第3章

Sufficeittoobserve，thatthedifferenceisbestpostponedtosomeotheroccasionwhenMrsBoffindoesnothonouruswithhercompany。InMrsBoffin\'spresence，sir，wehadbetterdropit。\'

MrWeggthuscameoutofhisdisadvantagewithquiteachivalrousair，andnotonlythat，butbydintofrepeatingwithamanlydelicacy，\'InMrsBoffin\'spresence，sir，wehadbetterdropit！\'turnedthedisadvantageonBoffin，whofeltthathehadcommittedhimselfinaverypainfulmanner。

Then，MrWegg，inadryunflinchingway，enteredonhistask；

goingstraightacrosscountryateverythingthatcamebeforehim；

takingallthehardwords，biographicalandgeographical；gettingrathershakenbyHadrian，Trajan，andtheAntonines；stumblingatPolybius(pronouncedPollyBeeious，andsupposedbyMrBoffintobeaRomanvirgin，andbyMrsBoffintoberesponsibleforthatnecessityofdroppingit)；heavilyunseatedbyTitusAntoninusPius；upagainandgallopingsmoothlywithAugustus；finally，gettingoverthegroundwellwithCommodus:who，undertheappellationofCommodious，washeldbyMrBoffintohavebeenquiteunworthyofhisEnglishorigin，and\'nottohaveacteduptohisname\'inhisgovernmentoftheRomanpeople。Withthedeathofthispersonage，MrWeggterminatedhisfirstreading；longbeforewhichconsummationseveraltotaleclipsesofMrsBoffin\'scandlebehindherblackvelvetdisc，wouldhavebeenveryalarming，butforbeingregularlyaccompaniedbyapotentsmellofburntpenswhenherfeatherstookfire，whichactedasarestorativeandwokeher。MrWegg，havingreadonbyroteandattachedasfewideasaspossibletothetext，cameoutoftheencounterfresh；

but，MrBoffin，whohadsoonlaiddownhisunfinishedpipe，andhadeversincesatintentlystaringwithhiseyesandmindattheconfoundingenormitiesoftheRomans，wassoseverelypunishedthathecouldhardlywishhisliteraryfriendGood-night，andarticulate\'Tomorrow。\'

\'Commodious，\'gaspedMrBoffin，staringatthemoon，afterlettingWeggoutatthegateandfasteningit:\'Commodiousfightsinthatwild-beast-show，sevenhundredandthirty-fivetimes，inonecharacteronly！Asifthatwasn\'tstunningenough，ahundredlionsisturnedintothesamewild-beast-showallatonce！Asifthatwasn\'tstunningenough，Commodious，inanothercharacter，kills\'emalloffinahundredgoes！Asifthatwasn\'tstunningenough，Vittle-us(andwellnamedtoo)eatssixmillions\'worth，Englishmoney，insevenmonths！Weggtakesiteasy，butupon-

my-soultoaoldbirdlikemyselfthesearescarers。AndevennowthatCommodiousisstrangled，Idon\'tseeawaytoourbetteringourselves。\'MrBoffinaddedasheturnedhispensivestepstowardstheBowerandshookhishead，\'Ididn\'tthinkthismorningtherewashalfsomanyScarersinPrint。ButI\'minforitnow！\'

Chapter6

CUTADRIFT

TheSixJollyFellowshipPorters，alreadymentionedasatavernofadropsicalappearance，hadlongsettleddownintoastateofhaleinfirmity。Initswholeconstitutionithadnotastraightfloor，andhardlyastraightline；butithadoutlasted，andclearlywouldyetoutlast，manyabetter-trimmedbuilding，manyasprucerpublic-

house。Externally，itwasanarrowlopsidedwoodenjumbleofcorpulentwindowsheapedoneuponanotherasyoumightheapasmanytopplingoranges，withacrazywoodenverandahimpendingoverthewater；indeedthewholehouse，inclusiveofthecomplainingflag-staffontheroof，impendedoverthewater，butseemedtohavegotintotheconditionofafaint-hearteddiverwhohaspausedsolongonthebrinkthathewillnevergoinatall。

Thisdescriptionappliestotheriver-frontageoftheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。Thebackoftheestablishment，thoughthechiefentrancewasthere，socontractedthatitmerelyrepresentedinitsconnexionwiththefront，thehandleofaflatironsetuprightonitsbroadestend。Thishandlestoodatthebottomofawildernessofcourtandalley:whichwildernesspressedsohardandcloseupontheSixJollyFellowshipPortersastoleavethehostelrynotaninchofgroundbeyonditsdoor。Forthisreason，incombinationwiththefactthatthehousewasallbutafloatathighwater，whenthePortershadafamilywashthelinensubjectedtothatoperationmightusuallybeseendryingonlinesstretchedacrossthereception-roomsandbed-chambers。

Thewoodformingthechimney-pieces，beams，partitions，floorsanddoors，oftheSixJollyFellowshipPorters，seemedinitsoldagefraughtwithconfusedmemoriesofitsyouth。Inmanyplacesithadbecomegnarledandriven，accordingtothemannerofoldtrees；knotsstartedoutofit；andhereandthereitseemedtotwistitselfintosomelikenessofboughs。Inthisstateofsecondchildhood，ithadanairofbeinginitsownwaygarrulousaboutitsearlylife。NotwithoutreasonwasitoftenassertedbytheregularfrequentersofthePorters，thatwhenthelightshonefulluponthegrainofcertainpanels，andparticularlyuponanoldcornercupboardofwalnut-woodinthebar，youmighttracelittleforeststhere，andtinytreesliketheparenttree，infullumbrageousleaf。

ThebaroftheSixJollyFellowshipPorterswasabartosoftenthehumanbreast。Theavailablespaceinitwasnotmuchlargerthanahackney-coach；butnoonecouldhavewishedthebarbigger，thatspacewassogirtinbycorpulentlittlecasks，andbycordial-bottlesradiantwithfictitiousgrapesinbunches，andbylemonsinnets，andbybiscuitsinbaskets，andbythepolitebeer-pullsthatmadelowbowswhencustomerswereservedwithbeer，andbythecheeseinasnugcorner，andbythelandlady\'sownsmalltableinasnuggercornernearthefire，withtheclotheverlastinglylaid。Thishavenwasdividedfromtheroughworldbyaglasspartitionandahalf-door，withaleadensilluponitfortheconvenienceofrestingyourliquor；but，overthishalf-doorthebar\'ssnugnesssogushedforththat，albeitcustomersdranktherestanding，inadarkanddraughtypassagewheretheywereshoulderedbyothercustomerspassinginandout，theyalwaysappearedtodrinkunderanenchantingdelusionthattheywereinthebaritself。

Fortherest，boththetapandparlouroftheSixJollyFellowshipPortersgaveupontheriver，andhadredcurtainsmatchingthenosesoftheregularcustomers，andwereprovidedwithcomfortablefiresidetinutensils，likemodelsofsugar-loafhats，madeinthatshapethattheymight，withtheirpointedends，seekoutforthemselvesglowingnooksinthedepthsoftheredcoals，whentheymulledyourale，orheatedforyouthosedelectabledrinks，Purl，Flip，andDog\'sNose。ThefirstofthesehummingcompoundswasaspecialityofthePorters，which，throughaninscriptiononitsdoor-posts，gentlyappealedtoyourfeelingsas，\'TheEarlyPurlHouse\'。For，itwouldseemthatPurlmustalwaysbetakenearly；thoughwhetherforanymoredistinctlystomachicreasonthanthat，astheearlybirdcatchestheworm，sotheearlypurlcatchesthecustomer，cannothereberesolved。Itonlyremainstoaddthatinthehandleoftheflatiron，andoppositethebar，wasaverylittleroomlikeathree-corneredhat，intowhichnodirectrayofsun，moon，orstar，everpenetrated，butwhichwassuperstitiouslyregardedasasanctuaryrepletewithcomfortandretirementbygaslight，andonthedoorofwhichwasthereforepainteditsalluringname:Cosy。

MissPotterson，soleproprietorandmanageroftheFellowshipPorters，reignedsupremeonherthrone，theBar，andamanmusthavedrunkhimselfmaddrunkindeedifhethoughthecouldcontestapointwithher。BeingknownonherownauthorityasMissAbbeyPotterson，somewater-sideheads，which(likethewater)werenoneoftheclearest，harbouredmuddlednotionsthat，becauseofherdignityandfirmness，shewasnamedafter，orinsomesortrelatedto，theAbbeyatWestminster。But，AbbeywasonlyshortforAbigail，bywhichnameMissPottersonhadbeenchristenedatLimehouseChurch，somesixtyandoddyearsbefore。

\'Now，youmind，youRiderhood，\'saidMissAbbeyPotterson，withemphaticforefingeroverthehalf-door，\'theFellowshipdon\'twantyouatall，andwouldratherbyfarhaveyourroomthanyourcompany；butifyouwereaswelcomehereasyouarenot，youshouldn\'teventhenhaveanotherdropofdrinkherethisnight，afterthispresentpintofbeer。Somakethemostofit。\'

\'Butyouknow，MissPotterson，\'thiswassuggestedverymeeklythough，\'ifIbehavemyself，youcan\'thelpservingme，miss。\'

\'CAN\'TI！\'saidAbbey，withinfiniteexpression。

\'No，MissPotterson；because，yousee，thelaw——\'

\'Iamthelawhere，myman，\'returnedMissAbbey，\'andI\'llsoonconvinceyouofthat，ifyoudoubtitatall。\'

\'IneversaidIdiddoubtitatall，MissAbbey。\'

\'Somuchthebetterforyou。\'

Abbeythesupremethrewthecustomer\'shalfpenceintothetill，and，seatingherselfinherfireside-chair，resumedthenewspapershehadbeenreading。Shewasatall，upright，well-favouredwoman，thoughsevereofcountenance，andhadmoreoftheairofaschoolmistressthanmistressoftheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。

Themanontheothersideofthehalf-door，wasawaterside-manwithasquintingleer，andheeyedherasifhewereoneofherpupilsindisgrace。

\'You\'recruelharduponme，MissPotterson。\'

MissPottersonreadhernewspaperwithcontractedbrows，andtooknonoticeuntilhewhispered:

\'MissPotterson！Ma\'am！MightIhavehalfawordwithyou?\'

Deigningthentoturnhereyessidewaystowardsthesuppliant，MissPottersonbeheldhimknucklinghislowforehead，andduckingatherwithhishead，asifhewereaskingleavetoflinghimselfheadforemostoverthehalf-doorandalightonhisfeetinthebar。

\'Well?\'saidMissPotterson，withamannerasshortassheherselfwaslong，\'sayyourhalfword。Bringitout。\'

\'MissPotterson！Ma\'am！Wouldyou\'sxcusemetakingthelibertyofasking，isitmycharacterthatyoutakeobjectionsto?\'

\'Certainly，\'saidMissPotterson。

\'Isitthatyou\'reafraidof——\'

\'IamnotafraidOFYOU，\'interposedMissPotterson，\'ifyoumeanthat。\'

\'ButIhumblydon\'tmeanthat，MissAbbey。\'

\'Thenwhatdoyoumean?\'

\'Youreallyaresocruelharduponme！WhatIwasgoingtomakeinquirieswasnomorethan，mightyouhaveanyapprehensions——

leastwaysbeliefsorsuppositions——thatthecompany\'spropertymightn\'tbealtogethertobeconsideredsafe，ifIusedthehousetooregular?\'

\'Whatdoyouwanttoknowfor?\'

\'Well，MissAbbey，respectfullymeaningnooffencetoyou，itwouldbesomesatisfactiontoaman\'smind，tounderstandwhytheFellowshipPortersisnottobefreetosuchasme，andistobefreetosuchasGaffer。\'

Thefaceofthehostessdarkenedwithsomeshadowofperplexity，asshereplied:\'Gafferhasneverbeenwhereyouhavebeen。\'

\'SignifyinginQuod，Miss?Perhapsnot。Buthemayhavemeritedit。HemaybesuspectedoffarworsethaneverIwas。\'

\'Whosuspectshim?\'

\'Many，perhaps。One，beyondalldoubts。Ido。\'

\'YOUarenotmuch，\'saidMissAbbeyPotterson，knittingherbrowsagainwithdisdain。

\'ButIwashispardner。Mindyou，MissAbbey，Iwashispardner。

AssuchIknowmoreoftheinsandoutsofhimthananypersonlivingdoes。Noticethis！Iamthemanthatwashispardner，andI

amthemanthatsuspectshim。\'

\'Then，\'suggestedMissAbbey，thoughwithadeepershadeofperplexitythanbefore，\'youcriminateyourself。\'

\'NoIdon\'t，MissAbbey。Forhowdoesitstand?Itstandsthisway。WhenIwashispardner，Icouldn\'tnevergivehimsatisfaction。Whycouldn\'tInevergivehimsatisfaction?Becausemyluckwasbad；becauseIcouldn\'tfindmanyenoughof\'em。

Howwashisluck?Alwaysgood。Noticethis！Alwaysgood！Ah！

There\'samanygames，MissAbbey，inwhichthere\'schance，butthere\'samanyothersinwhichthere\'sskilltoo，mixedalongwithit。\'

\'ThatGafferhasaskillinfindingwhathefinds，whodoubts，man?\'askedMissAbbey。

\'Askillinpurwidingwhathefinds，perhaps，\'saidRiderhood，shakinghisevilhead。

MissAbbeyknittedherbrowathim，ashedarklyleeredather。\'Ifyou\'reoutupontheriverprettynigheverytide，andifyouwanttofindamanorwomanintheriver，you\'llgreatlyhelpyourluck，MissAbbey，byknockingamanorwomanontheheadaforehandandpitching\'emin。\'

\'GraciousLud！\'wastheinvoluntaryexclamationofMissPotterson。

\'Mindyou！\'returnedtheother，stretchingforwardoverthehalfdoortothrowhiswordsintothebar；forhisvoicewasasiftheheadofhisboat\'smopweredownhisthroat；\'Isayso，MissAbbey！Andmindyou！I\'llfollowhimup，MissAbbey！Andmindyou！I\'llbringhimtohookatlast，ifit\'stwentyyearhence，I

will！Who\'she，tohefavouredalongofhisdaughter?Ain\'tIgotadaughterofmyown！\'

Withthatflourish，andseemingtohavetalkedhimselfrathermoredrunkandmuchmoreferociousthanhehadbegunbybeing，MrRiderhoodtookuphispintpotandswaggeredofftothetaproom。

Gafferwasnotthere，butaprettystrongmusterofMissAbbey\'spupilswere，whoexhibited，whenoccasionrequired，thegreatestdocility。Ontheclock\'sstrikingten，andMissAbbey\'sappearingatthedoor，andaddressingacertainpersoninafadedscarletjacket，with\'GeorgeJones，yourtime\'sup！Itoldyourwifeyoushouldbepunctual，\'Jonessubmissivelyrose，gavethecompanygood-night，andretired。Athalf-pastten，onMissAbbey\'slookinginagain，andsaying，\'WilliamWilliams，BobGlamour，andJonathan，youarealldue，\'Williams，Bob，andJonathanwithsimilarmeeknesstooktheirleaveandevaporated。Greaterwonderthanthese，whenabottle-nosedpersoninaglazedhathadaftersomeconsiderablehesitationorderedanotherglassofginandwateroftheattendantpotboy，andwhenMissAbbey，insteadofsendingit，appearedinperson，saying，\'CaptainJoey，youhavehadasmuchaswilldoyougood，\'notonlydidthecaptainfeeblyrubhiskneesandcontemplatethefirewithoutofferingawordofprotest，buttherestofthecompanymurmured，\'Ay，ay，Captain！

MissAbbey\'sright；youbeguidedbyMissAbbey，Captain。\'Nor，wasMissAbbey\'svigilanceinanywiseabatedbythissubmission，butrathersharpened；for，lookingroundonthedeferentialfacesofherschool，anddescryingtwootheryoungpersonsinneedofadmonition，shethusbestowedit:\'TomTootle，it\'stimeforayoungfellowwho\'sgoingtobemarriednextmonth，tobeathomeandasleep。Andyouneedn\'tnudgehim，MrJackMullins，forI

knowyourworkbeginsearlytomorrow，andIsaythesametoyou。

Socome！Good-night，likegoodlads！\'Uponwhich，theblushingTootlelookedtoMullins，andtheblushingMullinslookedtoTootle，onthequestionwhoshouldrisefirst，andfinallybothrosetogetherandwentoutonthebroadgrin，followedbyMissAbbey；

inwhosepresencethecormpanydidnottakethelibertyofgrinninglikewise。

Insuchanestablishment，thewhite-apronedpot-boywithhisshirt-

sleevesarrangedinatightrolloneachbareshoulder，wasamerehintofthepossibilityofphysicalforce，thrownoutasamatterofstateandform。Exactlyattheclosinghour，alltheguestswhowereleft，filedoutinthebestorder:MissAbbeystandingatthehalfdoorofthebar，toholdaceremonyofreviewanddismissal。

AllwishedMissAbbeygood-nightandMissAbbeywishedgood-

nighttoall，exceptRiderhood。Thesapientpot-boy，lookingonofficially，thenhadtheconvictionborneinuponhissoul，thatthemanwasevermoreoutcastandexcommunicatefromtheSixJollyFellowshipPorters。

\'YouBobGliddery，\'saidMissAbbeytothispot-boy，\'runroundtoHexam\'sandtellhisdaughterLizziethatIwanttospeaktoher。\'

WithexemplaryswiftnessBobGlidderydeparted，andreturned。

Lizzie，followinghim，arrivedasoneofthetwofemaledomesticsoftheFellowshipPortersarrangedonthesnuglittletablebythebarfire，MissPotterson\'ssupperofhotsausagesandmashedpotatoes。

\'Comeinandsityedown，girl，\'saidMissAbbey。\'Canyoueatabit?\'

\'Nothankyou，Miss。Ihavehadmysupper。\'

\'Ihavehadminetoo，Ithink，\'saidMissAbbey，pushingawaytheuntasteddish，\'andmorethanenoughofit。Iamputout，Lizzie。\'

\'Iamverysorryforit，Miss。\'

\'Thenwhy，inthenameofGoodness，\'quothMissAbbey，sharply，\'doyoudoit?\'

\'Idoit，Miss！\'

\'There，there。Don\'tlookastonished。Ioughttohavebegunwithawordofexplanation，butit\'smywaytomakeshortcutsatthings。I

alwayswasapepperer。YouBobGlidderythere，putthechainuponthedoorandgetyedowntoyoursupper。\'

Withanalacritythatseemednolessreferabletothepeppererfactthantothesupperfact，Bobobeyed，andhisbootswerehearddescendingtowardsthebedoftheriver。

\'LizzieHexam，LizzieHexam，\'thenbeganMissPotterson，\'howoftenhaveIheldouttoyoutheopportunityofgettingclearofyourfather，anddoingwell?\'

\'Veryoften，Miss。\'

\'Veryoften?Yes！AndImightaswellhavespokentotheironfunnelofthestrongestsea-goingsteamerthatpassestheFellowshipPorters。\'

\'No，Miss，\'Lizziepleaded；\'becausethatwouldnotbethankful，andIam。\'

\'IvowanddeclareIamhalfashamedofmyselffortakingsuchaninterestinyou，\'saidMissAbbey，pettishly，\'forIdon\'tbelieveI

shoulddoitifyouwerenotgood-looking。Whyain\'tyouugly?\'

Lizziemerelyansweredthisdifficultquestionwithanapologeticglance。

\'However，youain\'t，\'resumedMissPotterson，\'soit\'snousegoingintothat。ImusttakeyouasIfindyou。WhichindeediswhatI\'vedone。Andyoumeantosayyouarestillobstinate?\'

\'Notobstinate，Miss，Ihope。\'

\'Firm(Isupposeyoucallit)then?\'

\'Yes，Miss。Fixedlike。\'

\'Neverwasanobstinatepersonyet，whowouldowntotheword！\'

remarkedMissPotterson，rubbinghervexednose；\'I\'msureI

would，ifIwasobstinate；butIamapepperer，whichisdifferent。

LizzieHexam，LizzieHexam，thinkagain。Doyouknowtheworstofyourfather?\'

\'DoIknowtheworstoffather！\'sherepeated，openinghereyes。\'Doyouknowthesuspicionstowhichyourfathermakeshimselfliable?Doyouknowthesuspicionsthatareactuallyabout，againsthim?\'

Theconsciousnessofwhathehabituallydid，oppressedthegirlheavily，andsheslowlycastdownhereyes。

\'Say，Lizzie。Doyouknow?\'urgedMissAbbey。

\'Pleasetotellmewhatthesuspicionsare，Miss，\'sheaskedafterasilence，withhereyesupontheground。

\'It\'snotaneasythingtotelladaughter，butitmustbetold。Itisthoughtbysome，then，thatyourfatherhelpstotheirdeathafewofthosethathefindsdead。\'

Thereliefofhearingwhatshefeltsurewasafalsesuspicion，inplaceoftheexpectedrealandtrueone，solightenedLizzie\'sbreastforthemoment，thatMissAbbeywasamazedatherdemeanour。

Sheraisedhereyesquickly，shookherhead，and，inakindoftriumph，almostlaughed。

\'Theylittleknowfatherwhotalklikethat！\'

(\'Shetakesit，\'thoughtMissAbbey，\'veryquietly。Shetakesitwithextraordinaryquietness！\')

\'Andperhaps，\'saidLizzie，asarecollectionflasheduponher，\'itissomeonewhohasagrudgeagainstfather；someonewhohasthreatenedfather！IsitRiderhood，Miss?\'

\'Well；yesitis。\'

\'Yes！Hewasfather\'spartner，andfatherbrokewithhim，andnowherevengeshimself。FatherbrokewithhimwhenIwasby，andhewasveryangryatit。Andbesides，MissAbbey！——Willyounever，withoutstrongreason，letpassyourlipswhatIamgoingtosay?\'

Shebentforwardtosayitinawhisper。

\'Ipromise，\'saidMissAbbey。

\'ItwasonthenightwhentheHarmonmurderwasfoundout，throughfather，justabovebridge。Andjustbelowbridge，aswewerescullinghome，Riderhoodcreptoutofthedarkinhisboat。

Andmanyandmanytimesafterwards，whensuchgreatpainsweretakentocometothebottomofthecrime，anditnevercouldbecomenear，Ithoughtinmyownthoughts，couldRiderhoodhimselfhavedonethemurder，anddidhepurposelyletfatherfindthebody?Itseemeda\'mostwickedandcrueltosomuchasthinksuchathing；butnowthathetriestothrowituponfather，Igobacktoitasifitwasatruth。Canitbeatruth?Thatwasputintomymindbythedead?\'

Sheaskedthisquestion，ratherofthefirethanofthehostessoftheFellowshipPorters，andlookedroundthelittlebarwithtroubledeyes。

But，MissPotterson，asareadyschoolmistressaccustomedtobringherpupilstobook，setthematterinalightthatwasessentiallyofthisworld。

\'Youpoordeludedgirl，\'shesaid，\'don\'tyouseethatyoucan\'topenyourmindtoparticularsuspicionsofoneofthetwo，withoutopeningyourmindtogeneralsuspicionsoftheother?Theyhadworkedtogether。Theirgoings-onhadbeengoingonforsometime。Evengrantingthatitwasasyouhavehadinyourthoughts，whatthetwohaddonetogetherwouldcomefamiliartothemindofone。\'

\'Youdon\'tknowfather，Miss，whenyoutalklikethat。Indeed，indeed，youdon\'tknowfather。\'

\'Lizzie，Lizzie，\'saidMissPotterson。\'Leavehim。Youneedn\'tbreakwithhimaltogether，butleavehim。Dowellawayfromhim；

notbecauseofwhatIhavetoldyouto-night——we\'llpassnojudgmentuponthat，andwe\'llhopeitmaynotbe——butbecauseofwhatIhaveurgedonyoubefore。Nomatterwhetherit\'sowingtoyourgoodlooksornot，IlikeyouandIwanttoserveyou。Lizzie，comeundermydirection。Don\'tflingyourselfaway，mygirl，butbepersuadedintobeingrespectableandhappy。\'

Inthesoundgoodfeelingandgoodsenseofherentreaty，MissAbbeyhadsoftenedintoasoothingtone，andhadevendrawnherarmroundthegirl\'swaist。But，sheonlyreplied，\'Thankyou，thankyou！Ican\'t。Iwon\'t。Imustnotthinkofit。Theharderfatherisborneupon，themoreheneedsmetoleanon。\'

AndthenMissAbbey，who，likeallhardpeoplewhentheydosoften，feltthattherewasconsiderablecompensationowingtoher，underwentreactionandbecamefrigid。

\'IhavedonewhatIcan，\'shesaid，\'andyoumustgoyourway。Youmakeyourbed，andyoumustlieonit。Buttellyourfatheronething:hemustnotcomehereanymore。

\'Oh，Miss，willyouforbidhimthehousewhereIknowhe\'ssafe?\'

\'TheFellowships，\'returnedMissAbbey，\'hasitselftolookto，aswellasothers。Ithasbeenhardworktoestablishorderhere，andmaketheFellowshipswhatitis，anditisdailyandnightlyhardworktokeepitso。TheFellowshipsmustnothaveataintuponitthatmaygiveitabadname。IforbidthehousetoRiderhood，andI

forbidthehousetoGaffer。Iforbidboth，equally。IfindfromRiderhoodandyoutogether，thattherearesuspicionsagainstbothmen，andI\'mnotgoingtotakeuponmyselftodecidebetwixtthem。Theyarebothtarredwithadirtybrush，andIcan\'thavetheFellowshipstarredwiththesamebrush。That\'sallIknow。\'

\'Good-night，Miss！\'saidLizzieHexam，sorrowfully。

\'Hah！——Good-night！\'returnedMissAbbeywithashakeofherhead。

\'Believeme，MissAbbey，Iamtrulygratefulallthesame。\'

\'Icanbelieveagooddeal，\'returnedthestatelyAbbey，\'soI\'lltrytobelievethattoo，Lizzie。\'

NosupperdidMissPottersontakethatnight，andonlyhalfherusualtumblerofhotPortNegus。Andthefemaledomestics——tworobustsisters，withstaringblackeyes，shiningflatredfaces，bluntnoses，andstrongblackcurls，likedolls——interchangedthesentimentthatMissishadhadherhaircombedthewrongwaybysomebody。Andthepot-boyafterwardsremarked，thathehadn\'tbeen\'sorattledtobed\'，sincehislatemotherhadsystematicallyacceleratedhisretirementtorestwithapoker。

Thechainingofthedoorbehindher，asshewentforth，disenchantedLizzieHexamofthatfirstreliefshehadfelt。Thenightwasblackandshrill，theriver-sidewildernesswasmelancholy，andtherewasasoundofcasting-out，intherattlingoftheiron-links，andthegratingoftheboltsandstaplesunderMissAbbey\'shand。Asshecamebeneaththeloweringsky，asenseofbeinginvolvedinamurkyshadeofMurderdroppeduponher；and，asthetidalswelloftheriverbrokeatherfeetwithoutherseeinghowitgathered，so，herthoughtsstartledherbyrushingoutofanunseenvoidandstrikingatherheart。

Ofherfather\'sbeinggroundlesslysuspected，shefeltsure。Sure。

Sure。Andyet，repeatthewordinwardlyasoftenasshewould，theattempttoreasonoutandprovethatshewassure，alwayscameafteritandfailed。Riderhoodhaddonethedeed，andentrappedherfather。Riderhoodhadnotdonethedeed，buthadresolvedinhismalicetoturnagainstherfather，theappearancesthatwerereadytohishandtodistort。Equallyandswiftlyuponeitherputtingofthecase，followedthefrightfulpossibilitythatherfather，beinginnocent，yetmightcometobebelievedguilty。ShehadheardofpeoplesufferingDeathforbloodshedofwhichtheywereafterwardsprovedpure，andthoseill-fatedpersonswerenot，first，inthatdangerouswronginwhichherfatherstood。Thenatthebest，thebeginningofhisbeingsetapart，whisperedagainst，andavoided，wasacertainfact。Itdatedfromthatverynight。Andasthegreatblackriverwithitsdrearyshoreswassoonlosttoherviewinthegloom，so，shestoodontheriver\'sbrinkunabletoseeintothevastblankmiseryofalifesuspected，andfallenawayfrombygoodandbad，butknowingthatitlaytheredimbeforeher，stretchingawaytothegreatocean，Death。

Onethingonly，wascleartothegirl\'smind。Accustomedfromherverybabyhoodpromptlytodothethingthatcouldbedone——

whethertokeepoutweather，towardoffcold，topostponehunger，orwhatnot——shestartedoutofhermeditation，andranhome。

Theroomwasquiet，andthelampburntonthetable。Inthebunkinthecorner，herbrotherlayasleep。Shebentoverhimsoftly，kissedhim，andcametothetable。

\'BythetimeofMissAbbey\'sclosing，andbytherunofthetide，itmustbeone。Tide\'srunningup。FatheratChiswick，wouldn\'tthinkofcomingdown，tillaftertheturn，andthat\'sathalfafterfour。I\'llcallCharleyatsix。Ishallhearthechurch-clocksstrike，asIsithere。\'

Veryquietly，sheplacedachairbeforethescantyfire，andsatdowninit，drawinghershawlabouther。

\'Charley\'shollowdownbytheflareisnottherenow。PoorCharley！\'

Theclockstrucktwo，andtheclockstruckthree，andtheclockstruckfour，andsheremainedthere，withawoman\'spatienceandherownpurpose。Whenthemorningwaswellonbetweenfourandfive，sheslippedoffhershoes(thathergoingabout，mightnotwakeCharley)，trimmedthefiresparingly，putwaterontoboil，andsetthetableforbreakfast。Thenshewentuptheladder，lampinhand，andcamedownagain，andglidedaboutandabout，makingalittlebundle。Lastly，fromherpocket，andfromthechimney-piece，andfromaninvertedbasinonthehighestshelfshebroughthalfpence，afewsixpences，fewershillings，andfelltolaboriouslyandnoiselesslycountingthem，andsettingasideonelittleheap。Shewasstillsoengaged，whenshewasstartledby:

\'Hal-loa！\'Fromherbrother，sittingupinbed。

\'Youmademejump，Charley。\'

\'Jump！Didn\'tyoumakeMEjump，whenIopenedmyeyesamomentago，andsawyousittingthere，liketheghostofagirlmiser，inthedeadofthenight。\'

\'It\'snotthedeadofthenight，Charley。It\'snighsixinthemorning。\'

\'Isitthough?Butwhatareyouupto，Liz?\'

\'Stilltellingyourfortune，Charley。\'

\'Itseemstobeaprecioussmallone，ifthat\'sit，\'saidtheboy。

\'Whatareyouputtingthatlittlepileofmoneybyitselffor?\'

\'Foryou，Charley。\'

\'Whatdoyoumean?\'

\'Getoutofbed，Charley，andgetwashedanddressed，andthenI\'lltellyou。\'

Hercomposedmanner，andherlowdistinctvoice，alwayshadaninfluenceoverhim。Hisheadwassooninabasinofwater，andoutofitagain，andstaringatherthroughastormoftowelling。

\'Inever，\'towellingathimselfasifhewerehisbitterestenemy，\'sawsuchagirlasyouare。WhatISthemove，Liz?\'

\'Areyoualmostreadyforbreakfast，Charley?\'

\'Youcanpouritout。Hal-loa！Isay?Andabundle?\'

\'Andabundle，Charley。\'

\'Youdon\'tmeanit\'sforme，too?\'

\'Yes，Charley；Ido；indeed。\'

Moreseriousofface，andmoreslowofaction，thanhehadbeen，theboycompletedhisdressing，andcameandsatdownatthelittlebreakfast-table，withhiseyesamazedlydirectedtoherface。

\'Yousee，Charleydear，Ihavemadeupmymindthatthisistherighttimeforyourgoingawayfromus。Overandabovealltheblessedchangeofby-and-bye，you\'llbemuchhappier，anddomuchbetter，evensosoonasnextmonth。Evensosoonasnextweek。\'

\'HowdoyouknowIshall?\'

\'Idon\'tquiteknowhow，Charley，butIdo。\'Inspiteofherunchangedmannerofspeaking，andherunchangedappearanceofcomposure，shescarcelytrustedherselftolookathim，butkepthereyesemployedonthecuttingandbutteringofhisbread，andonthemixingofhistea，andothersuchlittlepreparations。\'Youmustleavefathertome，Charley——IwilldowhatIcanwithhim——butyoumustgo。\'

\'Youdon\'tstanduponceremony，Ithink，\'grumbledtheboy，throwinghisbreadandbutterabout，inanill-humour。

Shemadehimnoanswer。

\'Itellyouwhat，\'saidtheboy，then，burstingoutintoanangrywhimpering，\'you\'reaselfishjade，andyouthinkthere\'snotenoughforthreeofus，andyouwanttogetridofme。\'

\'Ifyoubelieveso，Charley，——yes，thenIbelievetoo，thatIamaselfishjade，andthatIthinkthere\'snotenoughforthreeofus，andthatIwanttogetridofyou。\'

Itwasonlywhentheboyrushedather，andthrewhisarmsroundherneck，thatshelostherself-restraint。Butshelostitthen，andweptoverhim。

\'Don\'tcry，don\'tcry！Iamsatisfiedtogo，Liz；Iamsatisfiedtogo。

Iknowyousendmeawayformygood。\'

\'O，Charley，Charley，HeavenaboveusknowsIdo！\'

\'Yesyes。Don\'tmindwhatIsaid。Don\'trememberit。Kissme。\'

Afterasilence，sheloosedhim，todryhereyesandregainherstrongquietinfluence。

\'Nowlisten，Charleydear。Webothknowitmustbedone，andI

aloneknowthereisgoodreasonforitsbeingdoneatonce。Gostraighttotheschool，andsaythatyouandIagreeduponit——thatwecan\'tovercomefather\'sopposition——thatfatherwillnevertroublethem，butwillnevertakeyouback。Youareacredittotheschool，andyouwillbeagreatercredittoityet，andtheywillhelpyoutogetaliving。Showwhatclothesyouhavebrought，andwhatmoney，andsaythatIwillsendsomemoremoney。IfIcangetsomeinnootherway，Iwillaskalittlehelpofthosetwogentlemenwhocameherethatnight。\'

\'Isay！\'criedherbrother，quickly。\'Don\'tyouhaveitofthatchapthattookholdofmebythechin！Don\'tyouhaveitofthatWrayburnone！\'

Perhapsaslightadditionaltingeofredflushedupintoherfaceandbrow，aswithanodshelaidahanduponhislipstokeephimsilentlyattentive。

\'Andaboveallthingsmindthis，Charley！Besureyoualwaysspeakwelloffather。Besureyoualwaysgivefatherhisfulldue。

Youcan\'tdenythatbecausefatherhasnolearninghimselfheissetagainstitinyou；butfavournothingelseagainsthim，andbesureyousay——asyouknow——thatyoursisterisdevotedtohim。Andifyoushouldeverhappentohearanythingsaidagainstfatherthatisnewtoyou，itwillnotbetrue。Remember，Charley！Itwillnotbetrue。\'

Theboylookedatherwithsomedoubtandsurprise，butshewentonagainwithoutheedingit。

\'Aboveallthingsremember！Itwillnotbetrue。Ihavenothingmoretosay，Charleydear，except，begood，andgetlearning，andonlythinkofsomethingsintheoldlifehere，asifyouhaddreamedtheminadreamlastnight。Good-bye，myDarling！\'

Thoughsoyoung，sheinfusedinthesepartingwordsalovethatwasfarmorelikeamother\'sthanasister\'s，andbeforewhichtheboywasquiteboweddown。Afterholdinghertohisbreastwithapassionatecry，hetookuphisbundleanddartedoutatthedoor，withanarmacrosshiseyes。

Thewhitefaceofthewinterdaycamesluggishlyon，veiledinafrostymist；andtheshadowyshipsintheriverslowlychangedtoblacksubstances；andthesun，blood-redontheeasternmarshesbehinddarkmastsandyards，seemedfilledwiththeruinsofaforestithadsetonfire。Lizzie，lookingforherfather，sawhimcoming，andstooduponthecausewaythathemightseeher。

Hehadnothingwithhimbuthisboat，andcameonapace。Aknotofthoseamphibioushuman-creatureswhoappeartohavesomemysteriouspowerofextractingasubsistenceoutoftidalwaterbylookingatit，weregatheredtogetheraboutthecauseway。Asherfather\'sboatgrounded，theybecamecontemplativeofthemud，anddispersedthemselves。Shesawthatthemuteavoidancehadbegun。

Gaffersawit，too，insofarasthathewasmovedwhenhesetfootonshore，tostarearoundhim。But，hepromptlysettoworktohauluphisboat，andmakeherfast，andtakethescullsandrudderandropeoutofher。CarryingthesewithLizzie\'said，hepasseduptohisdwelling。

\'Sitclosetothefire，father，dear，whileIcookyourbreakfast。It\'sallreadyforcooking，andonlybeenwaitingforyou。Youmustbefrozen。\'

\'Well，Lizzie，Iain\'tofaglow；that\'scertain。Andmyhandsseemnailedthroughtothesculls。Seehowdeadtheyare！\'Somethingsuggestiveintheircolour，andperhapsinherface，struckhimasheheldthemup；heturnedhisshoulderandheldthemdowntothefire。

\'Youwerenotoutintheperishingnight，Ihope，father?\'

\'No，mydear。Layaboardabarge，byablazingcoal-fire——Where\'sthatboy?\'

\'There\'sadropofbrandyforyourtea，father，ifyou\'llputitinwhileIturnthisbitofmeat。Iftheriverwastogetfrozen，therewouldbeadealofdistress；wouldn\'tthere，father?\'

\'Ah！there\'salwaysenoughofthat，\'saidGaffer，droppingtheliquorintohiscupfromasquatblackbottle，anddroppingitslowlythatitmightseemmore；\'distressisforeveragoingabout，likesutintheair——Ain\'tthatboyupyet?\'

\'Themeat\'sreadynow，father。Eatitwhileit\'shotandcomfortable。Afteryouhavefinished，we\'llturnroundtothefireandtalk。\'

But，heperceivedthathewasevaded，and，havingthrownahastyangryglancetowardsthebunk，pluckedatacornerofherapronandasked:

\'What\'sgonewiththatboy?\'

\'Father，ifyou\'llbeginyourbreakfast，I\'llsitbyandtellyou。\'Helookedather，stirredhisteaandtooktwoorthreegulps，thencutathispieceofhotsteakwithhiscase-knife，andsaid，eating:

\'Nowthen。What\'sgonewiththatboy?\'

\'Don\'tbeangry，dear。Itseems，father，thathehasquiteagiftoflearning。\'

\'Unnat\'ralyoungbeggar！\'saidtheparent，shakinghisknifeintheair。

\'Andthathavingthisgift，andnotbeingequallygoodatotherthings，hehasmadeshifttogetsomeschooling。\'

\'Unnat\'ralyoungbeggar！\'saidtheparentagain，withhisformeraction。

\'——Andthatknowingyouhavenothingtospare，father，andnotwishingtobeaburdenonyou，hegraduallymadeuphismindtogoseekhisfortuneoutoflearning。Hewentawaythismorning，father，andhecriedverymuchatgoing，andhehopedyouwouldforgivehim。\'

\'Lethimnevercomeanighmetoaskmemyforgiveness，\'saidthefather，againemphasizinghiswordswiththeknife。\'Lethimnevercomewithinsightofmyeyes，noryetwithinreachofmyarm。Hisownfatherain\'tgoodenoughforhim。He\'sdisownedhisownfather。Hisownfathertherefore，disownshimforeverandever，asaunnat\'ralyoungbeggar。\'

Hehadpushedawayhisplate。Withthenaturalneedofastrongroughmaninanger，todosomethingforcible，henowclutchedhisknifeoverhand，andstruckdownwardwithitattheendofeverysucceedingsentence。Ashewouldhavestruckwithhisownclenchedfistiftherehadchancedtobenothinginit。

\'He\'swelcometogo。He\'smorewelcometogothantostay。Butlethimnevercomeback。Lethimneverputhisheadinsidethatdoor。Andletyouneverspeakawordmoreinhisfavour，oryou\'lldisownyourownfather，likewise，andwhatyourfathersaysofhimhe\'llhavetocometosayofyou。NowIseewhythemmenyonderheldalooffromme。Theysaystooneanother，“Herecomesthemanasain\'tgoodenoughforhisownson！“Lizzie——！\'

But，shestoppedhimwithacry。Lookingatherhesawher，withafacequitestrangetohim，shrinkingbackagainstthewall，withherhandsbeforehereyes。

\'Father，don\'t！Ican\'tbeartoseeyoustrikingwithit。Putitdown！\'

Helookedattheknife；butinhisastonishmentstillheldit。

\'Father，it\'stoohorrible。Oputitdown，putitdown！\'

Confoundedbyherappearanceandexclamation，hetosseditaway，andstoodupwithhisopenhandsheldoutbeforehim。

\'What\'scometoyou，Liz?CanyouthinkIwouldstrikeatyouwithaknife?\'

\'No，father，no；youwouldneverhurtme。\'

\'WhatshouldIhurt?\'

\'Nothing，dearfather。Onmyknees，Iamcertain，inmyheartandsoulIamcertain，nothing！Butitwastoodreadfultobear；foritlooked——\'herhandscoveringherfaceagain，\'Oitlooked——\'

\'Whatdiditlooklike?\'

Therecollectionofhismurderousfigure，combiningwithhertrialoflastnight，andhertrialofthemorning，causedhertodropathisfeet，withouthavinganswered。

Hehadneverseenhersobefore。Heraisedherwiththeutmosttenderness，callingherthebestofdaughters，and\'mypoorprettycreetur\'，andlaidherheaduponhisknee，andtriedtorestoreher。

Butfailing，helaidherheadgentlydownagain，gotapillowandplaceditunderherdarkhair，andsoughtonthetableforaspoonfulofbrandy。Therebeingnoneleft，hehurriedlycaughtuptheemptybottle，andranoutatthedoor。

Hereturnedashurriedlyashehadgone，withthebottlestillempty。

Hekneeleddownbyher，tookherheadonhisarm，andmoistenedherlipswithalittlewaterintowhichhedippedhisfingers:saying，fiercely，ashelookedaround，nowoverthisshoulder，nowoverthat:

\'Havewegotapestinthehouse?Istheresumm\'atdeadlystickingtomyclothes?What\'sletlooseuponus?Wholoosedit?\'

Chapter7

MRWEGGLOOKSAFTERHIMSELF

SilasWegg，beingonhisroadtotheRomanEmpire，approachesitbywayofClerkenwell。Thetimeisearlyintheevening；theweathermoistandraw。MrWeggfindsleisuretomakealittlecircuit，byreasonthathefoldshisscreenearly，nowthathecombinesanothersourceofincomewithit，andalsothathefeelsitduetohimselftobeanxiouslyexpectedattheBower。\'Boffinwillgetalltheeagererforwaitingabit，\'saysSilas，screwingup，ashestumpsalong，firsthisrighteye，andthenhisleft。Whichissomethingsuperfluousinhim，forNaturehasalreadyscrewedbothprettytight。

\'IfIgetonwithhimasIexpecttogeton，\'Silaspursues，stumpingandmeditating，\'itwouldn\'tbecomemetoleaveithere。Itwouldn\'therespectable。\'Animatedbythisreflection，hestumpsfaster，andlooksalongwaybeforehim，asamanwithanambitiousprojectinabeyanceoftenwilldo。

Awareofaworking-jewellerpopulationtakingsanctuaryaboutthechurchinClerkenwell，MrWeggisconsciousofaninterestin，andarespectfor，theneighbourhood。But，hissensationsinthisregardhaltastotheirstrictmorality，ashehaltsinhisgait；for，theysuggestthedelightsofacoatofinvisibilityinwhichtowalkoffsafelywiththepreciousstonesandwatch-cases，butstopshortofanycompunctionforthepeoplewhowouldlosethesame。

Not，however，towardsthe\'shops\'wherecunningartificersworkinpearlsanddiamondsandgoldandsilver，makingtheirhandssorich，thattheenrichedwaterinwhichtheywashthemisboughtfortherefiners；——nottowardsthesedoesMrWeggstump，buttowardsthepoorershopsofsmallretailtradersincommoditiestoeatanddrinkandkeepfolkswarm，andofItalianframe-makers，andofbarbers，andofbrokers，andofdealersindogsandsinging-birds。

Fromthese，inanarrowandadirtystreetdevotedtosuchcallings，MrWeggselectsonedarkshop-windowwithatallowcandledimlyburninginit，surroundedbyamuddleofobjectsvaguelyresemblingpiecesofleatheranddrystick，butamongwhichnothingisresolvableintoanythingdistinct，savethecandleitselfinitsoldtincandlestick，andtwopreservedfrogsfightingasmall-

swordduel。Stumpingwithfreshvigour，hegoesinatthedarkgreasyentry，pushesalittlegreasydarkreluctantside-door，andfollowsthedoorintothelittledarkgreasyshop。Itissodarkthatnothingcanbemadeoutinit，overalittlecounter，butanothertallowcandleinanotheroldtincandlestick，closetothefaceofamanstoopinglowinachair。

MrWeggnodstotheface，\'Goodevening。\'

Thefacelookingupisasallowfacewithweakeyes，surmountedbyatangleofreddish-dustyhair。Theownerofthefacehasnocravaton，andhasopenedhistumbledshirt-collartoworkwiththemoreease。Forthesamereasonhehasnocoaton:onlyaloosewaistcoatoverhisyellowlinen。Hiseyesareliketheover-triedeyesofanengraver，butheisnotthat；hisexpressionandstooparelikethoseofashoemaker，butheisnotthat。

\'Goodevening，MrVenus。Don\'tyouremember?\'

Withslowlydawningremembrance，MrVenusrises，andholdshiscandleoverthelittlecounter，andholdsitdowntowardsthelegs，naturalandartificial，ofMrWegg。

\'TobeSURE！\'hesays，then。\'Howdoyoudo?\'

\'Wegg，youknow，\'thatgentlemanexplains。

\'Yes，yes，\'saystheother。\'Hospitalamputation?\'

\'Justso，\'saysMrWegg。

\'Yes，yes，\'quothVenus。\'Howdoyoudo?Sitdownbythefire，andwarmyour——yourotherone。\'

\'Thelittlecounterbeingsoshortacounterthatitleavesthefireplace，whichwouldhavebeenbehinditifithadbeenlonger，accessible，MrWeggsitsdownonaboxinfrontofthefire，andinhalesawarmandcomfortablesmellwhichisnotthesmelloftheshop。\'Forthat，\'MrWegginwardlydecides，ashetakesacorrectivesniffortwo，\'ismusty，leathery，feathery，cellary，gluey，gummy，and，\'withanothersniff，\'asitmightbe，strongofoldpairsofbellows。\'

\'Myteaisdrawing，andmymuffinisonthehob，MrWegg；willyoupartake?\'

ItbeingoneofMrWegg\'sguidingrulesinlifealwaystopartake，hesayshewill。But，thelittleshopissoexcessivelydark，isstucksofullofblackshelvesandbracketsandnooksandcorners，thatheseesMrVenus\'scupandsauceronlybecauseitiscloseunderthecandle，anddoesnotseefromwhatmysteriousrecessMrVenusproducesanotherforhimselfuntilitisunderhisnose。

Concurrently，Weggperceivesaprettylittledeadbirdlyingonthecounter，withitsheaddroopingononesideagainsttherimofMrVenus\'ssaucer，andalongstiffwirepiercingitsbreast。AsifitwereCockRobin，theherooftheballad，andMrVenuswerethesparrowwithhisbowandarrow，andMrWeggweretheflywithhislittleeye。

MrVenusdives，andproducesanothermuffin，yetuntoasted；

takingthearrowoutofthebreastofCockRobin，heproceedstotoastitontheendofthatcruelinstrument。Whenitisbrown，hedivesagainandproducesbutter，withwhichhecompleteshiswork。

MrWegg，asanartfulmanwhoissureofhissupperby-and-bye，pressesmuffinonhishosttosoothehimintoacompliantstateofmind，or，asonemightsay，togreasehisworks。Asthemuffinsdisappear，littlebylittle，theblackshelvesandnooksandcornersbegintoappear，andMrWegggraduallyacquiresanimperfectnotionthatoveragainsthimonthechimney-pieceisaHindoobabyinabottle，curvedupwithhisbigheadtuckedunderhim，ashewouldinstantlythrowasummersaultifthebottlewerelargeenough。

WhenhedeemsMrVenus\'swheelssufficientlylubricated，MrWeggapproacheshisobjectbyasking，ashelightlytapshishandstogether，toexpressanundesigningframeofmind:

\'AndhowhaveIbeengoingon，thislongtime，MrVenus?\'

\'Verybad，\'saysMrVenus，uncompromisingly。

\'What?AmIstillathome?\'asksWegg，withanairofsurprise。

\'Alwaysathome。\'

ThiswouldseemtobesecretlyagreeabletoWegg，butheveilshisfeelings，andobserves，\'Strange。Towhatdoyouattributeit?\'

\'Idon\'tknow，\'repliesVenus，whoisahaggardmelancholyman，speakinginaweakvoiceofquerulouscomplaint，\'towhattoattributeit，MrWegg。Ican\'tworkyouintoamiscellaneousone，nohow。DowhatIwill，youcan\'tbegottofit。Anybodywithapassableknowledgewouldpickyououtatalook，andsay，——“Nogo！Don\'tmatch！“\'

\'Well，buthangit，MrVenus，\'Weggexpostulateswithsomelittleirritation，\'thatcan\'tbepersonalandpeculiarinME。Itmustoftenhappenwithmiscellaneousones。\'

\'Withribs(Igrantyou)always。Butnotelse。WhenIprepareamiscellaneousone，IknowbeforehandthatIcan\'tkeeptonature，andbemiscellaneouswithribs，becauseeverymanhashisownribs，andnootherman\'swillgowiththem；butelsewaysIcanbemiscellaneous。IhavejustsenthomeaBeauty——aperfectBeauty——

toaschoolofart。OnelegBelgian，onelegEnglish，andthepickingsofeightotherpeopleinit。Talkofnotbeingqualifiedtobemiscellaneous！ByrightsyouOUGHTtobe，MrWegg。\'

Silaslooksashardathisonelegashecaninthedimlight，andafterapausesulkilyopines\'thatitmustbethefaultoftheotherpeople。Orhowdoyoumeantosayitcomesabout?\'hedemandsimpatiently。

\'Idon\'tknowhowitcomesabout。Standupaminute。Holdthelight。\'MrVenustakesfromacornerbyhischair，thebonesofalegandfoot，beautifullypure，andputtogetherwithexquisiteneatness。ThesehecompareswithMrWegg\'sleg；thatgentlemanlookingon，asifhewerebeingmeasuredforariding-boot。\'No，I

don\'tknowhowitis，butsoitis。Youhavegotatwistinthatbone，tothebestofmybelief。Ineversawthelikesofyou。\'

MrWegghavinglookeddistrustfullyathisownlimb，andsuspiciouslyatthepatternwithwhichithasbeencompared，makesthepoint:

\'I\'llbetapoundthatain\'tanEnglishone！\'

\'Aneasywager，whenwerunsomuchintoforeign！No，itbelongstothatFrenchgentleman。\'

AshenodstowardsapointofdarknessbehindMrWegg，thelatter，withaslightstart，looksroundfor\'thatFrenchgentleman，\'

whomheatlengthdescriestoberepresented(inaveryworkmanlikemanner)byhisribsonly，standingonashelfinanothercorner，likeapieceofarmourorapairofstays。

\'Oh！\'saysMrWegg，withasortofsenseofbeingintroduced；\'I

daresayyouwereallrightenoughinyourowncountry，butIhopenoobjectionswillbetakentomysayingthattheFrenchmanwasneveryetbornasIshouldwishtomatch。\'

Atthismomentthegreasydoorisviolentlypushedinward，andaboyfollowsit，whosays，afterhavingletitslam:

\'Comeforthestuffedcanary。\'

\'It\'sthreeandninepence，\'returnsVenus；\'haveyougotthemoney?\'

Theboyproducesfourshillings。MrVenus，alwaysinexceedinglylowspiritsandmakingwhimperingsounds，peersaboutforthestuffedcanary。Onhistakingthecandletoassisthissearch，MrWeggobservesthathehasaconvenientlittleshelfnearhisknees，exclusivelyappropriatedtoskeletonhands，whichhaveverymuchtheappearanceofwantingtolayholdofhim。FromtheseMrVenusrescuesthecanaryinaglasscase，andshowsittotheboy。

\'There！\'hewhimpers。\'There\'sanimation！Onatwig，makinguphismindtohop！Takecareofhim；he\'salovelyspecimen——Andthreeisfour。\'

Theboygathersuphischangeandhaspulledthedooropenbyaleatherstrapnailedtoitforthepurpose，whenVenuscriesout:

\'Stophim！Comeback，youyoungvillain！You\'vegotatoothamongthemhalfpence。\'

\'HowwasItoknowI\'dgotit?Yougivitme。Idon\'twantnoneofyourteeth；I\'vegotenoughofmyown。\'Sotheboypipes，asheselectsitfromhischange，andthrowsitonthecounter。

\'Don\'tsauceME，inthewiciousprideofyouryouth，\'MrVenusretortspathetically。\'Don\'thitMEbecauseyouseeI\'mdown。I\'mlowenoughwithoutthat。Itdroppedintothetill，Isuppose。Theydropintoeverything。Therewastwointhecoffee-potatbreakfasttime。Molars。\'

\'Verywell，then，\'arguestheboy，\'whatdoyoucallnamesfor?\'

TowhichMrVenusonlyreplies，shakinghisshockofdustyhair，andwinkinghisweakeyes，\'Don\'tsauceME，inthewiciousprideofyouryouth；don\'thitME，becauseyouseeI\'mdown。You\'venoideahowsmallyou\'dcomeout，ifIhadthearticulatingofyou。\'

Thisconsiderationseemstohaveitseffectontheboy，forhegoesoutgrumbling。

\'Ohdearme，dearme！\'sighsMrVenus，heavily，snuffingthecandle，\'theworldthatappearedsofloweryhasceasedtoblow！

You\'recastingyoureyeroundtheshop，MrWegg。Letmeshowyoualight。Myworkingbench。Myyoungman\'sbench。AWice。

Tools。Bones，warious。Skulls，warious。PreservedIndianbaby。

Africanditto。Bottledpreparations，warious。Everythingwithinreachofyourhand，ingoodpreservation。Themouldyonesa-top。

What\'sinthosehampersoverthemagain，Idon\'tquiteremember。

Say，humanwarious。Cats。ArticulatedEnglishbaby。Dogs。

Ducks。Glasseyes，warious。Mummiedbird。Driedcuticle，warious。Oh，dearme！That\'sthegeneralpanoramicview。\'

Havingsoheldandwavedthecandleasthatalltheseheterogeneousobjectsseemedtocomeforwardobedientlywhentheywerenamed，andthenretireagain，MrVenusdespondentlyrepeats，\'Ohdearme，dearme！\'resumeshisseat，andwithdroopingdespondencyuponhim，fallstopouringhimselfoutmoretea。

\'WhereamI?\'asksMrWegg。

\'You\'resomewhereinthebackshopacrosstheyard，sir；andspeakingquitecandidly，IwishI\'dneverboughtyouoftheHospitalPorter。\'

\'Now，lookhere，whatdidyougiveforme?\'

\'Well，\'repliesVenus，blowinghistea:hisheadandfacepeeringoutofthedarkness，overthesmokeofit，asifheweremodernizingtheoldoriginalriseinhisfamily:\'youwereoneofawariouslot，andIdon\'tknow。\'

Silasputshispointintheimprovedformof\'Whatwillyoutakeforme?\'

\'Well，\'repliesVenus，stillblowinghistea，\'I\'mnotprepared，atamoment\'snotice，totellyou，MrWegg。\'

\'Come！AccordingtoyourownaccountI\'mnotworthmuch，\'

Weggreasonspersuasively。

\'Notformiscellaneousworkingin，Igrantyou，MrWegg；butyoumightturnoutvaluableyet，asa——\'hereMrVenustakesagulpoftea，sohotthatitmakeshimchoke，andsetshisweakeyeswatering；\'asaMonstrosity，ifyou\'llexcuseme。\'

Repressinganindignantlook，indicativeofanythingbutadispositiontoexcusehim，Silaspursueshispoint。

\'Ithinkyouknowme，MrVenus，andIthinkyouknowIneverbargain。\'

MrVenustakesgulpsofhottea，shuttinghiseyesateverygulp，andopeningthemagaininaspasmodicmanner；butdoesnotcommithimselftoassent。

\'Ihaveaprospectofgettingoninlifeandelevatingmyselfbymyownindependentexertions，\'saysWegg，feelingly，\'andIshouldn\'tlike——ItellyouopenlyIshouldNOTlike——undersuchcircumstances，tobewhatImaycalldispersed，apartofmehere，andapartofmethere，butshouldwishtocollectmyselflikeagenteelperson。\'

\'It\'saprospectatpresent，isit，MrWegg?Thenyouhaven\'tgotthemoneyforadealaboutyou?ThenI\'lltellyouwhatI\'lldowithyou；I\'llholdyouover。Iamamanofmyword，andyouneedn\'tbeafraidofmydisposingofyou。I\'llholdyouover。That\'sapromise。

Ohdearme，dearme！\'

Faintoaccepthispromise，andwishingtopropitiatehim，MrWegglooksonashesighsandpourshimselfoutmoretea，andthensays，tryingtogetasympathetictoneintohisvoice:

\'Youseemverylow，MrVenus。Isbusinessbad?\'

\'Neverwassogood。\'

\'Isyourhandoutatall?\'

\'Neverwassowellin。MrWegg，I\'mnotonlyfirstinthetrade，butI\'mTHEtrade。YoumaygoandbuyaskeletonattheWestEndifyoulike，andpaytheWestEndprice，butit\'llbemyputtingtogether。I\'veasmuchtodoasIcanpossiblydo，withtheassistanceofmyyoungman，andItakeaprideandapleasureinit。\'

MrVenusthusdelivershmself，hisrighthandextended，hissmokingsaucerinhislefthand，protestingasthoughheweregoingtoburstintoafloodoftears。

\'Thatain\'tastateofthingstomakeyoulow，MrVenus。\'

\'MrWegg，Iknowitain\'t。MrWegg，nottonamemyselfasaworkmanwithoutanequal，I\'vegoneonimprovingmyselfinmyknowledgeofAnatomy，tillbothbysightandbynameI\'mperfect。

MrWegg，ifyouwasbroughtherelooseinabagtobearticulated，I\'dnameyoursmallestbonesblindfoldequallywithyourlargest，asfastasIcouldpick\'emout，andI\'dsort\'emall，andsortyourwertebrae，inamannerthatwouldequallysurpriseandcharmyou。\'

\'Well，\'remarksSilas(thoughnotquitesoreadilyaslasttime)，\'THATain\'tastateofthingstobelowabout——NotforYOUtobelowabout，leastways。\'

\'MrWegg，Iknowitain\'t；MrWegg，Iknowitain\'t。Butit\'stheheartthatlowersme，itistheheart！Besogoodastakeandreadthatcardoutloud。\'

Silasreceivesonefromhishand，whichVenustakesfromawonderfullitterinadrawer，andputtingonhisspectacles，reads:

\'“MrVenus，\'

\'Yes。Goon。\'

\'“PreserverofAnimalsandBirds，“\'

\'Yes。Goon。\'

\'“Articulatorofhumanbones。”\'

\'That\'sit，\'withagroan。\'That\'sit！MrWegg，I\'mthirty-two，andabachelor。MrWegg，Iloveher。MrWegg，sheisworthyofbeinglovedbyaPotentate！\'HereSilasisratheralarmedbyMrVenus\'sspringingtohisfeetinthehurryofhisspirits，andhaggardlyconfrontinghimwithhishandonhiscoatcollar；butMrVenus，beggingpardon，sitsdownagain，saying，withthecalmnessofdespair，\'Sheobjectstothebusiness。\'

\'Doessheknowtheprofitsofit?\'

\'Sheknowstheprofitsofit，butshedon\'tappreciatetheartofit，andsheobjectstoit。“Idonotwish，“shewritesinherownhandwriting，“toregardmyself，noryettoberegarded，inthatboneylight“。\'

MrVenuspourshimselfoutmoretea，withalookandinanattitudeofthedeepestdesolation。

\'Andsoamanclimbstothetopofthetree，MrWegg，onlytoseethatthere\'snolook-outwhenhe\'supthere！Isithereofanightsurroundedbythelovelytrophiesofmyart，andwhathavetheydoneforme?Ruinedme。Broughtmetothepassofbeinginformedthat“shedoesnotwishtoregardherself，noryettoberegarded，inthatboneylight“！\'Havingrepeatedthefatalexpressions，MrVenusdrinksmoreteabygulps，andoffersanexplanationofhisdoingso。

\'Itlowersme。WhenI\'mequallyloweredallover，lethargysetsin。

Bystickingtoittilloneortwointhemorning，Igetoblivion。

Don\'tletmedetainyou，MrWegg。I\'mnotcompanyforanyone。\'

\'Itisnotonthataccount，\'saysSilas，rising，\'butbecauseI\'vegotanappointment。It\'stimeIwasatHarmon\'s。\'

\'Eh?\'saidMrVenus。\'Harmon\'s，upBattleBridgeway?\'

MrWeggadmitsthatheisboundforthatport。

\'Yououghttobeinagoodthing，ifyou\'veworkedyourselfinthere。There\'slotsofmoneygoing，there。\'

\'Tothink，\'saysSilas，\'thatyoushouldcatchitupsoquick，andknowaboutit。Wonderful！\'

\'Notatall，MrWegg。Theoldgentlemanwantedtoknowthenatureandworthofeverythingthatwasfoundinthedust；andmany\'sthebone，andfeather，andwhatnot，thathe\'sbroughttome。\'

\'Really，now！\'

\'Yes。(Ohdearme，dearme！)Andhe\'sburiedquiteinthisneighbourhood，youknow。Overyonder。\'

MrWeggdoesnotknow，buthemakesasifhedid，byresponsivelynoddinghishead。Healsofollowswithhiseyes，thetossofVenus\'shead:asiftoseekadirectiontooveryonder。

\'Itookaninterestinthatdiscoveryintheriver，\'saysVenus。(Shehadn\'twrittenhercuttingrefusalatthattime。)I\'vegotupthere——

nevermind，though。\'

Hehadraisedthecandleatarm\'slengthtowardsoneofthedarkshelves，andMrWegghadturnedtolook，whenhebrokeoff。

\'Theoldgentlemanwaswellknownallroundhere。Thereusedtobestoriesabouthishavinghiddenallkindsofpropertyinthosedustmounds。Isupposetherewasnothingin\'em。Probablyyouknow，MrWegg?\'

\'Nothingin\'em，\'saysWegg，whohasneverheardawordofthisbefore。

\'Don\'tletmedetainyou。Goodnight！\'

TheunfortunateMrVenusgiveshimashakeofthehandwithashakeofhisownhead，anddroopingdowninhischair，proceedstopourhimselfoutmoretea。MrWegg，lookingbackoverhisshoulderashepullsthedooropenbythestrap，noticesthatthemovementsoshakesthecrazyshop，andsoshakesamomentaryflareoutofthecandle，asthatthebabies——Hindoo，African，andBritish——the\'humanwarious\'，theFrenchgentleman，thegreenglass-eyedcats，thedogs，theducks，andalltherestofthecollection，showforaninstantasifparalyticallyanimated；whileevenpoorlittleCockRobinatMrVenus\'selbowturnsoveronhisinnocentside。Nextmoment，MrWeggisstumpingunderthegaslightsandthroughthemud。

Chapter8

MRBOFFININCONSULTATION

WhosoeverhadgoneoutofFleetStreetintotheTempleatthedateofthishistory，andhadwandereddisconsolateabouttheTempleuntilhestumbledonadismalchurchyard，andhadlookedupatthedismalwindowscommandingthatchurchyarduntilatthemostdismalwindowofthemallhesawadismalboy，wouldinhimhavebeheld，atonegrandcomprehensiveswoopoftheeye，themanagingclerk，juniorclerk，common-lawclerk，conveyancingclerk，chanceryclerk，everyrefinementanddepartmentofclerk，ofMrMortimerLightwood，erewhilecalledinthenewspaperseminentsolicitor。

MrBoffinhavingbeenseveraltimesincommunicationwiththisclerklyessence，bothonitsowngroundandattheBower，hadnodifficultyinidentifyingitwhenhesawitupinitsdustyeyrie。Tothesecondflooronwhichthewindowwassituated，heascended，muchpre-occupiedinmindbytheuncertaintiesbesettingtheRomanEmpire，andmuchregrettingthedeathoftheamiablePertinax:whoonlylastnighthadlefttheImperialaffairsinastateofgreatconfusion，byfallingavictimtothefuryofthepraetorianguards。

\'Morning，morning，morning！\'saidMrBoffin，withawaveofhishand，astheofficedoorwasopenedbythedismalboy，whoseappropriatenamewasBlight。\'Governorin?\'

\'MrLightwoodgaveyouanappointment，sir，Ithink?\'

\'Idon\'twanthimtogiveit，youknow，\'returnedMrBoffin；\'I\'llpaymyway，myboy。\'

\'Nodoubt，sir。Wouldyouwalkin?MrLightwoodain\'tinatthepresentmoment，butIexpecthimbackveryshortly。WouldyoutakeaseatinMrLightwood\'sroom，sir，whileIlookoverourAppointmentBook?\'YoungBlightmadeagreatshowoffetchingfromhisdeskalongthinmanuscriptvolumewithabrownpapercover，andrunninghisfingerdowntheday\'sappointments，murmuring，\'MrAggs，MrBaggs，MrCaggs，MrDaggs，MrFaggs，MrGaggs，MrBoffin。Yes，sir；quiteright。Youarealittlebeforeyourtime，sir。MrLightwoodwillbeindirectly。\'

\'I\'mnotinahurry，\'saidMrBoffin\'Thankyou，sir。I\'lltaketheopportunity，ifyouplease，ofenteringyournameinourCallers\'Bookfortheday。\'YoungBlightmadeanothergreatshowofchangingthevolume，takingupapen，suckingit，dippingit，andrunningoverpreviousentriesbeforehewrote。As，\'MrAlley，MrBalley，MrCalley，MrDalley，MrFalley，MrGalley，MrHalley，MrLalley，MrMalley。AndMrBoffin。\'

\'Strictsystemhere；eh，mylad?\'saidMrBoffin，ashewasbooked。

\'Yes，sir，\'returnedtheboy。\'Icouldn\'tgetonwithoutit。\'

Bywhichheprobablymeantthathismindwouldhavebeenshatteredtopieceswithoutthisfictionofanoccupation。Wearinginhissolitaryconfinementnofettersthathecouldpolish，andbeingprovidedwithnodrinking-cupthathecouldcarve，behadfallenonthedeviceofringingalphabeticalchangesintothetwovolumesinquestion，orofenteringvastnumbersofpersonsoutoftheDirectoryastransactingbusinesswithMrLightwood。Itwasthemorenecessaryforhisspirits，because，beingofasensitivetemperament，hewasapttoconsideritpersonallydisgracefultohimselfthathismasterhadnoclients。

\'Howlonghaveyoubeeninthelaw，now?\'askedMrBoffin，withapounce，inhisusualinquisitiveway。

\'I\'vebeeninthelaw，now，sir，aboutthreeyears。\'

\'Musthavebeenasgoodasborninit！\'saidMrBoffin，withadmiration。\'Doyoulikeit?\'

\'Idon\'tminditmuch，\'returnedYoungBlight，heavingasigh，asifitsbitternesswerepast。

\'Whatwagesdoyouget?\'

\'HalfwhatIcouldwish，\'repliedyoungBlight。

\'What\'sthewholethatyoucouldwish?\'

\'Fifteenshillingsaweek，\'saidtheboy。

\'Abouthowlongmightittakeyounow，ataaveragerateofgoing，tobeaJudge?\'askedMrBoffin，aftersurveyinghissmallstatureinsilence。

Theboyansweredthathehadnotyetquiteworkedoutthatlittlecalculation。

\'Isupposethere\'snothingtopreventyourgoinginforit?\'saidMrBoffin。

TheboyvirtuallyrepliedthatashehadthehonourtobeaBritonwhonevernevernever，therewasnothingtopreventhisgoinginforit。Yetheseemedinclinedtosuspectthattheremightbesomethingtopreventhiscomingoutwithit。

\'Wouldacoupleofpoundhelpyouupatall?\'askedMrBoffin。

Onthishead，youngBlighthadnodoubtwhatever，soMrBoffinmadehimapresentofthatsumofmoney，andthankedhimforhisattentiontohis(MrBoffin\'s)affairs；which，headded，werenow，hebelieved，asgoodassettled。

ThenMrBoffin，withhisstickathisear，likeaFamiliarSpiritexplainingtheofficetohim，satstaringatalittlebookcaseofLawPracticeandLawReports，andatawindow，andatanemptybluebag，andatastickofsealing-wax，andapen，andaboxofwafers，andanapple，andawriting-pad——allverydusty——andatanumberofinkysmearsandblots，andatanimperfectly-disguisedgun-casepretendingtobesomethinglegal，andatanironboxlabelledHARMONESTATE，untilMrLightwoodappeared。

MrLightwoodexplainedthathecamefromtheproctor\'s，withwhomhehadbeenengagedintransactingMrBoffin\'saffairs。

\'Andtheyseemtohavetakenadealoutofyou！\'saidMrBoffin，withcommiseration。

MrLightwood，withoutexplainingthathiswearinesswaschronic，proceededwithhisexpositionthat，allformsoflawhavingbeenatlengthcompliedwith，willofHarmondeceasedhavingbeenproved，deathofHarmonnextinheritinghavingbeenproved，&c。，andsoforth，CourtofChanceryhavingbeenmoved，&c。andsoforth，he，MrLightwood，hadnowthegratification，honour，andhappiness，again&c。andsoforth，ofcongratulatingMrBoffinoncomingintopossessionasresiduarylegatee，ofupwardsofonehundredthousandpounds，standinginthebooksoftheGovernorandCompanyoftheBankofEngland，again&c。andsoforth。

\'AndwhatisparticularlyeligibleinthepropertyMrBoffin，is，thatitinvolvesnotrouble。Therearenoestatestomanage，norentstoreturnsomuchpercentuponinbadtimes(whichisanextremelydearwayofgettingyournameintothenewspapers)，novoterstobecomeparboiledinhotwaterwith，noagentstotakethecreamoffthemilkbeforeitcomestotable。Youcouldputthewholeinacash-boxto-morrowmorning，andtakeitwithyouto——say，totheRockyMountains。Inasmuchaseveryman，\'concludedMrLightwood，withanindolentsmile，\'appearstobeunderafatalspellwhichobligeshim，soonerorlater，tomentiontheRockyMountainsinatoneofextremefamiliaritytosomeotherman，I

hopeyou\'llexcusemypressingyouintotheserviceofthatgiganticrangeofgeographicalbores。\'

Withoutfollowingthislastremarkveryclosely，MrBoffincasthisperplexedgazefirstattheceiling，andthenatthecarpet。

\'Well，\'heremarked，\'Idon\'tknowwhattosayaboutit，Iamsure。I

wasa\'mostaswellasIwas。It\'sagreatlottotakecareof。\'

\'MydearMrBoffin，thenDON\'Ttakecareofit！\'

\'Eh?\'saidthatgentleman。

\'Speakingnow，\'returnedMortimer，\'withtheirresponsibleimbecilityofaprivateindividual，andnotwiththeprofundityofaprofessionaladviser，Ishouldsaythatifthecircumstanceofitsbeingtoomuch，weighsuponyourmind，youhavethehavenofconsolationopentoyouthatyoucaneasilymakeitless。Andifyoushouldbeapprehensiveofthetroubleofdoingso，thereisthefurtherhavenofconsolationthatanynumberofpeoplewilltakethetroubleoffyourhands。\'

\'Well！Idon\'tquiteseeit，\'retortedMrBoffin，stillperplexed。

\'That\'snotsatisfactory，youknow，whatyou\'rea-saying。\'

\'IsAnythingsatisfactory，MrBoffin?\'askedMortimer，raisinghiseyebrows。

\'Iusedtofinditso，\'answeredMrBoffin，withawistfullook。

\'WhileIwasforemanattheBower——aforeitWAStheBower——I

consideredthebusinessverysatisfactory。TheoldmanwasaawfulTartar(sayingit，I\'msure，withoutdisrespecttohismemory)

butthebusinesswasapleasantonetolookafter，frombeforedaylighttopastdark。It\'sa\'mostapity，\'saidMrBoffin，rubbinghisear，\'thatheeverwentandmadesomuchmoney。Itwouldhavebeenbetterforhimifhehadn\'tsogivenhimselfuptoit。Youmaydependuponit，\'makingthediscoveryallofasudden，\'thatHEfounditagreatlottotakecareof！\'

MrLightwoodcoughed，notconvinced。

\'Andspeakingofsatisfactory，\'pursuedMrBoffin，\'why，Lordsaveus！whenwecometotakeittopieces，bitbybit，where\'sthesatisfactorinessofthemoneyasyet?Whentheoldmandoesrightthepoorboyafterall，thepoorboygetsnogoodofit。Hegetsmadeawaywith，atthemomentwhenhe\'slifting(asonemaysay)

thecupandsarsertohislips。MrLightwood，Iwillnownametoyou，thatonbehalfofthepoordearboy，meandMrsBoffinhavestoodoutagainsttheoldmantimesoutofnumber，tillhehascalleduseverynamebecouldlayhistongueto。Ihaveseenhim，afterMrsBoffinhasgivenhimhermindrespectingtheclaimsofthenat\'ralaffections，catchoffMrsBoffin\'sbonnet(shewore，ingeneral，ablackstraw，perchedasamatterofconvenienceonthetopofherhead)，andsenditspinningacrosstheyard。Ihaveindeed。Andonce，whenhedidthisinamannerthatamountedtopersonal，Ishouldhavegivenhimarattlerforhimself，ifMrsBoffinhadn\'tthrownherselfbetwixtus，andreceivedflushonthetemple。Whichdroppedher，MrLightwood。Droppedher。\'

MrLightwoodmurmured\'Equalhonour——MrsBoffin\'sheadandheart。\'

\'Youunderstand；Inamethis，\'pursuedMrBoffin，\'toshowyou，nowtheaffairsarewoundup，thatmeandMrsBoffinhaveeverstoodaswewereinChristianhonourbound，thechildren\'sfriend。

MeandMrsBoffinstoodthepoorgirl\'sfriend；meandMrsBoffinstoodthepoorboy\'sfriend；meandMrsBoffinupandfacedtheoldmanwhenwemomentlyexpectedtobeturnedoutforourpains。AstoMrsBoffin，\'saidMrBoffinloweringhisvoice，\'shemightn\'twishitmentionednowshe\'sFashionable，butshewentsofarastotellhim，inmypresence，hewasaflinty-heartedrascal。\'

MrLightwoodmurmured\'VigorousSaxonspirit——MrsBoffin\'sancestors——bowmen——AgincourtandCressy。\'

\'ThelasttimemeandMrsBoffinsawthepoorboy，\'saidMrBoffin，warming(asfatusuallydoes)withatendencytomelt，\'hewasachildofsevenyearold。Forwhenhecamebacktomakeintercessionforhissister，meandMrsBoffinwereawayoverlookingacountrycontractwhichwastobesiftedbeforecarted，andhewascomeandgoneinasinglehour。Isayhewasachildofsevenyearold。Hewasgoingaway，allaloneandforlorn，tothatforeignschool，andhecomeintoourplace，situateuptheyardofthepresentBower，tohaveawarmatourfire。Therewashislittlescantytravellingclothesuponhim。Therewashislittlescantyboxoutsideintheshiveringwind，whichIwasgoingtocarryforhimdowntothesteamboat，astheoldmanwouldn\'thearofallowingasixpencecoach-money。MrsBoffin，thenquiteayoungwomanandpicturofafull-blownrose，standshimbyher，kneelsdownatthefire，warmshertwoopenhands，andfallstorubbinghischeeks；butseeingthetearscomeintothechild\'seyes，thetearscomefastintoherown，andsheholdshimroundtheneck，likeasifshewasprotectinghim，andcriestome，“I\'dgivethewidewideworld，Iwould，torunawaywithhim！“Idon\'tsaybutwhatitcutme，andbutwhatitatthesametimeheightenedmyfeelingsofadmirationforMrsBoffin。Thepoorchildclingstoherforawhile，assheclingstohim，andthen，whentheoldmancalls，hesays“Imustgo！Godblessyou！“andforamomentrestshisheartagainstherbosom，andlooksupatbothofus，asifitwasinpain——inagony。Suchalook！Iwentaboardwithhim(IgavehimfirstwhatlittletreatIthoughthe\'dlike)，andIlefthimwhenhehadfallenasleepinhisberth，andIcamebacktoMrsBoffin。ButtellherwhatIwouldofhowIhadlefthim，itallwentfornothing，for，accordingtoherthoughts，heneverchangedthatlookthathehadlookedupatustwo。Butitdidonepieceofgood。MrsBoffinandmehadnochildofourown，andhadsometimeswishedthathowwehadone。Butnotnow。“Wemightbothofusdie，“saysMrsBoffin，“andothereyesmightseethatlonelylookinourchild。”Soofanight，whenitwasverycold，orwhenthewindroared，ortheraindrippedheavy，shewouldwakesobbing，andcalloutinafluster，“Don\'tyouseethepoorchild\'sface?Oshelterthepoorchild！“——tillincourseofyearsitgentlyworeout，asmanythingsdo。\'

\'MydearMrBoffin，everythingwearstorags，\'saidMortimer，withalightlaugh。

\'Iwon\'tgosofarastosayeverything，\'returnedMrBoffin，onwhomhismannerseemedtograte，\'becausethere\'ssomethingsthatIneverfoundamongthedust。Well，sir。SoMrsBoffinandmegrowolderandolderintheoldman\'sservice，livingandworkingprettyhardinit，tilltheoldmanisdiscovereddeadinhisbed。ThenMrsBoffinandmesealuphisbox，alwaysstandingonthetableatthesideofhisbed，andhavingfrequentlyheerdtelloftheTempleasaspotwherelawyer\'sdustiscontractedfor，Icomedownhereinsearchofalawyertoadvise，andIseeyouryoungmanupatthispresentelevation，choppingatthefliesonthewindow-sillwithhispenknife，andIgivehimaHoy！notthenhavingthepleasureofyouracquaintance，andbythatmeanscometogainthehonour。Thenyou，andthegentlemanintheuncomfortableneck-clothunderthelittlearchwayinSaintPaul\'sChurchyard——\'

\'Doctors\'Commons，\'observedLightwood。

\'Iunderstooditwasanothername，\'saidMrBoffin，pausing，\'butyouknowbest。ThenyouandDoctorScommons，yougotowork，andyoudothethingthat\'sproper，andyouandDoctorS。takestepsforfindingoutthepoorboy，andatlastyoudofindoutthepoorboy，andmeandMrsBoffinoftenexchangetheobservation，“Weshallseehimagain，underhappycircumstances。”Butitwasnevertobe；andthewantofsatisfactorinessis，thatafterallthemoneynevergetstohim。\'

\'Butitgets，\'remarkedLightwood，withalanguidinclinationofthehead，\'intoexcellenthands。\'

\'ItgetsintothehandsofmeandMrsBoffinonlythisverydayandhour，andthat\'swhatIamworkingroundto，havingwaitedforthisdayandhoura\'purpose。MrLightwood，herehasbeenawickedcruelmurder。BythatmurdermeandMrsBoffinmysteriouslyprofit。Fortheapprehensionandconvictionofthemurderer，weofferarewardofonetitheoftheproperty——arewardofTenThousandPound。\'

\'MrBoffin，it\'stoomuch。\'

\'MrLightwood，meandMrsBoffinhavefixedthesumtogether，andwestandtoit。\'

\'Butletmerepresenttoyou，\'returnedLightwood，\'speakingnowwithprofessionalprofundity，andnotwithindividualimbecility，thattheofferofsuchanimmenserewardisatemptationtoforcedsuspicion，forcedconstructionofcircumstances，strainedaccusation，awholetool-boxofedgedtools。\'

\'Well，\'saidMrBoffin，alittlestaggered，\'that\'sthesumweputo\'

onesideforthepurpose。Whetheritshallbeopenlydeclaredinthenewnoticesthatmustnowbeputaboutinournames——\'

\'Inyourname，MrBoffin；inyourname。\'

\'Verywell；inmyname，whichisthesameasMrsBoffin\'s，andmeansbothofus，istobeconsideredindrawing\'emup。ButthisisthefirstinstructionthatI，astheowneroftheproperty，givetomylawyeroncomingintoit。\'