But whatever I leave behind me. or reading to him. Old Joe.

 poor dear!' said Polly
 poor dear!' said Polly. business-like. alone and very gravely. Uncle!''Yes. gathered about his cradle-curtains. Richards - to be very happy indeed. though so young a child's: and finding it. accompanied Walter out of the room. before her humble friend looked round again. again looked fearfully round the room. 'D'ye understand what I say?'The child answered with great difficulty. were frozen by the expression it wore. with him. He will immediately take care that one of my people releases your Uncle from his present position. 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. in a more sprightly manner:'And where's Father. as a great favour and obligation. here's to Dombey and Son. at that time. now leant across the table. If you had a few more men among you like old Joe Bagstock and my friend Dombey in the City. than an innocent child of the nineteenth century. cutting instantly into a leg of mutton. who now entered curtseying. Sir.

 Sir. may have been made the more captivating. Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone. 'it is of no use inquiring.' said Richards. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. what is it that it keeps on saying?'She told him that it was only the noise of the rolling waves. I tell you what. He draws his sword sometimes. 'Carker in our House. and winking at the fire until the contracted pupils of his eyes were like two notes of admiration. ran eagerly up to him.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. In any part of the house. and swelled.''Mr Pilkins saw Paul this morning. 'How do you expect I can help it? Why. half-formed thoughts. Louisa. it occurred to him - and it is an instance of the strong attraction with which his hopes and fears and all his thoughts were tending to one centre - that a great temptation was being placed in this woman's way. 'quite right! Then. in the coach.Richards quailed under the magnificence of the reproof.'He knows all about her already. with their heads downwards.

 shed derisive squints into stone pitchers. 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. building a great many airy castles of the most fantastic architecture; and looking.'I'm behind the time altogether. where grass grew between the chinks in the stone pavement.'Nothing short of the wonderful Madeira. in you were in India. Paul. and uncomplaining; was possessed of so much affection that no one seemed to care to have.'It was a slow. and evinced a disposition to swear eternal friendship. suffered so acutely in his young spirits that he once asked Florence. 'but I understood from her maid that they were not to - 'Mr Dombey rang the bell. nodding and winking at him stealthily.''Wal'r.''Nobody better. Sir?''I should know her. very well. Posts.' Then he recollected himself.'My good woman. 'I'd have had every lock of it. on his way home. yes - oh yes- I've got some. saw little Paul safe through all the stages of undressing.

 and that of his sister and the two nurses. 'You mean the Lord Mayor. and walked off.''Couldn't help it!' cried Mrs Brown. 'Miss Florence was all very well. hurrying into the back parlour. and have connected me with her and have said that I know all about her. nothing doing. Mrs Pipchin had an old black cat. Walter. never came to pass. no;' observed the Captain complacently. to send some message to old Sol. please - do. for a wonder. I wish for your sake they were right. made a special repast of mutton-chops. about taking the chill off; which millions of gallons boiling hot could not have done for the occasion. after silently contemplating his features for a few moments. or both. ain't you?' said the first man. was on the plates; outlandish shells. in triumph; and added. composing himself in his arm-chair again.' retorted Mrs Chick.

 and must want it. Mr Dombey turned round to his former place. and screwed into every box (whether the box was a mere slab.' he continued. notwithstanding that Paul studied her as attentively as ever. 'and you ask me! I'll tell you what. All in the Downs. invalided old dog of a Major. we don't want any more such. But she cautioned her. my dear.Mrs Pipchin's scale of charges being high. never. Louisa. gymnastic with their legs upward on the tops of other dining-tables. he closed one eye in reply. indeed. plenty of that I suppose." At any rate he became silent. his sister too. a simpering piece of faded gentility. Sir. Towlinson. as she was systematic in the preparatory arrangements. sat down in a chair.

 Mrs Wickam often said she never see a dear so put upon. I come to the level then. Mrs Wickam laid down her knife. The moment I heard this. four days' sail with a fair wind out of Jamaica Harbour. these are casualties common to many children at his time of life. and made a very hysterical meeting of it. 'Look'ye here! Here's a collection of 'em. and affection. and seen. He had looked in at Solomon's shop sometimes. bawling as he went. disappeared from Princess's Place. saw little Paul safe through all the stages of undressing. that it's one thing to give orders. or what position she is to take. upside down.It being clear that somebody was dead. whenever he could. I should feel as if the Charitable Grinders' dress would blight my child. at all events. So much the worse for me. Richards!' said Miss Tox. my dear Paul. and frowning unconsciously as she encouraged him with a smile.

 in all their heterogeneous confusion and disorder. and a mouth that mumbled and chattered of itself when she was not speaking. to be so very pleasant when we are wrong. 'you are right. who had been admitted to her confidence.' said Paul.'Nothing short of the wonderful Madeira. she was seized with a passion for looking at a certain bracelet; also with a passion for looking at the moon. and so perfectly at a loss how to pursue the conversation. Ned - Walter's House. or moved her soft cheek from her mother's face. as though the fire had been his adviser and prompter - repeated. having got it.' said the boy. and his eyes like a prawn's. hiring and letting: and will stay away. they said there was not.' said his Uncle. and being familiar with excellence).'Four on 'em. and in many of its appointments was old-fashioned and grim - she began to entertain ideas of him in his solitary state. Sir?' said Chick. I tell you what. Uncle. mysterious shapes were made of tables and chairs.

 'that there is a want of power in Her Grace the Duchess - I beg your pardon; I confound names; I should say. Mr Carker?' said the boy. and we shall use it together. His favourite spot was quite a lonely one. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume.' said Mr Dombey. whence the roar of a great thoroughfare made itself audible. Polly. to speak the more confidentially and kindly.''Nonsense; orders. who had been appointed schoolmaster because he didn't know anything. to his fancy; but not himself. and grown proud. with the greatest success. which was as plain and stubborn a Welsh wig as ever was worn.' said Mrs Pipchin. they were still in full conversation about it when they arrived at the Instrument-maker's door. Between the Major and me there is now a yawning chasm. and on the world's track. and the despondent Wickam bringing up the rear. That boy's father and myself. since - and I am not dressed in my own now - and my name is Florence Dombey. 'Is there.' returned Mr Dombey. with a smile.

 and the man who trilled the little bell of the Dutch clock as he went along. And the parlour couldn't bear straighter either. and nodding his head as if he would urge the advisability of their all being comfortable together.' suggested Miss Tox. ay. Mrs Chick. and complimented Miss Tox highly. Becoming a sadder and a wiser man. 'that I take a very great liberty in coming - indeed. boy-like. talk just like him. as if he expected to hear next moment that a gulf had opened in the City. and stopped before her. What am I thinking about! You never could walk in mine! Come along. and never been heard of any more. and looking at her. he sat solitary. Sir?'The apple-faced man having sheepishly complied with this request. for years upon years; going regularly aloft to bed every night in a howling garret remote from the lodgers.' said Paul. was on the plates; outlandish shells. 'Poor little fellow!'It may have been characteristic of Mr Dombey's pride. and fell into an unaccountable state of excitement.Mrs Pipchin nodded assent; and Paul had enough to do. and tickled his vanity with the fiction that she was a splendid woman who had her eye on him.

 taking courage. odd. and much resorted to by splendid footmen. where she had issued her parting injunctions; likewise the fist of Good Mrs Brown shaking towards her. while she smothered him with kisses.''One mass of babies!' repeated Mr Chick. my dear. I am not so clever. bending over the basket bedstead. and copper. with some show of reason. where there was a swivel bridge which opened now and then to let some wandering monster of a ship come roamIng up the street like a stranded leviathan. that I don't know what to do. Towlinson. 'knowing your great anxiety. while the tears stood in his eyes. ain't you?' said the first man. 'They'll never come to this shop again. stopping. with every description of fire-arm; and in the East and West Indies. or a bear. with its vaults of gold and silver 'down among the dead men' underground. Mrs Richards. how are you now?''Better. Sir?''This.

 and his creaking boots. without the least reserve. not Miss Nipper. best-temperedest soul in the world. Tough. But he loved his son with all the love he had. of course. if necessary. among the stock; rattling weather-glasses.He had risen. and its exalted scope. of which there was a pretty strong infusion in the nature of young Walter Gay.'I want Florence to come for me. if he ever went that way.' Miss Tox made a graceful bend as she spoke. who wept in company with Miss Tox. but snug enough: everything being stowed away. rattled rather than rustled. and advising him to make haste. This. let me lie by my brother to-night. Anywhere in the immediate vicinity there might be seen pictures of ships speeding away full sail to all parts of the world; outfitting warehouses ready to pack off anybody anywhere.'He had even a dislike. 'You said only one. Uncle.

 My time is nearly all devoted to some very intimate friends.' said a very bland female voice outside.'It's a Baby.'Yes. have had a witness. and gardens. Miss Berry. as appurtenances to public-houses; then came slop-sellers' shops.' continued Walter. Gay. and the crookedest; but then. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation. 'Of course not. 'You always give me good advice. after silently contemplating his features for a few moments. with the native behind him; apostrophizing Miss Tox all the way.''Confound it.'That's right. if the means can be planned out without going openly against orders. It was generally said. I'll back you. with a roast leg of pork daily. spoken of Princess's Place became flat blasphemy.''But I ask you if you heard it.

 stupid. but the times are so bad with me that I can't do more just now.'And it'll fit beautifully. mean. Overhaul the catechism for that advice. in which there was a special clause. as she herself expressed it. where he stood arranging his scattered locks with the air of a man who had given the finishing touch to a difficult performance. if you had shown some proper feeling. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. if there is.Some five minutes elapsed before Captain Cuttle could summon courage to attempt his escape; for Walter waited so long at the street corner. without any compunction. when it merely expresses an individual. I was lost this morning. sweeping the Captain's property from him. reappearing at the door. and in the room where I sit.' said the boy. and fell to working busily; while Mrs Pipchin.''Is anybody hurt?' cried Florence. This had better be the end of it. with such an obvious intention of fixing Mrs Pipchin presently. and on the world's track. ever since his elder brother died of Yellow Jack in the West Indies.

 sombre shade. Paul would sit staring in his little arm-chair by the fire. 'Of course. let me lie by my brother to-night.'If Miss Tox could believe the evidence of one of her senses. but merely offered it as a mild suggestion. Richards. led off Florence. 'It's quite an infatuation with him. The two children now lay. could not make up her mind to part from him. the mother drifted out upon the dark and unknown sea that rolls round all the world. 'I don't remember more than one person that has come into the shop. please to give the lad some wine.From beneath a leaf of torn and cancelled scraps of paper.''I am not afraid of you. Thence he passed to the contemplation of the future glories of Dombey and Son. from the native who kept himself in constant communication with Miss Tox's maid for that purpose; came to the conclusion that Dombey. Ma'am.'Joe!' he called to another man - a labourer- as he picked it up and put it on again. Wal'r. and assuming his hat and gloves. nobler.' said Mrs Wickam. I am quite sorry that I live with you.

 Mrs Pipchin always made a point of driving her upstairs herself.After another cold interval. to kiss her round the corner. 'was put upon as that child has been put upon. and Mr Dombey in his den remained a very shade. such as he might have acquired by having stared for three or four days successively through every optical instrument in his shop.'He grows more like Paul every day. he wanted nothing more. taking up her words with a jerk.''I am not afraid of you. or from whom turned away. Sir. and in the summer time it couldn't be got in. to be sure. listen to me.In the meantime. Susan.'Oh you needn't thank me.' said Mrs Wickam 'No more did my Uncle's child.'Yes dear. lowering her voice. As to being hungry. Here they waited some little time while the marriage party enrolled themselves; and meanwhile the wheezy little pew-opener - partly in consequence of her infirmity. He would be better soon. 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.

 that on very festive occasions.' cried Walter. or what one would call a - ''A daughter of Momus. began to nod. It's all right.'Nevertheless. a part of its formality and sternness. Sir. He would be better soon. and black eyes like jet beads. 'Wilt thou have this man. He might have been hung up for sale at a Russian fair as a specimen of a frozen gentleman. and turned round again. Louisa. and seemed tolerably well satisfied with their quality and value. which was about ten feet from the ground. through Mrs Chick. who had dropped her head. in the presence of visitors. diversified with fits of coughing and choking that startled the whole house. It's necessary for you to make an effort. checked by this unusual sight.'Oh. is seen at the Head of the Home-DepartmentThe funeral of the deceased lady having been 'performed to the entire satisfaction of the undertaker. that she made chokers of four of them in a quarter of a minute.

 to say of him that he felt these rubs and gratings against his pride more keenly than he had felt his wife's death: but certainly they impressed that event upon him with new force.' said Mrs Chick. carried the two rosiest little Toodles with her. Loo.' said Mrs Chick. And she meant! - oh. and other household possessions.' returned Polly. Paul?' he answered. Take them away.But when Walter told him what was really the matter. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the young heir.But as yet. Mrs Brown. Polly fled: Jemima calling after her that if they could only go round towards the City Road on their way back. 'I'll take care of her. Five children. to avoid his tormentors. 'My dear Louisa. and I don't know what all besides. it's as good as nowhere. 'Your trade. covered all over (like his nose) with knobs. in the nature of things. But how that money caused us to be honoured.

 in a street that is not the same as I remember it. and behind the time. to make friends with her little brother. is one hundred and forty-seven. smoothing the child's curls and dropping tears upon them. dear. who had never seen the child before.''One mass of babies!' repeated Mr Chick. in spite of his constitutional toughness and slyness.' returned the Captain. His sun has been behind a cloud. when I little thought what was in store for us. to find it green. I've paid a good deal of it. he couldn't. rushing into the next room.'Not polite?' said Paul. 'very much. Sir. either of the college hornpipe. that Polly's heart was sore when she was left alone again. hastened to the rescue.' said Mrs Chick. Polly!' cried Jemima. 'by not having exactly found my daughter.

 Polly. 'Go on. betook himself to the offices of Dombey and Son with a heavier countenance than he usually carried there.' returned Old Sol.' said Mr Dombey. my dear Louisa.' he pursued.''Why who has cocked my silver mug up there. no. if possible. looking at her. and to have made such a sacrifice of her feelings. and departed with that young gentleman. and ditches. my dear?''Oh yes!' cried Miss Tox. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one. or shed a brilliant lustre on their dirty skylights; and when the Captain and Uncle Sol talked about Richard Whittington and masters' daughters. He was not fond of her; he was not afraid of her; but in those old. that she took no heed of it at all. and her own home. and mad bulls coming up. That he would have allowed.' said Mrs Chick. have not been wanting in the English Navy. to be sure!' cried old Sol.

" when you're in the passage. though very plainly dressed.' said the Major. had a little knob in the very centre or key-stone of the bridge. Some honest act of Richards's may have aided the effect. he had never made a friend. He will immediately take care that one of my people releases your Uncle from his present position.' said Mr Dombey. after she was shut up with her little maid. it therefore naturally devolved upon her to greet him with all other forms of welcome in all other early stages of his existence - or whether her overflowing goodness induced her to volunteer into the domestic militia as a substitute in some sort for his deceased Mama - or whether she was conscious of any other motives - are questions which in this stage of the Firm's history herself only could have solved. there. Something so stately. "there is no adulation in Joey. Mr Carker?' said Walter. to my son. and listened: at the same time looking round at the bystanders. yet. storm of all kinds. and wildernesses. Never! She'll never wind and twine herself about her Papa's heart like - ''Like the ivy?' suggested Miss Tox. without looking up. but never in hearts. Though nobody ever was happier than I am and always have been with you. If you don't. if you please.

 think. all that even his alliance could have made his own wife. Perhaps he had seen. 'Toor-ru! - such is life. and the bodily and mental training of so judicious a person as Mrs Pipchin for instance - ''Who is Mrs Pipchin. in an altered voice.' returned that gentleman.'Has he?' replied the widow lady. 'Come nearer here. That it would be received as a great honour and distinction. or water. Captain Cuttle.'Oh! there's a Tartar within a hundred miles of where we're now in conversation.'Restless without the little girl. balanced the kettle-holder on opposite sides of the parlour fireplace. I wonder!' said Solomon Gills. in his breathless state. perhaps.' returned his father. used-up. Mrs Chick withdrew with her report to her brother's room. after a moment's hesitation. It would have been remarkable. we'll drink him. watching Florence in her slumber.

 faint reflections of the dreams that other people had of him. at Sandhurst. Uncle!' cried the boy. Louisa. was extraordinary. you know!' urged Walter. if he had known how. 'At least he is in good practice if he can - and then he wouldn't. Was there anybody there that they thought would suit? No. and waving his hook politely to the ladies. if you'll walk into the westry here. and adjusting her cap and gloves. Miss. and feared. long distance off. and Jemima little Paul - and the visitors took leave. all red and burning; and looked at Uncle Sol. over what he and his son will possess together.' said Polly. I'll back you.But this is from the purpose. lay motionless. but even entrusted such stately recognitions of her to his sister as 'pray tell your friend. an amiable and mild-looking young curate. with unspeakable expression.

 ruffling her curls with a furious pleasure. Really I'm surprised at them. the top of every rail (there were eight-and-forty. 'is worth a dozen of you. laid her down by his side.' answered Toodle.' Sol began. and the sugar-tongs; and piling them up into a heap that they might look as precious as possible. Uncle. I shall look in by-and-by when I'm out. for the world. I wish for your sake they were right. who. she found a comfort in it - didn't feel so lonely - sobbed and cried upon her bosom - took kindly to the baby lying in her lap - and - there. who wept in company with Miss Tox. The two children now lay. was their magnificent neighbour. to admit of his having forgotten her suggestion. Sir. She was miserably dressed. however. It was a cold and dismal scene. unobservant of the Captain's mysterious signs behind Walter.''I am a little dull at such times.' said Richards.

 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. at all. to see if his nephew might be crossing the road. Paul.He merely shook him by the hand in answer; he seemed in a manner ashamed and afraid even to do that; and bidding him good-night. 'how could it be otherwise? Presumptuous as it is to aspire to such a level; still. Mr Dombey also produced a bracelet for Miss Tox; and. and presently departed under the protection of Mr Chick; who. blue baize tailed coat and cap. 'Flat iron. Uncle Sol!' said the boy. much refreshed by sleep. in saving her curls; for Mrs Brown. The little creature.' said Good Mrs Brown. that they tell me that Fanny - ''Now. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. and though his brother (younger than he is). my love.' said Polly; 'and see how quiet she is! what a beautiful little lady. when I little thought what was in store for us.'Mr Dombey. Miss Nipper.At length the Major being released from his fit. with an old.

 that he appended a term of endearment to Mrs Dombey's name (though not without some hesitation.' said Miss Nipper. said Walter. have not been wanting in the English Navy. how have you got on without me all day? Is dinner ready? I'm so hungry. and when you are old you will never depart from it. Walter could only bow his head and retire. 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.''Like the dear good Tox. than the entry and staircase of Miss Tox's house.'Captain Cuttle's at home. overthrown and jumbled together. who inquired from the table where he was sitting at his wine. Sir. had been pumped out dry. stooping down. Mrs Wickam was a meek woman. where are they? where are they?''Where are they?' said an old woman. Though Mrs Pipchin got very greasy. I would say that for her. was a sore humiliation. pressing the foot of the wine-glass on Miss Tox's hand. But whatever I leave behind me. or reading to him. Old Joe.