下载辰思小说免费APP
\'Verywell，\'saidBounderby。\'Iwasborninaditch，andmymotherranawayfromme。DoIexcuseherforit？No。HaveIeverexcusedherforit？NotI。WhatdoIcallherforit？Icallherprobablytheveryworstwomanthateverlivedintheworld，exceptmydrunkengrandmother。There\'snofamilyprideaboutme，there\'snoimaginativesentimentalhumbugaboutme。Icallaspadeaspade；andIcallthemotherofJosiahBounderbyofCoketown，withoutanyfearoranyfavour，whatIshouldcallherifshehadbeenthemotherofDickJonesofWapping。So，withthisman。Heisarunawayrogueandavagabond，that\'swhatheis，inEnglish。\'
\'It\'sallthesametomewhatheisorwhatheisnot，whetherinEnglishorwhetherinFrench，\'retortedMr。E。W。B。Childers，facingabout。\'Iamtellingyourfriendwhat\'sthefact；ifyoudon\'tliketohearit，youcanavailyourselfoftheopenair。Yougiveitmouthenough，youdo；butgiveitmouthinyourownbuildingatleast，\'remonstratedE。W。B。withsternirony。\'Don\'tgiveitmouthinthisbuilding，tillyou\'recalledupon。YouhavegotsomebuildingofyourownIdaresay，now？\'
\'Perhapsso，\'repliedMr。Bounderby，rattlinghismoneyandlaughing。
\'Thengiveitmouthinyourownbuilding，willyou，ifyouplease？\'
saidChilders。\'Becausethisisn\'tastrongbuilding，andtoomuchofyoumightbringitdown！\'
EyeingMr。Bounderbyfromheadtofootagain，heturnedfromhim，asfromamanfinallydisposedof，toMr。Gradgrind。
\'Jupesenthisdaughteroutonanerrandnotanhourago，andthenwasseentoslipouthimself，withhishatoverhiseyes，andabundletiedupinahandkerchiefunderhisarm。Shewillneverbelieveitofhim，buthehascutawayandlefther。\'
\'Pray，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'whywillsheneverbelieveitofhim？\'
\'Becausethosetwowereone。Becausetheywereneverasunder。
Because，uptothistime，heseemedtodoteuponher，\'saidChilders，takingasteportwotolookintotheemptytrunk。BothMr。ChildersandMasterKidderminsterwalkedinacuriousmanner；
withtheirlegswiderapartthanthegeneralrunofmen，andwithaveryknowingassumptionofbeingstiffintheknees。ThiswalkwascommontoallthemalemembersofSleary\'scompany，andwasunderstoodtoexpress，thattheywerealwaysonhorseback。
\'PoorSissy！Hehadbetterhaveapprenticedher，\'saidChilders，givinghishairanothershake，ashelookedupfromtheemptybox。
\'Now，heleavesherwithoutanythingtotaketo。\'
\'Itiscreditabletoyou，whohaveneverbeenapprenticed，toexpressthatopinion，\'returnedMr。Gradgrind，approvingly。
\'Ineverapprenticed？IwasapprenticedwhenIwassevenyearold。\'
\'Oh！Indeed？\'saidMr。Gradgrind，ratherresentfully，ashavingbeendefraudedofhisgoodopinion。\'Iwasnotawareofitsbeingthecustomtoapprenticeyoungpersonsto-\'
\'Idleness，\'Mr。Bounderbyputinwithaloudlaugh。\'No，bytheLordHarry！NorI！\'
\'Herfatheralwayshaditinhishead，\'resumedChilders，feigningunconsciousnessofMr。Bounderby\'sexistence，\'thatshewastobetaughtthedeuce-and-allofeducation。Howitgotintohishead，I
can\'tsay；Icanonlysaythatitnevergotout。Hehasbeenpickingupabitofreadingforher，here-andabitofwritingforher，there-andabitofcipheringforher，somewhereelse-
thesesevenyears。\'
Mr。E。W。B。Childerstookoneofhishandsoutofhispockets，strokedhisfaceandchin，andlooked，withagooddealofdoubtandalittlehope，atMr。Gradgrind。Fromthefirsthehadsoughttoconciliatethatgentleman，forthesakeofthedesertedgirl。
\'WhenSissygotintotheschoolhere，\'hepursued，\'herfatherwasaspleasedasPunch。Icouldn\'taltogethermakeoutwhy，myself，aswewerenotstationaryhere，beingbutcomersandgoersanywhere。Isuppose，however，hehadthismoveinhismind-hewasalwayshalf-cracked-andthenconsideredherprovidedfor。Ifyoushouldhappentohavelookedinto-night，forthepurposeoftellinghimthatyouweregoingtodoheranylittleservice，\'saidMr。Childers，strokinghisfaceagain，andrepeatinghislook，\'itwouldbeveryfortunateandwell-timed；veryfortunateandwell-
timed。\'
\'Onthecontrary，\'returnedMr。Gradgrind。\'Icametotellhimthatherconnectionsmadehernotanobjectfortheschool，andthatshemustnotattendanymore。Still，ifherfatherreallyhaslefther，withoutanyconnivanceonherpart-Bounderby，letmehaveawordwithyou。\'
Uponthis，Mr。Childerspolitelybetookhimself，withhisequestrianwalk，tothelandingoutsidethedoor，andtherestoodstrokinghisface，andsoftlywhistling。Whilethusengaged，heoverheardsuchphrasesinMr。Bounderby\'svoiceas\'No。Isayno。
Iadviseyounot。Isaybynomeans。\'While，fromMr。Gradgrind，heheardinhismuchlowertonethewords，\'ButevenasanexampletoLouisa，ofwhatthispursuitwhichhasbeenthesubjectofavulgarcuriosity，leadstoandendsin。Thinkofit，Bounderby，inthatpointofview。\'
Meanwhile，thevariousmembersofSleary\'scompanygraduallygatheredtogetherfromtheupperregions，wheretheywerequartered，and，fromstandingabout，talkinginlowvoicestooneanotherandtoMr。Childers，graduallyinsinuatedthemselvesandhimintotheroom。Thereweretwoorthreehandsomeyoungwomenamongthem，withtheirtwoorthreehusbands，andtheirtwoorthreemothers，andtheireightorninelittlechildren，whodidthefairybusinesswhenrequired。Thefatherofoneofthefamilieswasinthehabitofbalancingthefatherofanotherofthefamiliesonthetopofagreatpole；thefatherofathirdfamilyoftenmadeapyramidofboththosefathers，withMasterKidderminsterfortheapex，andhimselfforthebase；allthefatherscoulddanceuponrollingcasks，standuponbottles，catchknivesandballs，twirlhand-basins，rideuponanything，jumpovereverything，andstickatnothing。Allthemotherscould(anddid)dance，upontheslackwireandthetight-rope，andperformrapidactsonbare-backedsteeds；noneofthemwereatallparticularinrespectofshowingtheirlegs；andoneofthem，aloneinaGreekchariot，drovesixinhandintoeverytowntheycameto。Theyallassumedtobemightyrakishandknowing，theywerenotverytidyintheirprivatedresses，theywerenotatallorderlyintheirdomesticarrangements，andthecombinedliteratureofthewholecompanywouldhaveproducedbutapoorletteronanysubject。Yettherewasaremarkablegentlenessandchildishnessaboutthesepeople，aspecialinaptitudeforanykindofsharppractice，andanuntiringreadinesstohelpandpityoneanother，deservingoftenofasmuchrespect，andalwaysofasmuchgenerousconstruction，astheevery-
dayvirtuesofanyclassofpeopleintheworld。
LastofallappearedMr。Sleary:astoutmanasalreadymentioned，withonefixedeye，andonelooseeye，avoice(ifitcanbecalledso)liketheeffortsofabrokenoldpairofbellows，aflabbysurface，andamuddledheadwhichwasneversoberandneverdrunk。
\'Thquire！\'saidMr。Sleary，whowastroubledwithasthma，andwhosebreathcamefartoothickandheavyfortheletters，\'Yourthervant！Thithithabadpietheofbithnith，thithith。You\'veheardofmyClownandhithdogbeingthuppothedtohavemorrithed？\'
HeaddressedMr。Gradgrind，whoanswered\'Yes。\'
\'Well，Thquire，\'hereturned，takingoffhishat，andrubbingtheliningwithhispocket-handkerchief，whichhekeptinsideforthepurpose。\'Ithityourintenthiontodoanythingforthepoorgirl，Thquire？\'
\'Ishallhavesomethingtoproposetoherwhenshecomesback，\'
saidMr。Gradgrind。
\'Gladtohearit，Thquire。NotthatIwanttogetridofthechild，anymorethanIwanttothtandinherway。I\'mwillingtotakeherprentith，thoughatherageithlate。Myvoitheithalittlehuthky，Thquire，andnoteathyheardbythemathdon\'tknowme；butifyou\'dbeenchilledandheated，heatedandchilled，chilledandheatedintheringwhenyouwathyoung，athoftenathI
havebeen，yourvoithewouldn\'thavelathtedout，Thquire，nomorethanmine。\'
\'Idaresaynot，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。
\'Whatthallitbe，Thquire，whileyouwait？ThallitbeTherry？
Giveitaname，Thquire！\'saidMr。Sleary，withhospitableease。
\'Nothingforme，Ithankyou，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。
\'Don\'tthaynothing，Thquire。Whatdothyourfriendthay？Ifyouhaven\'ttookyourfeedyet，haveaglathofbitterth。\'
HerehisdaughterJosephine-aprettyfair-hairedgirlofeighteen，whohadbeentiedonahorseattwoyearsold，andhadmadeawillattwelve，whichshealwayscarriedaboutwithher，expressiveofherdyingdesiretobedrawntothegravebythetwopiebaldponies-cried，\'Father，hush！shehascomeback！\'ThencameSissyJupe，runningintotheroomasshehadrunoutofit。
Andwhenshesawthemallassembled，andsawtheirlooks，andsawnofatherthere，shebrokeintoamostdeplorablecry，andtookrefugeonthebosomofthemostaccomplishedtight-ropelady(herselfinthefamily-way)，whokneltdownonthefloortonurseher，andtoweepoverher。
\'Ithaninternalthame，uponmythoulitith，\'saidSleary。
\'Omydearfather，mygoodkindfather，whereareyougone？Youaregonetotrytodomesomegood，Iknow！Youaregoneawayformysake，Iamsure！Andhowmiserableandhelplessyouwillbewithoutme，poor，poorfather，untilyoucomeback！\'Itwassopathetictohearhersayingmanythingsofthiskind，withherfaceturnedupward，andherarmsstretchedoutasifsheweretryingtostophisdepartingshadowandembraceit，thatnoonespokeaworduntilMr。Bounderby(growingimpatient)tookthecaseinhand。
\'Now，goodpeopleall，\'saidhe，\'thisiswantonwasteoftime。
Letthegirlunderstandthefact。Lethertakeitfromme，ifyoulike，whohavebeenrunawayfrom，myself。Here，what\'syourname！
Yourfatherhasabsconded-desertedyou-andyoumustn\'texpecttoseehimagainaslongasyoulive。\'
TheycaredsolittleforplainFact，thesepeople，andwereinthatadvancedstateofdegeneracyonthesubject，thatinsteadofbeingimpressedbythespeaker\'sstrongcommonsense，theytookitinextraordinarydudgeon。Themenmuttered\'Shame！\'andthewomen\'Brute！\'andSleary，insomehaste，communicatedthefollowinghint，aparttoMr。Bounderby。
\'Itellyouwhat，Thquire。Tothpeakplaintoyou，myopinioniththatyouhadbettercutitthort，anddropit。They\'reaverygoodnatur\'dpeople，mypeople，butthey\'reaccuthtomedtobequickintheirmovementh；andifyoudon\'tactuponmyadvithe，I\'mdamnedifIdon\'tbelievethey\'llpithyououto\'winder。\'
Mr。Bounderbybeingrestrainedbythismildsuggestion，Mr。
Gradgrindfoundanopeningforhiseminentlypracticalexpositionofthesubject。
\'Itisofnomoment，\'saidhe，\'whetherthispersonistobeexpectedbackatanytime，orthecontrary。Heisgoneaway，andthereisnopresentexpectationofhisreturn。That，Ibelieve，isagreedonallhands。\'
\'Thathagreed，Thquire。Thicktothat！\'FromSleary。
\'Wellthen。I，whocameheretoinformthefatherofthepoorgirl，Jupe，thatshecouldnotbereceivedattheschoolanymore，inconsequenceoftherebeingpracticalobjections，intowhichI
neednotenter，tothereceptionthereofthechildrenofpersonssoemployed，ampreparedinthesealteredcircumstancestomakeaproposal。Iamwillingtotakechargeofyou，Jupe，andtoeducateyou，andprovideforyou。Theonlycondition(overandaboveyourgoodbehaviour)Imakeis，thatyoudecidenow，atonce，whethertoaccompanymeorremainhere。Also，thatifyouaccompanymenow，itisunderstoodthatyoucommunicatenomorewithanyofyourfriendswhoareherepresent。Theseobservationscomprisethewholeofthecase。\'
\'Atthethametime，\'saidSleary，\'Imuthtputinmyword，Thquire，thothatboththidesofthebannermaybeequallytheen。Ifyoulike，Thethilia，tobeprentitht，youknowthenaturoftheworkandyouknowyourcompanionth。EmmaGordon，inwhothelapyou\'realyingatprethent，wouldbeamothertoyou，andJoth\'phinewouldbeathithtertoyou。Idon\'tpretendtobeoftheangelbreedmyself，andIdon\'tthaybutwhat，whenyoumith\'dyourtip，you\'dfindmecutuprough，andthwearanoathortwoatyou。ButwhatI
thay，Thquire，ith，thatgoodtemperedorbadtempered，Ineverdidahortheainjuryyet，nomorethanthwearingathimwent，andthatIdon\'texpectIthallbeginotherwitheatmytimeoflife，witharider。IneverwathmuchofaCackler，Thquire，andIhavethedmythay。\'
ThelatterpartofthisspeechwasaddressedtoMr。Gradgrind，whoreceiveditwithagraveinclinationofhishead，andthenremarked:
\'TheonlyobservationIwillmaketoyou，Jupe，inthewayofinfluencingyourdecision，is，thatitishighlydesirabletohaveasoundpracticaleducation，andthatevenyourfatherhimself(fromwhatIunderstand)appears，onyourbehalf，tohaveknownandfeltthatmuch。\'
Thelastwordshadavisibleeffectuponher。Shestoppedinherwildcrying，alittledetachedherselffromEmmaGordon，andturnedherfacefulluponherpatron。Thewholecompanyperceivedtheforceofthechange，anddrewalongbreathtogether，thatplainlysaid，\'shewillgo！\'
\'Besureyouknowyourownmind，Jupe，\'Mr。Gradgrindcautionedher；\'Isaynomore。Besureyouknowyourownmind！\'
\'Whenfathercomesback，\'criedthegirl，burstingintotearsagainafteraminute\'ssilence，\'howwillheeverfindmeifIgoaway！\'
\'Youmaybequiteatease，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，calmly；heworkedoutthewholematterlikeasum:\'youmaybequiteatease，Jupe，onthatscore。Insuchacase，yourfather，Iapprehend，mustfindoutMr-\'
\'Thleary。Thathmyname，Thquire。Notathamedofit。KnownalloverEngland，andalwaythpaytheithway。\'
\'MustfindoutMr。Sleary，whowouldthenlethimknowwhereyouwent。Ishouldhavenopowerofkeepingyouagainsthiswish，andhewouldhavenodifficulty，atanytime，infindingMr。ThomasGradgrindofCoketown。Iamwellknown。\'
\'Wellknown，\'assentedMr。Sleary，rollinghislooseeye。\'You\'reoneofthethort，Thquire，thatkeepthaprethiouththightofmoneyoutofthehouthe。Butnevermindthatatprethent。\'
Therewasanothersilence；andthensheexclaimed，sobbingwithherhandsbeforeherface，\'Oh，givememyclothes，givememyclothes，andletmegoawaybeforeIbreakmyheart！\'
Thewomensadlybestirredthemselvestogettheclothestogether-
itwassoondone，fortheywerenotmany-andtopacktheminabasketwhichhadoftentravelledwiththem。Sissysatallthetimeupontheground，stillsobbing，andcoveringhereyes。Mr。
GradgrindandhisfriendBounderbystoodnearthedoor，readytotakeheraway。Mr。Slearystoodinthemiddleoftheroom，withthemalemembersofthecompanyabouthim，exactlyashewouldhavestoodinthecentreoftheringduringhisdaughterJosephine\'sperformance。Hewantednothingbuthiswhip。
Thebasketpackedinsilence，theybroughtherbonnettoher，andsmoothedherdisorderedhair，andputiton。Thentheypressedabouther，andbentoverherinverynaturalattitudes，kissingandembracingher:andbroughtthechildrentotakeleaveofher；andwereatender-hearted，simple，foolishsetofwomenaltogether。
\'Now，Jupe，\'saidMr。Gradgrind。\'Ifyouarequitedetermined，come！\'
Butshehadtotakeherfarewellofthemalepartofthecompanyyet，andeveryoneofthemhadtounfoldhisarms(fortheyallassumedtheprofessionalattitudewhentheyfoundthemselvesnearSleary)，andgiveherapartingkiss-MasterKidderminsterexcepted，inwhoseyoungnaturetherewasanoriginalflavourofthemisanthrope，whowasalsoknowntohaveharbouredmatrimonialviews，andwhomoodilywithdrew。Mr。Slearywasreserveduntilthelast。Openinghisarmswidehetookherbybothherhands，andwouldhavesprungherupanddown，aftertheriding-mastermannerofcongratulatingyoungladiesontheirdismountingfromarapidact；buttherewasnoreboundinSissy，andsheonlystoodbeforehimcrying。
\'Good-bye，mydear！\'saidSleary。\'You\'llmakeyourfortun，I
hope，andnoneofourpoorfolkthwillevertroubleyou，I\'llpoundit。Iwithyourfatherhadn\'ttakenhithdogwithhim；ithaill-
conwenienthtohavethedogoutofthebillth。Butonthecondthoughth，hewouldn\'thaveperformedwithouthithmathter，thoithathbroadathithlong！\'
Withthatheregardedherattentivelywithhisfixedeye，surveyedhiscompanywithhislooseone，kissedher，shookhishead，andhandedhertoMr。Gradgrindastoahorse。
\'Theretheith，Thquire，\'hesaid，sweepingherwithaprofessionalglanceasifshewerebeingadjustedinherseat，\'andthe\'lldoyoujuthtithe。Good-bye，Thethilia！\'
\'Good-bye，Cecilia！\'\'Good-bye，Sissy！\'\'Godblessyou，dear！\'
Inavarietyofvoicesfromalltheroom。
Buttheriding-mastereyehadobservedthebottleofthenineoilsinherbosom，andhenowinterposedwith\'Leavethebottle，mydear；ithlargetocarry；itwillbeofnouthetoyounow。Giveittome！\'
\'No，no！\'shesaid，inanotherburstoftears。\'Oh，no！Prayletmekeepitforfathertillhecomesback！Hewillwantitwhenhecomesback。Hehadneverthoughtofgoingaway，whenhesentmeforit。Imustkeepitforhim，ifyouplease！\'
\'Thobeit，mydear。(Youtheehowitith，Thquire！)Farewell，Thethilia！Mylathtwordthtoyouiththith，Thticktothetermthofyourengagement，beobedienttotheThquire，andforgetuth。
Butif，whenyou\'regrownupandmarriedandwelloff，youcomeuponanyhorthe-ridingever，don\'tbeharduponit，don\'tbecrothwithit，giveitaBethpeakifyoucan，andthinkyoumightdowurth。Peoplemuthtbeamuthed，Thquire，thomehow，\'continuedSleary，renderedmorepursythanever，bysomuchtalking；\'theycan\'tbealwaythaworking，noryettheycan\'tbealwaythalearning。Makethebethtofuth；notthewurtht。I\'vegotmylivingoutofthehorthe-ridingallmylife，Iknow；butI
conthiderthatIlaydownthephilothophyofthethubjectwhenI
thaytoyou，Thquire，makethebethtofuth:notthewurtht！\'
TheSlearyphilosophywaspropoundedastheywentdownstairsandthefixedeyeofPhilosophy-anditsrollingeye，too-soonlostthethreefiguresandthebasketinthedarknessofthestreet。
CHAPTERVII-MRS。SPARSIT
MR。BOUNDERBYbeingabachelor，anelderlyladypresidedoverhisestablishment，inconsiderationofacertainannualstipend。Mrs。
Sparsitwasthislady\'sname；andshewasaprominentfigureinattendanceonMr。Bounderby\'scar，asitrolledalongintriumphwiththeBullyofhumilityinside。
For，Mrs。Sparsithadnotonlyseendifferentdays，butwashighlyconnected。ShehadagreatauntlivingintheseverytimescalledLadyScadgers。Mr。Sparsit，deceased，ofwhomshewastherelict，hadbeenbythemother\'ssidewhatMrs。Sparsitstillcalled\'aPowler。\'StrangersoflimitedinformationanddullapprehensionweresometimesobservednottoknowwhataPowlerwas，andeventoappearuncertainwhetheritmightbeabusiness，orapoliticalparty，oraprofessionoffaith。Thebetterclassofminds，however，didnotneedtobeinformedthatthePowlerswereanancientstock，whocouldtracethemselvessoexceedinglyfarbackthatitwasnotsurprisingiftheysometimeslostthemselves-
whichtheyhadratherfrequentlydone，asrespectedhorse-flesh，blind-hookey，Hebrewmonetarytransactions，andtheInsolventDebtors\'Court。
ThelateMr。Sparsit，beingbythemother\'ssideaPowler，marriedthislady，beingbythefather\'ssideaScadgers。LadyScadgers(animmenselyfatoldwoman，withaninordinateappetiteforbutcher\'smeat，andamysteriouslegwhichhadnowrefusedtogetoutofbedforfourteenyears)contrivedthemarriage，ataperiodwhenSparsitwasjustofage，andchieflynoticeableforaslenderbody，weaklysupportedontwolongslimprops，andsurmountedbynoheadworthmentioning。Heinheritedafairfortunefromhisuncle，butoweditallbeforehecameintoit，andspentittwiceoverimmediatelyafterwards。Thus，whenhedied，attwenty-four(thesceneofhisdecease，Calais，andthecause，brandy)，hedidnotleavehiswidow，fromwhomhehadbeenseparatedsoonafterthehoneymoon，inaffluentcircumstances。Thatbereavedlady，fifteenyearsolderthanhe，fellpresentlyatdeadlyfeudwithheronlyrelative，LadyScadgers；and，partlytospiteherladyship，andpartlytomaintainherself，wentoutatasalary。Andhereshewasnow，inherelderlydays，withtheCoriolanianstyleofnoseandthedenseblackeyebrowswhichhadcaptivatedSparsit，makingMr。
Bounderby\'steaashetookhisbreakfast。
IfBounderbyhadbeenaConqueror，andMrs。SparsitacaptivePrincesswhomhetookaboutasafeatureinhisstate-processions，hecouldnothavemadeagreaterflourishwithherthanhehabituallydid。Justasitbelongedtohisboastfulnesstodepreciatehisownextraction，soitbelongedtoittoexaltMrs。
Sparsit\'s。Inthemeasurethathewouldnotallowhisownyouthtohavebeenattendedbyasinglefavourablecircumstance，hebrightenedMrs。Sparsit\'sjuvenilecareerwitheverypossibleadvantage，andshoweredwaggon-loadsofearlyrosesalloverthatlady\'spath。\'Andyet，sir，\'hewouldsay，\'howdoesitturnoutafterall？Whyheresheisatahundredayear(Igiveherahundred，whichsheispleasedtotermhandsome)，keepingthehouseofJosiahBounderbyofCoketown！\'
Nay，hemadethisfoilofhissoverywidelyknown，thatthirdpartiestookitup，andhandleditonsomeoccasionswithconsiderablebriskness。ItwasoneofthemostexasperatingattributesofBounderby，thathenotonlysanghisownpraisesbutstimulatedothermentosingthem。Therewasamoralinfectionofclap-trapinhim。Strangers，modestenoughelsewhere，startedupatdinnersinCoketown，andboasted，inquitearampantway，ofBounderby。TheymadehimouttobetheRoyalarms，theUnion-Jack，MagnaCharta，JohnBull，HabeasCorpus，theBillofRights，AnEnglishman\'shouseishiscastle，ChurchandState，andGodsavetheQueen，allputtogether。Andasoften(anditwasveryoften)
asanoratorofthiskindbroughtintohisperoration，\'Princesandlordsmayflourishormayfade，Abreathcanmakethem，asabreathhasmade，\'-
itwas，forcertain，moreorlessunderstoodamongthecompanythathehadheardofMrs。Sparsit。
\'Mr。Bounderby，\'saidMrs。Sparsit，\'youareunusuallyslow，sir，withyourbreakfastthismorning。\'
\'Why，ma\'am，\'hereturned，\'IamthinkingaboutTomGradgrind\'swhim；\'TomGradgrind，forabluffindependentmannerofspeaking-
asifsomebodywerealwaysendeavouringtobribehimwithimmensesumstosayThomas，andhewouldn\'t；\'TomGradgrind\'swhim，ma\'am，ofbringingupthetumbling-girl。\'
\'Thegirlisnowwaitingtoknow，\'saidMrs。Sparsit，\'whethersheistogostraighttotheschool，oruptotheLodge。\'
\'Shemustwait，ma\'am，\'answeredBounderby，\'tillIknowmyself。
WeshallhaveTomGradgrinddownherepresently，Isuppose。Ifheshouldwishhertoremainhereadayortwolonger，ofcourseshecan，ma\'am。\'
\'Ofcourseshecanifyouwishit，Mr。Bounderby。\'
\'ItoldhimIwouldgiveherashake-downhere，lastnight，inorderthathemightsleeponitbeforehedecidedtoletherhaveanyassociationwithLouisa。\'
\'Indeed，Mr。Bounderby？Verythoughtfulofyou！\'Mrs。Sparsit\'sCoriolaniannoseunderwentaslightexpansionofthenostrils，andherblackeyebrowscontractedasshetookasipoftea。
\'It\'stolerablycleartome，\'saidBounderby，\'thatthelittlepusscangetsmallgoodoutofsuchcompanionship。\'
\'AreyouspeakingofyoungMissGradgrind，Mr。Bounderby？\'
\'Yes，ma\'am，I\'mspeakingofLouisa。\'
\'Yourobservationbeinglimitedto"littlepuss，"\'saidMrs。
Sparsit，\'andtherebeingtwolittlegirlsinquestion，Ididnotknowwhichmightbeindicatedbythatexpression。\'
\'Louisa，\'repeatedMr。Bounderby。\'Louisa，Louisa。\'
\'YouarequiteanotherfathertoLouisa，sir。\'Mrs。Sparsittookalittlemoretea；and，asshebentheragaincontractedeyebrowsoverhersteamingcup，ratherlookedasifherclassicalcountenancewereinvokingtheinfernalgods。
\'IfyouhadsaidIwasanotherfathertoTom-youngTom，Imean，notmyfriendTomGradgrind-youmighthavebeennearerthemark。
IamgoingtotakeyoungTomintomyoffice。Goingtohavehimundermywing，ma\'am。\'
\'Indeed？Ratheryoungforthat，ishenot，sir？\'Mrs。Spirit\'s\'sir，\'inaddressingMr。Bounderby，wasawordofceremony，ratherexactingconsiderationforherselfintheuse，thanhonouringhim。
\'I\'mnotgoingtotakehimatonce；heistofinishhiseducationalcrammingbeforethen，\'saidBounderby。\'BytheLordHarry，he\'llhaveenoughofit，firstandlast！He\'dopenhiseyes，thatboywould，ifheknewhowemptyoflearningmyyoungmawwas，athistimeoflife。\'Which，bytheby，heprobablydidknow，forhehadheardofitoftenenough。\'Butit\'sextraordinarythedifficultyI
haveonscoresofsuchsubjects，inspeakingtoanyoneonequalterms。Here，forexample，Ihavebeenspeakingtoyouthismorningabouttumblers。Why，whatdoyouknowabouttumblers？Atthetimewhen，tohavebeenatumblerinthemudofthestreets，wouldhavebeenagodsendtome，aprizeinthelotterytome，youwereattheItalianOpera。YouwerecomingoutoftheItalianOpera，ma\'am，inwhitesatinandjewels，ablazeofsplendour，whenIhadn\'tapennytobuyalinktolightyou。\'
\'Icertainly，sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsit，withadignityserenelymournful，\'wasfamiliarwiththeItalianOperaataveryearlyage。\'
\'Egad，ma\'am，sowasI，\'saidBounderby，\'-withthewrongsideofit。AhardbedthepavementofitsArcadeusedtomake，Iassureyou。Peoplelikeyou，ma\'am，accustomedfrominfancytolieonDownfeathers，havenoideahowhardapaving-stoneis，withouttryingit。No，no，it\'sofnousemytalkingtoyouabouttumblers。Ishouldspeakofforeigndancers，andtheWestEndofLondon，andMayFair，andlordsandladiesandhonourables。\'
\'Itrust，sir，\'rejoinedMrs。Sparsit，withdecentresignation，\'itisnotnecessarythatyoushoulddoanythingofthatkind。IhopeIhavelearnthowtoaccommodatemyselftothechangesoflife。IfIhaveacquiredaninterestinhearingofyourinstructiveexperiences，andcanscarcelyhearenoughofthem，Iclaimnomeritforthat，sinceIbelieveitisageneralsentiment。\'
\'Well，ma\'am，\'saidherpatron，\'perhapssomepeoplemaybepleasedtosaythattheydoliketohear，inhisownunpolishedway，whatJosiahBounderby，ofCoketown，hasgonethrough。Butyoumustconfessthatyouwereborninthelapofluxury，yourself。Come，ma\'am，youknowyouwereborninthelapofluxury。\'
\'Idonot，sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsitwithashakeofherhead，\'denyit。\'
Mr。Bounderbywasobligedtogetupfromtable，andstandwithhisbacktothefire，lookingather；shewassuchanenhancementofhisposition。
\'Andyouwereincracksociety。Devilishhighsociety，\'hesaid，warminghislegs。
\'Itistrue，sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsit，withanaffectationofhumilitytheveryoppositeofhis，andthereforeinnodangerofjostlingit。
\'Youwereinthetiptopfashion，andalltherestofit，\'saidMr。
Bounderby。
\'Yes，sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsit，withakindofsocialwidowhooduponher。\'Itisunquestionablytrue。\'
Mr。Bounderby，bendinghimselfattheknees，literallyembracedhislegsinhisgreatsatisfactionandlaughedaloud。Mr。andMissGradgrindbeingthenannounced，hereceivedtheformerwithashakeofthehand，andthelatterwithakiss。
\'CanJupebesenthere，Bounderby？\'askedMr。Gradgrind。
Certainly。SoJupewassentthere。Oncomingin，shecurtseyedtoMr。Bounderby，andtohisfriendTomGradgrind，andalsotoLouisa；
butinherconfusionunluckilyomittedMrs。Sparsit。Observingthis，theblustrousBounderbyhadthefollowingremarkstomake:
\'Now，Itellyouwhat，mygirl。Thenameofthatladybytheteapot，isMrs。Sparsit。Thatladyactsasmistressofthishouse，andsheisahighlyconnectedlady。Consequently，ifeveryoucomeagainintoanyroominthishouse，youwillmakeashortstayinitifyoudon\'tbehavetowardsthatladyinyourmostrespectfulmanner。Now，Idon\'tcareabuttonwhatyoudotome，becauseI
don\'taffecttobeanybody。SofarfromhavinghighconnectionsI
havenoconnectionsatall，andIcomeofthescumoftheearth。
Buttowardsthatlady，Idocarewhatyoudo；andyoushalldowhatisdeferentialandrespectful，oryoushallnotcomehere。\'
\'Ihope，Bounderby，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，inaconciliatoryvoice，\'thatthiswasmerelyanoversight。\'
\'MyfriendTomGradgrindsuggests，Mrs。Sparsit，\'saidBounderby，\'thatthiswasmerelyanoversight。Verylikely。However，asyouareaware，ma\'am，Idon\'tallowofevenoversightstowardsyou。\'
\'Youareverygoodindeed，sir，\'returnedMrs。Sparsit，shakingherheadwithherStatehumility。\'Itisnotworthspeakingof。\'
Sissy，whoallthistimehadbeenfaintlyexcusingherselfwithtearsinhereyes，wasnowwavedoverbythemasterofthehousetoMr。Gradgrind。Shestoodlookingintentlyathim，andLouisastoodcoldlyby，withhereyesupontheground，whileheproceededthus:
\'Jupe，Ihavemadeupmymindtotakeyouintomyhouse；and，whenyouarenotinattendanceattheschool，toemployyouaboutMrs。
Gradgrind，whoisratheraninvalid。IhaveexplainedtoMissLouisa-thisisMissLouisa-themiserablebutnaturalendofyourlatecareer；andyouaretoexpresslyunderstandthatthewholeofthatsubjectispast，andisnottobereferredtoanymore。Fromthistimeyoubeginyourhistory。Youare，atpresent，ignorant，Iknow。\'
\'Yes，sir，very，\'sheanswered，curtseying。
\'Ishallhavethesatisfactionofcausingyoutobestrictlyeducated；andyouwillbealivingprooftoallwhocomeintocommunicationwithyou，oftheadvantagesofthetrainingyouwillreceive。Youwillbereclaimedandformed。Youhavebeeninthehabitnowofreadingtoyourfather，andthosepeopleIfoundyouamong，Idaresay？\'saidMr。Gradgrind，beckoninghernearertohimbeforehesaidso，anddroppinghisvoice。
\'OnlytofatherandMerrylegs，sir。AtleastImeantofather，whenMerrylegswasalwaysthere。\'
\'NevermindMerrylegs，Jupe，\'saidMr。Gradgrind，withapassingfrown。\'Idon\'taskabouthim。Iunderstandyoutohavebeeninthehabitofreadingtoyourfather？\'
\'O，yes，sir，thousandsoftimes。Theywerethehappiest-O，ofallthehappytimeswehadtogether，sir！\'
Itwasonlynowwhenhersorrowbrokeout，thatLouisalookedather。
\'Andwhat，\'askedMr。Gradgrind，inastilllowervoice，\'didyoureadtoyourfather，Jupe？\'
\'AbouttheFairies，sir，andtheDwarf，andtheHunchback，andtheGenies，\'shesobbedout；\'andabout-\'
\'Hush！\'saidMr。Gradgrind，\'thatisenough。Neverbreatheawordofsuchdestructivenonsenseanymore。Bounderby，thisisacaseforrigidtraining，andIshallobserveitwithinterest。\'
\'Well，\'returnedMr。Bounderby，\'Ihavegivenyoumyopinionalready，andIshouldn\'tdoasyoudo。But，verywell，verywell。
Sinceyouarebentuponit，verywell！\'
So，Mr。GradgrindandhisdaughtertookCeciliaJupeoffwiththemtoStoneLodge，andonthewayLouisaneverspokeoneword，goodorbad。AndMr。Bounderbywentabouthisdailypursuits。AndMrs。
Sparsitgotbehindhereyebrowsandmeditatedinthegloomofthatretreat，alltheevening。
CHAPTERVIII-NEVERWONDER
LETusstrikethekey-noteagain，beforepursuingthetune。
Whenshewashalfadozenyearsyounger，Louisahadbeenoverheardtobeginaconversationwithherbrotheroneday，bysaying\'Tom，I
wonder\'-uponwhichMr。Gradgrind，whowasthepersonoverhearing，steppedforthintothelightandsaid，\'Louisa，neverwonder！\'
Hereinlaythespringofthemechanicalartandmysteryofeducatingthereasonwithoutstoopingtothecultivationofthesentimentsandaffections。Neverwonder。Bymeansofaddition，subtraction，multiplication，anddivision，settleeverythingsomehow，andneverwonder。Bringtome，saysM\'Choakumchild，yonderbabyjustabletowalk，andIwillengagethatitshallneverwonder。
Now，besidesverymanybabiesjustabletowalk，therehappenedtobeinCoketownaconsiderablepopulationofbabieswhohadbeenwalkingagainsttimetowardstheinfiniteworld，twenty，thirty，forty，fiftyyearsandmore。Theseportentousinfantsbeingalarmingcreaturestostalkaboutinanyhumansociety，theeighteendenominationsincessantlyscratchedoneanother\'sfacesandpulledoneanother\'shairbywayofagreeingonthestepstobetakenfortheirimprovement-whichtheyneverdid；asurprisingcircumstance，whenthehappyadaptationofthemeanstotheendisconsidered。Still，althoughtheydifferedineveryotherparticular，conceivableandinconceivable(especiallyinconceivable)，theywereprettywellunitedonthepointthattheseunluckyinfantswerenevertowonder。Bodynumberone，saidtheymusttakeeverythingontrust。Bodynumbertwo，saidtheymusttakeeverythingonpoliticaleconomy。Bodynumberthree，wroteleadenlittlebooksforthem，showinghowthegoodgrown-upbabyinvariablygottotheSavings-bank，andthebadgrown-upbabyinvariablygottransported。Bodynumberfour，underdrearypretencesofbeingdroll(whenitwasverymelancholyindeed)，madetheshallowestpretencesofconcealingpitfallsofknowledge，intowhichitwasthedutyofthesebabiestobesmuggledandinveigled。
But，allthebodiesagreedthattheywerenevertowonder。
TherewasalibraryinCoketown，towhichgeneralaccesswaseasy。
Mr。Gradgrindgreatlytormentedhismindaboutwhatthepeoplereadinthislibrary:apointwhereonlittleriversoftabularstatementsperiodicallyflowedintothehowlingoceanoftabularstatements，whichnodiverevergottoanydepthinandcameupsane。Itwasadishearteningcircumstance，butamelancholyfact，thateventhesereaderspersistedinwondering。Theywonderedabouthumannature，humanpassions，humanhopesandfears，thestruggles，triumphsanddefeats，thecaresandjoysandsorrows，thelivesanddeathsofcommonmenandwomen！Theysometimes，afterfifteenhours\'work，satdowntoreadmerefablesaboutmenandwomen，moreorlesslikethemselves，andaboutchildren，moreorlessliketheirown。TheytookDeFoetotheirbosoms，insteadofEuclid，andseemedtobeonthewholemorecomfortedbyGoldsmiththanbyCocker。Mr。Gradgrindwasforeverworking，inprintandoutofprint，atthiseccentricsum，andhenevercouldmakeouthowityieldedthisunaccountableproduct。
\'Iamsickofmylife，Loo。I，hateitaltogether，andIhateeverybodyexceptyou，\'saidtheunnaturalyoungThomasGradgrindinthehair-cuttingchamberattwilight。
\'Youdon\'thateSissy，Tom？\'
\'IhatetobeobligedtocallherJupe。Andshehatesme，\'saidTom，moodily。
\'No，shedoesnot，Tom，Iamsure！\'
\'Shemust，\'saidTom。\'Shemustjusthateanddetestthewholeset-outofus。They\'llbotherherheadoff，Ithink，beforetheyhavedonewithher。Alreadyshe\'sgettingaspaleaswax，andasheavyas-Iam。\'
YoungThomasexpressedthesesentimentssittingastrideofachairbeforethefire，withhisarmsontheback，andhissulkyfaceonhisarms。Hissistersatinthedarkercornerbythefireside，nowlookingathim，nowlookingatthebrightsparksastheydroppeduponthehearth。
\'Astome，\'saidTom，tumblinghishairallmannerofwayswithhissulkyhands，\'IamaDonkey，that\'swhatIam。Iamasobstinateasone，Iammorestupidthanone，Igetasmuchpleasureasone，andIshouldliketokicklikeone。\'
\'Notme，Ihope，Tom？\'
\'No，Loo；Iwouldn\'thurtyou。Imadeanexceptionofyouatfirst。Idon\'tknowwhatthis-jollyold-JaundicedJail，\'Tomhadpausedtofindasufficientlycomplimentaryandexpressivenamefortheparentalroof，andseemedtorelievehismindforamomentbythestrongalliterationofthisone，\'wouldbewithoutyou。\'
\'Indeed，Tom？Doyoureallyandtrulysayso？\'
\'Why，ofcourseIdo。What\'stheuseoftalkingaboutit！\'
returnedTom，chafinghisfaceonhiscoat-sleeve，asiftomortifyhisflesh，andhaveitinunisonwithhisspirit。
\'Because，Tom，\'saidhissister，aftersilentlywatchingthesparksawhile，\'asIgetolder，andnearergrowingup，Ioftensitwonderinghere，andthinkhowunfortunateitisformethatIcan\'treconcileyoutohomebetterthanIamabletodo。Idon\'tknowwhatothergirlsknow。Ican\'tplaytoyou，orsingtoyou。I
can\'ttalktoyousoastolightenyourmind，forIneverseeanyamusingsightsorreadanyamusingbooksthatitwouldbeapleasureorarelieftoyoutotalkabout，whenyouaretired。\'
\'Well，nomoredoI。Iamasbadasyouinthatrespect；andIamaMuletoo，whichyou\'renot。IffatherwasdeterminedtomakemeeitheraPrigoraMule，andIamnotaPrig，why，itstandstoreason，ImustbeaMule。AndsoIam，\'saidTom，desperately。
\'It\'sagreatpity，\'saidLouisa，afteranotherpause，andspeakingthoughtfullyoutofherdarkcorner:\'it\'sagreatpity，Tom。
It\'sveryunfortunateforbothofus。\'
\'Oh！You，\'saidTom；\'youareagirl，Loo，andagirlcomesoutofitbetterthanaboydoes。Idon\'tmissanythinginyou。YouaretheonlypleasureIhave-youcanbrighteneventhisplace-andyoucanalwaysleadmeasyoulike。\'
\'Youareadearbrother，Tom；andwhileyouthinkIcandosuchthings，Idon\'tsomuchmindknowingbetter。ThoughIdoknowbetter，Tom，andamverysorryforit。\'Shecameandkissedhim，andwentbackintohercorneragain。
\'IwishIcouldcollectalltheFactswehearsomuchabout，\'saidTom，spitefullysettinghisteeth，\'andalltheFigures，andallthepeoplewhofoundthemout:andIwishIcouldputathousandbarrelsofgunpowderunderthem，andblowthemalluptogether！
However，whenIgotolivewitholdBounderby，I\'llhavemyrevenge。\'
\'Yourrevenge，Tom？\'
\'Imean，I\'llenjoymyselfalittle，andgoaboutandseesomething，andhearsomething。I\'llrecompensemyselfforthewayinwhichIhavebeenbroughtup。\'
\'Butdon\'tdisappointyourselfbeforehand，Tom。Mr。Bounderbythinksasfatherthinks，andisagreatdealrougher，andnothalfsokind。\'
\'Oh！\'saidTom，laughing；\'Idon\'tmindthat。IshallverywellknowhowtomanageandsmootholdBounderby！\'
Theirshadowsweredefineduponthewall，butthoseofthehighpressesintheroomwereallblendedtogetheronthewallandontheceiling，asifthebrotherandsisterwereoverhungbyadarkcavern。Or，afancifulimagination-ifsuchtreasoncouldhavebeenthere-mighthavemadeitouttobetheshadowoftheirsubject，andofitsloweringassociationwiththeirfuture。
\'Whatisyourgreatmodeofsmoothingandmanaging，Tom？Isitasecret？\'
\'Oh！\'saidTom，\'ifitisasecret，it\'snotfaroff。It\'syou。
Youarehislittlepet，youarehisfavourite；he\'lldoanythingforyou。WhenhesaystomewhatIdon\'tlike，Ishallsaytohim，"MysisterLoowillbehurtanddisappointed，Mr。Bounderby。Shealwaysusedtotellmeshewassureyouwouldbeeasierwithmethanthis。"That\'llbringhimabout，ornothingwill。\'
Afterwaitingforsomeansweringremark，andgettingnone，Tomwearilyrelapsedintothepresenttime，andtwinedhimselfyawningroundandabouttherailsofhischair，andrumpledhisheadmoreandmore，untilhesuddenlylookedup，andasked:
\'Haveyougonetosleep，Loo？\'
\'No，Tom。Iamlookingatthefire。\'
\'YouseemtofindmoretolookatinitthaneverIcouldfind，\'
saidTom。\'Anotheroftheadvantages，Isuppose，ofbeingagirl。\'
\'Tom，\'enquiredhissister，slowly，andinacurioustone，asifshewerereadingwhatsheaskedinthefire，anditwasnotquiteplainlywrittenthere，\'doyoulookforwardwithanysatisfactiontothischangetoMr。Bounderby\'s？\'
\'Why，there\'sonethingtobesaidofit，\'returnedTom，pushinghischairfromhim，andstandingup；\'itwillbegettingawayfromhome。\'
\'Thereisonethingtobesaidofit，\'Louisarepeatedinherformercurioustone；\'itwillbegettingawayfromhome。Yes。\'
\'NotbutwhatIshallbeveryunwilling，bothtoleaveyou，Loo，andtoleaveyouhere。ButImustgo，youknow，whetherIlikeitornot；andIhadbettergowhereIcantakewithmesomeadvantageofyourinfluence，thanwhereIshouldloseitaltogether。Don\'tyousee？\'
\'Yes，Tom。\'
Theanswerwassolongincoming，thoughtherewasnoindecisioninit，thatTomwentandleanedonthebackofherchair，tocontemplatethefirewhichsoengrossedher，fromherpointofview，andseewhathecouldmakeofit。
\'Exceptthatitisafire，\'saidTom，\'itlookstomeasstupidandblankaseverythingelselooks。Whatdoyouseeinit？Notacircus？\'
\'Idon\'tseeanythinginit，Tom，particularly。ButsinceIhavebeenlookingatit，Ihavebeenwonderingaboutyouandme，grownup。\'
\'Wonderingagain！\'saidTom。
\'Ihavesuchunmanageablethoughts，\'returnedhissister，\'thattheywillwonder。\'
\'ThenIbegofyou，Louisa，\'saidMrs。Gradgrind，whohadopenedthedoorwithoutbeingheard，\'todonothingofthatdescription，forgoodness\'sake，youinconsiderategirl，orIshallneverhearthelastofitfromyourfather。And，Thomas，itisreallyshameful，withmypoorheadcontinuallywearingmeout，thataboybroughtupasyouhavebeen，andwhoseeducationhascostwhatyourshas，shouldbefoundencouraginghissistertowonder，whenheknowshisfatherhasexpresslysaidthatsheisnottodoit。\'
LouisadeniedTom\'sparticipationintheoffence；buthermotherstoppedherwiththeconclusiveanswer，\'Louisa，don\'ttellme，inmystateofhealth；forunlessyouhadbeenencouraged，itismorallyandphysicallyimpossiblethatyoucouldhavedoneit。\'
\'Iwasencouragedbynothing，mother，butbylookingattheredsparksdroppingoutofthefire，andwhiteninganddying。Itmademethink，afterall，howshortmylifewouldbe，andhowlittleI
couldhopetodoinit。\'
\'Nonsense！\'saidMrs。Gradgrind，renderedalmostenergetic。
\'Nonsense！Don\'tstandthereandtellmesuchstuff，Louisa，tomyface，whenyouknowverywellthatifitwasevertoreachyourfather\'searsIshouldneverhearthelastofit。Afterallthetroublethathasbeentakenwithyou！Afterthelecturesyouhaveattended，andtheexperimentsyouhaveseen！AfterIhaveheardyoumyself，whenthewholeofmyrightsidehasbeenbenumbed，goingonwithyourmasteraboutcombustion，andcalcination，andcalorification，andImaysayeverykindofationthatcoulddriveapoorinvaliddistracted，tohearyoutalkinginthisabsurdwayaboutsparksandashes！Iwish，\'whimperedMrs。Gradgrind，takingachair，anddischargingherstrongestpointbeforesuccumbingunderthesemereshadowsoffacts，\'yes，IreallydowishthatI
hadneverhadafamily，andthenyouwouldhaveknownwhatitwastodowithoutme！\'
CHAPTERIX-SISSY\'SPROGRESS
SISSYJUPEhadnotaneasytimeofit，betweenMr。M\'ChoakumchildandMrs。Gradgrind，andwasnotwithoutstrongimpulses，inthefirstmonthsofherprobation，torunaway。Ithailedfactsalldaylongsoveryhard，andlifeingeneralwasopenedtoherassuchacloselyruledciphering-book，thatassuredlyshewouldhaverunaway，butforonlyonerestraint。
Itislamentabletothinkof；butthisrestraintwastheresultofnoarithmeticalprocess，wasself-imposedindefianceofallcalculation，andwentdeadagainstanytableofprobabilitiesthatanyActuarywouldhavedrawnupfromthepremises。Thegirlbelievedthatherfatherhadnotdesertedher；shelivedinthehopethathewouldcomeback，andinthefaiththathewouldbemadethehappierbyherremainingwhereshewas。
ThewretchedignorancewithwhichJupeclungtothisconsolation，rejectingthesuperiorcomfortofknowing，onasoundarithmeticalbasis，thatherfatherwasanunnaturalvagabond，filledMr。
Gradgrindwithpity。Yet，whatwastobedone？M\'Choakumchildreportedthatshehadaverydenseheadforfigures；that，oncepossessedwithageneralideaoftheglobe，shetookthesmallestconceivableinterestinitsexactmeasurements；thatshewasextremelyslowintheacquisitionofdates，unlesssomepitifulincidenthappenedtobeconnectedtherewith；thatshewouldburstintotearsonbeingrequired(bythementalprocess)immediatelytonamethecostoftwohundredandforty-sevenmuslincapsatfourteen-pencehalfpenny；thatshewasaslowdown，intheschool，aslowcouldbe；thataftereightweeksofinductionintotheelementsofPoliticalEconomy，shehadonlyyesterdaybeensetrightbyaprattlerthreefeethigh，forreturningtothequestion，\'Whatisthefirstprincipleofthisscience？\'theabsurdanswer，\'TodountoothersasIwouldthattheyshoulddountome。\'
Mr。Gradgrindobserved，shakinghishead，thatallthiswasverybad；thatitshowedthenecessityofinfinitegrindingatthemillofknowledge，aspersystem，schedule，bluebook，report，andtabularstatementsAtoZ；andthatJupe\'mustbekepttoit。\'SoJupewaskepttoit，andbecamelow-spirited，butnowiser。
\'Itwouldbeafinethingtobeyou，MissLouisa！\'shesaid，onenight，whenLouisahadendeavouredtomakeherperplexitiesfornextdaysomethingclearertoher。
\'Doyouthinkso？\'
\'Ishouldknowsomuch，MissLouisa。Allthatisdifficulttomenow，wouldbesoeasythen。\'
\'Youmightnotbethebetterforit，Sissy。\'
Sissysubmitted，afteralittlehesitation，\'Ishouldnotbetheworse，MissLouisa。\'TowhichMissLouisaanswered，\'Idon\'tknowthat。\'
Therehadbeensolittlecommunicationbetweenthesetwo-bothbecauselifeatStoneLodgewentmonotonouslyroundlikeapieceofmachinerywhichdiscouragedhumaninterference，andbecauseoftheprohibitionrelativetoSissy\'spastcareer-thattheywerestillalmoststrangers。Sissy，withherdarkeyeswonderinglydirectedtoLouisa\'sface，wasuncertainwhethertosaymoreortoremainsilent。
\'Youaremoreusefultomymother，andmorepleasantwithherthanIcaneverbe，\'Louisaresumed。\'Youarepleasantertoyourself，thanIamtomyself。\'
\'But，ifyouplease，MissLouisa，\'Sissypleaded，\'Iam-Osostupid！\'
Louisa，withabrighterlaughthanusual，toldhershewouldbewiserby-and-by。
\'Youdon\'tknow，\'saidSissy，halfcrying，\'whatastupidgirlI
am。AllthroughschoolhoursImakemistakes。Mr。andMrs。
M\'Choakumchildcallmeup，overandoveragain，regularlytomakemistakes。Ican\'thelpthem。Theyseemtocomenaturaltome。\'
\'Mr。andMrs。M\'Choakumchildnevermakeanymistakesthemselves，I
suppose，Sissy？\'
\'Ono！\'sheeagerlyreturned。\'Theyknoweverything。\'
\'Tellmesomeofyourmistakes。\'
\'Iamalmostashamed，\'saidSissy，withreluctance。\'Butto-day，forinstance，Mr。M\'ChoakumchildwasexplainingtousaboutNaturalProsperity。\'
\'National，Ithinkitmusthavebeen，\'observedLouisa。
\'Yes，itwas-Butisn\'titthesame？\'shetimidlyasked。
\'Youhadbettersay，National，ashesaidso，\'returnedLouisa，withherdryreserve。
\'NationalProsperity。Andhesaid，Now，thisschoolroomisaNation。Andinthisnation，therearefiftymillionsofmoney。
Isn\'tthisaprosperousnation？Girlnumbertwenty，isn\'tthisaprosperousnation，anda\'n\'tyouinathrivingstate？\'
\'Whatdidyousay？\'askedLouisa。
\'MissLouisa，IsaidIdidn\'tknow。IthoughtIcouldn\'tknowwhetheritwasaprosperousnationornot，andwhetherIwasinathrivingstateornot，unlessIknewwhohadgotthemoney，andwhetheranyofitwasmine。Butthathadnothingtodowithit。
Itwasnotinthefiguresatall，\'saidSissy，wipinghereyes。
\'Thatwasagreatmistakeofyours，\'observedLouisa。
\'Yes，MissLouisa，Iknowitwas，now。ThenMr。M\'Choakumchildsaidhewouldtrymeagain。Andhesaid，Thisschoolroomisanimmensetown，andinitthereareamillionofinhabitants，andonlyfive-and-twentyarestarvedtodeathinthestreets，inthecourseofayear。Whatisyourremarkonthatproportion？Andmyremarkwas-forIcouldn\'tthinkofabetterone-thatIthoughtitmustbejustasharduponthosewhowerestarved，whethertheotherswereamillion，oramillionmillion。Andthatwaswrong，too。\'
\'Ofcourseitwas。\'
\'ThenMr。M\'Choakumchildsaidhewouldtrymeoncemore。Andhesaid，Herearethestutterings-\'
\'Statistics，\'saidLouisa。
\'Yes，MissLouisa-theyalwaysremindmeofstutterings，andthat\'sanotherofmymistakes-ofaccidentsuponthesea。AndI
find(Mr。M\'Choakumchildsaid)thatinagiventimeahundredthousandpersonswenttoseaonlongvoyages，andonlyfivehundredofthemweredrownedorburnttodeath。Whatisthepercentage？
AndIsaid，Miss；\'hereSissyfairlysobbedasconfessingwithextremecontritiontohergreatesterror；\'Isaiditwasnothing。\'
\'Nothing，Sissy？\'
\'Nothing，Miss-totherelationsandfriendsofthepeoplewhowerekilled。Ishallneverlearn，\'saidSissy。\'Andtheworstofallis，thatalthoughmypoorfatherwishedmesomuchtolearn，andalthoughIamsoanxioustolearn，becausehewishedmeto，I
amafraidIdon\'tlikeit。\'
Louisastoodlookingattheprettymodesthead，asitdroopedabashedbeforeher，untilitwasraisedagaintoglanceatherface。Thensheasked:
\'Didyourfatherknowsomuchhimself，thathewishedyoutobewelltaughttoo，Sissy？\'
Sissyhesitatedbeforereplying，andsoplainlyshowedhersensethattheywereenteringonforbiddenground，thatLouisaadded，\'Noonehearsus；andifanyonedid，Iamsurenoharmcouldbefoundinsuchaninnocentquestion。\'
\'No，MissLouisa，\'answeredSissy，uponthisencouragement，shakingherhead；\'fatherknowsverylittleindeed。It\'sasmuchashecandotowrite；andit\'smorethanpeopleingeneralcandotoreadhiswriting。Thoughit\'splaintome。\'
\'Yourmother！\'
\'Fathersaysshewasquiteascholar。ShediedwhenIwasborn。
Shewas；\'Sissymadetheterriblecommunicationnervously；\'shewasadancer。\'
\'Didyourfatherloveher？\'Louisaaskedthesequestionswithastrong，wild，wanderinginterestpeculiartoher；aninterestgoneastraylikeabanishedcreature，andhidinginsolitaryplaces。
\'Oyes！Asdearlyashelovesme。Fatherlovedme，first，forhersake。HecarriedmeaboutwithhimwhenIwasquiteababy。Wehaveneverbeenasunderfromthattime。\'
\'Yetheleavesyounow，Sissy？\'
\'Onlyformygood。NobodyunderstandshimasIdo；nobodyknowshimasIdo。Whenheleftmeformygood-heneverwouldhaveleftmeforhisown-Iknowhewasalmostbroken-heartedwiththetrial。Hewillnotbehappyforasingleminute，tillhecomesback。\'
\'Tellmemoreabouthim，\'saidLouisa，\'Iwillneveraskyouagain。
Wheredidyoulive？\'
\'Wetravelledaboutthecountry，andhadnofixedplacetolivein。
Father\'sa；\'Sissywhisperedtheawfulword，\'aclown。\'
\'Tomakethepeoplelaugh？\'saidLouisa，withanodofintelligence。
\'Yes。Buttheywouldn\'tlaughsometimes，andthenfathercried。
Lately，theyveryoftenwouldn\'tlaugh，andheusedtocomehomedespairing。Father\'snotlikemost。Thosewhodidn\'tknowhimaswellasIdo，anddidn\'tlovehimasdearlyasIdo，mightbelievehewasnotquiteright。Sometimestheyplayedtricksuponhim；buttheyneverknewhowhefeltthem，andshrunkup，whenhewasalonewithme。Hewasfar，fartimiderthantheythought！\'
\'Andyouwerehiscomfortthrougheverything？\'
Shenodded，withthetearsrollingdownherface。\'Ihopeso，andfathersaidIwas。Itwasbecausehegrewsoscaredandtrembling，andbecausehefelthimselftobeapoor，weak，ignorant，helplessman(thoseusedtobehiswords)，thathewantedmesomuchtoknowagreatdeal，andbedifferentfromhim。Iusedtoreadtohimtocheerhiscourage，andhewasveryfondofthat。Theywerewrongbooks-Iamnevertospeakofthemhere-butwedidn\'tknowtherewasanyharminthem。\'
\'Andhelikedthem？\'saidLouisa，withasearchinggazeonSissyallthistime。
\'Overymuch！Theykepthim，manytimes，fromwhatdidhimrealharm。Andoftenandoftenofanight，heusedtoforgetallhistroublesinwonderingwhethertheSultanwouldlettheladygoonwiththestory，orwouldhaveherheadcutoffbeforeitwasfinished。\'
\'Andyourfatherwasalwayskind？Tothelast？\'askedLouisacontraveningthegreatprinciple，andwonderingverymuch。
\'Always，always！\'returnedSissy，claspingherhands。\'KinderandkinderthanIcantell。Hewasangryonlyonenight，andthatwasnottome，butMerrylegs。Merrylegs；\'shewhisperedtheawfulfact；\'ishisperformingdog。\'
\'Whywasheangrywiththedog？\'Louisademanded。
\'Father，soonaftertheycamehomefromperforming，toldMerrylegstojumpuponthebacksofthetwochairsandstandacrossthem-
whichisoneofhistricks。Helookedatfather，anddidn\'tdoitatonce。Everythingoffather\'shadgonewrongthatnight，andhehadn\'tpleasedthepublicatall。Hecriedoutthattheverydogknewhewasfailing，andhadnocompassiononhim。Thenhebeatthedog，andIwasfrightened，andsaid，"Father，father！Praydon\'thurtthecreaturewhoissofondofyou！OHeavenforgiveyou，father，stop！"Andhestopped，andthedogwasbloody，andfatherlaydowncryingonthefloorwiththedoginhisarms，andthedoglickedhisface。\'
Louisasawthatshewassobbing；andgoingtoher，kissedher，tookherhand，andsatdownbesideher。
\'Finishbytellingmehowyourfatherleftyou，Sissy。NowthatI
haveaskedyousomuch，tellmetheend。Theblame，ifthereisanyblame，ismine，notyours。\'
\'DearMissLouisa，\'saidSissy，coveringhereyes，andsobbingyet；
\'Icamehomefromtheschoolthatafternoon，andfoundpoorfatherjustcomehometoo，fromthebooth。Andhesatrockinghimselfoverthefire，asifhewasinpain。AndIsaid，"Haveyouhurtyourself，father？"(ashedidsometimes，liketheyalldid)，andhesaid，"Alittle，mydarling。"AndwhenIcametostoopdownandlookupathisface，Isawthathewascrying。ThemoreIspoketohim，themorehehidhisface；andatfirstheshookallover，andsaidnothingbut"Mydarling；"and"Mylove！"\'
HereTomcameloungingin，andstaredatthetwowithacoolnessnotparticularlysavouringofinterestinanythingbuthimself，andnotmuchofthatatpresent。
\'IamaskingSissyafewquestions，Tom，\'observedhissister。
\'Youhavenooccasiontogoaway；butdon\'tinterruptusforamoment，Tomdear。\'
\'Oh！verywell！\'returnedTom。\'OnlyfatherhasbroughtoldBounderbyhome，andIwantyoutocomeintothedrawing-room。
Becauseifyoucome，there\'sagoodchanceofoldBounderby\'saskingmetodinner；andifyoudon\'t，there\'snone。\'
\'I\'llcomedirectly。\'
\'I\'llwaitforyou，\'saidTom，\'tomakesure。\'
Sissyresumedinalowervoice。\'Atlastpoorfathersaidthathehadgivennosatisfactionagain，andneverdidgiveanysatisfactionnow，andthathewasashameanddisgrace，andI
shouldhavedonebetterwithouthimallalong。Isaidalltheaffectionatethingstohimthatcameintomyheart，andpresentlyhewasquietandIsatdownbyhim，andtoldhimallabouttheschoolandeverythingthathadbeensaidanddonethere。WhenI
hadnomorelefttotell，heputhisarmsroundmyneck，andkissedmeagreatmanytimes。Thenheaskedmetofetchsomeofthestuffheused，forthelittlehurthehadhad，andtogetitatthebestplace，whichwasattheotherendoftownfromthere；andthen，afterkissingmeagain，heletmego。WhenIhadgonedown-stairs，IturnedbackthatImightbealittlebitmorecompanytohimyet，andlookedinatthedoor，andsaid，"Fatherdear，shallItakeMerrylegs？"Fathershookhisheadandsaid，"No，Sissy，no；takenothingthat\'sknowntobemine，mydarling；"andIlefthimsittingbythefire。Thenthethoughtmusthavecomeuponhim，poor，poorfather！ofgoingawaytotrysomethingformysake；forwhenIcameback，hewasgone。\'
\'Isay！LooksharpforoldBounderby，Loo！\'Tomremonstrated。
\'There\'snomoretotell，MissLouisa。Ikeepthenineoilsreadyforhim，andIknowhewillcomeback。EveryletterthatIseeinMr。Gradgrind\'shandtakesmybreathawayandblindsmyeyes，forI
thinkitcomesfromfather，orfromMr。Slearyaboutfather。Mr。
Slearypromisedtowriteassoonaseverfathershouldbeheardof，andItrusttohimtokeephisword。\'
\'DolooksharpforoldBounderby，Loo！\'saidTom，withanimpatientwhistle。\'He\'llbeoffifyoudon\'tlooksharp！\'
Afterthis，wheneverSissydroppedacurtseytoMr。Gradgrindinthepresenceofhisfamily，andsaidinafalteringway，\'Ibegyourpardon，sir，forbeingtroublesome-but-haveyouhadanyletteryetaboutme？\'Louisawouldsuspendtheoccupationofthemoment，whateveritwas，andlookforthereplyasearnestlyasSissydid。AndwhenMr。Gradgrindregularlyanswered，\'No，Jupe，nothingofthesort，\'thetremblingofSissy\'slipwouldberepeatedinLouisa\'sface，andhereyeswouldfollowSissywithcompassiontothedoor。Mr。Gradgrindusuallyimprovedtheseoccasionsbyremarking，whenshewasgone，thatifJupehadbeenproperlytrainedfromanearlyageshewouldhaveremonstratedtoherselfonsoundprinciplesthebaselessnessofthesefantastichopes。Yetitdidseem(thoughnottohim，forhesawnothingofit)asiffantastichopecouldtakeasstrongaholdasFact。
Thisobservationmustbelimitedexclusivelytohisdaughter。AstoTom，hewasbecomingthatnotunprecedentedtriumphofcalculationwhichisusuallyatworkonnumberone。AstoMrs。
Gradgrind，ifshesaidanythingonthesubject，shewouldcomealittlewayoutofherwrappers，likeafemininedormouse，andsay:
\'Goodgraciousblessme，howmypoorheadisvexedandworriedbythatgirlJupe\'ssoperseveringlyasking，overandoveragain，abouthertiresomeletters！UponmywordandhonourIseemtobefated，anddestined，andordained，toliveinthemidstofthingsthatIamnevertohearthelastof。ItreallyisamostextraordinarycircumstancethatitappearsasifIneverwastohearthelastofanything！\'
Ataboutthispoint，Mr。Gradgrind\'seyewouldfalluponher；andundertheinfluenceofthatwintrypieceoffact，shewouldbecometorpidagain。
