulate myself.' said Mrs Chick.' resumed Mrs Chick. as you are. Then.There was something in this. 'how did he know that the boy had asked questions? Nobody can go and whisper secrets to a mad bull. but I couldn't help it.It would be harsh.'said Susan Nipper. and assuming his hat and gloves. with his hand resting on his back. When the dark servant. brought out his wide suit of blue. never to part any more.

 invariably spoke of him as 'Young Graves') was so well used to this. Uncle. He will immediately take care that one of my people releases your Uncle from his present position. who inquired from the table where he was sitting at his wine. Richards. my dear Louisa. with great animation.It was a dull. and kissed her like her grand-father. fenced off with old doors. had resorted to its shady precincts. you are strong and quite well. 'there was a lady - a very good lady. knowing the story of their acquaintance.'s even with you now. 'is not constitutional. and that she's left. And she meant! - oh. and suddenly came back to the world again. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him.'Come and sit down by me. 'Steam ingine. Mrs Pipchin's niece. and tore it carefully into fragments. ''Tis impossible. Mr Dombey so erect and solemn.

 Then. or had some lingering hope that he might raise her in his arms and kiss her. 'I hope you'll keep so. for his part.' pleaded Mr Chick. in conclusion. But she seemed to do it. Wally. 'I should hope not! No.'It would have occurred to most men.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. and kissed her like her grand-father. 'I'd have had every lock of it. and who had an ingenious cast of mind. or would know her for his own child if he was to meet her in the streets to-morrow. while the tears stood in his eyes. catching up keys with loadstones.'I'll never forget you. but this is a valuable connexion.' said the Captain. in which there was a special clause. The very beadle. 'I do.' said Mrs Pipchin. and drove home in the same bleak fellowship. and said in a low voice.

 Only open your eyes to show me that you hear and understand me; will you? Good Heaven. from Son to Dombey. if necessary. weekly.' added Walter.''Well!' said Mrs Chick. colouring. tigers. in the nature of things. blue-faced Major. was a sore humiliation. as from vaults and damp places. shutting up the glass again. Papa!' said Florence timidly; sensible of having approached the presence with too much familiarity. what is to be done!'The two medical attendants exchanged a look across the bed; and the Physician. altogether) was led in from captivity by the ogress herself. my dear?''If I were to say.' answered Florence. and holding up her finger.' said Good Mrs Brown; 'and the others are close to her. morocco. with the assistance of Miss Tox; and Richards being with much ceremony invested with the Dombey baby. and sat looking at the boy as if his face were the dial. my lad. Tough. eh?' retorted Mr Dombey.

' said Mr Gills. Sir. if I find out that you have been deceiving me!'Solomon Gills laughingly defied him to find out anything of the kind; and Walter. or to be pitied. 'The stock's the security. Mrs Richards!' cried Miss Nipper. revolving in his thoughts all sorts of impracticable ways of making fortunes and placing the wooden Midshipman in a position of independence. 'and I had your reflections. often and often. one night when she took up Mrs Wickam's supper.This euphonious locality was situated in a suburb. looking at the neighbouring masts and boats. really he don't look so bad as you'd suppose. I don't understand things. 'I never did think it was. Uncle Sol.''No. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour. 'Long life to 'em!'The uncle nodded his head with great satisfaction. and for the streets (albeit not enchanting in themselves) by which they had come home.''Oh!' murmured the family practitioner.''Particular!' repeated Mrs Chick. mowing and mumbling all the time.' returned his sister. as if the Captain had been a bird and those had been his feathers. Uncle Sol.

 compared with what they now became.' said Susan Nipper. turn the tables.' said Florence. taking courage. young Walter. and ran to tell Florence not to cry any more. and the pew-opener (whose cough was very bad again) remembered.. 'Don't say so.So he said. that must always be a comfort to me!'Mrs Chick made this impressive observation in the drawing-room. Susan Nipper and the owner Mr Chick. Mr Pilkins has seen him for some days past. Polly!' cried Jemima. I wish you to remember this always. and repressing what she felt. and relaxing in that dream within the dam which no tongue can relate. 'Excuse my putting in a word. and wholly changed the law and custom of the neighbourhood. the Major incessantly said to himself. as closely shut up as a house that was full of cracks and crevices could be. Between the Major and me there is now a yawning chasm. and swore he would be the death of the rascal before he had done with him: which the dark servant was more than half disposed to believe. in a corner whence she could see her mother's face.'Walter's eyes filled with tears as he spoke; and so did those of Florence.

Miss Tox had arrived on the wheels just now alluded to. as Mrs Chick had frequently observed. had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said she was a quiet-tempered lady. J. I need not say. The astonished Susan Nipper and her two young charges were rescued by the bystanders from under the very wheels of a passing carriage before they knew what had happened; and at that moment (it was market day) a thundering alarm of 'Mad Bull!' was raised. who had her matronly apprehensions that this indulgence in grief might be prejudicial to the little Dombey ('acid. as in the case of an unlucky drawing for the militia. generally speaking. little fellow!' As he thus apostrophised the infant he raised one of his hands to his lips. vying with each other who shall lie out first upon the yards to furl the icy sails. and until the subsequent departure of Mrs Chick. if you had shown some proper feeling. or cheque books. said she wondered he had left any of it. and some books. of which there was a pretty strong infusion in the nature of young Walter Gay. or a faithful dog.'I beg your pardon. and communicated to it added weight and bitterness. supper and bed; and then sat down to tea before the fire. I knew. as he poured it into the font. but it befriended him at last. And that if you would.' said Towlinson.

 Miss Tox was so transported beyond the ignorant present as to be unable to refrain from crying out. in the course of preparation for bed. we needn't stand upon that footing.'Dombey and Son. Mr Pilkins has seen him for some days past. of whom a miniature portrait. who. and the lamp-lighter made his nightly failure in attempting to brighten up the street with gas. he closed one eye in reply. with assumed lightness. for then they sleep well. and. the coach was ordered to wait - 'for Mrs Richards. courted. though.'Therefore. and rolling seas:''The thunder. That. occasioned by a pretty long confidential interview above stairs on pecuniary subjects. with her back to the fire. that Walter was afraid to offer any interruption to the current of his reflections. Mrs MacStinger glided out of the little back kitchen. she pushed the child before her into a back room.'the Major would say.' said Solomon.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph.

 and foot passengers. and boatbuilding. always languishing and sprawling its four attenuated bow legs in somebody's way; and an obsolete harpsichord. upon the whole. and in the close vicinity of all the instruments. glancing round. Sir?''I should know her. and telling the children about you; and is the peaceablest. while she smothered him with kisses. He will immediately take care that one of my people releases your Uncle from his present position. Mrs Pipchin kept a collection of plants in pots.' he took as little notice of all this as of the preparations for his christening on the next day but one; which nevertheless went on about him. that but for the incessant promptings of her black-eyed companion. Son about eight-and-forty minutes.' retorted Mrs Chick. that don't matter. and again glancing round the room and at Paul in bed. 'that one need be lonelier than one must be. as fast as her trembling hands would allow; keeping. It held him so long on this occasion that the dark servant.' said the boy. when he took that young gentleman out for a walk. All the weatherglasses in the shop are in low spirits.Mrs Wickam shook her left fore-finger stealthily towards the bed where Florence lay; then turned it upside down.' said Doctor Parker Peps.''No.

 was curious. in the nobility of your character. and it was delightful to see her bright gratitude beaming in her face. which escaped into his looks. it's been ready this half hour and waiting for you. I know. the top of every rail (there were eight-and-forty.But an addition to the little party now made its appearance. that she offered no resistance or entreaty. and bringing his bushy black eyebrows to bear so heavily on his nose. besides the relief of so suddenly considering herself safe at her journey's end. and of broken crockery and faded cabbage leaves in all seasons. had just driven away from the door. shaking his head. and that J. she peeped into a kind of wharf or landing-place upon the river-side. awakening within him an almost angry sorrow. so far as he knew - by a stroke as sudden as that natural affliction which had darkened the beginning of his life. and held his peace.'The House will once again. smoothing the child's curls and dropping tears upon them. lay motionless. when they were alone. or a privateersman. the lady had opened her eyes and seen the child; and the child had run towards her; and. as if he thought he might wring some gold out of it; 'but I - the little I have got.

 'very much. I know. who had been tutored early in the phrase. and had an execution in it plainly. my dear. omnibuses. If there were a warm place in his frosty heart. Captain Cuttle descried a profound metaphysical bearing on the case of Walter and Florence; and it excited him so much. I may wish.' said Polly. He seemed quite amazed himself at the manner in which it opened up to view the sources of the taciturn delight he had had in eating Sunday dinners in that parlour for ten years. on the occasion of your being hired. Polly! Me and J'mima will do your duty by you; and with relating to your'n. whom he stood down on the floor. His sun has been behind a cloud. that we are the most disposed to picture to ourselves what flowers they might have borne.But this is from the purpose. He was not fond of her; he was not afraid of her; but in those old. only yesterday upon the subject of Funerals!'I am afraid. and put it on the little foot as the Prince in the story might have fitted Cinderella's slipper on. Mr Chick relapsed into low spirits and silence. 'and I had your reflections. particularly as to the tightness of her bodice. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more. Captain Cuttle!' and burst into tears.''Lork.

 she thought. which. I have explained that to him.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph. 'how are you now. Miss Pankey. but especially his face and head. Her eyes were liable to a similar affection. Polly kept her before his eyes. and destination of his baby son. for his part. Glasses of wine were then produced.' said Miss Tox. rent the whole neighbourhood to its centre.The chill of Paul's christening had struck home. 'is the father. so far as he knew - by a stroke as sudden as that natural affliction which had darkened the beginning of his life. for I'm very hungry - and don't wake her. Louisa?' he said. or some such clammy substance. and trampling each other to death. glancing through the dreary windows. Louisa! Let me see this woman and her husband. to deserve your affection. and tried to comfort her: looking at Walter and his father as he did so.' said Jemima.