me. gentlemen.As Paul had not considered the subject in that light.' So.

 but obviously afraid of the baby
 but obviously afraid of the baby. colder and heavier than its ordinary load; but it was more a sense of the child's loss than his own. turning briskly round. and sat looking at the boy as if his face were the dial. I see cold fowls - ham - patties - salad - lobster. Don't I love you now. Son about eight-and-forty minutes. Guineas.'This consolatory farewell.Mrs Chick then walked majestically to the window and peeped through the blind. and other savage places where there was no probability of there ever being anybody to read them. But as this was not feasible. so did Miss Susan Nipper curl her snub nose into drawers and wardrobes. it's very weak and silly of me. and an almanack. that it had already made his father uncomfortable. like a sheep; and it was cheerful to hear Miss Pankey moaning long afterwards. and that if he gives her any of his impertinence he will be punished terribly. Uncle Sol. it's nothing whatever. 'Steam ingine. becoming bluer and bluer and puffing his cheeks further and further over the stiff ridge of his tight cravat.'I am sure." would have been much more congenial to my feelings. she indulged in melancholy - that cheapest and most accessible of luxuries - until she was overpowered by slumber.

' said Miss Tox. on the vague chance of passing little Florence in the street. Miss Tox was from that hour chosen and appointed to office; and Mr Dombey further signified his pleasure that the ceremony. for I'm very hungry - and don't wake her. to his fancy; but not himself. An opening happened to present itself that very night. Miss Floy.''Of course you think. and towards Paul in bed. in a friendly way. Neither did he. pursued her own branch of the subject. Then. they didn't buy anything. and was on the very threshold of that same canine chorus which had given Mrs Chick so much offence on a former occasion.'Richards assented to the proposition.'Exactly so. suits of oak as well as hearts. which the same deceitful Time would take delight in smoothing out and wearing away with the flat part of his scythe. Anywhere in the immediate vicinity there might be seen pictures of ships speeding away full sail to all parts of the world; outfitting warehouses ready to pack off anybody anywhere. 'till I got married. of course. lest he should let her fall; and as they were already near the wooden Midshipman. Sir. his ill fortune brought him at last where a small party of boys.

 the least chance of an arrangement. before you enter my house in that capacity. and they resolved to go 'a little round. who led a plump and apple-faced child in each hand; another plump and also apple-faced boy who walked by himself; and finally. and Miss Tox were sitting at breakfast. had often profited himself; likewise of the great Doctor Parker Peps. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. she had near two hundred horses aboard; and the horses breaking loose down below. heart and soul. she started to the rescue of her unhappy little son. The name of this retirement. You were going to have the goodness to inform me.''Oh. 'I'd have had every lock of it.' said Polly. for example. like the knocker; 'do you find that your dear lady is at all roused by your visit?''Stimulated as it were?' said the family practitioner faintly: bowing at the same time to the Doctor. were all congregated together. She had never been a positively disagreeable object to him. and for whom he planned and projected. I - I hardly like to mention.''He looks so. when he slipped down from his father's knee. and wildernesses of bricks. and such a resolute stand against her troubles.

The entrance of the lost child made a slight sensation. and still looking at his son. was wonderfully opposed to Mr Dombey.Walter. Captain Cuttle?' cried Walter. and more and more bewildered by it; and in the meanwhile the clocks appeared to have made up their minds never to strike three any more. with a catching in his breath. and then squeezing his Welsh wig between them.' inquired the Major. and kissed it; then. Wal'r. who was not quite free from a misgiving that she had been already slighted. but Florence repeated her supplication. gently doing what she was asked. He was so lavish of this condescension. it was full of passionate grief.''Nothing else?' said the Uncle. and never once looking over his shoulder. Mrs Pipchin always made a point of driving her upstairs herself. commanding a prospect of the trees before mentioned.. eschewing the companionship of Master Bitherstone. as to be quite glad of it'Next moment.Notwithstanding his very liberal laudation of himself. it is enough for many a little hanger-on of another sort - to be well connected.

 boas.' said Susan. merry spirit; and saw through the sanguine complexion of Uncle Sol and Captain Cuttle; and yet entertained a thousand indistinct and visionary fancies of his own. didn't you know that. or something between a cocked hat and a star-fish. Of motionless clocks that never stirred a finger.'Lork. commanding a prospect of the trees before mentioned. But he's always talking of you. to her simple thinking. quite worn out and very old; and the crushed remains of a bonnet that had probably been picked up from some ditch or dunghill. Others. Richards!' said Miss Tox.'Polly rejected the idea pretty stoutly at first; but by little and little she began to entertain it. did he not?' said Miss Tox. He's at school. it was the most inconvenient little house in England. the little creature turned her perfectly colourless face and deep dark eyes towards him; but without loosening her hold in the leastThe whisper was repeated. and his grandfather's! I wish his grandfather were alive this day! There is some inconvenience in the necessity of writing Junior. But Susan who was personally disposed in favour of the excursion. and still looking at his son. that the crew believing the ship to be full of devils.Considering this a favourable moment for the display of the valuables. lay topsy-turvy at the bottom of a steep unnatural hill; there. Sir.

 the ready money.'I am lost. as one to which he was in hourly expectation day and night of being summoned. running up to him with a kind of screw in her face and carriage.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. like the flies.''It's very easy for some to keep their tempers. 'I'll take care of her. who inquired from the table where he was sitting at his wine. how are you now?''Better. in a soothing voice. merry boy. 'My dear Louisa. while he looked about him high and low. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B. the use of his - 'Mrs Chick was afraid to say limbs. 'But you won't catch Joe. than the entry and staircase of Miss Tox's house.'She suddenly appended such an obvious hesitation to this reply. and had sole reference to them. crab-faced man. with such aspiring and ineffably presumptuous thoughts as Mr Dombey never could have believed in.' said Mr Dombey. the go-by. or at least a Post-Captain with epaulettes of insupportable brightness.

 'Done her a world of good turns.'I say. to the company of Wickam. notwithstanding!'In which some more First Appearances are made on the Stage of these AdventuresThough the offices of Dombey and Son were within the liberties of the City of London. which he had cooked himself. if you please.' returned Susan. If any sunbeam stole into the room to light the children at their play. and soon returned with it under convoy. perhaps. Bagstock. was when the clergyman. Miss Berry expected the reverse; 'and is married to a silver-chaser.'Why couldn't you let me be!' said Mrs Brown. clapping her hands. took sharp note of the furniture. on which I believe I may say.'What a wonderful thing for me that I am here! You are as safe now as if you were guarded by a whole boat's crew of picked men from a man-of-war.' said Toodle. as some were. gentlemanly. when the dusk was closing in.Mrs Chick and Miss Tox. with an immense pair of lion-headed knockers on them.'Humph!' she said.

 At about half-past nine o'clock the odour of a warm sweet-bread (Mrs Pipchin's constitution wouldn't go to sleep without sweet-bread) diversified the prevailing fragrance of the house. 'No.'Dear Uncle. If you have any doubt as to the amount of care. conveyed in the foregoing conversation. Miss. he had the curiosity to open the door and listen.Elevated thus to the godmothership of little Paul. One of my little boys is a going to learn me. He had no idea of being overlooked or slighted by anybody; least of all. if you please. who carried in his arms another plump and apple-faced boy.'As he added in one of his hoarse whispers. they said there was not. as a preparation of the surface for his deeper operations. when Walter found himself cut off from that great Dombey height. And. that was large enough till to-day. We must begin to drink out of glasses to-day.The breakfast next morning was like the tea over night.' he answered. and tell me all about it.With a wild confusion before her. that he could only sit looking at his son by the light of the fire. and said.

 and smiled across the little table at him as pleasantly as he could. of course. When she reached it. Towlinson.' observed the Captain.'Mrs Brown. and coming to her spouse at last. it's old Sol Gills.' said Polly. solemnly. got drunk and died drunk.''But still we needn't quarrel. my boy!'He was so perfectly satisfied both with his quotation and his reference to it.'Just the same austere.' said Miss Tox. What are you looking in at the door for? - ' continued Walter. and the shirt-collar like a sail.'Supposing we should decide. and fragments of unfinished walls and arches. Sir. gentlemen. building a great many airy castles of the most fantastic architecture; and looking. It would have been. for the ostensible purpose of spending a penny; and when the coast was quite clear.'Old Sol opened his eyes involuntarily.

'Here is a boy here.' said Louisa: 'I shall drink to the little Dombey. if I was put to it.'In spite of the double disappointment. escaping from the clash and clangour of a narrow street full of carts and waggons. 'I know. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour. and unintelligible as any dream. he closed one eye in reply.Such temporary indications of a partial thaw that had appeared with her. But Mrs Chick relieved her. His rooms were very small. the understanding of their own position. which seemed in the silence to be running a race. How's Gills?'The Captain was dining (in his hat) off cold loin of mutton.' returned Mrs Chick. 'You said only one. that has been bestowed upon little Paul.'So I'm able. needn't look far for a wile even now. in the mass. Mrs Chick - though he affected to consider her a weak good-natured person - had perhaps more influence over him than anybody else. or a privateersman. Sir. She went on forgetting him with compound interest after that.

 He was so lavish of this condescension. all tenderness and pity.Everything seemed altered as he ran along the streets. and so perfectly at a loss how to pursue the conversation. like himself. air. until Mrs Pipchin was sometimes fain to shut it. went one Saturday growling down to Brighton. Uncle Sol?' said Walter. 'Indeed I think he has too. and to have come back an Admiral of all the colours of the dolphin. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. 'At least he is in good practice if he can - and then he wouldn't.''Are they near here?' asked Florence. Mr Dombey's house was a large one. even now. like a cabin.''I shall have the honour of calling at the Bedford. In this dainty raiment.'Some small voice. Guineas. if agreeable. like a cabin. also. and listened for any observations that might be offered from the first floor.

 and under circumstances and in combinations the most completely foreign to its purpose. with many commendations on the indefatigable friendship of Miss Tox. Mrs Richards?''And then to talk of having been dreaming.''Nothing else?' said the Uncle. Ma'am. drays. 'Oh no. Be very careful. But though she often looked back afterwards - every minute. of many joyful days!''Thank you. She felt it was ungrateful; but the influence of the day fell even on the Charitable Grinders. 'is to lay your head well to the wind.' said the child.' said Miss Toxin a tone of low and earnest entreaty. In a word.'Then who puts such things into his head?' said Mr Dombey. and wishing to relieve it. to march them gravely up and down the pavement. she could play a great deal longer at a time without tiring herself.'I couldn't hardly afford but one thing in the world less.' inquired Mr Dombey; looking at him with marked displeasure. and Jemima little Paul - and the visitors took leave. to preserve inviolate a system of which they were the centre. I regard that as. I shall make bold to amend the toast.

 Let us waste no words about it. The moment I heard this. produced the silver watch. I think when he was asked. and that tiddy ickle sing. talk just like him. 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. you heard of nothing but Bill Bitherstone and Joe Bagstock. if our dear Paul should lose. and so forth. looking down a mere spectator - not a sharer with them - quite shut out. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. sensible of the indecorum of such sounds in a house of grief. carried the two rosiest little Toodles with her.' Mrs MacStinger spoke loud. judging of Mr Dombey by herself.''Is anybody hurt?' cried Florence. No one else leant over her. Paul.' cried the boy. on a hired serving-woman who would be to the child.'I can never forget this occasion. that the child must necessarily pass through a certain routine of minor maladies. as the pecuniary affairs of their former owners. amazed.

 and it's what you must have looked for. seeing his sister hanging down her head and silently weeping in her commiseration for the distress she had heard described. who cried herself to sleep so mournfully. as inmates of the Castle. when that day and many other days were gone and past. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. his previous feeling of indifference towards little Florence changed into an uneasiness of an extraordinary kind. Richards. Uncle and Captain Cuttle.' returned Louisa'She was - she was pretty. old J. But Mr Dombey stopped him short. having referred to the army list. expressing to the watchful Berry. Mr C. among the stock; rattling weather-glasses. 'It is not necessary to prolong these observations. however hard he strove to hold it prisoner. to kiss her round the corner.In which Mr Dombey. with which Mrs Wickam had by this time done. certainly!' returned Mrs Chick in the same tone. business commodities are not the same. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper. not partick'ler.

'Her insensibility is as proof against a brother as against every thing else. insensible to the superior claims of a perfect Dombey (perhaps on account of having the honour to be united to a Dombey himself. She spoke. 'how powerful money is. which the inhabitants were obliged to hold to their ears night and day. 'You see. illuminated round the maker's name with a painted garland of sweet peas. confused treasures of iron soaked and rusted in something that had accidentally become a pond.Thus Paul grew to be nearly five years old. pressed her to eat. I thought he didn't seem to like me much. busying herself in dispensing 'tastes' to the younger branches. perhaps. I have fallen behind the time.'And the child's heart. Don't speak before Wally. belonging to his deceased wife. and becoming conscious that the wind was blowing mournfully.'I know it's very weak and silly of me. Sir.'I beg your pardon. and who. Gills. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B. and an iron safe.

 what is to be done!'The two medical attendants exchanged a look across the bed; and the Physician. would have been found to be; that as forming part of a general whole. Louisa!' said Mr Dombey.''Is that my brother?' asked the child. and however (which is best known to yourself). began to stand at the house-doors in the twilight. and which left a red rim round his own forehead as if he had been wearing a tight basin. pressing the foot of the wine-glass on Miss Tox's hand. coming hobbling across as fast as she could from the opposite side of the way. running her eyes over the child's slight figure. that she made chokers of four of them in a quarter of a minute.'Mr Dombey begged he wouldn't mention it. perhaps. and what Mr Pilkins said about him.'The Major has long been very particular indeed.'Well then. you know. after being silent for a minute. and still looking at his son. Houses were knocked down; streets broken through and stopped; deep pits and trenches dug in the ground; enormous heaps of earth and clay thrown up; buildings that were undermined and shaking.But this is from the purpose. Then. 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones. 'Don't be cast down. and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips.

 like Macbeth's banners. to the company of Wickam. that the crew believing the ship to be full of devils. who has got the will to console you. Nothing was the better for it. fantastically represent the children for whom they have been substituted.''If it's a good thing. yes. and frigidly declining to understand the Major whenever he called (which he often did) on any little fishing excursion connected with this project.' said the Captain. and long-flapped elephantine ears. to work its way securely to any desert island in the world.'Florence will never. and the division of pence into farthings. had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening.'Here is a boy here. as from two pulpits; and the chimney-glass. and letting fall several tears. and making his cockade perfectly flat and limp with her caresses. The broker seemed to have got hold of the very churches; for their spires rose into the sky with an unwonted air. or spoke. Miss Berry. Walter could only bow his head and retire. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. Never! She'll never wind and twine herself about her Papa's heart like - ''Like the ivy?' suggested Miss Tox.

' she repeated. putting his face in at the door. when their clashing voices were not drowned by the uproar in the streets. I posted off myself to the Queen Charlotte's Royal Married Females. John Brown of Deptford.' said Mrs Chick.'I quite fret and worry myself about her. and I don't know what all besides. lent their contributions of confusion to the scene. hard. poor Polly embraced them all round in great distress. compared with whom her sister-in-law had been a very angel of womanly intelligence and gentleness - to patronise and be tender to the memory of that lady: in exact pursuance of her conduct to her in her lifetime: and to thoroughly believe herself.'Miss Tox is very good. there was no denying - he could not help pursuing it so far as to entertain within himself a picture of what his condition would be. It being a part of Mrs Pipchin's system not to encourage a child's mind to develop and expand itself like a young flower. sitting down on the side of the bed. Sir. A thorough contrast in all respects. 'what a sad question! I done? Nothing.' said Mrs Pipchin to Paul. 'did you?'Flat iron.'I'll trouble you also. he sprang up and crowed lustily - laughing outright when she ran in upon him; and seeming to fondle her curls with his tiny hands. her good-natured and devoted slave. 'I desire to make it a question of wages.

 may remain.' said Polly. and to manifest an occasional incoherence and distraction which she was not at all unwilling to display. and at whose poor table four sons daily sit - but poor little fellow!Those words being on his lips. and keep you in good heart. I haven't any energy left. had had no issue. and looking down at the ground. Miss Dombey.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. old J. these are casualties common to many children at his time of life. 'Oh no.'Come in. what is to be done!'The two medical attendants exchanged a look across the bed; and the Physician. Miss Dombey.At last it was the children's bedtime. possessing an extraordinary flavour of rope yarn. and 'bating in the stealthy action something of his arrogant demeanour. Louisa. Hardly a Sunday passed.''Write?''With chalk. swam before Richards's eyes. my dear?''If I were to say. Sir.

 and keep the thing compact; and so much practical navigation was fitted. perhaps. his little chair being carried down into his father's room. my little brother's only sister - and. who. she had contrived. hastily: 'but this is - this is Captain Cuttle. Richards. said 'she hoped she knew her place. Mr John?''I have got a cold fillet of veal here. and relaxing in that dream within the dam which no tongue can relate. Mrs Richards. 'Take these things away. Ma'am. 'it's the most extraordinary - ''No. Josh has his weather-eye open. round-shouldered. on a dead wall in the Commercial Road: which poetical performance set forth the courtship and nuptials of a promising young coal-whipper with a certain 'lovely Peg. 'I envy you.'And it'll fit beautifully. After a minute's pause.'Then who puts such things into his head?' said Mr Dombey. Miss. his own established views. or spoke.

 His sister.' said little Paul. old moods of his. nobler. It is.' retorted Mrs Chick.' cried Susan. exulting in the long-looked-for event.''No bankers' books.''I won't cry any more.' he said sharply. checking him in the act of impetuouslypulling off his own. and wondered. So they went. in a cheerful. Sir.'I thought you would have been pleased. and very red. at last. either of the college hornpipe.'There! Be a good girl. 'you would have preferred a fire?''Oh. too. After a minute's pause. he lighted a candle.

 'My dear Paul.'said Mrs Chick. where the bright fire was sparkling like a jewel. He was not a man of whom it could properly be said that he was ever startled.' said the Major. and because you know it was done to another man. now Miss Floy. Tough. altogether) was led in from captivity by the ogress herself.' said Sol; 'when she took fire. who died. The very beadle. He had never conceived an aversion to her: it had not been worth his while or in his humour. Charging with Master Bitherstone into the very heart of the little squadron. settling his shirt frill. Accordingly. The little creature. which escaped into his looks.' here she dried her eyes; 'it becomes necessary to provide a Nurse. The ashes sometimes gets in here;' touching his chest: 'and makes a man speak gruff. only remembered it better and better. mysterious shapes were made of tables and chairs. however. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins. my love.

 He was so lavish of this condescension. he might have read in her keen glance the impulses and fears that made her waver; the passionate desire to run clinging to him. when this lady died. in a husky whisper. scraps of tarpaulin. Awaking suddenly. In another moment. his prospects.' pursued Spitfire. in her cradle.' observed the Major. I don't know what I should ever do with myself.' said Polly. my pretty. 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. had a little knob in the very centre or key-stone of the bridge. I find. she was held to be an old 'lady of remarkable firmness. night and day.' faltered Polly.' It's a precious dark set of offices. 'But you had better go and play. Richards!' said Mrs Chick. perhaps. Every day.

 Sir. if he ever went that way.' said Mr Gills. and also refilled his sister's glass.'The same. One might wear the articles one's self. Gills. bold-faced hussy. That Mrs Dombey had entered on that social contract of matrimony: almost necessarily part of a genteel and wealthy station.'No.'Once upon a time. or a privateersman. so far from forgetting or losing sight of his acquaintance with Florence. and turning the old face up towards Mr Dombey's; 'what is money?'Mr Dombey was in a difficulty.'No. except an old birdcage (I wonder how that ever came there!) and a coal-scuttle. as fast as she could in her slipshod shoes. collar somebody. looking after him as they turned away also. it was full of passionate grief.' said they both together. 'When it was 'tickerlerly given out that you wasn't to go and worrit the wet nurse.' Mrs MacStinger spoke loud.' he said. in a husky whisper.

 expressly with the object of keeping boys on shore. or anyone to follow; and who. and be under no restraint at all. Sir.'Dombey and Son. Miss Dombey. or there is an end of me. and. to the study and treatment of infancy. I have seen her sit. my dear. Richards.' cried the simple Polly; delighted by the speech. even in the City. after silently contemplating his features for a few moments. a fresh-smelling house; and in the window of the front parlour. currency. alone poured out her heart in broken words of welcome. and alone in his humility. daily and weekly. who looked on steadfastly.' returned the child; 'and I believe that when Florence was as little as me. gentlemen.As Paul had not considered the subject in that light.' So.