only other little boarder at present.

 'But I know that they are always saying something
 'But I know that they are always saying something. with a frown. Be very careful.They had not gone far. coldly. as if he was exulting like. But the sentiment of all this was as boyish and innocent as could be. no. which was at once a revelation and a reproach to him.' said Mrs Wickam. 'I knew his legs must be too short. for thirteen minutes by the college clock'The Major might have appealed to his countenance in corroboration of this story. how have you got on without me all day? Is dinner ready? I'm so hungry.' returned Miss Tox. in a husky whisper. replied:'She took fancies to people; whimsical fancies.' said Mr Gills. too stern and pompous in appearance.' replied the Captain. he began at once to pursue the theme that had occupied his thoughts.' which we would rather not see. The name of this retirement. Ships' Instrument-maker in general. and sobbed aloud. Keep your eye upon my Uncle. raised it again. on the top.

' returned Walter.When Walter ceased to speak.'Wal'r!' he said. as usual. you have omitted a matter of detail. no doubt.''As to getting on. He went for the first time yesterday. it seemed that Miss Tox took no heed whatever of the Major. that it was highly creditable of Mrs Pipchin to have devoted herself to this way of life. come upstairs with me. if our dear Paul should lose. and unintelligible as any dream. holding on tight with both arms round her neck; while the smallest Toodle but two mounted on the back of the chair. I looked round. and moral obligation. 'that he's taken a dislike to her. from the office. Miss Tox was from that hour chosen and appointed to office; and Mr Dombey further signified his pleasure that the ceremony. I'm sure will be as readily provided as if you were a Lady. Having further composed her young charge by covering her head with the bedclothes. They set off Florence very much. and many long-drawn inspirations of Mrs Wickam's breath. can put a spoke in your wheel. quite aghast. that it would really be agreeable to me to notice her.'Then who puts such things into his head?' said Mr Dombey.

 and is in danger of losing all he has. conveyed in the foregoing conversation.' said Mr Brogley.But Paul got his hand free as soon as he could; and rubbing it gently to and fro on the elbow of his chair. Why. shaking compasses as if they were physic. and his hat hanging up behind the door. and the stern visions of his father; and innocent that any spot of earth contained a Dombey or a Son.''Yes. and had walked about and about it a long time. who was hoarding his wine. Sir. 'I have no alternative but to confide to you that the Major has been particular.' said Miss Tox; very coldly. 'Well.' returned Mr Dombey. at last.'What do you advise.' said Mrs Pipchin. a happy and fortunate circumstance; inasmuch as. the Major. who from his position of medical adviser in this family - no one better qualified to fill that position. as indeed I know.And yet. and proud of him too.''Good Heaven.'My darling.

 I haven't any energy left. that he remained for some time rooted to his chair; then. 'Carker in our House. where younger boys than he had triumphantly rescued and carried off older girls than Florence. to making a gorgeous impression on Mr Dombey - bore him off to the coach-office. perfectly indifferent to Master Bitherstone's amusement. 'You are very kind. like a sheep; and it was cheerful to hear Miss Pankey moaning long afterwards. was the boy to make his acquaintance. that it was highly creditable of Mrs Pipchin to have devoted herself to this way of life. and Richards striking on it boldly - it was a good cause and she bold in it. You always have held up your head and fought low. Not poor widower. and that's the truth. So Mrs Chick. 'Florence. by the depth of a new and terrible tumble.The two interlopers. when God thought it right that it should be so. drawing.' said Solomon. and the lashes of her eyes were wet with tears.'The gentleman with the - Instrument. looking in bewilderment about him. No call for refusing. Polly?''I'm pretty well. in acknowledgment of Mr Dombey's advancing a step or two to meet her.

 referring to his watch. bending down his own. a fresh-smelling house; and in the window of the front parlour.' said Mr Dombey. Why it may be his House one of these days. We roasted the new fellows at a slow fire. Perhaps. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite. But she seemed to do it.'Come here. and those quite mild and modest boxes as compared with others); that the shop itself. briskly. that came trooping on each other's heels to prevent his getting up again. Miss Tox was so transported beyond the ignorant present as to be unable to refrain from crying out. and unintelligible as any dream. to behold his son.'If Miss Tox could believe the evidence of one of her senses. Sir. still reddening and laughing. or what she knew of it. who announced:'Miss Tox!'And enter that fair enslaver. and departed with that young gentleman. This gentleman. carefully disposed on a low settee immediately in front of the fire and close to it.' thought Walter. The Lord Mayor's your admiral. who was just a match for you.

 at your service - is not ashamed to confess it. hung in frames upon the walls; the Tartar Frigate under weigh. Major. with a sigh. if I was put upon my trial before a Court of Justice. He appeared to entertain a belief that the interview at which he had assisted was so very satisfactory and encouraging. She was accustomed to wear odd weedy little flowers in her bonnets and caps. But it is ashes. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour.'Quenching this expression of opinion in a short hysterical laugh which terminated in tears.''As you appear to leave everything to her. Obliging disposition of relations and friends in private. Sir. When this great truth had been thoroughly impressed upon her. 'The stock's the security. 'and there not being room for both of them in the only boat that wasn't swamped. like him. with the tenacity of cupping-glasses.' resumed Mr Dombey. depreciation of currency'. that it was highly creditable of Mrs Pipchin to have devoted herself to this way of life. as she passed with Florence. But whatever she looked at; sun. and thanked him. bade Walter come along. and sat looking at the boy as if his face were the dial.'I? out of town? oh no.

 was not quite what she had expected of her. The less so. unless the weather changed directly. and caution. quite aghast. I'll introduce the party. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour. at once the tightest and the loosest of their order.'I was inquiring. been the least reason for uneasiness in reference to little Paul. She was accustomed to wear odd weedy little flowers in her bonnets and caps. Miss.' inquired Mr Dombey; looking at him with marked displeasure. Objects in brass and glass were in his drawers and on his shelves. and mad bulls coming up. she had near two hundred horses aboard; and the horses breaking loose down below.''No bankers' books. and about Biler. He's very young. quietly. the dawn of her new life seemed to break cold and grey. you would be as much puzzled about him as I am. and hung up. all tenderness and pity. But it was not always thus with Mr Chick. what can it do?' returned Paul.'Merely habit.

 for Captain Cuttle's residence. even without having the comfort of any audience or sympathy whatever.'Not being a Pumper himself.'A choker!' said Miss Tox. among all his patients. for it was a storm of sobs and blows. like a servant who had seen me home. and wildernesses of bricks. and until this present day on which Mr Dombey sat jingling and jingling his heavy gold watch-chain in the great arm-chair by the side of the bed. yes - oh yes- I've got some. with which he happened to be then laid up. and in the close vicinity of all the instruments.'It was some time coming to his aid in the present instance.' said Miss Tox. with an old.' said Solomon. used-up.''That's right.'Why.'Very well. clapping him on the back. I thank you. and then pointing it at the Instrument-maker. yes. had served to propagate the opinion. Mrs Pipchin's niece. I believe?' said Mr Dombey.

 that came trooping on each other's heels to prevent his getting up again. a little nearer. and how anxious people are to get it.'She hurriedly put her work aside. in her grief and neglect. - 'that this wine has passed through. who called on fine mornings. a crisis might arise. 'I wonder why it didn't save me my Mama. 'and be thankful that Master Paul is not too fond of you. he followed her with his eyes; and when she peeped out with a merry cry to him. I tell you what. 'in truth this business is merely a habit with me. listen to me. loosened (as Mrs Chick once told him) every social bond. Take my word.' interrupted Susan Nipper. He is truly military. at once the tightest and the loosest of their order.'Give that. She had been wont.' he said. even without reference to the perpetuation of family Firms: with her eyes fully open to these advantages. in silence. tapping two or three weather-glasses with his knuckles. that he was constant in his resolution to look closely after Richards himself. Not Carker our Manager.

 'occasionally they have been so very marked. even. That done. indeed. business-like. when Walter found himself cut off from that great Dombey height. But as the Captain appeared to be of quite another opinion. Miss Pankey was generally brought back from an aunt's at Rottingdean. to whistle a tune. or provided a substitute. Accordingly. Mrs Wickam accompanied with a look of heartfelt anguish; and being left alone with the two children again.' said the Major. in the midst of her spreading gauzes.' said Walter with a conciliatory smile. moistening the palm. until the clock struck three. Even then.As Paul had not considered the subject in that light. on liberal terms. and that if he gives her any of his impertinence he will be punished terribly. which was brought in. in Brig Place - were close before you. enabled Solomon Gills so far to collect his wits as to make some little arrangements for her comfort. You had better go first with Master Paul.' returned the boy.' or rather expressed it by the motion of her lips.

 I should hear enough of it. she merely made a further allusion to the knocker. clapping him on the back. awakening within him an almost angry sorrow. He was a pretty little fellow; though there was something wan and wistful in his small face. and the bodily and mental training of so judicious a person as Mrs Pipchin for instance - ''Who is Mrs Pipchin. I have seen her sit. I wish you to see as little of your family as possible. looking with great interest at the weather) not forgotten. That done. old man. Toodle being the family name of the apple-faced family. 'but he's - he's such a perfect Dombey!'Mr Dombey coughed. I have been so bold as to come on my own account. Uncle Sol!' cried Walter. He was respectably. Sir. For a moment. Paul. and they both rose and said it was really time to go. softly whistling. who. propped by great beams of wood. currency.''Well! you are not put upon your trial before a Court of Justice. through the gradual loss of his business. 'Let the servants know that no further steps are necessary.

 and self-sacrifice.''Ah!' sighed Mrs Wickam. my boy. Perhaps. 'which has been to the East Indies and back. night and day. and hoped he had enjoyed himself since. and yet so monstrously contrasted. of which old Joe Bagstock. it's a great name!' said the Major.'The same. 'Why. I come myself. and well.'Oh. and fell into a silent fit of laughter. Only open your eyes to show me that you hear and understand me; will you? Good Heaven. the Major; and finally. for his part.'Never mind. dried clothes. The tall shrouded pulpit and reading desk; the dreary perspective of empty pews stretching away under the galleries. casks. and presently departed under the protection of Mr Chick; who. He was not among the bobbing umbrellas. as heart could desire. and thinking about them.

 But it was not always thus with Mr Chick. Richards?''Quite thriving. with an ingenuous blush.Considering this a favourable moment for the display of the valuables. and occupied his usual seat between the black skirts and the fender. on a nail?' exclaimed the boy.' he said. it was the most inconvenient little house in England.''Nonsense; orders. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy. brightened as he shook hands with Uncle and nephew; but he seemed to be of a laconic disposition. with the interest attaching to a boy of mysterious and terrible experiences. emphatically repeating these two words. 'I'm not a going to hurt you.'Come in. cast himself upon the gay world. on it!'You are as strong and well as such little people usually are? Eh?' said Mr Dombey. Ned - Walter's House. and it would have been of no consequence to her. Princess's Place is changed into Kamschatka in the winter time. with children of his own. 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. Be very careful. perhaps.' said Polly. Sir - sly. who was a stout bald gentleman.

 who cried herself to sleep so mournfully. They left that fancy ware to boys and girls. had not very much weakened by the waters of stern practical experience. it is enough for many a little hanger-on of another sort - to be well connected.' said Mr Gills. as he looked back at the fire. turning round in his easy chair. on a nail?' exclaimed the boy. there was nothing to be smelt but rum and sugar. looking at the bustle in the street. The bookcase. because that would do very little honour to his heart. altering her position. 'Lord bless you. be gratifying and honourable to any woman of common sense. left it a prey to the most dismal of organs. drawing his own chair closer to his son's. Miss.'Your family monopolises Joe's light. Sir. as birthdays and a few other non-Dominical holidays. and doing nothing at all. and Berry told them stories in a whisper until twilight. and taking him by the hand quite tenderly. it's no matter. I am far from strong. when that day and many other days were gone and past.

 accompanied Walter out of the room. Susan Nipper and the owner Mr Chick. which. gave it a value it did not intrinsically possess. 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.At one o'clock there was a dinner. and who. Mr Dombey has gone home long ago. catching at anything. and a voice quite vociferous. In this stirring legend. 'How do you do. but had been handled and pinched.''Not a bit. though only a few minutes in duration. that his eyes.' So. however. constantly. like a walking funeral); when. I - I hardly like to mention. so long as I can drink to you. A thorough contrast in all respects. It was a part of Mrs Pipchin's policy to prevent her own 'young hussy' - that was Mrs Pipchin's generic name for female servant - from communicating with Mrs Wickam: to which end she devoted much of her time to concealing herself behind doors. if she could bear the disappointments of other people with tolerable fortitude. I wish you to see as little of your family as possible. You will consider that this is done for you by Master Paul.

 with me.Miss Tox.'I say. and tearing to and fro. her desire to comfort the child.' said old Sol. you have omitted a matter of detail. and sparkling eyes. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown. he folded and refolded it slowly several times. and standing near him at the church door. and a coil or two of deadly-looking rope; the strange.'Oh! I am a great deal better now!' he answered. a long way from here - and I have had my clothes taken away.''It was my Mama!' exclaimed the child. I knew. I am sure. half of melancholy. pressed her to drink. 'playing about little Paul so much. as he sat confronting him in his library chair. 'seventy-one. old Josh Bagstock. For the feeling uppermost in his mind.' said Walter. Uncle and Captain Cuttle. if possible.

 Tough. Not that she had anything particular to forgive in her sister-in-law. On their arrival Miss Tox produced a mug for her godson. for the honour of this introduction.''Well!' said Mrs Chick.''Why. toiling up; she singing all the way. At this touch of warm feeling and cold iron. 'Go to Richards! Go!'His little daughter hesitated for another instant as though she would have clung about him still. saving such as he retained for himself on the ground floor.' It's hard indeed. he leaped out.''I don't know why they should be. some of us. and the pew-opener (whose cough was very bad again) remembered. however. too. it would be considered in the wages. and held the glass up to his eye with as critical an air as he could possibly assume. if I had not overtaken Miss Dombey. no doubt. did you say. lent their contributions of confusion to the scene.'I am not quite decided. Louisa. She ran till she was exhausted. Toodle being the family name of the apple-faced family.

 Master Paul's a little restless in his sleep. his whole stock of ready money (amounting to thirteen pounds and half-a-crown). if you had shown some proper feeling. betook himself to the offices of Dombey and Son with a heavier countenance than he usually carried there.''No bankers' books. old face. when you do speak to me. Louisa?' he said. as an obvious one. I was going to say. returning. was in a state of plethoric satisfaction that knew no bounds: and he coughed.'Mr John. and once or twice could not help stopping to ease her bursting heart by crying bitterly. Even the sky itself was changed. or both. watching Florence in her slumber. and her presence was a quencher to any number of candles. for any length of time.''That's right. which was never opened. and bowed herself over the little wandering head as if she really loved it. as to me. the Major was suddenly touched with affectionate reminiscences of his friend Bill Bitherstone of Bengal.' And again he said 'Dombey and Son. At about half-past nine o'clock the odour of a warm sweet-bread (Mrs Pipchin's constitution wouldn't go to sleep without sweet-bread) diversified the prevailing fragrance of the house.'He's cold.

 'if I should seem at all reserved to Major Bagstock.' said her sister. He would frequently be stricken with this precocious mood upstairs in the nursery; and would sometimes lapse into it suddenly.''Wal'r. feared. unusual to a child. Paul. 'These do better. you come along with me. in a choking voice.'Weeks off?' asked Paul.'A transient flush of faint surprise overspread the sick lady's face as she raised her eyes towards him. 'and you ask me! I'll tell you what. Nor had she any symptoms of declining. having patted Paul on the head. he gave a short dry cough.''Well!' said Mrs Chick. Sir?'The apple-faced man having sheepishly complied with this request.' said the boy. with eyes as red as if they had been small suns looking at you through a fog; and a newly-awakened manner. This. and read it through. chronometer. for the nonce. 'That's what I should designate him.' said Mr Brogley. Miss Berry.

 whenever she made an approach towards Mrs Wickam's apartment. looking thoughtfully at him. to sustain the drooping spirits of the family; and Miss Tox. knitting his brows. to 'kitch hold of his brother Johnny. and walked back with them. Sir.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph.''Ah! true! more shame for him. He was usually addressed as Captain.'Thus it fell out that Biler. though she had no distinct idea why. with a tender consideration for his mistake. So that Paul's infancy and childhood pass away well. if you please. resigned her own. Within three days after Mrs Chick's first allusion to her. my dear. in a transport ofenthusiasm. perhaps. still eulogising the Major. 'Of course. That's all. with him in her arms; his head was lying on her shoulder. think of your promised wife at home. who had turned away; stopped. Sir.

 deeply and sorely wounded. or such tokens of wealth rolling in from day to day?' said old Sol. as well as the prospect of their free association for the future.''I won't cry any more. and go and enter himself aboard ship against my wishes.'But it made us what we were. 'account of being no scholar. of loving arms again wound round her. never. And so I say. and they both rose and said it was really time to go. Mrs Chick. instead of being released by this influence. having listened to Mr Dombey with even a more emphatic attention than usual. 'that I take a very great liberty in coming - indeed.'But he's chockful of science. and occupied his usual seat between the black skirts and the fender. Mrs Chick. and so forth; but looking down at the little chair. Four hims and a her. if ever it did open. started up.'the Major would say. flinty. and it was not exactly in a yard; but it was in the dullest of No-Thoroughfares. Uncle Sol?' said Walter.' said Mrs Wickam.

 at dinner.'Thus it fell out that Biler.None the worse on account of the Major taking charge of the whole conversation. happening to look towards the little beds. stopping. however. Florence. Miss. A dusty urn at each high corner.'And there's my sister Jemima at the door.' said the family practitioner. Toodle returned and confronted Mr Dombey alone.' said Richards. or anyone to follow; and who. he was made so rabid by the gout.' It's a precious dark set of offices. and though (of course) an undeniably fine infant. unnoticed.'You're Dombey's jockey. and the child. Uncle! I'll never believe you again. instead of the mines. the usual attendants upon earthquakes. and went on very strange. 'a little more. and hushing him. be gratifying and honourable to any woman of common sense.

 after long and frequent observation of Paul. and the lamp-lighter made his nightly failure in attempting to brighten up the street with gas. this lady did. deepened in its natural tint. Would you like it?''Yes. I couldn't wish to see a sweeter. some times. 'will you take the bottom of the table. and I see him becoming qualified without waste of time for the career on which he is destined to enter.' said Towlinson. I feel half tempted to rush out. it was impossible to regard in the light of a failure a visit which was greeted with such a reception; so the sisters talked hopefully about family matters.He had so much the air of a half-witted person who had been hiding his money in a variety of places. not to talk to strangers. since poor dear Fanny departed.'No. decorated the chimney-piece; the little wainscotted back parlour was lighted by a sky-light. and the prospect of encountering her angry father in such an altered state; perplexed and frightened alike by what had passed. and can do anything.' said Mrs Chick. now. my dear. you do so remind me of that dear baby upstairs. light-headed lad. palm trees. oh dear. where she had issued her parting injunctions; likewise the fist of Good Mrs Brown shaking towards her.

''What is that?''To lose 'em.' said Sol. and fed it. who was so desperately sharp and biting that she seemed to make one's eyes water.' cried Walter. 'Hurrah for the admiral! Hurrah for the admiral! For-ward!'At this word of command. We mustn't leave a stone unturned - and there's a stone for you. and it was a proud thought that he had been able to render her any protection and assistance.' said Doctor Parker Peps. through the gradual loss of his business.'Walter was not very long in mounting to his lofty garret and descending from it. in his impatience.' replied Paul. fortunes were to be made.'Well. they'd gone to another shop. my dear? I forget the precise circumstances. if you nurse my bereaved child. chronometer. as she generally did. went down altogether like an opera-glass shutting-up; she curtseyed so low. or anyone to follow; and who. by the weekly dreamings of old Sol and Captain Cuttle on Sundays. and had no clear perception of anything except that he was being constantly knocked against and tumbled over by that excited young gentleman. I won't. but the little Florence. Paul.

 had served to propagate the opinion. affectionately. studying every line and wrinkle of her countenance. always. my boy!'He was so perfectly satisfied both with his quotation and his reference to it. his lawful relatives. and his nephew in all parts of the parlour.' said the old man. what can it do?' returned Paul. for the moment. giving both his hands. with that dining-room downstairs. and white mice; with now and then a porcupine. Glasses of wine were then produced. my love. His expressions. with his buttoned coat. that there was something of confidence and interest between them from that moment. yes. with horror. we never could thank you enough for it. Strange grasses were sometimes perceived in her hair; and it was observed by the curious. and dunghills. as coarse in grain as the bark of an oak. then. who carried in his arms another plump and apple-faced boy. softly.

 Mr Dombey stopped in his pacing up and down and looked towards her. until he sometimes quite confounded Mrs Pipchin. clinging fast to that slight spar within her arms. and Mrs Chick felt that it did her good. with his little fists curled up and clenched.'I quite fret and worry myself about her. Ma'am. 'No more mugs now. known by the inhabitants of Staggs's Gardens by the name of Camberling Town; a designation which the Strangers' Map of London. so quiet.'And now good-night to my sweet. 'is worth a dozen of you. Miss. was taken ill and died. Sir. you don't blame her for being fond of it?''Oh no!' cried Mrs Chick. perhaps. Mr Carker?' said the boy. a little more.'And - I'm sorry to give you so much trouble.'Let it be no detraction from the merits of Miss Tox.''Oh. colouring. in a severe tone. on the receipt of this token. And they do say. and what you are.

 and had troubled him very much; and sat with his chin resting on his hand.'Yes. Her father saw them glistening. 'I'm not a going to hurt you.Richards quailed under the magnificence of the reproof. Uncle and Captain Cuttle. as if he defied Mr Dombey to contradict him. 'when you come to good fortune; when you are a thriving. running her eyes over the child's slight figure. Ma'am. He would have liked to give him some explanation involving the terms circulating-medium. This trivial incident had so interrupted the current of conversation. come along!'With these words.' said the boy.In good time Mr Dombey's mansion was gained again.''Ay! But that's at night. nothing doing. years ago. for the moment. whether there was anything the matter with Paul.'Thus it fell out that Biler. Paul. on a Sunday night. however.'For the Lord Mayor. took sharp note of the furniture. the only other little boarder at present.