CHAPTERI-THEONETHINGNEEDFUL
\'NOW，whatIwantis，Facts。TeachtheseboysandgirlsnothingbutFacts。Factsalonearewantedinlife。Plantnothingelse，androotouteverythingelse。YoucanonlyformthemindsofreasoninganimalsuponFacts:nothingelsewilleverbeofanyservicetothem。ThisistheprincipleonwhichIbringupmyownchildren，andthisistheprincipleonwhichIbringupthesechildren。SticktoFacts，sir！\'
Thescenewasaplain，bare，monotonousvaultofaschool-room，andthespeaker\'ssquareforefingeremphasizedhisobservationsbyunderscoringeverysentencewithalineontheschoolmaster\'ssleeve。Theemphasiswashelpedbythespeaker\'ssquarewallofaforehead，whichhadhiseyebrowsforitsbase，whilehiseyesfoundcommodiouscellarageintwodarkcaves，overshadowedbythewall。
Theemphasiswashelpedbythespeaker\'smouth，whichwaswide，thin，andhardset。Theemphasiswashelpedbythespeaker\'svoice，whichwasinflexible，dry，anddictatorial。Theemphasiswashelpedbythespeaker\'shair，whichbristledontheskirtsofhisbaldhead，aplantationoffirstokeepthewindfromitsshiningsurface，allcoveredwithknobs，likethecrustofaplumpie，asiftheheadhadscarcelywarehouse-roomforthehardfactsstoredinside。Thespeaker\'sobstinatecarriage，squarecoat，squarelegs，squareshoulders，-nay，hisveryneckcloth，trainedtotakehimbythethroatwithanunaccommodatinggrasp，likeastubbornfact，asitwas，-allhelpedtheemphasis。
\'Inthislife，wewantnothingbutFacts，sir；nothingbutFacts！\'
Thespeaker，andtheschoolmaster，andthethirdgrownpersonpresent，allbackedalittle，andsweptwiththeireyestheinclinedplaneoflittlevesselsthenandtherearrangedinorder，readytohaveimperialgallonsoffactspouredintothemuntiltheywerefulltothebrim。
CHAPTERII-MURDERINGTHEINNOCENTS
THOMASGRADGRIND，sir。Amanofrealities。Amanoffactsandcalculations。Amanwhoproceedsupontheprinciplethattwoandtwoarefour，andnothingover，andwhoisnottobetalkedintoallowingforanythingover。ThomasGradgrind，sir-peremptorilyThomas-ThomasGradgrind。Witharuleandapairofscales，andthemultiplicationtablealwaysinhispocket，sir，readytoweighandmeasureanyparcelofhumannature，andtellyouexactlywhatitcomesto。Itisamerequestionoffigures，acaseofsimplearithmetic。YoumighthopetogetsomeothernonsensicalbeliefintotheheadofGeorgeGradgrind，orAugustusGradgrind，orJohnGradgrind，orJosephGradgrindallsupposititious，non-existentpersons，butintotheheadofThomasGradgrind-no，sir！
InsuchtermsMr。Gradgrindalwaysmentallyintroducedhimself，whethertohisprivatecircleofacquaintance，ortothepublicingeneral。Insuchterms，nodoubt，substitutingthewords\'boysandgirls，\'for\'sir，\'ThomasGradgrindnowpresentedThomasGradgrindtothelittlepitchersbeforehim，whoweretobefilledsofulloffacts。
Indeed，asheeagerlysparkledatthemfromthecellaragebeforementioned，heseemedakindofcannonloadedtothemuzzlewithfacts，andpreparedtoblowthemcleanoutoftheregionsofchildhoodatonedischarge。Heseemedagalvanizingapparatus，too，chargedwithagrimmechanicalsubstituteforthetenderyoungimaginationsthatweretobestormedaway。
\'Girlnumbertwenty，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，squarelypointingwithhissquareforefinger，\'Idon\'tknowthatgirl。Whoisthatgirl？\'
\'SissyJupe，sir，\'explainednumbertwenty，blushing，standingup，andcurtseying。
\'Sissyisnotaname，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Don\'tcallyourselfSissy。CallyourselfCecilia。\'
\'It\'sfatherascallsmeSissy，sir，\'returnedtheyounggirlinatremblingvoice，andwithanothercurtsey。
\'Thenhehasnobusinesstodoit，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Tellhimhemustn\'t。CeciliaJupe。Letmesee。Whatisyourfather？\'
\'Hebelongstothehorse-riding，ifyouplease，sir。\'
Mr。Gradgrindfrowned，andwavedofftheobjectionablecallingwithhishand。
\'Wedon\'twanttoknowanythingaboutthat，here。Youmustn\'ttellusaboutthat，here。Yourfatherbreakshorses，don\'the？\'
\'Ifyouplease，sir，whentheycangetanytobreak，theydobreakhorsesinthering，sir。\'
\'Youmustn\'ttellusaboutthering，here。Verywell，then。
Describeyourfatherasahorsebreaker。Hedoctorssickhorses，I
daresay？\'
\'Ohyes，sir。\'
\'Verywell，then。Heisaveterinarysurgeon，afarrier，andhorsebreaker。Givemeyourdefinitionofahorse。\'
SissyJupethrownintothegreatestalarmbythisdemand。
\'Girlnumbertwentyunabletodefineahorse！\'saidMr。Gradgrind，forthegeneralbehoofofallthelittlepitchers。\'Girlnumbertwentypossessedofnofacts，inreferencetooneofthecommonestofanimals！Someboy\'sdefinitionofahorse。Bitzer，yours。\'
Thesquarefinger，movinghereandthere，lightedsuddenlyonBitzer，perhapsbecausehechancedtositinthesamerayofsunlightwhich，dartinginatoneofthebarewindowsoftheintenselywhite-washedroom，irradiatedSissy。For，theboysandgirlssatonthefaceoftheinclinedplaneintwocompactbodies，dividedupthecentrebyanarrowinterval；andSissy，beingatthecornerofarowonthesunnyside，cameinforthebeginningofasunbeam，ofwhichBitzer，beingatthecornerofarowontheotherside，afewrowsinadvance，caughttheend。But，whereasthegirlwassodark-eyedanddark-haired，thatsheseemedtoreceiveadeeperandmorelustrouscolourfromthesun，whenitshoneuponher，theboywassolight-eyedandlight-hairedthattheself-sameraysappearedtodrawoutofhimwhatlittlecolourheeverpossessed。Hiscoldeyeswouldhardlyhavebeeneyes，butfortheshortendsoflasheswhich，bybringingthemintoimmediatecontrastwithsomethingpalerthanthemselves，expressedtheirform。Hisshort-croppedhairmighthavebeenamerecontinuationofthesandyfrecklesonhisforeheadandface。Hisskinwassounwholesomelydeficientinthenaturaltinge，thathelookedasthough，ifhewerecut，hewouldbleedwhite。
\'Bitzer，\'saidThomasGradgrind。\'Yourdefinitionofahorse。\'
\'Quadruped。Graminivorous。Fortyteeth，namelytwenty-fourgrinders，foureye-teeth，andtwelveincisive。Shedscoatinthespring；inmarshycountries，shedshoofs，too。Hoofshard，butrequiringtobeshodwithiron。Ageknownbymarksinmouth。\'
ThusandmuchmoreBitzer。
\'Nowgirlnumbertwenty，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Youknowwhatahorseis。\'
Shecurtseyedagain，andwouldhaveblusheddeeper，ifshecouldhaveblusheddeeperthanshehadblushedallthistime。Bitzer，afterrapidlyblinkingatThomasGradgrindwithbotheyesatonce，andsocatchingthelightuponhisquiveringendsoflashesthattheylookedliketheantennaeofbusyinsects，puthisknucklestohisfreckledforehead，andsatdownagain。
Thethirdgentlemannowsteppedforth。Amightymanatcuttinganddrying，hewas；agovernmentofficer；inhiswayandinmostotherpeople\'stoo，aprofessedpugilist；alwaysintraining，alwayswithasystemtoforcedownthegeneralthroatlikeabolus，alwaystobeheardofatthebarofhislittlePublic-office，readytofightallEngland。Tocontinueinfisticphraseology，hehadageniusforcominguptothescratch，whereverandwhateveritwas，andprovinghimselfanuglycustomer。Hewouldgoinanddamageanysubjectwhateverwithhisright，followupwithhisleft，stop，exchange，counter，borehisopponenthealwaysfoughtAllEngland
totheropes，andfalluponhimneatly。Hewascertaintoknockthewindoutofcommonsense，andrenderthatunluckyadversarydeaftothecalloftime。Andhehaditinchargefromhighauthoritytobringaboutthegreatpublic-officeMillennium，whenCommissionersshouldreignuponearth。
\'Verywell，\'saidthisgentleman，brisklysmiling，andfoldinghisarms。\'That\'sahorse。Now，letmeaskyougirlsandboys，Wouldyoupaperaroomwithrepresentationsofhorses？\'
Afterapause，onehalfofthechildrencriedinchorus，\'Yes，sir！\'Uponwhichtheotherhalf，seeinginthegentleman\'sfacethatYeswaswrong，criedoutinchorus，\'No，sir！\'-asthecustomis，intheseexaminations。
\'Ofcourse，No。Whywouldn\'tyou？\'
Apause。Onecorpulentslowboy，withawheezymannerofbreathing，venturedtheanswer，Becausehewouldn\'tpaperaroomatall，butwouldpaintit。
\'Youmustpaperit，\'saidthegentleman，ratherwarmly。
\'Youmustpaperit，\'saidThomasGradgrind，\'whetheryoulikeitornot。Don\'ttellusyouwouldn\'tpaperit。Whatdoyoumean，boy？\'
\'I\'llexplaintoyou，then，\'saidthegentleman，afteranotherandadismalpause，\'whyyouwouldn\'tpaperaroomwithrepresentationsofhorses。Doyoueverseehorseswalkingupanddownthesidesofroomsinreality-infact？Doyou？\'
\'Yes，sir！\'fromonehalf。\'No，sir！\'fromtheother。
\'Ofcourseno，\'saidthegentleman，withanindignantlookatthewronghalf。\'Why，then，youarenottoseeanywhere，whatyoudon\'tseeinfact；youarenottohaveanywhere，whatyoudon\'thaveinfact。WhatiscalledTaste，isonlyanothernameforFact。\'ThomasGradgrindnoddedhisapprobation。
\'Thisisanewprinciple，adiscovery，agreatdiscovery，\'saidthegentleman。\'Now，I\'lltryyouagain。Supposeyouweregoingtocarpetaroom。Wouldyouuseacarpethavingarepresentationofflowersuponit？\'
Therebeingageneralconvictionbythistimethat\'No，sir！\'wasalwaystherightanswertothisgentleman，thechorusofNOwasverystrong。OnlyafewfeeblestragglerssaidYes:amongthemSissyJupe。
\'Girlnumbertwenty，\'saidthegentleman，smilinginthecalmstrengthofknowledge。
Sissyblushed，andstoodup。
\'Soyouwouldcarpetyourroom-oryourhusband\'sroom，ifyouwereagrownwoman，andhadahusband-withrepresentationsofflowers，wouldyou？\'saidthegentleman。\'Whywouldyou？\'
\'Ifyouplease，sir，Iamveryfondofflowers，\'returnedthegirl。
\'Andisthatwhyyouwouldputtablesandchairsuponthem，andhavepeoplewalkingoverthemwithheavyboots？\'
\'Itwouldn\'thurtthem，sir。Theywouldn\'tcrushandwither，ifyouplease，sir。Theywouldbethepicturesofwhatwasveryprettyandpleasant，andIwouldfancy-\'
\'Ay，ay，ay！Butyoumustn\'tfancy，\'criedthegentleman，quiteelatedbycomingsohappilytohispoint。\'That\'sit！Youarenevertofancy。\'
\'Youarenot，CeciliaJupe，\'ThomasGradgrindsolemnlyrepeated，\'todoanythingofthatkind。\'
\'Fact，fact，fact！\'saidthegentleman。And\'Fact，fact，fact！\'
repeatedThomasGradgrind。
\'Youaretobeinallthingsregulatedandgoverned，\'saidthegentleman，\'byfact。Wehopetohave，beforelong，aboardoffact，composedofcommissionersoffact，whowillforcethepeopletobeapeopleoffact，andofnothingbutfact。YoumustdiscardthewordFancyaltogether。Youhavenothingtodowithit。Youarenottohave，inanyobjectofuseorornament，whatwouldbeacontradictioninfact。Youdon\'twalkuponflowersinfact；youcannotbeallowedtowalkuponflowersincarpets。Youdon\'tfindthatforeignbirdsandbutterfliescomeandperchuponyourcrockery；youcannotbepermittedtopaintforeignbirdsandbutterfliesuponyourcrockery。Younevermeetwithquadrupedsgoingupanddownwalls；youmustnothavequadrupedsrepresenteduponwalls。Youmustuse，\'saidthegentleman，\'forallthesepurposes，combinationsandmodificationsinprimarycoloursofmathematicalfigureswhicharesusceptibleofproofanddemonstration。Thisisthenewdiscovery。Thisisfact。Thisistaste。\'
Thegirlcurtseyed，andsatdown。Shewasveryyoung，andshelookedasifshewerefrightenedbythematter-of-factprospecttheworldafforded。
\'Now，ifMr。M\'Choakumchild，\'saidthegentleman，\'willproceedtogivehisfirstlessonhere，Mr。Gradgrind，Ishallbehappy，atyourrequest，toobservehismodeofprocedure。\'
Mr。Gradgrindwasmuchobliged。\'Mr。M\'Choakumchild，weonlywaitforyou。\'
So，Mr。M\'Choakumchildbeganinhisbestmanner。Heandsomeonehundredandfortyotherschoolmasters，hadbeenlatelyturnedatthesametime，inthesamefactory，onthesameprinciples，likesomanypianofortelegs。Hehadbeenputthroughanimmensevarietyofpaces，andhadansweredvolumesofhead-breakingquestions。
Orthography，etymology，syntax，andprosody，biography，astronomy，geography，andgeneralcosmography，thesciencesofcompoundproportion，algebra，land-surveyingandlevelling，vocalmusic，anddrawingfrommodels，wereallattheendsofhistenchilledfingers。HehadworkedhisstonywayintoHerMajesty\'smostHonourablePrivyCouncil\'sScheduleB，andhadtakenthebloomoffthehigherbranchesofmathematicsandphysicalscience，French，German，Latin，andGreek。HeknewallaboutalltheWaterShedsofalltheworldwhatevertheyare，andallthehistoriesofallthepeoples，andallthenamesofalltheriversandmountains，andalltheproductions，manners，andcustomsofallthecountries，andalltheirboundariesandbearingsonthetwoandthirtypointsofthecompass。Ah，ratheroverdone，M\'Choakumchild。Ifhehadonlylearntalittleless，howinfinitelybetterhemighthavetaughtmuchmore！
Hewenttoworkinthispreparatorylesson，notunlikeMorgianaintheFortyThieves:lookingintoallthevesselsrangedbeforehim，oneafteranother，toseewhattheycontained。Say，goodM\'Choakumchild。Whenfromthyboilingstore，thoushaltfilleachjarbrimfullby-and-by，dostthouthinkthatthouwiltalwayskilloutrighttherobberFancylurkingwithin-orsometimesonlymaimhimanddistorthim！
CHAPTERIII-ALOOPHOLE
MR。GRADGRINDwalkedhomewardfromtheschool，inastateofconsiderablesatisfaction。Itwashisschool，andheintendedittobeamodel。Heintendedeverychildinittobeamodel-justastheyoungGradgrindswereallmodels。
TherewerefiveyoungGradgrinds，andtheyweremodelseveryone。
Theyhadbeenlecturedat，fromtheirtenderestyears；coursed，likelittlehares。Almostassoonastheycouldrunalone，theyhadbeenmadetoruntothelecture-room。Thefirstobjectwithwhichtheyhadanassociation，orofwhichtheyhadaremembrance，wasalargeblackboardwithadryOgrechalkingghastlywhitefiguresonit。
Notthattheyknew，bynameornature，anythingaboutanOgreFactforbid！Ionlyusethewordtoexpressamonsterinalecturingcastle，withHeavenknowshowmanyheadsmanipulatedintoone，takingchildhoodcaptive，anddraggingitintogloomystatisticaldensbythehair。
NolittleGradgrindhadeverseenafaceinthemoon；itwasupinthemoonbeforeitcouldspeakdistinctly。NolittleGradgrindhadeverlearntthesillyjingle，Twinkle，twinkle，littlestar；howI
wonderwhatyouare！NolittleGradgrindhadeverknownwonderonthesubject，eachlittleGradgrindhavingatfiveyearsolddissectedtheGreatBearlikeaProfessorOwen，anddrivenCharles\'sWainlikealocomotiveengine-driver。NolittleGradgrindhadeverassociatedacowinafieldwiththatfamouscowwiththecrumpledhornwhotossedthedogwhoworriedthecatwhokilledtheratwhoatethemalt，orwiththatyetmorefamouscowwhoswallowedTomThumb:ithadneverheardofthosecelebrities，andhadonlybeenintroducedtoacowasagraminivorousruminatingquadrupedwithseveralstomachs。
Tohismatter-of-facthome，whichwascalledStoneLodge，Mr。
Gradgrinddirectedhissteps。HehadvirtuallyretiredfromthewholesalehardwaretradebeforehebuiltStoneLodge，andwasnowlookingaboutforasuitableopportunityofmakinganarithmeticalfigureinParliament。StoneLodgewassituatedonamoorwithinamileortwoofagreattown-calledCoketowninthepresentfaithfulguide-book。
Averyregularfeatureonthefaceofthecountry，StoneLodgewas。
Nottheleastdisguisetoneddownorshadedoffthatuncompromisingfactinthelandscape。Agreatsquarehouse，withaheavyporticodarkeningtheprincipalwindows，asitsmaster\'sheavybrowsovershadowedhiseyes。Acalculated，castup，balanced，andprovedhouse。Sixwindowsonthissideofthedoor，sixonthatside；atotaloftwelveinthiswing，atotaloftwelveintheotherwing；
four-and-twentycarriedovertothebackwings。Alawnandgardenandaninfantavenue，allruledstraightlikeabotanicalaccount-
book。Gasandventilation，drainageandwater-service，alloftheprimestquality。Ironclampsandgirders，fire-prooffromtoptobottom；mechanicalliftsforthehousemaids，withalltheirbrushesandbrooms；everythingthatheartcoulddesire。
Everything？Well，Isupposeso。ThelittleGradgrindshadcabinetsinvariousdepartmentsofsciencetoo。Theyhadalittleconchologicalcabinet，andalittlemetallurgicalcabinet，andalittlemineralogicalcabinet；andthespecimenswereallarrangedandlabelled，andthebitsofstoneandorelookedasthoughtheymighthavebeenbrokenfromtheparentsubstancesbythosetremendouslyhardinstrumentstheirownnames；and，toparaphrasetheidlelegendofPeterPiper，whohadneverfoundhiswayintotheirnursery，IfthegreedylittleGradgrindsgraspedatmorethanthis，whatwasitforgoodgraciousgoodness\'sake，thatthegreedylittleGradgrindsgraspedit！
Theirfatherwalkedoninahopefulandsatisfiedframeofmind。
Hewasanaffectionatefather，afterhismanner；buthewouldprobablyhavedescribedhimselfifhehadbeenput，likeSissyJupe，uponadefinitionas\'aneminentlypractical\'father。Hehadaparticularprideinthephraseeminentlypractical，whichwasconsideredtohaveaspecialapplicationtohim。WhatsoeverthepublicmeetingheldinCoketown，andwhatsoeverthesubjectofsuchmeeting，someCoketownerwassuretoseizetheoccasionofalludingtohiseminentlypracticalfriendGradgrind。Thisalwayspleasedtheeminentlypracticalfriend。Heknewittobehisdue，buthisduewasacceptable。
Hehadreachedtheneutralgroundupontheoutskirtsofthetown，whichwasneithertownnorcountry，andyetwaseitherspoiled，whenhisearswereinvadedbythesoundofmusic。Theclashingandbangingbandattachedtothehorse-ridingestablishment，whichhadtheresetupitsrestinawoodenpavilion，wasinfullbray。A
flag，floatingfromthesummitofthetemple，proclaimedtomankindthatitwas\'Sleary\'sHorse-riding\'whichclaimedtheirsuffrages。
Slearyhimself，astoutmodernstatuewithamoney-boxatitselbow，inanecclesiasticalnicheofearlyGothicarchitecture，tookthemoney。MissJosephineSleary，assomeverylongandverynarrowstripsofprintedbillannounced，wastheninauguratingtheentertainmentswithhergracefulequestrianTyroleanflower-act。
Amongtheotherpleasingbutalwaysstrictlymoralwonderswhichmustbeseentobebelieved，SignorJupewasthatafternoonto\'elucidatethedivertingaccomplishmentsofhishighlytrainedperformingdogMerrylegs。\'Hewasalsotoexhibit\'hisastoundingfeatofthrowingseventy-fivehundred-weightinrapidsuccessionbackhandedoverhishead，thusformingafountainofsolidironinmid-air，afeatneverbeforeattemptedinthisoranyothercountry，andwhichhavingelicitedsuchrapturousplauditsfromenthusiasticthrongsitcannotbewithdrawn。\'ThesameSignorJupewasto\'enliventhevariedperformancesatfrequentintervalswithhischasteShakspereanquipsandretorts。\'Lastly，hewastowindthemupbyappearinginhisfavouritecharacterofMr。WilliamButton，ofTooleyStreet，in\'thehighlynovelandlaughablehippo-
comediettaofTheTailor\'sJourneytoBrentford。\'
ThomasGradgrindtooknoheedofthesetrivialitiesofcourse，butpassedonasapracticalmanoughttopasson，eitherbrushingthenoisyinsectsfromhisthoughts，orconsigningthemtotheHouseofCorrection。But，theturningoftheroadtookhimbythebackofthebooth，andatthebackoftheboothanumberofchildrenwerecongregatedinanumberofstealthyattitudes，strivingtopeepinatthehiddengloriesoftheplace。
Thisbroughthimtoastop。\'Now，tothinkofthesevagabonds，\'
saidhe，\'attractingtheyoungrabblefromamodelschool。\'
Aspaceofstuntedgrassanddryrubbishbeingbetweenhimandtheyoungrabble，hetookhiseyeglassoutofhiswaistcoattolookforanychildheknewbyname，andmightorderoff。Phenomenonalmostincrediblethoughdistinctlyseen，whatdidhethenbeholdbuthisownmetallurgicalLouisa，peepingwithallhermightthroughaholeinadealboard，andhisownmathematicalThomasabasinghimselfonthegroundtocatchbutahoofofthegracefulequestrianTyroleanflower-act！
Dumbwithamazement，Mr。Gradgrindcrossedtothespotwherehisfamilywasthusdisgraced，laidhishanduponeacherringchild，andsaid:
\'Louisa！！Thomas！！\'
Bothrose，redanddisconcerted。But，LouisalookedatherfatherwithmoreboldnessthanThomasdid。Indeed，Thomasdidnotlookathim，butgavehimselfuptobetakenhomelikeamachine。
\'Inthenameofwonder，idleness，andfolly！\'saidMr。Gradgrind，leadingeachawaybyahand；\'whatdoyoudohere？\'
\'Wantedtoseewhatitwaslike，\'returnedLouisa，shortly。
\'Whatitwaslike？\'
\'Yes，father。\'
Therewasanairofjadedsullennessinthemboth，andparticularlyinthegirl:yet，strugglingthroughthedissatisfactionofherface，therewasalightwithnothingtorestupon，afirewithnothingtoburn，astarvedimaginationkeepinglifeinitselfsomehow，whichbrighteneditsexpression。Notwiththebrightnessnaturaltocheerfulyouth，butwithuncertain，eager，doubtfulflashes，whichhadsomethingpainfulinthem，analogoustothechangesonablindfacegropingitsway。
Shewasachildnow，offifteenorsixteen；butatnodistantdaywouldseemtobecomeawomanallatonce。Herfatherthoughtsoashelookedather。Shewaspretty。Wouldhavebeenself-willedhethoughtinhiseminentlypracticalwaybutforherbringing-up。
\'Thomas，thoughIhavethefactbeforeme，Ifinditdifficulttobelievethatyou，withyoureducationandresources，shouldhavebroughtyoursistertoascenelikethis。\'
\'Ibroughthim，father，\'saidLouisa，quickly。\'Iaskedhimtocome。\'
\'Iamsorrytohearit。Iamverysorryindeedtohearit。ItmakesThomasnobetter，anditmakesyouworse，Louisa。\'
Shelookedatherfatheragain，butnotearfelldownhercheek。
\'You！Thomasandyou，towhomthecircleofthesciencesisopen；
Thomasandyou，whomaybesaidtoberepletewithfacts；Thomasandyou，whohavebeentrainedtomathematicalexactness；Thomasandyou，here！\'criedMr。Gradgrind。\'Inthisdegradedposition！
Iamamazed。\'
\'Iwastired，father。Ihavebeentiredalongtime，\'saidLouisa。
\'Tired？Ofwhat？\'askedtheastonishedfather。
\'Idon\'tknowofwhat-ofeverything，Ithink。\'
\'Saynotanotherword，\'returnedMr。Gradgrind。\'Youarechildish。
Iwillhearnomore。\'Hedidnotspeakagainuntiltheyhadwalkedsomehalf-a-mileinsilence，whenhegravelybrokeoutwith:\'Whatwouldyourbestfriendssay，Louisa？Doyouattachnovaluetotheirgoodopinion？WhatwouldMr。Bounderbysay？\'Atthementionofthisname，hisdaughterstolealookathim，remarkableforitsintenseandsearchingcharacter。Hesawnothingofit，forbeforehelookedather，shehadagaincastdownhereyes！
\'What，\'herepeatedpresently，\'wouldMr。Bounderbysay？\'AllthewaytoStoneLodge，aswithgraveindignationheledthetwodelinquentshome，herepeatedatintervals\'WhatwouldMr。
Bounderbysay？\'-asifMr。BounderbyhadbeenMrs。Grundy。
CHAPTERIV-MR。BOUNDERBY
NOTbeingMrs。Grundy，whowasMr。Bounderby？
Why，Mr。BounderbywasasnearbeingMr。Gradgrind\'sbosomfriend，asamanperfectlydevoidofsentimentcanapproachthatspiritualrelationshiptowardsanothermanperfectlydevoidofsentiment。SonearwasMr。Bounderby-or，ifthereadershouldpreferit，sofaroff。
Hewasarichman:banker，merchant，manufacturer，andwhatnot。
Abig，loudman，withastare，andametalliclaugh。Amanmadeoutofacoarsematerial，whichseemedtohavebeenstretchedtomakesomuchofhim。Amanwithagreatpuffedheadandforehead，swelledveinsinhistemples，andsuchastrainedskintohisfacethatitseemedtoholdhiseyesopen，andlifthiseyebrowsup。A
manwithapervadingappearanceonhimofbeinginflatedlikeaballoon，andreadytostart。Amanwhocouldneversufficientlyvaunthimselfaself-mademan。Amanwhowasalwaysproclaiming，throughthatbrassyspeaking-trumpetofavoiceofhis，hisoldignoranceandhisoldpoverty。AmanwhowastheBullyofhumility。
Ayearortwoyoungerthanhiseminentlypracticalfriend，Mr。
Bounderbylookedolder；hissevenoreightandfortymighthavehadthesevenoreightaddedtoitagain，withoutsurprisinganybody。
Hehadnotmuchhair。Onemighthavefanciedhehadtalkeditoff；
andthatwhatwasleft，allstandingupindisorder，wasinthatconditionfrombeingconstantlyblownaboutbyhiswindyboastfulness。
Intheformaldrawing-roomofStoneLodge，standingonthehearthrug，warminghimselfbeforethefire，Mr。BounderbydeliveredsomeobservationstoMrs。Gradgrindonthecircumstanceofitsbeinghisbirthday。Hestoodbeforethefire，partlybecauseitwasacoolspringafternoon，thoughthesunshone；partlybecausetheshadeofStoneLodgewasalwayshauntedbytheghostofdampmortar；partlybecausehethustookupacommandingposition，fromwhichtosubdueMrs。Gradgrind。
\'Ihadn\'tashoetomyfoot。Astoastocking，Ididn\'tknowsuchathingbyname。Ipassedthedayinaditch，andthenightinapigsty。That\'sthewayIspentmytenthbirthday。Notthataditchwasnewtome，forIwasborninaditch。\'
Mrs。Gradgrind，alittle，thin，white，pink-eyedbundleofshawls，ofsurpassingfeebleness，mentalandbodily；whowasalwaystakingphysicwithoutanyeffect，andwho，wheneversheshowedasymptomofcomingtolife，wasinvariablystunnedbysomeweightypieceoffacttumblingonher；Mrs。Gradgrindhopeditwasadryditch？
\'No！Aswetasasop。Afootofwaterinit，\'saidMr。Bounderby。
\'Enoughtogiveababycold，\'Mrs。Gradgrindconsidered。
\'Cold？Iwasbornwithinflammationofthelungs，andofeverythingelse，Ibelieve，thatwascapableofinflammation，\'
returnedMr。Bounderby。\'Foryears，ma\'am，Iwasoneofthemostmiserablelittlewretcheseverseen。Iwassosickly，thatIwasalwaysmoaningandgroaning。Iwassoraggedanddirty，thatyouwouldn\'thavetouchedmewithapairoftongs。\'
Mrs。Gradgrindfaintlylookedatthetongs，asthemostappropriatethingherimbecilitycouldthinkofdoing。
\'HowIfoughtthroughit，Idon\'tknow，\'saidBounderby。\'Iwasdetermined，Isuppose。Ihavebeenadeterminedcharacterinlaterlife，andIsupposeIwasthen。HereIam，Mrs。Gradgrind，anyhow，andnobodytothankformybeinghere，butmyself。\'
Mrs。Gradgrindmeeklyandweaklyhopedthathismother-
\'Mymother？Bolted，ma\'am！\'saidBounderby。
Mrs。Gradgrind，stunnedasusual，collapsedandgaveitup。
\'Mymotherleftmetomygrandmother，\'saidBounderby；\'and，accordingtothebestofmyremembrance，mygrandmotherwasthewickedestandtheworstoldwomanthateverlived。IfIgotalittlepairofshoesbyanychance，shewouldtake\'emoffandsell\'emfordrink。Why，Ihaveknownthatgrandmotherofminelieinherbedanddrinkherfour-teenglassesofliquorbeforebreakfast！\'
Mrs。Gradgrind，weaklysmiling，andgivingnoothersignofvitality，lookedasshealwaysdidlikeanindifferentlyexecutedtransparencyofasmallfemalefigure，withoutenoughlightbehindit。
\'Shekeptachandler\'sshop，\'pursuedBounderby，\'andkeptmeinanegg-box。Thatwasthecotofmyinfancy；anoldegg-box。AssoonasIwasbigenoughtorunaway，ofcourseIranaway。ThenI
becameayoungvagabond；andinsteadofoneoldwomanknockingmeaboutandstarvingme，everybodyofallagesknockedmeaboutandstarvedme。Theywereright；theyhadnobusinesstodoanythingelse。Iwasanuisance，anincumbrance，andapest。Iknowthatverywell。\'
Hisprideinhavingatanytimeofhislifeachievedsuchagreatsocialdistinctionastobeanuisance，anincumbrance，andapest，wasonlytobesatisfiedbythreesonorousrepetitionsoftheboast。
\'Iwastopullthroughit，Isuppose，Mrs。Gradgrind。WhetherI
wastodoitornot，ma\'am，Ididit。Ipulledthroughit，thoughnobodythrewmeoutarope。Vagabond，errand-boy，vagabond，labourer，porter，clerk，chiefmanager，smallpartner，JosiahBounderbyofCoketown。Thosearetheantecedents，andtheculmination。JosiahBounderbyofCoketownlearnthislettersfromtheoutsidesoftheshops，Mrs。Gradgrind，andwasfirstabletotellthetimeuponadial-plate，fromstudyingthesteepleclockofSt。Giles\'sChurch，London，underthedirectionofadrunkencripple，whowasaconvictedthief，andanincorrigiblevagrant。
TellJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，ofyourdistrictschoolsandyourmodelschools，andyourtrainingschools，andyourwholekettle-of-fishofschools；andJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，tellsyouplainly，allright，allcorrect-hehadn\'tsuchadvantages-
butletushavehard-headed，solid-fistedpeople-theeducationthatmadehimwon\'tdoforeverybody，heknowswell-suchandsuchhiseducationwas，however，andyoumayforcehimtoswallowboilingfat，butyoushallneverforcehimtosuppressthefactsofhislife。\'
Beingheatedwhenhearrivedatthisclimax，JosiahBounderbyofCoketownstopped。Hestoppedjustashiseminentlypracticalfriend，stillaccompaniedbythetwoyoungculprits，enteredtheroom。Hiseminentlypracticalfriend，onseeinghim，stoppedalso，andgaveLouisaareproachfullookthatplainlysaid，\'BeholdyourBounderby！\'
\'Well！\'blusteredMr。Bounderby，\'what\'sthematter？WhatisyoungThomasinthedumpsabout？\'
HespokeofyoungThomas，buthelookedatLouisa。
\'Wewerepeepingatthecircus，\'mutteredLouisa，haughtily，withoutliftinguphereyes，\'andfathercaughtus。\'
\'And，Mrs。Gradgrind，\'saidherhusbandinaloftymanner，\'I
shouldassoonhaveexpectedtofindmychildrenreadingpoetry。\'
\'Dearme，\'whimperedMrs。Gradgrind。\'Howcanyou，LouisaandThomas！Iwonderatyou。Ideclareyou\'reenoughtomakeoneregreteverhavinghadafamilyatall。IhaveagreatmindtosayIwishIhadn\'t。Thenwhatwouldyouhavedone，Ishouldliketoknow？\'
Mr。Gradgrinddidnotseemfavourablyimpressedbythesecogentremarks。Hefrownedimpatiently。
\'Asif，withmyheadinitspresentthrobbingstate，youcouldn\'tgoandlookattheshellsandmineralsandthingsprovidedforyou，insteadofcircuses！\'saidMrs。Gradgrind。\'Youknow，aswellasI
do，noyoungpeoplehavecircusmasters，orkeepcircusesincabinets，orattendlecturesaboutcircuses。Whatcanyoupossiblywanttoknowofcircusesthen？Iamsureyouhaveenoughtodo，ifthat\'swhatyouwant。Withmyheadinitspresentstate，I
couldn\'trememberthemerenamesofhalfthefactsyouhavegottoattendto。\'
\'That\'sthereason！\'poutedLouisa。
\'Don\'ttellmethat\'sthereason，becauseitcan\'tbenothingofthesort，\'saidMrs。Gradgrind。\'Goandbesomethingologicaldirectly。\'Mrs。Gradgrindwasnotascientificcharacter，andusuallydismissedherchildrentotheirstudieswiththisgeneralinjunctiontochoosetheirpursuit。
Intruth，Mrs。Gradgrind\'sstockoffactsingeneralwaswoefullydefective；butMr。Gradgrindinraisinghertoherhighmatrimonialposition，hadbeeninfluencedbytworeasons。Firstly，shewasmostsatisfactoryasaquestionoffigures；and，secondly，shehad\'nononsense\'abouther。Bynonsensehemeantfancy；andtrulyitisprobableshewasasfreefromanyalloyofthatnature，asanyhumanbeingnotarrivedattheperfectionofanabsoluteidiot，everwas。
ThesimplecircumstanceofbeingleftalonewithherhusbandandMr。Bounderby，wassufficienttostunthisadmirableladyagainwithoutcollisionbetweenherselfandanyotherfact。So，sheoncemorediedaway，andnobodymindedher。
\'Bounderby，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，drawingachairtothefireside，\'youarealwayssointerestedinmyyoungpeople-particularlyinLouisa-thatImakenoapologyforsayingtoyou，Iamverymuchvexedbythisdiscovery。Ihavesystematicallydevotedmyselfasyouknowtotheeducationofthereasonofmyfamily。Thereasonisasyouknowtheonlyfacultytowhicheducationshouldbeaddressed。\'Andyet，Bounderby，itwouldappearfromthisunexpectedcircumstanceofto-day，thoughinitselfatriflingone，asifsomethinghadcreptintoThomas\'sandLouisa\'smindswhichis-orrather，whichisnot-Idon\'tknowthatIcanexpressmyselfbetterthanbysaying-whichhasneverbeenintendedtobedeveloped，andinwhichtheirreasonhasnopart。\'
\'Therecertainlyisnoreasoninlookingwithinterestataparcelofvagabonds，\'returnedBounderby。\'WhenIwasavagabondmyself，nobodylookedwithanyinterestatme；Iknowthat。\'
\'Thencomesthequestion；saidtheeminentlypracticalfather，withhiseyesonthefire，\'inwhathasthisvulgarcuriosityitsrise？\'
\'I\'lltellyouinwhat。Inidleimagination。\'
\'Ihopenot，\'saidtheeminentlypractical；\'Iconfess，however，thatthemisgivinghascrossedmeonmywayhome。\'
\'Inidleimagination，Gradgrind，\'repeatedBounderby。\'Averybadthingforanybody，butacursedbadthingforagirllikeLouisa。
IshouldaskMrs。Gradgrind\'spardonforstrongexpressions，butthatsheknowsverywellIamnotarefinedcharacter。Whoeverexpectsrefinementinmewillbedisappointed。Ihadn\'tarefinedbringingup。\'
\'Whether，\'saidGradgrind，ponderingwithhishandsinhispockets，andhiscavernouseyesonthefire，\'whetheranyinstructororservantcanhavesuggestedanything？WhetherLouisaorThomascanhavebeenreadinganything？Whether，inspiteofallprecautions，anyidlestory-bookcanhavegotintothehouse？Because，inmindsthathavebeenpracticallyformedbyruleandline，fromthecradleupwards，thisissocurious，soincomprehensible。\'
\'Stopabit！\'criedBounderby，whoallthistimehadbeenstanding，asbefore，onthehearth，burstingattheveryfurnitureoftheroomwithexplosivehumility。\'Youhaveoneofthosestrollers\'
childrenintheschool。\'
\'CeciliaJupe，byname，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，withsomethingofastrickenlookathisfriend。
\'Now，stopabit！\'criedBounderbyagain。\'Howdidshecomethere？\'
\'Why，thefactis，Isawthegirlmyself，forthefirsttime，onlyjustnow。Shespeciallyappliedhereatthehousetobeadmitted，asnotregularlybelongingtoourtown，and-yes，youareright，Bounderby，youareright。\'
\'Now，stopabit！\'criedBounderby，oncemore。\'Louisasawherwhenshecame？\'
\'Louisacertainlydidseeher，forshementionedtheapplicationtome。ButLouisasawher，Ihavenodoubt，inMrs。Gradgrind\'spresence。\'
\'Pray，Mrs。Gradgrind，\'saidBounderby，\'whatpassed？\'
\'Oh，mypoorhealth！\'returnedMrs。Gradgrind。\'Thegirlwantedtocometotheschool，andMr。Gradgrindwantedgirlstocometotheschool，andLouisaandThomasbothsaidthatthegirlwantedtocome，andthatMr。Gradgrindwantedgirlstocome，andhowwasitpossibletocontradictthemwhensuchwasthefact！\'
\'NowItellyouwhat，Gradgrind！\'saidMr。Bounderby。\'Turnthisgirltotherightabout，andthere\'sanendofit。\'
\'Iammuchofyouropinion。\'
\'Doitatonce，\'saidBounderby，\'hasalwaysbeenmymottofromachild。WhenIthoughtIwouldrunawayfrommyegg-boxandmygrandmother，Ididitatonce。Doyouthesame。Dothisatonce！\'
\'Areyouwalking？\'askedhisfriend。\'Ihavethefather\'saddress。
Perhapsyouwouldnotmindwalkingtotownwithme？\'
\'Nottheleastintheworld，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'aslongasyoudoitatonce！\'
So，Mr。Bounderbythrewonhishat-healwaysthrewiton，asexpressingamanwhohadbeenfartoobusilyemployedinmakinghimself，toacquireanyfashionofwearinghishat-andwithhishandsinhispockets，saunteredoutintothehall。\'Ineverweargloves，\'itwashiscustomtosay。\'Ididn\'tclimbuptheladderinthem-Shouldn\'tbesohighup，ifIhad。\'
BeinglefttosaunterinthehallaminuteortwowhileMr。
Gradgrindwentup-stairsfortheaddress，heopenedthedoorofthechildren\'sstudyandlookedintothatserenefloor-clothedapartment，which，notwithstandingitsbook-casesanditscabinetsanditsvarietyoflearnedandphilosophicalappliances，hadmuchofthegenialaspectofaroomdevotedtohair-cutting。Louisalanguidlyleaneduponthewindowlookingout，withoutlookingatanything，whileyoungThomasstoodsniffingrevengefullyatthefire。AdamSmithandMalthus，twoyoungerGradgrinds，wereoutatlectureincustody；andlittleJane，aftermanufacturingagooddealofmoistpipe-clayonherfacewithslate-pencilandtears，hadfallenasleepovervulgarfractions。
\'It\'sallrightnow，Louisa:it\'sallright，youngThomas，\'saidMr。Bounderby；\'youwon\'tdosoanymore。I\'llanswerforit\'sbeingalloverwithfather。Well，Louisa，that\'sworthakiss，isn\'tit？\'
\'Youcantakeone，Mr。Bounderby，\'returnedLouisa，whenshehadcoldlypaused，andslowlywalkedacrosstheroom，andungraciouslyraisedhercheektowardshim，withherfaceturnedaway。
\'Alwaysmypet；ain\'tyou，Louisa？\'saidMr。Bounderby。\'Good-bye，Louisa！\'
Hewenthisway，butshestoodonthesamespot，rubbingthecheekhehadkissed，withherhandkerchief，untilitwasburningred。
Shewasstilldoingthis，fiveminutesafterwards。
\'Whatareyouabout，Loo？\'herbrothersulkilyremonstrated。
\'You\'llrubaholeinyourface。\'
\'Youmaycutthepieceoutwithyourpenknifeifyoulike，Tom。I
wouldn\'tcry！\'
CHAPTERV-THEKEYNOTE
COKETOWN，towhichMessrs。BounderbyandGradgrindnowwalked，wasatriumphoffact；ithadnogreatertaintoffancyinitthanMrs。
Gradgrindherself。Letusstrikethekey-note，Coketown，beforepursuingourtune。
Itwasatownofredbrick，orofbrickthatwouldhavebeenredifthesmokeandasheshadallowedit；butasmattersstood，itwasatownofunnaturalredandblacklikethepaintedfaceofasavage。
Itwasatownofmachineryandtallchimneys，outofwhichinterminableserpentsofsmoketrailedthemselvesforeverandever，andnevergotuncoiled。Ithadablackcanalinit，andariverthatranpurplewithill-smellingdye，andvastpilesofbuildingfullofwindowswheretherewasarattlingandatremblingalldaylong，andwherethepistonofthesteam-engineworkedmonotonouslyupanddown，liketheheadofanelephantinastateofmelancholymadness。Itcontainedseverallargestreetsallverylikeoneanother，andmanysmallstreetsstillmorelikeoneanother，inhabitedbypeopleequallylikeoneanother，whoallwentinandoutatthesamehours，withthesamesounduponthesamepavements，todothesamework，andtowhomeverydaywasthesameasyesterdayandto-morrow，andeveryyearthecounterpartofthelastandthenext。
TheseattributesofCoketownwereinthemaininseparablefromtheworkbywhichitwassustained；againstthemweretobesetoff，comfortsoflifewhichfoundtheirwayallovertheworld，andeleganciesoflifewhichmade，wewillnotaskhowmuchofthefinelady，whocouldscarcelybeartoheartheplacementioned。Therestofitsfeatureswerevoluntary，andtheywerethese。
YousawnothinginCoketownbutwhatwasseverelyworkful。Ifthemembersofareligiouspersuasionbuiltachapelthere-asthemembersofeighteenreligiouspersuasionshaddone-theymadeitapiouswarehouseofredbrick，withsometimesbutthisisonlyinhighlyornamentalexamplesabellinabirdcageonthetopofit。
ThesolitaryexceptionwastheNewChurch；astuccoededificewithasquaresteepleoverthedoor，terminatinginfourshortpinnacleslikefloridwoodenlegs。Allthepublicinscriptionsinthetownwerepaintedalike，inseverecharactersofblackandwhite。Thejailmighthavebeentheinfirmary，theinfirmarymighthavebeenthejail，thetown-hallmighthavebeeneither，orboth，oranythingelse，foranythingthatappearedtothecontraryinthegracesoftheirconstruction。Fact，fact，fact，everywhereinthematerialaspectofthetown；fact，fact，fact，everywhereintheimmaterial。TheM\'Choakumchildschoolwasallfact，andtheschoolofdesignwasallfact，andtherelationsbetweenmasterandmanwereallfact，andeverythingwasfactbetweenthelying-inhospitalandthecemetery，andwhatyoucouldn\'tstateinfigures，orshowtobepurchaseableinthecheapestmarketandsaleableinthedearest，wasnot，andnevershouldbe，worldwithoutend，Amen。
Atownsosacredtofact，andsotriumphantinitsassertion，ofcoursegotonwell？Whyno，notquitewell。No？Dearme！
No。Coketowndidnotcomeoutofitsownfurnaces，inallrespectslikegoldthathadstoodthefire。First，theperplexingmysteryoftheplacewas，Whobelongedtotheeighteendenominations？
Because，whoeverdid，thelabouringpeopledidnot。ItwasverystrangetowalkthroughthestreetsonaSundaymorning，andnotehowfewofthemthebarbarousjanglingofbellsthatwasdrivingthesickandnervousmad，calledawayfromtheirownquarter，fromtheirowncloserooms，fromthecornersoftheirownstreets，wheretheyloungedlistlessly，gazingatallthechurchandchapelgoing，asatathingwithwhichtheyhadnomannerofconcern。Norwasitmerelythestrangerwhonoticedthis，becausetherewasanativeorganizationinCoketownitself，whosemembersweretobeheardofintheHouseofCommonseverysession，indignantlypetitioningforactsofparliamentthatshouldmakethesepeoplereligiousbymainforce。ThencametheTeetotalSociety，whocomplainedthatthesesamepeoplewouldgetdrunk，andshowedintabularstatementsthattheydidgetdrunk，andprovedatteapartiesthatnoinducement，humanorDivineexceptamedal，wouldinducethemtoforegotheircustomofgettingdrunk。Thencamethechemistanddruggist，withothertabularstatements，showingthatwhentheydidn\'tgetdrunk，theytookopium。Thencametheexperiencedchaplainofthejail，withmoretabularstatements，outdoingalltheprevioustabularstatements，andshowingthatthesamepeoplewouldresorttolowhaunts，hiddenfromthepubliceye，wheretheyheardlowsingingandsawlowdancing，andmayhapjoinedinit；andwhereA。B。，agedtwenty-fournextbirthday，andcommittedforeighteenmonths\'
solitary，hadhimselfsaidnotthathehadevershownhimselfparticularlyworthyofbeliefhisruinbegan，ashewasperfectlysureandconfidentthatotherwisehewouldhavebeenatip-topmoralspecimen。ThencameMr。GradgrindandMr。Bounderby，thetwogentlemenatthispresentmomentwalkingthroughCoketown，andbotheminentlypractical，whocould，onoccasion，furnishmoretabularstatementsderivedfromtheirownpersonalexperience，andillustratedbycasestheyhadknownandseen，fromwhichitclearlyappeared-inshort，itwastheonlyclearthinginthecase-thatthesesamepeoplewereabadlotaltogether，gentlemen；thatdowhatyouwouldforthemtheywereneverthankfulforit，gentlemen；
thattheywererestless，gentlemen；thattheyneverknewwhattheywanted；thattheyliveduponthebest，andboughtfreshbutter；andinsistedonMochacoffee，andrejectedallbutprimepartsofmeat，andyetwereeternallydissatisfiedandunmanageable。Inshort，itwasthemoraloftheoldnurseryfable:
Therewasanoldwoman，andwhatdoyouthink？
Sheliveduponnothingbutvictualsanddrink；
Victualsanddrinkwerethewholeofherdiet，AndyetthisoldwomanwouldNEVERbequiet。
Isitpossible，Iwonder，thattherewasanyanalogybetweenthecaseoftheCoketownpopulationandthecaseofthelittleGradgrinds？Surely，noneofusinoursobersensesandacquaintedwithfigures，aretobetoldatthistimeofday，thatoneoftheforemostelementsintheexistenceoftheCoketownworking-peoplehadbeenforscoresofyears，deliberatelysetatnought？ThattherewasanyFancyinthemdemandingtobebroughtintohealthyexistenceinsteadofstrugglingoninconvulsions？Thatexactlyintheratioastheyworkedlongandmonotonously，thecravinggrewwithinthemforsomephysicalrelief-somerelaxation，encouraginggoodhumourandgoodspirits，andgivingthemavent-somerecognizedholiday，thoughitwerebutforanhonestdancetoastirringbandofmusic-someoccasionallightpieinwhichevenM\'Choakumchildhadnofinger-whichcravingmustandwouldbesatisfiedaright，ormustandwouldinevitablygowrong，untilthelawsoftheCreationwererepealed？
\'ThismanlivesatPod\'sEnd，andIdon\'tquiteknowPod\'sEnd，\'
saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Whichisit，Bounderby？\'
Mr。Bounderbyknewitwassomewheredowntown，butknewnomorerespectingit。Sotheystoppedforamoment，lookingabout。
Almostastheydidso，therecamerunningroundthecornerofthestreetataquickpaceandwithafrightenedlook，agirlwhomMr。
Gradgrindrecognized。\'Halloa！\'saidhe。\'Stop！Whereareyougoing！Stop！\'Girlnumbertwentystoppedthen，palpitating，andmadehimacurtsey。
\'Whyareyoutearingaboutthestreets，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'inthisimpropermanner？\'
\'Iwas-Iwasrunafter，sir，\'thegirlpanted，\'andIwantedtogetaway。\'
\'Runafter？\'repeatedMr。Gradgrind。\'Whowouldrunafteryou？\'
Thequestionwasunexpectedlyandsuddenlyansweredforher，bythecolourlessboy，Bitzer，whocameroundthecornerwithsuchblindspeedandsolittleanticipatingastoppageonthepavement，thathebroughthimselfupagainstMr。Gradgrind\'swaistcoatandreboundedintotheroad。
\'Whatdoyoumean，boy？\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Whatareyoudoing？
Howdareyoudashagainst-everybody-inthismanner？\'Bitzerpickeduphiscap，whichtheconcussionhadknockedoff；andbacking，andknucklinghisforehead，pleadedthatitwasanaccident。
\'Wasthisboyrunningafteryou，Jupe？\'askedMr。Gradgrind。
\'Yes，sir，\'saidthegirlreluctantly。
\'No，Iwasn\'t，sir！\'criedBitzer。\'Nottillsherunawayfromme。
Butthehorse-ridersnevermindwhattheysay，sir；they\'refamousforit。Youknowthehorse-ridersarefamousfornevermindingwhattheysay，\'addressingSissy。\'It\'saswellknowninthetownas-please，sir，asthemultiplicationtableisn\'tknowntothehorse-riders。\'BitzertriedMr。Bounderbywiththis。
\'Hefrightenedmeso，\'saidthegirl，\'withhiscruelfaces！\'
\'Oh！\'criedBitzer。\'Oh！An\'tyouoneoftherest！An\'tyouahorse-rider！Ineverlookedather，sir。Iaskedherifshewouldknowhowtodefineahorseto-morrow，andofferedtotellheragain，andsheranaway，andIranafterher，sir，thatshemightknowhowtoanswerwhenshewasasked。Youwouldn\'thavethoughtofsayingsuchmischiefifyouhadn\'tbeenahorse-rider？\'
\'Hercallingseemstobeprettywellknownamong\'em，\'observedMr。
Bounderby。\'You\'dhavehadthewholeschoolpeepinginarow，inaweek。\'
\'Truly，Ithinkso，\'returnedhisfriend。\'Bitzer，turnyouaboutandtakeyourselfhome。Jupe，stayhereamoment。Letmehearofyourrunninginthismanneranymore，boy，andyouwillhearofmethroughthemasteroftheschool。YouunderstandwhatImean。Goalong。\'
Theboystoppedinhisrapidblinking，knuckledhisforeheadagain，glancedatSissy，turnedabout，andretreated。
\'Now，girl，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'takethisgentlemanandmetoyourfather\'s；wearegoingthere。Whathaveyougotinthatbottleyouarecarrying？\'
\'Gin，\'saidMr。Bounderby。
\'Dear，no，sir！It\'sthenineoils。\'
\'Thewhat？\'criedMr。Bounderby。
\'Thenineoils，sir，torubfatherwith。\'
\'Then，\'saidMr。Bounderby，withaloudshortlaugh，\'whatthedevildoyourubyourfatherwithnineoilsfor？\'
\'It\'swhatourpeopleawaysuse，sir，whentheygetanyhurtsinthering，\'repliedthegirl，lookingoverhershoulder，toassureherselfthatherpursuerwasgone。\'Theybruisethemselvesverybadsometimes。\'
\'Serve\'emright，\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'forbeingidle。\'Sheglancedupathisface，withmingledastonishmentanddread。
\'ByGeorge！\'saidMr。Bounderby，\'whenIwasfourorfiveyearsyoungerthanyou，Ihadworsebruisesuponmethantenoils，twentyoils，fortyoils，wouldhaverubbedoff。Ididn\'tget\'embyposture-making，butbybeingbangedabout。Therewasnorope-
dancingforme；Idancedonthebaregroundandwaslarrupedwiththerope。\'
Mr。Gradgrind，thoughhardenough，wasbynomeanssoroughamanasMr。Bounderby。Hischaracterwasnotunkind，allthingsconsidered；itmighthavebeenaverykindoneindeed，ifhehadonlymadesomeroundmistakeinthearithmeticthatbalancedit，yearsago。Hesaid，inwhathemeantforareassuringtone，astheyturneddownanarrowroad，\'AndthisisPod\'sEnd；isit，Jupe？\'
\'Thisisit，sir，and-ifyouwouldn\'tmind，sir-thisisthehouse。\'
Shestopped，attwilight，atthedoorofameanlittlepublic-
house，withdimredlightsinit。Ashaggardandasshabby，asif，forwantofcustom，ithaditselftakentodrinking，andhadgonethewayalldrunkardsgo，andwasveryneartheendofit。
\'It\'sonlycrossingthebar，sir，andupthestairs，ifyouwouldn\'tmind，andwaitingthereforamomenttillIgetacandle。
Ifyoushouldhearadog，sir，it\'sonlyMerrylegs，andheonlybarks。\'
\'Merrylegsandnineoils，eh！\'saidMr。Bounderby，enteringlastwithhismetalliclaugh。\'Prettywellthis，foraself-mademan！\'
CHAPTERVI-SLEARY\'SHORSEMANSHIP
THEnameofthepublic-housewasthePegasus\'sArms。ThePegasus\'slegsmighthavebeenmoretothepurpose；but，underneaththewingedhorseuponthesign-board，thePegasus\'sArmswasinscribedinRomanletters。Beneaththatinscriptionagain，inaflowingscroll，thepainterhadtouchedoffthelines:
Goodmaltmakesgoodbeer，Walkin，andthey\'lldrawithere；
Goodwinemakesgoodbrandy，Giveusacall，andyou\'llfindithandy。
Framedandglazeduponthewallbehindthedingylittlebar，wasanotherPegasus-atheatricalone-withrealgauzeletinforhiswings，goldenstarsstuckonalloverhim，andhisetherealharnessmadeofredsilk。
Asithadgrowntooduskywithout，toseethesign，andasithadnotgrownlightenoughwithintoseethepicture，Mr。GradgrindandMr。Bounderbyreceivednooffencefromtheseidealities。Theyfollowedthegirlupsomesteepcorner-stairswithoutmeetinganyone，andstoppedinthedarkwhileshewentonforacandle。TheyexpectedeverymomenttohearMerrylegsgivetongue，butthehighlytrainedperformingdoghadnotbarkedwhenthegirlandthecandleappearedtogether。
\'Fatherisnotinourroom，sir，\'shesaid，withafaceofgreatsurprise。\'Ifyouwouldn\'tmindwalkingin，I\'llfindhimdirectly。\'Theywalkedin；andSissy，havingsettwochairsforthem，spedawaywithaquicklightstep。Itwasamean，shabbilyfurnishedroom，withabedinit。Thewhitenight-cap，embellishedwithtwopeacock\'sfeathersandapigtailboltupright，inwhichSignorJupehadthatveryafternoonenlivenedthevariedperformanceswithhischasteShakspereanquipsandretorts，hunguponanail；butnootherportionofhiswardrobe，orothertokenofhimselforhispursuits，wastobeseenanywhere。AstoMerrylegs，thatrespectableancestorofthehighlytrainedanimalwhowentaboardtheark，mighthavebeenaccidentallyshutoutofit，foranysignofadogthatwasmanifesttoeyeorearinthePegasus\'sArms。
Theyheardthedoorsofroomsabove，openingandshuttingasSissywentfromonetoanotherinquestofherfather；andpresentlytheyheardvoicesexpressingsurprise。Shecameboundingdownagaininagreathurry，openedabatteredandmangyoldhairtrunk，founditempty，andlookedroundwithherhandsclaspedandherfacefullofterror。
\'FathermusthavegonedowntotheBooth，sir。Idon\'tknowwhyheshouldgothere，buthemustbethere；I\'llbringhiminaminute！\'
Shewasgonedirectly，withoutherbonnet；withherlong，dark，childishhairstreamingbehindher。
\'Whatdoesshemean！\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Backinaminute？It\'smorethanamileoff。\'
BeforeMr。Bounderbycouldreply，ayoungmanappearedatthedoor，andintroducinghimselfwiththewords，\'Byyourleaves，gentlemen！\'walkedinwithhishandsinhispockets。Hisface，close-shaven，thin，andsallow，wasshadedbyagreatquantityofdarkhair，brushedintoarollallroundhishead，andpartedupthecentre。Hislegswereveryrobust，butshorterthanlegsofgoodproportionsshouldhavebeen。Hischestandbackwereasmuchtoobroad，ashislegsweretooshort。HewasdressedinaNewmarketcoatandtight-fittingtrousers；woreashawlroundhisneck；smeltoflamp-oil，straw，orange-peel，horses\'provender，andsawdust；andlookedamostremarkablesortofCentaur，compoundedofthestableandtheplay-house。Wheretheonebegan，andtheotherended，nobodycouldhavetoldwithanyprecision。ThisgentlemanwasmentionedinthebillsofthedayasMr。E。W。B。
Childers，sojustlycelebratedforhisdaringvaultingactastheWildHuntsmanoftheNorthAmericanPrairies；inwhichpopularperformance，adiminutiveboywithanoldface，whonowaccompaniedhim，assistedashisinfantson:beingcarriedupsidedownoverhisfather\'sshoulder，byonefoot，andheldbythecrownofhishead，heelsupwards，inthepalmofhisfather\'shand，accordingtotheviolentpaternalmannerinwhichwildhuntsmenmaybeobservedtofondletheiroffspring。Madeupwithcurls，wreaths，wings，whitebismuth，andcarmine，thishopefulyoungpersonsoaredintosopleasingaCupidastoconstitutethechiefdelightofthematernalpartofthespectators；butinprivate，wherehischaracteristicswereaprecociouscutawaycoatandanextremelygruffvoice，hebecameoftheTurf，turfy。
\'Byyourleaves，gentlemen，\'saidMr。E。W。B。Childers，glancingroundtheroom。\'Itwasyou，Ibelieve，thatwerewishingtoseeJupe！\'
\'Itwas，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Hisdaughterhasgonetofetchhim，butIcan\'twait；therefore，ifyouplease，Iwillleaveamessageforhimwithyou。\'
\'Yousee，myfriend，\'Mr。Bounderbyputin，\'wearethekindofpeoplewhoknowthevalueoftime，andyouarethekindofpeoplewhodon\'tknowthevalueoftime。\'
\'Ihavenot，\'retortedMr。Childers，aftersurveyinghimfromheadtofoot，\'thehonourofknowingyou，-butifyoumeanthatyoucanmakemoremoneyofyourtimethanIcanofmine，Ishouldjudgefromyourappearance，thatyouareaboutright。\'
\'Andwhenyouhavemadeit，youcankeepittoo，Ishouldthink，\'
saidCupid。
\'Kidderminster，stowthat！\'saidMr。Childers。MasterKidderminsterwasCupid\'smortalname。
\'Whatdoeshecomeherecheekingusfor，then？\'criedMasterKidderminster，showingaveryirascibletemperament。\'Ifyouwanttocheekus，payyourochreatthedoorsandtakeitout。\'
\'Kidderminster，\'saidMr。Childers，raisinghisvoice，\'stowthat！-
Sir，\'toMr。Gradgrind，\'Iwasaddressingmyselftoyou。Youmayoryoumaynotbeawareforperhapsyouhavenotbeenmuchintheaudience，thatJupehasmissedhistipveryoften，lately。\'
\'Has-whathashemissed？\'askedMr。Gradgrind，glancingatthepotentBounderbyforassistance。
\'Missedhistip。\'
\'OfferedattheGartersfourtimeslastnight，andneverdone\'emonce，\'saidMasterKidderminster。\'Missedhistipatthebanners，too，andwaslooseinhisponging。\'
\'Didn\'tdowhatheoughttodo。Wasshortinhisleapsandbadinhistumbling，\'Mr。Childersinterpreted。
\'Oh！\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'thatistip，isit？\'
\'Inageneralwaythat\'smissinghistip，\'Mr。E。W。B。Childersanswered。
\'Nineoils，Merrylegs，missingtips，garters，banners，andPonging，eh！\'ejaculatedBounderby，withhislaughoflaughs。\'Queersortofcompany，too，foramanwhohasraisedhimself！\'
\'Loweryourself，then，\'retortedCupid。\'OhLord！ifyou\'veraisedyourselfsohighasallthatcomesto，letyourselfdownabit。\'
\'Thisisaveryobtrusivelad！\'saidMr。Gradgrind，turning，andknittinghisbrowsonhim。
\'We\'dhavehadayounggentlemantomeetyou，ifwehadknownyouwerecoming，\'retortedMasterKidderminster，nothingabashed。
\'It\'sapityyoudon\'thaveabespeak，beingsoparticular。You\'reontheTight-Jeff，ain\'tyou？\'
\'Whatdoesthisunmannerlyboymean，\'askedMr。Gradgrind，eyeinghiminasortofdesperation，\'byTight-Jeff？\'
\'There！Getout，getout！\'saidMr。Childers，thrustinghisyoungfriendfromtheroom，ratherintheprairiemanner。\'Tight-JefforSlack-Jeff，itdon\'tmuchsignify:it\'sonlytight-ropeandslack-
rope。YouweregoingtogivemeamessageforJupe？\'
\'Yes，Iwas。\'
\'Then，\'continuedMr。Childers，quickly，\'myopinionis，hewillneverreceiveit。Doyouknowmuchofhim？\'
\'Ineversawthemaninmylife。\'
\'Idoubtifyoueverwillseehimnow。It\'sprettyplaintome，he\'soff。\'
\'Doyoumeanthathehasdesertedhisdaughter？\'
\'Ay！Imean，\'saidMr。Childers，withanod，\'thathehascut。Hewasgoosedlastnight，hewasgoosedthenightbeforelast，hewasgoosedto-day。Hehaslatelygotinthewayofbeingalwaysgoosed，andhecan\'tstandit。\'
\'Whyhashebeen-soverymuch-Goosed？\'askedMr。Gradgrind，forcingthewordoutofhimself，withgreatsolemnityandreluctance。
\'Hisjointsareturningstiff，andheisgettingusedup，\'saidChilders。\'HehashispointsasaCacklerstill，buthecan\'tgetalivingoutofthem。\'
\'ACackler！\'Bounderbyrepeated。\'Herewegoagain！\'
\'Aspeaker，ifthegentlemanlikesitbetter，\'saidMr。E。W。B。
Childers，superciliouslythrowingtheinterpretationoverhisshoulder，andaccompanyingitwithashakeofhislonghair-whichallshookatonce。\'Now，it\'saremarkablefact，sir，thatitcutthatmandeeper，toknowthathisdaughterknewofhisbeinggoosed，thantogothroughwithit。\'
\'Good！\'interruptedMr。Bounderby。\'Thisisgood，Gradgrind！A
mansofondofhisdaughter，thatherunsawayfromher！Thisisdevilishgood！Ha！ha！Now，I\'lltellyouwhat，youngman。I
haven\'talwaysoccupiedmypresentstationoflife。Iknowwhatthesethingsare。Youmaybeastonishedtohearit，butmymother-ranawayfromme。\'
E。W。B。Childersrepliedpointedly，thathewasnotatallastonishedtohearit。