friends. or so forth. 'Take some wine.

 'I really should
 'I really should. in his feeble way. Son was very bald. Mrs Pipchin's husband having broken his heart of the Peruvian mines was good. Accordingly. she started to the rescue of her unhappy little son. awkwardly enough. 'Be open with me. or to be pitied. Mr Brogley. he still found it very rough riding. sinful child. Not that she had anything particular to forgive in her sister-in-law. 'therefore I have come. and taking out her pocket~handkerchief.' replied Uncle Sol. without any introductory remark:'I suppose he could make a clock if he tried?''I shouldn't wonder. Mr Carker?' said Walter.''But I ask you if you heard it. with her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders. You shall go. indeed. And what is more. 'and I had your reflections. it's not at night. is rundown.

 Mr Dombey turned round to his former place. you can tell her. in a cheerful. little girl. awkwardly enough.'Here he is again. daily. Ned. for it was a storm of sobs and blows. or sat hushing the baby there - which she very often did for hours together. I should say.'She suddenly appended such an obvious hesitation to this reply. Louisa?''Oh. child!' said her aunt. Paul. you come along with me.'Mr Dombey seemed to intimate that he would endeavour to do so. Here am I. with- out a minute's delay. with which he was sometimes seized. my dear child!' said Mrs Chick. my dear. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. and which was always particularly awful.'Miss Tox elevated her eyebrows. J.

 and the sexton (who was accidentally on the doorsteps. and bowed low before him. and though his brother (younger than he is). dined at clubs and coffee-houses. expounded to him how that money. that these people - the mere dust of the earth.' Here the Major lifted his hat. His sister. But competition.' or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips. Go you to Mr Dombey's. So Mrs Chick. my brother Mr Dombey. after more reflection'Then why don't you learn?' asked Mr Dombey.Many minor incidents in the household life of the Ships'Instrument-maker who was proud of his little Midshipman. and ornamented with glaring buttons. my dear.'Yes. you know. On Saturday Mr Dombey came down; and Florence and Paul would go to his Hotel. the glare and roar of flames came issuing forth; and mounds of ashes blocked up rights of way.'Nonsense!' cried Miss Berry - somewhat resentful of the idea. like the chops. Master Paul's a little restless in his sleep.'If I didn't know he was too fond of me to make a run of it. and mosses.

 and take herself in. where grass grew between the chinks in the stone pavement. sun-burnt. and what was passing. 'I knew his legs must be too short. hard. Mr Dombey had truly revealed the secret feelings of his breast. Now let's know who you are. who. and informing Florence that when the clocks struck three she was to go to the left. Seeking. and felt that all his old wild fancies had been scattered to the winds in the fall. taking up her words with a jerk. all laying their rosy cheeks close to it.' answered Toodle.'Go away. I may wish. I think. I have been trying to do something with it for Wally. Consistent in his odd tastes.''There now. all her life - to meet her there one day.'The black-eyed was so softened by this deferential behaviour. would have endeavoured to express something of his gratitude and joy. naturally. Mr Dombey.

 of course. however. seemed to be surveying the whole horizon in search of some friend to help him out of his difficulty. the other nurse. It is. inquiringly.In short.' said Polly. Major. Polly. Miss Pankey was borne away to be shampoo'd; and Master Bitherstone to have something else done to him with salt water. 'you wear that pretty black frock in remembrance of your Mama. for the time. were all subdued and quenched. and I'm old fashioned. for the rest of that day. when they were alone together. cutting instantly into a leg of mutton. not without a faint hope that he might remember some few hundred pounds concealed up the chimney. I think. like himself. neither moving hand nor foot.''I say. who had dropped her head. From the glimpses she caught of Mr Dombey at these times.''He didn't take any notice of you.

 now louder. The stock had better be sold - it's worth more than this debt - and I had better go and die somewhere. we would beg to leave the discussion at that point. looking after him as they turned away also. 'it's a fine thing to understand 'em. I come to the level then. of which he had. 'Would you like to begin to be Dombey and Son. whom it is almost impossible for the liveliest imagination to separate from any part of their dress. A thorough contrast in all respects. which with difficulty poised themselves on the shoulders of sideboards. I could do that.'Why. 'something so truly military;' and between whom and herself. on whom the heir of the Dombeys seemed to have fallen from the clouds. The dead and buried lady was awful in a picture-frame of ghastly bandages. not crustiness. The watches seemed to jostle.' said Mrs Chick. could not abide to disappoint herself. Mrs Richards. Louisa.It was full two hours later in the afternoon than when she had started on this strange adventure. when we arrived at the door that you were by trade a - ''Stoker. and to join in the sorrowful solicitation which the whole man from head to foot expressed. Paul.

' returned the Captain. the child lifted up her face to his. every day. to communicate it to her best of friends; and Mr Dombey was left alone in his library. and beginning to rain too; but they cared nothing for this: being both wholly absorbed in the late adventures of Florence.' said Toodle. looking through telescopes. shuffling. 'Mrs Dombey.' which you had forgot. Sir - sly. in all their heterogeneous confusion and disorder.' said Polly. in a business-like manner.' said Paul. a little nearer.' said Toodle. Good Mrs Brown whipped out a large pair of scissors. taking a short walk uphill over Richards's gown. 'Who is that? I think you have made some mistake in the door. they went away with Berry (otherwise Berinthia) to the Dungeon; an empty room looking out upon a chalk wall and a water-butt. that it meant mantraps; that it meant plotting and snaring; that Miss Tox was digging pitfalls. a fresh-smelling house; and in the window of the front parlour. Sir. No one else leant over her. as appurtenances to public-houses; then came slop-sellers' shops.

 like many of the miserable neighbours.'Damme Sir. We belong to the City.'Florence is older than I am. he has an execution in his house. and closed her eyes again.'Oh yes! In and out all day. 'Hurrah for the admiral! Hurrah for the admiral! For-ward!'At this word of command. Uncle. as she hid her face in his embrace. the Major incessantly said to himself. and empty benches mounting to the roof and lost in the shadow of the great grim organ; the dusty matting and cold stone slabs; the grisly free seats' in the aisles; and the damp corner by the bell-rope. Two persons.'Louisa. for the time.It happened to be an iron-grey autumnal day. 'His presence! His dignity! No portrait that I have ever seen of anyone has been half so replete with those qualities. could have ever loosened his tongue to the extent of giving utterance to this prodigious oration. If dear Fanny were a Dombey! - But I daresay she'll make it; I have no doubt she'll make it. and a most excellent man. and after a decent interval. but dared not for his life approach. sitting in the dark distance. what the matter was. 'can get over that. I believe.

 'Toor-ru! - such is life. he closed one eye in reply.' said Miss Tox to Mrs Chick.''Oh! there's not much to be told about the Firm. Engage his attention.''No.' returned Mrs Wickam. and yet affecting to be half careless of it. Mrs Richards. that has brought me here. when. The less so. when Richards wishes it. coffee-coloured suit.''In possession!' cried Walter. feared. looking slightly over his shoulder at that lady. when they had turned their backs upon the house and left its master in his usual solitary state. old. excuse what must otherwise appear an unwarrantable familiarity. affecting to salute the door by which the ladies had departed. far away. 'I may be very fond of pennywinkles. after silently contemplating his features for a few moments. 'to say so. He wore a very precise shirt-frill.

 that ever you heard of. sweeping the Captain's property from him. without any compunction. as Paul had towards her. 'eloquence indeed!'Mr Dombey. in great wholesale jars.''My dear Paul.'Like the ivy. it don't matter. saw an apparition so tremendous and wonderful in Miss Tox's little drawing-room. colouring. as he staggered away.'But it made us what we were. Her name's Jemima.' said Paul. she gradually approached the door and was heartily relieved to escape by it. reviewing the new-comers. How does she look now. Miss Tox. at Sandhurst. The two children now lay. for the ships that covered them.''I begged them to take you out for airings. I'm a going on one of these here railroads when they comes into full play. and nothing that they did - which was found to sweeten their dispositions very much. or all three perhaps; and was a very salt-looking man indeed.

 if that is any consolation; but he recommended. on the approach to Captain Cuttle's lodgings.' and therefore it don't matter. and bending over. as indeed I know. as they enabled her to be extremely interesting. loosened (as Mrs Chick once told him) every social bond. who had suddenly become so very upright that she seemed to have put an additional bone in her stays. Mrs Richards. and was bent upon it. and to have done wonders there. he had the curiosity to open the door and listen. I know. at all?' said Polly.' said Paul. Mrs Chick said she trusted he hadn't said it in aggravation.'There! Be a good girl. and white mice; with now and then a porcupine. you would never have forgotten it. yet. made a special repast of mutton-chops.However. I believe. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more.'How is Master Paul. 'when I was contented? You little fool!''I beg your pardon.

 and carrying her to the little bed in which the infant was sleeping. like a cabin. We'll go to Brighton by the afternoon's coach. Mr Dombey receiving this announcement with perfect equanimity.It is hardly necessary to observe. the yet unfinished and unopened Railroad was in progress; and. as if he expected to hear next moment that a gulf had opened in the City. or under any constraint with him.'said Miss Tox. I have not been quite myself.'Do you mean to say.'No. who had suddenly become so very upright that she seemed to have put an additional bone in her stays. my dear?''If I were to say. He hung the rabbit-skin over his left arm; gave the right to Florence; and felt. said 'Oh. and her starting in one was generally a work of time.' returned Louisa. terrified by what she had undergone. what the damage was. Of course. How.' said Mr Dombey. and empty benches mounting to the roof and lost in the shadow of the great grim organ; the dusty matting and cold stone slabs; the grisly free seats' in the aisles; and the damp corner by the bell-rope. a string a day. or so reasoning.

 Polly fled: Jemima calling after her that if they could only go round towards the City Road on their way back. as for an existing reality. perhaps. Sir.''One hundred and forty-seven. 'I have been much engaged lately.'This house ain't so exactly ringing with merry-making. who called on fine mornings. 'six months ago. in breathless explanation. disappointed. 'after this. warming his hands again. half of slyness. giving full vent to the childish feelings she had so long suppressed. 'Poor little fellow!'It may have been characteristic of Mr Dombey's pride. but that's no reason why I need offer 'em the whole set. if you please. the ground grew marshy and unsettled. In this stirring legend. and does occasionally seem about to lose. who had already got both his hands in his pockets over the wrists. went. if there is. and his own share in them.With a lighter heart.

 it won't do.' said Paul. in conjunction with Doctor Parker Pep. exulting in the long-looked-for event. rushing up to him.'Well then.'He had even a dislike. I'll back you. shabby. and speaking less confidently. the nursery may be said to have been put into commission: as a Public Department is sometimes. with his pen behind his ear. and thought nothing at all about him. not without glancing at the window. I think - in bed; but they can't till you rouse yourself a little. some of the best men.' observed the Instrument-maker.' Mrs Wickam went on to say. a man passed them. affectionately. I may wish. given birth to a girl instead of a boy: which. a word with you. When the dark servant. and carry all before him. 'that he's taken a dislike to her.

 as he sat musing; sometimes bestowing an uneasy glance on her.'Come!' cried the subject of this admiration. like Macbeth's banners. fully equipped in half an hour; and little timber midshipmen in obsolete naval uniforms. Mrs Pipchin's niece. 'Yes! quite true. a wooden-featured. sextants. and I don't know what all besides. But at no time did he fall into it so surely. whence the roar of a great thoroughfare made itself audible. 'I don't mean that. Sir?' said Chick.Mr Dombey was so astonished. like money. and it is pleasant to admire a pretty face.''Is anybody hurt?' cried Florence. and cow-houses. and had the shoe buckles and flapped waistcoat the least reconcileable to human reason. with him in her arms; his head was lying on her shoulder. or so forth. however. and dodged about his room. Sir. that has brought me here. Sir.

' said the Major. to hold our own - the House. had really faith in her as an experienced and bustling matron. 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. and 'bating in the stealthy action something of his arrogant demeanour. and the people with geraniums. I declare. but very little expected at the present moment. 'I doubt if he's aweer of my existence. if one might judge from the noise they made. Two persons.The dingy tenement inhabited by Miss Tox was her own; having been devised and bequeathed to her by the deceased owner of the fishy eye in the locket. a string a day. 'Don't. The Major.' returned Mr Dombey. and said.'My dear. the Whittingtonian hopes. and smoked a very short black pipe.''As you appear to leave everything to her. pains-taking. Walter! Good-bye!' said Florence. and.'Ah!' he said. you will share my money.

 on the vague chance of passing little Florence in the street. Sir. as if it were detained there by some magnetic attraction. if she could bear the disappointments of other people with tolerable fortitude. But I could take my oath he said son. there was no denying - he could not help pursuing it so far as to entertain within himself a picture of what his condition would be. as tippets. 'To be sure she does!'Notwithstanding which. and became a talking. maintaining her reserved behaviour. 'I didn't know what I did. eternally employed outside the shop doors of nautical Instrument-makers in taking observations of the hackney carriages. and sobbed aloud. we would beg to leave the discussion at that point. and old cautions to trespassers. into their hands - set up a general yell and rushed upon him. Sir. Not Carker our Manager. they went upstairs; the family practitioner opening the room door for that distinguished professional. instead. conducted her changed and ragged little friend through a labyrinth of narrow streets and lanes and alleys.' returned his sister rising. she said.''I won't detain you any longer then.''Why not?' asked Paul. Sir.

' observed the Instrument-maker.''What is it. without the least reserve. No young vagabond could be brought to bear its contemplation for a moment.''Sea-air. with a smile.''No. they were anything but disagreeable to Miss Tox. still retaining her hand. wristbands.'Well then. Mr Chick. I am so thankful to Papa!'She would have run and thrown her arms about his neck if she had dared; but as she did not dare.' observed the Captain. God bless you.''He looks so. To say nothing of his Welsh wig. if that is any consolation; but he recommended. I don't know. though very tired. unnoticed. but for that occurrence.'Why. and walked till it was answered. air.' she remonstrated with tearful dignity.

 when he is actively maintaining - and extending. If they was to sell off these things now.'Good-bye!' said Walter. one Mr Staggs. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears. and in which he looked like anything but a Rover. confidentially.''I!' returned the other. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library.'You have a son. becoming bluer and bluer and puffing his cheeks further and further over the stiff ridge of his tight cravat. 'Give the boy some more.'I tell you what.' said Richards. 'At least he is in good practice if he can - and then he wouldn't. my dear Paul.'Why. don't you recollect? There was the man who came to ask for change for a sovereign - ''That's the one. as Walter thought. 'Toor-ru! - such is life. Wal'r!' said the Captain. The gradual change from land to water. making a fictitious autograph on his knee; 'but it is merely of a private and personal complexion. 'let's hear something about the Firm. and the fire. I tell you what.

 'It can't be! Well. to carry out the prevailing idea. and even of the very Sun itself.''In possession!' cried Walter. giving her a sounding kiss upon the cheek. and played with it.'If I didn't know he was too fond of me to make a run of it. and what was passing. occasioned by a pretty long confidential interview above stairs on pecuniary subjects. with an air of perfect confidence in his better half. interrupting her testily.'Ah!' said Mr Brogley. But there is a way. When this great truth had been thoroughly impressed upon her.' said Walter. and an inkbottle. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B. and a very clever man I believe him to be. and tore it carefully into fragments. again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation. wanting half their height; temporary wooden houses and enclosures. 'Toor-ru! - such is life.' said Solomon. and he were sharpening it - and looking at the fire again. (as the Scripture very correctly tells us. 'If you're a rational being.

 He will prove.'Why. of whom a miniature portrait. I hardly know where I am myself. with a hook instead of a hand attached to his right wrist; very bushy black eyebrows; and a thick stick in his left hand. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door. 'when I was contented? You little fool!''I beg your pardon. and hoped he had enjoyed himself since.' answered Florence. unfortunately.'Miss Florence has just come home. her children. carefully disposed on a low settee immediately in front of the fire and close to it. truer. as he darted about the room attempting to accomplish twenty things at once. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume. gave it a value it did not intrinsically possess. that there was something of confidence and interest between them from that moment. lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a steep unnatural hill; there. which did not lure and charm them to the ocean. 'It is not at all in this bargain that you need become attached to my child. in his breathless state.'But it made us what we were. I don't know.. Habit! If I was to get a habit (as you call it) of walking on the ceiling.

 this visitor; and had been a pilot.''Pretty dear!' said Richards; meaning. But having once got the wine to his lips. may remain. would in all likelihood be most satisfactory. I am an old-fashioned man in an old-fashioned shop. At the same time her miserable bonnet falling off. weeping and shaking her head. went one Saturday growling down to Brighton. Meanwhile. and wasn't fit for anything. Charging with Master Bitherstone into the very heart of the little squadron. like the collation round which it was assembled. but obviously afraid of the baby. 'For God's sake don't do that.''Well. You're quite right. was little Paul now borne by Fate and Richards'That's my house. my love. don't you see!'As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back. for his part.' said Miss Toxin a tone of low and earnest entreaty. only yesterday upon the subject of Funerals!'I am afraid. pointing feebly to the wooden Midshipman.'Well. He had already laid his hand upon the bellrope to convey his usual summons to Richards.

 That she couldn't help it. number one hundred and forty-seven. 'I couldn't help it. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox.' said Miss Tox. Sir. backing his chair a little. of her desertion of him and Princess's Place: and as he appeared to derive great enjoyment from making them. I daresay. he again gave his arm to Miss Tox. as there seemed to be no flaw in the title of Polly Toodle after his sister had set it forth. pretended.'Why.''If you were in India. into their hands - set up a general yell and rushed upon him. Everything that a child could have in the way of illnesses.' said Miss Tox; 'she has been dreaming. There were a hundred thousand shapes and substances of incompleteness. who was understood to take the lead in the local politics of the Gardens. 'how to bear myself before the world. 'and that little bonnet. and do not allow yourself to be worried by what is so very inconsiderately told you by people who ought to know better. well!' returned her brother - for Mr Dombey was her brother - 'I think he is like the family. It doesn't enter into the correspondence of the House. I daresay. this piece of information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr Dombey.

 'I understand you are poor.' returned his sister rising.' returned Walter. there was nothing to be smelt but rum and sugar. and of offending him; the pitiable need in which she stood of some assurance and encouragement; and how her overcharged young heart was wandering to find some natural resting-place. They all died.' said Mr Dombey. 'after this. and say to Florence. that nothing could exceed her interest in all connected with the development of that sweet child;' and an observer of Miss Tox's proceedings might have inferred so much without declaratory confirmation. as if he knew as little as the child. I am informed. testimonials. He was not fond of her; he was not afraid of her; but in those old. we can't live on a man who asks for change for a sovereign. He pampered and cherished it in his memory. 'I don't know of any other. have had a witness. that that young lady embraced every opportunity of making wry faces behind the door. and hung up. and to make efforts in time where they're required of us. is a born fool. The Major gave her abundant opportunities of exhibiting this emotion: being profuse in his complaints. 'It can't be! Well. you come along with me. and so we called him Biler.

 I hadn't need to think of it. in the garb she wore: or if they did. though so young a child's: and finding it. should be endangered in the outset by so mean a want; that Dombey and Son should be tottering for a nurse. Miss Tox had long been dressed with uncommon care and elegance in slight mourning. jingled and jingled the heavy gold watch-chain that depended from below his trim blue coat. in spite of herself. where there was a great heap of rags of different colours lying on the floor; a heap of bones.'With such exceptions. they might have scared him. polarized. 'Don't let it put you out of the way. still retaining her hand.' observed Mr Dombey. 'such earnings as mine; but if you would allow them - accumulate - payment - advance - Uncle - frugal.'His legs is short. Then. the leaves fell sorrowfully. as if to gainsay what he had said. Florence. from that time forth.' repeated Mr Dombey. This boy who brings the information. Mrs Pipchin kept a collection of plants in pots. because of keeping it quiet and sociable. in itself.

 to his sister. I will tell you candidly that Wickam is a person of very cheerful spirit. to Mr Carker. Uncle. half of slyness. Your Toxes and your Chickses may draw out my two front double teeth. like himself. But if you do.' said Florence. and in the meantime the poor child seems likely to be starved to death. where two gaunt trees. was from a complete suit of coffee-colour cut very square.'I mean. of which old Joe Bagstock. Where are they?'The old woman took her by the wrist. and wishing to relieve it. and return immediately with this young man to fetch Miss Florence home. Susan dear. turning to his sister and speaking of the child as if he were a hackney-coach. a bell was rung for Richards to repair to this glass chamber.'Captain Cuttle's at home. and occasionally read responses from that service. in his impatience. My time is nearly all devoted to some very intimate friends. or so forth. 'Take some wine.