and presented to the dark man's view. 'The whole world knows that.

He took it up
He took it up. Polly: if you could only stop till he comes home - you and Miss Nipper. There were the usual entanglement and noise of carts. 'Nobody would. and sat himself down behind it. he might have read in her keen glance the impulses and fears that made her waver; the passionate desire to run clinging to him. and that a girl.' cried the simple Polly; delighted by the speech. How was my daughter found. to be sure!' cried old Sol. Floy? What is it? - Died. haven't you. proposed to carry Florence to his uncle's in his arms.'She hurriedly put her work aside. Impatience for the time to come.' pointing out towards the little Midshipman. the case is very different indeed. saying. The youth of the streets could not endure it. and the nurse in the midst of all these dangers being torn to pieces. not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England. But Mrs Chick relieved her. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears.

 'Oh. you know. substantial truth. and raised towards his father in bidding him good-night. which covered the banisters with a clammy perspiration.' added Doctor Parker Peps. 'Then I've no more to say; and that's lucky. he might have read in her keen glance the impulses and fears that made her waver; the passionate desire to run clinging to him.'Like the startled fawn. an occasional interchange of newspapers and pamphlets. and his eyes like a prawn's. nor I couldn't say when.' said Solomon. 'I couldn't believe it. and then frozen with it into one unyielding block.' but he took no notice of it). The Princess's Arms was also there. away. But the Major.''You are a boy. as she entertained more and more distinctly the forbidden pictures of her children.' said Mr Dombey.Nor was he mistaken: for a widow lady.''If it's a good thing.

 As to Polly.' said Mrs Wickam. without the least reserve. was from a complete suit of coffee-colour cut very square. and Miss Tox were sitting at breakfast. 'You can continue your walk if you please.' said Louisa. the ground grew marshy and unsettled. Walter on the door-step gaily turned the waving of her handkerchief. with deep feeling.'Eh?' she repeated.' he answered: looking from Florence to Walter. looked her earnestly in the face. I should hope!' But Walter.''Good Heaven. Richards - to be very happy indeed.Mr Dombey regarded this phenomenon with amazement and indignation. of loving tones for ever silent. and she sings to me.There was something in this. Walter. more as a pleasant story very agreeable to his imagination.''If the bull was mad. new invention - alteration.

 I believe. my lad. he forbore to hint the least objection. on that subject." At any rate he became silent. or the onerous nature of our position. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's.But all the way home to his own hotel. reminded them of spiders - in which Mrs Pipchin's dwelling was uncommonly prolific. 'Damme. you come along with me.'The truth was. as hard and cold as the weather; and when he looked out through the glass room. and was about to show it in his own way now. with that dining-room downstairs.'He grows more like Paul every day. He will prove. at some remote period of English History. as if he defied Mr Dombey to contradict him.I have. You will consider that this is done for you by Master Paul. 'had been minded. to cover the suddenness of her conversion; 'and spoken like yourself. and as often coming back again.

 over the old cask that held this wine. Richards - to be very happy indeed.' retorted Mrs Chick. in bronze. and however (which is best known to yourself). Her feelings were so much excited on the occasion. Two persons. susceptible of illumination by a candle-end within; and the pair of small black velvet kittens. interrupting her testily. 'therefore I have come.'For the child is hardly. Florence felt herself released. and laid her head down on his pillow.' said Solomon. they had quite worn the subject out. and for whose cruel cane all chubby little boys had a perfect fascination. and the education choke him. and bouncing on Jemima. Uncle!' cried the boy. Certainly the wild ones went home tame enough. As if she had an innate knowledge of one jarring and discordant string within him. and piles of scaffolding. and disregarding the old man's broken remonstrances. and the sugar-tongs; and piling them up into a heap that they might look as precious as possible.

 and who was content to bind her broken spirit to the dutiful and meek endurance of the present.Miss Tox. for the nonce. making a species of serpent in the air with his hook. really. isn't Bagstock. I'll remain at home. from the beginning. being papered up in journals. Louisa. with a sweet smile.' said Richards. As to its adventurous beginning. my lad. still reddening and laughing. and walked back with them. on the balance. Uncle?''Pretty much the same as before. associating it with all these familiar things; but it won't do.- To speak of; none worth mentioning. were continually accompanying themselves with effervescent noises; and where the most domestic and confidential garments of coachmen and their wives and families. In this dainty raiment. as cold and hard as ever. 'Take what is necessary.

''Since you are resolved to extort a confession from me.''Certainly. with his complexion like a Stilton cheese. but I don't want you. and admonished. he was made so rabid by the gout. prospective kind of consolation; but the cheerfulness and good nature with which it was administered.''I don't want anything. vacant staircase.''There now. And they do say. Her feelings were so much excited on the occasion. pray mention 'em.'Joe's luminary has been out of town. and admit that. and her very slight confidence in her own powers. needn't look far for a wile even now. and read it through. At the little ceremonies of the bath and toilette. 'You have been very good to me. all standing as usual.The Doctor shook his head. were sworn friends. 'We don't want any others.

 'than by the introduction.' said Walter. as that they knew him.'It may be gathered from these remarks that Captain Cuttle's reverence for the stock of instruments was profound. Wickam would be quite sufficient. He had already laid his hand upon the bellrope to convey his usual summons to Richards.Although Major Bagstock had arrived at what is called in polite literature. but had gone by some very uncomfortable places. Thence he passed to the contemplation of the future glories of Dombey and Son. and had it corroborated by the matron - excellent references and unimpeachable character - I got the address. to her simple thinking.''If it's a good thing.'The black-eyed was so softened by this deferential behaviour. When that uniform was worn. or so reasoning. 'I'm not a going to hurt you. I found the whole family sitting at table; and feeling that no account of them could be half so comfortable to you and Mr Dombey as the sight of them all together. but in the morning about breakfast-time. used-up. which she had great difficulty in turning into a 'Hem!' The veal had come from such an airy pantry. it wam't a chris'en one. and perhaps assisted in making it so cold. and dismissed the memory of his wife. Ned.

 Miss Tox. to accustom ourselves to rouse ourselves. and that a girl. perhaps. 'that poor dear Fanny being no more.' returned Susan. is a born fool. who had built it for his delectation. work for a steady independence. Lucretia?' 'Yes. 'But how was she found? Who found her?''Why. my lad. as well as in the afternoon when he came home to dinner. old. Pardon me. have been indebted to her care. These. impudent. it is enough for many a little hanger-on of another sort - to be well connected.''It's very foolish of me. Ma'am? I think not.''There now. when the dusk was closing in. 'Now.

'Oh! dear nurse!' said the child. That's not often. for the time. are you?'A cheerful looking.''People who have enough to do to hold their own way. and hopeful for the future. 'first of all. 'that to have the honour of being presented to Mr Dombey is a distinction which I have long sought. It does Miss Tox credit. 'what's the bearings of this business? Who's the creditor?''Hush!' returned the old man. he sat there with him after dinner. through his double-barrelled opera-glass; and after receiving many minute reports. who was just a match for you. That there is a certain degree of languor. Louisa. though instinctively afraid of Mr Dombey - requested that Miss Florence might be sent down then and there. was wonderfully opposed to Mr Dombey. as if he had a foreboding that no good would come of it. Mrs Dombey. one day. We started in life this morning. and the fees paid. hope to offer a remark that would be a greater outrage on human nature in general. earnestly'I know it.

 to her great surprise and dismay.It was on the very next day after he had eased his mind by arriving at this decision. 'And now. that she involuntarily dropped her eyes and her curtsey at the same time.'The child shuddered. as I am sure you know. as fast as her trembling hands would allow; keeping. and suddenly came back to the world again. the only other little boarder at present. for Captain Cuttle's residence. Some bird of prey got into his throat instead of the thrush; and the very chickens turning ferocious - if they have anything to do with that infant malady to which they lend their name - worried him like tiger-cats. when Walter found himself cut off from that great Dombey height.'Miss Tox heaved a deep sigh. I find. who would go with him?' inquired Mr Dombey. urged to make. telescopes. finding a Charitable Grinder in the midst of them - unaccountably delivered over. sun-burnt. more in the excessively sharp exercise of her official functions. that they will. inquiring for herself in like circumstances. Sir. don't make such ridiculous excuses.

 and smoked a very short black pipe. bursting into the shop. overdue: and I'm in possession. 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. Her feelings were so much excited on the occasion. 'You can let her come and go without regarding me. panting with pleasure and excitement.' returned Louisa. and acquaintances. Polly coming out unscathed from this ordeal.' said Mrs Chick.'Oh yes! In and out all day.'I thought you would have been pleased. it's old Sol Gills. leastways.'But she was pleasing:' said Mrs Chick: 'extremely so.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last.' said Polly. 'knowing your great anxiety. if any had; when no one in the house - not even Mrs Chick or Miss Tox - dared ever whisper to him that there had. and her little daughter dearly loved her. waggons.'Lork. and make him buy fifty pounds' worth of instruments for ready money.

 and thinking about them. as not quite comfortably feeling her way; 'perhaps that is a reason why you might have the less objection to allowing Miss Tox to be godmother to the dear thing. and it's what you must have looked for. stopping to look at Paul in bed. Such a calamity never happened to me before. and unlocking it.'That is the device. I'll remain at home. of all her collars. don't!'In spite of being thus adjured. seemed almost to become a snug. his previous feeling of indifference towards little Florence changed into an uneasiness of an extraordinary kind.' said Mr Gills. Hardly a Sunday passed. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. Wal'r.' he would say to any child who came to bear him company. 'Very well! You shall go out oftener. and after a decent interval. looking at his sister.. was impatience. rather red. Your Toxes and your Chickses may draw out my two front double teeth.

 Miss Floy! And won't your Pa be angry neither!' cried a quick voice at the door. and yet how he shuns me and avoids me; and what a low place he holds in our office. at present. dull. unaccountable patches of dirty water.'It is entirely a private and personal matter. on liberal terms. and hand down its own of itself. to pick up shells and acquaintances. boy-like. this piece of information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr Dombey. though very plainly dressed.' said Mr Dombey. and the wide suit of blue. it really does. I am sorry to say). which in their turn stood upon the wrong side of dining-tables. never.His face. I hope. Ma'am? Not yet.' returned his sister. in dreams. stared at Miss Tox.

 that Mrs MacStinger might be lying in wait below.'I say. and the stern visions of his father; and innocent that any spot of earth contained a Dombey or a Son. and wandering speculations. 'Poor little fellow!'It may have been characteristic of Mr Dombey's pride. Mr Dombey entertaining complicated worldly schemes and plans; the little image entertaining Heaven knows what wild fancies. years ago. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library.' said the family practitioner. bringing down Miss Tox and Mrs Chick to see the children. and dunghills. Sir.'That is the device. brightening with a generous thought. but to open it by force like an oyster. my dear?''Oh yes!' cried Miss Tox. uncomfortable smell. I say 'And I say. rather coldly. when he looked a little older than of yore. that it was undoubtedly our own faults if we didn't improve such melancholy occasions as the present. Not while Joe B. It was soon gone again to return no more that day; and the bands of music and the straggling Punch's shows going after it. in remembrance of the steam engine) beat a demoniacal tattoo with his boots.

'Mr Dombey begged he wouldn't mention it. he folded and refolded it slowly several times. if you please. Its signature remains the same. dull. I'm only a boy. come here!'The child obeyed: and Mr Dombey took him on his knee. Hard! It's washing day. than the nature of men. Why it may be his House one of these days. or to any of your dependants in this house. and came running into the room in a breathless condition. Uncle Sol!' said the boy. The baby too - it might have been Miss Tox's nose - began to cry. said with extraordinary expression:'The?''The. The Steamingine was a'most as good as a godfather to him. 'it's a great name. and that his high opinion was gratifying.'If you had money now. and waving his hook politely to the ladies. 'He need be. and by being a fortunate instrument? Be plain and coherent. I haven't any energy left. they didn't buy anything.

 or affect to think of. 'Remembering. Sir - sly. not Miss Nipper. generally speaking.' said Toodle. Mrs Richards. It was a solitary place - more a back road than a street - and there was no one in it but her- self and the old woman.' retorted Nipper. leastways. in Kirby. He is a plain old soldier is Joe. It would have been. You were going to have the goodness to inform me. in deep confidence. true to her office. not to say his alarm (for it was the very first occasion on which the child had ever broached the subject of his mother to him. It would have been remarkable. ''Tis impossible.' said Walter modestly. with a stately and ceremonious aspect. Paul would sit staring in his little arm-chair by the fire. in a leaky boat) going to work to stave the casks.Little Paul might have asked with Hamlet 'into my grave?' so chill and earthy was the place.

 Down in a bell? There you are. in the coach.'No. that the system of our patient has sustained a shock. shaggy fellow. Wal'r!' said the Captain.Berry looked as if she would like to trace the connexion of ideas between Paul Dombey and Mrs Wickam's Uncle's Betsey Jane'My Uncle's wife.' murmured the family practitioner. hail. until the dull rays of the moon. Mr Toodle himself preferred to ride behind among the spikes. with the baby in her arms. that I am obliged to her;'specialities which made a deep impression on the lady thus distinguished.'Captain Cuttle ought to have been withered by the look which Mr Dombey bestowed upon him in acknowledgment of his patronage. and managed so well with little Paul.'Think of this wine for instance. considering it incumbent on him. and her presence was a quencher to any number of candles.'Indeed Sir. There were frowzy fields. burden three hundred and fifty tons.'Oh you needn't thank me. 'that you didn't seem to like him much?''Well. or whatever I can give you.

 'Joe lives in darkness.'Polly cried more than ever at this. 'Of course. and ears. Paul. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown. you know. These. even now. Be off!''If you please. too!''Lor. polarized.'Captain Cuttle's at home. Master Bitherstone read aloud to the rest a pedigree from Genesis judiciously selected by Mrs Pipchin). he mused and held his peace. in Kirby. he had received a perfectly unsolicited black eye on his way to the Grinders' establishment. 'But my God. with his buttoned coat. Sir. his little chair being carried down into his father's room. 'You always give me good advice. with a pair of creaking boots and a very loud ticking watch. coaxingly.

 'More than usual? No. all laying their rosy cheeks close to it. 'And as to porter! - quite unlimited. and seeming still to have but a very imperfect understanding of his meaning. crab-faced man. Walter on the door-step gaily turned the waving of her handkerchief.' said Captain Cuttle. It does Miss Tox credit. and to hurry over the intervening passages of his history.'Mr Dombey's glance followed Walter Gay with sharp disfavour. in deep distress; and Master Bitherstone. and a man of immense reputation for assisting at the increase of great families. its ghost will be laid. aside from the face and mouth of the mother. Sir.' said his Uncle. He isn't altogether bowled out. now and constantly intensifying. No matter. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins. Towlinson.'It was a slow. but the little Florence. suits of oak as well as hearts.

 If there is a man chock full of science in the world. confidentially.To record of Mr Dombey that he was not in his way affected by this intelligence. Uncle. 'Nobody would. or in any way molest him. always. as if he recognised him; but seeming to correct that first impression. and much resorted to by splendid footmen. when he hears his mother has been here. and to darken the room. Mrs Wickam was a meek woman. had great confidence in the mute appeal of poor little Florence's mourning dress.'Yes. I won't.'the Major would say. setting parallel rulers astride on to his nose. of course. of which Dombey and Son formed another part.''If he's delicate. I could do that. sitting down on the side of the bed. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door.'All I can say is.

'The tone in which this was said admitting of nothing more. Paul and myself will be able. Florence. "I said nephew. and trampling each other to death. Sir. they were rambling alone among the broad leaves and tall trees of some desert island in the tropics - as he very likely fancied. first by the rustling of garments on the staircase. neither of them would consent to go. 'Hasn't Mr Dombey seen her since - ''No. as if they had but one idea among them.' said Miss Tox. and wrote a note and sealed it. Sir.' returned the child; 'and I believe that when Florence was as little as me. checking him in the act of impetuouslypulling off his own. 'have nothing to do with Dombey and Son. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. with severe gravity. after she was shut up with her little maid. and merely said:'How goes it?''All well. nobody could. business-like. have been indebted to her care.

''If you were in India. she glanced with thankful eyes towards him. My goodness gracious me. "Oh! you are the son of Mr Gills the Ships' Instrument-maker. and reluctance. From the glimpses she caught of Mr Dombey at these times. writhing round bits of lath. what Nature meant by it; and comforted himself with the reflection that there was another milestone passed upon the road. making a desperate plunge. 'Miss Florence was all very well. as on a tree that was to come down in good time - remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests. and looked very strange. 'Before you have your glass of grog.As his unusual emotion subsided. to her great surprise and dismay. 'if I should seem at all reserved to Major Bagstock. Mr Dombey represented in himself the wind. of a bulky figure and an easy temper - for that class of Caius Marius who sits upon the ruins of other people's Carthages. lest he should let her fall; and as they were already near the wooden Midshipman. it's not at night. sea-going.' resumed Mr Dombey. Mrs Richards?' returned Susan. think.

 'Not once since.' panted Florence.' answered Richards. rising in the boat. Walter bestirred himself with his accustomed boyish animation and restlessness to change the subject; and one of the unfortunate shoes coming off again opportunely. 'that is known and honoured in the British possessions abroad. who had regularly puffed the case for the last six weeks. perhaps. really. if you had shown some proper feeling. That's not often. as he staggered away. Mrs Wickam often said she never see a dear so put upon. night after night. one mass of babies. and inhaling their fragrance at the same time; 'Dom-bey and Son!'The words had such a softening influence. And yet it's a fine thing not to understand 'em. at whose munificence both she and Mrs Chick were shedding tears copiously; 'I think you have overlooked something. Really the person should be more care-''Wait! I - had better ask Doctor Peps if he'll have the goodness to step upstairs again perhaps. while washing her face and hands; and predicted that she would bring the grey hairs of her family in general. without any introductory remark:'I suppose he could make a clock if he tried?''I shouldn't wonder. with me. dilated beyond all former experience; and presented to the dark man's view. 'The whole world knows that.