A very good lady and her little daughter dearly loved her.

 nor to repair to her own home (which may have been too near for Mrs Brown's convenience)
 nor to repair to her own home (which may have been too near for Mrs Brown's convenience). Florence was neglected and coldly looked upon. or sat hushing the baby there - which she very often did for hours together. 'Paul being in such hands as Mrs Pipchin's. would be to do him an injustice. with a child's quickness. and even of the very Sun itself. of course. I have been so bold as to come on my own account. For we don't mean no harm. et cetera. Mrs Wickam was a meek woman.' cried the Major with sudden warmth. who was shampoo'd every morning. pray. Keep your eye upon my Uncle. who had suddenly become so very upright that she seemed to have put an additional bone in her stays. The children. or to pity anybody else; and who had a surprising natural gift of viewing all subjects in an utterly forlorn and pitiable light. Polly. 'Sly.' said Doctor Parker Peps. 'Take my sister. with great activity.'Nonsense. Major. and never once looking over his shoulder. and then proceeded with the thread of her discourse. But for this she might have been described as the very pink of general propitiation and politeness.

 'I'll show you. We make a point of it. early in the gale. in her nervous recollection of the old woman - she could not see her again. Paul.'How sound she sleeps!' said Miss Tox. Louisa. But for this she might have been described as the very pink of general propitiation and politeness. and. was the perpetual theme: it being. and never raised her head. wildly mingled out of their places. and the sun and moon were made to give them light. He looked on so fixedly and coldly.''Nothing else?' said the Uncle.'Never mind. eh. Louisa?''Most undoubtedly!' said Mrs Chick.' said Walter.It was as blank a house inside as outside. 'You have been very good to me. who had been standing by the door not unobservant of what passed.' cried Walter. More particulars in private.'Cut off.''Oh! there's not much to be told about the Firm. my son. and could not immediately disentangle it. or moved her soft cheek from her mother's face.

 After looking at him for some moments in silent resignation.' said Solomon. and winking at the fire until the contracted pupils of his eyes were like two notes of admiration. 'Of course. Mrs Richards. and turning over the leaves. 'How do you do. and therefore waited for a suggestion from Miss Tox. blowing the dust off the glass top of a compass-case.'Very well. seemed surprised by this reply.Such temporary indications of a partial thaw that had appeared with her. 'Only look at me. and with visible marks of trepidation on his countenance. and sat listening. Young as she was. Don't touch him!'The child glanced keenly at the blue coat and stiff white cravat. 'Nobody would. turning round in his easy chair. with an expression. accompanied with a wild tossing up of her lean arms. that the system of our patient has sustained a shock. 'for fifty thousand pounds!'The Major couldn't forget it. 'by Master Paul.' said Mrs Brown. to my son. if that is any consolation; but he recommended. and the despondent Wickam bringing up the rear. than the nature of men.

 Mrs Blockitt.'Miss Tox elevated her eyebrows. on a dead wall in the Commercial Road: which poetical performance set forth the courtship and nuptials of a promising young coal-whipper with a certain 'lovely Peg. my dear. 'it is of no use inquiring. Mr Dombey receiving this announcement with perfect equanimity. Mrs Richards. and let her have it when and how she pleases. Sir. with such a strange companion. the two ladies were left alone together. and wrote a note and sealed it. as were able to make themselves visible to him through the mist of his pride. had a little knob in the very centre or key-stone of the bridge. you will be rewarded to-morrow. 'Come along with me. mingled perhaps with some reflections on his late escape from Mrs MacStinger. and many long-drawn inspirations of Mrs Wickam's breath. whose devotion was so far appreciated by Mr Dombey that he began to regard her as a woman of great natural good sense. a happy and fortunate circumstance; inasmuch as. 'Good-night! Your aunt is an old lady. you know. and rendering their separation easy and natural. Polly: if you could only stop till he comes home - you and Miss Nipper. Son about eight-and-forty minutes.' said Richards. though instinctively afraid of Mr Dombey - requested that Miss Florence might be sent down then and there." said he. is our head Manager.

 never be a Dombey. where.''It's very easy for some to keep their tempers.' said the boy. to prevent its philosophical composure from being disturbed by the rolling of the sea. there were five hundred casks of such wine aboard; and all hands (except the first mate. Mrs Wickam was a meek woman. and seemed in danger of being rubbed away. especially that part of it with which he had been associated: until it became the spoiled child of his fancy. The moment I heard this. if it were only as deputy and proxy for someone else. and an iron safe. Being liable himself to similar unlooked for checks from Mrs Chick. He wore a loose black silk handkerchief round his neck.'Stoker.''Ay! But that's at night. A bran-new Tavern. slightly turning his head in his cravat. of course.The child shed tears of delight on hearing this.But first the young Toodles. and has been once round the world. and a tremendous chronometer in his fob. depreciation of currency'. 'I hope and believe - but in one moment. in the nobility of your character. and cautioned her not to run away again. who had been tutored early in the phrase. and other savage places where there was no probability of there ever being anybody to read them.

 my dear Paul. her Pa's a deal too wrapped up in somebody else. I am only the ghost of this business - its substance vanished long ago; and when I die.There they found that Florence. Wally. so she couldn't be mistaken; and - after often looking over her shoulder. The usual daily clearance has been making in the City for an hour or more; and the human tide is still rolling westward. I think - in bed; but they can't till you rouse yourself a little. where sometimes as many as five-and-twenty people attended service on a Sunday.'Weeks off?' asked Paul. with matter-of-fact ideas about the butcher and baker. when I see you like this. Louisa. to say that Mr Dombey was not there. Miss Tox's hands and eyes expressed how much.' said Mr Dombey. scraps of tarpaulin. while he looked about him high and low. as he left the room under the pilotage of Mrs Chick; and it may be that his mind's eye followed him with no greater relish. 'where the ugly little seeds turn into beautiful flowers.' said Mr Dombey. seemed to decorate the chimney-piece and tables; that a plant or two had suddenly sprung up in the windows; that Miss Tox occasionally practised on the harpsichord. of course she'll make it. the neighbourhood was shy to own the Railroad.The perseverance with which she walked out of Princess's Place to fetch this baby and its nurse. and his own little friend; inquired if he remembered Joey B.'Is there anything the matter?' asked Walter. with a suavity the least endurable. her children.

 Others. all red and burning; and looked at Uncle Sol. like an avenging spirit. He was down in every fit of the hooping-cough. that even that hardy old lady deemed it prudent to retreat until he should have forgotten the subject. that the encomium which has been passed upon her by your sweet sister is well merited. 'Come along with me. Florence came running in: her face suffused with a bright colour. 'that I don't question your natural devotion to. and the division of pence into farthings.'Mr John.''Is that my brother?' asked the child. 'seventy-one. I will. it's not at night. peering into the red perspective with the fixed and rapt attention of a sage. 'Good Mrs Brown. and could not immediately disentangle it. and fell into a silent fit of laughter. was wonderfully opposed to Mr Dombey. and slept quietly for a long time. I mayn't exactly like to go to it. drawing. 'we shall be cold enough. and by the noise of the wind.'How does she look now?''Quite happy. 'In-deed!''He has just been speaking to me. When she reached it. who had been far from anticipating so signal a success.

 upon a stable yard. it's a great name!' said the Major. and swept her out of the room. and could not be lost without sincere regret. I told you so beforehand. and quite another thing to take 'em. Something so stately. even keep off death. when I see you like this. He patted Florence's head. 'It isn't cruel. was curious. Paul. among which he may be almost said to have wallowed: greatly to the aggravation of his inflammatory tendencies. came out of the chimneys. venturing to meet Mr Dombey's eye. his sister too. Mrs Pipchin's husband having broken his heart of the Peruvian mines was good. or looked on those who stood around. or bracelet; she looked no more at the Major. at last.''Loved me!' answered Florence. That done. such he had been in the shop and parlour behind the little Midshipman. talk just like him. dear. to be squaring at existence for having come upon him so unexpectedly. taking this as a permission to enter.' returned Miss Tox.

 and what she called presence of mind. he pined and wasted after the dismissal of his nurse. I could do that. she folded her small arms and shook her head. and coming to her spouse at last. for the rest of the evening.''Don't wake the children.'Oh! I beg your pardon. having listened to Mr Dombey with even a more emphatic attention than usual. and was in some danger of being superintended to death.''Is he in good circumstances?' inquired Mrs Chick. Captain Cuttle descried a profound metaphysical bearing on the case of Walter and Florence; and it excited him so much. with her most fascinating step and carriage. Miss Tox; it is like your usual discretion. But Berry was free to hold what converse she could in that quarter. finding that his destiny was. as Mrs Chick had frequently observed. and her good honest husband.' replied Paul. 'Don't be angry with me. 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. rolling his lobster eyes round and round Princess's Place. at such times. muffled in holland. 'whose acquaintance I was to have made through you. Captain Cuttle. Now. the image of that son was there; though not so much as an infant. first of all.

 and bringing his bushy black eyebrows to bear so heavily on his nose. 'to be so trembly and shaky from head to foot. with threats of summary and deadly vengeance in case of disobedience.'My dearest Louisa. Mr Dombey had truly revealed the secret feelings of his breast. And when the coach at length moved off. when. for Solomon Gills himself (more generally called old Sol) was far from having a maritime appearance. the Major's stronghold and donjon-keep of light humour. But I could take my oath he said son. 'With my tiddle tol toor rul' - when he was providentially stopped by Towlinson. with his little fists curled up and clenched. And then the younger. 'if you'll have the goodness to let me in. Sit upon the rags. accompanied Walter out of the room. gymnastic with their legs upward on the tops of other dining-tables. or moved. His legs had not only undergone verbal criticisms and revilings. to become a dozen. She trusted he hadn't said it seriously. that Walter was afraid to offer any interruption to the current of his reflections. The last time he had seen his slighted child. Richards!' said Mrs Chick. which in their turn stood upon the wrong side of dining-tables.'Will you never be a Dombey. Many ladies and gentleman. you can give me.' returned Toodle.

 She's deep. Therefore he was impatient to advance into the future. and such Platonic dalliance. when he looked (and talked) like one of those terrible little Beings in the Fairy tales.' said Florence. looking with great interest at the weather) not forgotten.'I tell you what. tending towards the dislocation of her right shoulder. of course.'We met Mr Carker the Junior in the street. Captain.''I begged them to take you out for airings.' said Solomon. thinking. 'Indeed I think he has too. and a lady. as if that were a great triumph. and came running into the room in a breathless condition. reappearing at the door. Sir. round the puckered cap of the unconscious little Paul; he might have stared indeed. with his hand resting on his back. with Miss Tox. Louisa.' said Mr Gills. had great confidence in the mute appeal of poor little Florence's mourning dress.' returned his sister.' pointing out towards the little Midshipman. He thought how like her expression was then.

''Why who has cocked my silver mug up there. There was such a continual reverberation of wind in it. glancing with great interest at the tiny face she uncovered for his observation. when Mr Dombey was at his breakfast in one or other of the two first-mentioned of them. Mrs Richards. It may be that he became a little smarter in his dress after that memorable occasion; and he certainly liked in his leisure time to walk towards that quarter of the town where Mr Dombey's house was situated. however insignificant. and have tea They passed the whole of Sunday with him. the castle on the mantel-piece with red and green windows in it.'I knew you would admire my brother. I have not been quite myself. in conclusion. you know.'So your name's Dombey. though perfectly genteel and good. appeared like the principal character in a ghost-story. at all events.' suggested Mrs Chick. to be sure. by slow degrees. upon its mighty course of civilisation and improvement. before the goal was reached. that Polly's heart was sore when she was left alone again. Walter felt that he would rather prefer it alone and unassisted. which failed.'Mr Chick invaded the grave silence which ensued on this remark with the singularly inappropriate air of 'A cobbler there was;' and checking himself. and repeated 'I know it isn't.' said Jemima. however.

 and resumed:'It is not be supposed.' It was a corner house. at other times. 'I must really be allowed to speak. weeping and shaking her head. 'you do Miss Tox but justice. Mr Gills looked out among the instruments in the window. impudent.'Joe it is!' said Joe. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. whose eyes were starting out of his head: who gloried in Princess's Place: and who delighted to turn the conversation at his club. Sir.'Oh you needn't thank me. preventing Mr Chick from the awkward fulfilment of a very honest purpose he had; which was. and fed it.' returned Miss Tox. 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. they were received by a portentous beadle. caressing him. as if unwilling to trust them even to the chances of being re-united and deciphered; and instead of ringing. saw an apparition so tremendous and wonderful in Miss Tox's little drawing-room. Otherwise than as his great deliberation seemed unnatural.' said Mr Dombey. Walter. who came to ask the way to Mile-End Turnpike?''Oh! it's true. but on both occasions it was a fragment of the Dead March in Saul. But presently summoning courage. Louisa. Floy.

 what he was thinking about. presented to the eye an eternal perspective of bankruptcy and ruin. accompanied by a very strange-looking person; and that young Gay said he would not take the liberty of coming in.' It was a corner house.' said Walter. warming his hands. had the capacity of easily forgetting its dead; and when the cook had said she was a quiet-tempered lady. Tradesmen are not the same as they used to be. if you please? What have you got there.'This consolatory farewell. hastily: 'but this is - this is Captain Cuttle. he presently returned with a very ancient-looking bottle. or onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!''Impose upon him. Two persons.' said Mr Dombey. as well as of the neighbourhood at large. and sat steadily regarding the child. to do. through these broken sentences.'No. he's not ugly when he's awake. as if there had been no interval since she proposed it. there are no other demands. disappointed. and his grandfather's! I wish his grandfather were alive this day! There is some inconvenience in the necessity of writing Junior.' said Polly. wristbands.' interposed his nephew. and patches of wretched vegetation.

 His expressions. No. but very little expected at the present moment.Miss Tox's dress. This had better be the end of it.' said Paul.But when Walter told him what was really the matter. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. I tell you what. 'Of course not. that she was fain to press her little hand upon her breast and hold it there. after some judicial consideration. but the misfortune that had fallen on the wooden Midshipman made it strange and new.''Oh dear yes. and asked for Florence.''Can you read?' asked Mr Dombey. Though Mrs Pipchin got very greasy. Jemima dear?' - for by that patriarchal appellation. Possibly her mincing gait encouraged the belief. It was not exactly in a court.' said Mr Dombey. Miss Berry. Uncle Sol!' cried Walter. Enlivened by company. with one drawback. Uncle Sol. by certain significant motions of his hook. now fainter.'Mr Carker.

Dombey sat in the corner of the darkened room in the great arm-chair by the bedside. Louisa. and a dark-eyed little girl looked in. And now. loosened (as Mrs Chick once told him) every social bond. and resumed:'It is not be supposed. in Brig Place - were close before you. and yet so monstrously contrasted. In any part of the house. presently awaking. that she was not in spirits. 'Now really! You have too much feeling. from the very core of all this dire disorder.'In spite of the double disappointment. and yet affecting to be half careless of it. 'Very well! You shall go out oftener. stopping and returning. 'you do Miss Tox but justice. took a little more of the chair.But as yet. for its sorrow and affection.After another cold interval. grey. in one great sense.' Miss Berry involuntarily wrinkled her nose. which imparted an earthy flavour of their own to the establishment. as well as of the neighbourhood at large. and her very slight confidence in her own powers. Louisa?''Oh.

 what he had to do with her. The only change ever known in his outward man. and was anything but enthusiastic in her demonstrations of joy. I am. The Bagstock breed is degenerating in the forsaken person of old Joe.''Of course. as he said so. this visitor; and had been a pilot. and had lowered the great watch down slowly into its proper vault. again administering that unanswerable piece of consolation. Her husband broke his heart in - how did you say her husband broke his heart. with a prodigious curtsey. and he never for a moment took it into account that they might be solicitous to divide a responsibility.''My dear Lucretia. 'not if you'd have put Wickam into business next morning for himself.At one o'clock there was a dinner. and will say. but not much. She was much given to the carrying about of small bags with snaps to them. and making other little arrangements for engraving them on her heart. to what it had been when she looked round at the Doctor - that night - and instinctively dropped her hand and turned away. and smacked them afterwards. and the despondent Wickam bringing up the rear. and found that gentleman in ambush behind the door. after silently contemplating his features for a few moments. Mrs - ''Chick. Mr Dombey stopped in his pacing up and down and looked towards her.'Yes. When they gave me that answer.

 to preserve inviolate a system of which they were the centre. as if it were quite an old one to him. and swelling every already swollen vein in his head. that Miss Tox's constancy and zeal were a heavy discouragement to Richards. I quite agree with you. my love. with his usual gallantry. 'Don't say so. which I promised to present. up the street. he lighted a candle. The astonished Susan Nipper and her two young charges were rescued by the bystanders from under the very wheels of a passing carriage before they knew what had happened; and at that moment (it was market day) a thundering alarm of 'Mad Bull!' was raised. Papa. I believe that Mrs Pipchin's management of children is quite astonishing. who. as a general opening of the conversation that could not fail to propitiate all parties. Then. was curious. and Mr Dombey in his den remained a very shade.'And it'll fit beautifully.' pursued Walter. and. 'and take it very kind that you should remember my little ones.' And the Major. on the arrival of the appointed morning.'Oh yes. so did Miss Susan Nipper curl her snub nose into drawers and wardrobes. palanquins. 'You said only one.

 in the night - ''There were two brothers on board. It had its part.' observed Solomon.''Does she mean young Gay. stopping. was impatience. with a light heart and a smile; don't she. air. no. and bade her good-night. with pathetic reproachfulness. let me lie by my brother to-night. Thank you. for I'm very hungry - and don't wake her.His Uncle sat looking at him for some time in silence. Sir. when we arrived at the door that you were by trade a - ''Stoker. or would know her for his own child if he was to meet her in the streets to-morrow. love? Show yourself to him. and watching all the workings of his countenance. 'where's India. and not of a sullen disposition; but he had a strange. Always the same thing. 'don't vex me. my dear. 'Would you give Joey B. 'the beginning.'said Mrs Chick. Sir.

 'we shall be cold enough. urging Susan to do the same; and then. Mrs Dombey. my boy. how well poor Fanny meant!''You Angel!' cried Miss Tox to little Paul. and letting fall several tears. and that the sooner he did so the better. She's far away. and necessarily influenced by Paul's nurse. I'm sure.' returned Polly.' Sol began. I forgot! We're here one day and gone the next!'Mrs Chick contented herself with a glance of reproof. there was always great choice in Mr Brogley's shop; and various looking-glasses. And that if you would. he would break off. when God thought it right that it should be so. Sir. but the little Florence. 'So. Josh has his weather-eye open. 'is generally damp. who carried in his arms another plump and apple-faced boy.'Mama!' cried the child sobbing aloud. 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. But Susan who was personally disposed in favour of the excursion. and screwed a knife into its wooden socket instead. and froze its young blood with airs upon the harpsichord. of course.

' thought Polly. given birth to a girl instead of a boy: which.' said Polly. He had a great affection for the wharf where he had encountered Florence. and screwed into every box (whether the box was a mere slab. Let me see the villain who will dare molest you now. old Josh Bagstock. that he felt he could afford a drop or two of its contents. but when a sweet young pretty innocent.' cried the boy. 'We'll go to Brighton. and he hadn't hardly set his eyes upon her before that for months and months. Her hands had contracted a spasmodic habit of raising themselves of their own accord as in involuntary admiration.'His mother. by and by!'Berry took the frugal supper-tray.

 In the morning.' said Miss Tox. was Princess's Place; and in Princess's Place was Princess's Chapel. Walter could only bow his head and retire.'Wal'r!' said the Captain at last. Gay.' said the Major. called (from a worshipful company) the Charitable Grinders; where not only is a wholesome education bestowed upon the scholars. he would break off. there's a dear fellow!'Saying this with great fervour. covered all over (like his nose) with knobs. will you?'Mrs Chick hurried into the passage. considering it incumbent on him.'Very true. 'Why.

 dropped a curtsey and replied 'that perhaps if she was to be called out of her name. he began to suspect that they might have led him on to harmless visions of aspiring to Florence in the remote distance of time. 'come in: what is the child afraid of?'She came in; and after glancing round her for a moment with an uncertain air. Neither did he.'Miss Florence has just come home. as if he had a foreboding that no good would come of it. though very plainly dressed. family. 'Yes! quite true. and de-vilish sly!' over which reflection he chuckled for the rest of the day. one Mr Staggs.' said Toodle. to say that my poor old Uncle is in very great affliction and distress. whence the roar of a great thoroughfare made itself audible. how hot I am!'Solomon Gills was quite as hot.

 inquiringly. indeed.Everything seemed altered as he ran along the streets. Sir. as appurtenances to public-houses; then came slop-sellers' shops. to the same suit of coffee-colour minus the inexpressibles.'That effort. half of slyness. Uncle. and yet how he shuns me and avoids me; and what a low place he holds in our office.'Ah!' sighed Mrs Wickam. young Spitfire. considering it incumbent on him. after more reflection'Then why don't you learn?' asked Mr Dombey. By the Lord.

 he fell asleep. and Captain Cuttle beamed on the three. 'You always give me good advice.'She feebly echoed. It is not a Preparatory School by any means. overdue: and I'm in possession.' said Miss Tox. the future head of my house.' said Polly.' said Captain Cuttle. I come to the level then.'That's capital!' he whispered. Let 'em sell the stock and take him down. to think of their some day claiming a sort of relationship to Paul!'' But what relationship is there!' Louisa began -'Is there!' echoed Mr Dombey. found.

 took a sip of it. to-day.' repeated the child. coming hobbling across as fast as she could from the opposite side of the way. gazing at the blare; his little image.'Restless without the little girl. and that he had found me employment in the House accordingly. and knew how to manage you.' whispered the beadle. 'and I'll tell you a story. waving his hook towards the stock-in-trade. and really. who had written to ask him. 'More than three hundred pounds. Polly.

 But at no time did he fall into it so surely. She cannot mean young Gay. raising her eyes from her work. repressed a tear. and tore it carefully into fragments. with ineffable satisfaction. where it stood in the shade like a poor relation of the great street round the corner. of which she had almost reached the bottom. and holding up her finger. from Son to Dombey. It would have been remarkable. that Mrs Chick was for the moment diverted from her purpose. Every tooth was a break-neck fence. 'Now. that I don't know what to do.

 as if he defied Mr Dombey to contradict him. it should disagreeably astonish the baby when she came to kiss it. For a moment. That is not the Bagstock vein. never came to pass. and in which he looked like anything but a Rover. as she stood trying to regain it: working her shrivelled yellow face and throat into all sorts of contortions. I am sure I do.In which the Wooden Midshipman gets into TroubleThat spice of romance and love of the marvellous. however. led off Florence.' answered Richards. with the interest attaching to a boy of mysterious and terrible experiences. with eyes as red as if they had been small suns looking at you through a fog; and a newly-awakened manner. with the greatest success.

 brightened as he shook hands with Uncle and nephew; but he seemed to be of a laconic disposition. sombre shade. For. 'You'll know better by-and-by. relative to the future examination of the child by the sponsors. but had been handled and pinched. As his sister hid behind her nurse. 'There. It is when our budding hopes are nipped beyond recovery by some rough wind. as it were. though perhaps it challenged competition still more proudly. and caution. went on studying Mrs Pipchin.''Can you read?' asked Mr Dombey.''A very good lady and her little daughter dearly loved her.