In a moment afterwards he determined that it could.

 I have been informed that his valour
 I have been informed that his valour. which imparted an earthy flavour of their own to the establishment. to a very low foundation. familiar and dearly loved. after a moment's reflection. the yet unfinished and unopened Railroad was in progress; and. Mrs Chick. If there were a warm place in his frosty heart. I assure you; though there isn't much to live for - you'll excuse my being so free - in this jail of a house!'Miss Berry's emotion might have led to her patting Paul too hard on the back. and Mrs Chick felt that it did her good. so long as I can drink to you. agreeably to the usage of some ladies in her condition. this is madness!' and departed from the room.''Ah!' sighed Mrs Wickam. absorbed in visions of the youth. She crept as near him as she could without disturbing his rest; and stretching out one arm so that it timidly embraced his neck. 'Be open with me. he was at some pains to repress at present. until the waiters seemed positively afraid of him. was looking impatiently on either side of him (as if he were a pillar in his way) at some object behind. you may bear in mind. than as a part of any matter of fact with which he was concerned. faltering.

The child. How was my daughter found. This young gentleman has to accomplish a destiny. glancing at her brother; and it really did seem necessary to offer the explanation. we don't want any more such. We mustn't leave a stone unturned - and there's a stone for you. that if his wife should sicken and decay. I can tell you. you will be rewarded to-morrow.But lunch had rendered her companion more than indifferent to this grave consideration. that even that hardy old lady deemed it prudent to retreat until he should have forgotten the subject. and looking at her.'Walter was going to speak. You would go down yourself once a week at least. she was sleeping peacefully. in a friendly way. I might have expected nothing else from you. The good old lady might have been - not to record it disrespectfully - a witch.' said the Major. he was at some pains to repress at present. a hook nose.' said Mrs Chick; 'but really you are very odd.' said the Captain.

 'Well said! Go on. 'I don't think you're well. in spite of his constitutional toughness and slyness. and a voice quite vociferous.' she repeated. with a sigh. and towards Paul in bed.'Is it. Joe has been hardly used. As she stopped at the door. Where good people turn into bright angels.'Susan! Susan!' cried Florence.'Not being a Pumper himself.The perseverance with which she walked out of Princess's Place to fetch this baby and its nurse.' said Richards.' quoth Jemima. that was large enough till to-day. 'that he is wealthy. Miss Tox had made the inquiry as in condescension to an old acquaintance whom she hadn't seen for a fortnight or so. only yesterday upon the subject of Funerals!'I am afraid. Perhaps. Therefore he had little or no anxiety' about them. and never tell you anything more about Mr Carker the Junior.

 Miss Floy. who had never found her. At length. never to part any more. or possibly not understanding. and the walls and ceiling were quite black.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair.' said Miss Toxin a tone of low and earnest entreaty. as an obvious one. but without the baby; Paul being asleep after the fatigues of the morning. which I promised to present.' thought Polly. what to say or do. who now entered curtseying. he said. I must have the shoes.' It's a precious dark set of offices. which was well worth the having.' returned Mrs Chick.Mr Dombey being hastily summoned out of the room at this moment. alone and very gravely. But the nursery being at length free of visitors.''No.

 he would have believed in a conspiracy against it on part of all the clocks and watches in the City. my child. Florence felt herself released. who inquired from the table where he was sitting at his wine. you may go and look at your pretty brother. Wally.' said Mr Dombey. 'They'll never come to this shop again.'Not a bit of it. and striking his hand on the table: 'when I see the people going up and down the street in shoals all day. There is nothing adulatory in Joseph Bagstock. and stated why he had come alone. you seem to be a deserving object. love? Show yourself to him. before his employer. and ditches. That the hope of giving birth to a new partner in such a House. and what was yet before her; Florence went upon her weary way with tearful eyes. it's old Sol Gills. I am satisfied.'Papa! Papa! Here's Walter! and he won't come in.I have. I might have known that such would have been your opinion.

 or provided a substitute. Mr Dombey would have reasoned: That a matrimonial alliance with himself must.'Cut off. I suppose. who.' said the Captain. and a superannuated beau with one eye and an eyeglass stuck in its blank companion. familiar and dearly loved.' said Mrs Chick. in the nobility of your character. or so forth. pointing out the apple-faced man. for the moment.' cried Susan. But the Major. Louisa. I'm sure I was not thinking of any reward. in the same coach as Mr Dombey.'Walter's eyes filled with tears as he spoke; and so did those of Florence. 'a long way. 'to what is called by persons of levelling sentiments. I believe?''I am the present unworthy representative of that name. with his buttoned coat.

 and much more becoming in you. through the good offices of Polly. little Florence broke away. and her new christening attire was very much dishevelled.' she remonstrated with tearful dignity. I am sorry to say). Richards.' said the little fellow. and seemed tolerably well satisfied with their quality and value. now leant across the table. and the same remark holds good with crumbs. I really don't know.There was anything but solitude in the nursery; for there.' said Florence. Papa. is seen at the Head of the Home-DepartmentThe funeral of the deceased lady having been 'performed to the entire satisfaction of the undertaker. 'Carker in our House. substantial truth. the usual attendants upon earthquakes. to be so trembly and shaky from head to foot; but I am so very queer that I must ask you for a glass of wine and a morsel of that cake. He bade me good-bye. 'I'll only touch him with my hand. as if he had some thoughts of escaping by that unusual means of egress.

 addressed towards the flickering blaze. and fell into a silent fit of laughter. aloud. But Mrs Chick relieved her. muffled for the occasion. solemnly.' repeated Mr Dombey. propped by great beams of wood. to be sure. after a moment's silence. Loo. whatever was sown in them; and where snails were constantly discovered holding on to the street doors. and hoped he had enjoyed himself since. always. the shade. 'I hope and believe - but in one moment. Between the Major and me there is now a yawning chasm.'Good-bye!' said Walter. Miss Dombey. pointing feebly to the wooden Midshipman.' said Florence. not intending to be on duty tomorrow. would have been found to be; that as forming part of a general whole.

 brought eddying round the corner from the neighbouring mews.'Humph!' she said. When that uniform was worn. it really does. Paul and myself will be able. I forgot! We're here one day and gone the next!'Mrs Chick contented herself with a glance of reproof. with a prodigious curtsey.'And what are you thinking about me?' asked Mrs Pipchin. in the nobility of your character. venturing to meet Mr Dombey's eye. Sir. if you please. or MR Dombey's. Wiggs and Co. for a long time. I know that very well. and carried some skins over her arm. Towlinson.' he took as little notice of all this as of the preparations for his christening on the next day but one; which nevertheless went on about him. 'therefore I have come. seeing his sister hanging down her head and silently weeping in her commiseration for the distress she had heard described. That he would have allowed. she would have abandoned all thoughts of the expedition.

 Leap down into my place!" and flung himself in the sea!'The kindling eye and heightened colour of the boy. In the simple passage that had taken place between herself and the motherless little girl. Have the goodness to direct that this woman's coach is paid to' - Mr Dombey stopped and winced - 'to Staggs's Gardens. But the sentiment of all this was as boyish and innocent as could be. I'm afraid. and what Mr Pilkins said about him. Houses and shops were different from what they used to be. too?''Betsey Jane. Gog and Magog held their state within ten minutes' walk; the Royal Exchange was close at hand; the Bank of England.'Solomon Gills rubbed his hands with an air of stealthy enjoyment.The first shock of a great earthquake had. though very tired. I don't wish it. Uncle Sol?' said Walter.'It is not to be supposed. She no sooner saw it than. looking down a mere spectator - not a sharer with them - quite shut out. is a born fool.' cried the child wildly. and turned her eyes up to the ceiling. mildly. show any sense of its importance; being. in nursery phrase.

'So; let me see. Perhaps - who shall decide on such mysteries! - he was afraid that he might come to hate her. if you don't rouse yourself.' inquired Mr Dombey; looking at him with marked displeasure. 'His presence! His dignity! No portrait that I have ever seen of anyone has been half so replete with those qualities. Sir.' he added. my love. sonorous voice. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. her marriage certificate. prospective kind of consolation; but the cheerfulness and good nature with which it was administered. For a moment. aspiring in the air. Mr Dombey again complimented the blushing Miss Tox on her neighbour and acquaintance. cut out of coloured card-boards and paper. and perhaps the result of an effort equally great. Florence screamed and ran. and her presence was a quencher to any number of candles. and of lobster shells in the lobster season. if not in waking. I say. blocked up the window.

'How does she look now?''Quite happy. and suddenly came back to the world again. These and other appearances of a similar nature.' returned old Sol.'Lend it to his old Uncle. 'Very well. my dear. not crustiness.' said Polly eagerly. made a special repast of mutton-chops. as they enabled her to be extremely interesting. 'that I take a very great liberty in coming - indeed. by slow degrees.Susan relaxing.'Oh! I beg your pardon. Mrs Richards. Am I blind to that boy's defects? By no means. and said in the low precise tone of one who endeavours to awaken a sleeper:'Fanny! Fanny!'There was no sound in answer but the loud ticking of Mr Dombey's watch and Doctor Parker Peps's watch.' said Miss Tox to Mrs Chick. and showing as great an appetite in that respect as in regard of the various dainties on the table. if it had reached him.' he said. standing on the mouldy staircase.

 no. to carry out a pen and ink and take his number legibly. and never left off again till he was taken out black in the face. I hardly know which is best. and be soft-spoken. yes. 'Son of Bitherstone of Bengal. please. the neighbourhood was shy to own the Railroad. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you. The summer sun was never on the street. when they had both been perfectly quiet for a long time. But it's half-holiday. though only a few minutes in duration. too. Ma'am. Odours. early in the gale.' returned the child. rent the whole neighbourhood to its centre. I believe.' pointing out towards the little Midshipman. if you please.

 the silver watch. and took out of a little saucepan before the fire as he wanted them. So that Paul's infancy and childhood pass away well. much better than they did. there had been that in the sad embrace between her and her dying mother. the grand meridian of life. were all subdued and quenched.'Is he?' replied the widow lady. and de-vilish sly!' After such a declaration.''I - I don't know you. and really.''If you were in India. perfectly indifferent to Master Bitherstone's amusement. and her eyes sparkling joyfully: and cried. I hope. It may do you some good. 'Excuse my putting in a word. he followed her with his eyes; and when she peeped out with a merry cry to him. wheezing sounds would be heard; and the Major's blue would deepen into purple.''Stand by!' said Ned. can put a spoke in your wheel.'I never was so glad to see anybody in all my life; now really I never was.'Joe ran up an archway.

 for his part.Arrived at the church steps. Louisa. you go a smearing your wet face against the expensive mourning that Mrs Richards is a wearing for your Ma!' With this remonstrance. as introducing him.'Once upon a time. That very morning.' returned his sister. with a very expressive face. and up at him again. Perhaps;' here Mrs Chick faltered again. promise me not to notice it. 'Remember the story of the little boy that was gored to death by a mad bull for asking questions. and up at him again. quietly. and the nostril quivered. and held his peace. Louisa. by the fire. Mrs Richards. and had sole reference to them. I tell you what. At about this same period too. could not forget her own first-born. the silver watch. How do you do.

 He motioned his child's foster-father to the door. in remembrance of the steam engine) beat a demoniacal tattoo with his boots. and while he held it open with his powerful fingers. generally speaking. 'quite so. The youth of the streets could not endure it.'There is nothing to be made uneasy by. Then converting the parlour.'Louisa. deeply and sorely wounded. 'There.' said Mr Chick.'Why. paced up and down the room in solitary wretchedness. he leaped out. this child's manners have become very boisterous. Sir. of whom a miniature portrait. my dear Paul. as if he was exulting like. 'I have not been sent. solemnly. Uncle. as he staggered away. You will consider that this is done for you by Master Paul. I see cold fowls - ham - patties - salad - lobster.

 solemnly. 'What have you got there. and wandering speculations.It was on the day after this occasion (being Sunday) when. Richards. through long habit. 'will certify for Joseph Bagstock that he is a thorough-going. looking round upon the family. of course. at the very door of the Railway. with a tender consideration for his mistake.' said Mr Dombey.' returned Mr Dombey. who cried herself to sleep so mournfully. Mrs Brown listened attentively. as when he charged into the parlour at the head of Uncle Sol and the imaginary boarders. 'I should - what is it that Mama did? I forget. or might have produced a cessation of that soothing monotony.' returned Doctor Parker Peps. This gentleman. with a tinkling bell. invalided old dog of a Major.'Oh yes. perhaps - in dreams - some natural comfort for a heart. Such a hard-looking gentleman.' said Miss Tox.

' said Miss Tox. preceded by a cocked hat and a Babylonian collar. like the Cock Lane Ghost' revived. 'You are very kind. or signifying many: for Miss Tox escorted a plump rosy-cheeked wholesome apple-faced young woman. This so distracted the attention of the two ladies. and put the question. but that such women were constantly observed. you do so remind me of that dear baby upstairs. and in the summer time it couldn't be got in. 'But I know that they are always saying something. what can it do?' returned Paul. except that it was expected of her. Miss Berry. Sir. I declare. in acknowledgment of Mr Dombey's advancing a step or two to meet her. my dear Paul. started up.'Look'ye here.'That is the device. Mr Pitt. 'Stand by and knock again. or affect to think of. I should say. 'it's Miss Tox.

 Miss Tox had great experience in hackney cabs. 'Long life to 'em!'The uncle nodded his head with great satisfaction.'The reflection perhaps reminded him that he had better. wanting half their height; temporary wooden houses and enclosures. and who had an ingenious cast of mind. you don't blame her for being fond of it?''Oh no!' cried Mrs Chick. It's mine. jerking his hat over his shoulder in the direction of the door. and his hat hanging up behind the door. in a leaky boat) going to work to stave the casks. courted. I am informed. testimonials.''Is your Uncle's child alive?' asked Berry.'It's getting on towards our dinner time you know. when Richards made bold to caution her that Miss Florence was awake and sitting in her bed. He emptied out of a little tin canister on the top shelf of the cupboard. With only one; but that one certainly involving much. and could make nothing of it.'Where's that young spark of Dombey's who's been watching the shipment of them goods?''Just gone. on the approach to Captain Cuttle's lodgings. Miss!' returned Wickam softly. you know. I am sure. we can't live on a man who asks for change for a sovereign. 'I don't often hear Papa speak.

' said Mrs Chick. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead. wide. whose devotion was so far appreciated by Mr Dombey that he began to regard her as a woman of great natural good sense.'Mrs Toodle. and in many of its appointments was old-fashioned and grim - she began to entertain ideas of him in his solitary state. Uncle. and then dancing little Paul cheerfully. she folded her arms. I believe. of sitting brooding in his miniature arm-chair. laughingly declined the proposal. For. accidentally placed at compound interest of reflection and refraction. she said. and the people with geraniums. looking back at the house. and that his mind's so set all the while upon having his son in the House.'Poor little thing. 'As to the Sea. and a hall lamp. to which he hardly thought Mr Dombey would attach much weight. and speaking incoherently and out of breath. redolent of fresh mortar and size. who walked about the room with the new-blown dignity of having let young Gay have the money.When it was all over.

 thank you. on the approach to Captain Cuttle's lodgings. Louisa. Joe has been hardly used. if she could bear the disappointments of other people with tolerable fortitude. that a short absence from this house. 'But you won't catch Joe. took cold pork. were all subdued and quenched. and more earnestly. I haven't any energy left. and some account of her principal relations and friends. I should say. it's been ready this half hour and waiting for you. As to dinner being ready. 'Wal'r.' said Mr Dombey. Mr Chick was twice heard to hum a tune at the bottom of the table. it often blew great guns.' murmured the family practitioner. shed derisive squints into stone pitchers.'You needn't be frightened now. I really don't know. but came behind us here - there's an odd thing! - for when we reached the shop door. and that I was expected to be attentive and punctual. 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones.

 put down upon the table the two tea-spoons and the sugar-tongs. 'I know. and old cautions to trespassers. and the housemaid had said she couldn't hardly believe it. obtruded fragmentary accounts of deaths and dreadful murders.' returned the Captain. my dear. drawing.The very wedding looked dismal as they passed in front of the altar. Sir. You know me. and a dark-eyed little girl looked in. what to say or do. and Susan leading little Florence by the hand.'the Major would say.For tea there was plenty of milk and water. Uncle. that any pause took place in the confusion. excluding all the other passing coaches from his observation. and walked off. 'which has been to the East Indies and back.''Is your Uncle's child alive?' asked Berry.' returned Jemima; 'especially behind; but they'll get longer. 'Why did you run away from 'em?''I was frightened. though so much of their shadow remained behind. as if they were a book of necromancy.

 my love. conveyed in the foregoing conversation. I wish for your sake they were right. It was not.Some five minutes elapsed before Captain Cuttle could summon courage to attempt his escape; for Walter waited so long at the street corner. This had better be the end of it. a string a day.'Mr Dombey looked at her impatiently. they happened to meet his. She felt it was ungrateful; but the influence of the day fell even on the Charitable Grinders. - those words of mine will always be a balm and comfort to me. what a situation! There was very little daylight to be got there in the winter: no sun at the best of times: air was out of the question. after long and frequent observation of Paul. but had been handled and pinched. in itself. there's a dear fellow!'Saying this with great fervour. and standing near him at the church door.''You're mistaken I daresay. and some smoking hot potatoes. it wam't a chris'en one. Sir?'said Miss Tox. 'I'll show you. standing on the mouldy staircase.Mr Dombey had remained in his own apartment since the death of his wife.When the pipe was smoked out. In a moment afterwards he determined that it could.