Itwasasortofmarch；butwhentheDoctorputouthisrightfoot，hegravelyturneduponhisaxis，withasemi-circularsweeptowardstheleft；
andwhenheputouthisleftfoot，heturnedinthesamemannertowardstheright。Sothatheseemed，ateverystridehetook，tolookabouthimasthoughheweresaying，`Cananybodyhavethegoodnesstoindicateanysubject，inanydirection，onwhichIamuninformed？Iratherthinknot。\'
Mrs。BlimberandMissBlimbercamebackintheDoctor\'scompany；
andtheDoctor，liftinghisnewpupiloffthetable，deliveredhimovertoMissBlimber。
`Cornelia，\'saidtheDoctor，`Dombeywillbeyourchargeatfirst。
Bringhimon，Cornelia，bringhimon。\'
MissBlimberreceivedheryoungwardfromtheDoctor\'shands；
andPaul，feelingthatthespectaclesweresurveyinghim，castdownhiseyes。
`Howoldareyou，Dombey？\'saidMissBlimber。
`Six，\'answeredPaul，wondering，ashestoleaglanceattheyounglady，whyherhairdidn\'tgrowlonglikeFlorence\'s，andwhyshewaslikeaboy。
`HowmuchdoyouknowofyourLatinGrammmar，Dombey？\'saidMissBlimber。
`Noneofit，\'answeredPaul。FeelingthattheanswerwasashocktoMissBlimber\'ssensibility，helookedupatthethreefacesthatwerelookingdownathim，andsaid：
`Ihav\'n\'tbeenwell。Ihavebeenaweakchild。Icouldn\'tlearnaLatinGrammarwhenIwasout，everyday，witholdGlubb。Iwishyou\'dtelloldGlubbtocomeandseeme，ifyouplease。\'
`Whatadreadfullowname！\'saidMrs。Blimber。`Unclassicaltoadegree！Whoisthemonster，child？\'
`Whatmonster？\'inquiredPaul。
`Glubb，\'saidMrs。Blimber，withagreatdisrelish。
`He\'snomoreamonsterthanyouare，\'returnedPaul。
`What！\'criedtheDoctor，inaterriblevoice。`Aye，aye，aye？
Aha！What\'sthat？\'
Paulwasdreadfulfrightened；butstillhemadeastandfortheabsentGlubb，thoughhedidittrembling。
`He\'saveryniceoldman，Ma\'am，\'hesaid。`Heusedtodrawmycouch。Heknowsallaboutthedeepsea，andthefishthatareinit，andthegreatmonstersthatcomeandlieonrocksinthesun，anddiveintothewateragainwhenthey\'restartled，blowingandsplashingso，thattheycanbeheardformiles。Therearesomecreatures，\'saidPaul，warmingwithhissubject，`Idon\'tknowhowmanyyardslong，andIforgettheirnames，butFlorenceknows，thatpretendtobeindistress；andwhenamangoesnearthem，outofcompassion，theyopentheirgreatjaws，andattackhim。
Butallhehasgottodo，\'saidPaul，boldlytenderingthisinformationtotheveryDoctorhimself，`istokeeponturningasherunsaway，andthen，astheyturnslowly，becausetheyaresolong，andcan\'tbend，he\'ssuretobeatthem。AndthougholdGlubbdon\'tknowwhytheseashouldmakemethinkofmyMamathat\'sdead，orwhatitisthatitisalwayssaying——alwayssaying！heknowsagreatdealaboutit。AndIwish，\'thechildconcludedwithasuddenfallingofhiscountenance，andfailinginhisanimation，ashelookedlikeoneforlorn，uponthethreestrangeface，`thatyou\'dletoldGlubbcomeheretoseeme，forIknowhimverywell，andheknowsme。\'
`Ha！\'saidtheDoctor，shakinghishead：`thisisbad，butstudywilldomuch。\'
Mrs。Blimberopined，withsomethinglikeashiver，thathewasanunaccountablechild；and，allowingforthedifferenceofvisage，lookedathimprettymuchasMrs。Pipchinhadbeenusedtodo。
`Takehimroundthehouse，Cornelia，\'saidtheDoctor，`andfamiliarisehimwithhisnewsphere。Gowiththatyounglady，Dombey。\'
Dombeyobeyed；givinghishandtotheabstruseCornelia，andlookingathersideways，withtimidcuriosity，astheywentawaytogether。Forherspectacles，byreasonoftheglisteningoftheglasses，madehersomysterious，thathedidn\'tknowwhereshewaslooking，andwasnotindeedquitesurethatshehadanyeyesatallbehindthem。
Corneliatookhimfirsttotheschoolroom，whichwassituatedatthebackofthehall，andwasapproachedthroughtwobaizedoors，whichdeadenedandmuffledtheyounggentlemen\'svoices。Here，therewereeightyounggentlemeninvariousstagesofmentalprostration，allveryhardatwork，andverygraveindeed。Toots，asanoldhand，hadadesktohimselfinonecorner：andamagnificentman，ofimmenseage，helooked，inPaul\'syoungeyes，behindit。
Mr。Feeder，B。A。，whosatatanotherlittledesk，hadhisVirgilstopon，andwasslowlygrindingthattunetofouryounggentlemen。Oftheremainingfour，twowhograspedtheirforeheadsconvulsively，wereengagedinsolvingmathematicalproblems；onewithhisfacelikeadirtywindow，frommuchcrying，wasendeavouringtoflounderthroughahopelessnumberoflinesbeforedinner；andonesatlookingathistaskinstonystupefactionanddespair——whichitseemedhadbeenhisconditioneversincebreakfasttime。
Theappearanceofanewboydidnotcreatethesensationthatmighthavebeenexpected。Mr。Feeder，B。A。whowasinthehabitofshavinghisheadforcoolness，andhadnothingbutlittlebristlesonit，gavehimabonyhand，andtoldhimhewasgladtoseehim——whichPaulwouldhavebeenverygladtohavetoldhim，ifhecouldhavedonesowiththeleastsincerity。ThenPaul，instructedbyCornelia，shookhandswiththefouryounggentlemenatMr。Feeder\'sdesk；thenwiththetwoyounggentlemenatworkontheproblems，whowereveryfeverish；thenwiththegentlemanatworkagainsttime，whowasveryinky；andlastlywiththeyounggentlemaninastateofstupefaction，whowasflabbyandquitecold。
PaulhavingbeenalreadyintroducedtoToots，thatpupilmerelychuckledandbreathedhard，ashiscustomwas，andpursuedtheoccupationinwhichhewasengaged。Itwasnotasevereone；foronaccountofhishaving`gonethrough\'somuchinmoresensesthanone，andalsoofhishaving，asbeforehinted，leftoffblowinginhisprime，Tootsnowhadlicencetopursuehisowncourseofstudy：whichwaschieflytowritelongletterstohimselffrompersonsofdistinction，addressed`P。Toots，Esquire，Brighton，Sussex，\'andtopreservetheminhisdeskwithgreatcare。
Theseceremoniespassed，CornelialedPaulupstairstothetopofthehouse；whichwasratheraslowjourney，onaccountofPaulbeingobligedtolandbothfeetoneverystair，beforehemountedanother。Buttheyreachedtheirjourney\'sendatlast；andthere，inafrontroom，lookingoverthewildsea，Corneliashowedhimanicelittlebedwithwhitehangings，closetothewindow，onwhichtherewasalreadybeautifullywrittenonacardinroundtext——downstrokesverythick，andupstrokesveryfine——DOMBEY；
whiletwootherlittlebed-steadsinthesameroomwereannounced，throughlikemeans，asrespectivelyappertaininguntoBRIGGSandTOZER。
Justastheygotdownstairsagainintothehall，Paulsawtheweak-eyedyoungmanwhohadgiventhatmortaloffencetoMrs。Pipchin，suddenlyseizeaverylargedrumstick，andflyatagongthatwashangingup，asifhehadgonemad，orwantedvengeance。Insteadofreceivingwarning，however，orbeinginstantlytakenintocustody，theyoungmanleftoffunchecked，afterhavingmadeadreadfulnoise。ThenCorneliaBlimbersaidtoDombeythatdinnerwouldbereadyinaquarterofanyour，andperhapshehadbettergointotheschoolroomamonghis`friends。\'
SoDombey，deferentiallypassingthegreatclockwhichwasstillasanxiousasevertoknowhowhefoundhimself，openedtheschoolroomdooraverylittleway，andstrayedinlikealostboy：shuttingitafterhimwithsomedifficulty。Hisfriendswerealldispersedabouttheroomexceptthestonyfriend，whoremainedimmoveable。Mr。Feederwasstretchinghimselfinhisgreygown，asif，regardlessofexpense，hewereresolvedtopullthesleevesoff。
`Heighhohum！\'criedMr。Feeder，shakinghimselflikeacart-horse。
`Ohdearme，dearme！Ya-a-a-ah！\'
PaulwasquitealarmedbyMr。Feeder\'syawning；itwasdoneonsuchagreatscale，andhewassoterriblyinearnest。AlltheboystooTootsexceptedseemedknockedup，andweregettingreadyfordinner——somenewlytyingtheirneck-cloths，whichwereverystiffindeed；andotherswashingtheirhandsorbrushingtheirhair，inanadjoiningante-chamber——asiftheydidn\'tthinktheyshouldenjoyitatall。
YoungTootswhowasreadybeforehand，andhadthereforenothingtodo，andhadleisuretobestowuponPaul，said，withheavygoodnature：
`Sitdown，Dombey。\'
`Thankyou，Sir，\'saidPaul。
Hisendeavouringtohoisthimselfontoaveryhighwindow-seat，andhisslippingdownagain，appearedtoprepareToots\'smindforthereceptionofadiscovery。
`You\'reaverysmallchap，\'saidMr。Toots。
`Yes，Sir，I\'msmall，\'returnedPaul。`Thankyou，Sir。\'
ForTootshadliftedhimintotheseat，anddoneitkindlytoo。
`Who\'syourtailor？\'inquiredToots，afterlookingathimforsomemoments。
`It\'sawomanthathasmademyclothesasyet，\'saidPaul。`Mysister\'sdressmaker。\'
`Mytailor\'sBurgessandCo。，\'saidToots。`Fash\'nable。Butverydear。\'
Paulhadwitenoughtoshakehishead，asifhewouldhavesaiditwaseasytoseethat；andindeedhethoughtso。
`Yourfather\'sregularlyrich，ain\'the？\'inquiredMr。Toots。
`Yes，Sir，\'saidPaul。`He\'sDombeyandSon。\'
`Andwhich？\'demandedToots。
`AndSon，Sir？\'repliedPaul。
Mr。Tootsmadeoneortwoattempts，inalowvoice，tofixthefirminhismind；butnotquitesucceeding，saidhewouldgetPaultomentionthenameagainto-morrowmorning，asitwasratherimportant。AndindeedhepurposednothinglessthanwritinghimselfaprivateandconfidentialletterfromDombeyandSonimmediately。
Bythistimetheotherpupilsalwaysexceptingthestonyboy
gatheredround。Theywerepolite，butpale；andspokelow；andtheyweresodepressedintheirspirits，thatincomparisonwiththegeneraltoneofthatcompany，MasterBitherstonewasaperfectMiller，orcompleteJestBook。Andyethehadasenseofinjuryuponhim，too，hadBitherstone。
`Yousleepinmyroom，don\'tyou？\'askedasolemnyounggentleman，whoseshirt-collarcurledupthelobesofhisears。
`MasterBriggs？\'inquiredPaul。
`Tozer，\'saidtheyounggentleman。
Paulansweredyes；andTozerpointingoutthestonypupil，saidthatwasBriggs。PaulhadalreadyfeltcertainthatitmustbeeitherBriggsorTozer，thoughhedidn\'tknowwhy。
`Isyoursastrongconstitution？\'inquiredTozer。
Paulsaidhethoughtnot。TozerrepliedthathethoughtnotalsojudgingfromPaul\'slooks，andthatitwasapity，foritneedbe。HethenaskedPaulifheweregoingtobeginwithCornelia；andonPaulsaying`Yes，\'alltheyounggentlemenBriggsexceptedgavealowgroan。
Itwasdrownedinthetintinnabulationofthegong，whichsoundingagainwithgreatfury，therewasageneralmovetowardsthedining-room；
stillexceptingBriggsthestoryboy，whoremainedwherehewas，andashewas；andonitswaytowhomPaulpresentlyencounteredaroundofbread，genteellyservedonaplateandnapkin，andwithasilverforklyingcrosswiseonthetopofit。
DoctorBlimberwasalreadyinhisplaceinthedining-room，atthetopofthetable，withMissBlimberandMrs。Blimberoneithersideofhim。Mr。Feederinablackcoatwasatthebottom。Paul\'schairwasnexttoMissBlimber；butitbeingfound，whenhesatinit，thathiseyebrowswerenotmuchabovethelevelofthetable-cloth，somebookswerebroughtinfromtheDoctor\'sstudy，onwhichhewaselevated，andonwhichhealwayssatfromthattime——carryingtheminandouthimselfonafteroccasions，likealittleelephantandcastle。
GracehavingbeensaidbytheDoctor，dinnerbegan。Therewassomenicesoup；alsoroastmeat，boiledmeat，vegetables，pie，andcheese。
Everyyounggentlemanhadamassivesilverfork，andanapkin；andallthearrangementswerestatelyandhandsome。Inparticular，therewasabutlerinabluecoatandbrightbuttons，whogavequiteawineyflavourtothetablebeer；hepoureditoutsosuperbly。
Nobodyspoke，unlessspokento，exceptDoctorBlimber，Mrs。Blimber，andMissBlimber，whoconversedoccasionally。Wheneverayounggentlemanwasnotactuallyengagedwithhisknifeandforkorspoon，hiseye，withanirresistibleattraction，soughttheeyeofdoctorBlimber，Mrs。Blimber，orMissBlimber，andmodestlyrestedthere。Tootsappearedtobetheonlyexceptiontothisrule。HesatnextMr。FeederonPaul\'ssideofthetable，andfrequentlylookedbehindandbeforetheinterveningboystocatchaglimpseofPaul。
Onlyonceduringdinnerwasthereanyconversationthatincludedtheyounggentlemen。Ithappenedattheepochofthecheese，whentheDoctor，havingtakenaglassofportwine，andhemmedtwiceorthrice，said：
`Itisremarkable，Mr。Feeder，thattheRomans——\'
Atthementionofthisterriblepeople，theirimplacableenemies，everyyounggentlemanfastenedhisgazeupontheDoctor，withanassumptionofthedeepestinterest。Oneofthenumberwhohappenedtobedrinking，andwhocaughttheDoctor\'seyeglaringathimthroughthesideofhistumbler，leftoffsohastilythathewasconvulsedforsomemoments，andinthesequelruinedDoctorBlimber\'spoint。
`Itisremarkable，Mr。Feeder，\'saidtheDoctor，beginningagainslowly，`thattheRomans，inthosegorgeousandprofuseentertainmentsofwhichwereadinthedaysoftheEmperors，whenluxuryhadattainedaheightunknownbeforeorsince，andwhenwholeprovinceswereravagedtosupplythesplendidmeansofoneImperialBanquet——\'
Heretheoffender，whohadbeenswellingandstraining，andwaiting，invainforafullstop，brokeoutviolently。
`Johnson，\'saidMr。Feeder，inalowreproachfulvoice，`takesomewater。\'
TheDoctor，lookingverystern，madeapauseuntilthewaterwasbrought，andthenresumed：
`Andwhen，Mr。Feeder——\'
ButMr。Feeder，whosawthatJohnsonmustbreakoutagain，andwhoknewthattheDoctorwouldnevercometoaperiodbeforetheyounggentlemenuntilhehadfinishedallhemeanttosay，couldn\'tkeephiseyeoffJohnson；andthuswascaughtinthefactofnotlookingattheDoctor，whoconsequentlystopped。
`Ibegyourpardon，Sir，\'saidMr。Feeder，reddening。`Ibegyourpardon，DoctorBlimber。\'
`Andwhen，\'saidtheDoctor，raisinghisvoice，`when，Sir，asweread，andhavenoreasontodoubt——incredibleasitmayappeartothevulgarofourtime——thebrotherofVitelliuspreparedforhimafeast，inwhichwereserved，offish，twothousanddishes——\'
`Takesomewater，Johnson——dishes，Sir，\'saidMr。Feeder。
`Ofvarioussortsoffowl，fivethousanddishes。\'
`Ortryacrustofbread，\'saidMr。Feeder。
`Andonedish，\'pursuedDoctorBlimber，raisinghisvoicestillhigherashelookedallroundthetable，`called，fromitsenormousdimensions，theshieldofMinerva，andmade，amongothercostlyingredients，ofthebrainsofpheasants——\'
`Ow，ow，ow！\'fromJohnson。
`Woodcocks——\'
`Ow，ow，ow！\'
`Thesoundsofthefishcalledscari——\'
`You\'llburstsomevesselinyourhead，\'saidMr。Feeder。
`Youhadbetterletitcome。\'
`Andthespawnofthelamprey，broughtfromtheCarpathianSea，\'
pursuedtheDoctor，inhisseverestvoice；`whenwereadofcostlyentertainmentssuchasthese，andstillremember，thatwehaveaTitus——\'
`Whatwouldbeyourmother\'sfeelingsifyoudiedofapoplexy！\'
saidMr。Feeder。
`ADomitian——\'
`Andyou\'reblue，youknow，\'saidMr。Feeder。
`ANero，aTiberius，aCaligula，aHeliogabalus，andmanymore，\'
pursuedtheDoctor；`itis，Mr。Feeder——ifyouaredoingmethehonourtoattend——remarkable：VERY——remarkable，Sir——\'
ButJohnson，unabletosuppressitanylonger，burstatthatmomentintosuchanoverwhelmingfitofcoughing，thatalthoughbothhisimmediateneighboursthumpedhimontheback，andMr。Feederhimselfheldaglassofwatertohislips，andthebutlerwalkedhimupanddownseveraltimesbetweenhisownchairandthesideboard，likeasentry，itwasfullfiveminutesbeforehewasmoderatelycomposed，andthentherewasaprofoundsilence。
`Gentlemen，\'saidDoctorBlimber，`riseforGrace！Cornelia，liftDombeydown\'——nothingofwhombuthisscalpwasaccordinglyseenabovethetablecloth。`Johnsonwillrepeattometo-morrowmorningbeforebreakfast，withoutbook，andfromtheGreekTestament，thefirstchapteroftheEpistleofSaintPaultotheEphesians。Wewillresumeourstudies，Mr。Feeder，inhalf-anhour。\'
Theyounggentlemenbowedandwithdrew。Mr。Feederdidlikewise。
Duringthehalf-hour，theyounggentlemen，brokenintopairs，loiteredarm-in-armupanddownasmallpieceofgroundbehindthehouse，orendeavouredtokindleasparkofanimationinthebreastofBriggs。Butnothinghappenedsovulgarasplay。Punctuallyattheappointedtime，thegongwassounded，andthestudies，underthejointauspicesofDoctorBlimberandMr。Feeder，wereresumed。
AstheOlympicgameofloungingupanddownhadbeencutshorterthanusualthatday，onJohnson\'saccount，theyallwentoutforawalkbeforetea。EvenBriggsthoughhehadn\'tbegunyetpartookofthisdissipation；
intheenjoymentofwhichhelookedovertheclifftwoorthreetimesdarkly。
DoctorBlimberaccompaniedthem；andPaulhadthehonourofbeingtakenintowbytheDoctorhimself：adistinguishedstateofthings，inwhichhelookedverylittleandfeeble。
Teawasservedinastylenolesspolitethanthedinner；andaftertea，theyounggentlemenrisingandbowingasbefore，withdrewtofetchuptheunfinishedtasksofthatday，ortogetupthealreadyloomingtasksoftomorrow。InthemeantimeMr。Feederwithdrewtohisownroom；
andPaulsatinacornerwonderingwhetherFlorencewasthinkingofhim，andwhattheywereallaboutatMrs。Pipchin\'s。
Mr。Toots，whohadbeendetainedbyanimportantletterfromtheDukeofWellington，foundPauloutafteratime；andhavinglookedathimforalongwhile，asbefore，inquiredifhewasfondofwaistcoats。
Paulsaid`Yes，Sir。\'
`SoamI，\'saidToots。
NowordmorespakeTootsthatnight；buthestoodlookingatPaulasifhelikedhim；andastherewascompanyinthat，andPaulwasnotinclinedtotalk，itansweredhispurposebetterthanconversation。
Ateighto\'clockorso，thegongsoundedagainforprayersinthedining-room，wherethebutlerafterwardspresidedoveraside-table，onwhichbreadandcheeseandbeenwerespreadforsuchyounggentlemenasdesiredtopartakeofthoserefreshments。TheceremoniesconcludedbytheDoctor\'ssaying，`Gentlemen，wewillresumeourstudiesatsevento-morrow；\'
andthen，forthefirsttime，PaulsawCorneliaBlimber\'seye\'andsawthatitwasuponhim。WhentheDoctorhadsaidthesewords，`Gentlemen，wewillresumeourstudiesatevento-morrow，\'thepupilsbowedagain，andwenttobed。
Intheconfidenceoftheirownroomupstairs，Briggssaidhisheadachedreadytosplit，andthatheshouldwishhimselfdeadifitwasn\'tforhismother，andablackbirdhehadathome。Tozerdidn\'tsaymuch，buthesighedagooddeal，andtoldPaultolookout，forhisturnwouldcometo-morrow。Afterutteringthosepropheticwords，heundressedhimselfmoodily，andgotintobed。Briggswasinhisbedtoo，andPaulinhisbedtoo，beforetheweak-eyedyoungmanappearedtotakeawaythecandle，whenhewishedthemgoodnightandpleasantdreams。Buthisbenevolentwisheswereinvain，asfarasBriggsandTozerwereconcerned；forPaul，wholayawakeforalongwhile，andoftenwokeafterwards，foundthatBriggswasriddenbyhislessonasanightmare：andthatTozer，whosemindwasaffectedinhissleepbysimilarcauses，inaminordegree，talkedunknowntongues，orscrapsofGreekandLatin——itwasallonetoPaul——which，inthesilenceofnight，hadaninexpressiblywickedandguiltyeffect。
Paulhadsunkintoasweetsleep，anddreamedthathewaswalkinghandinhandwithFlorencethroughbeautifulgardens，whentheycametoalargesunflowerwhichsuddenlyexpandeditselfintoagong，andbegantosound。Openinghiseyes，hefoundthatitwasadark，windymorning，withadrizzlingrain：andthattherealgongwasgivingdreadfulnoteofpreparation，downinthehall。
Sohegotupdirectly，andfoundBriggswithhardlyanyeyes，fornightmareandgriefhadmadehisfacepuffy，puttinghisboots，on：
whileTozerstoodshiveringandrubbinghisshouldersinaverybadhumour。
PoorPaulcouldn\'tdresshimselfeasily，notbeingusedtoit，andaskedthemiftheywouldhavethegoodnesstotiesomestringsforhim；butasBriggsmerelysaid`Bother！\'andTozer，`Ohyes！\'hewentdownwhenhewasotherwiseready，tothenextstory，wherehesawaprettyyoungwomaninleathergloves，cleaningastove。Theyoungwomanseemedsurprisedathisappearance，andaskedhimwherehismotherwas。WhenPaultoldhershewasdead，shetookherglovesoff，anddidwhathewanted；andfurthermorerubbedhishandstowarmthem；andgavehimakiss；andtoldhimwheneverhewantedanythingofthatsort——meaninginthedressingway——toaskfor\'
Melia；whichPaul，thankingherverymuch，saidhecertainlywould。Hethenproceededsoftlyonhisjourneydownstairs，towardstheroominwhichtheyounggentlemenresumedtheirstudies，when，passingbyadoorthatstoodajar，avoicefromwithincried，`IsthatDombey？\'OnPaulreplying，`Yes，ma\'am：\'forheknewthevoicetobeMissBlimber\'s：MissBlimbersaid，`Comein，Dombey。\'Andinhewent。
MissBlimberpresentedexactlytheappearanceshehadpresentedyesterday，exceptthatsheworeashawl。Herlittlelightcurlswereascrispasever，andshehadalreadyherspectacleson，whichmadePaulwonderwhethershewenttobedinthem。Shehadacoollittlesitting-roomofherownupthere，withsomebooksinit，andnofire。ButMissBlimberwasnevercold，andneversleepy。
`Now，Dombey，\'saidMissBlimber，`Iamgoingoutforaconstitutional。\'
Paulwonderedwhatthatwas，andwhyshedidn\'tsendthefootmanouttogetitinsuchunfavourableweather。Buthemadenoobservationonthesubject：hisattentionbeingdevotedtoalittlepileofnewbooksonwhichMissBlimberappearedtohavebeenrecentlyengaged。
`Theseareyours，Dombey，\'saidMissBlimber。
`Allof\'em，Ma\'am？\'saidPaul。
`Yes，\'returnedMissBlimber；`andMr。Feederwilllookyououtsomemoreverysoon，ifyouareasstudiousasIexpectyouwillbe，Dombey。\'
`Thankyou，Ma\'am，\'saidPaul。
`Iamgoingoutforaconstitutional，\'resumedMissBlimber；`andwhileIamgone，thatistosayintheintervalbetweenthisandbreakfast，Dombey，IwishyoutoreadoverwhatIhavemarkedinthesebooks，andtotellmeifyouquiteunderstandwhatyouhavegottolearn。Don\'tlosetime，Dombey，foryouhavenonetospare，buttakethemdownstairsandbegindirectly。\'
`Yes，Ma\'am，\'answeredPaul。
Thereweresomanyofthem，thatalthoughPaulputonehandunderthebottombookandhisotherhandandhischinonthetopbook，andhuggedthemallclosely，themiddlebookslippedoutbeforehereachedthedoor，andthentheyalltumbleddownonthefloor。MissBlimbersaid，`Oh，Dombey，Dombey，thisisreallyverycareless！\'andpiledthemupafreshforhim；
andthistime，bydintofbalancingthemwithgreatnicety，Paulgotoutoftheroom，anddownafewstairsbeforetwoofthemescapedagain。Butheheldtherestsotight，thatheonlyleftonemoreonthefirstfloor，andoneinthepassage；andwhenhehadgotthemainbodydownintotheschool-room，hesetoffupstairsagaintocollectthestragglers。Havingatlastamassedthewholelibrary，andclimbedintohisplace，hefelltowork，encouragedbyaremarkfromTozertotheeffectthathe`wasinforitnow；\'whichwastheonlyinterruptionhereceivedtillbreakfasttime。Atthatmeal，forwhichhehadnoappetite，everythingwasquiteassolemnandgenteelasattheother；andwhenitwasfinished，hefollowedMissBlimberupstairs。
`Now，Dombey，\'saidMissBlimber。`Howhaveyougotonwiththosebooks？\'
TheycomprisedalittleEnglish，andadealofLatin——namesofthings，declensionsofarticlesandsubstantives，exercisesthereon，andpreliminaryrules——atrifleoforthography，aglanceatancienthistory，awinkortwoatmodernditto，afewtables，twoorthreeweightsandmeasures，andalittlegeneralinformation。WhenpoorPaulhadspeltoutnumbertwo，hefoundhehadnoideaofnumberone；fragmentswhereofafterwardsobtrudedthemselvesintonumberthree，whichslidedintonumberfour，whichgrafteditselfontonumbertwo。SothatwhethertwentyRomulusesmadeaRemus，orhichaechocwastroyweight，oraverbalwaysagreedwithanancientBriton，orthreetimesfourwasTaurusabull，wereopenquestionswithhim。
`Oh，Dombey，Dombey！\'saidMissBlimber，`thisisveryshocking。\'
`Ifyouplease，\'saidPaul，`IthinkifImightsometimestalkalittletooldGlubb，Ishouldbeabletodobetter。\'
`Nonsense，Dombey，\'saidMissBlimber。`Icouldn\'thearofit。
ThisisnottheplaceforGlubbsofanykind。Youmusttakethebooksdown，Isuppose，Dombey，onebyone，andperfectyourselfintheday\'sinstalmentofsubjectA，beforeyouturnatalltosubjectB。Andnowtakeawaythetopbook，ifyouplease，Dombey，andreturnwhenyouaremasterofthetheme。\'
MissBlimberexpressedheropinionsonthesubjectofPaul\'suninstructedstatewithagloomydelight，asifshehadexpectedthisresult，andweregladtofindthattheymustbeinconstantcommunication。Paulwithdrewwiththetoptask，ashewastold，andlabouredawayatit，downbelow；
sometimesrememberingeverywordofit，andsometimesforgettingitall，andeverythingelsebesides：untilatlastheventuredupstairsagaintorepeatthelesson，whenitwasnearlyalldrivenoutofhisheadbeforehebegan，byMissBlimber\'sshuttingupthebook，andsaying，`Goon，Dombey！\'
aproceedingsosuggestiveoftheknowledgeinsideofher，thatPaullookedupontheyoungladywithconsternation，asakindoflearnedGuyFaux，orartificialBogle，stuffedfullofscholasticstraw。
Heacquittedhimselfverywell，nevertheless；andMissBlimber，commendinghimasgivingpromiseofgettingonfast，immediatelyprovidedhimwithsubjectB；fromwhichhepassedtoC，andevenDbeforedinner。
Itwashardwork，resuminghisstudies，soonafterdinner；andhefeltgiddyandconfusedanddrowsyanddull。Butalltheotheryounggentlemenhadsimilarsensations，andwereobligedtoresumetheirstudiestoo，iftherewereanycomfortinthat。Itwasawonderthatthegreatclockinthehall，insteadofbeingconstanttoitsfirstinquiry，neversaid，`Gentlemen，wewillnowresumeourstudies，\'forthatphrasewasoftenenoughrepeatedinitsneighbourhood。Thestudieswentroundlikeamightywheel，andtheyounggentlemenwerealwaysstretcheduponit。
Afterteatherewereexercisesagain，andpreparationsfornextdaybycandlelight。Andinduecoursetherewasbed；where，butforthatresumptionofthestudieswhichtookplaceindreams，wererestandsweetforgetfulness。
OhSaturdays！OhhappySaturdays，whenFlorencealwayscameatnoon，andneverwould，inanyweather，stayaway，thoughMrs。Pipchinsnarledandgrowled，andworriedherbitterly。ThoseSaturdays，wereSabbathsforatleasttwolittleChristiansamongalltheJews，anddidtheholySabbathworkofstrengtheningandknittingupabrother\'sandasister\'slove。
NotevenSundaynights——theheavySundaynights，whoseshadowdarkenedthefirstwakingburstoflightonSundaymornings——couldmarthosepreciousSaturdays。Whetheritwasthegreatsea-shore，wheretheysat，andstrolledtogether；orwhetheritwasonlyMrs。Pipchin\'sdullbackroom，inwhichshesangtohimsosoftly，withhisdrowsyheaduponherarm；Paulnevercared。ItwasFlorence。Thatwasallhethoughtof。
So，onSundaynights，whentheDoctor\'sdarkdoorstoodagapetoswallowhimupforanotherweek，thetimewascomefortakingleaveofFlorence；
nooneelse。
Mrs。Wickamhadbeendraftedhometothehouseintown，andMissNipper，nowasmartyoungwoman，hadcomedown。TomanyasinglecombatwithMrs。Pipchin，didMissNippergallantlydevoteherself；andifeverMrs。Pipchininallherlifehadfoundhermatch，shehadfounditnow。
MissNipperthrewawaythescabbardthefirstmorningshearoseinMrs。
Pipchin\'shouse。Sheaskedandgavenoquarter。Shesaiditmustbewar，andwaritwas；andMrs。Pipchinlivedfromthattimeinthemidstofsurprises，harassings，anddefiances，andskirmishingattacksthatcamebouncinginuponherfromthepassage，eveninunguardedmomentsofchops，andcarrieddesolationtoherverytoast。
MissNipperhadreturnedoneSundaynightwithFlorence，fromwalkingbackwithPaultotheDoctor\'s，whenFlorencetookfromherbosomalittlepieceofpaper，onwhichshehadpencilleddownsomewords。
`Seehere，Susan，\'shesaid。`ThesearethenamesofthelittlebooksthatPaulbringshometodothoselongexerciseswith，whenheissotired。Icopiedthemlastnightwhilehewaswriting。\'
`Don\'tshew\'emtome，MissFloy，ifyouplease，\'returnedNipper，`I\'dassoonseeMrs。Pipchin。\'
`Iwantyoutobuythemforme，Susan，ifyouwill，tomorrowmorning。
Ihavemoneyenough，\'saidFlorence。
`Why，goodnessgraciousme，MissFloy，\'returnedMissNipper，`howcanyoutalklikethat，whenyouhavebooksuponbooksalready，andmastersesandmissessesateachingofyoueverythingcontinual，thoughmybeliefisthatyourPa，MissDombey，neverwouldhavelearntyounothing，neverwouldhavethoughtofit，unlessyou\'daskedhim——whenhecouldn\'twellrefuse；butgivingconsentwhenasked，andofferingwhenunasked，Miss，isquitetwothings；Imaynothavemyobjectionstoayoungman\'skeepingcompanywithme，andwhenheputsthequestion，maysay“yes，“
butthat\'snotsaying“wouldyoubesokindaslikeme。“\'
`Butyoucanbuymethebooks，Susan；andyouwill，whenyouknowIwantthem。\'
`Well，Miss，andwhydoyouwant\'em？\'repliedNipper；adding，inalowervoice，`IfitwastoflingatMrs。Pipchin\'shead，I\'dbuyacart-load。\'
`IthinkIcouldperhapsgivePaulsomehelp，Susan，ifIhadthesebooks，\'saidFlorence，`andmakethecomingweekalittleeasiertohim。AtleastIwanttotry。Sobuythemforme，dear，andIwillneverforgethowkinditwasofyoutodoit！\'
ItmusthavebeenaharderheartthanSusanNipper\'sthatcouldhaverejectedthelittlepurseFlorenceheldoutwiththesewords，orthegentlelookofentreatywithwhichshesecondedherpetition。Susanputthepurseinherpocketwithoutreply，andtrottedoutatonceuponhererrand。
Thebookswerenoteasytoprocure：andtheansweratseveralshopswas，eitherthattheywerejustoutofthem，orthattheyneverkeptthem，orthattheyhadhadagreatmanylastmonth，orthattheyexpectedagreatmanynextweek。ButSusanwasnoteasilybaffledinnsuchanenterprise；
andhavingentrappedawhite-hairedyouth，inablackcalicoapron，fromalibrarywhereshewasknown，toaccompanyherinherquest，sheledhimsuchalifeingoingupanddown，thatheexertedhimselftotheutmost，ifitwereonlytogetridofher；andfinallyenabledhertoreturnhomeintriumph。
Withthesetreasuresthen，afterherowndailylessonswereover，florencesatdownatnighttotrackPaul\'sfootstepsthroughthethornywaysoflearning；andbeingpossessedofanaturallyquickandsoundcapacity，andtaughtbythatmostwonderfulofmasters，love，itwasnotlongbeforeshegaineduponPaul\'sheels，andcaughtandpassedhim。
NotawordofthiswasbreathedtoMrs。Pipchin：butmanyanightwhentheywereallinbed，andwhenMissNipper，withherhairinpapersandherselfasleepinsomeuncomfortableattitude，reposedunconsciousbyherside；andwhenthechinkingashesinthegratewerecoldandgrey；
andwhenthecandleswereburntdownandgutteringout；——FlorencetriedsohardtobeasubstituteforonesmallDombey，thatherfortitudeandperseverancemighthavealmostwonherafreerighttobearthenameherself。
Andhighwasherreward，whenoneSaturdayevening，aslittlePaulwassittingdownasusualto`resumehisstudies，\'shesatdownbyhisside，andshowedhimallthatwassorough，madesmooth，andallthatwassodark，madeclearandplain，beforehim。ItwasnothingbutastartledlookinPaul\'swanface——aflush——asmile——andthenacloseembrace——butGodknowshowherheartleaptupatthisrichpaymentforhertrouble。
`Oh，Floy！\'criedherbrother，`howIloveyou！HowIloveyou，Floy！\'
`AndIyou，dear！\'
`Oh！Iamsureofthat，Floy。\'
Hesaidnomoreaboutit，butallthateveningsatclosebyher，veryquiet；andinthenighthecalledoutfromhislittleroomwithinhers，threeorfourtimes，thathelovedher。
Regularly，afterthat，FlorencewaspreparedtositdownwithPaulonSaturdaynight，andpatientlyassisthimthroughsomuchastheycouldanticipatetogether，ofhisnextweek\'swork。ThecheeringthoughtthathewaslabouringonwhereFlorencehadjusttoiledbeforehim，would，ofitself，havebeenastimulanttoPaulintheperpetualresumptionofhisstudies；butcoupledwiththeactuallighteningofhisload，consequentonthisassistance，itsavedhim，possibly，fromsinkingunderneaththeburdenwhichthefairCorneliaBlimberpileduponhisback。
ItwasnotthatMissBlimbermeanttobetooharduponhim，orthatDoctorBlimbermeanttobeartooheavilyontheyounggentlemeningeneral。Corneliamerelyheldthefaithinwhichshehadbeenbred；andtheDoctor，insomepartialconfusionofhisideas，regardedtheyounggentlemenasiftheywereallDoctors，andwereborngrownup。Comfortedbytheapplauseoftheyounggentlemen\'snearestrelations，andurgedonbytheirblindvanityandillconsideredhaste，itwouldhavebeenstrangeifDoctorBlimberhaddiscoveredhismistake，ortrimmedhisswellingsailstoanyothertack。
ThusinthecaseofPaul。WhenDoctorBlimbersaidhemadegreatprogress，andwasnaturallyclever，Mr。Dombeywasmorebentthaneveronhisbeingforcedandcrammed。InthecaseofBriggs，whenDoctorBlimberreportedthathedidnotmakegreatprogressyet，andwasnotnaturallyclever，Briggsseniorwasinexorableinthesamepurpose。Inshort，howeverhighandfalsethetemperatureatwhichtheDoctorkepthishothouse，theownersoftheplantswerealwaysreadytolendahelpinghandatthebellows，andtostirthefire。
Suchspiritsashehadintheoutset，Paulsoonlostofcourse。
Butheretainedallthatwasstrange，andold，andthoughtfultotheinhischaracter：andundercircumstancessofavourabletothedevelopmentofthosetendencies，becameevenmorestrange，andold，andthoughtful，thanbefore。
Theonlydifferencewas，thathekepthischaractertohimself。
Hegrewmorethoughtfulandreserved，everyday；andhadnosuchcuriosityinanylivingmemberoftheDoctor\'shousehold，ashehadhadinMrs。Pipchin。
Helovedtobealone；andinthoseshortintervalswhenhewasnotoccupiedwithhisbooks，likednothingsowellaswanderingaboutthehousebyhimself，orsittingonthestairs，listeningtothegreatclockinthehall。Hewasintimatewithallthepaper-hanginginthehouse；sawthingsthatnooneelsesawinthepatterns；foundoutminiaturetigersandlionsrunningupthebedroomwalls，andsquintingfacesleeringinthesquaresanddiamondsofthefloor-cloth。
Thesolitarychildlivedon，surroundedbythisarabesqueworkofhismusingfancy，andnooneunderstoodhim。Mrs。Blimberthoughthim`odd，\'andsometimestheservantssaidamongthemselvesthatlittleDombey`moped；\'butthatwasall。
UnlessyoungTootshadsomeideaonthesubject，totheexpressionofwhichhewaswhollyunequal。Ideas，likeghostsaccordingtothecommonnotionofghosts，mustbespokentoalittlebeforetheywillexplainthemselves；andTootshadlongleftoffaskinganyquestionsofhisownmind。Somemisttheremayhavebeen，issuingfromthatleadencasket，hiscranium，which，ifitcouldhavetakenshapeandform，wouldhavebecomeagenie；butitcouldnot；anditonlysofarfollowedtheexampleofthesmokeintheArabianstory，astorolloutinathickcloud，andtherehangandhover。Butitleftalittlefigurevisibleuponalonelyshore，andTootswasalwaysstaringatit。
`Howareyou？\'hewouldsaytoPaul，fiftytimesaday。
`Quitewell，Sir，thankyou，\'Paulwouldanswer。
`Shakehands，\'wouldbeToots\'snextadvance。
WhichPaul，ofcourse，wouldimmediatelydo。Mr。Tootsgenerallysaidagain，afteralongintervalofstaringandhardbreathing，`Howareyou？\'TowhichPaulagainreplied，`Quitewell，Sir，thankyou。\'
OneeveningMr。Tootswassittingathisdesk，oppressedbycorrespondence，whenagreatpurposeseemedtoflashuponhim。Helaiddownhispen，andwentofftoseekPaul，whomhefoundatlast，afteralongsearch，lookingthroughthewindowofhislittlebedroom。
`Isay！\'criedToots，speakingthemomentheenteredtheroom，lestheshouldforgetit；`whatdoyouthinkabout？\'
`Oh！Ithinkaboutagreatmanythings，\'repliedPaul。
`Doyou，though？\'saidToots，appearingtoconsiderthatfactinitselfsurprising。
`Ifyouhadtodie，\'saidPaul，lookingupintohisface——
Mr。Tootsstarted，andseemedmuchdisturbed。
`——Don\'tyouthinkyouwouldratherdieonamoonlightnightwhentheskywasquiteclear，andthewindblowing，asitdidlastnight？\'
Mr。Tootssaid，lookingdoubtfullyatPaul，andshakinghishead，thathedidn\'tknowaboutthat。
`Notblowing，atleast，\'saidPaul，`butsoundingintheairliketheseasoundsintheshells。Itwasabeautifulnight。WhenIhadlistenedtothewaterforalongtime，Igotupandlookedout。Therewasaboatoverthere，inthefulllightofthemoon；aboatwithasail。\'
Thechildlookedathimsosteadfastly，andspokesoearnestly，thatMr。Toots，feelinghimselfcalledupontosaysomethingaboutthisboat，said，`Smugglers。\'Butwithanimpartialremembranceoftherebeingtwosidestoeveryquestion，headded，`orPreventive。\'
`Aboatwithasail，\'repeatedPaul，`inthefulllightofthemoon。Thesaillikeanarm，allsilver。Itwentawayintothedistance，andwhatdoyouthinkitseemedtodoasitmovedwiththewaves？\'
`Pitch，\'saidMr。Toots。
`Itseemedtobeckon，\'saidthechild，`tobeckonmetocome！——Theresheis！Theresheis！\'
Tootswasalmostbesidehimselfwithdismayatthissuddenexclamation，afterwhathadgonebefore，andcried`Who？\'
`MysisterFlorence！\'criedPaul，`lookinguphere，andwavingherhand。Sheseesme——sheseesme！Goodnight，dear，goodnight，goodnight。\'
Hisquicktransitiontoastateofunboundedpleasure，ashestoodathiswindow，kissingandclappinghishands：andthewayinwhichthelightretreatedfromhisfeaturesasshepassedoutofhisview，andleftapatientmelancholyonthelittleface：weretooremarkablewhollytoescapeevenToots\'snotice。TheirinterviewbeinginterruptedatthismomentbyavisitfromMrs。Pipchin，whousuallybroughtherblackskirtstobearuponPauljustbeforedusk，onceortwiceaweek，Tootshadnoopportunityofimprovingtheoccasion：butitleftsomarkedanimpressiononhismindthathetwicereturned，afterhavingexchangedtheusualsalutations，toaskMrs。Pipchinhowshedid。Thistheirascibleoldladyconceivedtobeadeeply-devisedandlongmeditatedinsult，originatinginthediabolicalinventionoftheweak-eyedyoungmandown-stairs，againstwhomsheaccordinglylodgedaformalcomplaintwithDoctorBlimberthatverynight；whomentionedtotheyoungmanthatifheeverdiditagain，heshouldbeobligedtopartwithhim。
Theeveningsbeinglongernow，PaulstoleuptohiswindoweveryeveningtolookoutforFlorence。Shealwayspassedandrepassedatacertaintime，untilshesawhim；andtheirmutualrecognitionwasagleamofsunshineinPaul\'sdailylife。Oftenafterdark，oneotherfigurewalkedalonebeforetheDoctor\'shouse。HerarelyjoinedthemontheSaturdaynow。Hecouldnotbearit。Hewouldrathercomeunrecognised，andlookupatthewindowswherehissonwasqualifyingforaman；andwait，andwatch，andplan，andhope。
Oh！couldhebuthaveseen，orseenasothersdid，theslightspareboyabove，watchingthewavesandcloudsattwilight，withhisearnesteyes，andbreastingthewindowofhissolitarycagewhenbirdsflewby，asifhewouldhaveemulatedthem，andsoaredaway！
[NextChapter][TableofContents]DICKENS：DombeyandSon，Chapter13[PreviousChapter][TableofContents]CHAPTERXIIIShippingIntelligenceandOfficeBusinessMR。DOMBEY\'Sofficeswereinacourtwheretherewasanold-establishedstallofchoicefruitatthecorner：whereperambulatingmerchants，ofbothsexes，offeredforsaleatanytimebetweenthehoursoftenandfive，slippers，pocket-books，sponges，dogs\'collars，andWindsorsoap，andsometimesapointeroranoil-painting。
Thepointeralwayscamethatway，withaviewtotheStockExchange，whereasportingtasteoriginatinggenerallyinbetsofnewhatsismuchinvogue。Theothercommoditieswereaddressedtothegeneralpublic；buttheywereneverofferedbythevendorstoMr。Dombey。Whenheappeared，thedealersinthosewaresfelloffrespectfully。Theprincipalslipperanddogs\'collarman——whoconsideredhimselfapubliccharacter，andwhoseportraitwasscrewedontoanartist\'sdoorinCheapside——threwuphisforefingertothebrimofhishatasMr。Dombeywentby。Theticket-porter，ifhewerenotabsentonajob，alwaysranofficiouslybeforetoopenMr。
Dombey\'sofficedooraswideaspossible，andholditopen，withhishatoff，whileheentered。
Theclerkswithinwerenotawhitbehind-handintheirdemonstrationsofrespect。Asolemnhushprevailed，asMr。Dombeypassedthroughtheouteroffice。ThewitoftheCounting-Housebecameinamomentasmute，astherowofleathernfire-bucketshangingupbehindhim。Suchvapidandflatdaylightasfilteredthroughtheground-glasswindowsandskylight，leavingablacksedimentuponthepanes，showedthebooksandpapers，andthefiguresbendingoverthem，envelopedinastudiousgloom，andasmuchabstractedinappearance，fromtheworldwithout，asiftheywereassembledatthebottomofthesea；whileamouldylittlestrongroomintheobscureperspective，whereashadylampwasalwaysburning，mighthaverepresentedthecavernofsomeocean-monster，lookingonwitharedeyeatthesemysteriesofthedeep。
WhenPerchthemessenger，whoseplacewasonalittlebracket，likeatimepiece，sawMr。Dombeycomein——orratherwhenhefeltthathewascoming，forhehadusuallyaninstinctivesenseofhisapproach——hehurriedintoMr。Dombey\'sroom，stirredthefire，quarriedfreshcoalsfromthebowelsofthecoal-box，hungthenewspapertoairuponthefender，putthechairready，andscreeninitsplace，andwasrounduponhisheelontheinstantofMt。Dombey\'sentrance，totakehisgreat-coatandhat，andhangthemup。ThenPerchtookthenewspaper，andgaveitaturnortwoinhishandsbeforethefire，andlaidit，deferentially，atMr。Dombey\'selbow。AndsolittleobjectionhadPerchtodoingdeferentialinthelastdegree，thatifhemighthavelaidhimselfatMr。Dombey\'sfeet，ormighthavecalledhimbysomesuchtitleasusedtobebestowedupontheCaliphHarounAlraschid，hewouldhavebeenallthebetterpleased。
Asthishonourwouldhavebeenaninnovationandanexperiment，Perchwasfaintocontenthimselfbyexpressingaswellashecould，inhismanner，YouarethelightofmyEyes。YouaretheBreathofmySoul。
YouarethecommanderoftheFaithfulPerch！Withthisimperfecthappinesstocheerhim，hewouldshutthedoorsoftly，walkawayontiptoe，andleavehisgreatchieftobestaredat，throughadome-shapedwindowintheleads，byuglychimney-potsandbacksofhouses，andespeciallybytheboldwindowofahair-cuttingsaloononafirstfloor，whereawaxeneffigy，baldasaMussulmaninthemorning，andcoveredaftereleveno\'clockintheday，withluxurianthairandwhiskersinthelatestChristianfashion，showedhimthewrongsideofitsheadforever。
BetweenMr。Dombeyandthecommonworld，asitwasaccessiblethroughthemediumoftheouteroffice——towhichMr。Dombey\'spresenceinhisownroommaybesaidtohavestrucklikedamp，orcoldair——thereweretwodegreesofdescent。Mr。Carkerinhisownofficewasthefirststep；Mr。Morfin，inhisownoffice，wasthesecond。Eachofthesegentlemenoccupiedalittlechamberlikeabath-room，openingfromthepassageoutsideMr。Dombey\'sdoor。Mr。Carker，asGrandVizier，inhabitedtheroomthatwasnearesttotheSultan。Mr。Morfin，asanofficerofinferiorstate，inhabitedtheroomthatwasnearesttotheclerks。
Thegentlemanlastmentionedwasacheerful-looking，hazel-eyedelderlybachelor：gravelyattired，astohisupperman，inblack；andastohislegs，inpepper-and-saltcolour。Hisdarkhairwasjusttouchedhereandtherewithspecksofgrey，asthoughthetreadofTimehadsplashedit；
andhiswhiskerswerealreadywhite。HehadamightyrespectforMr。Dombey，andrenderedhimduehomage；butashewasofagenialtemperhimself，andneverwhollyathiseaseinthatstatelypresence，hewasdisquietedbynojealousyofthemanyconferencesenjoyedbyMr。Carker，andfeltasecretsatisfactioninhavingdutiestodischarge，whichrarelyexposedhimtobesingledoutforsuchdistinction。Hewasagreatmusicalamateurinhisway——afterbusiness；andhadapaternalaffectionforhisvioloncello，whichwasonceineveryweektransportedfromIslington，hisplaceofabode，toacertainclub-roomhardbytheBank，wherequartettesofthemosttormentingandexcruciatingnaturewereexecutedeveryWednesdayeveningbyaprivateparty。
Mr。Carkerwasagentlemanthirty-eightorfortyyearsold，ofafloridcomplexion，andwithtwounbrokenrowsofglisteningteeth，whoseregularityandwhitenesswerequitedistressing。Itwasimpossibletoescapetheobservationofthem，forheshowedthemwheneverhespoke；andboresowideasmileuponhiscountenanceasmile，however，veryrarely，indeed，extendingbeyondhismouth，thattherewassomethinginitlikethesnarlofacat。Heaffectedastiffwhitecravat，aftertheexampleofhisprincipal，andwasalwayscloselybuttonedupandtightlydressed。HismannertowardsMr。Dombeywasdeeplyconceivedandperfectlyexpressed。Hewasfamiliarwithhim，intheveryextremityofhissenseofthedistancebetweenthem。
`Mr。Dombey，toamaninyourpositionfromamaninmine，thereisnoshowofsubserviencecompatiblewiththetransactionofbusinessbetweenus，thatIshouldthinksufficient。Ifranklytellyou，Sir，Igiveitupaltogether。IfeelthatIcouldnotsatisfymyownmind；andHeavenknows，Mr。Dombey，youcanaffordtodispensewiththeendeavour。\'Ifhehadcarriedthesewordsaboutwithhim，printedonaplacard，andhadconstantlyofferedittoMr。Dombey\'sperusalonthebreastofhiscoat，hecouldnothavebeenmoreexplicitthanhewas。
ThiswasCarkertheManager。Mr。CarkertheJunior，Walter\'sfriend，washisbrother；twoorthreeyearsolderthanhe，butwidelyremovedinstation。Theyoungerbrother\'spostwasonthetopoftheofficialladder；
theelderbrother\'satthebottom。Theelderbrothernevergainedastave，orraisedhisfoottomountone。Youngmenpassedabovehishead，androseandrose；buthewasalwaysatthebottom。Hewasquiteresignedtooccupythatlowconditions：nevercomplainedofit：andcertainlyneverhopedtoescapefromit。
`Howdoyoudothismorning？\'saidMr。CarkertheManager，enteringMr。Dombey\'sroomsoonafterhisarrivaloneday：withabundleofpapersinhishand。
`Howdoyoudo，Carker？\'saidMr。Dombey，risingfromhischair，andstandingwithhisbacktothefire。`Haveyouanythingthereforme？\'
`Idon\'tknowthatIneedtroubleyou，\'returnedCarker，turningoverthepapersinhishand。`Youhaveacommitteeto-dayatthree，youknow。\'
`Andoneatthree，three-quarters，\'addedMr。Dombey。
`Catchyouforgettinganything！\'exclaimedCarker，stillturningoverhispapers。`IfMr。Paulinheritsyourmemory，he\'llbeatroublesomecustomerinthehouse。Oneofyouisenough。\'
`Youhaveanaccuratememoryofyourown，\'saidMr。Dombey。
`Oh！I！\'returnedthemanager。`It\'stheonlycapitalofamanlikeme。\'
Mr。Dombeydidnotlooklesspompousoratalldispleased，ashestoodleaningagainstthechimneypiece，surveyinghisofcourseunconscious
clerk，fromheadtofoot。ThestiffnessandnicetyofMr。Carker\'sdress，andacertainarroganceofmanner，eithernaturaltohimorimitatedfromapatternnotfaroff，gavegreatadditionaleffecttohishumility。Heseemedamanwhowouldcontendagainstthepowerthatvanquishedhim，ifhecould，butwhowasutterlybornedownbythegreatnessandsuperiorityofMr。Dombey。
`IsMorfinhere？\'askedMr。Dombeyafterashortpause，duringwhichMr。Carkerhadbeenflutteringhispapers，andmutteringlittleabstractsoftheircontentstohimself。
`Morfin\'shere，\'heanswered，lookingupwithhiswidestandmostsuddensmile；`hummingmusicalrecollections——ofhislastnight\'squartetteparty，Isuppose——throughthewallsbetweenusanddrivingmehalfmad。
Iwishhe\'dmakeabonfireofhisvioloncello，andburnhismusic-booksinit。\'
`Yourespectnobody，Carker，Ithink，\'saidMr。Dombey。
`No？\'inquiredCarker，withanotherwideandmostfelineshowofhisteeth。`Well！Notmanypeople，Ibelieve。Iwouldn\'tanswerperhaps，\'
hemurmured，asifhewereonlythinkingit，`formorethanone。\'
Adangerousquality，ifreal；andanotlessdangerousone，iffeigned。ButMr。Dombeyhardlyseemedtothinkso，ashestillstoodwithhisbacktothefire，drawnuptohisfullheight，andlookingathishead-clerkwithadignifiedcomposure，inwhichthereseemedtolurkastrongerlatentsenseofpowerthanusual。
`TalkingofMorfin，\'resumedMr。Carker，takingoutonepaperfromtherest，`hereportsajuniordeadintheagencyatBarbados，andpurposestoreserveapassageintheSonandHeir——she\'llsailinamonthorso——forthesuccessor。Youdon\'tcarewhogoes，Isuppose？Wehavenobodyofthatsorthere。\'
Mr。Dombeyshookhisheadwithsupremeindifference。
`It\'snoverypreciousappointment，\'observedMr。Carker，takingupapen，withwhichtoendorseamemorandumonthebackofthepaper。
`Ihopehemaybestowitonsomeorphannephewofamusicalfriend。Itmayperhapsstophisfiddle-playing，ifhehasagiftthatway。
Who\'sthat？Comein！\'
`Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Carker。Ididn\'tknowyouwerehere，Sir，\'
answeredWalter，appearingwithsomelettersinhishand，unopened，andnewlyarrived。`Mr。CarkertheJunior，Sir——\'
Atthementionofthisname，Mr。CarkertheManagerwas，oraffectedtobetouchedtothequickwithshameandhumiliation。HecasthiseyesfullonMr。Dombeywithanalteredandapologeticlook，abasedthemontheground，andremainedforamomentwithoutspeaking。
`Ithought，Sir，\'hesaidsuddenlyandangrily，turningonWalter，`thatyouhadbeenbeforerequestednottodragMr。CarkertheJuniorintoyourconversation。\'`Ibegyourpardon，\'returnedWalter。`IwasonlygoingtosaythatMr。CarkertheJuniorhadtoldmehebelievedyouweregoneout，orIshouldnothaveknockedatthedoorwhenyouwereengagedwithMr。Dombey。ThesearelettersforMr。Dombey，Sir。\'
`Verywell，Sir，\'returnedMr。CarkertheManager，pluckingthemsharplyfromhishand。`Goaboutyourbusiness。\'
Butintakingthemwithsolittleceremony，Mr。Carkerdroppedoneonthefloor，anddidnotseewhathehaddone；neitherdidMr。Dombeyobservetheletterlyingnearhisfeet。Walterhesitatedforamoment，thinkingthatoneorotherofthemwouldnoticeit；butfindingthatneitherdid，hestopped。cameback，pickeditup，andlaidithimselfonMr。Dombey\'sdesk。Theletterswerepost-letters；andithappenedthattheoneinquestionwasMrs。Pipchin\'sregularreport，directedasusual——forMrs。Pipchinwasbutanindifferentpenwoman——byFlorence。Mr。Dombey，havinghisattentionsilentlycalledtothisletterbyWalter，started，andlookedfiercelyathim，asifhebelievedthathehadpurposelyselecteditfromalltherest。
`Youcanleavetheroom，Sir！\'saidMr。Dombey，haughtily。
Hecrushedtheletterinhishand；andhavingwatchedWalteroutatthedoor，putitinhispocketwithoutbreakingtheseal。
`YouwantsomebodytosendtotheWestIndies，youweresaying，\'
observedMr。Dombey，hurriedly。
`Yes，\'repliedCarker。
`SendyoungGay。\'
`Good，verygoodindeed。Nothingeasier，\'saidMr。Carker，withoutanyshowofsurprise，andtakingupthepentoreendorsetheletter，ascoollyashehaddonebefore。`“SendyoungGay。“\'
`Callhimback，\'saidMr。Dombey。
Mr。Carkerwasquicktodoso，andWalterwasquicktoreturn。
`Gay，\'saidMr。Dombey，turningalittletolookathimoverhisshoulder。`Hereisa——\'
`Anopening，\'saidMr。Carker，withhismouthstretchedtotheutmost。
`IntheWestIndies。AtBarbados。Iamgoingtosendyou，\'saidMr。Dombey，scorningtoembellishthebaretruth，`tofillajuniorsituationinthecounting-houseatBarbados。Letyouruncleknowfromme，thatI
havechosenyoutogototheWestIndies。\'
Walter\'sbreathwassocompletelytakenawaybyhisastonishment，thathecouldhardlyfindenoughfortherepetitionofthewords`WestIndies。\'
`Somebodymustgo，\'saidMr。Dombey，`andyouareyoungandhealthy，andyouruncle\'scircumstancesarenotgood。Tellyourunclethatyouareappointed。Youwillnotgoyet。Therewillbeanintervalofamonth——ortwoperhaps。\'
`ShallIremainthere，Sir？\'inquiredWalter。
`Willyouremainthere，Sir！\'repeatedMr。Dombey，turningalittlemoreroundtowardshim。`Whatdoyoumean？Whatdoeshemean，Carker？\'
`Livethere，Sir，\'falteredWalter。
`Certainly，\'returnedMr。Dombey。
Walterbowed。
`That\'sall，\'saidMr。Dombey，resuminghisletters。`Youwillexplaintohimingoodtimeabouttheusualoutfitandsoforth，Carker，ofcourse。Heneedn\'twait，Carker。\'
`Youneedn\'twait，Gay，\'observedMr。Carker：baretothegums。
`Unless，\'saidMr。Dombey，stoppinginhisreadingwithoutlookingofftheletter，andseemingtolisten。`Unlesshehasanythingtosay。\'
`No，Sir，\'returnedWalter，agitatedandconfused，andalmoststunned，asaninfinitevarietyofpicturespresentedthemselvestohismind；amongwhichCaptainCuttle，inhisglazedhat，transfixedwithastonishmentatMrs。MacStinger\'s，andhisunclebemoaninghislossinthelittlebackparlour，heldprominentplaces。`Ihardlyknow——I——Iammuchobliged，Sir。\'
`Heneedn\'twait，Carker，\'saidMr。Dombey。
AndasMr。Carkeragainechoedthewords，andalsocollectedhispapersasifheweregoingawaytoo，Walterfeltthathislingeringanylongerwouldbeanunpardonableintrusion——especiallyashehadnothingtosay——andthereforewalkedoutquiteconfounded。
Goingalongthepassage，withthemingledconsciousnessandhelplessnessofadream，heheardMr。Dombey\'sdoorshutagain，asMr。Carkercameout：
andimmediatelyafterwardsthatgentlemancalledtohim。
`BringyourfriendMr。CarkertheJuniortomyroom，Sir，ifyouplease。\'
WalterwenttotheouterofficeandapprisedMr。CarkertheJuniorofhiserrand，whoaccordinglycameoutfrombehindapartitionwherehesataloneinonecorner，andreturnedwithhimtotheroomofMr。CarkertheManager。
Thatgentlemanwasstandingwithhisbacktothefire，andhishandsunderhiscoat-tails，lookingoverhiswhitecravat，asunpromisinglyasMr。Dombeyhimselfcouldhavelooked。Hereceivedthemwithoutanychangeinhisattitudeorsofteningofhisharshandblackexpression：merelysigningtoWaltertoclosethedoor。
`JohnCarker，\'saidtheManager，whenthiswasdone，turningsuddenlyuponhisbrother，withhistworowsofteethbristlingasifhewouldhavebittenhim，`whatistheleaguebetweenyouandhisyoungman，invirtueofwhichIamhauntedandhuntedbythementionofyourname？Isitnotenoughforyou，JohnCarker，thatIamyournearrelation，andcan\'tdetachmyselffromthat——\'
`Saydisgrace，James，\'interposedtheotherinalowvoice，findingthathestammeredforaword。`Youmeanit，andhavereason，saydisgrace。\'
`Fromthatdisgrace，\'assentedhisbrotherwithkeenemphasis，`butisthefacttobeblurtedoutandtrumpeted，andproclaimedcontinuallyinthepresenceoftheveryHouse！Inmomentsofconfidencetoo？Doyouthinkyournameiscalculatedharmoniseinthisplacewithtrustandconfidence，JohnCarker？\'
`No，\'returnedtheother。`No，James。GodknowsIhavenosuchthought。\'
`Whatisyourthought，then？\'saidhisbrother，`andwhydoyouthrustyourselfinmyway？Haven\'tyouinjuredmeenoughalready？\'
`Ihaveneverinjuredyou，James，wilfully。\'
`Youaremybrother，\'saidtheManager。`That\'sinjuryenough。\'
`IwishIcouldundoit，James。\'
`Iwishyoucouldandwould。\'