 Chapter 15 of Dombi and Son. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Cynthia Lyons. Dombi and Son by Charles Dickens. Chapter 15. Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle. And a new pursuit for Walter Gay. Walter could not, for several days, decide what to do in the Barbados business. And even cherished some faint hope that Mr. Dombi might not have meant what he had said, or that he might change his mind and tell him he was not to go. But as nothing occurred to give this idea, which was sufficiently improbable in itself, any touch of confirmation, and as time was slipping by and he had none to lose, he felt that he must act without hesitating any longer. Walter's chief difficulty was how to break the change in his affairs to Uncle Saul, to whom he was sensible it would be a terrible blow. He had the greater difficulty in dashing Uncle Saul's spirits with such an astounding piece of intelligence, because they had lately recovered very much, and the old man had become so cheerful that the little back parlor was itself again. Uncle Saul had paid the first appointed portion of the debt to Mr. Dombi and was hopeful of working his way through the rest, and to cast him down afresh when he had sprung up so manfully from his troubles was a very distressing necessity. Yet it would never do to run away from him. He must know of it beforehand, and how to tell him was the point. As to the question of going or not going, Walter did not consider that he had any power of choice in the matter. Mr. Dombi had truly told him that he was young and that his uncle's circumstances were not good, and Mr. Dombi had plainly expressed in the glance with which he had accompanied that reminder that if he declined to go he might stay at home if he chose to, but not in his counting-house. His uncle and he lay under a great obligation to Mr. Dombi, which was of Walter's own soliciting. He might have begun in secret to despair of ever winning that gentleman's favor, and might have thought that he was now and then disposed to put a slight upon him, which was hardly just, but what would have been duty without that was still duty with it, or Walter thought so, and duty must be done. When Mr. Dombi had looked at him and told him he was young and that his uncle's circumstances were not good, there had been an expression of disdain in his face, a contemptuous and disparaging assumption that he would be quite content to live idly on a reduced old man, which stung the boy's generous soul. Determined to assure Mr. Dombi insofar as it was possible to give him the assurance without expressing it in words that indeed he mistook his nature, Walter had been anxious to show even more cheerfulness and activity after the West Indian interview than he had shown before if that were possible in one of his quick and zealous disposition. He was too young and inexperienced to think that possibly this very quality in him was not agreeable to Mr. Dombi, and that it was no stepping stone to his good opinion to be elastic and hopeful of pleasing under the shadow of his powerful displeasure whether it were right or wrong. But it may have been that the great man thought himself defied in this new exposition of an honest spirit and proposed to bring it down. Well, at last at least Uncle Saul must be told thought Walter with a sigh, and as Walter was apprehensive that his voice might perhaps quaver a little and that his countenance might not be quite as hopeful as he could wish it to be if he told the old man himself and saw the first effects of his communication on his wrinkled face, he resolved to avail himself of the services of that powerful mediator, Captain Cuddle. Sunday coming round he set off therefore after breakfast once more to beat up Captain Cuddle's quarters. It was not unpleasant to remember on the way thither that Mrs. McStinger resorted to a great distance every Sunday morning to attend the ministry of the Reverend McHill-Sidek Howler, who having been one day discharged from the West India Docks on a false suspicion got up expressly against him by the general enemy of screwing gimlets into punches and applying his lips to the orifice had announced the destruction of the world for that day two years at ten in the morning and opened a front parlor for the reception of ladies and gentlemen of the ranting persuasion upon whom on the first occasion of their assemblage the admonitions of the Reverend McHill-Sidek had produced so powerful an effect that in their rapturous performance of a sacred jig which closed the service the whole flock broke through into a kitchen below and disabled a mangle belonging to one of the fold. This, the Captain, in a moment of uncommon conviviality had confided to Walter and his uncle between the repetitions of lovely peg on the night when Brogley the Broker was paid out. The Captain himself was punctual in his attendance at a church in his own neighborhood which hoisted the Union Jack every Sunday morning and where he was good enough the lawful beetle being in firm to keep an eye upon the boys over whom he exercised great power in virtue of his mysterious hook. Knowing the regularity of the Captain's habits Walter made all the hasty could that he might anticipate his going out and he made such good speed that he had the pleasure on turning into Brigplace to behold the broad blue coat and waistcoat hanging out of the Captain's open window to air in the sun. It appeared incredible that the coat and waistcoat could be seen by mortal eyes without the Captain but he certainly was not in them. Otherwise his legs, the houses in Brigplace not being lofty would have obstructed the street door which was perfectly clear. Quite wondering at this discovery Walter gave a single knock. Stinger he distinctly heard the Captain say up in his room as if that were no business of his. Therefore Walter gave two knocks. Cuddle he heard the Captain say upon that and immediately afterwards the Captain in his clean shirt and braces with his neckerchief hanging loosely around his throat like a coil of rope and his glazed hat on appeared at the window leaning out over the broad blue coat and waistcoat. Walter cried the Captain looking down upon him in amazement. Aye aye Captain Cuddle returned Walter only me. What's the matter my lad? inquired the Captain with great concern. Gil ain't been and sprung nothing again. No no said Walter my uncle's all right Captain Cuddle. The Captain expressed his gratification and said he would come down below and open the door which he did. Though you're early Walter said the Captain eyeing him still doubtfully when they got upstairs. Why the fact is Captain Cuddle said Walter sitting down. I was afraid you would have gone out and I want to benefit by your friendly counsel. So you shall said the Captain. What'll you take? I want to take your opinion Captain Cuddle returned Walter smiling. That's the only thing for me. Come on then said the Captain with a will my lad. Walter related to him what had happened and the difficulty in which he felt respecting his uncle and the relief it would be to him if Captain Cuddle in his kindness would help him to smooth it away. Captain Cuddle's infinite consternation and astonishment at the prospect unfolded to him gradually swallowing that gentleman up until it left his face quite vacant and the suit of blue the glazed hat and the hook apparently without an owner. You see Captain Cuddle pursued Walter for myself I am young as Mr. Domby said and not to be considered I am to fight my way through the world. I know but there are two points I was thinking as I came along that I should be very particular about in respect to my uncle. I don't mean to say that I deserve to be the pride and delight of his life. You believe me I know but I am. Now don't you think I am? The Captain seemed to make an endeavor to rise from the depths of his astonishment and get back to his face but the effort being ineffectual the glazed hat merely nodded with a mute unutterable meaning. If I live and have my health said Walter and I am not afraid of that still when I leave England I can hardly hope to see my uncle again. He is old Captain Cuddle and besides his life is a life of custom. Steady Walter of a want of custom said the Captain suddenly reappearing. Too true returned Walter shaking his head but I meant a life of habit Captain Cuddle. That sort of custom and if as you very truly said I am sure he would have died the sooner for the loss of the stock and all those objects to which he has been accustomed for so many years don't you think he might die a little sooner for the loss of of his nevy interposed the Captain right. Well then said Walter trying to speak gaily. We must do our best to make him believe that the separation is but a temporary one after all but as I know better or dread that I know better Captain Cuddle and as I have so many reasons for regarding him with affection and duty and honour I am afraid I should make but a very poor hand at that if I try to persuade him of it. That's my great reason for wishing you to break it out to him and that's the first point. Keep her off a point or so observed the Captain in a contemplative voice. What did you say Captain Cuddle inquired Walter? Stand by returned the Captain thoughtfully. Walter paused to ascertain if the Captain had any particular information to add to this but as he said no more went on. Now the second point Captain Cuddle I am sorry to say. I am not a favourite with Mr. Dombie. I have always tried to do my best and I have always done it but he does not like me. He can't help his likings and dislikings perhaps. I say nothing of that. I only say that I am certain he does not like me. He does not send me to this post as a good one. He disdains to represent it as being better than it is and I doubt very much if it will ever lead me to advancement in the house. Whether it does or not on the contrary dispose of me forever and put me out of the way. Now we must say nothing of this to my uncle Captain Cuddle but we must make it out to be as favourable and promising as we can and when I tell you what it really is I only do so that in case any means should ever arise of lending me a hand so far off I may have one friend at home who knows my real situation. Walter my boy replied the Captain in the proverbs of Solomon you will find the following words May we never want a friend in need nor a bottle to give him when found make a note of Here the Captain stretched out his hand to Walter with an air of downright good faith that spoke volumes at the same time repeating for he felt proud of the accuracy and pointed application of his quotation when found make a note of Captain Cuddle said Walter taking the immense fist extended to him by the Captain in both his hands which it completely filled next to my Uncle Saul I love you there is no one on earth in whom I can more safely trust I am sure as to the mere going away Captain Cuddle I don't care for that why should I care for that if I were free to seek my own fortune if I were free to go as a common sailor if I were free to venture on my own account to the farthest end of the world I would gladly go I would have gladly gone years ago and taken my chance of what might come of it but it was against my Uncle's wishes and against the plans he had formed for me and there was an end of that but what I feel Captain Cuddle is that we have been a little mistaken all along and that so far as any improvement in my prospects is concerned I am no better off now than when I was when I first entered Dombie's house perhaps a little worse for the house may have been kindly inclined towards me then it certainly is not now turn again Whittington muttered the disconsolate Captain after looking at Walter for some time I replied Walter laughing and turn a great many times to Captain Cuddle I'm afraid before such fortune as his ever turns up again not that I complain he added in his lively animated energetic way I have nothing to complain of I am provided for I can live when I leave my Uncle I leave him to you and I can leave him to no one better Captain Cuddle I haven't told you all this because I despair not I it's to convince you that I can't pick and choose in Dombie's house and that where I am sent there I must go and what I am offered that I must take it's better for my Uncle that I should be sent away for Mr. Dombie is a valuable friend to him as he proved himself you know when Captain Cuddle and I am persuaded he won't be less valuable when he hasn't me there every day to awaken his dislike so hurrah for the West Indies Captain Cuddle how does that tune go that the sailors sing for the port of Barbados boys cheerily leaving Old England behind us boys cheerily hear the Captain roared in chorus oh cheerily cheerily oh cheerily the last line reaching the quick ears of an ardent skipper not quite sober who lodged opposite and who instantly sprung out of bed threw up his window and joined in across the street at the top of his voice produced a fine effect when it was impossible to sustain the concluding note any longer the skipper bellowed forth a terrific ahoy intending in part as a friendly greeting and in part to show that he was not at all breathed that done he shut down his window and went to bed again and now Captain Cuddle said Walter handing him the blue coat and waistcoat and bustling very much if you'll come and break the news to Uncle Saul which he ought to have known days upon days ago by rights I'll leave you at the door you know and walk about until the afternoon the Captain however scarcely appeared to relish the commission or to be by any means confident of his powers of executing it he had arranged the future life and adventures of Walter so differently and so entirely to his own satisfaction he had felicitated himself so often on the sagacity and foresight displayed in that arrangement and had found it so complete and perfect in all its parts that to suffer it to go to pieces all at once and even to assist in breaking it up required a great effort of his resolution the Captain too found it difficult to unload his old ideas upon the subject and to take a perfectly new cargo on board with that rapidity which the circumstances required or without jumbling and confounding the two consequently instead of putting on his coat and waistcoat with anything like the impetuosity that could alone have kept pace with Walter's mood he declined to invest himself with those garments at all at present and informed Walter that on such a serious matter he must be allowed to bite his nails a bit it's an old habit of mine Walter said the Captain any time these 50 years when you see Ned Cuddle bite his nails Walter then you may know that Ned Cuddle's aground there upon the Captain put his iron hook between his teeth as if it were a hand and with an air of wisdom and profundity that was the very concentration and sublimation of all philosophical reflection and grave inquiry applied himself to the consideration of the subject in its various branches there's a friend of mine murmured the Captain in an absent manner but he's at present coasting round to Whitby that would deliver such an opinion on this subject or any other that could be named as would give Parliament six and beat him Ben knocked overboard that man said the Captain twice and none the worse for it was beat in his apprenticeship for three weeks off and on about the head with a ring bolt and yet a clearer minded man don't walk in spite of his respect for Captain Cuddle Walter could not help inwardly rejoicing at the absence of this sage and devoutly hoping that his limpid intellect might not be brought to bear on his difficulties until they were quite settled if you was to take and show that man the buoy at the Noor said Captain Cuddle in the same tone and ask him his opinion of it Walter he'd give you an opinion that was no more like that buoy than your uncle's buttons are there ain't a man that walks certainly not on two legs that can come near him not near him what's his name Captain Cuddle inquired Walter determined to be interested in the Captain's friend his name's Bunsby said the Captain but Lord it might be anything for the matter of that with such a mind as his the exact idea which the Captain attached to this concluding piece of praise he did not further elucidate neither did Walter seek to draw it forth for on his beginning to review with the vivacity natural to himself and to his situation the leading points in his own affairs he soon discovered that the Captain had relapsed into his former profound state of mind and that while he eyed him steadfastly from behind his bushy eyebrows he evidently neither saw nor heard him but remained immersed in cogitation in fact Captain Cuddle was laboring with such great designs far from being aground he soon got off into the deepest of water and could find no bottom to his penetration by degrees it became perfectly plain to the Captain that there was some mistake here that it was undoubtedly much more likely to be Walter's mistake than his that if there were really any West India scheme but it was a very different one from what Walter who was young and rash supposed and could only be some new device for making his fortune with unusual celerity or if there should be any little hitch between them thought the Captain meaning between Walter and Mr. Dombie it only wants a word in season from a friend of both parties to set it right and smooth and make all taught again Captain Cuddle's deduction from these considerations was that as he already enjoyed the pleasure of knowing Mr. Dombie from having spent a very agreeable half hour in his company at Brighton on the morning when they borrowed the money and that as a couple of men of the world who understood each other and were mutually disposed to make things comfortable could easily arrange any little difficulty of this sort and come at the real fats the friendly thing for him to do would be without saying anything about it to Walter at present just to step up to Mr. Dombie's house say to the servant would you be so good my lad as report Captain Cuddle here to meet Mr. Dombie in a confidential spirit hook him by the buttonhole talk it over make it right and come away triumphant as these reflections presented themselves to the Captain's mind and by slow degrees assumed this shape and form his visage cleared like a doubtful morning when it gives place to a bright noon his eyebrows which had been in the highest degree portentious smoothed their rugged bristling aspect and became serene his eyes which had been nearly closed in the severity of his mental exercise opened freely a smile which had been at first but three specs one at the right hand corner of his mouth and one at the corner of each eye gradually overspread his whole face and rippling up into his forehead lifted the glazed hat as if that too had been aground with Captain Cuddle and were now like him happily afloat again finally the Captain left off biting his nails and said now Walter my boy you may help me on with them slops by which the Captain meant his coat and waistcoat Walter little imagined why the Captain was so particular in the arrangement of his cravat as to twist the pendant ends into a sort of pigtail and pass them through a massive gold ring with a picture of a tomb upon it and a neat iron railing and a tree in memory of some deceased friend nor why the Captain pulled up his shirt collar to the utmost limits allowed by the Irish linen below and by so doing decorated himself with a complete pair of blinkers nor why he changed his shoes and put on an unparalleled pair of ankle jacks which he only wore on extraordinary occasions the Captain being at length attired to his own complete satisfaction and having glanced at himself from head to foot in a shaving glass which he removed from a nail for that purpose took up his knotted stick and said he was ready the Captain's walk was more complacent than usual when they got out into the street but this Walter supposed to be the effect of the ankle jacks and took little heed of before they had gone very far they encountered a woman selling flowers when the Captain stopping short as if struck by a happy idea made a purchase of the largest bundle in her basket a most glorious nose-gay fan shaped some two feet and a half round and composed of all the jolliest looking flowers that blow armed with this little token which he designed for Mr. Dombie Captain Cuddle walked on with Walter until they reached the instrument maker's door before which they both paused You going in? said Walter Yes, returned the Captain who felt that Walter must be got rid of before he proceeded any further and that he had better time his projected visit somewhat later in the day You won't forget anything No, returned the Captain I'll go upon my walk at once, said Walter and then I shall be out of the way, Captain Cuddle Take a good long on my lad replied the Captain calling after him Walter waved his hand in a scent and went his way His way was nowhere in particular but he thought he would go out into the fields where he could reflect upon the unknown life before him and resting under some tree pondered quietly He knew no better fields than those near Hampstead and no better means of getting at them than by passing Mr. Dombie's house It was as stately and as dark as ever when he went by and glanced up at its frowning front the blinds were all pulled down but the upper windows stood wide open and the pleasant air stirring those curtains and waving them to and fro was the only sign of animation in the whole exterior Walter walked softly as he passed and was glad when he had left the house a door or two behind He looked back then with the interest he had always felt for the place since the adventure of the lost child years ago and looked especially at those upper windows While he was thus engaged a chariot drove to the door and a portly gentleman in black with a heavy watch chain alighted and went in When he afterwards remembered this gentleman and his equipage together Walter had no doubt he was a physician and then he wondered who was ill but the discovery did not occur to him until he had walked some distance thinking listlessly of other things Though still of what the house had suggested to him for Walter pleased himself with thinking that perhaps the time might come when the beautiful child who was his old friend had always been so grateful to him and so glad to see him since might interest her brother in his behalf and influence his fortunes for the better He liked to imagine this more at that moment for the pleasure of imagining her continued remembrance of him than for any worldly profit he might gain but another and more sober fancy was whispered to him that if he were alive then he would be beyond the sea and forgotten She married rich, proud, happy There was no more reason why she should remember him with any interest in such an altered state of things than any plaything she had ever had No, not so much Yet Walter so idealized the pretty child he had found wandering in the rough streets and so identified her with innocent gratitude of that night and the simplicity and truth of its expression that he blushed for himself as a libeler when he argued that she could ever grow proud On the other hand his meditations were of that fantastic order that it seemed hardly libelous in him to imagine her a grown woman to think of her as anything but the same artless, gentle, winning little creature that she had been in the days of good Mrs. Brown In a word Walter found out that to reason with himself about Florence at all was to become very unreasonable indeed and that he could do no better than preserve her image in his mind as something precious, unattainable unchangeable and indefinite indefinite in all but its power of giving him pleasure and restraining him like an angel's hand from anything unworthy It was a long stroll in the fields that Walter took that day Listening to the birds and the Sunday bells and the softened murmur of the town breathing sweet scents glancing sometimes at the dim horizon beyond which his voyage and his place of destination lay then looking round on the green English grass and the home landscape but he hardly once thought even of going away distinctly and seemed to put off reflection idly from hour to hour and from minute to minute while he yet went on reflecting all the time Walter had left the fields behind him and was plotting homeward in the same abstracted mood when he heard a shout from a man and then a woman's voice calling to him loudly by name Turning quickly in his surprise he saw that a hackney coach going in the contrary direction had stopped at no great distance that the coachman was looking back from his box and making signals to him with his whip and that a young woman inside was leaning out of the window and beckoning with immense energy Running up to this coach he found that the young woman was Miss Nipper and that Miss Nipper was in such a flutter as to be almost beside herself Staggs Gardens, Mr. Walter, said Miss Nipper If you please, oh, do Hey, cried Walter, what is the matter? Oh, Mr. Walter, Staggs Gardens, if you please, said Susan There, cried the coachman, appealing to Walter with a sort of exulting despair That's the way the young lady's been going on for upwards a mortal hour and me vividly backing out of no thoroughfares where she would drive up I've had many affairs in this coach, first and last but never such a fair as her Do you want to go to Staggs Gardens, Susan, inquired Walter? Ah, she wants to go there Where is it, growled the coachman? I don't know where it is, exclaimed Susan wildly Mr. Walter, I was there once myself along with Miss Floyd and our poor darling Master Paul on the very day when you found Miss Floyd in the city for we lost her coming home Mrs. Richards and me and a mad bull and Mrs. Richards eldest and though I went there afterwards I can't remember where it is I think it's sunk into the ground Oh, Mr. Walter, don't desert me Staggs Gardens, if you please Miss Floyd's darling All our darlings Little, meek, meek Master Paul Oh, Mr. Walter Good God, cried Walter, is he very ill? The pretty flower, cried Susan ringing her hands has took the fancy that he'd like to see his old nurse and I've come to bring her to his bedside Mrs. Staggs of Polly Toodle's Gardens someone pray greatly moved by what he heard and catching Susan's earnestness immediately Walter, now that he understood the nature of her errand dashed into it with such ardor that the coachman had enough to do to follow closely as he ran before inquiring here and there and everywhere the way to Staggs Gardens there was no such place as Staggs Gardens it had vanished from the earth where the old rotten summer houses once had stood palaces now reared their heads and granite columns of gigantic earth opened a vista to the railway world beyond the miserable waste ground where the refuse matter had been heaped of yore swallowed up and gone and in its frowsy stead were tears of warehouses crammed with rich goods and costly merchandise the old by-streets now swarmed with passengers and vehicles of every kind the new streets that had stopped disheartened in the mud and wagon runs formed towns within themselves originating wholesome comforts and conveniences into themselves and never tried nor thought of until they sprung into existence bridges that had led to nothing led to villas, gardens, churches healthy public walks the carcasses of houses and beginnings of new thoroughfares had started off upon the line at Steam's own speed and then shot away into the country in a monster train as to the neighborhood which had hesitated to acknowledge the railroad in its struggling days that had grown wise and penitent as any Christian might in such a case and now boasted of its powerful and prosperous relation there were railway patterns in its draper's shops and railway journals in the windows of newsmen there were railway hotels, office houses, lodging houses boarding houses, railway plans, maps, views, wrappers, bottles sandwich boxes and timetables railway hackney coach and cab stands railway omnibuses, railway streets and buildings railway hangers on in parasites and flatterers out of all calculation railway time observed in clocks as if the sun itself had given in among the vanquished was the master chimney sweeper while him incredulous at Staggs garden who now lived in a stuck-out house three stories high and gave himself out with golden flourishes upon a varnished board as contractor for the cleansing of railway chimneys by machinery to and from the heart of this great change all day and night throbbing currents rushed and returned incessantly like its life's blood crowds of people and mountains of goods departing and arriving scores upon scores of time in every 24 hours produced a fermentation in the place that was always in action the very houses seemed disposed to pack up and take trips wonderful members of parliament who little more than 20 years before had made themselves merry with the wild railroad theories of engineers and given them the liveliest rubs in cross-examination went down into the north their watches in their hands and sent on messages before by electric telegraph to say that they were coming night and day the conquering engines rumbled at their distant work or advancing smoothly to their journey's end and gliding like tame dragons into the allotted corners grooved out to the inch for their reception stood bubbling and trembling there making the walls quake as if they were dilating with a secret knowledge of great powers yet unsuspected in them and strong purposes not yet achieved but stag's gardens had been cut up root and branch oh woe the day when not a root of English ground laid out in stag's gardens is secure at last after much fruitless inquiry Walter followed by the coach and Susan found a man who had once resided in that vanished land and who was no other than the master sweep before referred to grown stout and knocking a double knock at his own door he no toodle he said well belong to the railroad didn't he yes sir yes cried Susan Nipper from the coach window where did he live now hastily inquired Walter he lived in the company's own buildings second turning to the right down the yard crossover take the second on the right again it was number eleven they couldn't mistake it but if they did they had only asked for toodle engine firemen and anyone would show them it was his house at this unexpected stroke of genius Susan Nipper dismounted from the coach with all speed took Walter's arm and set off at a breathless pace on foot leaving the coach there to await their return has the little boy been long ill Susan inquired Walter as they hurried on ailing for a deal of time no one knows how much said Susan adding with excessive sharpness oh them blimbers blimbers Eckhart Walter I couldn't forgive myself at such a time as this Mr. Walter said Susan and when they're so much serious to stress to think about if I rested hard on anyone especially on them that little darling Paul speaks well of but I may wish that the family was set to work in a stony soil to make new roads and that Miss Blimber went in front and had the pickaxe Miss Nipper then took breath and went on faster than before as if this extraordinary aspiration had relieved her Walter who had by this time no breath of his own to spare hurried along without asking any more questions and they soon in their impatience burst in at a little door and came into a clear parlor full of children where's Mrs. Richards exclaimed Susan Nipper looking round oh Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Richards come along with me my dear creature why if it ain't Susan cried Polly rising with her honest face and motherly figure from among the group in great surprise yes Mrs. Richards it's me said Susan and I wish it wasn't though I may not seem to flatter when I say so but little master Paul is very ill and told his pa today that he would like to see the face of his old nurse and him and Miss Floyd hope you'll come along with me and Mr. Walter, Mrs. Richards forgetting what is past and do a kindness to the sweet dear that is withering away oh Mrs. Richards withering away Susan Nipper crying Polly shed tears to see her and to hear what she had said and all the children gathered round including numbers of new babies and Mr. Toodle who had just come home from Birmingham and was eating his dinner out of a basin laid down his knife and fork and put on his wife's bonnet and shawl for her which were hanging up behind the door then tapped her on the back and said with more fatherly feeling than eloquence Polly cut away so they got back to the coach long before the coachmen expected them and Walter putting Susan and Mrs. Richards inside took his seat upon the box himself that there might be no more mistakes and deposited them safely in the hall of Mr. Dombie's house where by the by he saw a mighty good nose gay lying which reminded him of the one Captain Cuddle had purchased in his company that morning he would have lingered to know more of the young invalid or waited any length of time to see if he could render the lease service but painfully sensible that such conduct would be looked upon by Mr. Dombie as presumptuous and forward he turned slowly, sadly, anxiously away he had not gone five minutes walk from the door when a man came running after him and begged him to return Walter retraced his steps as quickly as he could and entered the gloomy house with a sorrowful foreboding End of Chapter 15 Dombie and Son by Charles Dickens Chapter 16 What the waves were always saying Paul had never risen from his little bed he lay there, listening to the noises in the street quite tranquilly not caring much how the time went but watching it and watching everything about him with observing eyes when the sunbeams struck into his room through the rustling blinds and quivered on the opposite wall like golden water he knew that evening was coming on and that the sky was red and beautiful as the reflection died away and a gloom went creeping up the wall he watched it deep in, deep in, deep in into night then he thought how the long streets were dotted with lamps and how the peaceful stars were shining overhead his fancy had a strange tendency to wander to the river which he knew was flowing through the great city and now he thought how black it was and how deep it would look reflecting the hosts of stars and more than all how steadily it rolled away to meet the sea as it grew later in the night and footsteps in the street became so rare that he could hear them coming count them as they passed and lose them in the hollow distance he would lie and watch the many colored ring about the candle and wait patiently for day his only trouble was the swift and rapid river he felt forced sometimes to try to stop it to stem it with his childish hands or choke its way with sand and when he saw it coming on resistless he cried out but a word from Florence who was always at his side restored him to himself and leaning his poor head upon her breast he told Floyd of his dream and smiled when day began to dawn again and he watched for the sun and when its cheerful light began to sparkle in the room he pictured himself pictured, he saw the high church towers rising up into the morning sky the town reviving waking starting into life once more the river glistening as it rolled but rolling fast as ever and the country bright with dew familiar sounds and cries came by degrees into the street below the servants in the house were roused and busy faces looked in at the door and voices asked his attendants softly how he was Paul always answered for himself I am better, I am a great deal better, thank you tell Papaso by little and little he got tired of the bustle of the day the noise of carriages and carts and people passing and repassing and would fall asleep or be troubled with a restless and uneasy sense again the child could hardly tell whether this were in his sleeping or his waking moments of that rushing river why, will it never stop, Floyd? he would sometimes ask her she was bearing me away, I think but Floyd could always soothe and reassure him and it was his daily delight to make her lay her head down on his pillow and take some rest you are always watching me, Floyd let me watch you now they would prop him up with cushions in a corner of his bed and there he would recline the while she lay beside him bending forwards, oftentimes to kiss her and whispering to those who were near that she was tired and how she had sat up so many nights beside him thus the flush of the day in its heat and light would gradually decline and again the golden water would be dancing on the wall he was visited by as many as three grave doctors they used to assemble downstairs and come up together and the room was so quiet and Paul was so observant of them though he never asked of anybody what they said that he even knew the difference in the sound of their watches but his interest centered in Sir Parker Pepps who always took his seat on the side of the bed for Paul had heard them say long ago that that gentleman had been with his mama when she clasped Florence in her arms and died and he could not forget it now he liked him for it he was not afraid the people round him changed as unaccountably as on that first night at Dr. Blimbers except Florence Florence never changed and what had been Sir Parker Pepps was now his father sitting with his head upon his hand old Mrs. Pipchin dozing in an easy chair often changed to Miss Tox or his aunt and Paul was quite content to shut his eyes again and see what happened next without emotion but this figure with its head upon its hand returned so often and remained so long and sat so still and solemn never speaking, never being spoken to and rarely lifting up its face that Paul began to wonder languidly if it were real and in the night time saw it sitting there with fear Floyd he said what is that? where, dearest? there at the bottom of the bed there's nothing there except papa the figure lifted up its head and rose and coming to the bedside said my own boy, don't you know me? Paul looked it in the face and thought was this his father? but the face so altered to his thinking thrilled while he gaze as if it were in pain and before he could reach out both his hands to take it between them and draw it towards him the figure turned away quickly from the little bed at the door Paul looked at Florence with a fluttering heart but he knew what she was going to say and stopped her with his face against her lips the next time he observed the figure sitting at the bottom of the bed he called to it don't be so sorry for me, dear papa indeed I am quite happy his father coming and bending down to him which he did quickly just pausing by the bedside Paul held him round the neck and repeated those words to him several times and very earnestly and Paul never saw him in his room again at any time whether it were day or night but he called out don't be so sorry for me indeed I am quite happy this was the beginning of his always saying in the morning that he was a great deal better and that they were to tell his father so how many times the golden water danced upon the wall how many nights the dark dark river rolled towards the sea in spite of him Paul never counted never sought to know if their kindness or his sense of it could have increased they were more kind and he more grateful every day but whether they were many days or few appeared of little moment now to the gentle boy one night he had been thinking of his mother and her picture in the drawing room downstairs and thought she must have loved sweet Florence better than his father did to have held her in her arms when she felt that she was dying for even he, her brother who had such dear love for her could have no greater wish than that the train of thought suggested to him to inquire if he had ever seen his mother for he could not remember whether they had told him yes or no the river running very fast and confusing his mind Floyd did I ever see Mama no darling why did I ever see any kind face like Mama's looking at me when I was a baby Floyd he asked incredulously as if he had some vision of a face before him oh yes dear who's Floyd your old nurses often and where is my old nurse said Paul is she dead too Floyd are we all dead except you there was a hurry in the room for an instant longer perhaps but it seemed no more then all was still again and Florence with her face quite colorless but smiling held his head upon her arm her arm trembled very much show me that old nurse Floyd if you please she is not here darling she shall come tomorrow thank you Floyd Paul closed his eyes with those words and fell asleep when he awoke the sun was high and the broad day was clear and warm he lay a little looking at the windows which were open and the curtains rustling in the air and waving to and fro and then he said Floyd is it tomorrow is she come someone seemed to go in quest of her perhaps it was Susan Paul thought he heard her telling him when he had closed his eyes again that she would soon be back but he did not open them to see she kept her word perhaps she had never been away but the next thing that happened was a noise of footsteps on the stairs and then Paul woke woke mind and body and sat upright in his bed he saw them now about him there was no gray mist before them as there had been sometimes in the night he knew them every one and called them by their names and who is this is this my old nurse said the child regarding with a radiant smile a figure coming in yes yes no other stranger would have shed those tears at sight of him and called him her dear boy her pretty boy her own poor blighted child no other woman would have stooped down by his bed and taken up his wasted hand and put it to her lips and breast as one who had some right to fondle it no other woman would have so forgotten everybody there but him and Floyd and been so full of tenderness and pity Floyd this is a kind good face said Paul I am glad to see it again don't go away old nurse stay here his senses were all quickened and he heard a name he knew who is that who said Walter he asked looking round someone said Walter is he here I should like to see him very much nobody replied directly but his father soon said to Susan call him back then let him come up after a short pause of expectation during which he looked with smiling interest and wonder on his nurse and saw that she had not forgotten Floyd Walter was brought into the room his open face and manner and his cheerful eyes had always made him a favorite with Paul and when Paul saw him he stretched out his hand and said goodbye goodbye my child said Mrs. Pipchen hurrying to his bed's head not goodbye for an instant Paul looked at her with the wistful face with which he had so often gazed upon her in his corner by the fire ah yes he said placidly goodbye Walter dear goodbye turning his head to where he stood and putting out his hand again where is papa he felt his father's breath upon his cheek before the words had parted from his lips remember Walter dear papa he whispered looking in his face remember Walter I was fond of Walter the feeble hand waved in the air as if it cried goodbye to Walter once again now lay me down he said and Floyd come close to me and let me see you sister and brother wound their arms around each other and the golden light came streaming in and fell upon them locked together how fast the river runs between its green banks and the rushes Floyd but it's very near the sea I hear the waves they always said so presently he told her that the motion of the boat upon the stream was lulling him to rest how green the banks were now how bright the flowers growing on them and how tall the rushes now the boat was out at sea but gliding smoothly on and now there was a shore before him who stood on the bank he put his hands together as he had been used to do at his prayers he did not remove his arms to do it but they saw him fold them so behind her neck mama is like you Floyd I know her by the face but tell them that the print upon the stairs at school is not divine enough the light about the head is shining on me as I go golden ripple on the wall came back again and nothing else stirred in the room the old old fashion the fashion that came in with our first garments and will last unchanged until our race has run its course and the wide firmament is rolled up like a scroll the old old fashion death oh thank God all who see it for that older fashion yet of immortality and look upon us angels of young children with regards not quite estranged when the swift river bears us to the ocean end of chapter 16 chapter 17 of Dombie and Son this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Dombie and Son by Charles Dickens Chapter 17 Captain Cuddle does a little business for the young people Captain Cuddle in the exercise of that surprising talent for deep laid and unfathomable scheming with which, as is not unusual in men of transparent simplicity he sincerely believed himself to be endowed by nature had gone to Mr. Dombie's house on the eventful Sunday winking all the way as event for his superfluous sagacity and had presented himself in the full luster of the ankle jacks before the eyes of Towlinson leaving from that individual to his great concern of the impending calamity Captain Cuddle in his delicacy sheared off again confounded merely handing in the nose-gay as a small mark of his solicitude and leaving his respectful compliments for the family in general which he accompanied with an expression of his hope that they would lay their heads well to the wind under existing circumstances and a friendly intimation that he would look up again tomorrow the captain's compliments were never heard of any more the captain's nose-gay after lying in the hall all night was swept into the dustbin next morning and the captain's sly arrangement involved in one catastrophe with greater hopes and loftier designs was crushed to pieces so when an avalanche bears down a mountain forest twigs and bushes suffer with the trees and all perish together when Walter returned home on the Sunday evening from his long walk and its memorable clothes he was too much occupied at first by the tidings he had to give them and by the emotions naturally awakened in his breast by the scene through which he had passed to observe either that his uncle was evidently unacquainted with the intelligence the captain had undertaken to impart or that the captain made signals with his hook warning him to avoid the subject not that the captain's signals were calculated to have proved very comprehensible however attentively observed for, like those Chinese sages who are said in their conferences to write certain learned words in the air that are wholly impossible of pronunciation the captain made such waves and flourishes as nobody without a previous knowledge of his mystery would have been at all likely to understand captain Cuddle however becoming cognizant of what had happened relinquished these attempts as he perceived the slender chance that now existed of his being able to obtain a little easy chat with Mr. Dombie before the period of Walter's departure but in admitting to himself disappointed in crestfallen countenance that Saul Gilles must be told and that Walter must go taking the case for the present as he found it and not having it enlightened or improved beforehand by the knowing management of a friend the captain still felt an unabated confidence that he, Ned Cuddle, was the man for Mr. Dombie and that to set Walter's fortunes quite square nothing was wanted but that they too should come together for the captain never could forget how well he and Mr. Dombie had got on at Brighton with what nicety each of them had put in a word when it was wanted how exactly they had taken one another's measure nor how Ned Cuddle had pointed out that resource in the first extremity and had brought the interview to the desired termination on all these grounds the captain soothed himself with thinking that though Ned Cuddle was forced by the pressure of events to stand by almost useless for the present Ned would fetch up with a wet sail in good time and carry all before him under the influence of this good-natured delusion Captain Cuddle even went so far as to revolve in his own bosom while he sat looking at Walter and listening with a tear on his shirt collar to what he related whether it might not be at once genteel and politic to give Mr. Dombie a verbal invitation whenever they should meet to come and cut his mutton in brig place on some day of his own naming and enter on the question of his young friend's prospects over a social glass but the uncertain temper of Mrs. McStinger and the possibility of her setting up her rest in the passage during such an entertainment and their delivering some homily of an uncomplementary nature operated as a check on the captain's hospitable thoughts and rendered him timid of giving them encouragement One fact was quite clear to the captain as Walter sitting thoughtfully over his untasted dinner dwelt on all that had happened that however Walter's modesty might stand in the way of his perceiving it himself he was as one might say a member of Mr. Dombie's family he had been in his own person connected with the incident he so pathetically described he had been by name remembered and commended in close association with it and his fortunes must have a particular interest in his employer's eyes if the captain had any lurking doubt whatever of his own conclusions he had not the least doubt that they were good conclusions for the peace of mind of the instrument maker therefore he availed himself of so favorable a moment for breaking the West Indian intelligence to his old friend as a piece of extraordinary preferment declaring that for his part he would freely give a hundred thousand pounds if he had it for Walter's gain in the long run and that he had no doubt such an investment would yield a handsome premium Solomon Gill's was at first stunned by the communication which fell upon the little back parlor like a thunderbolt and tore up the hearth savagely but the captain flashed such golden prospects before his dim sight hinted so mysteriously at Wittigtonian consequences laid such emphasis on what Walter had just now told them and appealed to it so confidently as a corroboration of his predictions and a great advance toward the realization of the romantic legend of lovely Peg that he bewildered the old man Walter, for his part, feigned to be so full of hope and archer and so sure of coming home again soon and backed up the captain with such expressive shakings of his head and rubbings of his hand that Solomon, looking first at him and then at Captain Cuddle, began to think he ought to be transported with joy but on behind the time you understand he observed in apology passing his hand nervously down the whole row of bright buttons on his coat and then up again as if they were beads and he were telling them twice over and I would rather have my dear boy here it's an old-fashioned notion I dare say he was always fond of the sea, he's and he looked wistfully at Walter he's glad to go Uncle Saul cried Walter quickly if you say that, I won't go no, Captain Cuddle, I won't if my uncle thinks I could be glad to leave him though I was going to be made governor of all the islands in the West Indies that's enough, I'm a fixture Walter, my lad, said the captain steady, Saul gills take an observation of your nevy following with his eyes the majestic action of the captain's hook the old man looked at Walter here is a certain craft, said the captain with a magnificent sense of the allegory into which he was soaring a going to put out on a certain voyage what name is wrote upon that craft indelibly is it the gay or said the captain raising his voice as much as to say observe the point of this is it the gills Ned, said the old man drawing Walter to his side and taking his arm tenderly through his I know, I know of course I know that Wally considers me more than himself always that's in my mind when I say he is glad to go I mean I hope he is look you Ned and you too Wally my dear this is new and unexpected to me and I'm afraid my being behind the time and poor is at the bottom of it is it really good fortune for him do you tell me now said the old man looking anxiously from one to the other really and truly is it I can reconcile myself to almost anything that advances Wally but I won't have Wally putting himself in any disadvantage for me or keeping anything from me you Ned Cuddle said the old man fastening on the captain to the manifest confusion of that diplomatist are you dealing plainly by your old friend speak out Ned Cuddle is there anything behind ought he to go how do you know it first and why as it was a contest of affection and self-denial Walter struck in with infinite effect to the captain's relief and between them they tolerably reconciled old Saul Gills by continued talking to the project or rather so confused him that nothing, not even the pain of separation was distinctly clear to his mind he had not much time to balance the matter for on the very next day Walter received from Mr. Corker the necessary credentials for his passage and outfit together with the information that the sun and air would sail in a fortnight or within a day or two afterwards at the latest in the hurry of preparation which Walter purposely enhanced as much as possible the old man lost what little self-possession he ever had and so the time of departure drew on rapidly the captain who did not fail to make himself acquainted with all that past through inquiries of Walter from day to day found the time still tending on towards his going away without any occasion offering itself or seeming likely to offer itself for a better understanding of his position it was after much consideration of this fact and much pondering over such unfortunate combination of circumstances that a bright idea occurred to the captain suppose he made a call on Mr. Corker and tried to find out from him how the land really lay Captain Cuddle liked this idea very much it came upon him in a moment of inspiration as he was smoking on early pipe in Brig Place after breakfast and it was worthy of the tobacco it would quiet his conscience which was an honest one and was made a little uneasy by what Walter had confided to him and what Saul Gills had said and it would be a deep shrewd act of friendship he would sound Mr. Corker carefully and say much or little just as he read that gentleman's character and discovered that they got on well together or the reverse accordingly without the fear of Walter before his eyes who he knew was at home packing Captain Cuddle again assumed his ankle jacks and mourning brooch and issued forth on this second expedition he purchased no propitiatory nose-gay on the present occasion as he was going to a place of business but he put a small sunflower in his buttonhole to give himself an agreeable relish of the country and with this and the knobby stick and the glazed hat bore down upon the offices of Dombie and Son after taking a glass of warm rum and water at a tavern close by to collect his thoughts the captain made a rush down the court lest its good effects should evaporate and appeared suddenly to Mr. Perch Matey said the captain in his waste of accents one of your governess is named Karker Mr. Perch admitted it but gave him to understand as an official duty bound that all his governess were engaged and never expected to be disengaged any more looky here mate said the captain in his ear my name's Captain Cuddle the captain would have hooked Perch gently to him but Mr. Perch eluded the attempt not so much in design as in starting at the sudden thought that such a weapon unexpectedly exhibited to Mrs. Perch might in her then condition be destructive to that lady's hope if you'll be so good as just report Captain Cuddle here when you get a chance said the captain I'll wait saying which the captain took his seat on Mr. Perch's jacket and drawing out his handkerchief from the crown of the glazed hat which he jammed between his knees without injury to its shape for nothing human could bend it rubbed his head well all over and appeared refreshed he subsequently arranged his hair with his hook and sat looking round the office contemplating the clerks with a serene respect the captain's equanimity was so impenetrable and he was altogether so mysterious a being that Perch the messenger was daunted what name was it you said asked Mr. Perch bending down over him as he sat on the bracket Captain in a deep horse whisper yes said Mr. Perch keeping time with his head Cuddle oh said Mr. Perch in the same tone for he caught it the captain in his diplomacy was so impressive I'll see if he's disengaged now I don't know perhaps he may be for a minute aye aye my lad I won't detain him longer than a minute said the captain nodding with all the weighty importance that he felt within him Perch soon returning said will Captain Cuddle walk this way Mr. Carker the manager standing on the hearth rug before the empty fireplace which was ornamented with a casillated sheet of brown paper looked at the captain as he came in with no very special encouragement Mr. Carker said Captain Cuddle I believe so said Mr. Carker showing all his teeth the captain liked his answering with a smile it looked pleasant you see become the captain rolling his eyes slowly around the little room and taking in as much of it his shirt collar permitted I'm a seafaring man myself Mr. Carker and Walter as is on your books here is almost a son of mine Walter Gay said Mr. Carker showing all his teeth again Walter Gay it is replied the captain right the captain's manner expressed a warm approval of Mr. Carker's quickness of perception I'm an intimate friend of his and his uncles perhaps said the captain I've heard your head governor mention my name Captain Cuddle no said Mr. Carker with a still wider demonstration than before well resumed the captain I have the pleasure of his acquaintance I waited upon him down on the Cessex coast there with my young friend Walter when in short when there was a little accommodation wanted the captain nodded his head in a manner that was at once comfortable easy and expressive you remember I dare say I think said Mr. Carker I have the honor of arranging the business to be sure return the captain right again you had now I've took the liberty of coming here while you sit down said Mr. Carker smiling thank you return the captain availing himself of the offer a man does get more way upon himself perhaps in his conversation when he sits down won't you take a cheer for yourself no thank you said the manager standing perhaps from the force of winter habit with his back against the chimney piece and looking down upon the captain with an eye in every tooth and gum you have taken the liberty you were going to say though it's none thank you kindly my lad return the captain of coming here on account of my friend Walter is a man of science and in science he may be considered a clipper but he ain't what I should all together call able semen not a man of practice Walter is as trim a lad as ever stepped but he's a little down by the head in one respect and that is modesty now what I should wish to put to you said the captain lowering his voice and speaking in a kind of confidential growl in a friendly way entirely between you and me and for my own private reckoning till your head governor has war round a bit and I can come alongside of him that is this is everything right and comfortable here and is Walter outward bound with a pretty fair wind what do you think now captain cuddle returned carker gathering up his skirts and settling himself in his position you are a practical man what do you think the acuteness and significance of the captain's eye as he cocked it in reply no words short of those unutterable Chinese words before referred to could describe come said the captain unspeakably encouraged what do you say am I right or wrong so much had the captain expressed in his eye then an incited by mr. carker smiling urbanity that he felt himself in as fair a condition to put the question as if he had expressed his sentiments with the utmost elaboration right said mr. carker I have no doubt outward bound with fair weather then I say cried captain cuddle mr. carker smiled ascent wind right a star and plenty of it pursued the captain mr. carker smiled ascent again I I said captain cuddle greatly relieved and pleased I know how she's headed well enough I told Walter so thank you thank you gay has brilliant prospects observed mr. carker stretching his mouth wider yet all the world before him all the world and his wife too as the saying is returned delighted captain at the word wife which he had uttered without design the captain stopped cocked his eye again and putting the glazed hat on the top of the knobby stick gave it a twirl and looked sideways at his always smiling friend I bet a gill of old Jamaica said the captain eyeing him attentively that I know what you're smiling at mr. carker took his cue and smiled the more it goes no further said the captain making a poke at the door with the knobby stick to assure himself that it was shut not an inch said mr. carker you're a thinking of a capital F perhaps said the captain mr. carker didn't deny it anything about a L said the captain or an O mr. carker still smiled am I right again inquired the captain in a whisper with a scarlet circle on his forehead swelling in his triumphant joy mr. carker in reply still smiling and now nodding ascent captain cuddle rose and squeezed him by the hand assuring him warmly that they were on the same that as for him cuddle he had laid his course that way all along he knowed her first said the captain with all the secrecy and gravity that the subject demanded in an uncommon manner you remember his finding her in the street when she was almost a baby he has liked her ever since and she him as much as two such youngsters can we always said all gills and me that they was cut out for each other a cat or a monkey or a hyena or a death's head could not have shown the captain more teeth at one time then mr. carker showed him at this period of their interview there's a general in draft that way observe the happy captain wind and water sets in that direction you see is being present the other day most favorable to his hope said mr. carker look at his being told along in the wake of that day pursued the captain why what can cut him a drift now nothing replied mr. carker you're right again returned the captain giving his hand another squeeze nothing it is there's a sun gone pretty little creature ain't there yes there's a sun gone said the acquiescent carker pass the word and there's another ready for you quote the captain nevy of a scientific uncle nevy of sol gills walter walter as is already in your business and said the captain rising gradually to a quotation he was preparing for a final burst who comes from sol gills daily to your business and your bosoms the captain's complacency as he gently jogged mr. carker with his elbow on concluding each of the foregoing short sentences could be surpassed by nothing but the exaltation with which he fell back and eyed him when he had finished this brilliant display of eloquence and sagacity his great blue waistcoat heaving with the throes of such a masterpiece and his nose in a state of violent inflammation from the same cause am i right said the captain captain cuddle said mr. carker bending down at the knees for a moment in an odd manner as if he were falling together to hug the whole of himself at once your views in reference to walter gay are thoroughly and accurately right i understand that we speak together in confidence honor interpose the captain not a word to him or anyone pursued the manager captain cuddle frowned and shook his head but merely for your own satisfaction and guidance and guidance of course repeated mr. carker with a view to your future proceedings thank you kindly i am sure said the captain listening with great attention i have no hesitation in saying that's the fact you have hit the probabilities exactly and with regard to your head governor said the captain why an interview had better come about natural between us there's time enough mr. carker with his mouth from ear to ear repeated time enough not articulating the words but bowing his head affably and forming them with his tongue and lips and as i know it's what i always said that walter is in a way to make his fortune said the captain to make his fortune mr. carker repeated in the same dumb manner and as walters going on this little voyage is as i may say in his day's work and a part of his general expectations here said the captain of his general expectations here assented mr. carker dumbly as before why so long as i know that the captain there's no hurry and my mind's at ease mr. carker still blandly assented in the same voiceless manner captain cuddle was strongly confirmed in his opinion that he was one of the most agreeable men he had ever met and that even mr. domby might improve himself on such a model with great hardiness therefore the captain once again extended his enormous hand not unlike an old block in color and gave him a grip that left upon his smoother flesh a proof impression of the chinks and crevices with which the captain's palm was liberally tattooed farewell said the captain i ain't a man of many words but i take it very kind of you to be so friendly and above board you'll excuse me if i've been at all intruding will you captain not at all return the other thank you my birth ain't very roomy said the captain turning back again but it's tolerably snug and if you was to find yourself near brig place number nine at any time will you make a note of it and would come upstairs without minding what was said by the person at the door i should be proud to see you with that hospitable invitation the captain said good day and walked out and shut the door leaving mr. karker still reclining against the chimney piece in whose sly look and watchful manner in whose false mouth stretched but not laughing in whose spotless cravat and very whiskers even in whose silent passing of his soft hand over his white linen and his smooth face there was something desperately cat like the unconscious captain walked out in a state of self glorification that imparted quite a new cut to the broad blue suit stand by Ned said the captain to himself you've done a little business for the youngsters today my lad in his exaltation and in his familiarity present and prospective with the house the captain when he reached the outer office could not refrain from being mr. perch a little and asking him whether he had thought everybody was still engaged but not to be bitter on a man who had done his duty the captain whispered in his ear that if he felt disposed for a glass of rum and water and would follow he would be happy to bestow the same upon him before leaving the premises the captain somewhere to the astonishment of the clerks looked round from a central point of view and took a general survey of the office as part and parcel of a project in which his young friend was nearly interested the strong room excited his special admiration but that he might not appear to particular he limited himself to an approving glance and with a graceful recognition of the clerks as a body that was full of politeness and patronage passed out into the court being promptly joined by mr. perch he conveyed that gentleman to the tavern and fulfilled his pledge hastily for perch's time was precious i give you a toast said the captain walter who submitted mr. perch walter repeated the captain in a voice of thunder mr. perch who seemed to remember having heard in infancy that there was once a poet of that name made no objection but he was much astonished at the captains coming into the city to propose a poet indeed if he had proposed to put a poet's statue up say shakespeare's for example in a civic thoroughfare he could hardly have done a greater outrage to mr. perch's experience on the whole he was such a mysterious and incomprehensible character that mr. perch decided not to mention him to mrs. perch at all in case of giving rise to any disagreeable consequences mysterious and incomprehensible the captain with that lively sense upon him of having done a little business for the youngsters remained all day even to his most intimate friends and but that walter attributed his winks and grins and other such pantomimic reliefs of himself to his satisfaction in the success of their innocent deception upon old sawgills he would assuredly have betrayed himself before night as it was however he kept his own secret and went home late from the instrument makers house wearing the glazed hat so much on one side and carrying such a beaming expression in his eyes that mrs. mcstinger who might have been brought up at dr. blimbers she was such a roman matron fortified herself at the first glimpse of him behind the open street door and refused to come out to the contemplation of her blessed infants until he was securely lodged in his own room end of chapter 17