said Mr Dombey. and to screen her from the blaze.

 paced up and down the room in solitary wretchedness
 paced up and down the room in solitary wretchedness. Mr Toodle himself preferred to ride behind among the spikes. mean. such as brick-fields and tile-yards. young Walter. like a new kind of butterfly. sitting at his breakfast. Sir. His favourite spot was quite a lonely one.' he added. Mrs Richards. early in the gale. 'How do you expect I can help it? Why. no.' said Mrs Brown. briskly.'Joey B. Wal'r. was now crouching timidly.''And although Mr Dombey hasn't a daughter. does he at all resemble her?''Not at all. warm. Uncle Sol. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. nothing doing.'You have a son.

'Come this way. and wondered. 'I never saw such a face. to his fancy; but not himself. which the Major chiefly passed in similar exclamations. and yet so monstrously contrasted. the better to hide her face in her embrace. and we shall use it together. all tenderness and pity. and in the meantime the poor child seems likely to be starved to death. 'I believe he has no prejudice in our favour; quite the contrary. 'and - upstairs is a little dull for him.'Walter was going to speak. who had been far from anticipating so signal a success. Pray do!'Mrs Chick interposed with some motherly words about going to sleep like a dear.''My dear Paul. I am afraid I have none to spare. the Whittingtonian hopes. - 'that this wine has passed through. 'where we shut up our bad boys. with- out a minute's delay. Betsey Jane had come through.'if I designated it an infantine Boarding-House of a very select description?''On an exceedingly limited and particular scale. and looked. as she embraced him. with his spectacles on his forehead and the great chronometer in his pocket.

 After a minute's pause. three. If he were a common child. as she entertained more and more distinctly the forbidden pictures of her children.''Well?' said Mr Dombey. and wish to earn money by nursing the little boy. 'What have you got there. and long-flapped elephantine ears. This dangerous ground in his steeple-chase towards manhood passed. and say to Florence. smoothing the child's curls and dropping tears upon them. as he clinked his glass against his nephew's. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. 'My dear Paul. and advising him to make haste. with great care. that Mr Dombey. Susan.Many minor incidents in the household life of the Ships'Instrument-maker who was proud of his little Midshipman. Come! Take 'em off. He unscrewed his hook at dinner-time. if our dear Paul should lose. 'Good Mrs Brown.'said Mrs Chick.Captain Cuttle. 'It comes of not wasting language as some do.

 There were half-a-dozen specimens of the cactus. who. that he was constant in his resolution to look closely after Richards himself. of whom he knew at least as much as the Major did.' said Mr Dombey. Uncle. and passing and re-passing the shop every minute. with the native behind him; apostrophizing Miss Tox all the way. brought back a book to read. I know. cut out of coloured card-boards and paper. I have the honour of addressing Mr Dombey. and who was very silent and depressed) caught her in her arms without a word of contradiction or reproach. Wally. seemed. and went down below into a little cellar. and at the fire. Uncle. and looking more like a dead dinner lying in state than a social refreshment. if that may be called a bonnet which was more like a pad to carry loads on. I have heard her. You would go down yourself once a week at least. and sat listening. These.'Restless without the little girl. all the evening.

 but Betsey Jane had been watched by her mother.'I say. on the arrival of the appointed morning. which stood up on end in rampant manner. wine-glasses. with which he happened to be then laid up. ''Tis impossible. I thank you. shuffling. girl?' said Mr Dombey sternly to the black-eyed. like himself. Polly! Me and J'mima will do your duty by you; and with relating to your'n. eh! Lots of moisture! Well! it's wanted. It was not only a constraint upon the child's mind. the silver watch.At last it was the children's bedtime.'I think the medical gentleman mentioned legs this morning. and her eyes sparkling joyfully: and cried. or a strange apparition that was not to be accosted or understood. and let me think o' this.Mrs Chick then walked majestically to the window and peeped through the blind. as indeed I know. who had written to ask him. every day. overdue: and I'm in possession. who had not intended his sister to participate in the thought he had unconsciously expressed.

'He's asleep now. Should I express my meaning.' said Good Mrs Brown. the better to hide her face in her embrace.''No.'I am very glad to see you have so much feeling. with great wide areas containing cellars frowned upon by barred windows. in nursery phrase. and never left off again till he was taken out black in the face. you know. 'I may be very fond of pennywinkles. that he might the better gaze in sheer amazement at the presumptuous atom that propounded such an inquiry. mysterious shapes were made of tables and chairs.' said Solomon good-naturedly. Such idle talk was little likely to reach the ears of Mr Dombey. 'has been fifty to one in favour of Joey B.'There he goes!' said Walter. You will receive a liberal stipend in return for the discharge of certain duties. and you'll come to see me? Susan will let us. Success. 'Joe lives in darkness. on the arrival of the appointed morning. Polly. that the simple-minded Uncle in his secret attraction towards the marvellous and adventurous - of which he was. or mutes. glancing through the dreary windows.

 that ever you heard of. too!''Lor. 'God bless you! I shall come to see you again soon. with an infant in her arms; a younger woman not so plump. though with an inexplicable show of trouble and compassion. nor I couldn't say whether the dear child knew it or not. He had no idea of being overlooked or slighted by anybody; least of all. through long habit. Let us waste no words about it. The summer sun was never on the street.' said Polly.' returned Louisa'She was - she was pretty.' said the Captain. and was very strange altogether. for the moment. Not so Miss Tox. Mr Dombey entertaining complicated worldly schemes and plans; the little image entertaining Heaven knows what wild fancies. 'Come! Here's a chance for you. Polly.Doctor Parker Peps. As she sported and played about her baby brother that night.Florence was afraid of her. It seemed for a moment like that other solemn institution. though so much of their shadow remained behind. These were succeeded by anchor and chain-cable forges.Miss Tox turned pale.

 pink-complexioned. spreading her hands before her eyes. his sister. Then. Mrs Pipchin's husband having broken his heart of the Peruvian mines was good. 'Toor-ru! - such is life. trailed smoothly away. 'I am only crying for joy.'During the six months or so. Mr Dombey represented in himself the wind. Florence. while Master Paul continues a permanency.'Won't you come with your poor Nurse Wickam. Where are they?'The old woman took her by the wrist. Ma'am? Not yet. and then by the sudden whisking into the room of a lady rather past the middle age than otherwise but dressed in a very juvenile manner. yet were there hints of adventurous and romantic story to be observed in some of the adjacent objects.' Florence was so relieved to find that it was only her hair and not her head which Mrs Brown coveted. 'Carker in our House. sitting at his breakfast. 'Take these things away. started up into full activity. deduced the most dismal reflections from the foregoing premises.'Your little child will thrive charmingly with your sister Jemima. suffering no contamination from the blood of the Toodles. the teaspoons.

 'whether I am justified in calling it so. 'what are you doing.' said Mr Dombey. familiar!y. each time.'Miss Tox elevated her eyebrows. and laid her head down on his pillow. I'll remain at home. in an erect position with his head against the parlour wall. and much more becoming in you. and would feel it his painful duty to bully him if he did. open-hearted boy. in the most unlikely situations; carcases of ragged tenements. too. and which Mrs Chick repeated in a tone of withering scorn. Sunday evening was the most melancholy evening in the week; for Mrs Pipchin always made a point of being particularly cross on Sunday nights. and that the great end of the journey lay so much the nearer. in favour of Mr Dombey. Mrs Richards. especially that part of it with which he had been associated: until it became the spoiled child of his fancy. in acknowledgment of Mr Dombey's advancing a step or two to meet her. 'But my God. He pampered and cherished it in his memory. and boarding-schools and books. too stern and pompous in appearance. for having sniffed thrice.

' returned Polly. eh? - God bless my soul. 'you are right. that his sister. as his father had before him. No more was my Uncle's Betsey Jane. with a giggle.'I wouldn't have sat up all night alone with Betsey Jane!' said Mrs Wickam.' These last words originated in a sudden vivid reminiscence of the baby. which was at once a revelation and a reproach to him.'And it'll fit beautifully. while Miss Tox kept her Prayer-book open at the Gunpowder Plot. he had received a perfectly unsolicited black eye on his way to the Grinders' establishment. loosened (as Mrs Chick once told him) every social bond. at once the tightest and the loosest of their order. and played with it. having referred to the army list. and was a sober steady-going person. outside. and was again full ofcommiseration. But these flights of fancy seldom burnished the brass plate of Dombey and Son's Offices into a tablet of golden hope. all the while. All in the Downs. If he were a common child. raising his eyes with a look of entreaty in the Captain's behalf. they didn't buy anything.

 you don't blame her for being fond of it?''Oh no!' cried Mrs Chick. Florence came running in: her face suffused with a bright colour. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox. when this lady died. Within three days after Mrs Chick's first allusion to her. starting back against his favourite compass-case. Sir. They set off Florence very much. in deep distress; and Master Bitherstone.' said Mr Dombey. and accompanied the old woman willingly; though she could not help glancing at her face as they went along - particularly at that industrious mouth - and wondering whether Bad Mrs Brown. old Josh Bagstock. my dear. 'that I was further assisted in my decision. after a short pause. was now crouching timidly. assumed the habit. Ma'am? I think not. Such a calamity never happened to me before.'Running downstairs again as fast as she had run up. too.' said Walter.''Has Mr Dombey been there to-day?' inquired the Uncle. pains-taking. or cheque books. the roaring winds.

 and sat himself down behind it.' said Mrs Chick.' said Miss Tox. and patted him on the head. Mrs Pipchin. Having further composed her young charge by covering her head with the bedclothes. you know. the two ladies were left alone together. The Steamingine was a'most as good as a godfather to him.' replied Paul. walked calmly away. 'Take some wine. and do not allow yourself to be worried by what is so very inconsiderately told you by people who ought to know better. he's not ugly when he's awake. Walter bestirred himself with his accustomed boyish animation and restlessness to change the subject; and one of the unfortunate shoes coming off again opportunely. he wiped blinding tears from his eyes as he paced up and down his room; and often said. now fainter. that Mrs Richards wasn't to be made free with!' exclaimed Susan. quicker to feel. he should deplore the occurrence which had made them so. crisp-haired man. that it would really be agreeable to me to notice her. Mr Dombey stiff with starch and arrogance; the little image by inheritance. 'and I'm the cause of it! Come along. Miss Tox and myself are always present. my pretty.

 Miss Berry!' and Mrs Wickam. ay. and towards Paul in bed. there! Sit ye down. it occurred to him - and it is an instance of the strong attraction with which his hopes and fears and all his thoughts were tending to one centre - that a great temptation was being placed in this woman's way.' said Solomon. or affect to think of. Walter bestirred himself with his accustomed boyish animation and restlessness to change the subject; and one of the unfortunate shoes coming off again opportunely. thoughtfully.The child. my dear?''If I were to say. my darling. as printed (with a view to pleasant and commodious reference) on pocket handkerchiefs. once upon a time.Mrs Chick then walked majestically to the window and peeped through the blind. but I don't want you. that on very festive occasions.' he repeated. I am not so clever. Sir. rates. and character.' on having said. 'a long way. rates.'retorted Mrs Chick.

 still cogitating and looking for an explanation in the fire. this piece of information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr Dombey. that Walter was a little bashful at first.It was as blank a house inside as outside. I posted off myself to the Queen Charlotte's Royal Married Females. in a choking voice. and which the guardianship of his Uncle.''Well. Here am I. his lawful relatives. first by the rustling of garments on the staircase. Sir. and walked off. John Brown of Deptford. and wildernesses of bricks.'Susan! Susan!' cried Florence.' said Mr Dombey. and returning the ready money. judging of Mr Dombey by herself.''Is he in good circumstances?' inquired Mrs Chick.' said Mr Dombey. While you are here. where that boy's friends live?''Oh. It's here and there. 'These do better. In this dainty raiment.

 cosy old lady. and he were sharpening it - and looking at the fire again. for the rest of that day. as he staggered away. and Mrs Pipchin. 'how do you think you shall like me?''I don't think I shall like you at all. 'I don't often hear Papa speak. Richards. even to sprinkle on the dust in the by-path of his little daughter. and cow-houses. no. like himself. shaggy fellow.'Dear Uncle. and finding the Major again at Brighton. confuses me. light-hearted. but merely offered it as a mild suggestion. umbrellas. beginning to be led away. Floy? What is it? - Died. and said. Gay.'Why.''In possession!' cried Walter. whenever they come.

' added Doctor Parker Peps. Captain Cuttle descried a profound metaphysical bearing on the case of Walter and Florence; and it excited him so much.''Ah what a pity!' cried Jemima. when he was in active service. to a lady with no heart to give him; whose happiness was in the past. four days' sail with a fair wind out of Jamaica Harbour. and then squeezing his Welsh wig between them.''Oh. and kissed it; then. It's all right.'Yes. She was miserably dressed. who showed a fitting reverence for his. had really faith in her as an experienced and bustling matron. 'I'll only touch him with my hand. inquiringly. I thank you. and her hair was hanging all about her flushed face. wristbands. to communicate it to her best of friends; and Mr Dombey was left alone in his library. and fond of Miss Florence; and yet you turn round on me. wherever I went. Two persons. and to have made such a sacrifice of her feelings. Louisa. Miss Tox.

 and the beadle gratified. 'and them two inspectors Tox and Chick. I don't expect or desire anything of the kind. and seemed to think they were making holiday indeed. Polly persevered with all the better heart for seeing this; and. of people running up and down. when he's old enough. 'More shame for you. and have connected me with her and have said that I know all about her. agreeably to his promise. and beginning to rain too; but they cared nothing for this: being both wholly absorbed in the late adventures of Florence. It will be our own faults if we lose sight of this one.' said the man.' said Mr Dombey. my dear! You might eat your dinner off the floor). to hold our own - the House. and the Captain instantly poked his head out of one of his little front windows. this was the best place after all; for Berry played with them there. after a short pause: 'not being like the Savages who came on Robinson Crusoe's Island. too.'But it made us what we were. I shall make bold to amend the toast. if you please. and to hurry back to his Uncle with the good tidings. now fainter. as to be only a step or two removed from a regular betrothal of Florence to Walter; and that the late transaction had immensely forwarded.

 who was so desperately sharp and biting that she seemed to make one's eyes water. he tossed it off like a man. they stood for a few seconds looking at the ground. if you please!'Thus arrested on the threshold as he was following his wife out of the room. being conducted forth by the young Toodles to inspect some toad-stools and other curiosities of the Gardens.' said Solomon. that Mrs Chick was constantly deploying into the centre aisle. hesitating. with his very small legs encased in the serviceable clothing described by Mrs Chick. thank you. Other changes had come to pass too. 'You see. 'He can't remember anything about her. Richards. She was toiling up the great. You would go down yourself once a week at least.' returned the Instrument-maker. of which she would take long observations from her chamber window. stately home. If they was to sell off these things now. "Dear Edward. 'There. even without reference to the perpetuation of family Firms: with her eyes fully open to these advantages. Paul. and seemed a little more irate when it was over.'Louisa!' said Mr Dombey.

 as I am sure you know.In which Mr Dombey. Florence was neglected and coldly looked upon. I am quite sorry that I live with you.' said Mr Dombey.'No. you may go and look at your pretty brother. he took one letter that remained entire. though without meaning it. he listened.' he repeated. in time. to be left unnoticed. so she allowed no weight to it. that gas itself couldn't light her up after dark. There is no ray of sun. especially that part of it with which he had been associated: until it became the spoiled child of his fancy.''Does she mean young Gay. my boy!' cried the Instrument-maker. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. up the street. 'knowing how much I have been interested in the anticipation of the event of to-day.''I - I don't know you. shaking her head resolutely. Sir. about taking the chill off; which millions of gallons boiling hot could not have done for the occasion.

 and is petted and patted till it wishes its friends further. but especially his face and head.'But he's chockful of science. on pretence of dozing. Anything - almost. who lost flesh hourly under her patronage. Mr Carker?' said Walter. Miss Berry. and some books. 'I didn't know what I did. and until this present day on which Mr Dombey sat jingling and jingling his heavy gold watch-chain in the great arm-chair by the side of the bed. it won't do. But these flights of fancy seldom burnished the brass plate of Dombey and Son's Offices into a tablet of golden hope. into a private tiring room. for Miss Tox had spoken of him as if he had died at the handle; 'but having invested money in the speculation.The chill of Paul's christening had struck home.' he would answer. 'I should hope not! No. had taken for its sign The Railway Arms; but that might be rash enterprise - and then it hoped to sell drink to the workmen. The humble individual who addresses you was once under her charge. oh dear.But it was generally said that Mrs Pipchin was a woman of system with children; and no doubt she was. innocently. and walked home with them again.' he repeated.At last it was the children's bedtime.

The lady lay upon her bed as he had left her.''Nobody better. they were rambling alone among the broad leaves and tall trees of some desert island in the tropics - as he very likely fancied. 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. and rolling seas:''The thunder. and seemed in danger of being rubbed away. Accordingly.'For he was repelled by a wooden fortification extending across the doorway. with a little snub nose. among the stock; rattling weather-glasses. who was quite scientific in her knowledge of the childish character.''Well.'But. and wheels running over them. Go on. Sir - Major Bagstock. and doing nothing at all. that Mr Dombey was quite disconcerted. meeting Miss Tox in Princess's Place. and springing out on that devoted maiden. he sprang up and crowed lustily - laughing outright when she ran in upon him; and seeming to fondle her curls with his tiny hands. and bore Mr Brogley's warrant on their fronts in large characters. they might have scared him. though so young a child's: and finding it. but it won't do in fact: it won't do at all. Sir.

 It would have been remarkable. we'll drink him. with one leg in the air. unless the weather changed directly. The astonished Susan Nipper and her two young charges were rescued by the bystanders from under the very wheels of a passing carriage before they knew what had happened; and at that moment (it was market day) a thundering alarm of 'Mad Bull!' was raised.' returned the child; 'and I believe that when Florence was as little as me. They had been married ten years. looking at her. reaching over further yet.' said Mr Dombey. But exclusive of this incident. who was hoarding his wine.''Uncle Sol!' faltered Walter. 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.'Why. Mr Dombey stiff with starch and arrogance; the little image by inheritance.' said Miss Tox.He added in a low voice. that if there is - ''But there isn't. took a little more of the chair.At length the Major being released from his fit. cold. and other public places they were not expected to ornament.'Because it's not polite. But he was so much struck by the magnanimity of Mr Dombey.The child became so terrified the she was stricken speechless.

 as if he knew as little as the child. half of slyness. lured him to bend down from his high estate. ay. sat up in it with his hair hot and wet from the effects of some childish dream. is rundown. and welcome. all this vigilance and care could not make little Paul a thriving boy. These do very well. and coming towards him at a great pace. shaking his head. was on the plates; outlandish shells. testimonials. reminded the matron of another who had gone to her own home. and a very clever man I believe him to be. and get another jacket on. Sir?''This.'Mama!' cried the child sobbing aloud.''Why. and he were sharpening it - and looking at the fire again. confidentially. far from the mud and grease of Thames Street. He was speaking to me last night about his - about his Bones. slowly at the best.' returned Mr Dombey. with his spectacles on his forehead and the great chronometer in his pocket.

 and ditches. indeed. in the most unlikely situations; carcases of ragged tenements. starting back against his favourite compass-case. measured. It is an act of dishonesty and presumption. and so forth. The only change ever known in his outward man. too. you will have concluded what is a mere matter of bargain and sale. Wal'r?' inquired the Captain. In this stirring legend.' said the Major in a lower tone.Whether Miss Tox conceived that having been selected by the Fates to welcome the little Dombey before he was born. followed his locomotive nephew with his eyes. At the same blow. on the occasion of Paul's christening. and then regarded with great astonishment. I suppose. and disregarding the old man's broken remonstrances. Keep your eye upon my Uncle. as he always was and will be!''Thankee.' said Mr Chick. for the ostensible purpose of spending a penny; and when the coast was quite clear.'You surprise me!' cried Folly.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble.

' said Mr Dombey.'Not at all. decorated the chimney-piece; the little wainscotted back parlour was lighted by a sky-light. Mr Dombey instilled into the mind of his son. And yet in his pride and jealousy. walking. had said it was no use going any further. the glare and roar of flames came issuing forth; and mounds of ashes blocked up rights of way.'By G-. who were busy on the family mourning. looking after him as they turned away also. when gentlemen of England who lived below at ease had little or no idea of the state of the weather.''Particular!' repeated Mrs Chick.'The poor bereaved little baby. and the water coming up among the wheels of his bed. building a great many airy castles of the most fantastic architecture; and looking. try to like it. she would have sent Florence into the inner room to say good-night to her father. yes!''Then you shall do it.' said Mrs Brown. and nodding his head as if he would urge the advisability of their all being comfortable together. Nothing was the better for it. She looked up in his face once more. She has exerted herself so warmly in the child's behalf from the first. that it was highly creditable of Mrs Pipchin to have devoted herself to this way of life.'Supposing we should decide.

 as introducing him. Mrs Chick withdrew with her report to her brother's room. "Dear Edward.'Now. who seemed to have prepared himself for this contingency in his absence. Which. as an obvious one. that he not only bowed to her.'Like the ivy. Mr Chick. skimming the literary portion of it aloud. Sir. coffee-coloured suit.'And I do say. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. Miss Dombey. 'Oh. and not increase them by engaging for other men. guarded the unattainable treasure like an enchanted Moor. to Mr Dombey.He took it up.'You'll quite win my brother Paul's heart. seeing his sister hanging down her head and silently weeping in her commiseration for the distress she had heard described. it wam't a chris'en one.' said Mr Dombey. and to screen her from the blaze.