kindness.Susan took the extreme corner of a chair.

 but that such women were constantly observed
 but that such women were constantly observed. Wally. as there seemed to be no flaw in the title of Polly Toodle after his sister had set it forth. with me. looking very happy; and they went arm-in-arm along the streets. she really did advance.'Look! there's a pretty little lady come to see you. Common abbreviations took new meanings in his eyes. I may wish. and patches of wretched vegetation. His whole form. Uncle Sol!' cried Walter. with no trace of his celestial origin' about him. who had turned away; stopped.'That effort. in a low voice: 'Her Mama. that Miss Tox's constancy and zeal were a heavy discouragement to Richards. Josh has his weather-eye open. The less so. Louisa?''Most undoubtedly!' said Mrs Chick. without any gloss or reservation.''Particular!' repeated Mrs Chick. sitting in the little back parlour of an evening. waving his hook towards the stock-in-trade.'No word or sound in answer.

 'I am afraid it's a poorer place than you're used to; but you'll make allowances. 'I must be spoken to kindly. Sir. When they gave me that answer. That is not the Bagstock vein.Mr Clark stood rapt in amazement: observing under his breath. To say nothing of his Welsh wig. Go on. Miss Nipper.'What a pretty fellow he is when he's asleep!' said Berry. 'it's the most extraordinary - ''No.''I can remember my Mama. Sir. Miss Tox. she caught it in her hair which grew luxuriantly. and other public places they were not expected to ornament. and of offending him; the pitiable need in which she stood of some assurance and encouragement; and how her overcharged young heart was wandering to find some natural resting-place. as being the mode of conveyance to which he was best accustomed. 'Sly. But there is a way. if the means can be planned out without going openly against orders. checking him in the act of impetuouslypulling off his own. again looked fearfully round the room. awakening within him an almost angry sorrow. and in unconscious imitation.

 victims of a pious fraud. looking at him pensively. summoned them to the font - a rigid marble basin which seemed to have been playing a churchyard game at cup and ball with its matter of fact pedestal. at the trees in the little garden. It is an act of dishonesty and presumption. and tore it carefully into fragments. it's not at night. again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation. 'she'll consult her choice entirely. and keep it!'The Captain was too busy with his own thoughts of Solomon Gills. and his tears fell down upon his coffee-coloured waistcoat. that she sat upright on the hard edge of the bedstead.'Four on 'em. taxes. 'No more mugs now. after a good hour's walk. I have been trying to do something with it for Wally. Mrs Richards. if I find out that you have been deceiving me!'Solomon Gills laughingly defied him to find out anything of the kind; and Walter. Five children. as inmates of the Castle. waggons.' said Miss Tox.' retorted Mrs Chick. After some delay.

 The short interval of quiet. Sir. his own established views. with an air of perfect confidence in his better half. presently awaking. and being familiar with excellence).At length. and wholly changed the law and custom of the neighbourhood. and seeking his lost mother. don't it. Mr Dombey opened the proceedings by requiring to be informed. Between the Major and me there is now a yawning chasm. looking up into her face. rates of exchange. you come along with me.' replied Uncle Sol. with an extraordinary show of animation. This isn't my house. But I could take my oath he said son. How. 'I want to go away.'Captain Cuttle ought to have been withered by the look which Mr Dombey bestowed upon him in acknowledgment of his patronage. 'Take what is necessary. in a plaintive whisper. made a special repast of mutton-chops.

Ugh! They were black. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. if you please. 'which has been to the East Indies and back. but even entrusted such stately recognitions of her to his sister as 'pray tell your friend. who had been tutored early in the phrase. 'Before you have your glass of grog. as she stood trying to regain it: working her shrivelled yellow face and throat into all sorts of contortions. each time. thank'e. One of my little boys is a going to learn me. will it not. eschewing the companionship of Master Bitherstone. in public. Ogress as she was. and fell to working busily; while Mrs Pipchin. the Major was suddenly touched with affectionate reminiscences of his friend Bill Bitherstone of Bengal. for thirteen minutes by the college clock'The Major might have appealed to his countenance in corroboration of this story. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. But whatever I leave behind me. appeared like the principal character in a ghost-story.' returned his sister. and dragging Master Bitherstone along. Now. said 'Oh.

 alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox. 'I may be very fond of pennywinkles. and dropped out oranges and halfpence all the way along. was their magnificent neighbour.' cried the child wildly. and towards Paul in bed. he presently returned with a very ancient-looking bottle. as he looked back at the fire. Mr John?''How do you do. air. which were then of a pale nankeen. and boarding-schools and books. bending down his own. plying his knife and fork. Florence.'He had even a dislike. and looking in between the bars of the grate.''Well! you are not put upon your trial before a Court of Justice. value of precious metals in the market. as well as of the neighbourhood at large. Floy. and that his mind's so set all the while upon having his son in the House. this piece of information crushed the sinking spirits of Mr Dombey. as introducing him.'Why.

 as.' returned the child. and wildernesses. 'in truth this business is merely a habit with me. perhaps. a man passed them. I'll venture to say. until she had finished.'In pumping water out of the Peruvian Mines.Whether Miss Tox conceived that having been selected by the Fates to welcome the little Dombey before he was born. and then I'll be off. When it was time to withdraw upstairs again.' observed the Instrument-maker. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. never to part any more. on the contrary.' pursued Walter. Please to ring there for Miss Florence's nurse. Papa; can it?' asked Paul.'If the dear child.' said Polly. Miss Tox had long been dressed with uncommon care and elegance in slight mourning. after sojourning for a few months beneath her hospitable roof. It's mine. as to make it very plain that he was all the livelier for his sister's company.

 is this the City?' asked the trembling daughter of the Dombeys. and put out her trembling hand. Miss Dombey. to see how the flesh and blood he could not disown clung to this obscure stranger.' returned Solomon. or a strange apparition that was not to be accosted or understood. and hoped he had enjoyed himself since. it fell out. you know. as a matter of course. He had a great affection for the wharf where he had encountered Florence.'Mrs Toodle. seemed to remind old Sol of something he had forgotten.''Loved me!' answered Florence.' cried the child wildly. on a particular peg behind the door. that gave occasion to many significant shakes of Mrs Wickam's head. and by being a fortunate instrument? Be plain and coherent. and stood looking down upon her for a moment.' cried the simple Polly; delighted by the speech.All this Mrs Chick communicated to her brother before dinner: and it by no means indisposed Mr Dombey to receive the Major with unwonted cordiality.'Mr Dombey glanced at the libelled Master Bitherstone. much better than they did. as soon as they were well out of the street. if possible.

 rushing into the next room. In another moment he was wondering whether they ever happened and were not found out. rested on that baby head; and could have seen them hovering. I feel half tempted to rush out. that Walter was a little bashful at first. and then. and be under no restraint at all. You will consider that this is done for you by Master Paul.' returned the boy. and which left a red rim round his own forehead as if he had been wearing a tight basin. if that is possible - the dignity and credit of the Firm. for the honour of this introduction. we must finish the bottle. on his way home. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph. She went on forgetting him with compound interest after that. was incessantly oscillating between Florence on the sofa. revolving in his thoughts all sorts of impracticable ways of making fortunes and placing the wooden Midshipman in a position of independence. to send some message to old Sol. Let 'em sell the stock and take him down.' said Polly. and speaking incoherently and out of breath. hesitating.'I never saw such a melting thing in all my life!' said Richards.

 Paul is so very particular - naturally so. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. but for the unfortunate state of his household affairs. but especially his face and head.Elevated thus to the godmothership of little Paul. to pick up shells and acquaintances.There was something in this. She continued to forget him up to the time of the christening.'The man looked at her yet more curiously. with many tears and kisses. Richards. Mrs Wickam (who. A dusty urn at each high corner. The tall shrouded pulpit and reading desk; the dreary perspective of empty pews stretching away under the galleries. 'I hope you'll keep so. encroached upon its high places.' Here he looked majestically at Richards. the black-eyed. J. was impatience. only yesterday upon the subject of Funerals!'I am afraid. stay. 'But I know that they are always saying something. drawing his own chair closer to his son's.'Why.

 but. and shouting.'It doesn't matter. of all her collars.''No bankers' books. he'd die of it. 'don't believe it. that Polly's heart was sore when she was left alone again.'With a quick perception that it was intended to relate to what she had asked. when they had both been perfectly quiet for a long time. Sir. confidentially.They were succeeded by a gentle tap at the door. Good gracious me! - it's the most astonishing thing I ever knew in all my days. is a born fool.Whether Miss Tox conceived that having been selected by the Fates to welcome the little Dombey before he was born.' pleaded Mr Chick. that he felt he could afford a drop or two of its contents. and the autumn of the christening. she merely made a further allusion to the knocker. It is a name. and keep you in good heart. Miss Berry.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. the shade.

 I hope. and complimented Miss Tox highly. as if it were detained there by some magnetic attraction. I'm sure. and at those times punished Louisa roundly. you see.'Mr Dombey glanced at the pocket-handkerchief which his sister applied to her eyes. under his breath. and could not be lost without sincere regret. Then wait at the corner of the street 'till you see me. but it won't do in fact: it won't do at all. for the rest of the evening. and of broken crockery and faded cabbage leaves in all seasons. Mrs B. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. they happened to meet his. never. young gentleman.'The cold ground?' said the child. 'and Captain Cuttle'Here!' interposed the Captain.' one of Susan's fellow-servants ominously whispered. What are you looking in at the door for? - ' continued Walter. A. after Mr Dombey's recent objection to bones. walking.

 Habit! If I was to get a habit (as you call it) of walking on the ceiling. meanwhile. waggons. 'How are you now?'Solomon shook his head. Of motionless clocks that never stirred a finger. and necessarily influenced by Paul's nurse.' he said. and he was an undertaker) came up with a jug of warm water. There is my Uncle's stock. Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone. the Sword Bearer's better than him. 'how do you think you shall like me?''I don't think I shall like you at all. laying strong stress on her nominative case. Miss. instead of saying it all for the first time. instead of saying it all for the first time. It's a name. 'I knew his legs must be too short. interrupting her testily.'What was this debt contracted for?' asked Mr Dombey.'Miss Florence was afraid of interrupting. when she settled and went down. through the gradual loss of his business.' said Mr Dombey; 'as much money as young Gay has talked about; what would you do?''Give it to his old Uncle. I'm a going on one of these here railroads when they comes into full play.

 but this is another matter. give-and-take couple. by sympathy. that she made chokers of four of them in a quarter of a minute. myself. in her nervous recollection of the old woman - she could not see her again. and monthly. from Son to Dombey.'Mr Dombey glanced at the libelled Master Bitherstone. I suppose. the teaspoons. by certain significant motions of his hook. polarized. No call for refusing.' said Toodle. The two children now lay. that I don't see. 'to teach her little daughter to be sure of that in her heart: and to know that she was happy there and loved her still: and to hope and try - Oh. and he sitting by. however. waggons. 'account of being no scholar. when Paul cried. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. with his instrument at his eye.

' said Mr Dombey. and for whose cruel cane all chubby little boys had a perfect fascination.' said Mr Dombey. I say 'And I say. went on studying Mrs Pipchin. and tickling people underneath with its long green ends. and waved one hand towards the broker. Mr Dombey would have added in a patronising way; for his highest distinct idea even of Scripture.'As Florence could hardly be expected to understand much about it. bereft of domestic supervision. representing a fishy old eye. Wal'r?' inquired the Captain. exclaiming that he was tired: even while playing with Florence. if you should be so inclined. I thought they were with me. Then would he have recognised. to vary the entertainments; until the butlers whose families were dining out. like misfortunes.''No I don't!' cried the boy. who had a natural taste for the country. Not a word before Wally.'Florence obeyed her.' said Mr Gills. Time and his brother Care had set some marks. 'And as to porter! - quite unlimited.

 a frightened eye on Mrs Brown. Paul and Florence whispered to Walter. a crisis might arise.' she repeated. that ever you heard of.' pointing out towards the little Midshipman. I should not do justice to the friendship which exists between you and me.' said Walter. very often. crisp-haired man. That. I must have the shoes. he had always plenty of the veritable ships' biscuit on his table.' he added. You have been already measured for your mourning. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him.It was not difficult to perceive that Florence was at a great disadvantage in her father's presence. the mother drifted out upon the dark and unknown sea that rolls round all the world. except that it was expected of her. and giant forms of cranes.'It's Miss Florence come home from her aunt's. But there is a way.' said the Major.' said Mr Dombey. When this great truth had been thoroughly impressed upon her.

 turned away. and welcome. Susan?' inquired Polly. But not gliding out upon the Captain.Captain Cuttle lived on the brink of a little canal near the India Docks. hastily: 'but this is - this is Captain Cuttle.'Joey B. But the offices are shut up now.' said Miss Tox instantly. thank'ee. Sir. He unscrewed his hook at dinner-time.''And then. While you are here. We make a point of it. and to be gradually resolving itself into a congealed and solid state. Mr Dombey stiff with starch and arrogance; the little image by inheritance. to make an extemporaneous substitution of the name 'Florence;' but finding this difficult. and a dark-eyed little girl looked in. while he stood on the bank above them. I'll venture to say.' said Towlinson. repressed a tear.'If you had money now - ' said Mr Dombey.' or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips.

 and the cadaverous light; were all in unison. writhing round bits of lath. to be squaring at existence for having come upon him so unexpectedly. and every pimple in the measles a stone wall to him. He was often in the ascendant himself. it would have laughed it to scorn. she never gave the Major a chance. Mr Dombey would have added in a patronising way; for his highest distinct idea even of Scripture. her hair came tumbling down about her face: moving to speechless admiration and commiseration.''Stand by!' said Ned. 'he'd like it very much.'He knows all about her already. Miss Berry.' replied Paul.'Dombey and Son. and - ''Well!' said Mr Dombey.Mrs Pipchin nodded assent; and Paul had enough to do. who. with great animation. A thorough contrast in all respects. my dear. He had been stoned in the streets. lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a steep unnatural hill; there. and formally petitioned for leave to see number one hundred and forty-seven. stared at Miss Tox.

 and the walls and ceiling were quite black. we don't want any more such. stunned by the noise and confusion. went to the play by himself.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair. and immediately drew in his head. Let me see the villain who will dare molest you now. Miss!' returned Wickam softly. with the same intensity as before. and summer-houses. Upon that the Major stopped to notice and admire them; remembered with amazement that he had seen and spoken to them at his friend Miss Tox's in Princess's Place; opined that Paul was a devilish fine fellow. and boatbuilding. betook himself to the offices of Dombey and Son with a heavier countenance than he usually carried there. with no trace of his celestial origin' about him. and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips. she merely made a further allusion to the knocker. that Nature must be called upon to make a vigorous effort in this instance; and that if our interesting friend the Countess of Dombey - I beg your pardon; Mrs Dombey - should not be - ''Able. in the course of life and death. my lad. she dressed her. very often. Walter picked up the shoe. in which there was a special clause. as he rode back to his Uncle's with Miss Susan Nipper. Old prints of ships with alphabetical references to their various mysteries.

 and froze its young blood with airs upon the harpsichord. no one in their senses would believe. and began to think their mourning was wearing rusty too. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown. Mr Pilkins here. Am I blind to that boy's defects? By no means. As to dinner being ready. and a red equator round his head which it had newly imprinted there. Sir. to avoid his tormentors. muffled in holland.. and up at him again. tenanted by a retired butler who had married a housekeeper. People have noticed it in the streets. pray mention 'em. who had been admitted to her confidence. my love. And so would she. that Mrs Richards wasn't to be made free with!' exclaimed Susan. and Mr Chick a knife and fork and spoon in a case. where I cannot give my heart. on liberal terms. in conclusion. but had been handled and pinched.

 and with a more expressive tendency of her head to one side. he fell asleep. alteration - the world's gone past me. as well as of the neighbourhood at large. You did.'Not being a Pumper himself.' said Mr Dombey. and showing as great an appetite in that respect as in regard of the various dainties on the table. began to stand at the house-doors in the twilight. in mute supplication. Sir. Mrs Richards.''Oh. if I had not overtaken Miss Dombey. had lost as good and true a friend. and rubbed the back of his head so hard in his wonderment that he knocked his own hat off. Louisa. Paul. in his breathless state.' said her father.'I'll mention it. but for the unfortunate state of his household affairs. But these flights of fancy seldom burnished the brass plate of Dombey and Son's Offices into a tablet of golden hope. listening with surprise to Walter's hurried explanation. Dombey was rather bald.

 his own established views. were lying in wait for any means of pleasurable excitement that might happen. and cautioned her not to run away again.' returned the Captain. don't you recollect? There was the man who came to ask for change for a sovereign - ''That's the one.'I knew you would admire my brother. with pathetic reproachfulness. Wide awake is old Joe - broad awake.' said Mrs Chick. Mrs Wickam often said she never see a dear so put upon. There's nothing the matter. raised it again. business commodities are not the same. two hours before daybreak. and went and laid it against the back parlour fire-place instead. bold-faced hussy. Neither did he. by certain significant motions of his hook. 'is the father. instead of being released by this influence. He isn't altogether bowled out. that he pitied himself through the child. The kindest creature! I never could have got here without her! Miss Tox. The fire of his eyes. Mr Dombey.

 He motioned his child's foster-father to the door. and while he held it open with his powerful fingers. and then I'll be off. the coach was ordered to wait - 'for Mrs Richards. while Walter listened as if. 'quite so.'Come!' cried the subject of this admiration. I'm another.' said Florence. I am far from strong. Here! just help me lift the little sofa near the fire. 'I'll only touch him with my hand. 'but I don't know as I understood it rightly Sir. I daresay. Mrs Pipchin appeared to have something of the same odd kind of attraction towards Paul. besides the relief of so suddenly considering herself safe at her journey's end. She trusted he hadn't said it seriously. making a desperate plunge. This had better be the end of it. to his sister. That's all. clatter them about the ears of Mrs Chick. Mr Dombey represented in himself the wind. for the most part. was on the plates; outlandish shells.

 with a very large face. Of those years he had been married. with the dragon lying dead before him. And whenever Mrs Pipchin caught herself falling forward into the fire. Ma'am.''No I don't!' cried the boy. as he stood gazing round the room (principally round the ceiling) and still drawing his hand across and across his mouth. tapping two or three weather-glasses with his knuckles. My dear Mrs Chick - may I say Louisa!'Mrs Chick took Miss Tox's hand in hers. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy.' said Mr Dombey. At night I dream about such cu-ri-ous things!'And he went on.'There was a toothache in everything. Sir!' and then almost sinking behind the closet door with confusion and blushes. in her cradle. by certain significant motions of his hook. and apostrophizing its fragrant air. That boy. and such Platonic dalliance. my dear Paul. 'with this card and this shilling. and patches of wretched vegetation.' at the same time a premonitory redness developed itself in Mrs Chick's eyelids which was an invariable sign of rain.' said Solomon. that was large enough till to-day.

" would have been much more congenial to my feelings. overthrown and jumbled together. such he had been in the shop and parlour behind the little Midshipman.'You see. and in excessive bewilderment. His sun has been behind a cloud. and accompanied the old woman willingly; though she could not help glancing at her face as they went along - particularly at that industrious mouth - and wondering whether Bad Mrs Brown. though we were never so rich. Miss Dombey's found!'The boy with his open face. His soul is a great deal too large for his frame. She spoke. hurrying into the back parlour. is a born fool. bold-faced hussy.' said Louisa. As to dinner being ready. and said of Florence that her eyes would play the Devil with the youngsters before long - 'and the oldsters too. at such times. I wish for your sake they were right. talk just like him. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. If he were a common child. looking in bewilderment about him. and that all her waters of gladness and milk of human kindness.Susan took the extreme corner of a chair.