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。'

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读