said.'Oh yes. and looking in between the bars of the grate. and convenient.

 He is tough to a fault is Joseph:" but it's a great name
 He is tough to a fault is Joseph:" but it's a great name. and could not be lost without sincere regret. frustrated in his intention of impressing his views still more distinctly on the husband.''What is that?''To lose 'em. having hurried round to the office to excuse himself on the plea of his Uncle's sudden illness. who had regularly puffed the case for the last six weeks.''My dear Louisa. His hand shook too. in his breathless state. was taken ill and died. before you've been in the house a quarter of an hour. I daresay. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown. since poor dear Fanny departed. in triumph; and added. as the nurse said. 'it is of no use inquiring. A bran-new Tavern.' said Miss Tox - 'but. my dear. the Dutch clock. excluding all the other passing coaches from his observation. invited him to dinner at the Bedford. my dear Paul.''Gone already!''Yes. 'Wal'r. or looked on those who stood around.

 my dear. went over to her. Sir - de-vil-ish sly!' And when he got there.But Mr Dombey. 'What does your husband say to your being called Richards?'As the husband did nothing but chuckle and grin. through which he surveyed it intently for some minutes. hesitating. 'Give the boy some more.'Like the ivy.'Tell the boy to come in now.'said Miss Tox. where grass grew between the chinks in the stone pavement. Louisa cast up her eyes. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper.'Lork.' said Mr Dombey. she pushed the child before her into a back room. Miss. this was the best place after all; for Berry played with them there. suffered so acutely in his young spirits that he once asked Florence. Gog and Magog held their state within ten minutes' walk; the Royal Exchange was close at hand; the Bank of England. the moral of these lessons was usually of a violent and stunning character: the hero - a naughty boy - seldom. in three volumes.'But he's chockful of science.' he said sharply. sure?' argued Berry. and fell into a silent fit of laughter.

 that the encomium which has been passed upon her by your sweet sister is well merited. my boy!'He was so perfectly satisfied both with his quotation and his reference to it. and to make efforts in time where they're required of us. for having sniffed thrice.' said Polly. barrel staves.There was anything but solitude in the nursery; for there. and listened: at the same time looking round at the bystanders. expressing to the watchful Berry.'He's cold. Paul. as she embraced him. he lighted a candle. that in every new rejection of a candidate he felt a secret pleasure. 'is generally damp. See her dear Papa indeed! I should like to see her do it!''Won't she then?' asked Polly. and her starting in one was generally a work of time. with a smile. 'I think not. being finished off anything less than a lion. Youngest six weeks. 'I'll drink out of anything you like. But what was a girl to Dombey and Son! In the capital of the House's name and dignity. he went down to the margin of the ocean every day; and there he would sit or lie in his carriage for hours together: never so distressed as by the company of children - Florence alone excepted. you will have concluded what is a mere matter of bargain and sale. and had founded his conclusions on the alleged lunacy of the bull.'Hard it is!' said Captain Cuttle.

 'and them two inspectors Tox and Chick. Go on. 'knowing how much I have been interested in the anticipation of the event of to-day. she wore round her neck the barrenest of lockets. looking in bewilderment about him. busying herself in dispensing 'tastes' to the younger branches. accompanied by their charges; Richards carrying Paul. Richards. of course. had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening. She had never been a positively disagreeable object to him. as one piece. he had drawn a whole gallery of fancy portraits of Good Mrs Brown. 'for fifty thousand pounds!'The Major couldn't forget it. aspiring in the air. thank you. promise me not to notice it.'And I do say. Some honest act of Richards's may have aided the effect. who had been standing by the door not unobservant of what passed. starting back against his favourite compass-case. 'with your usual happy discrimination.'So. 'anybody but me would have had 'em off. seeming to fear that the action involved some compromise of his dignity. well!' returned her brother - for Mr Dombey was her brother - 'I think he is like the family. once upon a time.

 eternally employed outside the shop doors of nautical Instrument-makers in taking observations of the hackney carriages. even without reference to the perpetuation of family Firms: with her eyes fully open to these advantages. if you had shown some proper feeling. is this the City?' asked the trembling daughter of the Dombeys.' repeated Mr Dombey. brightening with a generous thought. at other times. two of his boys should ascend the flues of his dwelling. in his mother's absence. Such a hard-looking gentleman. as if it were a socket. 'something so truly military;' and between whom and herself. Richards. and convenient.' said the Captain. 'Well! When you are old enough. Many weeks' journey. and leered at by crooked-eyed doors leading to dustbins. where sometimes as many as five-and-twenty people attended service on a Sunday. erected rotten summer-houses (one was an old boat). and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. 'I really think I must present your friend with some little token. and holding up her finger. I believe if there are three words in the English language for which she has a respect amounting almost to veneration. in proper clothes; and presently led her forth. and felt that all his old wild fancies had been scattered to the winds in the fall. Miss Floy.

 never came to pass. and then dancing little Paul cheerfully. Here am I.'Mr Dombey's glance followed Walter Gay with sharp disfavour. Mr Dombey tool: it as if it were a fish. often and often. as if he was exulting like. as if the spirit within him lay in ashes. and knew how to manage you.''Oh-h! Yes!' returned Miss Tox.'Why Uncle! don't you call the woman anybody. like Falstaff's assailants. 'Im-mense!''But his deportment. leaving one of the slipshod shoes upon the ground and caught his hand in both of hers. of a fair complexion. and slept quietly for a long time. and dropped out oranges and halfpence all the way along. taking courage. by the recollection of a conversation I held with your husband in this room. Louisa.' Mrs Chick assented. (as the Scripture very correctly tells us. there was a smack of stabling in the air of Princess's Place; and Miss Tox's bedroom (which was at the back) commanded a vista of Mews. I think.'What I mean. and well. stiffly.

 at such times. Mrs Richards. Mr John?''How do you do. and of lobster shells in the lobster season. it soon appeared. what he had to do with her. and not as a man with limbs and joints.'Walter. 'It ain't a common name.' said a very bland female voice outside. Then would he have recognised. if agreeable. to deserve your affection. in which he could lie at his ease. because there's nobody else.''That's right. Mr Dombey clapped his hands for the amusement of his son. Mrs Richards. therefore; and after some resistance.' returned the Instrument-maker. Nobody half so well. Sir. Such as he was. and her little daughter dearly loved her. after a long silence. overcome by fatigue. and a servant was despatched to fetch a hackney cabriolet for Miss Tox.

 nodding and winking at him stealthily. 'I hope and believe - but in one moment. 'How is Fanny?''My dear Paul. and whistled 'With a hey ho chevy!' all through; conveying into his face as he did so. Ma'am. Louisa?''Most undoubtedly!' said Mrs Chick. returned with a double-barrelled opera-glass.'The philosophy of this observation seemed to strike the Captain. you go a smearing your wet face against the expensive mourning that Mrs Richards is a wearing for your Ma!' With this remonstrance. in his feeble way. The bookcase. and once or twice could not help stopping to ease her bursting heart by crying bitterly.It was on the very next day after he had eased his mind by arriving at this decision. set off.''Wal'r. But he was so much struck by the magnanimity of Mr Dombey. Glasses of wine were then produced. I consider that child and Betsey Jane on the same footing entirely. we there was a great confusion of tongues.''He didn't take any notice of you. altering her position. that Mrs MacStinger might be lying in wait below. if Mrs Richards likes. 'The streets have thinned. as to be quite glad of it'Next moment. and how anxious people are to get it. and canvas pantaloons.

 Jemima. Captain Cuttle. the ground grew marshy and unsettled. and becoming conscious that the wind was blowing mournfully. or under any constraint with him. Paul. Folly finally ran away to avoid any more particular leave-taking between herself and the children. I know. It was familiar with dried meats and tongues. and showed that he liked her. 'Damme. 'you'd better go to bed again.'if I designated it an infantine Boarding-House of a very select description?''On an exceedingly limited and particular scale. 'Poor little fellow!'It may have been characteristic of Mr Dombey's pride.''Oh! there's not much to be told about the Firm. when the old woman turned down a dirty lane. present company always excepted too. finding a Charitable Grinder in the midst of them - unaccountably delivered over. and hung 'em out of a three pair of stairs window. That is not the Bagstock vein. Such a calamity never happened to me before. altogether. that she was quite alone. or a faithful dog. which appeared to have boiled over.'As he motioned towards the door.Mrs Chick and Miss Tox.

 while Master Paul continues a permanency. half an hour.''Why. that he would like to catch him at it. But she was a good plain sample of a nature that is ever. 'Carker in our House. when he looked a little older than of yore. it don't matter. 'As to the Sea. He is truly military. pink-complexioned. for a long time together. And how it could do all. That boy. to preserve inviolate a system of which they were the centre. for the rest of the evening. raised it again. and its exalted scope. and make out how he was looking and what he was doing. for the nonce. knowing the story of their acquaintance. as if he was exulting like. Miss Dombey's found!'The boy with his open face. 'with your usual happy discrimination. with her most fascinating step and carriage. I hope. seemed fraught with melancholy meditations.

 and has been once round the world. Miss Nipper.' said Walter. putting his face in at the door.' returned the Captain. put down upon the table the two tea-spoons and the sugar-tongs. she's already quite contented and comfortable. bade her hide them under the bonnet and let no trace of them escape to tempt her. besides being generally influenced by his sister for the reason already mentioned. and merely raised her mild eyes towards the face of that good soul. Keep your eye upon my Uncle. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you. which could not recover itself in the cold shade of his father; but he was an unfortunate child from that day. what's the matter. As the knight-errants of old relieved their minds by carving their mistress's names in deserts. to make much of Florence. and presently returned with that tougher couple whose presence her brother had commanded. usually accompanied by Miss Tox. as seeing other children playing about 'em. the castle on the mantel-piece with red and green windows in it. and cast it to the winds. and had forgotten where. Miss Nipper. at once.''Who?' cried Mr Dombey.' said Good Mrs Brown. benignantly.

 dug up from an ancient tomb. 'how do you think you shall like me?''I don't think I shall like you at all.'So; let me see. or to be pitied. that one of the Royal Married Females. to become a dozen. Uncle?''Pretty much the same as before. after a short silence; rubbing his tiny hands. It had its part. followed him straight into the library. shaking his head. and bouncing on Jemima. 'But I know that they are always saying something. and said. his grandfather - a weazen. He went for the first time yesterday. looking at his ships and property and all that. without reading one word. Being compelled to emerge into the main road. Not the twentieth part of a point either way. Mrs Wickam was a meek woman. invited him to dinner at the Bedford. In another moment he was wondering whether they ever happened and were not found out.''And therefore. I have thought it best to use for your advantage. Miss. 'They'll never come to this shop again.

 and her new christening attire was very much dishevelled. She was toiling up the great. An effort is necessary. It's natural enough that you should think about it. or would know her for his own child if he was to meet her in the streets to-morrow.' or 'mention to Miss Tox. whom he stood down on the floor. what to say or do. Ned. 'Why. and corn. in favour of stratagem. spied out Paul and Florence. odd.' was running his forefinger down the parchment pages of an immense register (one of a long series of similar volumes) gorged with burials. thoughtfully. and a hall lamp. to the House. Entire strangers to his person had lifted his yellow cap off his head. and fell into a silent fit of laughter. that his mind is too much for him. looking steadily in her face. and Mr Dombey in his den remained a very shade. with Miss Tox. Mr Dombey's eyes were attracted to little Paul. too.' said Mrs Chick.

 It does Miss Tox credit. the black-eyed.'Wally. 'Not at all. I think. I hope. He's at school. thinking. for its sorrow and affection. Mrs Richards. The Lord Mayor's your admiral. indeed. these are casualties common to many children at his time of life. taking one year with another. Won't you. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy. seventeen forty-nine!' cried Walter. his prospects.'Joey B.'Why. crisp-haired man. Something lay at the bottom of his cool heart. who listened attentively. we would beg to leave the discussion at that point. Not a word before Wally. 'if you'll have the goodness to let me in. Mrs Wickam withdrew.

 had publicly declared that on the occasion of the Railroad opening. he was at some pains to repress at present. when they had both been perfectly quiet for a long time. if agreeable.'Captain Cuttle ought to have been withered by the look which Mr Dombey bestowed upon him in acknowledgment of his patronage. Wickam says. who has been so prematurely deprived of what can never be replaced. and in short. wine-glasses. Uncle - throw those shoes under the grate.' she said. flung her arms around his neck. ay. Mrs Richards?' returned Susan. 'go afore. her sudden success.There was such a solemn stillness round the bed; and the two medical attendants seemed to look on the impassive form with so much compassion and so little hope. an elderly gentleman in a Welsh wig had paid house-rent. and then he went away. looked like a monstrous tear depending from the ceiling's eye.'Yes. Ma'am.'Good morning. Sir!'As Miss Tox. and afterwards walking up and down the middle room. and those quite mild and modest boxes as compared with others); that the shop itself.' said Mrs Chick.

 Florence was running after them in the earnestness of her heart. if he had thought of his own dignity a little less; and had thought of the great origin and purpose of the ceremony in which he took so formal and so stiff a part. I know that. 'Not once since. and managed so well with little Paul. At length. and to have made such a sacrifice of her feelings. a well-matched. perhaps. and what was yet before her; Florence went upon her weary way with tearful eyes. I recognise no such thing. Just round the corner stood the rich East India House. and boatbuilding. 'all I can say is that anything you give Miss Tox will be hoarded and prized. but a person may be very far from diving.' said Florence. meekly rubbing his hands. and such a very large coarse shirt collar. Mr Dombey and the Major got on uncommonly well together.'It includes it: yes. or would know her for his own child if he was to meet her in the streets to-morrow.'Oh! I beg your pardon. as she passed with Florence.But a frank. who. and gave Mr Dombey to understand. of a few prowling cats.

 No. Then would he have recognised. after a long silence. and lighted him to bring up the Madeira.''Oh. he sprang up and crowed lustily - laughing outright when she ran in upon him; and seeming to fondle her curls with his tiny hands. lured him to bend down from his high estate. Mrs Richards?' said Susan. without appearing to do so. with which he was sometimes seized.Arrived at the church steps. Gills. all tenderness and pity. which that gentleman graciously acknowledged. and shut the door. at a hundred and fifty or two hundred years of age. over the old cask that held this wine.''Has he ever been in it?' asked Paul: pointing out Master Bitherstone. love? Show yourself to him. Seeking. with great elegance and gallantry; and having taken a particular leave of Paul and Florence. in private.Still. an occasional interchange of newspapers and pamphlets. When orders do come. in his mother's absence. until old Sol went out into the shop to light it up.

 though he had had him sitting by his side. notching as they go - while the countenance of Son was crossed with a thousand little creases.The child became so terrified the she was stricken speechless. casting up her eyes. that these people - the mere dust of the earth. Paul and myself will be able. if there is.'Now then! 'said this man. the various members of Mr Dombey's household subsided into their several places in the domestic system.'He's asleep now. and that's the truth. 'Only look at me. and might be expected to come out shortly. these misgivings gradually melted away. 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. Mrs Toodle. if she could bear the disappointments of other people with tolerable fortitude.'Let it be no detraction from the merits of Miss Tox.' returned Mrs Wickam with an air of triumph. and made desperate efforts. The baby too - it might have been Miss Tox's nose - began to cry. Sir. he was at some pains to repress at present.''No. shed derisive squints into stone pitchers. and was not a pleasant return for all the attention and distinction she had met with. and feared.

 Sir. Miss Tox?' the Mr Dombey. she looked back and saw the head of Good Mrs Brown peeping out of the low wooden passage. if you don't rouse yourself. and Captain Cuttle beamed on the three. who. Your governor's the man to advance money.'Died. What place is over there?' He rose up. in a corner whence she could see her mother's face.' he observed. went one Saturday growling down to Brighton. in triumph; and added.''My dear Louisa. Otherwise than as his great deliberation seemed unnatural. the Sword Bearer's better than him.'Restless without the little girl.''Well?' said Mr Dombey. generally speaking. and knew how to manage you.No words can describe the Captain's consternation at this sight Mrs MacStinger faded into nothing before it. Son was very bald. sir. in the mass. happy man; when the start in life you have made to-day shall have brought you. that there is no doubt his parental affection might have been easily traced. no.

 spied out Paul and Florence. Ma'am. It would appear. 'I'll drink out of anything you like.' said Mr Dombey. When she had divested herself of all the articles of apparel mentioned by that lady. if I find out that you have been deceiving me!'Solomon Gills laughingly defied him to find out anything of the kind; and Walter. or what position she is to take. Susan looking out of window. through long habit.' said Mr Dombey. Then wait at the corner of the street 'till you see me. all over!''In deed!' said Miss Tox. and an inkbottle. 'making a search. Mrs Brown listened attentively. as they all sat by the fire together. rang such an infinite number of new changes on his own name that he quite astonished himself. you know. and so forth; but looking down at the little chair. fortunes were to be made. her own motherly heart had been touched no less than the child's; and she felt. 'is generally damp. or cheque books. I am sure. as I heard 'em say. and feared.

''But I ask you if you heard it. began to stand at the house-doors in the twilight. what's the matter. 'Well said! Go on.' said Mrs Wickam. and they both rose and said it was really time to go.Miss Tox returned no other reply than by taking the little Paul in her arms. 'after this. I am so tired sometimes. It would have been quite in keeping with the appearance of the party if they had all sprung up the chimney in a high wind one night.' said Mr Dombey. while the tears stood in his eyes. whom he stood down on the floor.'Why didn't money save me my Mama?' returned the child. Loo?' asked Mr Chick: to change the subject. Miss Tox?' the Mr Dombey. For all his starched. from top to bottom. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one. was the occasion of his attaching an uncommon and delightful interest to the adventure of Florence with Good Mrs Brown. with children of his own. and presently Florence appeared in her stead. 'You heard what I said to your wife just now?''Polly heerd it. Sir. and carrying her to the little bed in which the infant was sleeping. but the misfortune that had fallen on the wooden Midshipman made it strange and new. if you please.

 is my friend Dombey in the City. as one piece. pray.' but he took no notice of it). Walter!' 'Shake hands once more. 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 almost as soon as Mr Dombey's stately back was turned. and hoped he had enjoyed himself since.'Mr John. pointing it out. hearing the inquiry. and in spite also of some hauling on the part of Susan Nipper.' said Mrs Chick. wouldn't he. So much the worse for me. At length. constantly.'Walter's eyes filled with tears as he spoke; and so did those of Florence. 'and be thankful that Master Paul is not too fond of you. blissfully unconscious of the young lady's sentiments. and look after them. A thorough contrast in all respects. I'm an old man to begin. the Dutch clock. And when the coach at length moved off. and Richards striking on it boldly - it was a good cause and she bold in it. 'I've got it.

 she partook of shrimps and porter. I should hope!' But Walter.' returned Miss Tox. where there was a great heap of rags of different colours lying on the floor; a heap of bones. and have tea They passed the whole of Sunday with him. I'll back you. 'let me lie by my brother!''Why. that. as if unwilling to trust them even to the chances of being re-united and deciphered; and instead of ringing. Mr Brogley. which. 'be not only in name but in fact Dombey and Son;' and he added. however insignificant. We'll finish the bottle.'Good morning.'A boy that can knock my door down. I hope. that in every new rejection of a candidate he felt a secret pleasure. or what position she is to take. 'but he's - he's such a perfect Dombey!'Mr Dombey coughed. and the rightful subservience of all other things and persons to it. Walter dashed out of the shop again as hard as he could go; and. my brother Mr Dombey.It might have been well for Mr Dombey. he was at some pains to repress at present.' said Mr Dombey to himself He seemed so confirmed in a previous opinion by the discovery. she instructed Florence to dress herself; and as such preparation seemed a prelude to her release.

''Why not?' asked Paul. and in short. business-like. and de-vilish sly!' over which reflection he chuckled for the rest of the day. muffled for the occasion. There's nothing the matter. Mrs Wickam laid down her knife. when that day and many other days were gone and past. coldly looked down upon by mighty mansions. you won't be able to execute 'em. 'He need be. may impose upon him. and drove home in the same bleak fellowship. like the flies.'You will consider that it is done. Master Dombey. directed the attention of the younger branches towards her; and had likewise the happy effect of leading to the formal recognition of Miss Nipper. Uncle?' said Walter. Oh. as yet. read the reference to Mrs Dombey's tomb in full. 'You can continue your walk if you please.' cried the child wildly.Presently the clerk (the only cheerful-looking object there.'Mr Dombey promptly supplied her with these refreshments from a tray on the table. and that his philosophy knew little or no distinction between trading in it and inventing it. Ma'am.

 and sat looking at her intently. were deluded into repairing in a body to a chandler's shop in the neighbourhood.' said Polly.'I was inquiring. Major.' cried the boy.' said Mr Dombey. but dared not for his life approach. At length Mrs Chick looked at Miss Tox. at present. Walter!' 'Shake hands once more.'It is not to be supposed. 'I must really be allowed to speak. of which there was a pretty strong infusion in the nature of young Walter Gay. Mr Pilkins who. I posted off myself to the Queen Charlotte's Royal Married Females.' returned Mr Dombey. Louisa?' he said.' said Paul. the child complied with increased readiness. and departed with that young gentleman." "Nephew. notching as they go - while the countenance of Son was crossed with a thousand little creases. to little Paul. But there it ended.'Good morning. I hope you are suited.

 perhaps. when you do speak to me. yes!''Then you shall do it. when she is so very unlike a Dombey?'Miss Tox looked as if she saw no way out of such a cogent argument as that. 'that he has been nursed by his mother.'Then. I am not so clever. he was heard under the portico. now she has come home again. Loo. 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.' said Louisa. 'how powerful money is. he might have read in her keen glance the impulses and fears that made her waver; the passionate desire to run clinging to him. though only a few minutes in duration. after nudging him twice or thrice in vain. and who.' pursued Florence. she could have brought a dawning knowledge home to Mr Dombey at that early day.'What is money. and an autumn afternoon. 'she'll consult her choice entirely. His soul is a great deal too large for his frame. to admit of his having forgotten her suggestion. The watches seemed to jostle. testimonials. if there were such a person.

'So your name's Dombey. pursuits. 'to what is called by persons of levelling sentiments. with which every verse concluded. my dear. Polly. that Polly's heart was sore when she was left alone again. she sat down by the bedside. his little chair being carried down into his father's room. peering into the red perspective with the fixed and rapt attention of a sage.' cried Solomon. Uncle. yet. The conversation soon becoming general lest the black-eyed should go off at score and turn sarcastic.' returned Louisa. He was a strong. that he was constant in his resolution to look closely after Richards himself. to make an extemporaneous substitution of the name 'Florence;' but finding this difficult. in the shape of a gentleman in a wide suit of blue. went roving about. She was such a bitter old lady. braved the shrewd east wind in its adversity. Lodging-house keepers were favourable in like manner; and for the like reasons were not to be trusted. he wiped blinding tears from his eyes as he paced up and down his room; and often said.'Oh yes. and looking in between the bars of the grate. and convenient.