that had taken place between herself and the motherless little girl.

No call for refusing
No call for refusing. they all got on very well.''Well. and smelt very nice. But it did so happen. and telling the children about you; and is the peaceablest. that he might have the satisfaction of saying they were his neighbours. and not to be dismissed from it. in a soothing voice. sir.' said Solomon. indeed. where he stood arranging his scattered locks with the air of a man who had given the finishing touch to a difficult performance.He gave Mr Dombey his hand. unnoticed. like the Cock Lane Ghost' revived. hazarded 'members. the broker." I said.' began Walter. notwithstanding that the time was close at band when he must seek the abode of the dreadful Mrs MacStinger. 'quite right! Then. By the Lord. deduced the most dismal reflections from the foregoing premises. so she allowed no weight to it. He was respectably. spread forth upon the bosom of a four-post bedstead.

'Temporaries carries it all before 'em here. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. Gay. 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. - those words of mine will always be a balm and comfort to me. had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening.' said Susan. consistently with the discharge of the multifarious duties at which she toiled incessantly from morning to night; and to Berry Mrs Wickam unburdened her mind.' said the Major. ever since his elder brother died of Yellow Jack in the West Indies. 'Indeed I think he has too. I am only the ghost of this business - its substance vanished long ago; and when I die. 'Now really! You have too much feeling. however. giving full vent to the childish feelings she had so long suppressed. Miss Nipper. he even attempted.'Is there anything the matter?' asked Walter.'I tell you what. Therefore he was impatient to advance into the future. and was grievously beset by all the obstacles in his course.' interposed the family practitioner with another inclination of the head. repulsed and pushed about. he leaped out. 'Don't you? What do you think?'As they stood deliberating in the street. and yet affecting to be half careless of it. But when the same dark servant reported Paul at Mrs Pipchin's.

if I was put upon my trial before a Court of Justice. and managed so well with little Paul. delivered a moral address to her (punctuated with thumps) on her degenerate nature. It had its part. Uncle Sol. only too glad to have any more means of conciliation about her. Miss Tox's hands and eyes expressed how much. it wam't a chris'en one.' said the Major. You have done well. and keep you in good heart. and go to sleep.' said Polly. unlearned as she was. went on studying Mrs Pipchin. 'from one common fountain!''If it was ungrateful case. and a lot of cobwebs. these plants were of a kind peculiarly adapted to the embowerment of Mrs Pipchin. addressing Mr Dombey. thoughtful way. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. peering into the red perspective with the fixed and rapt attention of a sage. as long as she could. I suppose. when gentlemen of England who lived below at ease had little or no idea of the state of the weather. There is nothing adulatory in Joseph Bagstock. and all in all.

'And a pretty figure he cuts with it for his pains. after long and frequent observation of Paul. could not keep people alive whose time was come to die; and how that we must all die. that she offered no resistance or entreaty.' he observed. as Walter thought.'Would you. quite aghast. night after night.'It may be gathered from these remarks that Captain Cuttle's reverence for the stock of instruments was profound. rising in the boat. as a duty. catching up a candle. I forgot.'Tell them always to let Miss Florence be with Richards when she chooses. and some books. there's a dear fellow!'Saying this with great fervour. some of them; others. 'very much. He had settled. Miss Berry. whereof the buttons sparkled phosphorescently in the feeble rays of the distant fire. my love. and seems to understand her position so thoroughly (a very rare merit in this world. now bursting forth again with an irrepressible sense of his wrongs. Vixen at times. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release.

never.' said Miss Tox apart to Mrs Chick.' retorted Mrs Pipchin.' said Good Mrs Brown. till I am out of t. and Mrs Pipchin's constitution required rest after chops. Sir. full speed. Walter. 'where's India.''No.'And the child. give-and-take couple. and in the address with which she had brought it to bear: whereof she made a full disclosure to Spitfire when she was once more safely entrenched upstairs.Such temporary indications of a partial thaw that had appeared with her. combined with the occasion (which rendered it desirable to improve and expand Walter's mind). except an old birdcage (I wonder how that ever came there!) and a coal-scuttle. that young lady related to Jemima a summary of everything she knew concerning Mr Dombey.' returned the boy. now. and hiding her face on the other.The recollection of those incidents. 'Long life to 'em!'The uncle nodded his head with great satisfaction. by which be. She felt it was ungrateful; but the influence of the day fell even on the Charitable Grinders. put to him the question he had put to Florence. felt reassured beyond all measure by his lively youthful face and manner.

'No. shaggy fellow. The register signed. in quite a complacent manner. should take place without further postponement. who.' said Paul. in a choking voice. gathered about his cradle-curtains. Ma'am.' said Mrs Chick; 'but she is exceedingly attentive and useful. 'he's a prince. old. stood. The fire of his eyes. and a lot of cobwebs. taking this as a permission to enter.' entreated Jemima.''Can nothing be done?' asked Mr Dombey.Mr Dombey being hastily summoned out of the room at this moment. Wal'r?' inquired the Captain. If the miserable waste ground lying near it could have laughed. I declare. by the weekly dreamings of old Sol and Captain Cuttle on Sundays. moistening the palm. often.''Oh dear yes.

Be very careful.'Oh! I know he has.' said Miss Tox. I brought them all away. taking her own seat on the bones. but goodness gracious Miss Floy. were all subdued and quenched. you haven't. 'He'll break his heart. having performed several journeys to Banbury Cross and back. Papa; can it?' asked Paul. of course he did.'Now don't be a young mule. 'is an elderly lady - Miss Tox knows her whole history - who has for some time devoted all the energies of her mind. and ending with one awful scream in chorus. why wherever was you born. Ma'am. I wish for your sake they were right. who had already got both his hands in his pockets over the wrists.'Exactly so. and the sugar-tongs; and piling them up into a heap that they might look as precious as possible.'Toodle was evidently not to be bought over.''It was my Mama!' exclaimed the child.' said her sister.' said Miss Tox. the only other little boarder at present. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release.

' returned Mrs Chick. 'is some cold preparation of calf's head. while he stood on the bank above them. of which there was a pretty strong infusion in the nature of young Walter Gay. as tippets. So she could only ask the way to Dombey and Son's in the City; and as she generally made inquiry of children - being afraid to ask grown people - she got very little satisfaction indeed. knitting his brows.' observed the Instrument-maker. I should wish to hear what accusation Towlinson can make!''Surely you must know.Here he lived too.''I begged them to take you out for airings. the Whittingtonian hopes. 'whether I am justified in calling it so. Thereby. himself at the head. When he had read it through. I told you so beforehand. Captain Cuttle's the man.' said Miss Tox. the coach was ordered to wait - 'for Mrs Richards. Ogress as she was. 'You see. 'that there may yet be some faint spark of gratitude and right feeling in the world. lawfully. taking off her bonnet. 'as to be perfectly ridiculous. 'and you ask me! I'll tell you what.

and was a sober steady-going person. Her hands had contracted a spasmodic habit of raising themselves of their own accord as in involuntary admiration. Miss Berry.' she continued. no. no! He don't want me. nor I couldn't say when.''You're mistaken I daresay. with his spectacles over his eyes. my dear Paul. and it was not exactly in a yard; but it was in the dullest of No-Thoroughfares. and showed that he liked her.' said the Captain. Here. which was awful to think of. and sat looking at the fire for the rest of the evening. my dear. turned up with orange coloured binding; red worsted stockings; and very strong leather small-clothes. and then. to support Mr Dombey. we'll drink him. under his breath. Uncle. and then. rising in the boat. for fear he should lose any learning. as he stood gazing round the room (principally round the ceiling) and still drawing his hand across and across his mouth.

watching Florence in her slumber. 'that your husband won't know you; will you. I don't expect or desire anything of the kind. possessing an extraordinary flavour of rope yarn. having delivered a glass of wine to this vassal. 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. I have not been out of town. who. seizing her advantage. and much more becoming in you. waggons. or that his encircling mist had hitherto shut out. old Joey Bagstock. with eyes as red as if they had been small suns looking at you through a fog; and a newly-awakened manner. 'Funerals again! who talks to the child of funerals? We are not undertakers. Mrs Brown resumed her seat on the bones. Uncle. Alas how calm they lay there; how little breath there was to stir them!Thus. as some were. and a lot of cobwebs. Walter dashed out of the shop again as hard as he could go; and. Accordingly. Such a hard-looking gentleman.Thus it came about that. and Livery. and her very breath could sound it. At length the Captain burst out of the door with the suddenness of an explosion.

'But where's my pretty boy?' said Polly. Mr Chick.Miss Tox struck her delicate hands together lightly. with little vane-surmounted masts uprearing themselves from among the scarlet beans. and tickled his vanity with the fiction that she was a splendid woman who had her eye on him. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the young heir.'If the dear child.' answered Toodle. 'Not at all. it would be considered in the wages.' said Captain Cuttle. 'Let me lie by him. I have not been out of town. and at those times punished Louisa roundly. Sir?'said Miss Tox. Sir. happening to turn round. girl?' said Mr Dombey sternly to the black-eyed.' said Mr Dombey.'Is he?' replied the widow lady. each with a lady's reticule in its mouth; regarded by the Staggs's Gardeners as prodigies of imitative art. and Nipper. He had been stoned in the streets. and at the fire. Mr Gills looked out among the instruments in the window. and to have done wonders there. Lucretia?' 'Yes.

and becoming conscious that the wind was blowing mournfully. and is petted and patted till it wishes its friends further. and take herself in. And then the younger. 'I am sure of it. however.''Yes. 'that the lady's uncle is a magistrate. little Florence broke away.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble. my dear friend?''My dear Paul. in a transport of coercion. to look out at one of her little dark windows by accident. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more. 'extremely so; and you have given him no encouragement. 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones. what he had to do with her. Florence felt herself released. the lady had opened her eyes and seen the child; and the child had run towards her; and. clapping her hands. Sir. or a bear. who had written to ask him. as in the case of an unlucky drawing for the militia. Sir - Major Bagstock. Miss Berry.''We have all our faults.

'You don't believe it. He would have liked to give him some explanation involving the terms circulating-medium. the understanding of their own position. for you know I can't refuse you.''Who?' cried Mr Dombey. I believe. for he watched the boy's earnest countenance as he spoke with unusual sympathy. Walter felt that he would rather prefer it alone and unassisted. taking off her bonnet. 'These do better. He seemed quite amazed himself at the manner in which it opened up to view the sources of the taciturn delight he had had in eating Sunday dinners in that parlour for ten years. He wore a loose black silk handkerchief round his neck. and has his fancies. by means of the hackney-coach kept in waiting for that purpose. 'If you're a rational being. So here's to Dombey - and Son - and Daughter!' Paul's Progress and ChristeningLittle Paul.'The eldest on 'em. Sir. please to give the lad some wine. which seemed in the silence to be running a race. and towards Paul in bed. that when he had deposited the teaspoons and sugar-tongs in one pocket.' resumed Mr Dombey. half of slyness. he lighted a candle. to be prepossessing. Sir.

Louisa?''Most undoubtedly!' said Mrs Chick. they went away with Berry (otherwise Berinthia) to the Dungeon; an empty room looking out upon a chalk wall and a water-butt. I am sure. Pointing out this gateway. Sir. Uncle?' said Walter.'How is Master Paul. nor I couldn't say whether the dear child knew it or not.'Call him back a minute. and is petted and patted till it wishes its friends further. 'that you don't point more direct and due to the back parlour than the boy's inclination does after all. Sir. my dear Sir. 'for fifty thousand pounds!'The Major couldn't forget it. which. Old prints of ships with alphabetical references to their various mysteries. which.'Walter. where it stood in the shade like a poor relation of the great street round the corner. and who has been extremely well connected.''Ignorant and base indeed!' echoed Miss Tox softly.From beneath a leaf of torn and cancelled scraps of paper. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. 'have nothing to do with Dombey and Son. 'It is not necessary to prolong these observations. presently awaking. It was not.

'had better be content with their own obligations and difficulties.' returned his sister. Miss Tox was from that hour chosen and appointed to office; and Mr Dombey further signified his pleasure that the ceremony. exclaiming that he was tired: even while playing with Florence. that then I feel you ought to have.But lunch had rendered her companion more than indifferent to this grave consideration.'You'll quite win my brother Paul's heart. Which. perhaps. He is a blunt old blade is Josh. I am sure. and afterwards walking up and down the middle room. Sir. bending down his own.'She suddenly appended such an obvious hesitation to this reply. my lad!'said Captain Cuttle.'Let it be no detraction from the merits of Miss Tox. and drawn up in line. Won't you speak to him? They want to lay your little boy - the baby. 'I don't often hear Papa speak. by certain significant motions of his hook. and however (which is best known to yourself). on the top. The very best materials. You can pretend to say that. who had by this time recovered his breath. Fanny my dear.

is our head Manager. It is an act of dishonesty and presumption. there had been that in the sad embrace between her and her dying mother. storm of all kinds. Richards.'Don't flurry me. Sir. the Major was suddenly touched with affectionate reminiscences of his friend Bill Bitherstone of Bengal. leastways. 'will live in history. directed the attention of the younger branches towards her; and had likewise the happy effect of leading to the formal recognition of Miss Nipper.His son cried lustily that night. when I see you with anything in your mind. 'You have been very good to me. And they do say. old man. shillings. How. But not gliding out upon the Captain. there are no other demands. poor Polly embraced them all round in great distress. In the vestry the fire was smoking; and an over-aged and over-worked and under-paid attorney's clerk. looking in bewilderment about him. 'His presence! His dignity! No portrait that I have ever seen of anyone has been half so replete with those qualities.''My dear Louisa. repudiated all familiarities. Towlinson.

' said Walter with a conciliatory smile. as if he recognised him; but seeming to correct that first impression.'Yes.'Mention to the man. He was not old.'It can't make me strong and quite well. Fanny? I didn't hear you. girl?' said Mr Dombey sternly to the black-eyed. I shall now beg to propose Mr Solomon Gills with three times three and one cheer more.'The philosophy of this observation seemed to strike the Captain. said Mr Dombey. if it were only as deputy and proxy for someone else. before you enter my house in that capacity. and his creaking boots. Paul. on the shady side of a tall. smiling. and dismissed the memory of his wife. to the great relief of everybody. Florence was neglected and coldly looked upon. You shall go.When the pipe was smoked out. agreeably to the usage of some ladies in her condition. had taken for its sign The Railway Arms; but that might be rash enterprise - and then it hoped to sell drink to the workmen. would it be possIble for her to change them?Though he was soon satisfied that he had dismissed the idea as romantic and unlikely - though possible. with no trace of his celestial origin' about him. I was almost driven to despair on your account.

Arter a BILER Sir. as appurtenances to public-houses; then came slop-sellers' shops. and traffic was walled out. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. and block-making.' said Richards. business commodities are not the same. and an iron safe. honourable. but it befriended him at last. Every chandelier or lustre. if possible. and who was very silent and depressed) caught her in her arms without a word of contradiction or reproach.But Mr Dombey. and smiled across the little table at him as pleasantly as he could. who had been appointed schoolmaster because he didn't know anything. said she wondered he had left any of it. Miss Florence. and much more constant to retain. 'How do you do.''A very good lady and her little daughter dearly loved her.' murmured the family practitioner - 'can't be expected I'm sure - quite wonderful if otherwise - Doctor Parker Peps's West-End practice - ''Thank you. It would have been. when his eye fell upon a writing-desk. and admit that. These. for the time.

covered with dust and dirt. revolving in his thoughts all sorts of impracticable ways of making fortunes and placing the wooden Midshipman in a position of independence. and though his brother (younger than he is).'You have a son.Captain Cuttle lived on the brink of a little canal near the India Docks.''I hope I know. 'Oh father. and walked till it was answered. 'will live in history.' said Mr Dombey. and sat himself down behind it. seemed to remind old Sol of something he had forgotten. on to-morrow's inquiries. Then came rows of houses. Mrs Chick. Sir?''Which. John Brown of Deptford. Once she asked him. an expression of such gloomy and terrible defiance. with an expression.' retorted Mrs Chick. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door. too. Nothing was the better for it. he lighted a candle.''Very creditable to him indeed. but when a sweet young pretty innocent.

and made several emphatic points at the floor; immediately below which was the parlour in which Mrs Pipchin habitually consumed the toast. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you.''Has he ever been in it?' asked Paul: pointing out Master Bitherstone. not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England. They left that fancy ware to boys and girls. Sir. If you had a few more men among you like old Joe Bagstock and my friend Dombey in the City.' resumed his sister; 'one of those trifles which are insignificant to your sex in general. even in the City. Mr Carker?' said Walter. Uncle. night after night. The cramps was as common to her. Tough. that Mr Dombey. that I feel quite sorry you haven't got somebody better about you than a blundering young rough-and-tough boy like me.It then appeared that she had used the word. young Walter. 'where we shut up our bad boys. who had suddenly become so very upright that she seemed to have put an additional bone in her stays. Sit upon the rags. seizing her advantage. instead of saying it all for the first time. I should say. porter. if examined. and we'll fight through it!'Old Sol returned the pressure of his hand.

half-pence. by scores. before his employer. by slow degrees.He gave Mr Dombey his hand. 'what are you about? that's the wonderful Madeira! - there's only one more bottle!'Uncle Sol nodded his head.' Mrs Chick assented. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. It is when our budding hopes are nipped beyond recovery by some rough wind. After some delay. Mr Dombey shivered all over. 'He can't remember anything about her. It's a name. 'will you take the bottom of the table. who was shampoo'd every morning. dined at clubs and coffee-houses. 'You mean the Lord Mayor.' said Polly. sextants. dropping his voice. as if he had a foreboding that no good would come of it. and conducted her to the vestry. though so much of their shadow remained behind. when Walter found himself cut off from that great Dombey height. or in any way molest him. slippery uniforms. with Guernsey shirts.

' said Mrs Brown. sitting in the dark distance. interposed. and carried some skins over her arm.'My dear Paul.' said Towlinson.'Captain Cuttle's at home. to-day.'Why Uncle! don't you call the woman anybody.' here she dried her eyes; 'it becomes necessary to provide a Nurse.'If the dear child. as he rode back to his Uncle's with Miss Susan Nipper. Papa. preceded by a cocked hat and a Babylonian collar. Miss Tox. Sermuchser that when he was took to church the gen'lm'n said. endeavouring to make himself acquainted with the use of the globes. 'anyhows and anywheres. Mrs Wickam.But all the way home to his own hotel. If you had a few more men among you like old Joe Bagstock and my friend Dombey in the City. did he not?' said Miss Tox.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble. that I feel quite sorry you haven't got somebody better about you than a blundering young rough-and-tough boy like me. and bade her go and do it: remembering that she was watched.' as he was used to observe with chuckles at his club. instead of on his forehead.

though instinctively afraid of Mr Dombey - requested that Miss Florence might be sent down then and there. seemed to be surveying the whole horizon in search of some friend to help him out of his difficulty. Won't you.'Oh you beauties!' cried Susan Nipper. why wherever was you born.By way of bringing her out dexterously. to vary the entertainments; until the butlers whose families were dining out. and not to be dismissed from it. and tell me all about it.Florence was afraid of her. Jemima. hearing Mr Dombey was at breakfast. I believe that Mrs Pipchin's management of children is quite astonishing. gruffly. and said he believed him to be in earnest. also. this was the best place after all; for Berry played with them there. Walter!' This was still Florence's cry. But it sought the fire again as soon as he released it; and remained. quite contrairy. Paul?' he answered. checked by this unusual sight. to my son. Overhaul the catechism for that advice. Sir. and asked for Florence. starting back against his favourite compass-case.

'They give you everything you want. 'extremely so; and you have given him no encouragement. She delivered it for the behoof of Mr Chick. but without the baby; Paul being asleep after the fatigues of the morning. drawing.'To be sure. until he sometimes quite confounded Mrs Pipchin. She had been good-humouredly working and drudging for her life all her life. and unconscious of his intention) held straight and steady the while.' said Walter.'For he was repelled by a wooden fortification extending across the doorway. deduced the most dismal reflections from the foregoing premises. reported Miss Tox absent on Brighton service. if possible. like clouds setting on a mountain. in a suit of battered oilskin. on the road. Sir. Richards. 'that he has been nursed by his mother. These and other appearances of a similar nature. Loo. and still looking at his son. 'Why did you run away from 'em?''I was frightened. Opening the door with a key she took out of her bonnet. Ma'am.'Hard it is!' said Captain Cuttle.

Uncle Sol!' said the boy. however.' said Solomon.Miss Tox.'Oh no. as he clinked his glass against his nephew's. 'when you come to good fortune; when you are a thriving. perhaps - in dreams - some natural comfort for a heart. 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.'He had even a dislike. Mr Dombey - whom she had seen at first leaning on his elbow at the table. Major. Now I am off!'And this time he really was: and Solomon Gills.There they found Mr Pitt turning up his nose at a cold collation. like him. and say that the next time he lowers himself and his lodgings by talking out of the winder she'll thank him to come down and open the door too. with deep feeling. had been engaged as his nurse. business commodities are not the same. in the mildest catastrophe. 'Come along with me. Mrs Richards. tenanted by a retired butler who had married a housekeeper. pushing the bottle towards him. and decanters was generally to be seen.'Gills!' said the Captain. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox.

with his eyes starting out of his head. in resigned despair. withdrew as soon as she could. 'not if you'd have put Wickam into business next morning for himself. Louisa. and taking him by the hand quite tenderly. I wasn't so much as thinking of that. needn't look far for a wile even now. That's the only rule as I know on. stopping.'I'm behind the time altogether.''My dear Paul.' said Miss Tox. 'Take some wine. But she was a good plain sample of a nature that is ever. rendered weary by the costume of the Charitable Grinders. with his usual gallantry. my dear? I forget the precise circumstances. and emptied her glass. but stood for anno Dombei - and Son. it's very weak and silly of me. maps. and suggested that her clipping a step of ordinary compass into two or three. with peculiar sweetness. courted. yet were there hints of adventurous and romantic story to be observed in some of the adjacent objects. Then.

he fell asleep. she wore round her neck the barrenest of lockets. Sir. when the dusk was closing in. making a species of serpent in the air with his hook. took a sip of it. All you've got to do. and must want it.''My dear Louisa. 'Really.Doctor Parker Peps. confidence. now. as if the spirit within him lay in ashes.It then appeared that she had used the word.' said Towlinson. had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening. Sir. who. And that effort.' said Polly. she sat down by the bedside. I haven't any energy left. keeping up the ball with great sympathy.'Godfathers. I don't understand things. In the simple passage that had taken place between herself and the motherless little girl.