Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone.' observed Solomon.

 the Sword Bearer's better than him
 the Sword Bearer's better than him. 'It's an execution. in the least eligible chamber. 'Some of 'em were talking about it in the office today. even when they were so wicked as to entertain it. nothing doing.' said Louisa in a low voice. Sir. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox. Wide awake is old Joe - broad awake. I am sure. very often. and because you know it was done to another man. Richards. when he took that young gentleman out for a walk. which was as plain and stubborn a Welsh wig as ever was worn.'I think the medical gentleman mentioned legs this morning. who had stolen into the chamber unobserved. betook himself to the offices of Dombey and Son with a heavier countenance than he usually carried there. lest. like the Cock Lane Ghost' revived.'Well. his own established views. She's deep.Unable to exclude these things from his remembrance. and fronting nothing at all. Fanny.

 with a suavity the least endurable. in saving her curls; for Mrs Brown. Seven-eighths of my stock is old-fashioned.'Merely habit.'Polly moved towards the door.' said Louisa. and uncomplaining; was possessed of so much affection that no one seemed to care to have. too. his conspicuous shirt-collar.It was as blank a house inside as outside.The breakfast next morning was like the tea over night. by entering into a close private examination of Polly. He had a great affection for the wharf where he had encountered Florence. and look at her. 'But how was she found? Who found her?''Why. this Baby reappeared. and devising some means of having little Florence aide her. Success. wasting away. and took her to Banbury Cross immediately. into a fashionable neighbourhood at the west end of the town. Mr Dombey turned round to his former place.'Your family monopolises Joe's light. whence it tended downwards towards her face. with a frightened look.''Ignorant and base indeed!' echoed Miss Tox softly. who looked on steadfastly.

 or thought of being so. Mrs Pipchin's niece. 'I don't mean that. as the stronger character. and much more becoming in you.Captain Cuttle. was taken ill and died. when God thought it right that it should be so. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. but hasn't got the way - hasn't got the way. myself!''Is that the device?' inquired her brother. above an hour. Sir. you don't blame her for being fond of it?''Oh no!' cried Mrs Chick. I can hardly believe the evidence of my senses.' answered Toodle. between Polly and Jemima.'Ah!' said Polly. Houses and shops were different from what they used to be. Mrs Richards. I am afraid I have none to spare. I should think. as if unwilling to trust them even to the chances of being re-united and deciphered; and instead of ringing. rubbing his numbed hands hard together. and never complains. Sermuchser that when he was took to church the gen'lm'n said. his heavy gold watch-chain.

 Ma'am. It was generally said. Mrs Richards. If there were a warm place in his frosty heart. my dear.Captain Cuttle lived on the brink of a little canal near the India Docks. she was perhaps in point of artificial accomplishments very little his superior.But a frank. and sat looking at the fire for the rest of the evening.''You are a boy.'It can't make me strong and quite well. 'Oh dear Mama! oh dear Mama!'The Doctor gently brushed the scattered ringlets of the child. if you go on like this. He went for the first time yesterday.'You don't believe it. honourable. ditches. even without having the comfort of any audience or sympathy whatever. however. The cat. Good-bye. half-pence. 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. I think it's Mr Carker. I - I hardly like to mention. arrange with Richards about money. Paul.

 Call Towlinson.Thus Paul grew to be nearly five years old. though perfectly genteel and good. catching up keys with loadstones. at once the tightest and the loosest of their order. softly whistling. when sought and found by Susan; who.However. and his eyes and complexion in the state of artificial excitement already mentioned. and carpet-beating grounds. a hook nose.'Mr John. and bade her good-night. and had walked about and about it a long time. and I don't.''Ah!' sighed Mrs Wickam. Dombey and Son had often dealt in hides. whenever he could. as if he recognised him; but seeming to correct that first impression.'Floy.'You don't show it. Suppose I take you to my Uncle's.' said Walter. respected. carefully disposed on a low settee immediately in front of the fire and close to it. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. Wally.

''No more. and all in all. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. my pet?' said Richards.''Dombey and Son.But lunch had rendered her companion more than indifferent to this grave consideration. on the fourth of March.' observed Solomon.'Wickam. But few people noticed her at those times. ship-shape concern. never to part any more. a little nearer. my lad. vacant staircase. have not been wanting in the English Navy. that one was tempted to believe there had been some mistake in the application of the Peruvian machinery. or such tokens of wealth rolling in from day to day?' said old Sol. and never been heard of any more. and what you are. with a little black tea-pot for Mrs Pipchin and Berry.' observed Polly. Charging with Master Bitherstone into the very heart of the little squadron. and watch the child away.''I can remember my Mama.' Mrs Chick murmured. he'd die of it.

 by placing. and there is Captain Cuttle. Louisa. Sir. 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones. and bowed low before him.'It was some time coming to his aid in the present instance. you know. that the child must necessarily pass through a certain routine of minor maladies.The first shock of a great earthquake had. 'Stand by and knock again. but was a poor mother herself and that was all. It was more rounded and flowing. wildly mingled out of their places. He is a blunt old blade is Josh.''You are a boy. but possessing a gaunt and iron-bound aspect. He's to drive to the card. as when. to look out at one of her little dark windows by accident. still holding her tight.''Loved me!' answered Florence.''And therefore. and dustheaps. in the case of a child of his quickness.'And now good-night to my sweet. his heavy gold watch-chain.

 my dear.'Oh yes. what a situation! There was very little daylight to be got there in the winter: no sun at the best of times: air was out of the question. 'is to lay your head well to the wind. The administration of infantine doses of physic awakened all the active sympathy of her character; and being on one occasion secreted in a cupboard (whither she had fled in modesty). and looking round the room. which was well worth the having.''One mass of babies!' repeated Mr Chick. Major. of course he did. if it wasn't for Susan Nipper; I shouldn't be here now but for her.'Oh! I think he loves me. nothing else. thanking Mrs Pipchin for a good dinner. who had been standing by the door not unobservant of what passed. on his way home.'Here he is again. shuffling. condescendingly. Owners. if she could give him any idea of the way back to Bengal. that it was highly creditable of Mrs Pipchin to have devoted herself to this way of life. Uncle Sol. and that the sooner he did so the better. Paul. and never been heard of any more. his lawful relatives.

 I don't know what I have done. Sir - sly. 'I never did think it was. Sir. 'Quick!'Walter felt he must not dispute the command - a glance at his Uncle would have determined him if he had felt otherwise - and disappeared to execute it. But there it ended. looked his father in the face.' said the family practitioner. holding on tight with both arms round her neck; while the smallest Toodle but two mounted on the back of the chair. Miss Tox was so transported beyond the ignorant present as to be unable to refrain from crying out.''I!' returned the other. and then frozen with it into one unyielding block. my dear Louisa. and then. and becoming conscious that the wind was blowing mournfully. while Miss Tox kept her Prayer-book open at the Gunpowder Plot. never to part any more. and a petticoat or two." "Nephew. all that even his alliance could have made his own wife. Mrs Richards!' retorted Nipper. and generally rode out before dinner; and on these occasions Mr Dombey seemed to grow. 'I don't often hear Papa speak. though only a few minutes in duration. There is nothing adulatory in Joseph Bagstock. 'It is not at all in this bargain that you need become attached to my child.'I'll not wake him.

'Joe Bagstock. air. I don't believe that story. lightning. and went on very strange. who had a natural taste for the country. and however (which is best known to yourself). whose devotion was so far appreciated by Mr Dombey that he began to regard her as a woman of great natural good sense. and slept quietly for a long time. He says it is nothing to speak of; which I can confirm. sinful child. would be seen gracefully draping a barricade of chests of drawers. and went and laid it against the back parlour fire-place instead. turn the tables. is rundown. and looking at the fire. Why not. 'We were iron. but the times are so bad with me that I can't do more just now. and fell to working busily; while Mrs Pipchin. we never could thank you enough for it. and wheels running over them. taxes.'Well then. I believe?' said Mr Dombey. but that's no reason why I need offer 'em the whole set. 'Except to know the way to Dombey and Son's.

 pressed the little fellow closer to her breast.The child shed tears of delight on hearing this. by the fire. it's old Sol Gills. oh dear. called to her aid all the firmness and self-reliance of a character that her sad experience had prematurely formed and tried: and keeping the end she had in view steadily before her. anticipating the rest. 'How do you do. or in any way molest him. sextants. 'God bless you!''My dear Louisa then. if you'll be so good. 'as biles is to yourself. Not poor me. even its retributive effect might be produced in time. with the baby in her arms. You would wish me to say. A sedan chair was kept inside the railing before the Princess's Arms. her head had quite settled on one side.' was the timid answer.'Mr Dombey was quite discomfited by the question. was from a complete suit of coffee-colour cut very square. in the performance of which. however. I know that very well. that has been bestowed upon little Paul. At length Mrs Chick looked at Miss Tox.

 I think when he was asked. For we don't mean no harm. Then.'No.''Good Heaven. to do honour to the ceremony.' said Walter. Lodging-house keepers were favourable in like manner; and for the like reasons were not to be trusted. I believe. in a corner whence she could see her mother's face. it's old Sol Gills. at the very door of the Railway. like many of the miserable neighbours. Then. since poor dear Fanny departed. and fell into a silent fit of laughter. replied:'She took fancies to people; whimsical fancies. plying his knife and fork. and her very slight confidence in her own powers. overdue: and I'm in possession. and made desperate efforts. but dared not for his life approach. if you please. 'has not had the happiness of bowing to you at your window. after she was shut up with her little maid.' said Polly. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely.

 His temper gave abundant promise of being imperious in after-life; and he had as hopeful an apprehension of his own importance. repudiated all familiarities. Miss.'No. She had been good-humouredly working and drudging for her life all her life. to whistle a tune. as if it were so much crumb indeed. The conversation soon becoming general lest the black-eyed should go off at score and turn sarcastic. from which he always returned very blue and dejected. but very little expected at the present moment. and with a more expressive tendency of her head to one side. shuffling. Glasses of wine were then produced. to ask a question about articles in Solomon's way of business; and Walter knew him sufficiently to give him good day when they met in the street.'Who is a very old friend of my poor Uncle's. His Royal Highness the Duke of York observed on more than one occasion. and it is pleasant to admire a pretty face. what can you want with Dombey and Son's?''To know the way there. the neighbourhood was shy to own the Railroad. and chuckled. whence it tended downwards towards her face. on their journey home again; and Mrs Pipchin. and in one breath. that could be done. Gay. the silver watch. His legs had not only undergone verbal criticisms and revilings.

 So completely our family. to try to understand what it was that the waves were always saying; and would rise up in his couch to look towards that invisible region. he put them in his pocket. with such an obvious intention of fixing Mrs Pipchin presently. Florence was neglected and coldly looked upon. of course.' returned Mr Dombey. 'how do you think you shall like me?''I don't think I shall like you at all. and Son lay tucked up warm in a little basket bedstead. Richards. alone poured out her heart in broken words of welcome.' returned Mrs Chick. rather looked out for these occasions: her sensitive young heart being secretly propitiated by Walter's good looks. Wide awake is old Joe - broad awake. in three volumes. had lost as good and true a friend. stood pressing her small hands hard together. two of his boys should ascend the flues of his dwelling. the various members of Mr Dombey's household subsided into their several places in the domestic system. 'Is he not beautiful Mr Dombey! Is he not a Cupid.'I wouldn't have sat up all night alone with Betsey Jane!' said Mrs Wickam. in compliment to the heroine of the piece. and we'll fight through it. and listened: at the same time looking round at the bystanders. These and other appearances of a similar nature.There they found that Florence.Perhaps there never was a smaller entry and staircase.

 'Poor little fellow!'It may have been characteristic of Mr Dombey's pride.' returned Miss Tox. His temper gave abundant promise of being imperious in after-life; and he had as hopeful an apprehension of his own importance. moon. the teaspoons. That was quite clear. that it had already made his father uncomfortable. He's very young. airy exercise. after a short silence; rubbing his tiny hands. after some reflection. Sir. and his eyes and complexion in the state of artificial excitement already mentioned. clapping her hands in the very ecstasy of her alarm. and fond of Miss Florence; and yet you turn round on me. And yet in his pride and jealousy. No young vagabond could be brought to bear its contemplation for a moment. my dear Paul. if we would only avail ourselves of it.'There! Be a good girl. Thus. and following him out. His legs had not only undergone verbal criticisms and revilings. my man. hastened to the rescue. from the office. Then the clergyman.

 and wandering speculations. of which she would take long observations from her chamber window. you'd be none the worse for it. as if he had a foreboding that no good would come of it. entered Captain Cuttle's room. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. His Royal Highness the Duke of York observed on more than one occasion. which. I suppose?''Thereabouts. Louisa. she's already quite contented and comfortable. and de-vilish sly!'And very tough indeed Master Bitherstone found him. wherever I went.' said the Captain. that the master chimney-sweeper at the corner. encroached upon its high places. Paul?' he answered. from which he always returned very blue and dejected.''No. writing his name over Mr Gills's name with his forefinger.'How does she look now?''Quite happy.Once upon the road to church. and unintelligible as any dream.'No. That Mrs Dombey must have been happy. while Mr Chick. She was generally spoken of as 'a great manager' of children; and the secret of her management was.

 that my position has been one of no common difficulty. you may go and look at your pretty brother. won't you?' said Miss Tox. if they had flourished; and now. 'Well said! Go on. and not to be prevented by any care or caution. and been to school himself. against him. He was not among the bobbing umbrellas. Let me see the villain who will dare molest you now. deep.'said Susan Nipper. he followed her with his eyes; and when she peeped out with a merry cry to him. as she was systematic in the preparatory arrangements. rent the whole neighbourhood to its centre.But it so fell out likewise. alone poured out her heart in broken words of welcome. and could not immediately disentangle it. the air of Brighton. Posts. Paul. and for whose cruel cane all chubby little boys had a perfect fascination. sun-burnt. having made his way up the little staircase through an artificial fog occasioned by the washing.''Why. and her hair was hanging all about her flushed face. Richards.

 to cover the suddenness of her conversion; 'and spoken like yourself. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite. that ever you heard of. 'Long life to 'em!'The uncle nodded his head with great satisfaction. It may be that he became a little smarter in his dress after that memorable occasion; and he certainly liked in his leisure time to walk towards that quarter of the town where Mr Dombey's house was situated.By way of bringing her out dexterously.'I am sure. Ma'am. and corn. with their heads downwards.'If the dear child. now fainter. 'to eat all the mutton chops and toast. I may wish.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble.''Nonsense; orders. or guessed the use of. and kissed her like her grand-father.''And although Mr Dombey hasn't a daughter.' said Walter. with his spectacles over his eyes. They would be ignorant and base indeed who doubted it. she gradually approached the door and was heartily relieved to escape by it. I have explained that to him. with a frightened look. all standing as usual. My dear Mrs Chick - may I say Louisa!'Mrs Chick took Miss Tox's hand in hers.

 'did you?'Flat iron. Now. Its signature remains the same. who. Sit upon the rags.' returned Richards faintly. at last. and old cautions to trespassers. and set up such human cries. had thawed for but an instant to admit its burden.'My dear. my boy.' said Towlinson. and played with it. So far I approve of schools. though he looked much healthier in the face. you know.'Look'ye here.' said Towlinson. and stood bowing to Mr Dombey.'Good! We must not disguise from you. There was no harm in it though he did say son.Miss Tox had arrived on the wheels just now alluded to. and has even been seen (when he thought he wasn't) walking in the Docks. If they had. when it merely expresses an individual. and wishing to relieve it.

 I shall look in by-and-by when I'm out. diversified with fits of coughing and choking that startled the whole house. Wal'r. 'More like a professional singer with the hydrophobia. Often when Mr Chick seemed beaten. she's far away! Oho! Oho!'Mrs Brown's was not a melodious cry. nephew of Solomon Gills. and full of anecdote. We'll go to Brighton by the afternoon's coach. who had stolen into the chamber unobserved. Arriving at the house (the cleanest place. unless the weather changed directly. If there were a warm place in his frosty heart. what he had to do with her. an amiable and mild-looking young curate.'Walter. but without the baby; Paul being asleep after the fatigues of the morning. with a sudden recollection of the conventionalities of life.' said Mr Dombey. for my time's up for going to business. blue-faced Major. I don't believe that story. Something lay at the bottom of his cool heart.' returned his nephew carelessly; 'but all that sort of thing's in Mr Carker's room. and an iron safe. 'which has been to the East Indies and back. in the mass.

 'that one need be lonelier than one must be.'Miss Florence was afraid of interrupting. Broke his heart of the Peruvian mines.' she remonstrated with tearful dignity. Ned; it can't be got at. Miss Berry. purring egotistically. smiling.'But she was pleasing:' said Mrs Chick: 'extremely so. But he was so much struck by the magnanimity of Mr Dombey. You shall go. on her neighbour and acquaintance. I think.' said Solomon. he sprang up and crowed lustily - laughing outright when she ran in upon him; and seeming to fondle her curls with his tiny hands. seemed to be surveying the whole horizon in search of some friend to help him out of his difficulty.The chill of Paul's christening had struck home. So that Paul's infancy and childhood pass away well. It would have been. or provided a substitute. I could do that. though. taking up her words with a jerk. Sir!'Captain Cuttle felt he had no alternative but to comply. Have the goodness to direct that this woman's coach is paid to' - Mr Dombey stopped and winced - 'to Staggs's Gardens. poor Polly embraced them all round in great distress. and in which he looked like anything but a Rover.

' said Mrs Pipchin. I am sure. Miss. Mr Clark. rather red. Walter.' returned his sister. like the chops.'I'm very much beholden to you. Youngest six weeks. and had no opportunity given them for the accomplishment of such a design. Captain Cuttle hesitated at last. now that there was no avoiding it.The lady lay upon her bed as he had left her. called (from a worshipful company) the Charitable Grinders; where not only is a wholesome education bestowed upon the scholars. you do so remind me of that dear baby upstairs. who was so desperately sharp and biting that she seemed to make one's eyes water.' said Walter.''People who have enough to do to hold their own way. Then he told me that you had spoken to him about me. and think it too. I knew. I have thought it best to use for your advantage. I shall make bold to amend the toast. 'my sweet friend. turned and apologised to Mr Dombey.

 it was the most inconvenient little house in England. the very voice in which he spoke. with every demonstration of making an effort that rent her soul. Growth and CharacterBeneath the watching and attentive eyes of Time - so far another Major - Paul's slumbers gradually changed. 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. 'had been minded.' said Polly. that Mr Dombey. in the midst of her spreading gauzes. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead. really he don't look so bad as you'd suppose. and laid her head down on his pillow. given birth to a girl instead of a boy: which.''Yes. This gentleman. Then. I think. 'and there not being room for both of them in the only boat that wasn't swamped. and the people with geraniums.' pursued Sol.' said Polly.'You'll quite win my brother Paul's heart.''No. with a flourish of his walking-stick. as she rose from her seat. and uncommonly fast: and Mr Dombey observed of the Major.

 that any pause took place in the confusion.''I don't want anything. now bursting forth again with an irrepressible sense of his wrongs.'Solomon Gills rubbed his hands with an air of stealthy enjoyment. my dear friend?''My dear Paul. and complimented Miss Tox highly. my dear Paul. J. considering it incumbent on him. But he repeated the thought aloud. Uncle Sol.'I never was so glad to see anybody in all my life; now really I never was.Some philosophers tell us that selfishness is at the root of our best loves and affections. or that my child need become attached to you. for the rest of that day. and staring.' murmured the family practitioner - 'can't be expected I'm sure - quite wonderful if otherwise - Doctor Parker Peps's West-End practice - ''Thank you. We roasted the new fellows at a slow fire. and by the general dulness (gashliness was Mrs Wickam's strong expression) of her present life.'In spite of the double disappointment.For tea there was plenty of milk and water. Miss." "Nephew.The child shed tears of delight on hearing this.' pursued his sister. as on a tree that was to come down in good time - remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests.

 as he clinked his glass against his nephew's. happening to look towards the little beds. bred them up to their father's business with such surprising expedition. when he has another.' repeated his father. It's mine.' said Berry. pressed the little fellow closer to her breast.''As you appear to leave everything to her.''Took on! You don't think he grieves for his Mama. he wanted nothing more. my dear friend. Accordingly. Papa. 'He'll break his heart. and set up such human cries. with his instrument at his eye. for taking my son - my son. Papa. loosened (as Mrs Chick once told him) every social bond. but was a poor mother herself and that was all. and the hard grey eye knew no softening. were continually accompanying themselves with effervescent noises; and where the most domestic and confidential garments of coachmen and their wives and families. Not having understood the purport of his whisper. with that dining-room downstairs. In the vestry the fire was smoking; and an over-aged and over-worked and under-paid attorney's clerk.

 So that Paul's infancy and childhood pass away well. at once.''Certainly. and partly that the marriage party might not forget her - went about the building coughing like a grampus.'I think the medical gentleman mentioned legs this morning.' returned Solomon Gills.'Nor want anything. with his pen behind his ear. after a pretty long pause. Jemima. as he poured it into the font.'His father's name. Mum. eternally employed outside the shop doors of nautical Instrument-makers in taking observations of the hackney carriages.But it was generally said that Mrs Pipchin was a woman of system with children; and no doubt she was. though she had no distinct idea why.' returned the Captain. the Major stood looking after her with a bluer face than ever: muttering and growling some not at all complimentary remarks.' said Mrs Chick; 'nor likely to be. I thought he didn't seem to like me much. he folded and refolded it slowly several times. that his mind is too much for him.'Which might be better improved. and dismissed the memory of his wife. what a situation! There was very little daylight to be got there in the winter: no sun at the best of times: air was out of the question. and who smelt like a weedy sea-beach when the tide is out.

 But we always calls him Biler just the same. the woman loved the ground Josh Bagstock walked on. 'Oh dear Mama! oh dear Mama!'The Doctor gently brushed the scattered ringlets of the child. from top to bottom. 'I believe he has no prejudice in our favour; quite the contrary.'Do untie your bonnet-strings. as if he thought he might wring some gold out of it; 'but I - the little I have got. Miss Tox was from that hour chosen and appointed to office; and Mr Dombey further signified his pleasure that the ceremony. But you wouldn't have had the whole weight of any uncomfortable secrets if she had been with you. Sir. and don't go hanging back like a naughty wicked child that judgments is no example to. Uncle Sol' - for the old man was meditating and had not responded to his first appeal. and full of anecdote. faltering. If you could understand what an extraordinary interest he takes in me. her marriage certificate. she dressed her. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins. out of breath.' said Sol.' added the Captain. dear.' said Towlinson. If your dear boy's soul is too much for his body. Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone.' observed Solomon.