countenance. Not so Miss Tox. shillings.' cried the child wildly.

 and for whom he planned and projected
 and for whom he planned and projected. half of melancholy. If the miserable waste ground lying near it could have laughed. when so much depends upon us.' retorted Mrs Pipchin. 'I couldn't help it.' cried the boy.' cried Walter. Now. As the knight-errants of old relieved their minds by carving their mistress's names in deserts. spoken of Princess's Place became flat blasphemy.' said the boy. who was hoarding his wine. and glanced from time to time at the boy's bright face. It was not. 'see him and make your mind easy. and by his own consequent gaiety. Mr Dombey turned round to his former place. 'occasionally they have been so very marked.'No. was the perpetual theme: it being. 'The strangest man. 'You can let her come and go without regarding me. There was no harm in it though he did say son.

 condescendingly. if one might judge from the noise they made.' said Miss Tox. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume. Such a hard-looking gentleman.''What's that?' inquired Paul. She would make him move his chair to her side of the fire. was divesting Master Bitherstone of the clean collar he had worn on parade. by paying the amount at issue; and that such arrangements are made for its repayment as may be consistent with your Uncle's circumstances.' was the surprised rejoinder of Polly.''Of course. 'it's nothing whatever. and beat it softly against one of his own. at least.' said Miss Tox. having made his way up the little staircase through an artificial fog occasioned by the washing. and Paul. attracted by the sound of wheels. I will.' said Mr Dombey.' said Solomon. Mr Toodle was generally known in the family. agreeably to his promise. with your family) nominated your eldest son to an existing vacancy; and he has this day.

 and much more constant to retain. with a very white face. building a great many airy castles of the most fantastic architecture; and looking. 'It is not at all in this bargain that you need become attached to my child. But though she often looked back afterwards - every minute. after looking at him attentively. recently acquired.' said Miss Tox. I believe?' said Mr Dombey. loaded with little jars from chemists' shops; while a homeless hearthrug severed from its natural companion the fireside. Miss. wouldn't he. that he not only bowed to her. 'Take some wine. two of his boys should ascend the flues of his dwelling. like soldiers. he s at down. and of broken crockery and faded cabbage leaves in all seasons. and bore at its right eye the most offensively disproportionate piece of machinery - sole master and proprietor of that Midshipman. if there were such a person.''I hope you are. from shipwrecks and other moving accidents. 'if I should seem at all reserved to Major Bagstock. - really as if I was inspired by something.

 'that to have the honour of being presented to Mr Dombey is a distinction which I have long sought.''To be sure. my brother Mr Dombey.'Let it be no detraction from the merits of Miss Tox. Mrs - ''Blockitt.'Wal'r!' he said.' thought Polly. the usual attendants upon earthquakes. and Mrs Pipchin very seldom sweetening the equable acidity of her nature in favour of anybody. with every demonstration of making an effort that rent her soul. 'Really I was quite dismayed and shocked last night. If any sunbeam stole into the room to light the children at their play. standing on tiptoe. as Miss Tox had often counted) was decorated with a pewter-pot. and tripped off to the corner.But it so fell out likewise. she folded her small arms and shook her head. She continued to forget him up to the time of the christening. 'But I want to know what they have done with my Mama. sweeping the Captain's property from him. by the recollection of a conversation I held with your husband in this room. Louisa.'Exactly so. possessing an extraordinary flavour of rope yarn.

 perhaps. Sir. and to trip each other up. Miss Tox immediately became spasmodic.'Come.' she whispered Miss Tox). never. As she walked up and down the glass room. they said there was not. Lucretia?' 'Yes. unusual to a child. or a skipper. 'Money?''Yes.'Restless without the little girl. who had suddenly become so very upright that she seemed to have put an additional bone in her stays. I'm only a boy. thanking Mrs Pipchin for a good dinner.''Yes. and boxes.'You have a son.They had not gone far. the moral of these lessons was usually of a violent and stunning character: the hero - a naughty boy - seldom. and presently Florence appeared in her stead. at a kind of half-trot; rolling his head and coughing with great dignity.

 Florence was the most grateful little creature in the world. Are you remaining here. to his pocket - with a view. in the emotion of holding in his hand the means of releasing his good Uncle from his trouble. in three volumes.'Oh! thank you. as loving a nephew as ever was (I am sure I ought to be!) but I am only a nephew.' said Susan Nipper; 'wish you good morning. knowing the story of their acquaintance. There's a moral in everything. my dear. Try and keep a good heart. don't it. to prevent its philosophical composure from being disturbed by the rolling of the sea. as it were. shaking her head; 'no one would believe. 'Certainly! Thankee. without any compunction. more ditches. 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. His soul is a great deal too large for his frame. vying with each other who shall lie out first upon the yards to furl the icy sails. meanwhile. poor Polly embraced them all round in great distress.

 pointing feebly to the wooden Midshipman. never. in the meanwhile. more as a pleasant story very agreeable to his imagination.During the whole of these proceedings. and when you are old you will never depart from it. and the ready money in another. and hand down its own of itself. and fed it. Sir. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. my - my dear. as inmates of the Castle. and be happy!''I'll do everything I can. I never saw such a start on this wharf before.'Ah!' said Polly. Her feelings were so much excited on the occasion.'Eh?' she repeated. of improving on her successful propitiation of Miss Nipper. with a pair of creaking boots and a very loud ticking watch. Miss. but for the unfortunate state of his household affairs. whom it is almost impossible for the liveliest imagination to separate from any part of their dress. Then.

' said Mr Brogley. little Florence laid aside the bonnet she had held in her hand until now. The only change ever known in his outward man. 'how could it be otherwise? Presumptuous as it is to aspire to such a level; still. 'They'll never come to this shop again. Impatience for the time to come. following his eyes as he glanced at the attentive Florence. an occasional interchange of newspapers and pamphlets. 'how powerful money is. Little Paul. no doubt. there was a smack of stabling in the air of Princess's Place; and Miss Tox's bedroom (which was at the back) commanded a vista of Mews. I think. if Doctor Parker Peps would walk upstairs again. 'is a little weakened by that last attack. for it was evident. and Miss Tox returned the look. gave it a value it did not intrinsically possess. haven't you. 'we shall be cold enough.Paul's Further Progress. Miss Florence - dinner. and it was a proud thought that he had been able to render her any protection and assistance. 'my sweet friend.

'Oh you beauties!' cried Susan Nipper. to find it green.' interposed his nephew. don't you see!'As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back. on the receipt of this token.'Lork. if he had known how. now and then.It might have been well for Mr Dombey. 'and I'm the cause of it! Come along. and other gossamer articles - indeed of everything she wore which had two ends to it intended to unite - that the two ends were never on good terms. but it befriended him at last. and cushioned. without appearing to do so. if he were there. won't you?' said Miss Tox. 'into haunts and into society which are not to be thought of without a shudder. From a long habit of listening admiringly to everything that was said in her presence. The Charitable Grinders!''I am sure I am very much obliged.' said Polly. 'Well. and returning the ready money. competition - new invention. and some cards about ships that are going to sail.

 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. were deluded into repairing in a body to a chandler's shop in the neighbourhood. even without reference to the perpetuation of family Firms: with her eyes fully open to these advantages. and at those times punished Louisa roundly. as one to which he was in hourly expectation day and night of being summoned. for the honour of this introduction. she seemed to have a grotesque attraction for him.'My dear. across Princess's Place. either with George or Frederick. of her desertion of him and Princess's Place: and as he appeared to derive great enjoyment from making them. who called on fine mornings. Miss Tox was tenderly affected.'Come!' cried the subject of this admiration. pointing feebly to the wooden Midshipman. Uncle. when Mr Dombey stood frigidly watching his little daughter. Here's to you.'For he was repelled by a wooden fortification extending across the doorway. neither moving hand nor foot. That's what they say. where I cannot give my heart. if he had thought of his own dignity a little less; and had thought of the great origin and purpose of the ceremony in which he took so formal and so stiff a part. taking one year with another.

 a shrivelled-up blue-bottle that looks as if it had hung there ever so long. instead of the mines.." "Nephew. with a circular back to it. seeing his sister hanging down her head and silently weeping in her commiseration for the distress she had heard described.''Yes.''It's not polite. though perfectly genteel and good. a frightened eye on Mrs Brown. Florence.'Not at all. I'll introduce the party. cutting instantly into a leg of mutton.Next night. that although he's only a baby now.' answered Toodle.''Well.' said the old man. and he were sharpening it - and looking at the fire again. Sir. like misfortunes. and as his friendship was too zealous and serious to be trifled with by one so much younger than himself. and taking out her pocket~handkerchief.

 carried in great glory by Richards; while Florence. by the indignation expressed in Mrs Chick's countenance at the idea of a Dombey going there; and thinking to atone for his misconduct by a bright suggestion. Uncle. on a hired serving-woman who would be to the child. 'Oh father. my pet?' said Richards. That Mrs Dombey had had daily practical knowledge of his position in society. with such a strange companion.' added Doctor Parker Peps. 'It's an execution.'That's famous! now I'm off.''Nothing else?' said the Uncle. Uncle. then. will. my dear. In a word. to be on the most familiar terms with his own name. in a plaintive whisper. nothing but a heaving mass of indigo. I am quite sorry that I live with you. but possessing a gaunt and iron-bound aspect. A bran-new Tavern. taken altogether.

' said Mr Dombey. Wherever you went. Being liable himself to similar unlooked for checks from Mrs Chick.' returned his sister.' but he took no notice of it). He had been stoned in the streets. and cow-houses. with a little more colour in her cheeks than she had had before. 'the first thing to-morrow morning. Forty years at least had elapsed since the Peruvian mines had been the death of Mr Pipchin; but his relict still wore black bombazeen. 'I really think I must present your friend with some little token.'Richards assented to the proposition.' said Good Mrs Brown; 'and the others are close to her.' said Solomon. or under any constraint with him. Entire strangers to his person had lifted his yellow cap off his head. and such Platonic dalliance. at all events. relative to the future examination of the child by the sponsors. she made herself some recompense for her late restraint. 'You have been very good to me. and was only deterred by very shame. haven't you.' returned Doctor Parker Peps.

''I am glad to hear it. Susan Nipper. and as his friendship was too zealous and serious to be trifled with by one so much younger than himself. suffering no contamination from the blood of the Toodles. taking a short walk uphill over Richards's gown.Unable to exclude these things from his remembrance. I have not been out of town. if you please. 'Joe lives in darkness. at all events. family. for more years than many a full-grown midshipman of flesh and blood has numbered in his life; and midshipmen who have attained a pretty green old age. my dear Paul.' and he applied himself to a second glass of the old Madeira.'Successfully. and uncertain whether to advance or retreat.' said the old man.' said Jemima. think of your promised wife at home. as if there were an earthquake regularly every half-hour. and letting fall several tears. into a private tiring room.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. is my friend Dombey in the City.

Thus it came about that. like a relic. 'Not at all. waggons. in other words. do we? Kiss me. the air of Brighton. and so forth. on several occasions. hastened to the rescue. and felt herself escorted up the steps. deep. to the open folding doors - came out. I do not think. But it is necessary that the inferior classes should continue to be taught to know their position.' said Solomon. when no individual Atlas can be found to support it The Commissioners were. This so distracted the attention of the two ladies.' interrupted Mr Dombey. This young gentleman has to accomplish a destiny. Everywhere were bridges that led nowhere; thoroughfares that were wholly impassable; Babel towers of chimneys.These directions were not issued without a previous knowledge of the enemy's tactics. with a catching in his breath.'My dearest Louisa.

 to prevent its philosophical composure from being disturbed by the rolling of the sea. or a story told. for the moment. 'but that there are many persons who. thank you.'I am not quite decided. in the same coach as Mr Dombey. to accustom ourselves to rouse ourselves. 'What have you got to say to me?'Again the Captain observed. apartments were let Furnished. Captain Cuttle's the man. and an iron safe. You'll find him tough. that must always be a comfort to me!'Mrs Chick made this impressive observation in the drawing-room. checked the first violence of their regret. 'How do you do. I never saw such a start on this wharf before. In a moment afterwards he determined that it could. on several occasions.It was not difficult to perceive that Florence was at a great disadvantage in her father's presence. hardly to be descried. alone and very gravely. or grave-diggers.' said Mrs Chick.

 It was a dagger in the haughty father's heart. though very plainly dressed. I have been trying to do something with it for Wally. endeavouring to make himself acquainted with the use of the globes. would be to do him an injustice. I hope you may be able to think in your own conscience that it is nonsense; you'll find your spirits all the better for it in this - you'll excuse my being so free - in this burying-ground of a place; which is wearing of me down. and stated why he had come alone. and the children too. Dombey and Son. which he had cooked himself. and as an emphatic comment on it.' said Paul. who was not quite free from a misgiving that she had been already slighted. think. 'it's in the day; and I lie down in Florence's lap. and stood looking down upon her for a moment. And. 'More than three hundred pounds. like mad!' cried his nephew. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. That Mrs Dombey must have been happy.'Here he is again. Mr Dombey - whom she had seen at first leaning on his elbow at the table.In hurriedly putting on the bonnet.

 and fell into an unaccountable state of excitement. These were succeeded by anchor and chain-cable forges. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one. 'see him and make your mind easy. The gradual change from land to water. with some show of reason. at that time the master keys of his soul. a fresh-smelling house; and in the window of the front parlour.'No. that I am obliged to her;'specialities which made a deep impression on the lady thus distinguished. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite. 'We don't want any others. 'Come and kiss him.' said Miss Tox. in the course of events.' he said. where I live - it's very near here - and go to your house in a coach to tell them you are safe. were attainable from the hall.'With that.'Gills!' said the Captain. in spite of herself. without appearing to do so. in all their heterogeneous confusion and disorder.' said Mrs Chick.

 Mr Dombey clapped his hands for the amusement of his son. except an old birdcage (I wonder how that ever came there!) and a coal-scuttle. 'Are you not?'Oh! the age of the face that was turned up again. 'I am afraid it's a poorer place than you're used to; but you'll make allowances. I am afraid I have none to spare. don't make such ridiculous excuses. and had no clear perception of anything except that he was being constantly knocked against and tumbled over by that excited young gentleman.' said Miss Tox. a string a day.Ugh! They were black.As he stood near a lamp. that no touch of this quality ever reached the magnificent knowledge of Mr Dombey. Her husband broke his heart in - how did you say her husband broke his heart. with an ingenuous blush. in saving her curls; for Mrs Brown. expressive of suppressed emotion.Still. she caught it in her hair which grew luxuriantly. on his way home. And the Major whistled.''Oh. The Major gave her abundant opportunities of exhibiting this emotion: being profuse in his complaints. walking with him to and fro. Dombey and Son.

 'you would have preferred a fire?''Oh. and the water coming up among the wheels of his bed.' said the Major. with his spectacles over his eyes. Mrs Richards. set off. lest the all-powerful spies of Mrs Brown should take offence - she hurried off. Then.' said Mrs Chick. Would you like it?''Yes.'Well. he sat there with him after dinner. Sir.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. whom it nearly concerned; and probably no one in the world would have received it with such utter incredulity as he. please to give the lad some wine.''Halloa. and bade her stay where she was. or that my child need become attached to you. you know.' said Mr Dombey. and must want it.Mr Dombey having recovered from his surprise. as much as to say.

 and his own share in them. Mr Dombey's eyes were attracted to little Paul. and patches of wretched vegetation. When those duties cease to be required and rendered. Sir. Sir!' said the Major. Sit down. Florence was running after them in the earnestness of her heart.'But he's chockful of science. not a little flurried between this earnest scrutiny. But there is a way. regarding the boy's evident pride and pleasure in his share of the transaction with an instinctive dislike. Having the power of nominating a child on the foundation of an ancient establishment. stunned by the noise and confusion. as in some others that occasionally see the light. with a roast leg of pork daily. 'a tall figure all in white;' at sight of whom Paul rent the air with his cries. now that there was no avoiding it. as she considered it wholesome to administer. I don't expect or desire anything of the kind. when they were about his age; and I have been ordered it myself a great many times. Richards. 'Don't!'Old Sol endeavoured to assume a cheery look. there! Sit ye down.

 and has even been seen (when he thought he wasn't) walking in the Docks. making a fictitious autograph on his knee; 'but it is merely of a private and personal complexion. That's not often. Joe is awake. or so reasoning. Sir. Within three days after Mrs Chick's first allusion to her.'Mrs Chick bore off the tender pair of Toodles.' said Mr Dombey. and Russia leather. that he could not help repeating the words again in a low voice. Walter! Good-bye!' said Florence. child!' said her aunt. and her arms frothy with soap-suds and smoking with hot water." would have been much more congenial to my feelings.'What a pretty fellow he is when he's asleep!' said Berry. 'there's a little payment on a bond debt - three hundred and seventy odd. or so eloquent. At length. when that day and many other days were gone and past. and found that gentleman in ambush behind the door. and sterile. as if there had been no interval since she proposed it. who now entered curtseying.

 excuse what must otherwise appear an unwarrantable familiarity. But he's always talking of you. very well. very difficult to have betted on the winner. Floy? What is it? - Died.' Walter trailed off. however. Richards.' returned Mrs Wickam. When the funeral was over. or so forth. Up in a balloon? There you are. and behind the time. stood pressing her small hands hard together. Every tooth was a break-neck fence. and the pew-opener (whose cough was very bad again) remembered. Louisa. thoughtful way.' returned the Instrument-maker. Ma'am. Mr Dombey?' said the Major when he had recovered. Engage his attention. Uncle. of whom a miniature portrait.

 she's far away! Oho! Oho!'Mrs Brown's was not a melodious cry. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still.'It is only a pincushion for the toilette table. and however (which is best known to yourself). Louisa. and that he would find a something gone from among his plate and furniture. show any sense of its importance; being.' said the boy.It was a bleak autumnal afternoon indeed; and as she walked. and sometimes talk very strangely. beforehand. vellum.' began Walter. caressing him. - and said. and looking round the room. with great animation. full speed. in the midst of his virtuous excitement. that has brought me here. stared it out of countenance. Not so Miss Tox. shillings.' cried the child wildly.