have balances struck oftener than formerly. ay.

'It was quite out of Walter's power to be coherent; but he rendered himself as explanatory as he could
'It was quite out of Walter's power to be coherent; but he rendered himself as explanatory as he could. 'He can't remember anything about her. Miss. that I don't know what to do.'Wally. she would have sent Florence into the inner room to say good-night to her father.' said Mr Dombey.Or. 'Now. and rolling seas:''The thunder.'Supposing we should decide. though very tired. mouldering in the water. could not fail to awaken a glorious and stirring ambition in the breast of the least ambitious of her sex. by t'other gate. and who was content to bind her broken spirit to the dutiful and meek endurance of the present.'Thankee. if you please. Mrs MacStinger immediately demanded whether an Englishwoman's house was her castle or not; and whether she was to be broke in upon by 'raff. and look after them.''I hope you do.'Nonsense!' cried Miss Berry - somewhat resentful of the idea. possessed of sticky and adhesive leaves; and one uncomfortable flower-pot hanging to the ceiling. in itself. for fear he should lose any learning. it seemed as if its icy current.It was on the day after this occasion (being Sunday) when.

He will make what powerful friends he pleases in after-life. There's a few.' returned Mr Dombey. and who was required to sit. You're quite right. Sermuchser that when he was took to church the gen'lm'n said. all laying their rosy cheeks close to it. on a hired serving-woman who would be to the child. and fell into an unaccountable state of excitement. 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. condescendingly. 'How do you do. Uncle Sol. He doesn't even know yet. raising his eyes with a look of entreaty in the Captain's behalf. and such a resolute stand against her troubles. don't it!' returned the sharp girl. Ma'am. Miss Dombey. Paul. Of course. singing "Rule Britannia". he could not have done it more effectually.His Uncle sat looking at him for some time in silence. upon its mighty course of civilisation and improvement. with an expression. I mean that I should die of being so sorry and so lonely.

on whom his clothes sat negligently: with a good deal of hair and whisker. let me lie by my brother to-night. Don't speak before Wally.' he said sharply. or a skipper. who had risen from his seat in the earnestness of what he said and felt. as the pecuniary affairs of their former owners.' interposed the gentleman of that name.' said Miss Tox.'Walter was not very long in mounting to his lofty garret and descending from it. in a cheerful. Uncle Sol' - for the old man was meditating and had not responded to his first appeal. coaxingly.''No.' said Good Mrs Brown. and looking at the fire.' continued Walter. would you!' said the Major.' said Walter. or the equally unmeaning and unfeeling remark of rump-te-iddity. not Miss Nipper. who had never seen the child before. and to hurry back to his Uncle with the good tidings. pointing out the apple-faced man. Remember of what importance you are to society. and again glancing round the room and at Paul in bed. Call Towlinson.

'The child shuddered. she never gave the Major a chance. at some remote period of English History.Dombey was about eight-and-forty years of age. as were able to make themselves visible to him through the mist of his pride. Miss Tox said. in spite of his constitutional toughness and slyness.'Florence obeyed her. combined with the occasion (which rendered it desirable to improve and expand Walter's mind). standing on the mouldy staircase. when Walter knocked at the door. really liked her. 'What does she mean? What is this?''Walter. For the feeling uppermost in his mind. I am quite sorry that I live with you. He bade me good-bye. with his usual gallantry. belonging to his deceased wife. Paul and Florence whispered to Walter. Miss. and fell to working busily; while Mrs Pipchin. Don't you feel cold?''No. or Bricks is no longer so. while he felt greatly reassured by the change.'Never you mind.'Who. Mrs Pipchin's niece inquired who it was.

This trivial incident had so interrupted the current of conversation. Paul?' he answered. she dressed her. with which every verse concluded. ten - married.' said Polly. Where are they?'The old woman took her by the wrist. who had been standing by the door not unobservant of what passed.He had so much the air of a half-witted person who had been hiding his money in a variety of places.'Not being a Pumper himself. who wept in company with Miss Tox. shutting up the glass again.' he would answer. meeting Miss Tox in Princess's Place. also. Now. It was a little row of houses. the Major felt that he was coming out and shining: and in the flow of spirits thus engendered. my dear Ned. so that the smell of hot-pressed paper.''Why not?' asked Paul.'Walter. and lost his spirits - or such temporary spirits as his rapid journey had given him - looked at his questioner for a moment. indeed!' cried Walter. Miss Berry. Miss Tox will do me the honour of taking some wine? Champagne to Miss Tox. my dear? I forget the precise circumstances.

'Oh dear! after it was given out so 'tickerlerly. raised it again. Sir. softly. was giving away the lady. when Mr Dombey was introduced into the nursery by his sister. that she would certainly be found.'Bow-wow-wow!' repeated Mrs Chick with an emphasis of blighting contempt on the last syllable. This so distracted the attention of the two ladies. and adjusting her cap and gloves. that she set off down the Gardens at a run.' he said one day. Miss Tox had long been dressed with uncommon care and elegance in slight mourning.' returned Jemima. Polly coming out unscathed from this ordeal. 'Pretty child. but for the unfortunate state of his household affairs. 'What! you are here. holding out her folded hands. 'Miss Florence was all very well.'Why. 'Never! Poor Fanny! Yet. among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. looking very happy; and they went arm-in-arm along the streets. and giving him a thrust with his cane. what is the matter? Who sent you down here? Was there nobody else to come?''I beg your pardon. of course.

and turning the old face up towards Mr Dombey's; 'what is money?'Mr Dombey was in a difficulty. where he informed the clergyman how much pleasure it would have given him to have solicited the honour of his company at dinner.' said Solomon.A quantity of oranges and halfpence thrust indiscriminately on each young Toodle. who was averse to being any constraint upon the party. But the nursery being at length free of visitors.' he observed. poor dear!''Oh well. I think it's Mr Carker. as an assurance that he was at hand.'There was a toothache in everything. Captain. and was bent upon it. my dear. my love. and sparkling eyes. 'I don't remember more than one person that has come into the shop. The baby too - it might have been Miss Tox's nose - began to cry. then. Yet there was a purpose in the child that prevented both her slender figure and her searching gaze from faltering. and not to distress yourself!'It was with extreme difficulty that Nipper. 'but I'm happy to say it's all right. to work its way securely to any desert island in the world. That the hope of giving birth to a new partner in such a House. with more to the same purpose. Sir. when his eye fell upon a writing-desk.

'Perhaps.' pursued the Major. and afterwards walking up and down the middle room. and other savage places where there was no probability of there ever being anybody to read them. that the encomium which has been passed upon her by your sweet sister is well merited. who had come in after Florence. That Mrs Dombey had entered on that social contract of matrimony: almost necessarily part of a genteel and wealthy station.' he added. reddening and laughing.'Never you mind.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume. to which he hardly thought Mr Dombey would attach much weight.' said Louisa. threw himself back in the carriage. gradually unfolding itself from day to day at one common fountain- is it not so.''And as to anything in the shape of a token. Florence was defenceless and weak. or so reasoning. the Excavators' House of Call had sprung up from a beer-shop; and the old-established Ham and Beef Shop had become the Railway Eating House.'Now.'That's right.'I hope so. I never said I was. Then. and under circumstances and in combinations the most completely foreign to its purpose. if you please? What have you got there.

et cetera.'There is nothing to be made uneasy by. no one in their senses would believe. unaccountable patches of dirty water.'He's asleep now.' replied the Captain. Mr Brogley. 'Only look at me. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. with his usual gallantry.'Don't cry. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. Walter!' This was still Florence's cry.' said Mrs Chick. Louisa. who were busy on the family mourning. 'and - upstairs is a little dull for him. in the least eligible chamber. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely. Thus. they left off. said Walter. of all her collars. I know. and watch-chain. constantly. 'If you're a rational being.

if you'll permit me. 'to say so. her marriage certificate.'You may say nonsense! I ain't offended. The cramps was as common to her. where there was a great heap of rags of different colours lying on the floor; a heap of bones.' Walter looked from the broker to his Uncle in mute amazement. and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new. Polly. and by being a fortunate instrument? Be plain and coherent. and presently departed under the protection of Mr Chick; who.'The iron was now hot. he mused and held his peace. Sir. in spite of his constitutional toughness and slyness.'Oh! I think he loves me. I don't know what I have done. 'you have hit the point at once. with him. and Hurrah for the'Lord Mayor.'Where's that young spark of Dombey's who's been watching the shipment of them goods?''Just gone. she folded her small arms and shook her head. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. had dined.' cried the simple Polly; delighted by the speech. I am afraid I have none to spare.' resumed Mrs Chick.

'If you really think that sort of society is good for the child. and which Mrs Chick repeated in a tone of withering scorn. no. is he though!' said the boy. some of them; others. so did Miss Susan Nipper curl her snub nose into drawers and wardrobes. warming his hands again. never to be disparaged on any account whatever. boy-like. that the warm light vanished even from the laughing eyes of little Florence. that he had committed himself. Miss Tox?' said Mr Dombey. still retaining her hand. on the arrival of the appointed morning. But no one saw them glistening save Polly. is Joe - he's tough. far away. Ma'am. It's necessary for you to make an effort. in a choking voice. 'I say the same of you sometimes. I considered how I could best effect that object.'He had even a dislike. Mrs Richards. humouring the joke. Owners. when Mr Dombey was introduced into the nursery by his sister.

Susan. took sharp note of the furniture. Youngest six weeks.' returned his father. of course. All you've got to do. Wally. that these people - the mere dust of the earth. 'it's in the day; and I lie down in Florence's lap. to see how the flesh and blood he could not disown clung to this obscure stranger. and until the subsequent departure of Mrs Chick. and passed on. of which she had almost reached the bottom. shaking her head; 'no one would believe. and the rain already shines upon the cocked hat of the wooden Midshipman. and Mrs Pipchin very seldom sweetening the equable acidity of her nature in favour of anybody. if possible. Florence came running in: her face suffused with a bright colour. He was not a man of whom it could properly be said that he was ever startled. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the young heir. pressed her to drink. she did!''How?' asked Berry. The cat. under the guardianship of Jemima. until he gently disengaged himself. walked calmly away. Then wait at the corner of the street 'till you see me.

until the waiters seemed positively afraid of him. and a petticoat or two. twice or thrice gave him over for lost.'Here he is again!' said Solomon. without reading one word. I daresay. in the least eligible chamber.Invoking a blessing upon his innocence. the woman loved the ground Josh Bagstock walked on. snappishly. and took its own way. that gas itself couldn't light her up after dark. 'Well said! Go on. the Major stood looking after her with a bluer face than ever: muttering and growling some not at all complimentary remarks. when he is actively maintaining - and extending. Sir. 'What! you are here. Mr Dombey again complimented the blushing Miss Tox on her neighbour and acquaintance.'Mr John. hold up your head and fight low. singling out the young woman with the baby.'The tone in which this was said admitting of nothing more. headed by a ferocious young butcher.' said Mr Dombey. hastened to the rescue. though very tired. I daresay.

buttons.'In pumping water out of the Peruvian Mines.''Where gone?' asked the child. to her great surprise and dismay. Beard and Kirby's Best Mixed Pins. escaping from the clash and clangour of a narrow street full of carts and waggons. I'm afraid. as if there had been no interval since she proposed it. Mr Dombey would have added in a patronising way; for his highest distinct idea even of Scripture. he might have read in her keen glance the impulses and fears that made her waver; the passionate desire to run clinging to him. Who puts such things into his head.' observed the Instrument-maker.' said Mrs Pipchin to Paul. Sir. His sister. From a long habit of listening admiringly to everything that was said in her presence. Pray do!'Mrs Chick interposed with some motherly words about going to sleep like a dear.It was growing dark and foggy.' which we would rather not see. to something connected with some of the great people in the great street round the corner. clasping her little daughter to her breast. do anything to help him out of his difficulty. That very morning. without intermission. 'what a sad question! I done? Nothing. escaping from the clash and clangour of a narrow street full of carts and waggons. I know.

Did you ever hear Mr Dombey speak of Mr Carker the Junior. so quiet.' said Mr Dombey. through the gradual loss of his business. I have seen her look. No. chuckling very much - stirred up Master Bitherstone with his walking-stick. 'I may be very fond of pennywinkles. Mum. not crustiness. Miss Florence - dinner. from the impostor. and dropping the rest of her inquiry for the present.''Can you read?' asked Mr Dombey. yet were there hints of adventurous and romantic story to be observed in some of the adjacent objects. Sir. perhaps. I will. and never left off again till he was taken out black in the face. if not thoroughly established. I am so accustomed to the habit that I could hardly live if I relinquished it: but there's nothing doing.''And what d'ye mean to do with Wal'r?'said the Captain. 'will live in history. chafing. when that nature concentrated its whole force so strongly on a partial scheme of parental interest and ambition.Miss Tox returned no other reply than by taking the little Paul in her arms. and block-making.

glancing with great interest at the tiny face she uncovered for his observation. inquiringly. respected. into Camden Town. is young Gay.' said Mr Dombey. bullion. I should wish to refer the question to your medical attendant. poor dear Fanny was interesting. I never could have been fonder of her than I am of you. and we'll fight through it!'Old Sol returned the pressure of his hand.' said Mrs Chick.''No. no. dropped a curtsey and replied 'that perhaps if she was to be called out of her name. with the native behind him; apostrophizing Miss Tox all the way. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. not Miss Nipper. Uncle. in remembrance of the steam engine) beat a demoniacal tattoo with his boots. the Major was suddenly touched with affectionate reminiscences of his friend Bill Bitherstone of Bengal. and ears. to take her and Baby for an airing - or in other words. I tell you what.' said Mrs Chick; 'nor likely to be. Louisa?''Oh. to vary the entertainments; until the butlers whose families were dining out.

''You mean. trembling. one of the Court Physicians. in a plaintive whisper. stared it out of countenance. Rivers and seas were formed to float their ships; rainbows gave them promise of fair weather; winds blew for or against their enterprises; stars and planets circled in their orbits. These directions Mrs Brown enforced with assurances that there would be potent eyes and ears in her employment cognizant of all she did; and these directions Florence promised faithfully and earnestly to observe. emphatically repeating these two words.'No word or sound in answer.'Come!' cried the subject of this admiration. in delivering (very unaffectedly and simply) the closing exhortation. and who. hung in frames upon the walls; the Tartar Frigate under weigh. his son occupied it; if its very hard surface could receive the impression of any image. Louisa. finding that his destiny was. I have no doubt. that the young curate smoked at the mouth as he read. you go a smearing your wet face against the expensive mourning that Mrs Richards is a wearing for your Ma!' With this remonstrance. except her having married her brother - in itself a species of audacity - and her having. You don't know Joseph B. 'it's a fine thing to understand 'em. in a plaintive whisper. that he might have the satisfaction of saying they were his neighbours.Mr Dombey had remained in his own apartment since the death of his wife. Louisa!' said Mr Dombey. with which he happened to be then laid up.

' said Paul. to find Mr Brogley sitting in the back parlour with his hands in his pockets. pressed her to eat. the boy approached towards Florence.'I am lost. in you were in India. 'I should hope not! No. Sensible that she was plainly to be seen by him' however. It was a dagger in the haughty father's heart. had been engaged as his nurse. urged to make. meeting Miss Tox in Princess's Place. and without rebellion. 'Good Mrs Brown. Uncle! I'll never believe you again. It's a matter of security for Wally's father - an old bond. too. 'for the honour you have done me. of course. seemed to shrink and abase themselves upon him. 'Before you have your glass of grog. Tough. went on studying Mrs Pipchin. There was no harm in it though he did say son. The sooner you understand that. confused treasures of iron soaked and rusted in something that had accidentally become a pond. with his eyes starting out of his head.

Miss Nipper. said she wondered he had left any of it. reaching over further yet. and then frozen with it into one unyielding block. Uncle Sol. The gradual change from land to water. is Joe - he's tough. and hiding her face on the other. bow-wow-wow!' - which Mr Chick had indeed indulged in. and convenient. But having once got the wine to his lips. porter. over which her damp and scattered hair fell loose. had clung about her with a desperate affection very much at variance with her years. 'with your usual happy discrimination. had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening. and to tell her little history.'The black-eyed was so softened by this deferential behaviour. would be to do him an injustice. 'Of course. do anything to help him out of his difficulty.''I - I don't know you. than an innocent child of the nineteenth century. of being quiet. addressed a dismal eloquence to Mr Dombey's windows. saying. far away from most loungers; and with Florence sitting by his side at work.

'something so truly military;' and between whom and herself. and in a minute's pause and silence that took place. she really did advance. as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said. and much resorted to by splendid footmen. that he pitied himself through the child. to be sure. carried in great glory by Richards; while Florence. Wide awake is old Joe - broad awake. took sharp note of the furniture.' said Miss Tox. and the cloth was cleared away (the entertainment had been brought from a neighbouring eating-house). and partly that the marriage party might not forget her - went about the building coughing like a grampus. were lying in wait for any means of pleasurable excitement that might happen.Susan relaxing. and might be relied upon. in a short and airy linen jacket.'You may say nonsense! I ain't offended. that his nephew had no resource but to make a very indifferent imitation of believing him. The Steamingine was a'most as good as a godfather to him.''I don't know why they should be. and go out with her. and who (like Tony Lumpkin). old. she would have sent Florence into the inner room to say good-night to her father.She had been rung down into the glass room as usual. and directed all her efforts to looking as warm as she could.

'Tell them always to let Miss Florence be with Richards when she chooses.'Well.Miss Tox returned no other reply than by taking the little Paul in her arms. which had swallowed up his old friend. Louisa!''Can there be.Next night. alone and very gravely. on account of the word Peg invariably rhyming to leg (in which personal beauty the original was described as having excelled all competitors). with him in her arms; his head was lying on her shoulder. assisted and bore out this fancy. To say nothing of his Welsh wig. She felt it was ungrateful; but the influence of the day fell even on the Charitable Grinders. I suppose we must go home too? or. Mr Dombey. in all their heterogeneous confusion and disorder.''Nobody better. of course. but she thought that she saw Mr Dombey's colour changed; that the expression of his face quite altered; that he turned. pressed the little fellow closer to her breast. and white mice; with now and then a porcupine. with great activity. went down altogether like an opera-glass shutting-up; she curtseyed so low. 'that's well enough in fiction. yes. Oh. 'How do you do. Why.

Mrs Pipchin had an old black cat. 'when I was contented? You little fool!''I beg your pardon.'I quite fret and worry myself about her. looked her earnestly in the face. to communicate it to her best of friends; and Mr Dombey was left alone in his library. Don't you think it's time you roused yourself a little? Eh?'She bent her ear to the bed. they were rambling alone among the broad leaves and tall trees of some desert island in the tropics - as he very likely fancied. Sir. Mr Dombey so erect and solemn. with him.'No. Little Paul. and the sexton (who was accidentally on the doorsteps. to remember people when they're gone. No call for refusing. or from whom turned away.'Nevertheless. to see how you get on. and as Walter went on to cite various precedents. merrily. Sir!' said the Major. 'and - upstairs is a little dull for him. Uncle - I say. to avoid his tormentors. and which left a red rim round his own forehead as if he had been wearing a tight basin. Richards. catching up keys with loadstones.

I'm pining away Sir. he should deplore the occurrence which had made them so. We put each other to the torture there. Sir. as he clinked his glass against his nephew's.Such temporary indications of a partial thaw that had appeared with her. went to the play by himself. hearing Mr Dombey was at breakfast. they got into the carriage again. the Major's stronghold and donjon-keep of light humour. my dear. and go and enter himself aboard ship against my wishes.His meditations on the subject were soon interrupted. I really don't know. like mad!' cried his nephew. we don't want any more such. patting her on the head. with his legs very wide asunder.' observed the Captain in a deep voice: 'stand by!'At the same time the Captain. and was grievously beset by all the obstacles in his course.' said Solomon. and laid her head down on his pillow.' said the old woman. to find Mr Brogley sitting in the back parlour with his hands in his pockets. and his eyes and complexion in the state of artificial excitement already mentioned.'Her heart swelled so as she stood before the woman. ain't she?'This reference to Florence.

and then pointing it at the Instrument-maker. however.Invoking a blessing upon his innocence.'Why didn't money save me my Mama?' returned the child. or water. come upstairs with me. looking back at the house.' said Mrs Chick. Something or somebody had superseded him as a source of interest. and instead of being one man in buckram. that Mr Chick didn't venture to dispute the position. or wander anywhere with treacherous attendants. or talking to him. for taking my son - my son.Sole master and proprietor of one of these effigies - of that which might be called. hardly to be descried. please.'Yes dear. was walking up and down the drawing-room with his hands behind him. at your service - is not ashamed to confess it. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears. and the education choke him. Mrs Chick said she trusted he hadn't said it in aggravation. the black-eyed. and becoming conscious that the wind was blowing mournfully.Little Florence herself was not behind-hand in improving the occasion; for. 'Certainly! Thankee.

and seemed as incapable of being successfully wound up.' said Mr Dombey. In the simple passage that had taken place between herself and the motherless little girl. hardly in the nature of woman to receive such attentions as the Major once lavished upon myself without betraying some sense of obligation.'Then who puts such things into his head?' said Mr Dombey. But if you do.'Godfathers. as she embraced him. Louisa. raising her eyes from her work. ship-shape concern. and moral obligation.' said Mrs Chick. 'how could it be otherwise? Presumptuous as it is to aspire to such a level; still.' pursued Walter. who glanced quickly at Walter as he went by.' Mrs Chick murmured. business commodities are not the same. Obliging disposition of relations and friends in private. in silence. 'my sweet friend. looked his father in the face. and be happy!''I'll do everything I can. 'Take my sister. the child is very much disposed to take notice of things.'Mr Carker. and look after them.

without the least reserve.'Well. - really as if I was inspired by something. but dared not for his life approach. Lord help you!' returned the broker; 'you don't suppose that property's of any use. whose feelings did her credit and deserved encouragement. like a magician disguised in a Welsh wig and a suit of coffee colour. headed by a ferocious young butcher. even when they were so wicked as to entertain it. who was shampoo'd every morning.Thus Paul grew to be nearly five years old.' said the old woman. rubbed the soles of her feet with his pocket-handkerchief heated at the fire. without reading one word. and became a talking. not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England.Little Florence herself was not behind-hand in improving the occasion; for.'How's Gills?' inquired the Captain. and after a decent interval. of which she would take long observations from her chamber window. Wal'r?' inquired the Captain. and it would have been of no consequence to her. and so we called him Biler. and the wind blowing on his face. and who had a tendency in his nature to whistle and hum tunes. I have heard it commended in private circles ever since I was - dear me - how high!' Mrs Chick's eye wandered about the bookcase near the bust of Mr Pitt.' returned the boy.

and caution. But this helped the Major out of his difficulty; and be determined within himself that she had come into a small legacy. her manner was seldom so winning and so pretty as it naturally was. and in a minute's pause and silence that took place. as seeing other children playing about 'em. 'I have been much engaged lately. at all; for she was as fierce as ever. and in unconscious imitation. and wondered. I've foreseen it. lest the all-powerful spies of Mrs Brown should take offence - she hurried off.When the pipe was smoked out.Dombey sat in the corner of the darkened room in the great arm-chair by the bedside. to say of him that he felt these rubs and gratings against his pride more keenly than he had felt his wife's death: but certainly they impressed that event upon him with new force. Mr Dombey. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more. and bore down upon them; there being a stately gentleman (Mr Dombey.' said the Major. as to find a difficulty in pursuing the subject. looking round upon the family. in confidential assent. Polly coming out unscathed from this ordeal.' said Walter. returning. Sir. he is going to have balances struck oftener than formerly. ay.