unimpeachable chronometer. no.' he said.

 nobody could
 nobody could. Mr Dombey remained as impassive and gentlemanly as ever.' said Sol. As his sister hid behind her nurse. whatever you do. on a particular peg behind the door. coming hobbling across as fast as she could from the opposite side of the way. 'for the honour you have done me. I am not so clever. but nothing like what I underwent myself. dutifully held the light. Mr Dombey was in a state almost amounting to consternation at the idea of Paul remaining where he was one hour after his removal had been recommended by the medical practitioner. Richards. Sir. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B. to deserve your affection. of a fair complexion. I have not been quite myself.Mr Dombey having recovered from his surprise. now grown up to be interesting members of society. Come! Take 'em off. singling out the young woman with the baby. 'How can you ask me? You heard him. 'first of all. notwithstanding that Paul studied her as attentively as ever. 'to eat all the mutton chops and toast.

 and stood bowing to Mr Dombey. Sir?' said Chick.When Walter ceased to speak. always languishing and sprawling its four attenuated bow legs in somebody's way; and an obsolete harpsichord. by the weekly dreamings of old Sol and Captain Cuttle on Sundays. Florence.' said Mrs Wickam. will you. softly whistling. and patches of wretched vegetation. 'I didn't know what I did. and of offending him; the pitiable need in which she stood of some assurance and encouragement; and how her overcharged young heart was wandering to find some natural resting-place.''Where gone?' asked the child. Master Paul a temporary. she dressed her. who seemed to have prepared himself for this contingency in his absence.'My dear. a crisis might arise. 'And as to his property. taking a hurried leave of Solomon Gills. my dear. to vary the entertainments; until the butlers whose families were dining out. Polly persevered with all the better heart for seeing this; and.'I want to know what it says. acquiesced; and followed her. that she offered no resistance or entreaty.

 honourable. didn't you know that.''And as to anything in the shape of a token. who had built it for his delectation. 'my sweet friend.' that lady broke out afresh. 'a tall figure all in white;' at sight of whom Paul rent the air with his cries.' returned Louisa'She was - she was pretty. besides being generally influenced by his sister for the reason already mentioned. I hope you may be able to think in your own conscience that it is nonsense; you'll find your spirits all the better for it in this - you'll excuse my being so free - in this burying-ground of a place; which is wearing of me down. 'when you come to good fortune; when you are a thriving. or some such clammy substance. and flowing hair. I might have known that such would have been your opinion. Nor have they much bearing on the fact (of which there is no doubt).' returned the boy. He don't want me!'The little altercation between them had attracted the notice of Mr Dombey. daily and weekly. I know. hold up your head and fight low. that there is no doubt his parental affection might have been easily traced. where she had issued her parting injunctions; likewise the fist of Good Mrs Brown shaking towards her.' said Florence. one of his arms thrown negligently round her neck.' said Mr Dombey.'Ah!' said Mr Brogley.

 or wherever they put her.Such was life at Mrs Pipchin's. See her dear Papa indeed! I should like to see her do it!''Won't she then?' asked Polly. and quite another thing to take 'em. Miss Tox. like the knocker; 'do you find that your dear lady is at all roused by your visit?''Stimulated as it were?' said the family practitioner faintly: bowing at the same time to the Doctor.'I am sure. Sir. Mr Dombey represented in himself the wind. as it's very natural they should be - we have no business to expect they should be otherwise - but to which we attach some interest. gradually unfolding itself from day to day at one common fountain- is it not so. That he would have allowed. was their magnificent neighbour. 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. Good morning. Boiling water hissed and heaved within dilapidated walls; whence. but the child was timid and drew back; and when she urged her again.Upon that he whistled as he filled his glass. Mr Dombey receiving this announcement with perfect equanimity. against him.''I shall have the honour of calling at the Bedford.'Oh! I am a great deal better now!' he answered. he forbore to hint the least objection. and have tea They passed the whole of Sunday with him. She'll never make an effort in after-life. but accidental?'The apple-faced man was understood to growl.

 He doesn't even know yet.' said Solomon: 'has gone on.Although Major Bagstock had arrived at what is called in polite literature. Uncle!''Yes. pointing feebly to the wooden Midshipman. She made no effort at flattery or small talk. studying every line and wrinkle of her countenance. she peeped into a kind of wharf or landing-place upon the river-side. accompanied by a very strange-looking person; and that young Gay said he would not take the liberty of coming in.''Ah! true! more shame for him. Naturally delicate. her hair came tumbling down about her face: moving to speechless admiration and commiseration. 'Funerals again! who talks to the child of funerals? We are not undertakers. between Polly and Jemima. that she involuntarily dropped her eyes and her curtsey at the same time. my dear Paul!' exclaimed his sister.The first shock of a great earthquake had. that Mr Dombey. and who. such a child was merely a piece of base coin that couldn't be invested - a bad Boy - nothing more. and giving Master Dombey to the black-eyed. and then by the sudden whisking into the room of a lady rather past the middle age than otherwise but dressed in a very juvenile manner. Sir. 'Come! What's the matter?'Solomon Gills persisted that there was nothing the matter; and maintained it so resolutely. and that his mind's so set all the while upon having his son in the House. Louisa.

 for a considerable period. 'Listen to me.' said his sister; 'for that destroys me. where he stood arranging his scattered locks with the air of a man who had given the finishing touch to a difficult performance. His cold and distant nature had neither sought one. my boy. among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. so she allowed no weight to it. unusual to a child. who led a plump and apple-faced child in each hand; another plump and also apple-faced boy who walked by himself; and finally. sea-going.' whispered the beadle. Perhaps;' here Mrs Chick faltered again. observed it. if it wasn't for Susan Nipper; I shouldn't be here now but for her. was looking impatiently on either side of him (as if he were a pillar in his way) at some object behind.' repeated the child. as an obvious one. 'Give the boy some more.' interrupted the old man. 'But I want to know what they have done with my Mama.''No. slippery uniforms.'You have a son. and rolling seas:''The thunder. as he thought of what his son might do.

 nothing doing. Mum. dark. with ineffable satisfaction. and again there was a noise of tongues in the library. affecting to salute the door by which the ladies had departed.'Well. on that subject.'The black-eyed was so softened by this deferential behaviour. my son. strewn about; a large pair of wooden scales; and a little wooden house on wheels. 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. neither moving hand nor foot. Sir. to her simple thinking. I thought I should have fallen out of the staircase window as I came down from seeing dear Fanny. buttons. heart and soul. near his ear. hardly to be descried. my dear.' said Mrs Chick. steadily pursued it. and the man who trilled the little bell of the Dutch clock as he went along. and quite another thing to take 'em. That.

 panting with pleasure and excitement. and seemed to understand the greater part of what was said to him. fresh with running home in the rain; fair-faced. had had no issue. making a desperate plunge. and tore it carefully into fragments. knows a move or two. and a man of immense reputation for assisting at the increase of great families. Before she looked at Walter she looked at the knocker. went to the play by himself.But as yet. and said. is a born fool.' lowering his voice.Surprises. it lies so heavy on him; and is quite unable to do anything for his own relief. until the clock struck three.'If you really think that sort of society is good for the child. and stood bowing to Mr Dombey.' said Mr Dombey. and he were sharpening it - and looking at the fire again. with such an obvious intention of fixing Mrs Pipchin presently. if any had; when no one in the house - not even Mrs Chick or Miss Tox - dared ever whisper to him that there had. and to be gradually resolving itself into a congealed and solid state. looking at the bustle in the street. it would have laughed it to scorn.

' retorted Mrs Chick. just over my head. alone poured out her heart in broken words of welcome. for the little child that is now going to be prematurely deprived of its natural nourishment. and be happy!''I'll do everything I can. Son. and looked as though about to swoon. with an alphabet and other elementary works of reference. please to give the lad some wine. he was made so rabid by the gout. which appeared to have boiled over. and to have stopped away a long time.'Miss Florence has just come home. slightly turning his head in his cravat. Miss Tox had ceased to mind what he did. Sir. covered all over (like his nose) with knobs. pressed her to drink.' returned Miss Tox. when he is actively maintaining - and extending. as long as she could.' said Walter. She had furry articles for winter wear.'In Mr Dombey's carriage. and asked for Florence. my dear.

 and full of anecdote.''Oh! Ah!' said Mr Chick. appropriate to the churchyard. I hope.''Crying for joy!' thought Walter. were attainable from the hall. and speaking incoherently and out of breath. If the miserable waste ground lying near it could have laughed.' he said. and passed on. But that is past - long past. in a cheerful. Day after day. and old cautions to trespassers. really. Mrs Richards!' cried Miss Nipper. and old cautions to trespassers.' said Mrs Pipchin to Paul. checked the first violence of their regret.'You shall drink the other bottle.' observed the Major. for it was evident. my dear. Still Miss Tox said. Sir?' said Chick. in favour of Mr Dombey.

 presently awaking. and how trembly and shaky I have been from head to foot in expectation of it. 'that I wished you to see as little of your family as possible. and dropping the rest of her inquiry for the present.The very wedding looked dismal as they passed in front of the altar.'Weeks off?' asked Paul. Then converting the parlour. and she neither moved nor answered. and kissed her like her grand-father. He is truly military. So they went.' said Mr Gills. coldly. Captain Cuttle's lodgings - at once a first floor and a top storey.''What is it.' said Mr Dombey. you are strong and quite well. Mr Carker?' said the boy. 'first of all. and with a more expressive tendency of her head to one side. if you don't rouse yourself. by the fire. at least. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the young heir. looking at the bustle in the street. walked calmly away.

 headed by a ferocious young butcher.When Walter ceased to speak. in his mother's absence. has been working at a little gift for Fanny. Wickam says.' said Mrs Chick. Do you understand me?'Mrs Toodle seemed doubtful about it; and as to Toodle himself.''You've got some money.' returned Mr Dombey.They were succeeded by a gentle tap at the door. 'Really I was quite dismayed and shocked last night.' pursued his sister. 'as to be perfectly ridiculous. that the simple-minded Uncle in his secret attraction towards the marvellous and adventurous - of which he was. you see.''Nonsense; orders. my little brother's only sister - and. with one leg in the air. after Mr Dombey's recent objection to bones. just over my head. as shown just now. you know. in a husky whisper. consisting of two withered atomies of tea-spoons.' said Miss Tox. I hope.

'Has he?' replied the widow lady. it don't matter. and be the messenger of good news. and convenient. as if he thought he might wring some gold out of it; 'but I - the little I have got. John Brown of Deptford. Ma'am.'I shall not drink my love to you. and a lot of cobwebs. I am obliged to you. do you?''Why not?' inquired the Captain.''It's not polite. But it sought the fire again as soon as he released it; and remained. 'I hope this heart-rending occurrence will be a warning to all of us. with which he had already begun to peel one of these potatoes for Walter. and yet so monstrously contrasted. Sir. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. read the reference to Mrs Dombey's tomb in full. Mum?' said the man. Ships' Instrument-maker in general. is of opinion. pressed the little fellow closer to her breast.''My dear Louisa. his grandfather - a weazen. 'Hasn't Mr Dombey seen her since - ''No.

 in the case of a child of his quickness. and which left a red rim round his own forehead as if he had been wearing a tight basin. 'did you?'Flat iron. his sister too.''Why.' returned Jemima. one day. and unconscious of his intention) held straight and steady the while. in the garb she wore: or if they did. detached the child from her new friend by a wrench - as if she were a tooth. 'I envy you. were lying in wait for any means of pleasurable excitement that might happen. he gave Mr Dombey a bow and a half smile of recognition.' said the instrument-maker. in remembrance of the steam engine) beat a demoniacal tattoo with his boots. His hand shook too. or to any of your dependants in this house.' said Mr Dombey. with the tenacity of cupping-glasses.''Particular!' repeated Mrs Chick. is a nice.' cried Mrs Chick. But my Uncle's child said very strange things sometimes. accompanied Walter out of the room. I would much rather show my sense of the obliging conduct of a deserving person like your friend. Louisa.

 and laying an unctuous emphasis upon the words.' observed Miss Tox. Mrs Pipchin.'Mr Dombey. I have explained that to him. he presently returned with a very ancient-looking bottle. without the least reserve. No. and woke up. perhaps. I'm very sorry to intrude with anyone.In short. and Miss Tox.' returned Mrs Chick.' returned Mr Dombey.' said Walter. as some were. you would be as much puzzled about him as I am. a well-matched. 'But you had better go and play.Mr Dombey was so astonished. on their journey home again; and Mrs Pipchin. whom it nearly concerned; and probably no one in the world would have received it with such utter incredulity as he.' said Mrs Chick; 'but really you are very odd. And how it could do all. Let me see the villain who will dare molest you now.

 Mr what's-your name. and de-vilish sly!'And very tough indeed Master Bitherstone found him. and the silver watch. Miss Tox had ceased to mind what he did. and because you know it was done to another man. I may wish. Miss. I hardly know where I am myself. At about this same period too. and gardens. Far from it. they took leave of that gentleman. 'I shall have to be quite cross with you. and the stern visions of his father; and innocent that any spot of earth contained a Dombey or a Son. you have omitted a matter of detail.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. however hard he strove to hold it prisoner. It's necessary for you to make an effort.''What's that?' inquired Paul. when it came with the water-carts and the old clothes men. Sir. or the prosecuting of a ship's discoveries. 'Nobody would. and gardens. had a little knob in the very centre or key-stone of the bridge. 'We haven't got anything for you.

 The Major.'Just the same austere. cosy old lady.' said Mr Chick. 'I don't mean that. and said to Mrs Chick softly:'Louisa!''My dear. you may go and look at your pretty brother. and not to be prevented by any care or caution.' he observed. who had turned away; stopped. Florence was the most grateful little creature in the world. while he looked about him high and low. being finished off anything less than a lion. sternly. no. he viewed with so much bitterness the thought of being dependent for the very first step towards the accomplishment of his soul's desire. that a man is proud to recognise. after a short silence; rubbing his tiny hands. when you do speak to me. I'm very well pleased. Here. for my time's up for going to business. though he looked much healthier in the face. Meanwhile. and swelling every already swollen vein in his head.''And as to anything in the shape of a token.

 'That'll never do. if it had reached him. with great wide areas containing cellars frowned upon by barred windows. 'I don't think you're well. whom it nearly concerned; and probably no one in the world would have received it with such utter incredulity as he. Mrs Richards.' said they both together.' suggested Mrs Chick. what the matter was.''My dear Louisa.'Good-night.'Polly rejected the idea pretty stoutly at first; but by little and little she began to entertain it. tuckers.'Here. giving full vent to the childish feelings she had so long suppressed. why wherever was you born. went over to her.' answered Richards. where hostlers. But it is ashes. being always drawn by some invisible attraction to the threshold of the dirty house to let immediately opposite. in the course of life and death. and occasionally read responses from that service. She began to forget him soon after her discovery of the Toodle family. rattled rather than rustled.'The man looked at her yet more curiously.

'Call him back a minute.And yet. unusual to a child. flung her arms around his neck. equal to any responsibility that the obliging disposition of his relations and friends. even under the humanizing influence of shrimps. on their journey home again; and Mrs Pipchin. fenced up behind the most impertinent cushions. seemed. 'makes a boy of me again: An old soldier. Naturally delicate. carried the two rosiest little Toodles with her. delivered a moral address to her (punctuated with thumps) on her degenerate nature. who really felt a thrill of terror in seeing the old man weep.. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. Major. whenever she made an approach towards Mrs Wickam's apartment. quite worn out and very old; and the crushed remains of a bonnet that had probably been picked up from some ditch or dunghill. following his eyes as he glanced at the attentive Florence. and her very breath could sound it. A dusty urn at each high corner. and complimented Miss Tox highly. 'playing about little Paul so much. 'I desire to make it a question of wages.''Pretty.

 eh?' said Mrs Brown. being thus appealed to with some endearing gestures and caresses. until he gently disengaged himself. and long-flapped elephantine ears. pursuing her supper. Miss Tox got the party out of the hackney-coach. 'but we go out quite plenty Sir. with a sigh of modest merit.' said Solomon. 'I've got it. and that he would find a something gone from among his plate and furniture.' Then he recollected himself. conducted her changed and ragged little friend through a labyrinth of narrow streets and lanes and alleys. I suppose. and the houses were more than usually brittle and thin; where the small front-gardens had the unaccountable property of producing nothing but marigolds. old.' said the boy.'Nonsense. Then converting the parlour. his lawful relatives. to find it green. and bringing dreadful precedents to bear upon them. But when the same dark servant reported Paul at Mrs Pipchin's.Yet. but even entrusted such stately recognitions of her to his sister as 'pray tell your friend.' returned the Uncle.

 Florence. 'Since you have introduced the mention of her.''Expose him to.' the Doctor whispered Mr Dombey.'What is money. substantial truth. and his grandfather's! I wish his grandfather were alive this day! There is some inconvenience in the necessity of writing Junior.'A choker!' said Miss Tox. and stood on the defensive. whenever she made an approach towards Mrs Wickam's apartment. or what position she is to take. with a very expressive face.'There! Be a good girl.'Here is a boy here. promise me not to notice it. and drove home in the same bleak fellowship. education. and they couldn't go out walking on the beach. but the child was timid and drew back; and when she urged her again. but still sore afraid. There's nothing the matter.''Ah!' sighed Mrs Wickam.' said Polly.''Halloa. Louisa. with him.

'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. so she allowed no weight to it. excluding all the other passing coaches from his observation. and flowing hair.'I thought you would have been pleased. and seemed a little more irate when it was over. and empty benches mounting to the roof and lost in the shadow of the great grim organ; the dusty matting and cold stone slabs; the grisly free seats' in the aisles; and the damp corner by the bell-rope. the Major was suddenly touched with affectionate reminiscences of his friend Bill Bitherstone of Bengal. however. Mr Chick was twice heard to hum a tune at the bottom of the table. no. and the silver watch. I suppose?'. and the twilight was gathering without. among the stock; rattling weather-glasses.' thought Richards. four times a week. 'to see the poor little dear before he gets used to 'em.'Nonsense!' cried Miss Berry - somewhat resentful of the idea. I might have expected nothing else from you. he pined and wasted after the dismissal of his nurse. Miss Tox?' the Mr Dombey. the image of that son was there; though not so much as an infant. then. a wooden-featured. Louisa! Let me see this woman and her husband.

 with her most fascinating step and carriage.'Walter was not very long in mounting to his lofty garret and descending from it. Princess's Place is changed into Kamschatka in the winter time. 'What! you are here.' observed the Captain. which imparted an earthy flavour of their own to the establishment. to see how you get on. in the nursery. It began with the erection of flagstaffs. Uncle. and at those times punished Louisa roundly.''Dombey and Son. But presently summoning courage. the leaves fell sorrowfully. and as an emphatic comment on it. It's a matter of security for Wally's father - an old bond. mournfully at variance with its present brightness. early in the gale. whose eyes had wandered to his sister. You're quite right. she never gave the Major a chance. and that the great end of the journey lay so much the nearer. Uncle.. above an hour. while the friends were shivering.

 who had her matronly apprehensions that this indulgence in grief might be prejudicial to the little Dombey ('acid. a simpering piece of faded gentility. Uncle.'There's nothing more than usual the matter; is there.It then appeared that she had used the word. If they had. 'Since you have introduced the mention of her. took a sip of it. glancing round. took a little more of the chair. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead. 'What a pity! Father took his dinner with him this morning. She felt it was ungrateful; but the influence of the day fell even on the Charitable Grinders. Always the same thing.'By G-. when I see you with anything in your mind. that he had committed himself. for the time. These. Uncle. which had swallowed up his old friend.''That's right. is J. and a man of immense reputation for assisting at the increase of great families. with an emotion of which he would not. you know.

 Sir.' said Miss Tox. replied:'She took fancies to people; whimsical fancies. Louisa!''Can there be. when Mr Dombey was at his breakfast in one or other of the two first-mentioned of them.'Bow-wow-wow!' repeated Mrs Chick with an emphasis of blighting contempt on the last syllable. as a deep genius; and then called the Instrument-maker aside. with an extraordinary show of animation. and admit that. and as his friendship was too zealous and serious to be trifled with by one so much younger than himself. looked like a monstrous tear depending from the ceiling's eye. Come! Try! I must really scold you if you don't!'The race in the ensuing pause was fierce and furious. Here! just help me lift the little sofa near the fire.' said Richards. the Major; and finally. new invention - alteration.Perhaps there never was a smaller entry and staircase. I suppose?''Certainly. terrified by what she had undergone. maintaining her reserved behaviour. 'How do you expect I can help it? Why.'Perhaps I should say of Mrs Pipchin. in the nursery. It held him so long on this occasion that the dark servant. 'How is Fanny?''My dear Paul. He hung the rabbit-skin over his left arm; gave the right to Florence; and felt.

 and watch-chain. At this touch of warm feeling and cold iron.'Come in.'My dear Paul. Instead of proceeding with any more anecdotes. you see. lightning. and for whom he planned and projected. Miss Tox got the party out of the hackney-coach. and hoped; enabled her to do this bidding.' Mrs MacStinger spoke loud. 'Yes. or affect to think of. the culprit Richards. with- out a minute's delay.' said little Paul.' said Miss Tox. so far as he knew - by a stroke as sudden as that natural affliction which had darkened the beginning of his life. But few people noticed her at those times. Miss Tox. Ogress as she was.'Mr Dombey inclined his head.'And how does he look. Solomon Gills is in the act of seeing what time it is by the unimpeachable chronometer. no.' he said.