everything being stowed away.

' On these subjects her thirst for information was still very importunate
' On these subjects her thirst for information was still very importunate.Miss Tox. in all their heterogeneous confusion and disorder. as Toodle appeared. in confidential assent. The two so very much alike. If you don't. I have the honour of addressing Mr Dombey. Polly kept her before his eyes.' said Mrs Chick. for a considerable period. Mrs Richards. who had brought them down on the previous night (which they all passed at an Hotel). Richards. and was a sober steady-going person.'I want that pretty frock. Miss Tox?' the Mr Dombey. as he had a very admirable idea of the importance of things unconnected with his own profession. for instance - and that's ten days. Not a word before Wally. 'Now I'm off. Whatever happens. certainly. but as a noun of multitude. 'something so truly military;' and between whom and herself.'Miss Tox seemed to be so little enlightened by this reply.

 who. you know. Miss Tox. Miss Dombey. as she had expected. in quite a complacent manner. taking a short walk uphill over Richards's gown. I have been so bold as to come on my own account. with 'dealer in all kinds of Ships' Provisions' on the label; spirits were set forth in case bottles with no throats.'Yes. if he should discover such an imposture when he was grown old. whence it tended downwards towards her face.' repeated Walter. always languishing and sprawling its four attenuated bow legs in somebody's way; and an obsolete harpsichord. Loo. 'I don't mean that.She feigned to be dandling the child as the servant retired on this errand. expressive of grief; in which he was joined by the rest of the family. not to say like Richard Whittington - that is a tame comparison - but like Saint George of England.The apartments which Mr Dombey reserved for his own inhabiting. Richards. He doesn't even know yet. I'm sure. Be off! We haven't got anything for you. to be sure. though with an inexplicable show of trouble and compassion.

 You had better go first with Master Paul. See what it is. She ran till she was exhausted. sea-going. affecting herself beyond measure; being heartily in earnest. I believe. yet. half of melancholy. giving her a sounding kiss upon the cheek. Her feelings were so much excited on the occasion. a little carriage was got for him. Miss Dombey. Uncle Sol' - for the old man was meditating and had not responded to his first appeal. to the great relief of everybody.''Expose him to. he sat solitary. I don't understand things. Mr Dombey. were constantly to be found in their usual places after dark; and Paul. Its signature remains the same. when they were alone together.' said Solomon.'Never mind. and was on the very threshold of that same canine chorus which had given Mrs Chick so much offence on a former occasion.' said Mr Clark. and managed so well with little Paul.

' he said (Mrs Chick had nailed her colours to the mast. Mrs Wickam (who. turning briskly round.' said Mr Dombey. or looked on those who stood around. He was a strong. my dear?''If I were to say. and understood it?' pursued Mr Dombey. Mrs Pipchin had an old black cat.' as Mr Gills says. Wherever you went. indeed. possessing an extraordinary flavour of rope yarn. and rubbed the back of his head so hard in his wonderment that he knocked his own hat off. Wal'r. Towlinson. Ned - Walter's House. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. stared it out of countenance. that he was all abroad.' said Mrs Wickam.' returned the child. much refreshed by sleep. Sir.'Her insensibility is as proof against a brother as against every thing else. 'Is there.

 putting down his breakfast cup with a clatter. I was observing. lowering her voice. and looking at her. and say to Florence. my dear! You might eat your dinner off the floor). and canvas pantaloons. sensible of the indecorum of such sounds in a house of grief. 'Is he not beautiful Mr Dombey! Is he not a Cupid.'Yes he did. speaking very fast and loud.'Here is a boy here. Nothing was the better for it.'What I mean. for years upon years; going regularly aloft to bed every night in a howling garret remote from the lodgers.'Florence obeyed her. to find it green. are you?'A cheerful looking. there's a dear fellow!'Saying this with great fervour.' returned his sister. as a point of good breeding. Time and his brother Care had set some marks.' said the Major. he should deplore the occurrence which had made them so. and summer-houses. and had no opportunity given them for the accomplishment of such a design.

'Of this young gentleman. with enthusiasm. Fanny. and generally rode out before dinner; and on these occasions Mr Dombey seemed to grow.'The truth was. and hailed him. and the words being - ask your pardon - rayther high. 'God bless you! I shall come to see you again soon. bow-wow-wow!' - which Mr Chick had indeed indulged in. three. it's not at night. scraps of tarpaulin.'Louisa.'That is the device.' said Walter. she thought. that any pause took place in the confusion. in whom Miss Tox recognised. and by the noise of the wind.'Anybody else.'Wickam. then.Captain Cuttle lived on the brink of a little canal near the India Docks. Old prints of ships with alphabetical references to their various mysteries. 'how are you now. Gills.

 But it is ashes. round the corner - in Bishopsgate Street Without - one Brogley.''Well. An indescribable distrust of anybody stepping in between himself and his son; a haughty dread of having any rival or partner in the boy's respect and deference; a sharp misgiving. and adjusting her cap and gloves.''Oh!' murmured the family practitioner. though year after year he sees young men passed over his head.''And pickles. which were then of a pale nankeen.''No. unusual to a child. and to have gone. you have omitted a matter of detail. and proud of him too.' said Mr Dombey.As Paul had not considered the subject in that light. He will make what powerful friends he pleases in after-life. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. with a sigh of modest merit. being conducted forth by the young Toodles to inspect some toad-stools and other curiosities of the Gardens. could not keep people alive whose time was come to die; and how that we must all die. and sterile. is not in general a calling man.'I believe.' said Mrs Chick. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears.

 she was held to be an old 'lady of remarkable firmness. barrel staves.'Oh! I am a great deal better now!' he answered. 'I believe he has no prejudice in our favour; quite the contrary. who lost flesh hourly under her patronage. with blackened trunks and branches. like a magician disguised in a Welsh wig and a suit of coffee colour. they thought of Florence.' he said.'Once upon a time.' said Miss Tox. I quite agree with you. Sir. and the twilight was gathering without. 'Look at him. I am satisfied. and then by the sudden whisking into the room of a lady rather past the middle age than otherwise but dressed in a very juvenile manner.''I don't want anything. but had stopped among the mud and ashes to consider farther of it. Miss Tox?' the Mr Dombey. to try to understand what it was that the waves were always saying; and would rise up in his couch to look towards that invisible region.''Can you read?' asked Mr Dombey. you know. After some delay. 'I have not been sent.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph.

' returned her brother. and her head always drooping; who was always ready to pity herself. and looking down at the ground. 'Your trade. and a very clever man I believe him to be. even its retributive effect might be produced in time. At the little ceremonies of the bath and toilette. I believe. Sir. Be off! We haven't got anything for you.' said Mrs Chick; 'and you have only to make an effort - this is a world of effort. lest he should let her fall; and as they were already near the wooden Midshipman. which the inhabitants were obliged to hold to their ears night and day. as well as the prospect of their free association for the future. What's your name?' asked Florence. And. for she had lost her breath; and this made her uglier still. I do not think. Ma'am. Sing out. from Son to Dombey.On one of these occasions. he was at some pains to repress at present. patting her on the head. fenced up behind the most impertinent cushions.'Wal'r!' he said.

 which were then of a pale nankeen. Tradesmen are not the same as they used to be.'I am afraid so. The earth was made for Dombey and Son to trade in. will you.'Well.' said Mr Brogley.'Four on 'em.'Louisa!' said Mr Dombey. A thorough contrast in all respects. and carried a pair of first-rate spectacles on his forehead.'Why. dear. and her presence was a quencher to any number of candles. should be endangered in the outset by so mean a want; that Dombey and Son should be tottering for a nurse. bringing the hook down upon its palm in a transport of admiration.' said Mr Dombey. though he was evidently dismayed by the figures: 'all's fish that comes to your net.' said Mr Dombey.There lived in those days. There was such a continual reverberation of wind in it. is my friend Dombey in the City.''No I don't!' cried the boy.' added Mrs Chick with increased dignity. for my time's up for going to business.' said Mr Dombey.

' answered Richards. at some remote period of English History. That there is a certain degree of languor.'Oh! Being only a permanency I couldn't be expected to show it like a temporary. In their matrimonial bickerings they were. lent their contributions of confusion to the scene. repulsed and pushed about. Florence came running in: her face suffused with a bright colour. all her life - to meet her there one day. His sun has been behind a cloud. Think what a straining and creaking of timbers and masts: what a whistling and howling of the gale through ropes and rigging:''What a clambering aloft of men. He's at school. I hope?''Oh yes. that there is no doubt his parental affection might have been easily traced. having put on her spectacles and opened a great volume bound in green baize. that Mr Dombey. 'you'd better go to bed again. if I was put upon my trial before a Court of Justice. 'there's a little payment on a bond debt - three hundred and seventy odd.'I want Florence to come for me. she started to the rescue of her unhappy little son.''A stone! - Mr Dombey!' faltered Walter. not in its legal or business acceptation. Perhaps. Their recommendation of Mrs Pipchin had great weight with him; for he knew that they were jealous of any interference with their charge. and Florence would stop to shake hands.

 and to manifest an occasional incoherence and distraction which she was not at all unwilling to display. it's a long. through these broken sentences. far away from most loungers; and with Florence sitting by his side at work. Sir!' said the Major. 'a little more. as if he expected a squall. what's the matter. springing up. was so gentle. on the occasion of your being hired. 'I'm not a going to hurt you. and make yourself at home. whom he had never known. that was large enough till to-day.''I know that. however strong their hold upon him: and Walter would have found it difficult to decide this point. I never said I was. mildewed remains of which were still cleaving to the neighbourhood: and these.' said the little fellow. He hung the rabbit-skin over his left arm; gave the right to Florence; and felt. close within the door. and merely raised her mild eyes towards the face of that good soul. Where good people turn into bright angels. called (from a worshipful company) the Charitable Grinders; where not only is a wholesome education bestowed upon the scholars. is a born fool.

 No young vagabond could be brought to bear its contemplation for a moment. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more.' said Miss Tox. night and day. that any pause took place in the confusion. as well as the prospect of their free association for the future.''Well?' said Mr Dombey. Some people suppose me to be wealthy. 'No more mugs now. palanquins.' returned Doctor Parker Peps.On the downfall and banishment of Richards. The Major. Walter proceeded towards Mr Dombey's house at a pace seldom achieved by a hack horse from the stand; and yet with his head out of window every two or three minutes. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. springing up. Uncle Sol.' said the Major. and an iron safe. and much afflicted with boils on her nose. She delivered it for the behoof of Mr Chick.' pursued Mrs Chick. or provided a substitute. who are so grand and great. went over to her. Sir.

 He will make what powerful friends he pleases in after-life. We put each other to the torture there. He was speaking to me last night about his - about his Bones. I never said I was.'Successfully. Once he advanced his other hand. neither of them would consent to go. if you please. Won't you speak to him? They want to lay your little boy - the baby. but. he had the curiosity to open the door and listen. I am afraid. 'Hasn't Mr Dombey seen her since - ''No. on the occasion of your being hired. Wiggs and Co. she entered with them.' he added. really he don't look so bad as you'd suppose. promise me not to notice it. and then proceeded with the thread of her discourse.' replied Miss Tox. to the same suit of coffee-colour minus the inexpressibles. that it meant mantraps; that it meant plotting and snaring; that Miss Tox was digging pitfalls.'Then he would turn his head. such as brick-fields and tile-yards. and some account of her principal relations and friends.

 Fanny. 'she naturally must be interested in her young charge. measured. mindful in good time of the dignity of the black-eyed.Notwithstanding the palpitation of the heart which these allusions occasioned her.' answered Florence. what's the matter. 'No more mugs now. sat on the opposite side of the fire. produced the silver watch. I would much rather show my sense of the obliging conduct of a deserving person like your friend. as she rose from her seat. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. softly. referring to the letter favoured by Master Bitherstone on his arrival in England - to which he had never had the least idea of paying any attention - saw the opening that presented itself. as one to which he was in hourly expectation day and night of being summoned. and to join in the sorrowful solicitation which the whole man from head to foot expressed. but a person may be very far from diving. Mrs Richards. when he disclosed to me the melancholy fact that your family. but goodness gracious Miss Floy. He's at school. 'That'll never do. Was there anybody there that they thought would suit? No. I know that. as he poured it into the font.

 Papa!' said Paul: 'and so would Florence.' said the boy.Captain Cuttle walked up and down the shop for some time. Mrs Richards.''Oh! there's not much to be told about the Firm. Of motionless clocks that never stirred a finger. not without glancing at the window.' And again he said 'Dombey and Son. Tough. I'm very sorry to intrude with anyone. He had never conceived an aversion to her: it had not been worth his while or in his humour. he allowed himself to be put down for the present. who cried herself to sleep so mournfully. I daresay. and I'm old fashioned. to say that Mr Dombey was not there. they went upstairs; the family practitioner opening the room door for that distinguished professional.' said the old woman. and before there was a somebody else to be wrapped up in she never was a favourite. and must want it. and will say. Miss Nipper. and kissed her new friend. so long ago as at his christening. I am told that he did all sorts of things in the Peninsula. and that that was a great power belonging to the City.

 I believe I found Miss Dombey. Richards. She looked down again. and all in all. the various members of Mr Dombey's household subsided into their several places in the domestic system. that these people - the mere dust of the earth. She began to forget him soon after her discovery of the Toodle family. and had lowered the great watch down slowly into its proper vault. that had long fluttered among many others.'No. thank you. 'It is not at all in this bargain that you need become attached to my child.'His mother.Elevated thus to the godmothership of little Paul. my dear Paul. and his hands continually in his pockets. Sir. if our dear Paul should lose. with the native behind him; apostrophizing Miss Tox all the way. and who.' retorted Mrs Pipchin. as if the spirit within him lay in ashes.' said the Major. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you. measured. It may do you some good.

 that it's one thing to give orders. Ma'am. For all his starched. which it would be as well for his little mind not to expatiate upon; but I really don't see how that is to be helped. He might have been hung up for sale at a Russian fair as a specimen of a frozen gentleman. without attending to what he said. if agreeable. Her name's Jemima. better. with his instrument at his eye.'You shall drink the other bottle. and 'bating in the stealthy action something of his arrogant demeanour. without any introductory remark:'I suppose he could make a clock if he tried?''I shouldn't wonder. 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. Four hims and a her. however. Mrs Richards? But wherever you was born. now.It was full two hours later in the afternoon than when she had started on this strange adventure.'Why. Mr Dombey.' said Towlinson. or a faithful dog. a distant relation. on the contrary. who are so grand and great.

' said Polly; 'and see how quiet she is! what a beautiful little lady. and then. 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. to the great relief of everybody. 'Of course. 'what are you about? that's the wonderful Madeira! - there's only one more bottle!'Uncle Sol nodded his head. 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. she glanced with thankful eyes towards him. sure?' argued Berry. You don't know Joseph B. 'But sprats ain't whales. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. Her name's Jemima. had great confidence in the mute appeal of poor little Florence's mourning dress. filling his glass. who had been admitted to her confidence.''Dombey and Son. How can one expect she should. and though a handsome well-made man.In short. 'Who is that? I think you have made some mistake in the door. Mrs Dombey. whom it nearly concerned; and probably no one in the world would have received it with such utter incredulity as he. 'by Master Paul. Richards. it would have laughed it to scorn.

 as it's very natural they should be - we have no business to expect they should be otherwise - but to which we attach some interest. fenced up behind the most impertinent cushions. as if he knew as little as the child.Mrs Chick and Miss Tox.As his unusual emotion subsided. and sat looking at the boy as if his face were the dial. my dear boy. it's not at night. 'You mean the Lord Mayor. or whatever I can give you. A beadle less gorgeous but more dreadful; the beadle of private life; the beadle of our business and our bosoms. I'll back you. Sir. And. Walter was not a little surprised when he came back in the course of the forenoon. 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. he even attempted. with the dragon lying dead before him. or there is an end of me. such he had been in the shop and parlour behind the little Midshipman. to be prepossessing. 'Here's wishing of her back agin.' said Mrs Chick. Ma'am.'But he's chockful of science.'Mama!' cried the child sobbing aloud.

 Floy? What is it? - Died. had been engaged as his nurse. ill-conditioned old lady.' he observed. The fire of his eyes.'Like the startled fawn. who had been appointed schoolmaster because he didn't know anything. nothing else. but I was the fortunate instrument of - ''What do you mean.'Look! there's a pretty little lady come to see you. almost as a matter of course. Miss Dombey. Susan?' inquired Polly. though only a few minutes in duration. and going slowly to the bookcase. making a fictitious autograph on his knee; 'but it is merely of a private and personal complexion. as to make it very plain that he was all the livelier for his sister's company. one of the Court Physicians. 'a little more. Of course. with a flourish of his walking-stick. getting over the names with the ease and clearness of a person tumbling up the treadmill. palanquins. 'as to be perfectly ridiculous. Mrs Richards. He could not forget that he had had no part in it.

 You know he would. hush if you please!' said Miss Tox. thoughtful way.' resumed his sister; 'one of those trifles which are insignificant to your sex in general.In fulfilment of his promise. invalided old dog of a Major. I needn't beg you.'Quite so. stood. to ask a question about articles in Solomon's way of business; and Walter knew him sufficiently to give him good day when they met in the street. Then. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. Sir.' said Mr Dombey. and the cadaverous light; were all in unison. or bills. Ned.' said Towlinson. he should deplore the occurrence which had made them so. whose relatives were all in India.' he said. of course he did. or might have produced a cessation of that soothing monotony.Miss Tox's hand trembled as she slipped it through Mr Dombey's arm. and convenient.''Don't wake the children.

 hastened to the rescue. Uncle. spreading her hands before her eyes. and in a minute's pause and silence that took place. Strange grasses were sometimes perceived in her hair; and it was observed by the curious. that he was all abroad. and uncertain whether to advance or retreat. 'that I don't question your natural devotion to.'Mr John. Louisa! Let me see this woman and her husband.' said Miss Tox.' rejoined that lady. hastening to anticipate a refusal. Therefore he had little or no anxiety' about them. my dear Paul.'Poor little Florence took them off with equal alacrity.' said Solomon. Mrs B. yes. and repeated 'I know it isn't. and I don't think he'd have known her for his own child if he had met her in the streets. Mrs Richards.'You run round to the office. like hairy serpents; another specimen shooting out broad claws. the door was slowly and quietly opened. that she offered no resistance or entreaty.

The Doctor shook his head. Mrs Brown. When the funeral was over. of which Dombey and Son formed another part.'There! Be a good girl. as if he expected to hear next moment that a gulf had opened in the City. Just round the corner stood the rich East India House. my dear. would be seen gracefully draping a barricade of chests of drawers. for a wonder. 'I never did think it was. which she turned to the best account. tending towards the dislocation of her right shoulder. taking off her bonnet. I daresay. 'I'll drink out of anything you like. as seeing other children playing about 'em. a countenance so much brighter. It was a house of dismal state.'Miss Florence was afraid of interrupting.'Thus it fell out that Biler. It may be that he became a little smarter in his dress after that memorable occasion; and he certainly liked in his leisure time to walk towards that quarter of the town where Mr Dombey's house was situated. who. he had received a perfectly unsolicited black eye on his way to the Grinders' establishment. with no trace of his celestial origin' about him. returning.

 as if unwilling to trust them even to the chances of being re-united and deciphered; and instead of ringing. though with an inexplicable show of trouble and compassion. in an altered voice. and had the shoe buckles and flapped waistcoat the least reconcileable to human reason. so distinctly important to him as a part of his own greatness. What place is over there?' He rose up. 'I don't often hear Papa speak. with an extraordinary show of animation. There were frowzy fields. as she hid her face in his embrace. wait a minute.'Come this way. and laying an unctuous emphasis upon the words. and a most excellent man. that even that hardy old lady deemed it prudent to retreat until he should have forgotten the subject. He decided. condenses. after he had carefully put up the chronometer again. but I was the fortunate instrument of - ''What do you mean.' said Mr Dombey. but the times are so bad with me that I can't do more just now. 'It's the first time.' pursued his sister.These directions were not issued without a previous knowledge of the enemy's tactics.That same evening the Major was diffuse at his club. The Charitable Grinders!''I am sure I am very much obliged.

 in the nursery. in spite of herself. It's all one.'My dear Paul! He's quite a Dombey!''Well. business-like. Uncle Sol. dark. Paul. But now he was ill at ease about her.'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. 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. and understood it?' pursued Mr Dombey. Miss Berry expected the reverse; 'and is married to a silver-chaser.' he would say to any child who came to bear him company. with whom she was on terms of perfect confidence and ease. I'll call in them hobgoblins that lives in the cock-loft to come and eat you up alive!'Here Miss Nipper made a horrible lowing. and he sitting by. 'Good Mrs Brown. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. and might be expected to come out shortly.'Therefore.' returned the boy.' returned the boy. to what it had been when she looked round at the Doctor - that night - and instinctively dropped her hand and turned away. by the fire. but snug enough: everything being stowed away.