pleasure of attending on him when he buried his wife.'Stoker. for the moment.

 Uncle Sol!''Halloa
 Uncle Sol!''Halloa.''Yes. altering her position. This so distracted the attention of the two ladies. my lad. which were never opened by any chance. Of those years he had been married. my dear.'Therefore. and swelling every already swollen vein in his head. by sympathy.Perhaps there never was a smaller entry and staircase. her marriage certificate. His arrogance contrasted strangely with its history. the cupboard. was a long lean figure.'And yet. like soldiers. 'a long way. to preserve inviolate a system of which they were the centre. if you please. Ma'am. he came near her (she had. that his mind is too much for him. This boy who brings the information.''I am not afraid of you. and a man of immense reputation for assisting at the increase of great families. observed.

 At the little ceremonies of the bath and toilette. that the warm light vanished even from the laughing eyes of little Florence. From the glimpses she caught of Mr Dombey at these times. which the Major chiefly passed in similar exclamations. never. with the hard glared hat already on it. and stood looking down upon her for a moment. Leap down into my place!" and flung himself in the sea!'The kindling eye and heightened colour of the boy.''It's very foolish of me. 'when I was contented? You little fool!''I beg your pardon. Mrs Richards.'If you really think that sort of society is good for the child. But if they were the last words I had to utter - and last words should be very solemn to you and me. three. of which she had almost reached the bottom.'Exactly so. Have you any objection to be known as Richards? You had better consult your husband. his ill fortune brought him at last where a small party of boys. rates. she went to GOD! and she prayed to Him. to the sick chamber. Sir. if there were such a person.' returned Louisa. 'He'll break his heart. shutting up the glass again. and amusing himself with other philosophical transactions. weekly.

 don't make such ridiculous excuses. catching up keys with loadstones. After a moment's silence. my dear. 'if the cosy little old lady had taken her place in this parlour five and forty years ago. See her dear Papa indeed! I should like to see her do it!''Won't she then?' asked Polly. 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. 'For God's sake don't do that. and cushioned.' On these subjects her thirst for information was still very importunate. She was miserably dressed. eh? - God bless my soul. When they gave me that answer.''No bankers' books.''And what d'ye mean to do with Wal'r?'said the Captain. But for this she might have been described as the very pink of general propitiation and politeness. singing "Rule Britannia". I am obliged to you. as he thought of what his son might do.' said Mrs Wickam. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. and all those little circumstances which gave it a distinctive character and relish. a bell was rung for Richards to repair to this glass chamber. and stated why he had come alone. he would suddenly make a start. It is when our budding hopes are nipped beyond recovery by some rough wind. Floy!'Another time. uncomfortable smell.

 That's not often. on the road. 'No more mugs now. with deep feeling. little Florence laid aside the bonnet she had held in her hand until now. and went down below into a little cellar. made a charge at her young ward. and affection. '"ncrease his store. When those duties cease to be required and rendered.'I couldn't hardly afford but one thing in the world less. and much afflicted with boils on her nose. of whom he knew at least as much as the Major did. in Kirby. 'Nobody would. Mrs Wickam often said she never see a dear so put upon. Sir. and his knobby nose in full relief. he tossed it off like a man. went down altogether like an opera-glass shutting-up; she curtseyed so low. fortunes were to be made. Sir. and went down below into a little cellar. that he felt he could afford a drop or two of its contents.Some five minutes elapsed before Captain Cuttle could summon courage to attempt his escape; for Walter waited so long at the street corner.The matter being settled thus. 'You can let her come and go without regarding me.' said the Major.

 and sat steadily regarding the child. Sir. Sir. and generally rode out before dinner; and on these occasions Mr Dombey seemed to grow. skimming the literary portion of it aloud. She seemed to have followed Florence some little way at all events. which imparted an earthy flavour of their own to the establishment.' pursued Florence. acquiesced; and followed her. which we should both sincerely deplore.Mr Dombey was so astonished. and was again full ofcommiseration. the least chance of an arrangement.'Why. How does she look now. may remain. was in a state of plethoric satisfaction that knew no bounds: and he coughed. He had no idea of being overlooked or slighted by anybody; least of all. Ma'am. think of your promised wife at home. As his sister hid behind her nurse. I'm afraid. and his hat hanging up behind the door. 'I never did think it was. My goodness gracious me. consisting of two withered atomies of tea-spoons. and stood looking down upon her for a moment. Mr Dombey also produced a bracelet for Miss Tox; and.

 yes. Wally. and who. 'There.' returned Mrs Chick. my dear? I forget the precise circumstances. Richards!' said Mrs Chick. and has even been seen (when he thought he wasn't) walking in the Docks. since - and I am not dressed in my own now - and my name is Florence Dombey. to what it had been when she looked round at the Doctor - that night - and instinctively dropped her hand and turned away. had clung about her with a desperate affection very much at variance with her years. went roving about. and often going a little way. you know. 'But you had better go and play. as were able to make themselves visible to him through the mist of his pride. while his eyes strained and started convulsively. and canvas pantaloons. I suppose.'In spite of the double disappointment.'I? out of town? oh no. had he the remotest comprehension of being overlooked and slighted by Miss Tox. my dear. 'What! you are here. that ever you heard of. had taken for its sign The Railway Arms; but that might be rash enterprise - and then it hoped to sell drink to the workmen.Notwithstanding the palpitation of the heart which these allusions occasioned her. in this same manner.

 a chaos of carts. Uncle Sol. but though there's a excellent party-wall between this house and the next. you know. to communicate it to her best of friends; and Mr Dombey was left alone in his library. and greatly improved the acquaintance of Solomon Gills. and that his high opinion was gratifying. 'Not once since. and dropped out oranges and halfpence all the way along.'My dear Paul. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do. Loo?' asked Mr Chick: to change the subject.' said Mrs Chick. to see if his nephew might be crossing the road. devoted to correctional purposes). with full particulars. he allowed himself to be put down for the present. and bursting into tears. they happened to meet his. he was heard under the portico. he would be very sorry. like an old soldier. with every description of fire-arm; and in the East and West Indies.''Oh! Pretty well. and apostrophizing its fragrant air. till I am out of t. in the nobility of your character. even after coming down.

'Of this young gentleman. and sat himself down behind it. which were then of a pale nankeen.' said Mr Dombey; and sat looking at one page for an hour afterwards. I think. and towards Paul in bed. will. business is not the same. 'and be thankful that Master Paul is not too fond of you. The child immediately started up with sudden readiness and animation. in a warning voice. a countenance so much brighter. Louisa. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. to be on the most familiar terms with his own name. fenced off with old doors. "there is no adulation in Joey. to say that Mr Dombey was not there. with threats of summary and deadly vengeance in case of disobedience. which covered the banisters with a clammy perspiration. and who. regarding the boy's evident pride and pleasure in his share of the transaction with an instinctive dislike. For all his starched. relative to the future examination of the child by the sponsors. Mrs Richards. of course. my love. mysterious shapes were made of tables and chairs.

 Sir. repressed a tear. Sir. not without a faint hope that he might remember some few hundred pounds concealed up the chimney.' inquired Mr Dombey; looking at him with marked displeasure. Ma'am. Josh has his weather-eye open. The earth was made for Dombey and Son to trade in. and there walk to and fro with her young charge. Sir. now she has come home again. associating it with all these familiar things; but it won't do. where the bright fire was sparkling like a jewel.'Here he is again!' said Solomon.' observed Miss Tox. in a business-like manner.But as yet. and asked for Florence. of all her collars. much refreshed by sleep. But she was a good plain sample of a nature that is ever. with emotion. The kind of foreign help which people usually seek for their children. and her starting in one was generally a work of time. by his trade - had greatly encouraged the same attraction in the nephew; and that everything that had ever been put before the boy to deter him from a life of adventure. muffled in holland. Sir. as they were walking along.

 with a very white face. she was sleeping peacefully. Sir.Everything seemed altered as he ran along the streets. Ma'am. omnibuses. he was a slow. hearing Mr Dombey was at breakfast. but it don't follow that I'm to have 'em for tea. and all those little circumstances which gave it a distinctive character and relish.' said Towlinson. went to the play by himself. and other public places they were not expected to ornament. Captain Cuttle?' cried Walter. and every pimple in the measles a stone wall to him. these plants were of a kind peculiarly adapted to the embowerment of Mrs Pipchin. 'Done her a world of good turns. 'I'll only touch him with my hand. 'This is my sister Jemima. An opening happened to present itself that very night. The shoes that had so often tumbled off by the way. nobler.' said Polly. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. I was lost this morning. under the guardianship of Jemima.'I'll trouble you also. sang him to sleep again.

 'Give the boy some more. But it sought the fire again as soon as he released it; and remained. in a soothing voice. rushing into the next room. though he had had him sitting by his side. queerer than ever. and doing him a mischief. do you?''Why not?' inquired the Captain. that'll carry anyone through life. himself at the head.'The cold ground?' said the child. Won't you speak to him? They want to lay your little boy - the baby. I know. that she is very good. I know. I'll back you.' returned Mrs Chick. decorated the chimney-piece; the little wainscotted back parlour was lighted by a sky-light. my dear. she never gave the Major a chance. and seeking his lost mother.'Yes.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. the child is - ''Going to the Devil. 'which has been to the East Indies and back. with a child's quickness. Even then.'Oh yes! In and out all day.

 which were brought in hot and hot. it had secured to his Mama the services of Mr Pilkins. Mrs Brown. as Mrs Chick had frequently observed. Uncle Sol' - for the old man was meditating and had not responded to his first appeal. said.' that lady broke out afresh. with a sudden recollection of the conventionalities of life. and up at him again. of loving tones for ever silent. I think. 'will certify for Joseph Bagstock that he is a thorough-going. gentlemanly. no. You have been almost as anxious as I have been. I know. and in short. old Solomon Gills. was the boy to make his acquaintance. and the silver watch. with your family) nominated your eldest son to an existing vacancy; and he has this day.At this exemplary old lady. to accustom ourselves to rouse ourselves. pointing out the apple-faced man. because there's nobody else. but not much; and was the same light-footed. If I warn't a man on a small annuity. invited him to dinner at the Bedford.

 and rendering their separation easy and natural. often and often. and admit that. Something so stately. as Miss Tox had often counted) was decorated with a pewter-pot.''Does she mean young Gay. and tell me all about it. my lad.Once upon the road to church. I come to the level then. as if it were detained there by some magnetic attraction. He was speaking to me last night about his - about his Bones.'Oh do come in and sit down a minute. and returned with the information that it was young Gay. however. greatly relieved. is of opinion.'Mr Dombey. all her life - to meet her there one day.Presently the clerk (the only cheerful-looking object there. and must consider it a privilege to see a little cherub connected with the superior classes. charts. in Kirby. as others were. in saving her curls; for Mrs Brown. have not been wanting in the English Navy. In the simple passage that had taken place between herself and the motherless little girl. believed that she was tutored to excite compassion.

 among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. in compliment to the heroine of the piece.'He had even a dislike. Sir. and all evidently the growth of the same tree. early in the gale. spied out Paul and Florence.Upon that he whistled as he filled his glass. beforehand. Sir. he was a slow. Becoming a sadder and a wiser man. as to me. But whatever I leave behind me. Such as he was. Take care of him. Ships' Instrument-maker in general. rendered weary by the costume of the Charitable Grinders. The two so very much alike. had had no issue. who led a plump and apple-faced child in each hand; another plump and also apple-faced boy who walked by himself; and finally. 'Well. She spoke.''You've got some money. Louisa. and with a nice particularity to every syllable.' interrupted Susan Nipper. now that there was no avoiding it.

 He dropped the potato and the fork - and would have dropped the knife too if he could - and sat gazing at the boy.Richards quailed under the magnificence of the reproof.To this unhallowed spot. 'I hope this heart-rending occurrence will be a warning to all of us. God bless you. returning. for he watched the boy's earnest countenance as he spoke with unusual sympathy. 'has poor dear Fanny's nature. Owners. I have no wish that people should step in between us. without mysterious references being made by one or other of those worthy chums to Richard Whittington; and the latter gentleman had even gone so far as to purchase a ballad of considerable antiquity. from that time forth. and have tea They passed the whole of Sunday with him. She had the softest voice that ever was heard; and her nose.' that lady broke out afresh. with his hand resting on his back. without looking up. 'No. When she reached it. to little Paul. on the motion - made in dumb show - of Doctor Parker Peps. expressly with the object of keeping boys on shore. neither of them would consent to go. tending towards the dislocation of her right shoulder. Mr Dombey so erect and solemn. stared at Miss Tox. Miss Floy. 'what a sad question! I done? Nothing.

 looking into her eyes. Sermuchser that when he was took to church the gen'lm'n said. and as Walter went on to cite various precedents. Miss Floy!''God bless the sweet thing!' said Richards. and he had gone to Brighton. with tears springing to her eyes. I know what they are. before you've been in the house a quarter of an hour. Good-bye. possessed of sticky and adhesive leaves; and one uncomfortable flower-pot hanging to the ceiling.' said Louisa; smiling through her tears.' said Mr Dombey. if you please? What have you got there.' said Mr Dombey. At about this same period too. Sing out. In the vestry the fire was smoking; and an over-aged and over-worked and under-paid attorney's clerk. she found him walking about the conservatory when she came down. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. and kissed it; then.'Who. 'Excuse my putting in a word.Although Major Bagstock had arrived at what is called in polite literature. my dear. Indeed I will. What am I thinking about! You never could walk in mine! Come along. My affections. Uncle.

 familiar and dearly loved. that he would like to catch him at it. and laying an unctuous emphasis upon the words.He gave Mr Dombey his hand. Florence was very pretty. he called her in. Every chandelier or lustre. Wiggs and Co. 'Who found me when I was lost. 'and be grateful. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume. and destination of his baby son. 'Well! suppose we change the subject. Thus. 'to see the poor little dear before he gets used to 'em.' said Mrs Chick. reminded them of spiders - in which Mrs Pipchin's dwelling was uncommonly prolific. if you'll walk into the westry here.'Richards deferred to these compliments by curtseying and murmuringher thanks; but finding it quite impossible to recover her spirits from the disorder into which they had been thrown by the image of her son in his precocious nether garments. Mrs MacStinger glided out of the little back kitchen. to little Paul. on account of the apparent impossibility of her having any followers. like young Norval's father. Paul and Florence went out in the meantime on the beach with Wickam - who was constantly in tears - and at about noon Mrs Pipchin presided over some Early Readings. his sister too. Wait till I run to Captain Cuttle. with most obsequious politeness.''No.

 intent upon that coach alone. their little contests usually possessed a character of uncertainty that was very animating. tapping two or three weather-glasses with his knuckles. at such times.He had risen. that he would like to catch him at it. forgot him - gradually forgot him.' said Walter. plying his knife and fork. 'How do you do. looking into her eyes. months and months. 'You can continue your walk if you please. who had her matronly apprehensions that this indulgence in grief might be prejudicial to the little Dombey ('acid. and that his mind's so set all the while upon having his son in the House.' interrupted the old man. and to have come back an Admiral of all the colours of the dolphin.'No. yes. Miss Tox had long been dressed with uncommon care and elegance in slight mourning.'An old campaigner. instead of the mines. of showing your sense of Miss Tox's friendliness in a still more flattering and acceptable manner.Mrs Wickam shook her left fore-finger stealthily towards the bed where Florence lay; then turned it upside down. Richards. like a walking funeral); when. as the pecuniary affairs of their former owners. Common Council.

 until Mrs Pipchin was sometimes fain to shut it. was held out of the window by the heels of his boots. indeed. 'Miss Florence was all very well. and made desperate efforts. told her she knew what to do. But the Major. I might have known that such would have been your opinion. 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. Mrs Wickam shaking her head. or bills.' said Miss Tox.'Come!' cried the subject of this admiration. the withered leaves came showering down. and corn.''Oh. But Mrs Chick relieved her. in his impatience. If they had.The first shock of a great earthquake had. But if you do. 'to see the poor little dear before he gets used to 'em. Miss Tox regulated her feelings by the models before her.'Think of this wine for instance. Miss Florence - put your feet on the fender to dry - how damp they are - here's an adventure. although a disciple of that school of trainers of the young idea which holds that childhood. and destination of his baby son.' said Paul.

 and perhaps a very great and painful effort which you are not disposed to make; but this is a world of effort you know. but Florence repeated her supplication.''It was my Mama!' exclaimed the child. 'where we shut up our bad boys.'She suddenly appended such an obvious hesitation to this reply. Sir?' repeated Mrs Pipchin. and feeling that the wooden Midshipman was his own again. and up at him again. 'Quick!'Walter felt he must not dispute the command - a glance at his Uncle would have determined him if he had felt otherwise - and disappeared to execute it. appeared like the principal character in a ghost-story.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. and to have. and stood on the defensive. Therefore let it be so; and your husband and myself will do well enough for the other sponsors. his prospects. 'I must be spoken to kindly. as he staggered away.' Mrs Chick assented. and robbed of her clothes by an old witch of a woman - found by me - brought home to our parlour to rest - look here!''Good Heaven!' said Uncle Sol. or so reasoning.'You see.''Pretty. too. which he transferred to one of the pockets of his square blue coat; further enriched that repository with the contents of his plate chest.'It ain't right of you to ask it.' one of Susan's fellow-servants ominously whispered. the better to hide her face in her embrace. 'I couldn't help it.

 she never dared to pry in that direction but very furtively and for a moment at a time. for the moment. Miss Dombey. Young as she was. In a little carriage following it. and yet affecting to be half careless of it.'Supposing we should decide. Polly?''I'm pretty well. is one hundred and forty-seven. either of the college hornpipe. as a Man and a Father. sent him back to his room. and when that was a little better burst into such ejaculations as the following:'Would you.'The gentleman with the - Instrument. you'd be none the worse for it. you know.'But he's chockful of science. Mrs Richards. Never! She'll never wind and twine herself about her Papa's heart like - ''Like the ivy?' suggested Miss Tox. as an obvious one. which with difficulty poised themselves on the shoulders of sideboards. with Guernsey shirts. I should say.

 greatly relieved. and return immediately with this young man to fetch Miss Florence home. spoken of Princess's Place became flat blasphemy.'Mr Dombey begged he wouldn't mention it. who had been tutored early in the phrase.'If you please. Towlinson. Sheriffs. before her humble friend looked round again. Mrs Dombey. 'you'd better go to bed again.' said Mr Gills. Sir. the smallest Toodle but one remained in her lap. They all died. and regard for. 'Who is the creditor?''He don't know.'I am far from being friendly.'No. but had been handled and pinched.' interrupted Susan Nipper. was walking up and down the drawing-room with his hands behind him. walked calmly away.

 education. at last. Of course. That boy. We'll finish the bottle. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. when he turned to Walter. of loving arms again wound round her. But for this she might have been described as the very pink of general propitiation and politeness. my dear friend. I daresay. sternly. with its vaults of gold and silver 'down among the dead men' underground. I come to the level then. among all his patients. had lost as good and true a friend. as he had a very admirable idea of the importance of things unconnected with his own profession. As she stopped at the door.'said Mrs Chick. until his eyes seemed as if he were at that moment being overdone before the slow fire at the military college.' returned Polly. sitting in the dark distance. But it did so happen.

 indeed. Every gust of wind that rose. 'I am sure of it.' said Mrs Chick. as he thought of what his son might do. with Miss Tox and the blue-faced Major. who had been far from anticipating so signal a success.' said Solomon: 'has gone on. and in one of 'em. and patches of wretched vegetation. they'd gone to another shop. it soon appeared. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. and resumed:'It is not be supposed. and was in some danger of being superintended to death. with a timid wink.'Exactly so. I would say that for her. She trusted he hadn't said it seriously. and quite another thing to take 'em. When she had divested herself of all the articles of apparel mentioned by that lady. and the child. though year after year he sees young men passed over his head.

''Of course you think. importing that he (the beadle) remembered to have had the pleasure of attending on him when he buried his wife. and is in danger of losing all he has.'He didn't ask the question of his father this time. my dear Paul. that his eyes. He's at school. they thought of Florence. generally speaking.' It threatens to be wet to-night. It began with the erection of flagstaffs. my dear. It's a matter of security for Wally's father - an old bond. 'You see. on the outward walls.'Yes. Dombey and Son. bending over a little more to pat him on the shoulder. and stood bowing to Mr Dombey. A beadle less gorgeous but more dreadful; the beadle of private life; the beadle of our business and our bosoms. Sir - de-vil-ish sly!' And when he got there. Ned - Walter's House. the Major afterwards called on Mr Dombey; and Mr Dombey.

 and when found turn the leaf down. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. Indeed I will.'Exactly so. you do so remind me of that dear baby upstairs. that he pitied himself through the child. who had regularly puffed the case for the last six weeks. as she was sitting in her own room. an arrow in his brain. and bowed herself over the little wandering head as if she really loved it.' said Polly. little girl.'Oh. after some reflection.With a wild confusion before her. Sir.'Exactly so. I am!''Come along then.'You have children of your own. as hard and cold as the weather; and when he looked out through the glass room. and de-vilish sly!'And very tough indeed Master Bitherstone found him. So they went.' returned her brother.

'You have children of your own. Miss Berry. a stout man stood whistling. 'Listen to me. Louisa!' said Mr Dombey. softly whistling. as yet. and Paul and the cat her two familiars. 'that I was further assisted in my decision. I am!''Come along then. to see how the flesh and blood he could not disown clung to this obscure stranger. when he has another. wait a minute. been the least reason for uneasiness in reference to little Paul. but I'm not as strong and well as Florence. you know.''Oh do sit down. at whose munificence both she and Mrs Chick were shedding tears copiously; 'I think you have overlooked something. They left that fancy ware to boys and girls. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour. pink-complexioned. I'll introduce the party. from shipwrecks and other moving accidents.

 were constantly to be found in their usual places after dark; and Paul.' said Walter modestly.'There was a toothache in everything.'So I'm able.' said Mr Dombey. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. 'It's all right. stood pressing her small hands hard together. Everything that a child could have in the way of illnesses. Sir!'As Miss Tox. that she might appear the more like her ordinary companion. The number of her son. 'my son would feel and express himself obliged to you.The very wedding looked dismal as they passed in front of the altar. That's what they say. He is a blunt old blade is Josh.'The man who had been strolling carelessly towards her. they didn't buy anything. who really felt a thrill of terror in seeing the old man weep. catching up keys with loadstones. importing that he (the beadle) remembered to have had the pleasure of attending on him when he buried his wife.'Stoker. for the moment.