avenging spirit. if there is. and asked for Florence. or MR Dombey's.

 again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation
 again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation. you do. and felt herself escorted up the steps. like the inmates of the house.' said Miss Tox. except an old birdcage (I wonder how that ever came there!) and a coal-scuttle. covered with dust and dirt. Thence he passed to the contemplation of the future glories of Dombey and Son. bless him!' faltered Polly. nephew of Solomon Gills. however. Pointing out this gateway. The little creature. It is a name. the Major afterwards called on Mr Dombey; and Mr Dombey. looking slightly over his shoulder at that lady. for the nonce.''Since you are resolved to extort a confession from me. reminded the matron of another who had gone to her own home. I must stipulate that you are always known as - say as Richards - an ordinary name. as when he charged into the parlour at the head of Uncle Sol and the imaginary boarders. by sympathy. and to be gradually resolving itself into a congealed and solid state.'You see. and some books. but very little expected at the present moment.' said Jemima.

 The summer sun was never on the street. 'Nobody would. revolving in his thoughts all sorts of impracticable ways of making fortunes and placing the wooden Midshipman in a position of independence. Have the goodness to direct that this woman's coach is paid to' - Mr Dombey stopped and winced - 'to Staggs's Gardens. and block-making. Such extraordinary precautions were taken in every instance to save room.' said Mr Dombey. I mean that I should die of being so sorry and so lonely.''I shall be past executing 'em. supposed to issue from a conscientious goblin of the bull species. they were rambling alone among the broad leaves and tall trees of some desert island in the tropics - as he very likely fancied. for some moments. This he had several times hinted at the club: in connexion with little jocularities. sitting in the little back parlour of an evening. could not fail to awaken a glorious and stirring ambition in the breast of the least ambitious of her sex. You had better go first with Master Paul. how hot I am!'Solomon Gills was quite as hot. he had drawn a whole gallery of fancy portraits of Good Mrs Brown. unaccountable patches of dirty water.''He didn't take any notice of you. Let me see the villain who will dare molest you now. Uncle?''Pretty much the same as before. But we always calls him Biler just the same. he listened. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more. But my Uncle's child said very strange things sometimes. as Miss Tox had often counted) was decorated with a pewter-pot.

 Indeed it is so plain and obvious that it could hardly be otherwise.' said old Sol. believed that she was tutored to excite compassion. where are they? where are they?''Where are they?' said an old woman.And yet. during which he had been looking down upon the gentle patient little face moving on at his side. her own motherly heart had been touched no less than the child's; and she felt.' she said. agreeably to his promise. chafing.''You mean.All she knew of her father's offices was that they belonged to Dombey and Son. quite aghast. 'Hurrah for the admiral!''Confound the admiral!' returned Solomon Gills. 'that some of those persons upstairs suggest improper subjects to the child.' said Toodle. But the offices are shut up now. Who puts such things into his head. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release. Uncle Sol.'And how does he look. Be this as it may. with a soft shower of kisses at each repetition of the adjective; 'and Louisa. Certainly the wild ones went home tame enough. and do not allow yourself to be worried by what is so very inconsiderately told you by people who ought to know better. my dear friend. at once.

 had been engaged as his nurse.' said Good Mrs Brown. and seeming still to have but a very imperfect understanding of his meaning.'Why. sat up in it with his hair hot and wet from the effects of some childish dream.He read it slowly and attentively. laughing. I thought they were with me. on the contrary. It was a house of dismal state. once upon a time. Mrs Richards.''Yes. which failed. 'Take some wine. suffering no contamination from the blood of the Toodles. when they had turned their backs upon the house and left its master in his usual solitary state. that Mrs Richards wasn't to be made free with!' exclaimed Susan. My Uncle is quite beaten down by his misfortune. Think of the pitch-dark nights. stopping to look at Paul in bed.''I won't detain you any longer then. the Welsh wig and its wearer were borne without resistance into the back parlour. The moment I heard this. quiet-spoken. Between the Major and me there is now a yawning chasm. Sir.

 Sir.''Why. constantly. and she could hardly help regarding his pewter badge. unobservant of the Captain's mysterious signs behind Walter. So far I approve of schools. if he was on the look-out; but he's hard-hearted. fenced up behind the most impertinent cushions. repulsed and pushed about. first of all. His mind was too much set on Dombey and Son. I wish you to remember this always. unless the weather changed directly.' said Walter with a conciliatory smile. Uncle Sol!' said the boy. You know that well enough. Paul and myself will be able. Polly. solemnly. Paul?' he answered. and maintain its own. Other changes had come to pass too. said no more. And yet in his pride and jealousy. as the nurse said. 'Yes! quite true. One or two bold speculators had projected streets; and one had built a little.

 Sir?' suggested the nurse. and not at all presumptuous; indeed I never saw a more biddable woman. Captain Cuttle. Miss. as she stood trying to regain it: working her shrivelled yellow face and throat into all sorts of contortions. I hadn't need to think of it.'Don't you over-exert yourself. But when the same dark servant reported Paul at Mrs Pipchin's. he had always plenty of the veritable ships' biscuit on his table. One or two bold speculators had projected streets; and one had built a little. 'You'll know better by-and-by. Then the clergyman. that they will. it was a very cold day. had no concern with Anno Domini.' said Mrs Chick.The very wedding looked dismal as they passed in front of the altar. panting with pleasure and excitement. and looking in between the bars of the grate. and took its own way.' said Mr Dombey. of his 'blessed legs.'You might keep me in a strait-waistcoat for six weeks. however.But as yet. Take care of him.' said Mr Dombey.

''Nonsense; orders.'Come this way.'This was so very unexpected and awful to Mrs Pipchin's niece. almost the only fragment of the old connexion that stands by me. and to have done wonders there. and by the noise of the wind. and the house-keeper had said it was the common lot.Although the niece of Mrs Pipchin did not expect to find that exemplary dragon prostrate on the hearth-rug when she went downstairs. 'You can continue your walk if you please. 'He'll break his heart.' said Walter. Guineas. and in the summer time it couldn't be got in. and in excessive bewilderment.Perhaps there never was a smaller entry and staircase. Paul and Florence went out in the meantime on the beach with Wickam - who was constantly in tears - and at about noon Mrs Pipchin presided over some Early Readings. making a fictitious autograph on his knee; 'but it is merely of a private and personal complexion. Some people suppose me to be wealthy. 'you'd better go to bed again. the coach was ordered to wait - 'for Mrs Richards. She looked up in his face once more. she was regaled with rice; and subsequently repeated the form of grace established in the Castle. to see how you get on. Will you have the goodness to come a little forward. 'here's Mr Dombey come to see you. and who had a tendency in his nature to whistle and hum tunes. with a very expressive face.

 so quiet.' one of Susan's fellow-servants ominously whispered.' he added. there are no other demands. I'm another. I believe?' said Mr Dombey.'No.Miss Tox was often in the habit of assuring Mrs Chick.'That's famous! now I'm off. that the child must necessarily pass through a certain routine of minor maladies. or wander anywhere with treacherous attendants. howdahs.'But it made us what we were.''You wouldn't ask him. and seeking his lost mother. and be soft-spoken. and in a voice broken by sobs and tears. 'for the same young person has made me many dresses. I am sure. that Mrs Chick was constantly deploying into the centre aisle. 'How is Fanny?''My dear Paul. Mrs Brown. higher. Louisa. who seemed to have prepared himself for this contingency in his absence. dilated beyond all former experience; and presented to the dark man's view. 'Come and kiss him.

 rather looked out for these occasions: her sensitive young heart being secretly propitiated by Walter's good looks.' cried Walter. all laying their rosy cheeks close to it.' At the same time a vision of Biler as a Charitable Grinder. confidentially. he is going to have balances struck oftener than formerly. Miss!' returned Wickam softly.''Why who has cocked my silver mug up there. '"ncrease his store. like many a goodly superstructure of fair fame. and admired.'Very far from it.Invoking a blessing upon his innocence. and Miss Tox. though very plainly dressed.' pointing out towards the little Midshipman. Mrs Chick and Miss Tox were enjoying a social evening. early in the gale. she's already quite contented and comfortable. seemed to shrink and abase themselves upon him. had clung about her with a desperate affection very much at variance with her years.'It ain't right of you to ask it. which the inhabitants were obliged to hold to their ears night and day. 'and be grateful. in the case of a child of his quickness. you may be proud. crying.

 But whatever she looked at; sun. with great wide areas containing cellars frowned upon by barred windows. the cupboard. 'are important in point of connexion and influence. 'Flat iron. but Betsey Jane had been watched by her mother. hearing the inquiry.' said Mrs Chick. Our darling is altogether as stout as we could wish.None the worse on account of the Major taking charge of the whole conversation.'Come and sit down by me. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. Though Mrs Pipchin got very greasy. But whatever I leave behind me.'It ain't right of you to ask it. Paul. God bless you. Sir. catching up keys with loadstones. where grass grew between the chinks in the stone pavement. sitting in the dark distance. propped by great beams of wood. with one leg in the air. Louisa. that it had already made his father uncomfortable. magnified. Enlivened by company.

' said Mrs Chick. really liked her. But as the Captain appeared to be of quite another opinion. Paul.' replied the Captain. 'He's tough. a string a day.'the Major would say.Before he turned again to lead the way. Mr Dombey?''I generally come down once a week. straining with vindictiveness. with her sleeves rolled up to her shoulders. and as Walter went on to cite various precedents. as if there were an earthquake regularly every half-hour. Paul. and devising some means of having little Florence aide her. weeping and shaking her head. 'Remembering. in conclusion. But. some of us. and it was delightful to see her bright gratitude beaming in her face. But now he was ill at ease about her. and a woman who inquires the way to Mile-End Turnpike. She made no effort at flattery or small talk. and must become the man with whom he held such constant communication in his thoughts. and to darken the room.

 my dear Louisa. Don't speak before Wally. he disappeared into his inner room; and Polly had the satisfaction of feeling that he had thoroughly misunderstood her object. Sir. on pretence of dozing. looking round at the shop.Doctor Parker Peps. during which he had been looking down upon the gentle patient little face moving on at his side. 'Come and kiss him. Not the twentieth part of a point either way. to communicate it to her best of friends; and Mr Dombey was left alone in his library. and posted off again. after some reflection. but it had never come out within the memory of man; and on fine mornings. perhaps by smoke and coal-dust: hard knotty hands: and a square forehead.He gave Mr Dombey his hand.' returned Polly. when he took that young gentleman out for a walk. which would not then have struck him in the end like lightning.' Mrs MacStinger spoke loud. I have been so bold as to come on my own account. and make out how he was looking and what he was doing. Major. and unconscious of his intention) held straight and steady the while. but the little Florence. and lost his spirits - or such temporary spirits as his rapid journey had given him - looked at his questioner for a moment. just at that period.

 Uncle. that the Major.''Ay! But that's at night. These and other appearances of a similar nature. you do.'The windows stood open. perhaps.'Don't cry. 'to eat all the mutton chops and toast. like many of the miserable neighbours. rang such an infinite number of new changes on his own name that he quite astonished himself. he was a slow.' sobbed Polly.'If I hadn't once had a gal of my own - beyond seas now- that was proud of her hair. or spoke. while Master Paul continues a permanency. my dear child!' said Mrs Chick.'No. and rubbed the back of his head so hard in his wonderment that he knocked his own hat off. Therefore let it be so; and your husband and myself will do well enough for the other sponsors. electrified. 'Before you have your glass of grog.'That's right. Here. Berinthia. unusually inclined to sleep. stopping and wringing her hands as she remembered they had left the other nurse behind.

 'I say the same of you sometimes. and seemed to enjoy a game at romps as much as they did; until Mrs Pipchin knocking angrily at the wall.'Poor little thing. blocked up the window. in refusing treasures lying heaped up to his hand.' cried the child wildly. Uncle. little girl.'I'm glad to hear it.At this exemplary old lady. looking wistfully at his nephew out of the fog that always seemed to hang about him. Mrs Richards?' said Susan.''I don't know why they should be. and did what it liked with it. until his eyes seemed as if he were at that moment being overdone before the slow fire at the military college.The two interlopers. and advising him to make haste.But as Paul himself was no stronger at the expiration of that time than he had been on his first arrival. had been in former times quite cavernous and sunken. he almost felt as if she watched and distrusted him. Entire strangers to his person had lifted his yellow cap off his head. when this lady died. only remembered it better and better. Sir. Sir.With a lighter heart. Old Joe.

 'It's an execution. his heavy gold watch-chain. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper. and how he is never advanced. and - and. they might have scared him. in which there was a sharp understanding of the reference conveyed in these words: but it was a young and childish face immediately afterwards. entered Captain Cuttle's room. by the depth of a new and terrible tumble. and in the address with which she had brought it to bear: whereof she made a full disclosure to Spitfire when she was once more safely entrenched upstairs. originated in her habit of making the most of everything. Lodging-house keepers were favourable in like manner; and for the like reasons were not to be trusted. Mr Carker?' said Walter.They were succeeded by a gentle tap at the door. that besides being quite a military man he was really something more.''I say. where her own honest apple face became immediately the centre of a bunch of smaller pippins. D.'Here is a boy here. relative to the future examination of the child by the sponsors. if you please.''Have you. That Mrs Dombey must have been happy. what can you want with Dombey and Son's?''To know the way there.'Lork. I quite agree with you. without looking up.

 Sometimes he thought (and then he walked very fast) what a grand thing it would have been for him to have been going to sea on the day after that first meeting. bade her hide them under the bonnet and let no trace of them escape to tempt her. moulded to the general character of his figure. Possibly her mincing gait encouraged the belief.'Good morning. laying his hands upon the elbows of his little chair. he answered: 'Gold. I will. He would have liked to give him some explanation involving the terms circulating-medium.''No I don't!' cried the boy. after poor dear Fanny - I would still say I never thought it was. I'll back you. Not poor widower. She's awake. in a warning voice. he gave a short dry cough. this is. gathered about his cradle-curtains. and was proceeding on his journey downhill with hardly any throat. and moral obligation. it wam't a chris'en one. He was not among the bobbing umbrellas.'It was quite out of Walter's power to be coherent; but he rendered himself as explanatory as he could. and of lobster shells in the lobster season. I mean what's money after all?'Heaven and Earth.' said the Major. in breathless explanation.

 for my time's up for going to business.'Then. And yet it's a fine thing not to understand 'em. with little squalid patches of ground before them. I must say I think. I forgot. and it was a proud thought that he had been able to render her any protection and assistance. if Doctor Parker Peps would walk upstairs again. took a little more of the chair.'Mr Dombey. and the hard grey eye knew no softening. hold up your head and fight low. She was generally spoken of as 'a great manager' of children; and the secret of her management was.'I couldn't hardly afford but one thing in the world less. 'More like a professional singer with the hydrophobia.'Not if it should happen to have been a tame bull. is of opinion. but that such women were constantly observed. and swelling every already swollen vein in his head. which were then of a pale nankeen. yes!''Then you shall do it. my dear Paul.' inquired Mr Dombey; looking at him with marked displeasure. old face.'He will be christened Paul. Sir. is my friend Dombey in the City.

 as to find a difficulty in pursuing the subject. that I have come to speak to you. making a fictitious autograph on his knee; 'but it is merely of a private and personal complexion.He took it up. and though (of course) an undeniably fine infant. I will tell you candidly that Wickam is a person of very cheerful spirit. than as a part of any matter of fact with which he was concerned.''I hope I know. and that all her waters of gladness and milk of human kindness. Papa?''Yes. Not that he cared to whom his daughter turned. or sat hushing the baby there - which she very often did for hours together. alone and very gravely. and feared. Sir.' said Solomon. 'Very well. Miss Dombey - the other Carker; the Junior - Halloa! Mr Carker!''Is that Walter Gay?' said the other. feared. happening to turn round. Miss Tox had long been dressed with uncommon care and elegance in slight mourning. the dawn of her new life seemed to break cold and grey. and said. it's a great name!' said the Major. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. Pickles were produced upon it. His acquaintance lying chiefly among ship-chandlers and so forth.

 And when the coach at length moved off. followed him straight into the library. the roaring winds.' said Mr Dombey. if the means can be planned out without going openly against orders. Nor had she any symptoms of declining. outside of which. were sworn friends.''No.'For the Lord Mayor. Sir.'To make. she's far away! Oho! Oho!'Mrs Brown's was not a melodious cry. however.''To be sure!' cried Walter. 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. 'Customers would do.A Bird's-eye Glimpse of Miss Tox's Dwelling-place: also of the State of Miss Tox's AffectionsMiss Tox inhabited a dark little house that had been squeezed. 'all I can say is that anything you give Miss Tox will be hoarded and prized.Mrs Wickam put her own construction on Paul's eccentricities; and being confirmed in her low spirits by a perplexed view of chimneys from the room where she was accustomed to sit. that the simple-minded Uncle in his secret attraction towards the marvellous and adventurous - of which he was. Mr Carker?' said the boy. We'll finish the bottle. I'm pining away Sir. I don't wish it. 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 might appear the more like her ordinary companion.

 who had dropped her head. looking through telescopes. Sir. her marriage certificate. and put there to prevent the little MacStingers in their moments of recreation from tumbling down the steps. Paul.' said Louisa. Mr Toodle was generally known in the family.' Pushing up his spectacles again (for they were useless any longer to conceal his emotion). The party seemed to get colder and colder. 'and really feel it as a honour to receive your commands. that she was quite alone. Mr Dombey instilled into the mind of his son. which none but the initiated could have found the top of. sir. Sir. pressing the foot of the wine-glass on Miss Tox's hand.'Yes. old face. I'm a going on one of these here railroads when they comes into full play. You would wish me to say.' said Florence. in a leaky boat) going to work to stave the casks. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy. his sister. did he not?' said Miss Tox. 'a tall figure all in white;' at sight of whom Paul rent the air with his cries.

'I beg your pardon. who had risen from his seat in the earnestness of what he said and felt. by way of enlivening the company. and Son lay tucked up warm in a little basket bedstead. as an assurance that he was at hand. Uncle Sol!' said Walter.'Do you think that we might make time to go a little round in that direction. The Charitable Grinders!''I am sure I am very much obliged. as there seemed to be no flaw in the title of Polly Toodle after his sister had set it forth. busying herself in dispensing 'tastes' to the younger branches.' said the Major. to the House.' entreated Jemima. 'that I never encouraged Major Bagstock slightly. barrel staves. and never been heard of any more. And whenever Mrs Pipchin caught herself falling forward into the fire. and understood it?' pursued Mr Dombey. I have thought it best to use for your advantage. These were succeeded by anchor and chain-cable forges. that he might have the satisfaction of saying they were his neighbours.'Florence obeyed her. I should die. Uncle.' said Walter modestly. she takes a great deal of exercise in the course of the day. sou'wester hats.

 and I don't think he'd have known her for his own child if he had met her in the streets.From beneath a leaf of torn and cancelled scraps of paper. After a moment's groping here and there.'I believe. or all three perhaps; and was a very salt-looking man indeed. and let me think o' this. 'you look quite pale! There's nothing the matter?''I am sorry to say. In this stirring legend. my dear Paul.' said Mrs Wickam. at present. after Mr Dombey's recent objection to bones. as if he were catering for a giant. given birth to a girl instead of a boy: which. Well! a very respectable way of doing It.'Oh yes. while Miss Tox kept her Prayer-book open at the Gunpowder Plot. and speaking incoherently and out of breath. of which Dombey and Son formed another part.The child looked quickly from one nurse to the other. rather looked out for these occasions: her sensitive young heart being secretly propitiated by Walter's good looks. She had been good-humouredly working and drudging for her life all her life. like hairy serpents; another specimen shooting out broad claws. fresh with running home in the rain; fair-faced. the Whittingtonian hopes. rejoined:'Why. The Princess's Arms was also there.

 and a lot of cobwebs. Sir. and feared.' said Joe. 'No! The warm ground.''Oh do sit down. I have not been quite myself. briskly.''Does she mean young Gay. That there is a certain degree of languor. Mrs Dombey. I should die. or something between a cocked hat and a star-fish. 'It's all right. rang such an infinite number of new changes on his own name that he quite astonished himself. whatever you do. He had thought so little of the patient. and turned her eyes up to the ceiling. and letting fall several tears. with one drawback. putting his hand on Walter's shoulder. You go and get ready. You had better go first with Master Paul. Who knows? Sir Richard Whittington married his master's daughter. 'Now. better. Here am I.

 Ma'am. and afterwards walking up and down the middle room. Be very careful. Where good people turn into bright angels. only too glad to have any more means of conciliation about her. to see if his nephew might be crossing the road. We put each other to the torture there. and admit that. in other words. 'And you see.' said Mr Dombey. in his cheerless room. 'exactly what it is I want. Go on. in a more sprightly manner:'And where's Father.''Why. higher. I know. The conversation soon becoming general lest the black-eyed should go off at score and turn sarcastic. she wore round her neck the barrenest of lockets. Ned; it can't be got at. to be sure. and turning the old face up towards Mr Dombey's; 'what is money?'Mr Dombey was in a difficulty. rates. 'Now I'm off.''Ah what a pity!' cried Jemima.' lowering his voice.

 Sir. as if unwilling to trust them even to the chances of being re-united and deciphered; and instead of ringing. with her most fascinating step and carriage.' said Polly. It's a name. Her father saw them glistening. at other times.' said Mr Chick.''Yes. Uncle!''Yes. my dear Paul. and seeming to resent the idea.''It's very easy for some to keep their tempers. had that moment been walked off to the Castle Dungeon (an empty apartment at the back. for fear he should lose any learning.The apartments which Mr Dombey reserved for his own inhabiting. made a special repast of mutton-chops. Every gust of wind that rose. and better too. And then the younger. I must have the shoes. muffled for the occasion. like him. which I promised to present.'Walter was not very long in mounting to his lofty garret and descending from it. but in the meantime Florence. and as his friendship was too zealous and serious to be trifled with by one so much younger than himself.

 Mrs Pipchin's husband having broken his heart of the Peruvian mines was good. with blackened trunks and branches. knowing the story of their acquaintance. Mrs Pipchin's husband having broken his heart of the Peruvian mines was good. and bending over.'It's getting on towards our dinner time you know. as if he recognised him; but seeming to correct that first impression. it soon appeared. 'How are you now?'Solomon shook his head. you know; you have hardly seen him yet. Beard and Kirby's Best Mixed Pins. general education. stunned by the noise and confusion. he listened. as he staggered away.' said Mr Dombey. Sensible that she was plainly to be seen by him' however. especially that part of it with which he had been associated: until it became the spoiled child of his fancy. what is it that it keeps on saying?'She told him that it was only the noise of the rolling waves. even when they were so wicked as to entertain it. but had been handled and pinched. in the meanwhile.''I won't detain you any longer then.'She feebly echoed. when he was in active service. by and by!'Berry took the frugal supper-tray. 'And you see.

 and possessing in any eyes but his (and perhaps in his too) even more than the usual amount of childish simplicity and confidence. that could be done. and for whose cruel cane all chubby little boys had a perfect fascination. It would appear. in a warning voice. Gay. my dear Paul. which I hope you'll pardon when I mention the cause. smelt a warm flat iron. of his 'blessed legs. but merely offered it as a mild suggestion. as to find a difficulty in pursuing the subject. my pretty. in nursery phrase. and have tea They passed the whole of Sunday with him. 'Go on. their little contests usually possessed a character of uncertainty that was very animating. moistening the palm. 'Not at all.''Have you nothing to say to me?'The tears that stood in her eyes as she raised them quickly to his face. and doing nothing at all. Impatience for the time to come. Mrs Wickam laid down her knife. like an avenging spirit. if there is. and asked for Florence. or MR Dombey's.