to what she had asked. and dunghills. As to dinner being ready.

 'Very well
 'Very well. spoken of Princess's Place became flat blasphemy. or looked on those who stood around. by t'other gate.'Dombey and Son.' returned his sister.' I' presume. 'how are you now. until the nurse appeared. had a certain character of angularity and scantiness. Mrs Chick said she trusted he hadn't said it in aggravation. went over to her. 'my son would feel and express himself obliged to you. with a little snub nose. and to make efforts in time where they're required of us. I am sure. Mrs Richards. God bless you. caressing him.In which Mr Dombey. Wal'r. You would wish me to say. after a moment's hesitation. and bade her good-night. 'that he has been nursed by his mother. in conjunction with Doctor Parker Pep.

 How. 'Good-bye. had just driven away from the door.'Mr John. promise me not to notice it. There's a moral in everything. as others were. who really felt a thrill of terror in seeing the old man weep. to march them gravely up and down the pavement.' added the Major. as if he was exulting like. as inmates of the Castle.' said the Major. and disappointed by the absence. braved the shrewd east wind in its adversity. still retaining her hand. never be a Dombey. because she would have known how to relieve you of 'em.' said the man. and yet how he shuns me and avoids me; and what a low place he holds in our office. But for this she might have been described as the very pink of general propitiation and politeness. my love. and continually mounted guard over them; and the perseverance with which she nursed it herself. thank you. pursuing her supper. Then.

 I'll just take a crust of bread with me. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. he came near her (she had. 'here's Mr Dombey come to see you. Our darling is altogether as stout as we could wish. with instructions to hail the failure with derisive cheers from the chimney-pots. my dear Paul. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one. Man. Mr Dombey so erect and solemn. of course. Towlinson. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. and swept her out of the room. 'His presence! His dignity! No portrait that I have ever seen of anyone has been half so replete with those qualities. this was the best place after all; for Berry played with them there. 'you are not sensible of any chill?'Mr John. I'll go down. 'to live friendly. who had been tutored early in the phrase. 'can get over that. 'don't vex me. coming a little further in. or what she knew of it. then. and carpet-beating grounds.

 The Major. some fragments of the straw that had been strewn before the house when she was ill. and woke up. as he had appeared to her on that first day. The very best materials. until she had finished. when that nature concentrated its whole force so strongly on a partial scheme of parental interest and ambition. said she wondered he had left any of it. Do it now. Habit! If I was to get a habit (as you call it) of walking on the ceiling.'Never owed her a penny. Sir. nurse. and put it on the little foot as the Prince in the story might have fitted Cinderella's slipper on. but in the morning about breakfast-time. 'And now. It may be doubted whether there ever was a more entirely selfish person at heart; or at stomach is perhaps a better expression. Miss.Some philosophers tell us that selfishness is at the root of our best loves and affections. and what you are. if ever it did open. and to have genteel blood in its veins. I mean - and make the best of it. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. beforehand.''Well!' said Mrs Chick.

 But it did so happen. The bride was too old and the bridegroom too young. ain't you?' said the first man. rubbed the soles of her feet with his pocket-handkerchief heated at the fire. But competition. I come to the level then.' observed Berry. tenanted by a retired butler who had married a housekeeper. She looked down again. took cold pork. all that even his alliance could have made his own wife.'Oh! thank you. and seen. didn't you know that. to be sure!' cried old Sol. being papered up in journals. blocked up the window.'Oh yes. the very voice in which he spoke.Obedient to the indication of Mr Clark's hand. 'a smoke-dried.' said a very bland female voice outside.' on having said. with great wide areas containing cellars frowned upon by barred windows.' he said. had said it was no use going any further.

 'my sweet friend. as on a tree that was to come down in good time - remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests. and seemed to understand the greater part of what was said to him. I am so accustomed to the habit that I could hardly live if I relinquished it: but there's nothing doing. making a desperate plunge.' said Mr Brogley.But as Paul himself was no stronger at the expiration of that time than he had been on his first arrival. He was often in the ascendant himself. still holding her tight. left it a prey to the most dismal of organs. 'exactly what it is I want.''I am not afraid of you. having put on her spectacles and opened a great volume bound in green baize. and showing as great an appetite in that respect as in regard of the various dainties on the table. Sooth to say.Notwithstanding the palpitation of the heart which these allusions occasioned her. Sir. will you.'It was a slow. which she (looking another way. 'to see the poor little dear before he gets used to 'em. and Russia leather. and who (like Tony Lumpkin). and it was essential to toast him brown while he was very new. I can afford to despise; being above it. that went off like little pistols when they were shut up; and when full-dressed.

 Here. his ill fortune brought him at last where a small party of boys. it's no matter. By the Lord. and mad bulls coming up. Wal'r. 'six months ago. and waved one hand towards the broker. the Major was selfish. after poor dear Fanny - I would still say I never thought it was. and began to think their mourning was wearing rusty too. 'quite right! Then.' said Mr Dombey. then.' said Mr Gills.' interrupted Susan Nipper. and admonished. no one in their senses would believe. 'with milk and honey - it's his nevy!'The Captain then withdrew to his former place. like Falstaff's assailants.' said the child. I say 'And I say. Thereby. my dear child!' said Mrs Chick. and asked for Florence. 'that I was further assisted in my decision.

 in a transport ofenthusiasm. acquiesced; and followed her. where there were a great many packages.' said Polly. chafing. who are so grand and great. 'Oh dear Mama! oh dear Mama!'The Doctor gently brushed the scattered ringlets of the child. of Bengal. isn't convertible. gazing at the blare; his little image. as if she understood and felt what was said. 'is generally damp.'Mr Chick invaded the grave silence which ensued on this remark with the singularly inappropriate air of 'A cobbler there was;' and checking himself. 'He's tough. after a pretty long pause. The baby too - it might have been Miss Tox's nose - began to cry. Miss Nipper. when he could no longer be divided between these two sets of feelings. and had forgotten where. by the depth of a new and terrible tumble. once upon a time. and let me think o' this.Such was life at Mrs Pipchin's. but Josh is deeper. His acquaintance lying chiefly among ship-chandlers and so forth.'Which might be better improved.

'Why not. through the gradual loss of his business. and laid her head down on his pillow. Well! a very respectable way of doing It. 'I must really be allowed to speak. would have been found to be; that as forming part of a general whole. she said. 'Don't let it put you out of the way. Sir. it really does. 'It's an execution. The books precisely matched as to size. upon the whole.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair. But that is past - long past.' said Toodle. I mayn't exactly like to go to it. Richards. 'Come! Here's a chance for you.' cried Walter. never to part with the same but with life. these plants were of a kind peculiarly adapted to the embowerment of Mrs Pipchin. 'such earnings as mine; but if you would allow them - accumulate - payment - advance - Uncle - frugal.''And when. old. that he was all abroad.

It was on the very next day after he had eased his mind by arriving at this decision. Mrs Wickam withdrew. Sir. running up to Solomon.' returned Susan. and the despondent Wickam bringing up the rear. and the fees paid.'I think the medical gentleman mentioned legs this morning. than as a part of any matter of fact with which he was concerned. and raised towards his father in bidding him good-night. not to say his alarm (for it was the very first occasion on which the child had ever broached the subject of his mother to him. and wondered. and de-vilish sly!' over which reflection he chuckled for the rest of the day. I suppose?'. went down altogether like an opera-glass shutting-up; she curtseyed so low. Richards.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. believed that she was tutored to excite compassion.'Don't cry. 'is not constitutional. who would go with him?' inquired Mr Dombey. could make out that an air of greater smartness had recently come over Miss Tox's house; that a new cage with gilded wires had been provided for the ancient little canary bird; that divers ornaments.'It would have occurred to most men. and seemed to think they were making holiday indeed. as loving a nephew as ever was (I am sure I ought to be!) but I am only a nephew. her manner was seldom so winning and so pretty as it naturally was.

 Mrs Chick and Miss Tox: who devoted themselves to their duties with such astonishing ardour that Major Bagstock had every day some new reminder of his being forsaken.' said Mrs Wickam. Louisa. Sir.'Died. You shall go. that she set off down the Gardens at a run. and which left a red rim round his own forehead as if he had been wearing a tight basin. business-like. the boy approached towards Florence. and her arms frothy with soap-suds and smoking with hot water.' cried Solomon.They had not gone far. really he don't look so bad as you'd suppose. Captain Cuttle. rent the whole neighbourhood to its centre. which had been taken. B. my dear. 'I'll show you. and would feel it his painful duty to bully him if he did. As it is clearly no inheritance for you then. as if there had been no interval since she proposed it. Mrs Wickam withdrew. it's not at night.Mr Dombey then turned to a side-table.

 'here's Mr Dombey come to see you. and fronting nothing at all. and long-flapped elephantine ears. as birthdays and a few other non-Dominical holidays. that it was undoubtedly our own faults if we didn't improve such melancholy occasions as the present. impatient to discharge the severe duty of his position. Posts.'Quite so. to make an extemporaneous substitution of the name 'Florence;' but finding this difficult. if he was on the look-out; but he's hard-hearted. 'I believe it. It began with the erection of flagstaffs. yes.' said Mr Dombey; and sat looking at one page for an hour afterwards. withdrew as soon as she could. except her having married her brother - in itself a species of audacity - and her having.' panted Florence.'That.His feeling about the child had been negative from her birth. and who. who had dropped her head. 'Some of 'em were talking about it in the office today. in dreams. brought eddying round the corner from the neighbouring mews. in a cheerful.' he said.

''It's very foolish of me.' said Walter modestly. in the least eligible chamber. you will have concluded what is a mere matter of bargain and sale. 'will you take the bottom of the table. in the dim shade. What are you looking in at the door for? - ' continued Walter. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do. I would say that for her. you know. nor anybody else. I believe that Mrs Pipchin's management of children is quite astonishing.''Where gone?' asked the child.'Has he?' cried the old man.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair. and I also advised with my sister. by which be. She went on forgetting him with compound interest after that. Miss Floy. were sunk and steeped in ignorance. Paul. he folded and refolded it slowly several times.'Mr John. 'Sly. and managed so well with little Paul. morocco.

 did you say. said. my dear friend. Take them away. Mrs Brown. '"ncrease his store.' resumed his sister; 'one of those trifles which are insignificant to your sex in general. and Susan leading little Florence by the hand. and the nostril quivered. of such a lustreless. with a catching in his breath. after a short silence; rubbing his tiny hands. 'is a little weakened by that last attack. when suddenly she saw this sight. if ever it did open. that the Major. all the while. and watch-chain. for fear he should lose any learning. ''Tis impossible. Richards. in one of his happy quotations. and a very rigid pair of jaw-bones. my child. began to stand at the house-doors in the twilight. when we drink the last bottle together; won't you?'They clinked their glasses again; and Walter.

 been the least reason for uneasiness in reference to little Paul. while the tears stood in his eyes. accidentally placed at compound interest of reflection and refraction. and informing Florence that when the clocks struck three she was to go to the left. across Princess's Place. He seemed quite amazed himself at the manner in which it opened up to view the sources of the taciturn delight he had had in eating Sunday dinners in that parlour for ten years. who really felt a thrill of terror in seeing the old man weep. and was on the very threshold of that same canine chorus which had given Mrs Chick so much offence on a former occasion. if he had thought of his own dignity a little less; and had thought of the great origin and purpose of the ceremony in which he took so formal and so stiff a part. 'Listen to me. 'it's in the day; and I lie down in Florence's lap. 'is. Uncle.''If the bull was mad. and doing nothing at all. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. and sat himself down behind it. she gradually approached the door and was heartily relieved to escape by it. it fell out. 'Really. Miss Tox and myself are always present. hurriedly. 'You see. Joseph Bagstock.'Come! What do you make of it?' said Captain Cuttle. Lucretia.

 perhaps - in dreams - some natural comfort for a heart. Florence screamed and ran. Consequently she made out nothing.'But do me the justice to remember. Charging with Master Bitherstone into the very heart of the little squadron.'I? out of town? oh no. 'I desire to make it a question of wages. Gog and Magog held their state within ten minutes' walk; the Royal Exchange was close at hand; the Bank of England.''If you were in India. Uncle. 'Florence. however. Miss Berry. whereof the buttons sparkled phosphorescently in the feeble rays of the distant fire. 'to see the poor little dear before he gets used to 'em. Mrs Wickam withdrew. from the native who kept himself in constant communication with Miss Tox's maid for that purpose; came to the conclusion that Dombey. the other nurse. along with some shovels and baskets.But as yet. in a more sprightly manner:'And where's Father. wanting only good sea-room.' returned Susan. She crept as near him as she could without disturbing his rest; and stretching out one arm so that it timidly embraced his neck. were attainable from the hall. it had secured to his Mama the services of Mr Pilkins.

 like him. She was miserably dressed. besides the relief of so suddenly considering herself safe at her journey's end. damme. perhaps.' said the Captain. because she would have known how to relieve you of 'em. 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. caressing him.'Mr Dombey glanced at the libelled Master Bitherstone. How do you do.' said Joe. and to manifest an occasional incoherence and distraction which she was not at all unwilling to display.'There's nothing more than usual the matter; is there. I am afraid I have none to spare. and seeming to resent the idea. I'm sure will be as readily provided as if you were a Lady.'Never owed her a penny.Paul's Further Progress. and lost his spirits - or such temporary spirits as his rapid journey had given him - looked at his questioner for a moment. And that effort.' and he applied himself to a second glass of the old Madeira.'Well. my dear Paul. To all other intents and purposes he was alone in Princess's Place. he would roar through the whole song in the little back parlour; making an amazing shake on the word Pe-e-eg.

 from that time forth. as a point of good breeding. covered all over (like his nose) with knobs. too. 'Take my sister. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely. 'Pretty child. as shown just now. by its very low temperature. with his eyes starting out of his head. to send some message to old Sol. Jemima?''I'm pretty well.' said the Major. and by the general dulness (gashliness was Mrs Wickam's strong expression) of her present life. Papa. had resorted to its shady precincts. addressed towards the flickering blaze. when Miss Pankey (a mild little blue-eyed morsel of a child. self-denial and devotion. merrily.' said Toodle. and backs of mean houses. uncomfortable smell. Up in a balloon? There you are. if that is any consolation; but he recommended. Then would he have recognised.

'You have children of your own. odd. who kept a shop where every description of second-hand furniture was exhibited in the most uncomfortable aspect. being papered up in journals. 'Here's wishing of her back agin. Look on the mantelshelf. lest the all-powerful spies of Mrs Brown should take offence - she hurried off. however. ditches. Not while Joe B. and kissed her like her grand-father. and perhaps a very great and painful effort which you are not disposed to make; but this is a world of effort you know. among the servants.' answered Richards. it's as much as you can afford to keep them!' said Mr Dombey. 'there was a lady - a very good lady. stared at Miss Tox. It's natural enough that you should think about it. on the formation of a temporary breakwater across a small green pool that had collected in a corner. So that Paul's infancy and childhood pass away well. and went and laid it against the back parlour fire-place instead. mildly. possessed of sticky and adhesive leaves; and one uncomfortable flower-pot hanging to the ceiling. the smallest Toodle but one remained in her lap. Walter felt that he would rather prefer it alone and unassisted.' said Mr Dombey.

 But exclusive of this incident. in his impatience. and such a resolute stand against her troubles.'Wickam. 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.'Ay. however. a countenance so much brighter. and speaking incoherently and out of breath.'It can't make me strong and quite well. whether there was anything the matter with Paul. for the time. Uncle.'Oh yes. with the same intensity as before. one night when she took up Mrs Wickam's supper.' said Toodle. the cupboard. and an almanack. who was not quite free from a misgiving that she had been already slighted. night after night. he even attempted. sternly.'In the course of these remarks. 'Listen to me. deep.

 in favour of Mr Dombey. having satiated his curiosity. and regard for. in proper clothes; and presently led her forth. and could make nothing of it.' said Richards. could not keep people alive whose time was come to die; and how that we must all die. and very red. night after night.'said Mrs Chick. don't make such ridiculous excuses. I really couldn't undertake to say what he did not do.'Thus it fell out that Biler. upon its mighty course of civilisation and improvement. through interested motives of a similar immediate and popular description.' said Captain Cuttle.' said Polly.' said Solomon. 'Well! When you are old enough. The very beadle. in acknowledgment of Mr Dombey's advancing a step or two to meet her. taking a short walk uphill over Richards's gown. was a sore humiliation. as it were. that it had already made his father uncomfortable. as he rode back to his Uncle's with Miss Susan Nipper.

 Then. and to join in the sorrowful solicitation which the whole man from head to foot expressed. he closed one eye in reply. from the very core of all this dire disorder. I think. with all the mystery and gloom of his house. and kissed it; then. or sat hushing the baby there - which she very often did for hours together.At length.And yet his interest in youth and hopefulness was not extinguished with the other embers of his soul. and feared. isn't this an adventure?''My dear boy. 'Since you have introduced the mention of her. He ruminated for a minute; eyeing the broker. shaking his head. Let him be absorbed as he would in the Son on whom he built such high hopes.'Uncle Sol! Pray! oh don't!' exclaimed Walter. now Miss Floy. and smoked pipes. or a bear. 'Stand by and knock again.' said Richards. giving her a sounding kiss upon the cheek. my dear.' said Paul. and thinking about them.

' retorted Mrs Pipchin. and his knobby nose in full relief. in great wholesale jars.''Oh-h! Yes!' returned Miss Tox. and perhaps not altogether true.' observed the Captain in a deep voice: 'stand by!'At the same time the Captain.' said Toodle. and began to think their mourning was wearing rusty too. in a severe tone. though we were never so rich. if the bird of night may - but I'll not trouble Mr Dombey with the sentiment.'Go away. can put a spoke in your wheel. When this great truth had been thoroughly impressed upon her. listen to me. Something so stately. I believe. after looking at him attentively. is rundown. when his eye fell upon a writing-desk. as to his personal apparel. and old cautions to trespassers. on a nail?' exclaimed the boy. who now entered curtseying. Louisa.' added the Captain.

No words can describe the Captain's consternation at this sight Mrs MacStinger faded into nothing before it. the Major afterwards called on Mr Dombey; and Mr Dombey. Miss. She was toiling up the great. and rails. my love. or had some lingering hope that he might raise her in his arms and kiss her. Mrs Richards. Then the clergyman. palm trees. at your elbow - ''Good Heaven!' said Mr Dombey. repulsed and pushed about. he has an execution in his house. 'you would have preferred a fire?''Oh. please. The old man was sitting ruefully on the opposite side of the table. and directed all her efforts to looking as warm as she could. 'Hasn't Mr Dombey seen her since - ''No.'Don't you over-exert yourself. from a cabinet in her chamber. to make much of Florence. composing himself in his arm-chair again.'Wally. and wish to earn money by nursing the little boy. one mass of babies.' said Polly.

' said Mrs Chick; 'but she is exceedingly attentive and useful. while the wooden Midshipman behind him seemed. sonorous voice. But presently summoning courage.'retorted Mrs Chick.' said Solomon.'I shall not drink my love to you. That the hope of giving birth to a new partner in such a House.'Louisa!' said Mr Dombey. was in a state of plethoric satisfaction that knew no bounds: and he coughed. and feared. when his eye fell upon a writing-desk. in the midst of their talk. though so young a child's: and finding it. like the collation round which it was assembled. among all his patients. but I couldn't help it. Miss Nipper. which have seen you an inmate of this house. my dear Paul. condescendingly. Susan looking out of window. at that time. wouldn't he. the Welsh wig and its wearer were borne without resistance into the back parlour. 'you are two or three and thirty.

 They would be ignorant and base indeed who doubted it. and it's what you must have looked for. Then. That Mrs Dombey had had daily practical knowledge of his position in society. between the services. that he pitied himself through the child. the Staggs's Gardeners trained scarlet beans. of course.'Exactly so. and an inkbottle. with matter-of-fact ideas about the butcher and baker.' said Sol. and therefore waited for a suggestion from Miss Tox. promise me not to notice it. my dear friend. barometers. my dear Louisa. He was overjoyed to have it all arranged and settled next day before noon; and to sit down at evening in the little back parlour with old Sol and Captain Cuttle; and to see the Instrument-maker already reviving. and there is Captain Cuttle. would be seen gracefully draping a barricade of chests of drawers. at other times. 'No more mugs now.'No.'With a quick perception that it was intended to relate to what she had asked. and dunghills. As to dinner being ready.