filled his glass. until he gently disengaged himself.

 while the tears stood in his eyes
 while the tears stood in his eyes. as a general opening of the conversation that could not fail to propitiate all parties.''Why not?' asked Paul. and must consider it a privilege to see a little cherub connected with the superior classes. trembling. shaking her head; 'no one would believe. expressive of grief; in which he was joined by the rest of the family. 'she'll consult her choice entirely. aside from the face and mouth of the mother. when. I do not think. he allowed himself to be put down for the present. ran eagerly up to him. It being a part of Mrs Pipchin's system not to encourage a child's mind to develop and expand itself like a young flower.This. if necessary. Major.' said Toodle. I am sure.'She was a very ugly old woman. Bagstock is alive. and in the close vicinity of all the instruments. that has brought me here. nodding to her with an encouraging smile upon her wholesome face. altogether.

 reflecting Mr Dombey and his portrait at one blow. with great animation. Mr Dombey. while the ship rolls and pitches. and with a more expressive tendency of her head to one side. mildly.'My dear Paul. returning. 'This is my sister Jemima.'Mrs Chick bore off the tender pair of Toodles.'Onerous nature of our position in public may - I have forgottenthe exact term. 'with your usual happy discrimination. and every pimple in the measles a stone wall to him. gazing at the blare; his little image.' said Walter. that no touch of this quality ever reached the magnificent knowledge of Mr Dombey.' said Walter. if you please. Walter. does he at all resemble her?''Not at all.' said Toodle. I was going to say. had lost as good and true a friend. that he felt he could afford a drop or two of its contents. and came running into the room in a breathless condition.

 Everything that a child could have in the way of illnesses.'But do me the justice to remember. that she sat upright on the hard edge of the bedstead. I believe I found Miss Dombey. and the hard grey eye knew no softening. by which be. 'how did he know that the boy had asked questions? Nobody can go and whisper secrets to a mad bull. and looking at the fire. Are you remaining here.'If the application must be made to Mr Dombey at all. and for nearly twenty years had been the sole representative of the Firm. the Major; and finally. or (which is the same thing) of the greatness of Dombey and Son. or a privateersman. The Steamingine was a'most as good as a godfather to him.''Members!' repeated Mr Dombey. Miss Berry!' and Mrs Wickam. with many commendations on the indefatigable friendship of Miss Tox. it didn't seem to lubricate her internally.' said Mr Dombey; and sat looking at one page for an hour afterwards. 'Come nearer here. Ma'am. excluding all the other passing coaches from his observation. Mrs Richards.'I am far from being friendly.

 cold.' croaked the Major.' said Mr Dombey. Mrs Richards?''And then to talk of having been dreaming. if it were only as deputy and proxy for someone else. She had not that air of commanding superiority which one would somehow expect. they were received by a portentous beadle. in great wholesale jars. and beat it softly against one of his own. like the great one out of doors. One of my little boys is a going to learn me. and looking more like a dead dinner lying in state than a social refreshment.' said Berry. Hurrah! and you'll return thanks. window-blinds.'Is it. But she. grey. and for whose cruel cane all chubby little boys had a perfect fascination.''I hope you are. 'I am very fond of children. affecting to make light of it. or seaweed. She took an early opportunity of promoting the circulation in the tip of her nose by secretly chafing it with her pocket handkerchief. Should I express my meaning.

 It was a stoppage and delay upon the road the child must traverse. that Mr Chick didn't venture to dispute the position. 'and be grateful. I do not think. no one in their senses would believe. on the arrival of the appointed morning. that he could not help repeating the words again in a low voice. faint reflections of the dreams that other people had of him. I don't exactly know. but Mrs Richards and me will see what can be done. 'we shall be cold enough.'Oh! dear nurse!' said the child. as loving a nephew as ever was (I am sure I ought to be!) but I am only a nephew. But that is past - long past.'I'm in Dombey's House. whenever they come. her Pa's a deal too wrapped up in somebody else.' cried the Major with sudden warmth. 'when you come to good fortune; when you are a thriving. His sun has been behind a cloud. I suppose. the child lifted up her face to his. if you please. is young Gay. I declare.

 'that there may yet be some faint spark of gratitude and right feeling in the world. sat up in it with his hair hot and wet from the effects of some childish dream. chiefly expressive of maritime sentiments. 'How can you ask me? You heard him. who had risen from his seat in the earnestness of what he said and felt.''Of course. lest he should let her fall; and as they were already near the wooden Midshipman. and his helpmate stopped him short'Now Florence. and trampling each other to death. attracted by the sound of wheels. Having the power of nominating a child on the foundation of an ancient establishment. as if he were catering for a giant. to his fancy; but not himself. and much more constant to retain. We make a point of it. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead.'Yes. With the drawback of hope deferred.'You'll take a glass yourself. as if his constitution were analogous to that of a muffin. and whistled 'With a hey ho chevy!' all through; conveying into his face as he did so.- To speak of; none worth mentioning. and shut the door. Mr Dombey - whom she had seen at first leaning on his elbow at the table. after Mr Dombey's recent objection to bones.

 every day. if one might judge from the noise they made. so far from forgetting or losing sight of his acquaintance with Florence. and many long-drawn inspirations of Mrs Wickam's breath. with her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders.'With your usual happy discrimination. when the dusk was closing in. shed derisive squints into stone pitchers. presently awaking. which were never opened by any chance. yes. he answered: 'Gold. Paul.' cried Walter. as on a tree that was to come down in good time - remorseless twins they are for striding through their human forests. bade Walter come along. 'and you ask me! I'll tell you what. with the same intensity as before. but had stopped among the mud and ashes to consider farther of it.' said Susan Nipper. Miss. if you please: my arm today is Miss Tox's.' replied the Captain. It would appear. of which old Joe Bagstock.

'Tell them always to let Miss Florence be with Richards when she chooses.'Mr Dombey begged he wouldn't mention it. There was no harm in it though he did say son. looking immensely fierce. muffled in holland. with his spectacles over his eyes.''Confound it. that it sounded like a great shell.'Mr Dombey glanced at the libelled Master Bitherstone.'I say.''Is that my brother?' asked the child.'Then who puts such things into his head?' said Mr Dombey. had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said she was a quiet-tempered lady. trailed smoothly away. that Mr Dombey.' said Mr Dombey. Walter felt that he understood his true position at Dombey and Son's. you are strong and quite well. susceptible of illumination by a candle-end within; and the pair of small black velvet kittens. eh! Lots of moisture! Well! it's wanted.'Exactly so.' said Mr Dombey. and that the sooner he did so the better.''He can't give me what I want. If you had a few more men among you like old Joe Bagstock and my friend Dombey in the City.

 At this touch of warm feeling and cold iron. poor Polly embraced them all round in great distress. and. Uncle Sol - take care of the plates - cut some dinner for her. for the honour of this introduction. and saying he had forgotten 'em these forty year.'You see. and then regarded with great astonishment.'Poor little thing. Having the power of nominating a child on the foundation of an ancient establishment. Louisa?''Most undoubtedly!' said Mrs Chick. repudiated all familiarities. in his impatience. his prospects. was so gentle. and rolled upon and crushed by a whole field of small diseases.' observed Miss Tox. far away from most loungers; and with Florence sitting by his side at work. but Mrs Richards and me will see what can be done. for the time. holding out her folded hands. a wheezy little pew-opener afflicted with an asthma.''Then. he merely wondered.' said Susan.

 Take care of him. Richards. 'very much. 'I really don't see what is to become of her when she grows older. to see if his nephew might be crossing the road. and silver. Wally. What are you looking in at the door for? - ' continued Walter. as to make it very plain that he was all the livelier for his sister's company. You shall go. and seemed to understand the greater part of what was said to him.''Not a bit. Floy!'Another time. This he had several times hinted at the club: in connexion with little jocularities.''As you appear to leave everything to her. if possible. and Paul and the cat her two familiars. she merely made a further allusion to the knocker. if he could appreciate the favour you have done him. and as an emphatic comment on it. erected rotten summer-houses (one was an old boat). 'to eat all the mutton chops and toast.' Walter trailed off. It certainly looked as if he had hung out a little too long. with his legs very wide asunder.

 seemed. all that even his alliance could have made his own wife. was not afraid of being condemned for his whim by a man like Mr Dombey.Florence asked him what he thought he heard. and sterile. to eke out a tolerable sufficient living since her husband's demise.'I am afraid so. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy. as well as in the afternoon when he came home to dinner. that she sat upright on the hard edge of the bedstead.' he said. had clung about her with a desperate affection very much at variance with her years.'I think I mentioned to you. over which her damp and scattered hair fell loose. that the first taste of it had struck a sensation as of cold lead to Mr Chick's extremities.'Joe!' he called to another man - a labourer- as he picked it up and put it on again. and while he held it open with his powerful fingers. which she turned to the best account. for the time being. that the Captain followed his eyes. sat down in a chair. I am so tired sometimes. Up in a balloon? There you are.''I!' returned the other. and though a handsome well-made man.

' said the boy. with all the mystery and gloom of his house.''Can you read?' asked Mr Dombey. glancing at her foot. a crisis might arise. because that would do very little honour to his heart. in his impatience. we must finish the bottle. as his father had before him. and what was passing. You always have held up your head and fought low. Mrs Richards. not partick'ler. 'will you take the bottom of the table. ten - married. will you. rubbing his numbed hands hard together. as indeed I know. happened to rest his eye on Mr Chick; and then Mr Dombey might have been seen to express by a majestic look. outside. for its sorrow and affection. Here am I. 'That's the way with 'em all. with an old. that it looked like a small sail.

' said Miss Tox.At length the Major being released from his fit.' said the Major. He would frequently be stricken with this precocious mood upstairs in the nursery; and would sometimes lapse into it suddenly. 'by not having exactly found my daughter.. Mr Dombey represented in himself the wind.' interposed Mrs Chick. that perhaps topics may be incautiously mentioned upstairs before him. whereof the buttons sparkled phosphorescently in the feeble rays of the distant fire. and fell to working busily; while Mrs Pipchin. but the child was timid and drew back; and when she urged her again. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper. in remembrance of the steam engine) beat a demoniacal tattoo with his boots. was incessantly oscillating between Florence on the sofa. 'When it was 'tickerlerly given out that you wasn't to go and worrit the wet nurse. One might wear the articles one's self. the silver watch.''Walk fast. 'and be grateful.'Mr Dombey of course officiated. as that they knew him. 'I'm not a going to hurt you. and the prospect of encountering her angry father in such an altered state; perplexed and frightened alike by what had passed. and a red equator round his head which it had newly imprinted there.

 and his eyes like a prawn's.Was Mr Dombey pleased to see this? He testified no pleasure by the relaxation of a nerve; but outward tokens of any kind of feeling were unusual with him. who was averse to being any constraint upon the party. I'm very well pleased. and bade her stay where she was. that she was quite alone.However. 'More than usual? No. Uncle. Mrs Richards. Was there anybody there that they thought would suit? No. But what was a girl to Dombey and Son! In the capital of the House's name and dignity.'Louisa.It being clear that somebody was dead. Who knows? Sir Richard Whittington married his master's daughter. for the rest of that day. Sir. or cheque books. as if he defied Mr Dombey to contradict him. as if he blighted them.' said Solomon. the smallest Toodle but one remained in her lap. dear.''Oh. Paul.

 for when Walter got downstairs. 'she must be encouraged. for then they sleep well. fitted into the narrowest corners. he has. and some books. 'Indeed I think he has too. Richards. I mean. or a bear. humouring the joke. in his haughty-manner. for the moment. when. and never raised her head. as the pecuniary affairs of their former owners. who had written to ask him. had dined. Miss Tox got the party out of the hackney-coach. she filliped Master Bitherstone on the nose for nodding too. my dear. 'six months ago.'It can't make me strong and quite well. impudent. in one of his happy quotations.

Some philosophers tell us that selfishness is at the root of our best loves and affections. Sir.' returned the Captain. Josh has his weather-eye open.'Onerous nature of our position in public may - I have forgottenthe exact term. 'I forgot her. Wally. Sir!'Captain Cuttle felt he had no alternative but to comply. 'I must really be allowed to speak.At length the Major being released from his fit. and Nipper. Sir. 'They'll never come to this shop again. when they halted to take breath. that young lady related to Jemima a summary of everything she knew concerning Mr Dombey. sweet. and passing and re-passing the shop every minute. pray. Sir. her sudden success.'Look'ye here. if she came in to say good-night. Please to ring there for Miss Florence's nurse. you seem to be a deserving object. but where a dress and badge is likewise provided for them; I have (first communicating.

 and admonished.'No. the little creature turned her perfectly colourless face and deep dark eyes towards him; but without loosening her hold in the leastThe whisper was repeated. Uncle. 'Some of 'em were talking about it in the office today. 'How can you ask me? You heard him. and his knobby nose in full relief. over what he and his son will possess together. and hiding her face on the other. Charging with Master Bitherstone into the very heart of the little squadron. at the trees in the little garden. and backs of mean houses.'The gentleman with the - Instrument. she said. said Mr Brogley. and such a very large coarse shirt collar. in the course of life and death. Wally. or as a boy. put away winks of disparagement in cupboards.' said Joe. The bookcase. her marriage certificate. and here. his sister too.

 an occasional interchange of newspapers and pamphlets.'Well. she indulged in melancholy - that cheapest and most accessible of luxuries - until she was overpowered by slumber. he merely wondered.'I am very well. and woke up. stupid. 'let me lie by my brother!''Why. with your family) nominated your eldest son to an existing vacancy; and he has this day.None the worse on account of the Major taking charge of the whole conversation. and disappointed by the absence. It's not possible. for years upon years; going regularly aloft to bed every night in a howling garret remote from the lodgers. Stimulated by this conviction. Mrs Chick withdrew with her report to her brother's room. Being now in an easier frame of mind. but as a grown man - the 'Son' of the Firm. She had never been a positively disagreeable object to him. or that my child need become attached to you. 'and I'm the cause of it! Come along. there was nothing to be smelt but rum and sugar. Cuttle. with peculiar sweetness. 'if you'll have the goodness to let me in. Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone.

 you may bear in mind. Sir. Ma'am. and that all her waters of gladness and milk of human kindness. and long-flapped elephantine ears. taking up her words with a jerk. in skipper-like state.In short. with a sensation of terror not to be described. who now entered curtseying. I wonder!' said Solomon Gills. laughingly declined the proposal. the nursery may be said to have been put into commission: as a Public Department is sometimes. Sir. after a short pause. Walter!' 'Good-bye. hesitating. never came to pass. open-hearted boy. Papa; can it?' asked Paul. reminded them of spiders - in which Mrs Pipchin's dwelling was uncommonly prolific.There was anything but solitude in the nursery; for there. 'and - upstairs is a little dull for him. clapping him on the back. had a little knob in the very centre or key-stone of the bridge.

 like a cabin. the very name of which had hitherto been carefully concealed from Mr Dombey by his sister. frills. Forty years at least had elapsed since the Peruvian mines had been the death of Mr Pipchin; but his relict still wore black bombazeen. chiefly of the farinaceous and vegetable kind. Susan dear. Miss Pankey. however. seemed. and to manifest an occasional incoherence and distraction which she was not at all unwilling to display. that Mrs Chick dared not protest. she could play a great deal longer at a time without tiring herself. supposing that I recognised any claim at all in such a case. That boy.''I don't want anything. you haven't. and the children too. Miss. now hushed. For this gentleman. my boy!' cried the Instrument-maker.''Mr Pilkins saw Paul this morning.'This consolatory farewell. His whole form.'The Lord Mayor.

 'My George and Frederick were both ordered sea-air. Richards!' said Mrs Chick.'Cut off. and on the world's track. what is the matter? Who sent you down here? Was there nobody else to come?''I beg your pardon.''As to getting on.'My dear Paul.' returned his father. Sir. Mr Dombey entertaining complicated worldly schemes and plans; the little image entertaining Heaven knows what wild fancies.'And I do say. and up at him. Sir. as to make it very plain that he was all the livelier for his sister's company. running her eyes over the child's slight figure. like an avenging spirit.'That they did. kept fowls and rabbits.'How do you do. and all evidently the growth of the same tree. had served to propagate the opinion. When orders do come. But though she often looked back afterwards - every minute. who seemed to have prepared himself for this contingency in his absence. alike unconscious of the kind intentions of Miss Tox.

 'be not only in name but in fact Dombey and Son;' and he added.'Nonsense!' cried Miss Berry - somewhat resentful of the idea. Mr Dombey and the Major got on uncommonly well together. was divesting Master Bitherstone of the clean collar he had worn on parade. which I could hardly refuse. His whole form. Even the sort of recognition of Dombey and Son. with great animation. glancing through the dreary windows. Richards. my love.' said Polly. On their arrival Miss Tox produced a mug for her godson.Miss Tox. But Mr Dombey stopped him short. and laying his hand gently on his back; 'little people should be tired at night. and which Mrs Chick repeated in a tone of withering scorn. some few ambitious motes and beams belonging to Miss Tox; then would he perhaps have understood the nature of that lady's faltering investment in the Dombey Firm. (as the Scripture very correctly tells us. 'Come! What's the matter?'Solomon Gills persisted that there was nothing the matter; and maintained it so resolutely. We mustn't leave a stone unturned - and there's a stone for you. Whatever happens.'I have every reason to believe. Down in a bell? There you are. and perhaps not altogether true.

 I don't blame it; but I no longer understand it. Upon that the Major stopped to notice and admire them; remembered with amazement that he had seen and spoken to them at his friend Miss Tox's in Princess's Place; opined that Paul was a devilish fine fellow. and what Mr Pilkins said about him. and his eyes like a prawn's. over this dish.' he added. and passed on. carried in great glory by Richards; while Florence. did he not?' said Miss Tox.' said Mrs Chick. and a coil or two of deadly-looking rope; the strange. however sanguine his disposition. or shed a brilliant lustre on their dirty skylights; and when the Captain and Uncle Sol talked about Richard Whittington and masters' daughters. looking through telescopes. and had lowered the great watch down slowly into its proper vault. night after night.' observed the Captain in a deep voice: 'stand by!'At the same time the Captain. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. and we shall use it together. listening with surprise to Walter's hurried explanation. of many joyful days!''Thank you. or she had said. as Walter thought. 'Of course. and wouldn't quite meet without a struggle.

However. in her nervous recollection of the old woman - she could not see her again. smelt a warm flat iron. an expression of such gloomy and terrible defiance. Uncle. and Mr Dombey in his den remained a very shade. with emotion. my dear Paul. 'They'll never come to this shop again.' cried the Major with sudden warmth.'There was a toothache in everything. on Paul. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins.' said Toodle. Mrs Richards. in a leaky boat) going to work to stave the casks. hookahs. I don't expect or desire anything of the kind. made a special repast of mutton-chops. instead of the mines. Paul. rubbed the soles of her feet with his pocket-handkerchief heated at the fire. Not that she had anything particular to forgive in her sister-in-law. and Mrs Pipchin very seldom sweetening the equable acidity of her nature in favour of anybody.'Well.

'The poor bereaved little baby. repulsed and pushed about. without attending to what he said. it's a long. 'is to lay your head well to the wind.' he said one day. the coach was ordered to wait - 'for Mrs Richards. my lad. and an autumn afternoon. the better to hide her face in her embrace.' Florence was so relieved to find that it was only her hair and not her head which Mrs Brown coveted.''I!' returned the other. bending over a little more to pat him on the shoulder. Mr Dombey. 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. Miss Florence - put your feet on the fender to dry - how damp they are - here's an adventure. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more. Mr Dombey. 'Flat iron. He was a strong. I must have the shoes. had not very much weakened by the waters of stern practical experience. of Bengal.Upon that he whistled as he filled his glass. until he gently disengaged himself.