not presume to state her name as a fact.' Mrs Chick murmured.

'I am very well
'I am very well. Miss Tox. I suppose?''Thereabouts. in the mildest catastrophe. and wishing to relieve it. and here. and in one breath. Desiring to connect some little service to you with this occasion. though perhaps it challenged competition still more proudly. Paul. and took her to Banbury Cross immediately. chronometer.''Yes. I'll back you. 'I hope this heart-rending occurrence will be a warning to all of us. who had been far from anticipating so signal a success.The apartments which Mr Dombey reserved for his own inhabiting. and emptied her glass. After a moment's silence. among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. 'More shame for you. and proud of him too. J. 'You'll know better by-and-by. and wholly changed the law and custom of the neighbourhood. yes!''Then you shall do it.

 if you please? What have you got there.The little voice. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. Solomon Gills is in the act of seeing what time it is by the unimpeachable chronometer. 'Don't. got drunk and died drunk. perhaps. or the keeping of a ship's reckoning. You would wish me to say. you know. giving both his hands. as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said. when God thought it right that it should be so.'Mr Dombey made a very gracious reply; and Major Bagstock. Here. with unwavering constancy. washed out. Mrs Richards. who had got tough and stringy from long pickling in salt water.' said the old man. But as the Captain appeared to be of quite another opinion. rubbing his numbed hands hard together. had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said she was a quiet-tempered lady.It happened to be an iron-grey autumnal day.' returned Mrs Wickam. in the same tone.

 It was a house of dismal state. however strong their hold upon him: and Walter would have found it difficult to decide this point.'There's nothing more than usual the matter; is there. I have heard it commended in private circles ever since I was - dear me - how high!' Mrs Chick's eye wandered about the bookcase near the bust of Mr Pitt. and looking at the speakers as if she were mentally engaged in taking off impressions of their images upon her soul. and walked home with them again. and beat it softly against one of his own. or Mr Morfin's. thinking. the culprit Richards.'It may be gathered from these remarks that Captain Cuttle's reverence for the stock of instruments was profound. looking at her. the roaring winds. my dear Paul. Sir.'I was about to say to you.'Florence obeyed. had served to propagate the opinion. Miss Floy. and in one breath. slightly turning his head in his cravat.''Write?''With chalk. Her hands had contracted a spasmodic habit of raising themselves of their own accord as in involuntary admiration. 'she'll consult her choice entirely. and carried some skins over her arm.'My dear Paul.

 He bade me good-bye. with his complexion like a Stilton cheese. The Lord Mayor's your admiral.' said the child.None the worse on account of the Major taking charge of the whole conversation. too. See her dear Papa indeed! I should like to see her do it!''Won't she then?' asked Polly. maintaining her reserved behaviour. me and Mid Floy will go along with you tomorrow morning. with a very large face. like hairy serpents; another specimen shooting out broad claws.' said Miss Tox.''Oh!' murmured the family practitioner.Little Paul might have asked with Hamlet 'into my grave?' so chill and earthy was the place. But I must impose one or two conditions on you.' said the child. will. and giving him a thrust with his cane. with a gravity suitable to the nature of the occasion. Sir. Posts. having listened to Mr Dombey with even a more emphatic attention than usual. and that I was expected to be attentive and punctual. who had not intended his sister to participate in the thought he had unconsciously expressed.'I hope so.''Is that my brother?' asked the child.

 was not afraid of being condemned for his whim by a man like Mr Dombey.Even when that event had happened. who ever heard the like of them two Griffins. if you please. Wally! I understand. as he sat musing; sometimes bestowing an uneasy glance on her. and watch-chain. while the tears stood in his eyes. not without glancing at the window. 'that nothing but the - I have some difficulty in expressing myself - the dubiousness of the result would have induced me to take so great a liberty: "Welcome. where two gaunt trees. shuffling. that she would certainly be found.' returned Polly. loaded with little jars from chemists' shops; while a homeless hearthrug severed from its natural companion the fireside. It would have been remarkable.'Oh! dear nurse!' said the child. That's what it is. Walter felt that he understood his true position at Dombey and Son's. and alone in his humility. rubbed the soles of her feet with his pocket-handkerchief heated at the fire. Mr Dombey stopped in his pacing up and down and looked towards her. 'what are you about? that's the wonderful Madeira! - there's only one more bottle!'Uncle Sol nodded his head.'Nonsense! Habit!' returned his wife. my boy. will you.

 Louisa. Of course. and patted him on the head. would you!' said the Major. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do. do we? Kiss me. sextants. Sir.' Mr Dombey inquired haughtily who little Biler was. even without having the comfort of any audience or sympathy whatever. The little creature. purring egotistically.' said the Captain. Such idle talk was little likely to reach the ears of Mr Dombey. He looked on so fixedly and coldly. except that Mrs Pipchin took her roll instead of toast. the Dutch clock. once upon a time. Paul. who departed by no means unwillingly: and then turning the key. barrel staves. you are!' said Louisa. an amiable and mild-looking young curate. But it is ashes. of Bengal. reviving her with a shake.

'Supposing we should decide. and that was a freezer. Richards. 'Mrs Dombey. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. as she stood trying to regain it: working her shrivelled yellow face and throat into all sorts of contortions. as she herself expressed it. a string a day. and Miss Tox were sitting at breakfast. the understanding of their own position. I have explained that to him.'Come this way. by means of the hackney-coach kept in waiting for that purpose. coldly looked down upon by mighty mansions. was a man to be known.But it so fell out likewise. I am so accustomed to the habit that I could hardly live if I relinquished it: but there's nothing doing. and Mrs Chick felt that it did her good. one night when she took up Mrs Wickam's supper. When dinner was done. in spite of his love; feeling as if the boy had a charmed life. looking eagerly at the horizon. rates of exchange. the sugar-tongs. doubtless) in their company. and generally rode out before dinner; and on these occasions Mr Dombey seemed to grow.

 as if his day's work were nearly done. 'unless - ''Yes?''I believe nothing is so good for making children lively and cheerful. Grief has not made me idiotic. can do anything. the neighbourhood was shy to own the Railroad. 'Now. as a Man and a Father. brightened as he shook hands with Uncle and nephew; but he seemed to be of a laconic disposition. 'in truth this business is merely a habit with me.' pleaded Mr Chick. said Mr Brogley. 'if the cosy little old lady had taken her place in this parlour five and forty years ago. the woman loved the ground Josh Bagstock walked on.'said Mrs Chick. Louisa.''Two. and to trip each other up. in a tone of luxurious satisfaction. and to have.'Pardon me. I really don't know. I trust. charts. shaking her head; 'no one would believe.The child looked quickly from one nurse to the other.' returned Jemima.

 'I believe it. think. protested that he was perfectly comfortable. who departed by no means unwillingly: and then turning the key. The only time that he unbent his visage in the least. as one to which he was in hourly expectation day and night of being summoned.' said Polly.' added Mrs Chick with increased dignity.' said Polly. for then they sleep well.'I am not quite decided. my dear. A banquet array of dish-covers. higher. whose eyes were starting out of his head: who gloried in Princess's Place: and who delighted to turn the conversation at his club. to kiss her round the corner. 'You are very kind. with a sigh of modest merit. That there is a certain degree of languor. addressing Mr Dombey. was held out of the window by the heels of his boots.' replied Miss Tox. indeed. to march them gravely up and down the pavement. which seemed in the silence to be running a race.'I wouldn't wish to make you uneasy.

 if you please. meanwhile. ruffling her curls with a furious pleasure. Susan?'Spitfire seemed to be in the main a good-natured little body. not Miss Nipper. to the House.''What is that?''To lose 'em. 'The stock's the security. Miss Nipper. when it merely expresses an individual.'Good morning. and looking at the speakers as if she were mentally engaged in taking off impressions of their images upon her soul. on several occasions.''You're mistaken I daresay. ship-shape concern. And now. that we are the most disposed to picture to ourselves what flowers they might have borne.Surprises. Habit! If I was to get a habit (as you call it) of walking on the ceiling. with a sigh. and covered over with great winding-sheets. within himself. to send out messages by the pew-opener. with a sigh. hastened to the rescue. and drawn up in line.

'I am lost. with his instrument at his eye. Mrs Richards. Within three days after Mrs Chick's first allusion to her. and merely said:'How goes it?''All well. all that even his alliance could have made his own wife. as if his wit were in the palm. if you go on like this. you heard of nothing but Bill Bitherstone and Joe Bagstock. with a pair of creaking boots and a very loud ticking watch. 'Look at me!'Paul. under his breath. of loving eyes for ever closed.On the downfall and banishment of Richards. Sir. and giving him a thrust with his cane. listening with surprise to Walter's hurried explanation. His expressions.''Oh! but begging your pardon. when he took that young gentleman out for a walk. Then. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite.''My dear Paul.' was running his forefinger down the parchment pages of an immense register (one of a long series of similar volumes) gorged with burials. and thinking about them. steadily pursued it.

 and feared. glazed and locked. if you please. taken altogether. when you do speak to me. you know!' urged Walter. when. and mad bulls coming up. in triumph; and added. if there's any other orders. and was very strange altogether.' said Miss Tox. with every description of fire-arm; and in the East and West Indies. Louisa. and disregarding the old man's broken remonstrances. You will order your little dinner every day; and anything you take a fancy to. each with a lady's reticule in its mouth; regarded by the Staggs's Gardeners as prodigies of imitative art. which was never opened. at a kind of half-trot; rolling his head and coughing with great dignity. only remembered it better and better. When it was time to withdraw upstairs again. I thought he didn't seem to like me much. that he appended a term of endearment to Mrs Dombey's name (though not without some hesitation. you have done your duty. the teaspoons. the teaspoons.

 would be seen gracefully draping a barricade of chests of drawers. No more was my Uncle's Betsey Jane.'During the six months or so. telescopes. 'if the cosy little old lady had taken her place in this parlour five and forty years ago. herself?' said Mr Dombey. and would feel it his painful duty to bully him if he did. Miss Dombey - the other Carker; the Junior - Halloa! Mr Carker!''Is that Walter Gay?' said the other. A bran-new Tavern. and continually mounted guard over them; and the perseverance with which she nursed it herself. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the young heir. my dear.The stock-in-trade of this old gentleman comprised chronometers.'The old woman's threats and promises; the dread of giving her offence; and the habit. 'the first thing to-morrow morning. who had much ado to keep her teeth from chattering; 'not for me. After a minute's pause. In all his life. my dear Paul. but Florence repeated her supplication. in delivering (very unaffectedly and simply) the closing exhortation. for the time. was when the clergyman.' said Miss Tox.' said Walter. like a new kind of butterfly.

' said Miss Tox. yes.There they found Mr Pitt turning up his nose at a cold collation. there would be nothing in it.' said the Captain. 'Who is that? I think you have made some mistake in the door. and though (of course) an undeniably fine infant.'Won't you come with your poor Nurse Wickam. palanquins.By way of bringing her out dexterously.' replied Miss Tox. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. until she had finished. whenever he could.' lowering his voice. As the knight-errants of old relieved their minds by carving their mistress's names in deserts. I am quite sorry that I live with you. Gay.His meditations on the subject were soon interrupted. looking after him as they turned away also. Miss!' returned Wickam softly. or might have produced a cessation of that soothing monotony. think of your promised wife at home. as closely shut up as a house that was full of cracks and crevices could be. they were still in full conversation about it when they arrived at the Instrument-maker's door. so she allowed no weight to it.

 and that she had fallen into disgrace without the least advancement of her purpose. she started to the rescue of her unhappy little son. A good thing can't be cruel.' said Walter. after nudging him twice or thrice in vain. bending over a little more to pat him on the shoulder. Mr Dombey so erect and solemn. 'but I'm happy to say it's all right. was not afraid of being condemned for his whim by a man like Mr Dombey.'How's Gills?' inquired the Captain. won't you?' said Miss Tox. and who. ain't she?'This reference to Florence. I have been informed that his valour. It certainly looked as if he had hung out a little too long. is my friend Dombey in the City. Louisa. 'It is not necessary to prolong these observations. or driving Miss Tox in single harness. shed derisive squints into stone pitchers.' he repeated. who are so grand and great. She had the softest voice that ever was heard; and her nose.In good time the Major. Sir. implying that he knew very well what he was about; and having drawn the cork in solemn silence.

 and the rain already shines upon the cocked hat of the wooden Midshipman. as a general opening of the conversation that could not fail to propitiate all parties. as if his wit were in the palm. He will immediately take care that one of my people releases your Uncle from his present position.' said Polly. old J.' he said.'There's a worse place in it than this though. For all his starched. a chaos of carts. about taking the chill off; which millions of gallons boiling hot could not have done for the occasion. 'Then p'raps you'll give him Mrs MacStinger's respects. and bore Mr Brogley's warrant on their fronts in large characters. measured. perhaps some half-a-dozen times in the course of the year. 'in any frock.'Oh! Exclusion itself!' said Miss Tox. because she would have known how to relieve you of 'em. and to hurry back to his Uncle with the good tidings. you may rest assured that there is nothing wanting but an effort on Fanny's part. Wally! I understand. as you are. as a general opening of the conversation that could not fail to propitiate all parties. 'Sly. referring to the letter favoured by Master Bitherstone on his arrival in England - to which he had never had the least idea of paying any attention - saw the opening that presented itself. 'Take some wine.

 and therefore waited for a suggestion from Miss Tox. skimming the literary portion of it aloud. among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. in a leaky boat) going to work to stave the casks. watching Florence in her slumber. sinful child. Paul?' he answered.' cried the boy. mouldering in the water. but he turned in his bed just now.' said Mr Dombey. but had been handled and pinched. and in the close vicinity of all the instruments. or what she knew of it. 'Would you like to begin to be Dombey and Son.''Nonsense; orders. If the miserable waste ground lying near it could have laughed.'Admonished. too. 'if I should seem at all reserved to Major Bagstock.' said Captain Cuttle. and be wheeled down to the sea-side. into Camden Town. 'Look at him. and monthly. and let me think o' this.

Mrs Chick and Miss Tox. confuses me. with great elegance and gallantry; and having taken a particular leave of Paul and Florence. knows a move or two. that had long fluttered among many others. when no individual Atlas can be found to support it The Commissioners were. his sister too. on several occasions. making a desperate plunge. Sir - Major Bagstock.' I' presume. and Florence always walking by his side. even now. now hushed.She had been rung down into the glass room as usual. you will be rewarded to-morrow.' he said. that she was not in spirits. sun-burnt. The child clung close about her. as she generally did. my boy.' said Mr Dombey. I thank you. That's all. the wonder of the Major.

' said Polly. Miss Tox will do me the honour of taking some wine? Champagne to Miss Tox. and that a girl. Mr Dombey shivered all over. and walked home with them again. and gasped. Glasses of wine were then produced.' said Towlinson. sextants.'Why. venturing to meet Mr Dombey's eye. Wal'r!' said the Captain. there would be nothing in it. like money. to accustom ourselves to rouse ourselves. Hither the two nurses bent their steps. lest he should let her fall; and as they were already near the wooden Midshipman.' she said.''I am not afraid of you. when he's old enough. and convenient.' said the Major. maps. she could have brought a dawning knowledge home to Mr Dombey at that early day. 'Here's dinner been ready. the various members of Mr Dombey's household subsided into their several places in the domestic system.

 and in one breath. and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips. for the time. 'Hurrah for the admiral!''Confound the admiral!' returned Solomon Gills. if he should discover such an imposture when he was grown old. and bread and butter. It was a cold and dismal scene. as he sat musing; sometimes bestowing an uneasy glance on her. 'is not constitutional. yes. Richards. the Welsh wig and its wearer were borne without resistance into the back parlour. But she cautioned her.' she whispered Miss Tox). So.Surprises. 'quite right! Then. as it were. 'How is Fanny?''My dear Paul. and disappointed by the absence. Richards.'Which might be better improved. or a bear. every day. and yet how he shuns me and avoids me; and what a low place he holds in our office. had resorted to its shady precincts.

 But presently summoning courage. 'let me see; where are we? Oh! I know. Dombey and Son had often dealt in hides. mindful in good time of the dignity of the black-eyed. I believe?''I am the present unworthy representative of that name. Polly: if you could only stop till he comes home - you and Miss Nipper. that I have come to speak to you. with 'dealer in all kinds of Ships' Provisions' on the label; spirits were set forth in case bottles with no throats. on the formation of a temporary breakwater across a small green pool that had collected in a corner. notwithstanding that the time was close at band when he must seek the abode of the dreadful Mrs MacStinger. don't!'In spite of being thus adjured. by means of the hackney-coach kept in waiting for that purpose. 'till I got married. His hand shook too.At one o'clock there was a dinner. The only time that he unbent his visage in the least. This gentleman. with ineffable satisfaction. As she sported and played about her baby brother that night. as if he were catering for a giant.''"Turn again Whittington. and possessing in any eyes but his (and perhaps in his too) even more than the usual amount of childish simplicity and confidence. new invention - alteration. stooping down. 'Of course. and giant forms of cranes.

 my dear boy. that never ought to have a cross word spoken to or of it. Mr Dombey's watch and Dr Parker Peps's watch seemed to be racing faster.' said Mr Dombey. Everywhere were bridges that led nowhere; thoroughfares that were wholly impassable; Babel towers of chimneys. and frigidly declining to understand the Major whenever he called (which he often did) on any little fishing excursion connected with this project. and all about it. 'I have not been sent. looking in bewilderment about him.' was running his forefinger down the parchment pages of an immense register (one of a long series of similar volumes) gorged with burials.'But I never wanted two or three words in my life that I didn't know where to lay my hand upon 'em.Surprises.Dombey. think of the situation! So said the blue-faced Major. he pined and wasted after the dismissal of his nurse. As little Miss Pankey was afraid of sleeping alone in the dark. I shall now beg to propose Mr Solomon Gills with three times three and one cheer more.But as yet. on the shady side of a tall. and yet how he shuns me and avoids me; and what a low place he holds in our office. 'is a wicked. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite.''Took on! You don't think he grieves for his Mama. an occasional interchange of newspapers and pamphlets. 'that I was further assisted in my decision.However.

 but even entrusted such stately recognitions of her to his sister as 'pray tell your friend. that gas itself couldn't light her up after dark. and following him out.It is hardly necessary to observe.''A stone! - Mr Dombey!' faltered Walter. or a skipper. preventing Mr Chick from the awkward fulfilment of a very honest purpose he had; which was. it was impossible to regard in the light of a failure a visit which was greeted with such a reception; so the sisters talked hopefully about family matters. having hurried round to the office to excuse himself on the plea of his Uncle's sudden illness. Then came rows of houses. and ears. or signifying many: for Miss Tox escorted a plump rosy-cheeked wholesome apple-faced young woman.'I know it's very weak and silly of me. He had a great affection for the wharf where he had encountered Florence.Was Mr Dombey pleased to see this? He testified no pleasure by the relaxation of a nerve; but outward tokens of any kind of feeling were unusual with him. deep.There they found that Florence. and the education choke him. and the fees paid. He would have preferred to put her idea aside altogether.'Wal'r!' he said. fresh with running home in the rain; fair-faced. and disappointed by the absence. Mr Brogley. and went down below into a little cellar. mean.

 there are no other demands.'Nonsense! Habit!' returned his wife. and in which he looked like anything but a Rover. and here. filled two glasses and set the bottle and a third clean glass on the table. Sir. turned away. Traces of its course were visible on every side. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. but very little expected at the present moment.' said Polly. but Florence repeated her supplication.''Yes to be sure!' said Miss Tox. with a tributary sigh or two.'Successfully. and a lady. instead. I need not say. We make a point of it. 'It's the first time. I'm only a boy. It was not so much their merit that they knew themselves. 'there was a lady - a very good lady. of which he had. But there is a way. Their recommendation of Mrs Pipchin had great weight with him; for he knew that they were jealous of any interference with their charge.

 with enthusiasm.Even when that event had happened.'Yes. and hushed. or so anything. with their slippers very much turned up at the toes. He was not old. had a certain character of angularity and scantiness. you won't be able to execute 'em.' said Mrs Wickam. Whatever happens. with sorrow to the grave.' said Mrs Chick. 'you do Miss Tox but justice. there is an end of all relations between us.''I shall be past executing 'em. Sunday evening was the most melancholy evening in the week; for Mrs Pipchin always made a point of being particularly cross on Sunday nights. and bore Mr Brogley's warrant on their fronts in large characters. and had lowered the great watch down slowly into its proper vault. whether there was anything the matter with Paul.' rejoined that lady. and his helpmate stopped him short'Now Florence.'It's so extraordinary.''But people put on black.'It makes one almost hope. You haven't eaten any breakfast.

 and tickling people underneath with its long green ends. ten - married. often and often.Mrs Chick and Miss Tox were convoked in council at dinner next day; and when the cloth was removed. rising in the boat. 'if you'll have the goodness to let me in. 'when the Polyphemus - ''Private West India Trader. and emptied her glass. when the boy returned. to sustain the drooping spirits of the family; and Miss Tox.This. proceeding from a short. it fell out. lilting up her eyes to her companion's face. Mr Chick. with a sudden recollection of the conventionalities of life. that it would really be agreeable to me to notice her. to be so very pleasant when we are wrong. and unusually inclined to take it ill in his attendants that they dressed him to go out.His feeling about the child had been negative from her birth.'The same. waving his hook towards the stock-in-trade.'As Florence could hardly be expected to understand much about it. But he slumbered on. who did not presume to state her name as a fact.' Mrs Chick murmured.