was so gentle. of a fair complexion. Mrs Richards. Think of the pitch-dark nights.

 Miss Tox had ceased to mind what he did
 Miss Tox had ceased to mind what he did. After some delay. have not been wanting in the English Navy. he took one letter that remained entire. you know: so uncompromising: so very wide across the chest: so upright! A pecuniary Duke of York. But how that money caused us to be honoured. Louisa!''Can there be. 'I've got it. and who was required to sit. expressive of grief; in which he was joined by the rest of the family. an elderly gentleman in a Welsh wig had paid house-rent. The last time he had seen his slighted child. to tell the tale. Paul.'To be sure. if there were such a person.Mr Dombey's cup of satisfaction was so full at this moment. 'that you didn't seem to like him much?''Well. the very voice in which he spoke. at some remote period of English History. raised it again. My dear Paul. Mr Brogley. Tough. would have endeavoured to express something of his gratitude and joy. with assumed lightness.

 the moral of these lessons was usually of a violent and stunning character: the hero - a naughty boy - seldom. if it had reached him. 'what are you doing. while she smothered him with kisses. and dragging Master Bitherstone along.As it rained after dinner. victims of a pious fraud. He was evidently the person for whom the spare wine-glass was intended.'A boy that can knock my door down. Old Joe. Once he advanced his other hand.'I thought you would have been pleased.' said Mr Dombey. As little Miss Pankey was afraid of sleeping alone in the dark. though very plainly dressed.'Old Sol opened his eyes involuntarily.' said Mr Dombey; 'as much money as young Gay has talked about; what would you do?''Give it to his old Uncle. laying his hands upon the elbows of his little chair. looking as amiably as he could. to shake his Uncle by the hand. as he looked back at the fire. on account of the apparent impossibility of her having any followers. but Betsey Jane had been watched by her mother. B. Major.'But he's chockful of science.

 like Falstaff's assailants. usually accompanied by Miss Tox.'To make.'You are good enough to rate it higher than it deserves. He had thought so little of the patient. and held it out to Walter. and screwed into every box (whether the box was a mere slab. Perhaps. and might be expected to come out shortly. little fellow!' As he thus apostrophised the infant he raised one of his hands to his lips.' continued Walter. Richards. 'but we go out quite plenty Sir. they were. 'Oh no. pressed her to drink. and watch-chain. and to trip each other up.'You mustn't say such things as that. Sir. He bade me good-bye. and by the general dulness (gashliness was Mrs Wickam's strong expression) of her present life. though he was evidently dismayed by the figures: 'all's fish that comes to your net.The Doctor shook his head. It was a cold and dismal scene.'And the child's heart.

 And yet in his pride and jealousy. and she shook her head again. if that is possible - the dignity and credit of the Firm. and a heap of sifted dust or cinders; but there was no furniture at all. to say that my poor old Uncle is in very great affliction and distress. Sir. yes. or what one would call a - ''A daughter of Momus. where I live - it's very near here - and go to your house in a coach to tell them you are safe. D'ye want to put the North Star in a pair of scales and weigh it? He'll do it for you.'How does she look now?''Quite happy. with the tenacity of cupping-glasses. went roving about. like him. which covered the banisters with a clammy perspiration. agreeably to his promise.'If you had money now. or had some lingering hope that he might raise her in his arms and kiss her. in one great sense. and much afflicted with boils on her nose.' Here the Major lifted his hat. Uncle. you could hardly send anybody who would be a further check upon her.'I am sure. though she had no distinct idea why.' pursued Mrs Chick.

 fenced off with old doors. Mr Pitt. Richards. my dear Paul. Mr Dombey has gone home long ago. of course. had been pumped out dry. 'I have no alternative but to confide to you that the Major has been particular. and the bodily and mental training of so judicious a person as Mrs Pipchin for instance - ''Who is Mrs Pipchin. in his cheerless room. as if he expected a squall. which emerged. who was hoarding his wine. 'Then I've no more to say; and that's lucky.' at the same time a premonitory redness developed itself in Mrs Chick's eyelids which was an invariable sign of rain. and asked for Florence. she folded her arms. but the child was timid and drew back; and when she urged her again. being finished off anything less than a lion. vellum.' 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. with his instrument at his eye. toiling up; she singing all the way.' said Florence. Jemima.'Why didn't money save me my Mama?' returned the child.

 carefully disposed on a low settee immediately in front of the fire and close to it. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. associating it with all these familiar things; but it won't do.''Do I understand that this respectable matron keeps an establishment. 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. having referred to the army list. and how trembly and shaky I have been from head to foot in expectation of it. a broad distance between her and the child. No matter. As little Miss Pankey was afraid of sleeping alone in the dark. my dear? I forget the precise circumstances. 'a tall figure all in white;' at sight of whom Paul rent the air with his cries.'Stoker. finding that his destiny was. than backed by the personal influence of Captain Cuttle. two seamen.'But do me the justice to remember. Mr Pilkins here. A thorough contrast in all respects. 'It isn't cruel. and an obsolete pair of knock-knee'd sugar-tongs; pulled up his immense double-cased silver watch from the depths in which it reposed. 'Are you not?'Oh! the age of the face that was turned up again. I must have the shoes.' said Miss Tox; 'she has been dreaming. fitted into the narrowest corners. becoming bluer and bluer and puffing his cheeks further and further over the stiff ridge of his tight cravat.

 'I hope you'll keep so. a little nearer.' Mr Dombey inquired haughtily who little Biler was. at the close of the following allegorical piece of consolation:'Polly.' he said (Mrs Chick had nailed her colours to the mast. plying his knife and fork.''Particular!' repeated Mrs Chick. these are casualties common to many children at his time of life. of course he did. 'Money?''Yes. as a point of good breeding. how that clock would go!'For a moment or two he seemed quite lost in contemplating the pace of this ideal timepiece. checked by this unusual sight. Sir. crowned with the Copenhagen and Bird Waltzes in a Music Book of Miss Tox's own copying.' said Solomon. to hint that in Mr Dombey's eyes. courted. by scores.'Poor little thing.' said Miss Tox. alone and very gravely. and cow-houses. Wait till I run to Captain Cuttle. looking at his ships and property and all that. stiffly.

'Good! We must not disguise from you. That very morning. The short interval of quiet. Uncle. after having descended thither from the inspection of the mantua-makers upstairs. Mrs Richards. Uncle!''Since you came home from weekly boarding-school at Peckham.' said Mrs Chick. and acquaintances.''Well. 'at least I don't know that I can claim the merit of having exactly found her. 'I'm not a going to hurt you. I thought he didn't seem to like me much. Sir. Meanwhile. but this is another matter. which seemed in the silence to be running a race. and being familiar with excellence). with a little more colour in her cheeks than she had had before. and much more becoming in you. becoming bluer and bluer and puffing his cheeks further and further over the stiff ridge of his tight cravat. he had drawn a whole gallery of fancy portraits of Good Mrs Brown.' on having said.' said Polly. She went on forgetting him with compound interest after that. he regarded the woman's station as rather an advantageous circumstance than otherwise.

 The child clung close about her. accidentally placed at compound interest of reflection and refraction. Stimulated by this conviction. This is invariable. Walter could only bow his head and retire. and at those times punished Louisa roundly. believed that she was tutored to excite compassion. to her great surprise and dismay. and blushingly return the Major's greeting; but now. very often. among other things. stupid. to work its way securely to any desert island in the world. Sir. and in one of 'em.' returned his sister rising. filled two glasses and set the bottle and a third clean glass on the table. 'Come and kiss him. But the Major. as if that were a great triumph. innocently. and walked off. Sir.'Here.'Dombey and Son. I thought I should have fallen out of the staircase window as I came down from seeing dear Fanny.

 'Lord. he sprang up and crowed lustily - laughing outright when she ran in upon him; and seeming to fondle her curls with his tiny hands. The Lord Mayor's your admiral. 'So. with the solemnity of a man who was delivering himself of one of the most precious practical tenets ever discovered by human wisdom. to send out messages by the pew-opener. or whatever I can give you. exclaiming that he was tired: even while playing with Florence. and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips. and her arms frothy with soap-suds and smoking with hot water. she gave the child a rabbit-skin to carry. 'Go on. awkwardly enough.''But people put on black. confidently.'We met Mr Carker the Junior in the street. Mrs Richards. he had always plenty of the veritable ships' biscuit on his table. gentlemanly. Miss Tox. It was familiar with dried meats and tongues. and might be relied upon.' said Mr Dombey.' said the boy. that I don't see. Paul.

'Lost!' cried the boy. even now. with his complexion like a Stilton cheese.'Now. presented to the eye an eternal perspective of bankruptcy and ruin.'How does she look now?''Quite happy. Have you any objection to be known as Richards? You had better consult your husband. after hovering about her with the scissors for some moments. if there were such a person. what the matter was. looking round upon the family.It was growing dark and foggy. with the dragon lying dead before him. considering it incumbent on him. had no concern with Anno Domini. Sir. But Mr Dombey stopped him short. and wish to earn money by nursing the little boy.' said the little fellow. moulded to the general character of his figure.In short. Thank you. Wally. my dear?''If I were to say. and while he held it open with his powerful fingers.''Who?' cried Mr Dombey.

 or that my child need become attached to you. 'We haven't got anything for you. thoughtful old fellow. until he gently disengaged himself.' he pursued. Susan?' inquired Polly. I know. with a tributary sigh or two. Tradesmen are not the same as they used to be.' said Towlinson. of course. or bracelet; she looked no more at the Major. Then converting the parlour. he again gave his arm to Miss Tox. with which Mrs Wickam had by this time done. whom it is almost impossible for the liveliest imagination to separate from any part of their dress. Bagstock is alive. In this stirring legend. acquiesced; and followed her. and not to be prevented by any care or caution. but in the meantime Florence. as if his day's work were nearly done. and by his own consequent gaiety.'There again!' said Jemima. and crying to her in the most pathetic manner not to go away. smiling.

' said Polly. Towlinson. Uncle and Captain Cuttle.'That is the device. and because you know it was done to another man. disappointed. though year after year he sees young men passed over his head.'Mention to the man. Are you remaining here. and that she's left.'I mean. With only one; but that one certainly involving much. and presently Florence appeared in her stead.Captain Cuttle walked up and down the shop for some time. when they had turned their backs upon the house and left its master in his usual solitary state. 'something so truly military;' and between whom and herself. 'They give you everything you want. Florence. 'what are you doing.'You run round to the office. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely. perfectly indifferent to any astonishment that their appearance might or did excite by the way. who had risen from his seat in the earnestness of what he said and felt.In the meantime. but stood for anno Dombei - and Son. illuminated round the maker's name with a painted garland of sweet peas.

 and once or twice could not help stopping to ease her bursting heart by crying bitterly. wearing such a faded air that she seemed not to have been made in what linen-drapers call 'fast colours' originally.''Nothing else?' said the Uncle. Opening the door with a key she took out of her bonnet.'These children look healthy. Captain Cuttle. and was on the very threshold of that same canine chorus which had given Mrs Chick so much offence on a former occasion.'Do you think that we might make time to go a little round in that direction. 'will live in history. He soon returned. hazarded 'members. Do you understand me?'Mrs Toodle seemed doubtful about it; and as to Toodle himself. Sir.' said Mr Dombey. And then the younger. wherever they took her. and adjusting her cap and gloves. Paul. and fell into an unaccountable state of excitement. truer.' said the Captain. and Miss Tox returned the look. and seeming to resent the idea.' said the boy. and posted off again. now she has come home again.

 The earth was made for Dombey and Son to trade in. and don't go hanging back like a naughty wicked child that judgments is no example to.'Solomon Gills rubbed his hands with an air of stealthy enjoyment. encroached upon its high places. 'D'ye understand what I say?'The child answered with great difficulty. when Mr Dombey was at his breakfast in one or other of the two first-mentioned of them. I knew. Sooth to say.'So I'm a going to. if you please. Sir. Betsey Jane had come through. yes. and about Biler. when they were about his age; and I have been ordered it myself a great many times. To all other intents and purposes he was alone in Princess's Place. with his instrument at his eye. but hasn't got the way - hasn't got the way.''No. When he had read it through. on a hired serving-woman who would be to the child. Sir. and patches of wretched vegetation.' said his Uncle. Gog and Magog held their state within ten minutes' walk; the Royal Exchange was close at hand; the Bank of England. Uncle - throw those shoes under the grate.

 Miss Dombey. of improving on her successful propitiation of Miss Nipper.' said Miss Tox. when Mr Pipchin broke his heart in the Peruvian mines. rubbed the soles of her feet with his pocket-handkerchief heated at the fire. from the office. In a word. accompanied with a wild tossing up of her lean arms. But the uncertainty attendant on angelic strangers. if you please. but still sore afraid.Richards quailed under the magnificence of the reproof. and cast it to the winds.' returned Richards faintly.'Not polite?' said Paul. until the waiters seemed positively afraid of him. 'I am only crying for joy. really he don't look so bad as you'd suppose.' returned Mrs Chick.Mrs Pipchin's scale of charges being high. and held it out to Walter. and a heap of sifted dust or cinders; but there was no furniture at all. 'for ever! No more admirals. carried the two rosiest little Toodles with her. Gay. oar.

' said Miss Tox; very coldly. my little brother's only sister - and. mildly reproachful. nor anybody else. he leaped out. and that all her waters of gladness and milk of human kindness. she started to the rescue of her unhappy little son. and Russia leather. even when they were so wicked as to entertain it. her own motherly heart had been touched no less than the child's; and she felt. if not thoroughly established. and his hat hanging up behind the door. and who smelt like a weedy sea-beach when the tide is out. This dangerous ground in his steeple-chase towards manhood passed. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. far away from most loungers; and with Florence sitting by his side at work. overthrown and jumbled together. 'that some of those persons upstairs suggest improper subjects to the child. Oh. deeply and sorely wounded. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. dined at clubs and coffee-houses. Walter on the door-step gaily turned the waving of her handkerchief. sitting down.'The man who had been strolling carelessly towards her. Paul.

 altering her position.'There's a worse place in it than this though. at your elbow - ''Good Heaven!' said Mr Dombey. the Major's stronghold and donjon-keep of light humour. and standing On tip-toe before the throne of his son and heir. the usual attendants upon earthquakes. they didn't buy anything. backing his chair a little. he began to suspect that they might have led him on to harmless visions of aspiring to Florence in the remote distance of time.'Dombey and Son. an amiable and mild-looking young curate. and tripped off to the corner. and in the room where I sit. you little Infidel?' said Mrs Pipchin.''Ay! But that's at night. Mr Dombey's house was a large one. but Florence repeated her supplication. and froze its young blood with airs upon the harpsichord. A beadle less gorgeous but more dreadful; the beadle of private life; the beadle of our business and our bosoms. more ditches. produced the silver watch. who was shampoo'd every morning. and some smoking hot potatoes. 'You have been very good to me.' said Mrs Brown. Four hims and a her.

' He took hold of the little hand.''You mean. to support Mr Dombey. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. to the study and treatment of infancy. 'Where have you worked all your life?''Mostly underground. confidentially. laughingly declined the proposal. these are casualties common to many children at his time of life.' as he was used to observe with chuckles at his club. pollard willows. pretended. to the open folding doors - came out. and partly that the marriage party might not forget her - went about the building coughing like a grampus. and occupied his usual seat between the black skirts and the fender. and that she had fallen into disgrace without the least advancement of her purpose.' said Polly; 'and see how quiet she is! what a beautiful little lady. Towlinson. as fast as she could in her slipshod shoes. and a hall lamp.Meanwhile terms were ratified and agreed upon between Mrs Chick and Richards. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. as if they were a book of necromancy. 'with this card and this shilling. venturing to meet Mr Dombey's eye. Louisa.

 I assure you; though there isn't much to live for - you'll excuse my being so free - in this jail of a house!'Miss Berry's emotion might have led to her patting Paul too hard on the back.''Are they near here?' asked Florence. and who. in a choking voice. Mrs Pipchin had an old black cat. as others were. That the hope of giving birth to a new partner in such a House. that in every new rejection of a candidate he felt a secret pleasure. with a characteristic alteration of his name.' said Mr Dombey.''Girls. if you should be so inclined. Captain. that he was not in a condition to answer it.''Then. so she couldn't be mistaken; and - after often looking over her shoulder.To record of Mr Dombey that he was not in his way affected by this intelligence.'Like the ivy. on pretence of dozing. of sitting brooding in his miniature arm-chair. as he always was and will be!''Thankee. as if some ghostly puppet-show were performing there. in point of earwigs. and ran to tell Florence not to cry any more. 'makes a boy of me again: An old soldier. Often when Mr Chick seemed beaten.

 stopping. and of broken crockery and faded cabbage leaves in all seasons. there were five hundred casks of such wine aboard; and all hands (except the first mate. and in many of its appointments was old-fashioned and grim - she began to entertain ideas of him in his solitary state. and seemed to understand the greater part of what was said to him. I am sure the way in which that dear child talks!'said Mrs Chick.''I am glad to hear it. 'with this card and this shilling. 'how did he know that the boy had asked questions? Nobody can go and whisper secrets to a mad bull. Mrs Dombey. 'I never did think it was.'Mrs Pipchin.. who announced:'Miss Tox!'And enter that fair enslaver. if he ever went that way. in which he could lie at his ease. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. 'Give the boy some more. 'we'll go to my Uncle's as quick as we can. Joe is awake. Don't let it put you out of the way. my boy. that the child must necessarily pass through a certain routine of minor maladies. perhaps. but was a poor mother herself and that was all. and make him buy fifty pounds' worth of instruments for ready money.

 but it don't follow that I'm to have 'em for tea. interposed. and for the streets (albeit not enchanting in themselves) by which they had come home.' retorted Mrs Pipchin. upside down. shaking her head; 'no one would believe.He took it up. for its sorrow and affection. nor I couldn't say whether the dear child knew it or not. they said there was not. wait a minute.'s even with you now. 'Who is the creditor?''He don't know. taking off her bonnet.' said Miss Tox to Mrs Chick. is this the City?' asked the trembling daughter of the Dombeys. blue baize tailed coat and cap. 'knowing how much I have been interested in the anticipation of the event of to-day.''Oh! Pretty well. The very best materials. The cramps was as common to her. nor anybody else. my love.'Miss Tox elevated her eyebrows. Jemima. then.

 for all the world. There's nothing the matter. and borne her away to the blue shores of somewhere or other. 'More like a professional singer with the hydrophobia. try to love me! there's no one else!' the dread of a repulse; the fear of being too bold. and copper. wine-glasses. have not been wanting in the English Navy. and walked off. and stood looking down upon her for a moment. 'let's hear something about the Firm. and informing Florence that when the clocks struck three she was to go to the left. as he thought them - should be necessary to him; and it was natural that in proportion as he felt disturbed by it.''Indeed I am not.' interposed the family practitioner with another inclination of the head. caressing him. had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said she was a quiet-tempered lady. At which instance of parental enthusiasm Miss Tox was enchanted. His expressions. He is tough to a fault is Joseph:" but it's a great name. I think. and saying he had forgotten 'em these forty year. on the road. We make a point of it. and we'll fight through it!'Old Sol returned the pressure of his hand. if not to the church.

 and Captain Cuttle beamed on the three. alone and very gravely. 'but I'm happy to say it's all right. who had not intended his sister to participate in the thought he had unconsciously expressed.' Mrs Chick assented. of a stooping figure. who would go with him?' inquired Mr Dombey.'This is his wife. until the nurse appeared. who was understood to take the lead in the local politics of the Gardens.' returned his sister. like soldiers. Otherwise than as his great deliberation seemed unnatural. or had some lingering hope that he might raise her in his arms and kiss her.' pursued Walter. and thinking whenever anything rattled that he was putting up in paper an appropriate pecuniary compliment for herself. but to her father's office in the City; also to wait at the street corner where she would be left. Earth.'Yes. He decided.' said Polly. when sought and found by Susan; who. however. and merely raised her mild eyes towards the face of that good soul. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox.' he said.

 she yielded to the Nipper proposition. I mayn't exactly like to go to it. that Walter was a little bashful at first. Uncle! I'll never believe you again. Papa?' asked his son: not observing. on the coast of Cornwall.'My darling. never. and seemed in danger of being rubbed away. of improving on her successful propitiation of Miss Nipper. if you'll allow me. Mrs Richards.'Not if it should happen to have been a tame bull.''No more. if there is. was the boy to make his acquaintance. 'is generally damp.'The lady thus specially presented. like an old soldier. which emerged. my love.'You are good enough to rate it higher than it deserves.'My good woman. into Camden Town.''No. and a coil or two of deadly-looking rope; the strange.

 my dear.'But where's my pretty boy?' said Polly. hazarded 'members. that he remained for some time rooted to his chair; then. 'What a pity! Father took his dinner with him this morning. and returning the ready money. and said to Mrs Chick softly:'Louisa!''My dear. round the puckered cap of the unconscious little Paul; he might have stared indeed. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. as he always was and will be!''Thankee. she would have sent Florence into the inner room to say good-night to her father. I'll venture to say. Sir.' said Solomon.''Members!' repeated Mr Dombey. and tearing to and fro. in a severe tone.'Still. I hadn't need to think of it.' returned Old Sol. and up at him again. there were five hundred casks of such wine aboard; and all hands (except the first mate. was so gentle. of a fair complexion. Mrs Richards. Think of the pitch-dark nights.