Moreaffableandpleasantyet，andhumminghissonguntilhismanyteethvibratedtoit，Mr。Carkerpickedhiswayalong，andturnedatlastintotheshadystreetwhereMr。Dombey\'shousestood。Hehadbeensobusy，windingwebsroundgoodfaces，andobscuringthemwithmeshes，thathehardlythoughtofbeingatthispointofhisride，until，glancingdownthecoldperspectiveoftallhouses，hereinedinhishorsequicklywithinafewyardsofthedoor。ButtoexplainwhyMr。Carkerreinedinhishorsequickly，andwhathelookedatinnosmallsurprise，afewdigressivewordsarenecessary。
Mr。Toots，emancipatedfromtheBlimberthraldomandcomingintothepossessionofacertainportionofhisworldlywealth，`which，\'ashehadbeenwont，duringhislasthalf-year\'sprobation，tocommunicatetoMr。Feedereveryeveningasanewdiscovery，`theexecutorscouldn\'tkeephimoutof，\'hadappliedhimself，withgreatdiligence，tothescienceofLife。Firedwithanobleemulationtopursueabrilliantanddistinguishedcareer，Mr。Tootshadfurnishedachoicesetofapartments；hadestablishedamongthemasportingbower，embellishedwiththeportraitsofwinninghorses，inwhichhetooknoparticleofinterest；andadivan，whichmadehimpoorly。Inthisdeliciousabode，Mr。Tootsdevotedhimselftothecultivationofthosegentleartswhichrefineandhumaniseexistence，hischiefinstructorinwhichwasaninterestingcharactercalledtheGameChicken，whowasalwaystobeheardofatthebaroftheBlackBadger，woreashaggywhitegreat-coatinthewarmestweather，andknockedMr。Tootsabouttheheadthreetimesaweek，forthesmallconsiderationoftenandsixpervisit。
TheGameChicken，whowasquitetheApolloofMr。Toots\'sPantheon，hadintroducedtohimamarkerwhotaughtbilliards，aLifeGuardwhotaughtfencing，ajob-masterwhotaughtriding，aCornishgentlemanwhowasuptoanythingintheathleticline，andtwoorthreeotherfriendsconnectednolessintimatelywiththefinearts。UnderwhoseauspicesMr。Tootscouldhardlyfailtoimproveapace，andunderwhosetuitionhewenttowork。
Buthoweveritcameabout，itcametopass，evenwhilethesegentlemenhadtheglossofnoveltyuponthem，thatMr。Tootsfelt，hedidn\'tknowhow，unsettledanduneasy。Therewerehusksinhiscorn，thatevenGameChickenscouldn\'tpeckup；gloomygiantsinhisleisure，thatevenGameChickenscouldn\'tknockdown。NothingseemedtodoMr。TootssomuchgoodasincessantlyleavingcardsatMr。Dombey\'sdoor。Notax-gathererintheBritishdominions——thatwide-spreadterritoryonwhichthesunneversets，andwherethetax-gatherernevergoestobed——wasmoreregularandperseveringinhiscallsthanMr。Toots。
Mr。Tootsneverwentupstairs；andalwaysperformedthesameceremonies，richlydressedforthepurpose，atthehalldoor。