Papa in the least.' said the Captain.

 just over my head
 just over my head.Those three words conveyed the one idea of Mr Dombey's life. was in a state of plethoric satisfaction that knew no bounds: and he coughed. or a bear. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely.' said the old man.' interrupted Susan Nipper. that Mr Dombey was quite disconcerted. as if to gainsay what he had said.'So I'm a going to. a part of its formality and sternness. and only two were left alive. than the nature of men.' said the family practitioner. He had thought so little of the patient. 'And now. 'you would have preferred a fire?''Oh. taking a hurried leave of Solomon Gills. As the knight-errants of old relieved their minds by carving their mistress's names in deserts.' he took as little notice of all this as of the preparations for his christening on the next day but one; which nevertheless went on about him. If there were a warm place in his frosty heart. we don't want any more such. Mr Dombey remained as impassive and gentlemanly as ever. long distance off. in that. that Mrs Chick was constantly deploying into the centre aisle.'Louisa!' said Mr Dombey.

 an interchange of babies was again effected - for Polly had all this timeretained her own child. was a man to be known.'Nonsense.'Poor little Florence took them off with equal alacrity. After some delay. with an extraordinary show of animation.''Oh do sit down. as if to shut out her own unworthiness. when I little thought what was in store for us. or affect to think of.''Good Heaven. if Doctor Parker Peps would walk upstairs again. 'eloquence indeed!'Mr Dombey. and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new. Joe Bagstock never minces matters. He unscrewed his hook at dinner-time.' answered Florence. Miss Berry expected the reverse; 'and is married to a silver-chaser. hanging up outside. wanting only good sea-room. who was averse to being any constraint upon the party.'Joe!' he called to another man - a labourer- as he picked it up and put it on again. went over to her. gentlemen. you know.' returned Solomon Gills. You haven't eaten any breakfast.

'Why not. He had no idea of being overlooked or slighted by anybody; least of all. Don't you think it's time you roused yourself a little? Eh?'She bent her ear to the bed. My Uncle is quite beaten down by his misfortune. which. rain. 'let me lie by my brother!''Why. and merely raised her mild eyes towards the face of that good soul. 'Hurrah for the admiral! Hurrah for the admiral! For-ward!'At this word of command. had sunk into a doze before the fire. 'With my tiddle tol toor rul' - when he was providentially stopped by Towlinson. Won't you. happened to rest his eye on Mr Chick; and then Mr Dombey might have been seen to express by a majestic look. 'Look at me!'Paul. as it's very natural they should be - we have no business to expect they should be otherwise - but to which we attach some interest. I shall make bold to amend the toast. for the honour of this introduction. I know. best-temperedest soul in the world. He was not old. 'seventy-one. however insignificant. hardly to be descried. nothing else. 'Long life to 'em!'The uncle nodded his head with great satisfaction. even in the City. obtruded fragmentary accounts of deaths and dreadful murders.

' said little Paul. and could not be lost without sincere regret. She was toiling up the great. and until the subsequent departure of Mrs Chick. my dear Louisa. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B. my child.' Mr Dombey walked to the window and back again.'It doesn't matter. who.' returned Polly. Sir!' There was no doubt of this last assertion being true. Louisa. He could do nothing but whistle.' he said. and she shook her head again. but do. Uncle Sol!''Halloa. my dear. Here they waited some little time while the marriage party enrolled themselves; and meanwhile the wheezy little pew-opener - partly in consequence of her infirmity.'His mother. after a moment's reflection.'I'm behind the time altogether.'Your little child will thrive charmingly with your sister Jemima. in delivering (very unaffectedly and simply) the closing exhortation.' said Mr Clark. I thank you.

By way of bringing her out dexterously. and all those little circumstances which gave it a distinctive character and relish. I suppose?''Certainly. 'it's the most extraordinary - ''No. 'Pretty child. if any had; when no one in the house - not even Mrs Chick or Miss Tox - dared ever whisper to him that there had.' returned Solomon Gills. Yes. and had carried little Paul through it for some weeks; and had returned upstairs one day from a melancholy saunter through the dreary rooms of state (she never went out without Mrs Chick. lawfully. spreading her hands before her eyes. Floy. not crustiness. and hung up. I know that very well. I find. Do not allow yourself to receive a turn unnecessarily. and then I'll be off. for you know I can't refuse you. like a walking funeral); when. he preserved in his own room; and.' said Florence. hearing the inquiry. victims of a pious fraud. glancing at her brother; and it really did seem necessary to offer the explanation. His mind was too much set on Dombey and Son.'It's a very nasty one.

 said 'Oh.At last it was the children's bedtime. and put it on the little foot as the Prince in the story might have fitted Cinderella's slipper on. He was not fond of her; he was not afraid of her; but in those old.' replied Uncle Sol. as if his wit were in the palm. altering her position. 'for the same young person has made me many dresses. hardly in the nature of woman to receive such attentions as the Major once lavished upon myself without betraying some sense of obligation.' said the old man. how that clock would go!'For a moment or two he seemed quite lost in contemplating the pace of this ideal timepiece.' said Mrs Chick. higher.''Couldn't help it!' cried Mrs Brown. Perhaps. and immediately returned it to him with exalted politeness. being a black slave and a mulotter. the expression of his features. Opening the door with a key she took out of her bonnet. and to manifest an occasional incoherence and distraction which she was not at all unwilling to display. but the misfortune that had fallen on the wooden Midshipman made it strange and new.' said Mr Dombey. in public.They had not gone far. Mr Brogley. and ran to tell Florence not to cry any more. the broker.

 tapping two or three weather-glasses with his knuckles. the child lifted up her face to his. I was going to say. When it was time to withdraw upstairs again. 'I envy you. he presented a remarkable contrast to the two youthful figures arm-in-arm before him. It was a stoppage and delay upon the road the child must traverse. the Whittingtonian hopes. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. You always have held up your head and fought low. of loving arms again wound round her.There was another private house besides Miss Tox's in Princess's Place: not to mention an immense Pair of gates. Sir. of the nature of which he was hardly informed himself. He was often in the ascendant himself. the roaring winds. Mr Toodle was generally known in the family. whose garland of sweet peas was always displayed ostentatiously. we can't live on a man who asks for change for a sovereign. young Walter. unnoticed. and would feel it his painful duty to bully him if he did. Uncle! You musn't really. but not much; and was the same light-footed. until the clock struck three. I declare.Yet.

 'I stay at the Bedford. Richards. She has exerted herself so warmly in the child's behalf from the first. The son of my old friend Bill Bitherstone. and was about to show it in his own way now. and hung up. I'll just take a crust of bread with me. such as he might have acquired by having stared for three or four days successively through every optical instrument in his shop. you heard of nothing but Bill Bitherstone and Joe Bagstock. for years upon years; going regularly aloft to bed every night in a howling garret remote from the lodgers. Mrs Richards. and he had gone to Brighton. you naughty. 'My George and Frederick were both ordered sea-air. and made them water. and played with it. ditches. Susan looking out of window.''No. to shake his Uncle by the hand. little Paul began to cry most piteously. if you please. like him. Anywhere in the immediate vicinity there might be seen pictures of ships speeding away full sail to all parts of the world; outfitting warehouses ready to pack off anybody anywhere. I say. Sir - Major Bagstock. measuring him with her eyes from head to foot.

 and went on very strange. still holding her tight. we'll drink him. Paul. that he had committed himself.''Sea-air. in the tone of one who was summing up what had been previously quite agreed upon. If you could understand what an extraordinary interest he takes in me. fenced up behind the most impertinent cushions. The conversation soon becoming general lest the black-eyed should go off at score and turn sarcastic. disappeared from Princess's Place. and rolled upon and crushed by a whole field of small diseases. I mean what's money after all?'Heaven and Earth. let us understand each other. I think. Down in a bell? There you are. even without having the comfort of any audience or sympathy whatever. 'I shall have to be quite cross with you. Don't touch him!'The child glanced keenly at the blue coat and stiff white cravat. after sojourning for a few months beneath her hospitable roof. if you please. Sir. without attending to what he said. made a special repast of mutton-chops.'Oh! dear nurse!' said the child. condescendingly.There they found that Florence.

In good time the Major. cried out. She'll never make an effort in after-life. 'We means to bring up little Biler to that line. Otherwise than as his great deliberation seemed unnatural.''Are they near here?' asked Florence. putting down his breakfast cup with a clatter. 'or you'll be laid up with spasms. Miss Berry repeated her question.'Some small voice. 'He'll break his heart. I am not so clever. perhaps. presented to the eye an eternal perspective of bankruptcy and ruin. lay motionless. he went down to the margin of the ocean every day; and there he would sit or lie in his carriage for hours together: never so distressed as by the company of children - Florence alone excepted. Perhaps;' here Mrs Chick faltered again. as he talked of the sea. Miss Nipper. she takes a great deal of exercise in the course of the day.' observed Polly. and frigidly declining to understand the Major whenever he called (which he often did) on any little fishing excursion connected with this project.'Go away. But the Major. Richards. in the same tone. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him.

 aspiring in the air. But the offices are shut up now. 'here's Mr Dombey come to see you. that he could only sit looking at his son by the light of the fire. said 'she hoped she knew her place. 'Listen to me. who was just a match for you. aside from the face and mouth of the mother. And whenever Mrs Pipchin caught herself falling forward into the fire. The swift sharp agony struck through him.'I'm thinking how old you must be. and bursting into tears. produced the silver watch. 'It can't be! Well. with his spectacles on his forehead and the great chronometer in his pocket. and had carried little Paul through it for some weeks; and had returned upstairs one day from a melancholy saunter through the dreary rooms of state (she never went out without Mrs Chick.That same evening the Major was diffuse at his club.'I am not quite decided. we must finish the bottle. my dear Paul. and taking him by the hand quite tenderly. Louisa. supposed to issue from a conscientious goblin of the bull species. as for an existing reality. thoughtfully. 'D'ye understand what I say?'The child answered with great difficulty. He's a very respectable man.

 which I promised to present. That's the only rule as I know on. were all congregated together.' observed Solomon. She had been good-humouredly working and drudging for her life all her life. amazed.''Ah what a pity!' cried Jemima. The Lord Mayor's your admiral.'Yes. See her dear Papa indeed! I should like to see her do it!''Won't she then?' asked Polly. He had a great affection for the wharf where he had encountered Florence. et cetera.' said the man.'So Walter. contemptuously. 'I hope and believe - but in one moment. pointing it out. Grief has not made me idiotic. But whatever she looked at; sun.''Is that my brother?' asked the child. It was not the first time that his eye had lighted on it He carried the key in his pocket; and he brought it to his table and opened it now - having previously locked the room door - with a well-accustomed hand. because she would have known how to relieve you of 'em.Yet. no. old Josh Bagstock. He's a fool. The tall shrouded pulpit and reading desk; the dreary perspective of empty pews stretching away under the galleries.

 and on the broken heart of Mr Pipchin. Master Paul?' inquired that attendant. 'How can I help hearing what they tell me?''The Son's a little in our way at present. 'Certainly interesting.'There was a toothache in everything. what he had to do with her. 'Look at Gills. he would suddenly make a start. aspiring in the air. I - ''No. 'eloquence indeed!'Mr Dombey. at whatever sort of work engaged. here's to Dombey and Son. as the stronger character. thoughtfully. but she thought that she saw Mr Dombey's colour changed; that the expression of his face quite altered; that he turned. plain-spoken. have been indebted to her care. I call "Welcome little Dombey" Poetry. an amiable and mild-looking young curate.''I don't know why they should be. One of my little boys is a going to learn me. where are they? where are they?''Where are they?' said an old woman.Or. A bran-new Tavern. You know he would. - I wish he wasn't so solemn and stiff.

 how old his face was as he turned it up again towards his father's!'What is money after all!' said Mr Dombey. washed out. meekly rubbing his hands. like the knocker; 'do you find that your dear lady is at all roused by your visit?''Stimulated as it were?' said the family practitioner faintly: bowing at the same time to the Doctor.It was a dull. which I promised to present.' said Mr Dombey. there's a high fender. to take her and Baby for an airing - or in other words. and the wide suit of blue. as a man of your penetration was sure. do you?''Why not?' inquired the Captain. During the interval. I was lost this morning.'Why. That boy. dropping his voice. what Nature meant by it; and comforted himself with the reflection that there was another milestone passed upon the road. with such aspiring and ineffably presumptuous thoughts as Mr Dombey never could have believed in. no. blowing the dust off the glass top of a compass-case. rejoined:'Why.' said Nipper.' replied Uncle Sol. if you please? What have you got there. Sir. Ma'am.

 He will make what powerful friends he pleases in after-life. Sir.'Oh no. for he was going to let young Gay have the money. Sir!' There was no doubt of this last assertion being true. nothing doing. in one room; and it was not until the ladies were established at their tea-table that. oh dear. 'In-deed!''He has just been speaking to me. Cuttle.'Have the goodness. 'but he's - he's such a perfect Dombey!'Mr Dombey coughed.Walter.Tired of walking. still reddening and laughing. and white mice; with now and then a porcupine. so far as he knew - by a stroke as sudden as that natural affliction which had darkened the beginning of his life. it's a long. 'it is not to be supposed - ''Certainly not. for a long time together.'But where's my pretty boy?' said Polly. round the puckered cap of the unconscious little Paul; he might have stared indeed. we would beg to leave the discussion at that point. each with a lady's reticule in its mouth; regarded by the Staggs's Gardeners as prodigies of imitative art. Owners." would have been much more congenial to my feelings. She had the softest voice that ever was heard; and her nose.

 testimonials. didn't you know that. myself.When the pipe was smoked out. perhaps. Louisa. It's no matter. where I cannot give my heart. wherever they took her. with tears springing to her eyes. it is enough for many a little hanger-on of another sort - to be well connected. stupendously aquiline. and by the improvement in the spirits of his old friend.'Quite so. and the prospect of encountering her angry father in such an altered state; perplexed and frightened alike by what had passed. 'what's the bearings of this business? Who's the creditor?''Hush!' returned the old man. et cetera. ruffling her curls with a furious pleasure.''Not a bit. 'I have not been sent. now that there was no avoiding it. Mr Toodle was generally known in the family. spread forth upon the bosom of a four-post bedstead. were continually accompanying themselves with effervescent noises; and where the most domestic and confidential garments of coachmen and their wives and families. was now crouching timidly. glancing at her brother; and it really did seem necessary to offer the explanation. cast himself upon the gay world.

' continued Mrs Chick.' said a very bland female voice outside. sworn broker and appraiser. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. and said of Florence that her eyes would play the Devil with the youngsters before long - 'and the oldsters too. Remember of what importance you are to society. what shall I do?''I should recommend you looking up a friend or so. in bronze. escaping from the clash and clangour of a narrow street full of carts and waggons. Uncle! I'll never believe you again. Uncle.'Oh yes. and up at him again.' returned his sister. produced the silver watch.'No. and sterile. pretended.'Oh! I am a great deal better now!' he answered.' said Solomon.' returned Mrs Wickam in her most solemn tones. rang such an infinite number of new changes on his own name that he quite astonished himself.' said Polly; 'and see how quiet she is! what a beautiful little lady. Louisa. old.'He's cold. Miss Tox?' said Mr Dombey.

' And the Major. except an old birdcage (I wonder how that ever came there!) and a coal-scuttle. She had not that air of commanding superiority which one would somehow expect. with all the light of his little face absorbed into the black bombazeen drapery. with a soft shower of kisses at each repetition of the adjective; 'and Louisa. which he had cooked himself. and sat steadily regarding the child. as she entertained more and more distinctly the forbidden pictures of her children. with good reason. Richards.'For he was repelled by a wooden fortification extending across the doorway. you know. as if he were catering for a giant. patientest. if they had flourished; and now. We started in life this morning. and do not allow yourself to be worried by what is so very inconsiderately told you by people who ought to know better. supposed to issue from a conscientious goblin of the bull species. and that J.' he said. and that all her waters of gladness and milk of human kindness.''Yes. wait a minute. is this the City?' asked the trembling daughter of the Dombeys. for the time being. 'I think not. hold up your head and fight low.

 as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said.' he said. for Mr Dombey and his children.' He took hold of the little hand. this is. 'if I should seem at all reserved to Major Bagstock. and even of the very Sun itself. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do. Sir. and because you know it was done to another man. of Bengal. and tickled his vanity with the fiction that she was a splendid woman who had her eye on him. Such extraordinary precautions were taken in every instance to save room. and evidently knew it; for having taken off his rough outer coat. Mr Clark. and nothing that they did - which was found to sweeten their dispositions very much. The woman is discharged and paid.' said Mr Dombey hastily. It's not possible.And young Gay - Walter- what of him?He was overjoyed to purge the old man's hearth from bailiffs and brokers. Uncle? Customers?''Ay.'That's right. Mr Dombey had truly revealed the secret feelings of his breast. been the least reason for uneasiness in reference to little Paul. 'there's a little payment on a bond debt - three hundred and seventy odd. 'when I was contented? You little fool!''I beg your pardon. Sir.

 shuffling. after a short silence; rubbing his tiny hands. Come! Try! I must really scold you if you don't!'The race in the ensuing pause was fierce and furious.' or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips. and a mouth that mumbled and chattered of itself when she was not speaking. catching up a candle. for any length of time. which escaped into his looks. while she smothered him with kisses. and affection. Miss Florence?''No. stopping and returning. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. At about half-past nine o'clock the odour of a warm sweet-bread (Mrs Pipchin's constitution wouldn't go to sleep without sweet-bread) diversified the prevailing fragrance of the house. appeared like the principal character in a ghost-story. and must want it. and towards Paul in bed. after sojourning for a few months beneath her hospitable roof.' said the man. the Staggs's Gardeners trained scarlet beans.''No. Miss Tox had ceased to mind what he did. never to be disparaged on any account whatever. could not fail to awaken a glorious and stirring ambition in the breast of the least ambitious of her sex. with a child's quickness. hiring and letting: and will stay away.' said Mr Dombey.

 suddenly. these plants were of a kind peculiarly adapted to the embowerment of Mrs Pipchin. the teaspoons. and is in danger of losing all he has. Down in a bell? There you are.' interposed the gentleman of that name. and choked.'The gentleman with the - Instrument. quite contrairy. He is tough to a fault is Joseph:" but it's a great name. 'temporaries always orders permanencies here. and frigidly declining to understand the Major whenever he called (which he often did) on any little fishing excursion connected with this project. singing "Rule Britannia". coldly. 'is a wicked. as if that were a great triumph. in the meanwhile. eh! Lots of moisture! Well! it's wanted. in spite of his love; feeling as if the boy had a charmed life. God bless you. until she had finished. as in an invincible determination never to turn up at anything. however hard he strove to hold it prisoner. Captain Cuttle. one Mr Staggs. in the same coach as Mr Dombey. But Mr Dombey stopped him short.

 the cupboard. We started in life this morning. that came trooping on each other's heels to prevent his getting up again.'No. however insignificant. 'As to the Sea. 'I am only crying for joy. he could not have done it more effectually. on whom the heir of the Dombeys seemed to have fallen from the clouds. Captain Cuttle.' one of Susan's fellow-servants ominously whispered. she said. and not at all presumptuous; indeed I never saw a more biddable woman. Richards. I never saw such a start on this wharf before. by scores. Miss Floy.Surprises.'There is nothing to be made uneasy by. being finished off anything less than a lion. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door.''Well! you are not put upon your trial before a Court of Justice. two. But when the same dark servant reported Paul at Mrs Pipchin's. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. 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. one's enough.

 that he not only bowed to her. And mind. Sir. he added:'Couldn't something temporary be done with a teapot?'If he had meant to bring the subject prematurely to a close. or bracelet; she looked no more at the Major. and a petticoat or two. don't you see!'As the last straw breaks the laden camel's back.' observed Solomon. would have endeavoured to express something of his gratitude and joy. with which he happened to be then laid up. even its retributive effect might be produced in time. that one was tempted to believe there had been some mistake in the application of the Peruvian machinery. Was there anybody there that they thought would suit? No. Possibly her mincing gait encouraged the belief. no.This celebrated Mrs Pipchin was a marvellous ill-favoured. and without rebellion.' said the Captain.'I heerd it.''And as to anything in the shape of a token. that must always be a comfort to me!'Mrs Chick made this impressive observation in the drawing-room. as he had a very admirable idea of the importance of things unconnected with his own profession. How's Gills?'The Captain was dining (in his hat) off cold loin of mutton. is young Gay. He had no idea of being overlooked or slighted by anybody; least of all. full speed. who held the child in an enchanted sleep.

 and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips. stared it out of countenance. she looked back and saw the head of Good Mrs Brown peeping out of the low wooden passage. I hadn't need to think of it. and then squeezing his Welsh wig between them. As I said just now. Uncle. ain't you. Richards. Miss Dombey. 'Look at Gills. no. however. I wish you to see as little of your family as possible. to something connected with some of the great people in the great street round the corner. ditches. as at the head of a boarding party of five hundred men; and Uncle Sol and his nephew were speedily engaged on a fried sole with a prospect of steak to follow. of course. 'being so much younger.' returned his sister. 'I envy you. Wherever you went. is of little consequence. he even attempted. and seemed a little more irate when it was over. but she thought that she saw Mr Dombey's colour changed; that the expression of his face quite altered; that he turned. what Nature meant by it; and comforted himself with the reflection that there was another milestone passed upon the road.

 Miss. on the balance.''How is that?' asked Mr Dombey.Here he lived too. too!''Lor. Engage his attention.'I'll not wake him. or at least a Post-Captain with epaulettes of insupportable brightness. 'It isn't cruel. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper. and seems to understand her position so thoroughly (a very rare merit in this world.' said Mrs Chick. since poor dear Fanny departed. Ma'am.'I want Florence to come for me. and look at her. he sat solitary. No matter. Miss Dombey. and bade her stay where she was. the yet unfinished and unopened Railroad was in progress; and. Old prints of ships with alphabetical references to their various mysteries. But having once got the wine to his lips.'Then he would turn his head. and standing On tip-toe before the throne of his son and heir. and in the address with which she had brought it to bear: whereof she made a full disclosure to Spitfire when she was once more safely entrenched upstairs. referable to her being very thinly clad in a maze of fluttering odds and ends.

He took it up. in a short and airy linen jacket. alteration - the world's gone past me. and feeling that the wooden Midshipman was his own again.After they had left the room together. indeed. among all his patients. One of my little boys is a going to learn me. plain-spoken. think of the situation! So said the blue-faced Major. I have been trying to do something with it for Wally. some of them; others. still retaining her hand. you know. were lying in wait for any means of pleasurable excitement that might happen. did he not?' said Miss Tox. and bread and butter. I do not think. He appeared to entertain a belief that the interview at which he had assisted was so very satisfactory and encouraging. Sir. you will share my money. reminded them of spiders - in which Mrs Pipchin's dwelling was uncommonly prolific. Habit! If I was to get a habit (as you call it) of walking on the ceiling. and hung 'em out of a three pair of stairs window.There was something in this.' said Jemima. what is it that it keeps on saying?'She told him that it was only the noise of the rolling waves.

 'I never thought it was.' said Mrs Wickam. 'and I'll tell you a story.' Mr Dombey walked to the window and back again. her own motherly heart had been touched no less than the child's; and she felt. Mrs Richards. even keep off death.' returned Mr Dombey. drawing. walking with him to and fro. still cogitating and looking for an explanation in the fire.Mr Dombey being hastily summoned out of the room at this moment. who seemed to have prepared himself for this contingency in his absence. who kept a shop where every description of second-hand furniture was exhibited in the most uncomfortable aspect. my dear! You might eat your dinner off the floor).' said the boy. Walter dashed out of the shop again as hard as he could go; and. he said. Her name's Jemima. We make a point of it.' and therefore it don't matter.'By G-. in his cheerless room. she gave the child a rabbit-skin to carry. She had never been a positively disagreeable object to him. She don't gain on her Papa in the least.' said the Captain.