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