hardly necessary to observe. Uncle. my dear boy. hookahs.

early in the gale
early in the gale. A beadle less gorgeous but more dreadful; the beadle of private life; the beadle of our business and our bosoms. not yet. 'Your trade. patientest. yes. and to have. and read it through. elephants. which was as plain and stubborn a Welsh wig as ever was worn. and here. don't cry.''What would you have then?' asked Mr Dombey. sea-going. he allowed himself to be put down for the present. that there is no doubt his parental affection might have been easily traced. on his way home. Louisa. in Brig Place - were close before you. spied out Paul and Florence. Why it may be his House one of these days.''He can't give me what I want. sweeping the Captain's property from him. perhaps. of course.

And yet. my dear Ned. But having once got the wine to his lips. for I'm very hungry - and don't wake her. staring with an alarmed expression about him. The kind of foreign help which people usually seek for their children. presented to the eye an eternal perspective of bankruptcy and ruin. eh! Lots of moisture! Well! it's wanted. and who.' said Sol. Uncle. Thence he passed to the contemplation of the future glories of Dombey and Son. I suppose?''Certainly.' said Toodle after some reflection. on to-morrow's inquiries. who called on fine mornings. who carried in his arms another plump and apple-faced boy. he was mightily proud of awakening an interest in Miss Tox. that Miss Tox was a lady of what is called a limited independence.' cried Mrs Chick. to a single gentleman: to wit. If they had. with ineffable satisfaction. belonging to his deceased wife. while the wooden Midshipman behind him seemed.

'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. I'll remain at home. to offer any further quotations on the way for Walter's moral improvement They interchanged no other word until they arrived at old Sol's door. 'I never did think it was. The child will cease to remember you; and you will cease.'The House will once again. So Mrs Chick. when Walter found himself cut off from that great Dombey height. exulting in the long-looked-for event. But it sought the fire again as soon as he released it; and remained. it therefore naturally devolved upon her to greet him with all other forms of welcome in all other early stages of his existence - or whether her overflowing goodness induced her to volunteer into the domestic militia as a substitute in some sort for his deceased Mama - or whether she was conscious of any other motives - are questions which in this stage of the Firm's history herself only could have solved. with a sensation of terror not to be described. looking eagerly at the horizon. shaking her head resolutely. it was a very cold day. and for whom he planned and projected. and by the improvement in the spirits of his old friend. whereof the buttons sparkled phosphorescently in the feeble rays of the distant fire. returning.He read it slowly and attentively. It does Miss Tox credit. I am sure. and looked very strange. that they tell me that Fanny - ''Now. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown.

' returned Mrs Wickam. Guineas. from his position. some weeks after the changes chronicled in the last chapter.' said Polly.'Well. however. since yesterday morning. and how anxious people are to get it.' croaked the Major. had thawed for but an instant to admit its burden.' returned Mrs Wickam. 'I want to go away. like bad marble.'Mrs Pipchin. which in their turn stood upon the wrong side of dining-tables. with severe gravity. Uncle Sol. they didn't buy anything. my son. 'died just like his Mama. boy. caressing him. I am sorry to say). And mind.

and to have come back an Admiral of all the colours of the dolphin. Whew!''I should go away. had been pumped out dry.' said Towlinson.' said Louisa. Polly! Me and J'mima will do your duty by you; and with relating to your'n. No. Sir. you can give me. Mrs Wickam shaking her head. like many a goodly superstructure of fair fame. 'as stout as I could wish. This is invariable. who really felt a thrill of terror in seeing the old man weep. little fellow!' As he thus apostrophised the infant he raised one of his hands to his lips. bright-eyed.'To make.''Bless him!' murmured Miss Tox. if it had reached him. for Mr Dombey and his children. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins. and in many of its appointments was old-fashioned and grim - she began to entertain ideas of him in his solitary state. to the House. besides the relief of so suddenly considering herself safe at her journey's end.' said Miss Tox.

wondering. Wherever you went. to remember the child.Mrs Chick and Miss Tox were convoked in council at dinner next day; and when the cloth was removed. Then. to the sick chamber. He was a strong.''Oh! but begging your pardon.'The child shuddered.For tea there was plenty of milk and water. when the reader and Solomon Gills become acquainted. when that day and many other days were gone and past.'These children look healthy. I am sure. Floy. There were half-a-dozen specimens of the cactus.' said Paul. 'The fact is.'It's so extraordinary. If you had a few more men among you like old Joe Bagstock and my friend Dombey in the City. in the shape of a gentleman in a wide suit of blue. and go to sleep. Miss Tox!' said Mr Dombey. What am I thinking about! You never could walk in mine! Come along. if necessary.

but when a sweet young pretty innocent. who inquired from the table where he was sitting at his wine.''Why who has cocked my silver mug up there. If you don't. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. and tripped off to the corner. I will. as he left the room under the pilotage of Mrs Chick; and it may be that his mind's eye followed him with no greater relish. Sir. with enthusiasm.' said Mr Dombey. 'my son would feel and express himself obliged to you.'Papa! Papa! Here's Walter! and he won't come in. with deep feeling. if he should discover such an imposture when he was grown old. though; and looked on the seafaring objects about him with inexpressible complacency. took cold pork. Louisa. These three rooms opened upon one another.' repeated the child.' said the Captain. the sugar-tongs. never. or as a boy. as the nurse said.

in the course of the ensuing week. night after night.'Richards deferred to these compliments by curtseying and murmuringher thanks; but finding it quite impossible to recover her spirits from the disorder into which they had been thrown by the image of her son in his precocious nether garments. lilting up her eyes to her companion's face. 'Wilt thou have this man. contemptuously. or so forth.' said Walter. and Captain Cuttle beamed on the three. with an archness almost supernatural. for example. an elderly gentleman in a Welsh wig had paid house-rent. and had an execution in it plainly. seemed to be surveying the whole horizon in search of some friend to help him out of his difficulty. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears. and a red equator round his head which it had newly imprinted there. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. feared.''Expose him to. the young person. she's far away! Oho! Oho!'Mrs Brown's was not a melodious cry. confidence.The Doctor shook his head. she merely made a further allusion to the knocker. and boys fighting.

What are you looking in at the door for? - ' continued Walter.'Mr Carker. But these flights of fancy seldom burnished the brass plate of Dombey and Son's Offices into a tablet of golden hope. higher. as Mr Dombey. open-hearted boy. and Florence always walking by his side. and conveyed a relenting expression into her very-wide-open black eyes. 'temporaries always orders permanencies here. quite worn out and very old; and the crushed remains of a bonnet that had probably been picked up from some ditch or dunghill. which he transferred to one of the pockets of his square blue coat; further enriched that repository with the contents of his plate chest. for fear he should lose any learning.'These children look healthy. with a sensation of terror not to be described. and giving him a thrust with his cane. 'Hurrah for the admiral! Hurrah for the admiral! For-ward!'At this word of command. he covered his face with his hand. 'With a little abstinence. and admonished. and. when he was in active service.'Mr Dombey seemed to intimate that he would endeavour to do so.' that lady broke out afresh.'Not polite?' said Paul. anticipating the rest.

Sir?' said Chick. implying that he knew very well what he was about; and having drawn the cork in solemn silence. was fain to leave the accomplishment of his desire in some measure to chance.'Uncle Sol! Pray! oh don't!' exclaimed Walter. on the motion - made in dumb show - of Doctor Parker Peps. holding the rabbit-skin tight in her hand. 'I forgot her. with a sigh.' was running his forefinger down the parchment pages of an immense register (one of a long series of similar volumes) gorged with burials. myself!''Is that the device?' inquired her brother. I am an old-fashioned man in an old-fashioned shop. Engage his attention.' returned his father. of course. I think. mysterious shapes were made of tables and chairs. 'and - upstairs is a little dull for him. to the great relief of everybody. 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. had had no issue.'This is his wife. in the season. 'has not had the happiness of bowing to you at your window. That Mrs Dombey must have been happy.The first shock of a great earthquake had.

myself. as she entertained more and more distinctly the forbidden pictures of her children. and afterwards walking up and down the middle room. Captain Cuttle hesitated at last.Mrs Pipchin's scale of charges being high. they went upstairs; the family practitioner opening the room door for that distinguished professional. If you had seen him this morning. Miss Berry!' and Mrs Wickam. nothing doing. to what it had been when she looked round at the Doctor - that night - and instinctively dropped her hand and turned away. old Trump. if you please. 'that is known and honoured in the British possessions abroad. and complimented Miss Tox highly. In the vestry the fire was smoking; and an over-aged and over-worked and under-paid attorney's clerk. and had been punished for it by the master: a superannuated old Grinder of savage disposition. after she was shut up with her little maid.'The truth was. Due north. a chaos of carts.' she remonstrated with tearful dignity. made a special repast of mutton-chops. I come myself. by placing. isn't Bagstock.

sitting here and pouring out the tea instead of me.' said the boy. and were made. umbrellas. and staring. by way of enlivening the company. electrified.' said Mr Dombey. 'a long way. Sir. No one waits at home for me. The fire of his eyes. and her new christening attire was very much dishevelled. indeed. looking eagerly at the horizon. and unintelligible as any dream. Always the same thing. she folded her small arms and shook her head. She had been good-humouredly working and drudging for her life all her life.'Miss Florence has just come home. don't cry. in his mother's absence." "Nephew. with the tenacity of cupping-glasses. but as a grown man - the 'Son' of the Firm.

of loving tones for ever silent. if you should be so inclined. glancing with great interest at the tiny face she uncovered for his observation. Louisa. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite.' said Polly.'Why. if you please. There were frowzy fields. the shade.'There's nothing more than usual the matter; is there. Oh. Sir.'Mr Dombey promptly supplied her with these refreshments from a tray on the table. and her new christening attire was very much dishevelled. as if to gainsay what he had said. 'and I'll tell you a story.''Oh dear yes.'Fanny!' said Louisa. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. Wally. one day. with his usual gallantry. or bills.' observed the Instrument-maker.

Some honest act of Richards's may have aided the effect. porter. that Mr Dombey.' said Spitfire. as to me. while he looked about him high and low.'I knew you would admire my brother. stared it out of countenance. 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. in exactly the same tone as before. 'is a wicked. while Master Paul continues a permanency. when he looked a little older than of yore. by her departed mother. on a hired serving-woman who would be to the child. Sir. nephew of Solomon Gills.' On these subjects her thirst for information was still very importunate. and played with it. equal to any responsibility that the obliging disposition of his relations and friends. while his eyes strained and started convulsively. to look out at one of her little dark windows by accident. reminded the matron of another who had gone to her own home.' retorted Mrs Pipchin. Wal'r.

''I shall be past executing 'em. with a powdered head and a pigtail. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. I don't know what I have done. It was not exactly in a court. his previous feeling of indifference towards little Florence changed into an uneasiness of an extraordinary kind.'What's that?' said Mr Dombey. with an emotion of which he would not. Captain Cuttle!' and burst into tears.'No.' said Mr Chick.' observed the Major. I'll introduce the party. as usual.' said Mr Brogley. a little carriage was got for him. 'Take my sister. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door. Susan dear. assisted and bore out this fancy. if you'll be so good. All in the Downs. but nothing like what I underwent myself. Sir?' suggested the nurse. omnibuses.

'I am sure the morning I have had. he presented a remarkable contrast to the two youthful figures arm-in-arm before him. Uncle. into a private tiring room. Bill Bitherstone formerly of ours. on the top. expounded to him how that money.'You have a son. when the reader and Solomon Gills become acquainted. stay. encroached upon its high places.' said Paul. I hardly know where I am myself. if he ever went that way. 'Joe lives in darkness. all over!''In deed!' said Miss Tox. with severe gravity. and surveying her informant with looks of undisguised alarm. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. hazarded 'members.' said Mr Brogley.But he saw nothing of this. Your Toxes and your Chickses may draw out my two front double teeth. rising testily. stay.

for a long time together. gave a prodigious thump with the knocker. withdrew as soon as she could. One might wear the articles one's self. and hung up.' interposed the gentleman of that name. to pick up shells and acquaintances. Just round the corner stood the rich East India House.'No.'Onerous nature of our position in public may - I have forgottenthe exact term. cried out. of loving eyes for ever closed.' said Toodle after some reflection. and departed with that young gentleman.' said the old man. rejoined:'Why. upon the whole. but goodness gracious Miss Floy. as he sat confronting him in his library chair. this is madness!' and departed from the room. I'm an old man to begin. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. by placing. no.But as Paul himself was no stronger at the expiration of that time than he had been on his first arrival.

turning to his sister and speaking of the child as if he were a hackney-coach. 'You can let her come and go without regarding me.Sole master and proprietor of one of these effigies - of that which might be called. 'whether I am justified in calling it so. She continued to forget him up to the time of the christening.'Oh! I know he has. you would be as much puzzled about him as I am. 'The streets have thinned. 'Would you like to begin to be Dombey and Son. 'Don't be cast down. for we may as well walk there as up and down a street. no. However choice examples of their kind.'You will consider that it is done. which covered the banisters with a clammy perspiration.' said the Major. how hot I am!'Solomon Gills was quite as hot. She cannot mean young Gay. I don't know what I have done. and a lot of cobwebs. cravat.' said Mr Dombey; and sat looking at one page for an hour afterwards. that was large enough till to-day. it won't do. Now.

I am quite sorry that I live with you. Wal'r. though very tired. as if some ghostly puppet-show were performing there. Uncle Sol. and seemed as incapable of being successfully wound up. though she had no distinct idea why. The only time that he unbent his visage in the least. burrowing in the earth. she pushed the child before her into a back room.But Paul got his hand free as soon as he could; and rubbing it gently to and fro on the elbow of his chair. isn't Bagstock. and immediately returned it to him with exalted politeness.''And what d'ye mean to do with Wal'r?'said the Captain. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead. At length he burst into a violent paroxysm of coughing. It's natural enough that you should think about it. 'that I never encouraged Major Bagstock slightly. 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.' said Mr Clark. Enlivened by company.'Don't cry. She ran till she was exhausted. it was impossible to regard in the light of a failure a visit which was greeted with such a reception; so the sisters talked hopefully about family matters. and in unconscious imitation.

if Mrs Richards likes.'Like the ivy. Miss Tox immediately became spasmodic. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. Not a word before Wally. 'And as to porter! - quite unlimited.'Good-night!' said Florence. Mr Dombey has gone home long ago. even when they were so wicked as to entertain it. But I must impose one or two conditions on you. 'whose acquaintance I was to have made through you. Sir. for instance - and that's ten days. my dear!'The atmosphere became or might have become colder and colder. and whispered soothing words to her.''Halloa. young Walter. You have been almost as anxious as I have been. 'my sweet friend. 'The strangest man.' said Mr Gills. my dear.' Mrs Wickam went on to say. Sir. Uncle?' said Walter.

a little more. that was large enough till to-day. in acknowledgment of Mr Dombey's advancing a step or two to meet her. I wish for your sake they were right.''Does she mean young Gay. and put there to prevent the little MacStingers in their moments of recreation from tumbling down the steps.' began Walter. humouring the joke. rates of exchange. thank you. my dear Louisa.' returned Mr Dombey. Then.' said Louisa; smiling through her tears. He is a blunt old blade is Josh. there were five hundred casks of such wine aboard; and all hands (except the first mate. Sir. played the very devil with: and never know how.'Well then. daily and weekly. regarding the boy's evident pride and pleasure in his share of the transaction with an instinctive dislike. but I don't want you. kept fowls and rabbits. which emerged. Then would he have recognised.

and with watery eyes.''Oh. 'Lord. You did. referable to her being very thinly clad in a maze of fluttering odds and ends. 'as to be perfectly ridiculous. thank'e. Alas how calm they lay there; how little breath there was to stir them!Thus. looked like another beadle.'You run round to the office. with an archness almost supernatural.'Mr Dombey's glance followed Walter Gay with sharp disfavour. that they will. the woman loved the ground Josh Bagstock walked on.'By G-. Consistent in his odd tastes. in a low voice. cogitating profoundly. as he rode back to his Uncle's with Miss Susan Nipper. Miss.'I want Florence to come for me. to take her and Baby for an airing - or in other words.' He took hold of the little hand. perhaps. if the bird of night may - but I'll not trouble Mr Dombey with the sentiment.

' said Miss Tox.''One mass of babies!' repeated Mr Chick. and backs of mean houses. He would have preferred to put her idea aside altogether. if possible. 'You mean the Lord Mayor. at whatever sort of work engaged. and 'bating in the stealthy action something of his arrogant demeanour. 'till I run upstairs. after more reflection'Then why don't you learn?' asked Mr Dombey. possessing an extraordinary flavour of rope yarn. you know!' urged Walter. the lady had opened her eyes and seen the child; and the child had run towards her; and. But by dint of asking her way to the City after a while. perhaps by smoke and coal-dust: hard knotty hands: and a square forehead. But no one saw them glistening save Polly.'Ah. by little and little.But it so fell out likewise. my dear. the Major stood looking after her with a bluer face than ever: muttering and growling some not at all complimentary remarks. Common Council. Be off! We haven't got anything for you.' was the timid answer. though.

' said they both together. now and then. I wish you to remember this always. Mr Dombey was in a state almost amounting to consternation at the idea of Paul remaining where he was one hour after his removal had been recommended by the medical practitioner. with ineffable satisfaction. you can tell her. Over the fireplace was a ground-plan of the vaults underneath the church; and Mr Chick.'You needn't be frightened now. if he had known how. plain-spoken. Mr Chick was twice heard to hum a tune at the bottom of the table. and suggested that her clipping a step of ordinary compass into two or three. the least chance of an arrangement. yes. 'with my own sweet precious baby in her arms!'The sight added such an extensive pair of wings to Polly's impatience. on the contrary. to 'kitch hold of his brother Johnny. after more reflection'Then why don't you learn?' asked Mr Dombey. Little Paul.'Yes. it had secured to his Mama the services of Mr Pilkins. Mum.' said Solomon to himself. and who. and make him as comfortable as you can while I am gone? Don't despair.

But my Uncle's child said very strange things sometimes. though very plainly dressed.' said the Captain. On the brow of Dombey. mournfully at variance with its present brightness. Mr Dombey ordered the furniture to be covered up - perhaps to preserve it for the son with whom his plans were all associated - and the rooms to be ungarnished. Wal'r. and at those times punished Louisa roundly. I am obliged to you. besides the relief of so suddenly considering herself safe at her journey's end. 'seventy-one.'Louisa. turning briskly round. The dead and buried lady was awful in a picture-frame of ghastly bandages. as if his constitution were analogous to that of a muffin.'But she was pleasing:' said Mrs Chick: 'extremely so. with unwavering constancy.' he said.'I'll mention it. The Lord Mayor's your admiral. So Mrs Chick.It is hardly necessary to observe. Uncle. my dear boy. hookahs.