Shelookedathimagain，andsmiledinherpeculiarmanner。'Iamascheerful，father，asIusuallyam，orusuallyhavebeen。'
　　'That'swell，'saidMr。Gradgrind。So，hekissedherandwentaway；andLouisareturnedtothesereneapartmentofthehaircuttingcharacter，andleaningherelbowonherhand，lookedagainattheshort-livedsparksthatsosoonsubsidedintoashes。
　　'Areyouthere，Loo？'saidherbrother，lookinginatthedoor。Hewasquiteayounggentlemanofpleasurenow，andnotquiteaprepossessingone。
　　'DearTom，'sheanswered，risingandembracinghim，'howlongitissinceyouhavebeentoseeme！'
　　'Why，Ihavebeenotherwiseengaged，Loo，intheevenings；andinthedaytimeoldBounderbyhasbeenkeepingmeatitrather。ButI
　　touchhimupwithyouwhenhecomesittoostrong，andsowepreserveanunderstanding。Isay！Hasfathersaidanythingparticulartoyouto-dayoryesterday，Loo？'
　　'No，Tom。Buthetoldmeto-nightthathewishedtodosointhemorning。'
　　'Ah！That'swhatImean，'saidTom。'Doyouknowwhereheisto-
　　night？'-withaverydeepexpression。
　　'No。'
　　'ThenI'lltellyou。He'switholdBounderby。TheyarehavingaregularconfabtogetherupattheBank。WhyattheBank，doyouthink？Well，I'lltellyouagain。TokeepMrs。Sparsit'searsasfaroffaspossible，Iexpect。'
　　Withherhanduponherbrother'sshoulder，Louisastillstoodlookingatthefire。Herbrotherglancedatherfacewithgreaterinterestthanusual，and，encirclingherwaistwithhisarm，drewhercoaxinglytohim。
　　'Youareveryfondofme，an'tyou，Loo？'
　　'IndeedIam，Tom，thoughyoudoletsuchlongintervalsgobywithoutcomingtoseeme。'
　　'Well，sisterofmine，'saidTom，'whenyousaythat，youarenearmythoughts。Wemightbesomuchoftenertogether-mightn'twe？
　　Alwaystogether，almost-mightn'twe？ItwoulddomeagreatdealofgoodifyouweretomakeupyourmindtoIknowwhat，Loo。Itwouldbeasplendidthingforme。Itwouldbeuncommonlyjolly！'
　　Herthoughtfulnessbaffledhiscunningscrutiny。Hecouldmakenothingofherface。Hepressedherinhisarm，andkissedhercheek。Shereturnedthekiss，butstilllookedatthefire。
　　'Isay，Loo！IthoughtI'dcome，andjusthinttoyouwhatwasgoingon:thoughIsupposedyou'dmostlikelyguess，evenifyoudidn'tknow。Ican'tstay，becauseI'mengagedtosomefellowsto-
　　night。Youwon'tforgethowfondyouareofme？'
　　'No，dearTom，Iwon'tforget。'
　　'That'sacapitalgirl，'saidTom。'Good-bye，Loo。'
　　Shegavehimanaffectionategood-night，andwentoutwithhimtothedoor，whencethefiresofCoketowncouldbeseen，makingthedistancelurid。Shestoodthere，lookingsteadfastlytowardsthem，andlisteningtohisdepartingsteps。Theyretreatedquickly，asgladtogetawayfromStoneLodge；andshestoodthereyet，whenhewasgoneandallwasquiet。Itseemedasif，firstinherownfirewithinthehouse，andtheninthefieryhazewithout，shetriedtodiscoverwhatkindofwoofOldTime，thatgreatestandlongest-
　　establishedSpinnerofall，wouldweavefromthethreadshehadalreadyspunintoawoman。Buthisfactoryisasecretplace，hisworkisnoiseless，andhisHandsaremutes。
　　CHAPTERXV-FATHERANDDAUGHTER
　　ALTHOUGHMr。GradgrinddidnottakeafterBlueBeard，hisroomwasquiteabluechamberinitsabundanceofbluebooks。Whatevertheycouldprovewhichisusuallyanythingyoulike，theyprovedthere，inanarmyconstantlystrengtheningbythearrivalofnewrecruits。Inthatcharmedapartment，themostcomplicatedsocialquestionswerecastup，gotintoexacttotals，andfinallysettled-ifthoseconcernedcouldonlyhavebeenbroughttoknowit。Asifanastronomicalobservatoryshouldbemadewithoutanywindows，andtheastronomerwithinshouldarrangethestarryuniversesolelybypen，ink，andpaper，soMr。Gradgrind，inhisObservatoryandtherearemanylikeit，hadnoneedtocastaneyeupontheteemingmyriadsofhumanbeingsaroundhim，butcouldsettlealltheirdestiniesonaslate，andwipeoutalltheirtearswithonedirtylittlebitofsponge。
　　TothisObservatory，then:asternroom，withadeadlystatisticalclockinit，whichmeasuredeverysecondwithabeatlikearapuponacoffin-lid；Louisarepairedontheappointedmorning。A
　　windowlookedtowardsCoketown；andwhenshesatdownnearherfather'stable，shesawthehighchimneysandthelongtractsofsmokeloomingintheheavydistancegloomily。
　　'MydearLouisa，'saidherfather，'Ipreparedyoulastnighttogivemeyourseriousattentionintheconversationwearenowgoingtohavetogether。Youhavebeensowelltrained，andyoudo，Iamhappytosay，somuchjusticetotheeducationyouhavereceived，thatIhaveperfectconfidenceinyourgoodsense。Youarenotimpulsive，youarenotromantic，youareaccustomedtovieweverythingfromthestrongdispassionategroundofreasonandcalculation。Fromthatgroundalone，IknowyouwillviewandconsiderwhatIamgoingtocommunicate。'
　　Hewaited，asifhewouldhavebeengladthatshesaidsomething。
　　Butshesaidneveraword。
　　'Louisa，mydear，youarethesubjectofaproposalofmarriagethathasbeenmadetome。'
　　Againhewaited，andagainsheanswerednotoneword。Thissofarsurprisedhim，astoinducehimgentlytorepeat，'aproposalofmarriage，mydear。'Towhichshereturned，withoutanyvisibleemotionwhatever:
　　'Ihearyou，father。Iamattending，Iassureyou。'
　　'Well！'saidMr。Gradgrind，breakingintoasmile，afterbeingforthemomentataloss，'youareevenmoredispassionatethanI
　　expected，Louisa。Or，perhaps，youarenotunpreparedfortheannouncementIhaveitinchargetomake？'
　　'Icannotsaythat，father，untilIhearit。Preparedorunprepared，Iwishtohearitallfromyou。Iwishtohearyoustateittome，father。'
　　Strangetorelate，Mr。Gradgrindwasnotsocollectedatthismomentashisdaughterwas。Hetookapaper-knifeinhishand，turneditover，laiditdown，tookitupagain，andeventhenhadtolookalongthebladeofit，consideringhowtogoon。
　　'Whatyousay，mydearLouisa，isperfectlyreasonable。Ihaveundertakenthentoletyouknowthat-inshort，thatMr。Bounderbyhasinformedmethathehaslongwatchedyourprogresswithparticularinterestandpleasure，andhaslonghopedthatthetimemightultimatelyarrivewhenheshouldofferyouhishandinmarriage。Thattime，towhichhehassolong，andcertainlywithgreatconstancy，lookedforward，isnowcome。Mr。Bounderbyhasmadehisproposalofmarriagetome，andhasentreatedmetomakeitknowntoyou，andtoexpresshishopethatyouwilltakeitintoyourfavourableconsideration。'
　　Silencebetweenthem。Thedeadlystatisticalclockveryhollow。
　　Thedistantsmokeveryblackandheavy。
　　'Father，'saidLouisa，'doyouthinkIloveMr。Bounderby？'
　　Mr。Gradgrindwasextremelydiscomfitedbythisunexpectedquestion。'Well，mychild，'hereturned，'I-really-cannottakeuponmyselftosay。'
　　'Father，'pursuedLouisainexactlythesamevoiceasbefore，'doyouaskmetoloveMr。Bounderby？'
　　'MydearLouisa，no。No。Iasknothing。'
　　'Father，'shestillpursued，'doesMr。Bounderbyaskmetolovehim？'
　　'Really，mydear，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'itisdifficulttoansweryourquestion-'
　　'Difficulttoanswerit，YesorNo，father？
　　'Certainly，mydear。Because；'herewassomethingtodemonstrate，anditsethimupagain；'becausethereplydependssomaterially，Louisa，onthesenseinwhichweusetheexpression。Now，Mr。
　　Bounderbydoesnotdoyoutheinjustice，anddoesnotdohimselftheinjustice，ofpretendingtoanythingfanciful，fantastic，orI
　　amusingsynonymoustermssentimental。Mr。Bounderbywouldhaveseenyougrowupunderhiseyes，toverylittlepurpose，ifhecouldsofarforgetwhatisduetoyourgoodsense，nottosaytohis，astoaddressyoufromanysuchground。Therefore，perhapstheexpressionitself-Imerelysuggestthistoyou，mydear-maybealittlemisplaced。'
　　'Whatwouldyouadvisemetouseinitsstead，father？'
　　'Why，mydearLouisa，'saidMr。Gradgrind，completelyrecoveredbythistime，'Iwouldadviseyousinceyouaskmetoconsiderthisquestion，asyouhavebeenaccustomedtoconsidereveryotherquestion，simplyasoneoftangibleFact。Theignorantandthegiddymayembarrasssuchsubjectswithirrelevantfancies，andotherabsurditiesthathavenoexistence，properlyviewed-reallynoexistence-butitisnocomplimenttoyoutosay，thatyouknowbetter。Now，whataretheFactsofthiscase？Youare，wewillsayinroundnumbers，twentyyearsofage；Mr。Bounderbyis，wewillsayinroundnumbers，fifty。Thereissomedisparityinyourrespectiveyears，butinyourmeansandpositionsthereisnone；onthecontrary，thereisagreatsuitability。Thenthequestionarises，Isthisonedisparitysufficienttooperateasabartosuchamarriage？Inconsideringthisquestion，itisnotunimportanttotakeintoaccountthestatisticsofmarriage，sofarastheyhaveyetbeenobtained，inEnglandandWales。Ifind，onreferencetothefigures，thatalargeproportionofthesemarriagesarecontractedbetweenpartiesofveryunequalages，andthattheelderofthesecontractingpartiesis，inrathermorethanthree-fourthsoftheseinstances，thebridegroom。Itisremarkableasshowingthewideprevalenceofthislaw，thatamongthenativesoftheBritishpossessionsinIndia，alsoinaconsiderablepartofChina，andamongtheCalmucksofTartary，thebestmeansofcomputationyetfurnishedusbytravellers，yieldsimilarresults。
　　ThedisparityIhavementioned，therefore，almostceasestobedisparity，andvirtuallyallbutdisappears。'
　　'Whatdoyourecommend，father，'askedLouisa，herreservedcomposurenotintheleastaffectedbythesegratifyingresults，'thatIshouldsubstituteforthetermIusedjustnow？Forthemisplacedexpression？'
　　'Louisa，'returnedherfather，'itappearstomethatnothingcanbeplainer。ConfiningyourselfrigidlytoFact，thequestionofFactyoustatetoyourselfis:DoesMr。Bounderbyaskmetomarryhim？Yes，hedoes。Thesoleremainingquestionthenis:ShallI
　　marryhim？Ithinknothingcanbeplainerthanthat？'
　　'ShallImarryhim？'repeatedLouisa，withgreatdeliberation。
　　'Precisely。Anditissatisfactorytome，asyourfather，mydearLouisa，toknowthatyoudonotcometotheconsiderationofthatquestionwiththeprevioushabitsofmind，andhabitsoflife，thatbelongtomanyyoungwomen。'
　　'No，father，'shereturned，'Idonot。'
　　'Inowleaveyoutojudgeforyourself，'saidMr。Gradgrind。'I
　　havestatedthecase，assuchcasesareusuallystatedamongpracticalminds；Ihavestatedit，asthecaseofyourmotherandmyselfwasstatedinitstime。Therest，mydearLouisa，isforyoutodecide。'
　　Fromthebeginning，shehadsatlookingathimfixedly。Ashenowleanedbackinhischair，andbenthisdeep-seteyesuponherinhisturn，perhapshemighthaveseenonewaveringmomentinher，whenshewasimpelledtothrowherselfuponhisbreast，andgivehimthepent-upconfidencesofherheart。But，toseeit，hemusthaveoverleapedataboundtheartificialbarriershehadformanyyearsbeenerecting，betweenhimselfandallthosesubtleessencesofhumanitywhichwilleludetheutmostcunningofalgebrauntilthelasttrumpetevertobesoundedshallblowevenalgebratowreck。Thebarriersweretoomanyandtoohighforsuchaleap。
　　Withhisunbending，utilitarian，matter-of-factface，hehardenedheragain；andthemomentshotawayintotheplumblessdepthsofthepast，tominglewithallthelostopportunitiesthataredrownedthere。
　　Removinghereyesfromhim，shesatsolonglookingsilentlytowardsthetown，thathesaid，atlength:'AreyouconsultingthechimneysoftheCoketownworks，Louisa？'
　　'Thereseemstobenothingtherebutlanguidandmonotonoussmoke。
　　Yetwhenthenightcomes，Fireburstsout，father！'sheanswered，turningquickly。
　　'OfcourseIknowthat，Louisa。Idonotseetheapplicationoftheremark。'Todohimjusticehedidnot，atall。
　　Shepasseditawaywithaslightmotionofherhand，andconcentratingherattentionuponhimagain，said，'Father，Ihaveoftenthoughtthatlifeisveryshort。'-Thiswassodistinctlyoneofhissubjectsthatheinterposed。
　　'Itisshort，nodoubt，mydear。Still，theaveragedurationofhumanlifeisprovedtohaveincreasedoflateyears。Thecalculationsofvariouslifeassuranceandannuityoffices，amongotherfigureswhichcannotgowrong，haveestablishedthefact。'
　　'Ispeakofmyownlife，father。'
　　'Oindeed？Still，'saidMr。Gradgrind，'Ineednotpointouttoyou，Louisa，thatitisgovernedbythelawswhichgovernlivesintheaggregate。'
　　'Whileitlasts，IwouldwishtodothelittleIcan，andthelittleIamfitfor。Whatdoesitmatter？'
　　Mr。Gradgrindseemedratheratalosstounderstandthelastfourwords；replying，'How，matter？Whatmatter，mydear？'
　　'Mr。Bounderby，'shewentoninasteady，straightway，withoutregardingthis，'asksmetomarryhim。ThequestionIhavetoaskmyselfis，shallImarryhim？Thatisso，father，isitnot？Youhavetoldmeso，father。Haveyounot？'
　　'Certainly，mydear。'
　　'Letitbeso。SinceMr。Bounderbylikestotakemethus，Iamsatisfiedtoaccepthisproposal。Tellhim，father，assoonasyouplease，thatthiswasmyanswer。Repeatit，wordforword，ifyoucan，becauseIshouldwishhimtoknowwhatIsaid。'
　　'Itisquiteright，mydear，'retortedherfatherapprovingly，'tobeexact。Iwillobserveyourveryproperrequest。Haveyouanywishinreferencetotheperiodofyourmarriage，mychild？'
　　'None，father。Whatdoesitmatter！'
　　Mr。Gradgrindhaddrawnhischairalittlenearertoher，andtakenherhand。But，herrepetitionofthesewordsseemedtostrikewithsomelittlediscordonhisear。Hepausedtolookather，and，stillholdingherhand，said:
　　'Louisa，Ihavenotconsidereditessentialtoaskyouonequestion，becausethepossibilityimpliedinitappearedtometobetooremote。ButperhapsIoughttodoso。Youhaveneverentertainedinsecretanyotherproposal？'
　　'Father，'shereturned，almostscornfully，'whatotherproposalcanhavebeenmadetome？WhomhaveIseen？WherehaveIbeen？Whataremyheart'sexperiences？'
　　'MydearLouisa，'returnedMr。Gradgrind，reassuredandsatisfied。
　　'Youcorrectmejustly。Imerelywishedtodischargemyduty。'
　　'WhatdoIknow，father，'saidLouisainherquietmanner，'oftastesandfancies；ofaspirationsandaffections；ofallthatpartofmynatureinwhichsuchlightthingsmighthavebeennourished？
　　WhatescapehaveIhadfromproblemsthatcouldbedemonstrated，andrealitiesthatcouldbegrasped？'Asshesaidit，sheunconsciouslyclosedherhand，asifuponasolidobject，andslowlyopeneditasthoughshewerereleasingdustorash。
　　'Mydear，'assentedhereminentlypracticalparent，'quitetrue，quitetrue。'
　　'Why，father，'shepursued，'whatastrangequestiontoaskme！
　　Thebaby-preferencethatevenIhaveheardofascommonamongchildren，hasneverhaditsinnocentresting-placeinmybreast。
　　Youhavebeensocarefulofme，thatIneverhadachild'sheart。
　　Youhavetrainedmesowell，thatIneverdreamedachild'sdream。
　　Youhavedealtsowiselywithme，father，frommycradletothishour，thatIneverhadachild'sbelieforachild'sfear。'
　　Mr。Gradgrindwasquitemovedbyhissuccess，andbythistestimonytoit。'MydearLouisa，'saidhe，'youabundantlyrepaymycare。
　　Kissme，mydeargirl。'
　　So，hisdaughterkissedhim。Detainingherinhisembrace，hesaid，'Imayassureyounow，myfavouritechild，thatIammadehappybythesounddecisionatwhichyouhavearrived。Mr。
　　Bounderbyisaveryremarkableman；andwhatlittledisparitycanbesaidtoexistbetweenyou-ifany-ismorethancounterbalancedbythetoneyourmindhasacquired。Ithasalwaysbeenmyobjectsotoeducateyou，asthatyoumight，whilestillinyourearlyyouth，beifImaysoexpressmyselfalmostanyage。
　　Kissmeoncemore，Louisa。Now，letusgoandfindyourmother。'
　　Accordingly，theywentdowntothedrawing-room，wheretheesteemedladywithnononsenseabouther，wasrecumbentasusual，whileSissyworkedbesideher。Shegavesomefeeblesignsofreturninganimationwhentheyentered，andpresentlythefainttransparencywaspresentedinasittingattitude。
　　'Mrs。Gradgrind，'saidherhusband，whohadwaitedfortheachievementofthisfeatwithsomeimpatience，'allowmetopresenttoyouMrs。Bounderby。'
　　'Oh！'saidMrs。Gradgrind，'soyouhavesettledit！Well，I'msureIhopeyourhealthmaybegood，Louisa；forifyourheadbeginstosplitassoonasyouaremarried，whichwasthecasewithmine，I
　　cannotconsiderthatyouaretobeenvied，thoughIhavenodoubtyouthinkyouare，asallgirlsdo。However，Igiveyoujoy，mydear-andIhopeyoumaynowturnallyourologicalstudiestogoodaccount，IamsureIdo！Imustgiveyouakissofcongratulation，Louisa；butdon'ttouchmyrightshoulder，forthere'ssomethingrunningdownitalldaylong。Andnowyousee，'
　　whimperedMrs。Gradgrind，adjustinghershawlsaftertheaffectionateceremony，'Ishallbeworryingmyself，morning，noon，andnight，toknowwhatIamtocallhim！'
　　'Mrs。Gradgrind，'saidherhusband，solemnly，'whatdoyoumean？'
　　'WhateverIamtocallhim，Mr。Gradgrind，whenheismarriedtoLouisa！Imustcallhimsomething。It'simpossible，'saidMrs。
　　Gradgrind，withamingledsenseofpolitenessandinjury，'tobeconstantlyaddressinghimandnevergivinghimaname。IcannotcallhimJosiah，forthenameisinsupportabletome。Youyourselfwouldn'thearofJoe，youverywellknow。AmItocallmyownson-
　　in-law，Mister！Not，Ibelieve，unlessthetimehasarrivedwhen，asaninvalid，Iamtobetrampleduponbymyrelations。Then，whatamItocallhim！'
　　Nobodypresenthavinganysuggestiontoofferintheremarkableemergency，Mrs。Gradgrinddepartedthislifeforthetimebeing，afterdeliveringthefollowingcodiciltoherremarksalreadyexecuted:
　　'Astothewedding，allIask，Louisa，is，-andIaskitwithaflutteringinmychest，whichactuallyextendstothesolesofmyfeet，-thatitmaytakeplacesoon。Otherwise，IknowitisoneofthosesubjectsIshallneverhearthelastof。'
　　WhenMr。GradgrindhadpresentedMrs。Bounderby，Sissyhadsuddenlyturnedherhead，andlooked，inwonder，inpity，insorrow，indoubt，inamultitudeofemotions，towardsLouisa。Louisahadknownit，andseenit，withoutlookingather。Fromthatmomentshewasimpassive，proudandcold-heldSissyatadistance-
　　changedtoheraltogether。
　　CHAPTERXVI-HUSBANDANDWIFE
　　MR。BOUNDERBY'Sfirstdisquietudeonhearingofhishappiness，wasoccasionedbythenecessityofimpartingittoMrs。Sparsit。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindhowtodothat，orwhattheconsequencesofthestepmightbe。Whethershewouldinstantlydepart，bagandbaggage，toLadyScadgers，orwouldpositivelyrefusetobudgefromthepremises；whethershewouldbeplaintiveorabusive，tearfulortearing；whethershewouldbreakherheart，orbreakthelooking-
　　glass；Mr。Bounderbycouldnotallforesee。However，asitmustbedone，hehadnochoicebuttodoit；so，afterattemptingseveralletters，andfailinginthemall，heresolvedtodoitbywordofmouth。
　　Onhiswayhome，ontheeveninghesetasideforthismomentouspurpose，hetooktheprecautionofsteppingintoachemist'sshopandbuyingabottleoftheverystrongestsmelling-salts。'ByGeorge！'saidMr。Bounderby，'ifshetakesitinthefaintingway，I'llhavetheskinoffhernose，atallevents！'But，inspiteofbeingthusforearmed，heenteredhisownhousewithanythingbutacourageousair；andappearedbeforetheobjectofhismisgivings，likeadogwhowasconsciousofcomingdirectfromthepantry。
　　'Goodevening，Mr。Bounderby！'
　　'Goodevening，ma'am，goodevening。'Hedrewuphischair，andMrs。Sparsitdrewbackhers，aswhoshouldsay，'Yourfireside，sir。Ifreelyadmitit。Itisforyoutooccupyitall，ifyouthinkproper。'
　　'Don'tgototheNorthPole，ma'am！'saidMr。Bounderby。
　　'Thankyou，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，andreturned，thoughshortofherformerposition。
　　Mr。Bounderbysatlookingather，as，withthepointsofastiff，sharppairofscissors，shepickedoutholesforsomeinscrutableornamentalpurpose，inapieceofcambric。Anoperationwhich，takeninconnexionwiththebushyeyebrowsandtheRomannose，suggestedwithsomelivelinesstheideaofahawkengagedupontheeyesofatoughlittlebird。Shewassosteadfastlyoccupied，thatmanyminuteselapsedbeforeshelookedupfromherwork；whenshedidsoMr。Bounderbybespokeherattentionwithahitchofhishead。
　　'Mrs。Sparsit，ma'am，'saidMr。Bounderby，puttinghishandsinhispockets，andassuringhimselfwithhisrighthandthatthecorkofthelittlebottlewasreadyforuse，'Ihavenooccasiontosaytoyou，thatyouarenotonlyaladybornandbred，butadevilishsensiblewoman。'
　　'Sir，'returnedthelady，'thisisindeednotthefirsttimethatyouhavehonouredmewithsimilarexpressionsofyourgoodopinion。'
　　'Mrs。Sparsit，ma'am，'saidMr。Bounderby，'Iamgoingtoastonishyou。'
　　'Yes，sir？'returnedMrs。Sparsit，interrogatively，andinthemosttranquilmannerpossible。Shegenerallyworemittens，andshenowlaiddownherwork，andsmoothedthosemittens。
　　'Iamgoing，ma'am，'saidBounderby，'tomarryTomGradgrind'sdaughter。'
　　'Yes，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit。'Ihopeyoumaybehappy，Mr。
　　Bounderby。Oh，indeedIhopeyoumaybehappy，sir！'Andshesaiditwithsuchgreatcondescensionaswellaswithsuchgreatcompassionforhim，thatBounderby，-farmoredisconcertedthanifshehadthrownherworkboxatthemirror，orswoonedonthehearthrug，-corkedupthesmelling-saltstightinhispocket，andthought，'Nowconfoundthiswoman，whocouldhaveevenguessedthatshewouldtakeitinthisway！'
　　'Iwishwithallmyheart，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，inahighlysuperiormanner；somehowsheseemed，inamoment，tohaveestablishedarighttopityhimeverafterwards；'thatyoumaybeinallrespectsveryhappy。'
　　'Well，ma'am，'returnedBounderby，withsomeresentmentinhistone:whichwasclearlylowered，thoughinspiteofhimself，'Iamobligedtoyou。IhopeIshallbe。'
　　'Doyou，sir！'saidMrs。Sparsit，withgreataffability。'Butnaturallyyoudo；ofcourseyoudo。'
　　AveryawkwardpauseonMr。Bounderby'spart，succeeded。Mrs。
　　Sparsitsedatelyresumedherworkandoccasionallygaveasmallcough，whichsoundedlikethecoughofconsciousstrengthandforbearance。
　　'Well，ma'am，'resumedBounderby，'underthesecircumstances，I
　　imagineitwouldnotbeagreeabletoacharacterlikeyourstoremainhere，thoughyouwouldbeverywelcomehere。'
　　'Oh，dearno，sir，Icouldonnoaccountthinkofthat！'Mrs。
　　Sparsitshookherhead，stillinherhighlysuperiormanner，andalittlechangedthesmallcough-coughingnow，asifthespiritofprophecyrosewithinher，buthadbetterbecougheddown。
　　'However，ma'am，'saidBounderby，'thereareapartmentsattheBank，whereabornandbredlady，askeeperoftheplace，wouldberatheracatchthanotherwise；andifthesameterms-'
　　'Ibegyourpardon，sir。Youweresogoodastopromisethatyouwouldalwayssubstitutethephrase，annualcompliment。'
　　'Well，ma'am，annualcompliment。Ifthesameannualcomplimentwouldbeacceptablethere，why，Iseenothingtopartus，unlessyoudo。'
　　'Sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit。'Theproposalislikeyourself，andifthepositionIshallassumeattheBankisonethatIcouldoccupywithoutdescendinglowerinthesocialscale-'
　　'Why，ofcourseitis，'saidBounderby。'Ifitwasnot，ma'am，youdon'tsupposethatIshouldofferittoaladywhohasmovedinthesocietyyouhavemovedin。NotthatIcareforsuchsociety，youknow！Butyoudo。'
　　'Mr。Bounderby，youareveryconsiderate。'
　　'You'llhaveyourownprivateapartments，andyou'llhaveyourcoalsandyourcandles，andalltherestofit，andyou'llhaveyourmaidtoattenduponyou，andyou'llhaveyourlightportertoprotectyou，andyou'llbewhatItakethelibertyofconsideringpreciouscomfortable，'saidBounderby。
　　'Sir，'rejoinedMrs。Sparsit，'saynomore。Inyieldingupmytrusthere，Ishallnotbefreedfromthenecessityofeatingthebreadofdependence:'shemighthavesaidthesweetbread，forthatdelicatearticleinasavourybrownsaucewasherfavouritesupper:
　　'andIwouldratherreceiveitfromyourhand，thanfromanyother。
　　Therefore，sir，Iacceptyouroffergratefully，andwithmanysincereacknowledgmentsforpastfavours。AndIhope，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，concludinginanimpressivelycompassionatemanner，'IfondlyhopethatMissGradgrindmaybeallyoudesire，anddeserve！'
　　NothingmovedMrs。Sparsitfromthatpositionanymore。ItwasinvainforBounderbytoblusterortoasserthimselfinanyofhisexplosiveways；Mrs。Sparsitwasresolvedtohavecompassiononhim，asaVictim。Shewaspolite，obliging，cheerful，hopeful；
　　but，themorepolite，themoreobliging，themorecheerful，themorehopeful，themoreexemplaryaltogether，she；theforlornerSacrificeandVictim，he。Shehadthattendernessforhismelancholyfate，thathisgreatredcountenanceusedtobreakoutintocoldperspirationswhenshelookedathim。
　　Meanwhilethemarriagewasappointedtobesolemnizedineightweeks'time，andMr。BounderbywenteveryeveningtoStoneLodgeasanacceptedwooer。Lovewasmadeontheseoccasionsintheformofbracelets；and，onalloccasionsduringtheperiodofbetrothal，tookamanufacturingaspect。Dressesweremade，jewellerywasmade，cakesandglovesweremade，settlementsweremade，andanextensiveassortmentofFactsdidappropriatehonourtothecontract。ThebusinesswasallFact，fromfirsttolast。TheHoursdidnotgothroughanyofthoserosyperformances，whichfoolishpoetshaveascribedtothematsuchtimes；neitherdidtheclocksgoanyfaster，oranyslower，thanatotherseasons。ThedeadlystatisticalrecorderintheGradgrindobservatoryknockedeverysecondontheheadasitwasborn，andburieditwithhisaccustomedregularity。
　　Sothedaycame，asallotherdayscometopeoplewhowillonlysticktoreason；andwhenitcame，thereweremarriedinthechurchofthefloridwoodenlegs-thatpopularorderofarchitecture-
　　JosiahBounderbyEsquireofCoketown，toLouisaeldestdaughterofThomasGradgrindEsquireofStoneLodge，M。P。forthatborough。
　　Andwhentheywereunitedinholymatrimony，theywenthometobreakfastatStoneLodgeaforesaid。
　　Therewasanimprovingpartyassembledontheauspiciousoccasion，whoknewwhateverythingtheyhadtoeatanddrinkwasmadeof，andhowitwasimportedorexported，andinwhatquantities，andinwhatbottoms，whethernativeorforeign，andallaboutit。Thebridesmaids，downtolittleJaneGradgrind，were，inanintellectualpointofview，fithelpmatesforthecalculatingboy；
　　andtherewasnononsenseaboutanyofthecompany。
　　Afterbreakfast，thebridegroomaddressedtheminthefollowingterms:
　　'Ladiesandgentlemen，IamJosiahBounderbyofCoketown。Sinceyouhavedonemywifeandmyselfthehonourofdrinkingourhealthsandhappiness，IsupposeImustacknowledgethesame；though，asyouallknowme，andknowwhatIam，andwhatmyextractionwas，youwon'texpectaspeechfromamanwho，whenheseesaPost，says"that'saPost，"andwhenheseesaPump，says"that'saPump，"andisnottobegottocallaPostaPump，oraPumpaPost，oreitherofthemaToothpick。Ifyouwantaspeechthismorning，myfriendandfather-in-law，TomGradgrind，isaMemberofParliament，andyouknowwheretogetit。Iamnotyourman。However，ifIfeelalittleindependentwhenIlookaroundthistableto-day，andreflecthowlittleIthoughtofmarryingTomGradgrind'sdaughterwhenIwasaraggedstreet-boy，whoneverwashedhisfaceunlessitwasatapump，andthatnotoftenerthanonceafortnight，IhopeI
　　maybeexcused。So，Ihopeyoulikemyfeelingindependent；ifyoudon't，Ican'thelpit。Idofeelindependent。NowIhavementioned，andyouhavementioned，thatIamthisdaymarriedtoTomGradgrind'sdaughter。Iamverygladtobeso。Ithaslongbeenmywishtobeso。Ihavewatchedherbringing-up，andI
　　believesheisworthyofme。Atthesametime-nottodeceiveyou-IbelieveIamworthyofher。So，Ithankyou，onbothourparts，forthegood-willyouhaveshowntowardsus；andthebestwishIcangivetheunmarriedpartofthepresentcompany，isthis:
　　IhopeeverybachelormayfindasgoodawifeasIhavefound。AndIhopeeveryspinstermayfindasgoodahusbandasmywifehasfound。'
　　Shortlyafterwhichoration，astheyweregoingonanuptialtriptoLyons，inorderthatMr。BounderbymighttaketheopportunityofseeinghowtheHandsgotoninthoseparts，andwhetherthey，too，requiredtobefedwithgoldspoons；thehappypairdepartedfortherailroad。Thebride，inpassingdown-stairs，dressedforherjourney，foundTomwaitingforher-flushed，eitherwithhisfeelings，orthevinouspartofthebreakfast。
　　'Whatagamegirlyouare，tobesuchafirst-ratesister，Loo！'
　　whisperedTom。
　　Sheclungtohimassheshouldhaveclungtosomefarbetternaturethatday，andwasalittleshakeninherreservedcomposureforthefirsttime。
　　'OldBounderby'squiteready，'saidTom。'Time'sup。Good-bye！I
　　shallbeonthelook-outforyou，whenyoucomeback。Isay，mydearLoo！AN'Tituncommonlyjollynow！'
　　ENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK
　　BOOKTHESECOND-REAPING
　　CHAPTERI-EFFECTSINTHEBANK
　　ASUNNYmidsummerday。Therewassuchathingsometimes，eveninCoketown。
　　Seenfromadistanceinsuchweather，Coketownlayshroudedinahazeofitsown，whichappearedimpervioustothesun'srays。Youonlyknewthetownwasthere，becauseyouknewtherecouldhavebeennosuchsulkyblotchupontheprospectwithoutatown。Ablurofsootandsmoke，nowconfusedlytendingthisway，nowthatway，nowaspiringtothevaultofHeaven，nowmurkilycreepingalongtheearth，asthewindroseandfell，orchangeditsquarter:adenseformlessjumble，withsheetsofcrosslightinit，thatshowednothingbutmassesofdarkness:-Coketowninthedistancewassuggestiveofitself，thoughnotabrickofitcouldbeseen。
　　Thewonderwas，itwasthereatall。Ithadbeenruinedsooften，thatitwasamazinghowithadbornesomanyshocks。Surelythereneverwassuchfragilechina-wareasthatofwhichthemillersofCoketownweremade。Handlethemneversolightly，andtheyfelltopieceswithsucheasethatyoumightsuspectthemofhavingbeenflawedbefore。Theywereruined，whentheywererequiredtosendlabouringchildrentoschool；theywereruinedwheninspectorswereappointedtolookintotheirworks；theywereruined，whensuchinspectorsconsidereditdoubtfulwhethertheywerequitejustifiedinchoppingpeopleupwiththeirmachinery；theywereutterlyundone，whenitwashintedthatperhapstheyneednotalwaysmakequitesomuchsmoke。BesidesMr。Bounderby'sgoldspoonwhichwasgenerallyreceivedinCoketown，anotherprevalentfictionwasverypopularthere。Ittooktheformofathreat。WheneveraCoketownerfelthewasill-used-thatistosay，wheneverhewasnotleftentirelyalone，anditwasproposedtoholdhimaccountablefortheconsequencesofanyofhisacts-hewassuretocomeoutwiththeawfulmenace，thathewould'soonerpitchhispropertyintotheAtlantic。'ThishadterrifiedtheHomeSecretarywithinaninchofhislife，onseveraloccasions。
　　However，theCoketownersweresopatrioticafterall，thattheyneverhadpitchedtheirpropertyintotheAtlanticyet，but，onthecontrary，hadbeenkindenoughtotakemightygoodcareofit。Sothereitwas，inthehazeyonder；anditincreasedandmultiplied。
　　Thestreetswerehotanddustyonthesummerday，andthesunwassobrightthatitevenshonethroughtheheavyvapourdroopingoverCoketown，andcouldnotbelookedatsteadily。Stokersemergedfromlowundergrounddoorwaysintofactoryyards，andsatonsteps，andposts，andpalings，wipingtheirswarthyvisages，andcontemplatingcoals。Thewholetownseemedtobefryinginoil。
　　Therewasastiflingsmellofhotoileverywhere。Thesteam-
　　enginesshonewithit，thedressesoftheHandsweresoiledwithit，themillsthroughouttheirmanystoriesoozedandtrickledit。
　　TheatmosphereofthoseFairypalaceswaslikethebreathofthesimoom:andtheirinhabitants，wastingwithheat，toiledlanguidlyinthedesert。Butnotemperaturemadethemelancholymadelephantsmoremadormoresane。Theirwearisomeheadswentupanddownatthesamerate，inhotweatherandcold，wetweatheranddry，fairweatherandfoul。Themeasuredmotionoftheirshadowsonthewalls，wasthesubstituteCoketownhadtoshowfortheshadowsofrustlingwoods；while，forthesummerhumofinsects，itcouldoffer，alltheyearround，fromthedawnofMondaytothenightofSaturday，thewhirrofshaftsandwheels。
　　Drowsilytheywhirredallthroughthissunnyday，makingthepassengermoresleepyandmorehotashepassedthehummingwallsofthemills。Sun-blinds，andsprinklingsofwater，alittlecooledthemainstreetsandtheshops；butthemills，andthecourtsandalleys，bakedatafierceheat。Downupontheriverthatwasblackandthickwithdye，someCoketownboyswhowereatlarge-araresightthere-rowedacrazyboat，whichmadeaspumoustrackuponthewaterasitjoggedalong，whileeverydipofanoarstirredupvilesmells。Butthesunitself，howeverbeneficent，generally，waslesskindtoCoketownthanhardfrost，andrarelylookedintentlyintoanyofitscloserregionswithoutengenderingmoredeaththanlife。SodoestheeyeofHeavenitselfbecomeanevileye，whenincapableorsordidhandsareinterposedbetweenitandthethingsitlooksupontobless。
　　Mrs。SparsitsatinherafternoonapartmentattheBank，ontheshadiersideofthefryingstreet。Office-hourswereover:andatthatperiodoftheday，inwarmweather，sheusuallyembellishedwithhergenteelpresence，amanagerialboard-roomoverthepublicoffice。Herownprivatesitting-roomwasastoryhigher，atthewindowofwhichpostofobservationshewasready，everymorning，togreetMr。Bounderby，ashecameacrosstheroad，withthesympathizingrecognitionappropriatetoaVictim。Hehadbeenmarriednowayear；andMrs。Sparsithadneverreleasedhimfromherdeterminedpityamoment。
　　TheBankofferednoviolencetothewholesomemonotonyofthetown。
　　Itwasanotherredbrickhouse，withblackoutsideshutters，greeninsideblinds，ablackstreet-dooruptwowhitesteps，abrazendoor-plate，andabrazendoor-handlefullstop。ItwasasizelargerthanMr。Bounderby'shouse，asotherhouseswerefromasizetohalf-a-dozensizessmaller；inallotherparticulars，itwasstrictlyaccordingtopattern。
　　Mrs。Sparsitwasconsciousthatbycomingintheevening-tideamongthedesksandwritingimplements，sheshedafeminine，nottosayalsoaristocratic，graceupontheoffice。Seated，withherneedleworkornettingapparatus，atthewindow，shehadaself-
　　laudatorysenseofcorrecting，byherladylikedeportment，therudebusinessaspectoftheplace。Withthisimpressionofherinterestingcharacteruponher，Mrs。Sparsitconsideredherself，insomesort，theBankFairy。Thetownspeoplewho，intheirpassingandrepassing，sawherthere，regardedherastheBankDragonkeepingwatchoverthetreasuresofthemine。
　　Whatthosetreasureswere，Mrs。Sparsitknewaslittleastheydid。
　　Goldandsilvercoin，preciouspaper，secretsthatifdivulgedwouldbringvaguedestructionuponvaguepersonsgenerally，however，peoplewhomshedisliked，werethechiefitemsinheridealcataloguethereof。Fortherest，sheknewthatafteroffice-
　　hours，shereignedsupremeoveralltheofficefurniture，andoveralocked-upironroomwiththreelocks，againstthedoorofwhichstrongchamberthelightporterlaidhisheadeverynight，onatrucklebed，thatdisappearedatcockcrow。Further，shewasladyparamountovercertainvaultsinthebasement，sharplyspikedofffromcommunicationwiththepredatoryworld；andovertherelicsofthecurrentday'swork，consistingofblotsofink，worn-outpens，fragmentsofwafers，andscrapsofpapertornsosmall，thatnothinginterestingcouldeverbedecipheredonthemwhenMrs。
　　Sparsittried。Lastly，shewasguardianoveralittlearmouryofcutlassesandcarbines，arrayedinvengefulorderaboveoneoftheofficialchimney-pieces；andoverthatrespectabletraditionnevertobeseparatedfromaplaceofbusinessclaimingtobewealthy-arowoffire-buckets-vesselscalculatedtobeofnophysicalutilityonanyoccasion，butobservedtoexerciseafinemoralinfluence，almostequaltobullion，onmostbeholders。
　　Adeafserving-womanandthelightportercompletedMrs。Sparsit'sempire。Thedeafserving-womanwasrumouredtobewealthy；andasayinghadforyearsgoneaboutamongthelowerordersofCoketown，thatshewouldbemurderedsomenightwhentheBankwasshut，forthesakeofhermoney。Itwasgenerallyconsidered，indeed，thatshehadbeenduesometime，andoughttohavefallenlongago；butshehadkeptherlife，andhersituation，withanill-conditionedtenacitythatoccasionedmuchoffenceanddisappointment。
　　Mrs。Sparsit'steawasjustsetforheronapertlittletable，withitstripodoflegsinanattitude，whichsheinsinuatedafteroffice-hours，intothecompanyofthestern，leathern-topped，longboard-tablethatbestrodethemiddleoftheroom。Thelightporterplacedthetea-trayonit，knucklinghisforeheadasaformofhomage。
　　'Thankyou，Bitzer，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Thankyou，ma'am，'returnedthelightporter。Hewasaverylightporterindeed；aslightasinthedayswhenheblinkinglydefinedahorse，forgirlnumbertwenty。
　　'Allisshutup，Bitzer？'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Allisshutup，ma'am。'
　　'Andwhat，'saidMrs。Sparsit，pouringouthertea，'isthenewsoftheday？Anything？'
　　'Well，ma'am，Ican'tsaythatIhaveheardanythingparticular。
　　Ourpeopleareabadlot，ma'am；butthatisnonews，unfortunately。'
　　'Whataretherestlesswretchesdoingnow？'askedMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Merelygoingonintheoldway，ma'am。Uniting，andleaguing，andengagingtostandbyoneanother。'
　　'Itismuchtoberegretted，'saidMrs。Sparsit，makinghernosemoreRomanandhereyebrowsmoreCoriolanianinthestrengthofherseverity，'thattheunitedmastersallowofanysuchclass-
　　combinations。'
　　'Yes，ma'am，'saidBitzer。
　　'Beingunitedthemselves，theyoughtoneandalltosettheirfacesagainstemployinganymanwhoisunitedwithanyotherman，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Theyhavedonethat，ma'am，'returnedBitzer；'butitratherfellthrough，ma'am。'
　　'Idonotpretendtounderstandthesethings，'saidMrs。Sparsit，withdignity，'mylothavingbeensignallycastinawidelydifferentsphere；andMr。Sparsit，asaPowler，beingalsoquiteoutofthepaleofanysuchdissensions。Ionlyknowthatthesepeoplemustbeconquered，andthatit'shightimeitwasdone，onceforall。'
　　'Yes，ma'am，'returnedBitzer，withademonstrationofgreatrespectforMrs。Sparsit'soracularauthority。'Youcouldn'tputitclearer，Iamsure，ma'am。'
　　AsthiswashisusualhourforhavingalittleconfidentialchatwithMrs。Sparsit，andashehadalreadycaughthereyeandseenthatshewasgoingtoaskhimsomething，hemadeapretenceofarrangingtherulers，inkstands，andsoforth，whilethatladywentonwithhertea，glancingthroughtheopenwindow，downintothestreet。
　　'Hasitbeenabusyday，Bitzer？'askedMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Notaverybusyday，mylady。Aboutanaverageday。'Henowandthenslidedintomylady，insteadofma'am，asaninvoluntaryacknowledgmentofMrs。Sparsit'spersonaldignityandclaimstoreverence。
　　'Theclerks，'saidMrs。Sparsit，carefullybrushinganimperceptiblecrumbofbreadandbutterfromherleft-handmitten，'aretrustworthy，punctual，andindustrious，ofcourse？'
　　'Yes，ma'am，prettyfair，ma'am。Withtheusualexception。'
　　Heheldtherespectableofficeofgeneralspyandinformerintheestablishment，forwhichvolunteerservicehereceivedapresentatChristmas，overandabovehisweeklywage。Hehadgrownintoanextremelyclear-headed，cautious，prudentyoungman，whowassafetoriseintheworld。Hismindwassoexactlyregulated，thathehadnoaffectionsorpassions。Allhisproceedingsweretheresultofthenicestandcoldestcalculation；anditwasnotwithoutcausethatMrs。Sparsithabituallyobservedofhim，thathewasayoungmanofthesteadiestprincipleshehadeverknown。Havingsatisfiedhimself，onhisfather'sdeath，thathismotherhadarightofsettlementinCoketown，thisexcellentyoungeconomisthadassertedthatrightforherwithsuchasteadfastadherencetotheprincipleofthecase，thatshehadbeenshutupintheworkhouseeversince。Itmustbeadmittedthatheallowedherhalfapoundofteaayear，whichwasweakinhim:first，becauseallgiftshaveaninevitabletendencytopauperisetherecipient，andsecondly，becausehisonlyreasonabletransactioninthatcommoditywouldhavebeentobuyitforaslittleashecouldpossiblygive，andsellitforasmuchashecouldpossiblyget；ithavingbeenclearlyascertainedbyphilosophersthatinthisiscomprisedthewholedutyofman-notapartofman'sduty，butthewhole。
　　'Prettyfair，ma'am。Withtheusualexception，ma'am，'repeatedBitzer。
　　'Ah-h！'saidMrs。Sparsit，shakingherheadoverhertea-cup，andtakingalonggulp。
　　'Mr。Thomas，ma'am，IdoubtMr。Thomasverymuch，ma'am，Idon'tlikehiswaysatall。'
　　'Bitzer，'saidMrs。Sparsit，inaveryimpressivemanner，'doyourecollectmyhavingsaidanythingtoyourespectingnames？'
　　'Ibegyourpardon，ma'am。It'squitetruethatyoudidobjecttonamesbeingused，andthey'realwaysbestavoided。'
　　'PleasetorememberthatIhaveachargehere，'saidMrs。Sparsit，withherairofstate。'Iholdatrusthere，Bitzer，underMr。
　　Bounderby。HoweverimprobablebothMr。Bounderbyandmyselfmighthavedeemedityearsago，thathewouldeverbecomemypatron，makingmeanannualcompliment，Icannotbutregardhiminthatlight。FromMr。BounderbyIhavereceivedeveryacknowledgmentofmysocialstation，andeveryrecognitionofmyfamilydescent，thatIcouldpossiblyexpect。More，farmore。Therefore，tomypatronIwillbescrupulouslytrue。AndIdonotconsider，Iwillnotconsider，Icannotconsider，'saidMrs。Sparsit，withamostextensivestockonhandofhonourandmorality，'thatIshouldbescrupulouslytrue，ifIallowednamestobementionedunderthisroof，thatareunfortunately-mostunfortunately-nodoubtofthat-connectedwithhis。'
　　Bitzerknuckledhisforeheadagain，andagainbeggedpardon。
　　'No，Bitzer，'continuedMrs。Sparsit，'sayanindividual，andI
　　willhearyou；sayMr。Thomas，andyoumustexcuseme。'
　　'Withtheusualexception，ma'am，'saidBitzer，tryingback，'ofanindividual。'
　　'Ah-h！'Mrs。Sparsitrepeatedtheejaculation，theshakeoftheheadoverhertea-cup，andthelonggulp，astakinguptheconversationagainatthepointwhereithadbeeninterrupted。
　　'Anindividual，ma'am，'saidBitzer，'hasneverbeenwhatheoughttohavebeen，sincehefirstcameintotheplace。Heisadissipated，extravagantidler。Heisnotworthhissalt，ma'am。
　　Hewouldn'tgetiteither，ifhehadn'tafriendandrelationatcourt，ma'am！'
　　'Ah-h！'saidMrs。Sparsit，withanothermelancholyshakeofherhead。
　　'Ionlyhope，ma'am，'pursuedBitzer，'thathisfriendandrelationmaynotsupplyhimwiththemeansofcarryingon。Otherwise，ma'am，weknowoutofwhosepocketthatmoneycomes。'
　　'Ah-h！'sighedMrs。Sparsitagain，withanothermelancholyshakeofherhead。
　　'Heistobepitied，ma'am。ThelastpartyIhavealludedto，istobepitied，ma'am，'saidBitzer。
　　'Yes，Bitzer，'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Ihavealwayspitiedthedelusion，always。'
　　'Astoanindividual，ma'am，'saidBitzer，droppinghisvoiceanddrawingnearer，'heisasimprovidentasanyofthepeopleinthistown。Andyouknowwhattheirimprovidenceis，ma'am。Noonecouldwishtoknowitbetterthanaladyofyoureminencedoes。'
　　'Theywoulddowell，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'totakeexamplebyyou，Bitzer。'
　　'Thankyou，ma'am。But，sinceyoudorefertome，nowlookatme，ma'am。Ihaveputbyalittle，ma'am，already。ThatgratuitywhichIreceiveatChristmas，ma'am:Inevertouchit。Idon'tevengothelengthofmywages，thoughthey'renothigh，ma'am。
　　Whycan'ttheydoasIhavedone，ma'am？Whatonepersoncando，anothercando。'
　　This，again，wasamongthefictionsofCoketown。Anycapitalistthere，whohadmadesixtythousandpoundsoutofsixpence，alwaysprofessedtowonderwhythesixtythousandnearestHandsdidn'teachmakesixtythousandpoundsoutofsixpence，andmoreorlessreproachedthemeveryonefornotaccomplishingthelittlefeat。
　　WhatIdidyoucando。Whydon'tyougoanddoit？
　　'Astotheirwantingrecreations，ma'am，'saidBitzer，'it'sstuffandnonsense。Idon'twantrecreations。Ineverdid，andInevershall；Idon'tlike'em。Astotheircombiningtogether；therearemanyofthem，Ihavenodoubt，thatbywatchingandinformingupononeanothercouldearnatriflenowandthen，whetherinmoneyorgoodwill，andimprovetheirlivelihood。Then，whydon'ttheyimproveit，ma'am！It'sthefirstconsiderationofarationalcreature，andit'swhattheypretendtowant。'
　　'Pretendindeed！'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Iamsureweareconstantlyhearing，ma'am，tillitbecomesquitenauseous，concerningtheirwivesandfamilies，'saidBitzer。'Whylookatme，ma'am！Idon'twantawifeandfamily。Whyshouldthey？'
　　'Becausetheyareimprovident，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Yes，ma'am，'returnedBitzer，'that'swhereitis。Iftheyweremoreprovidentandlessperverse，ma'am，whatwouldtheydo？Theywouldsay，"Whilemyhatcoversmyfamily，"or"whilemybonnetcoversmyfamily，"-asthecasemightbe，ma'am-"Ihaveonlyonetofeed，andthat'sthepersonImostliketofeed。"'
　　'Tobesure，'assentedMrs。Sparsit，eatingmuffin。
　　'Thankyou，ma'am，'saidBitzer，knucklinghisforeheadagain，inreturnforthefavourofMrs。Sparsit'simprovingconversation。
　　'Wouldyouwishalittlemorehotwater，ma'am，oristhereanythingelsethatIcouldfetchyou？'
　　'Nothingjustnow，Bitzer。'
　　'Thankyou，ma'am。Ishouldn'twishtodisturbyouatyourmeals，ma'am，particularlytea，knowingyourpartialityforit，'saidBitzer，craningalittletolookoverintothestreetfromwherehestood；'butthere'sagentlemanbeenlookinguphereforaminuteorso，ma'am，andhehascomeacrossasifhewasgoingtoknock。
　　Thatishisknock，ma'am，nodoubt。'
　　Hesteppedtothewindow；andlookingout，anddrawinginhisheadagain，confirmedhimselfwith，'Yes，ma'am。Wouldyouwishthegentlemantobeshownin，ma'am？'
　　'Idon'tknowwhoitcanbe，'saidMrs。Sparsit，wipinghermouthandarranginghermittens。
　　'Astranger，ma'am，evidently。'
　　'WhatastrangercanwantattheBankatthistimeoftheevening，unlesshecomesuponsomebusinessforwhichheistoolate，I
　　don'tknow，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'butIholdachargeinthisestablishmentfromMr。Bounderby，andIwillnevershrinkfromit。
　　IftoseehimisanypartofthedutyIhaveaccepted，Iwillseehim。Useyourowndiscretion，Bitzer。'
　　Herethevisitor，allunconsciousofMrs。Sparsit'smagnanimouswords，repeatedhisknocksoloudlythatthelightporterhasteneddowntoopenthedoor；whileMrs。Sparsittooktheprecautionofconcealingherlittletable，withallitsappliancesuponit，inacupboard，andthendecampedup-stairs，thatshemightappear，ifneedful，withthegreaterdignity。
　　'Ifyouplease，ma'am，thegentlemanwouldwishtoseeyou，'saidBitzer，withhislighteyeatMrs。Sparsit'skeyhole。So，Mrs。
　　Sparsit，whohadimprovedtheintervalbytouchinguphercap，tookherclassicalfeaturesdown-stairsagain，andenteredtheboard-
　　roominthemannerofaRomanmatrongoingoutsidethecitywallstotreatwithaninvadinggeneral。
　　Thevisitorhavingstrolledtothewindow，andbeingthenengagedinlookingcarelesslyout，wasasunmovedbythisimpressiveentryasmancouldpossiblybe。Hestoodwhistlingtohimselfwithallimaginablecoolness，withhishatstillon，andacertainairofexhaustionuponhim，inpartarisingfromexcessivesummer，andinpartfromexcessivegentility。Foritwastobeseenwithhalfaneyethathewasathoroughgentleman，madetothemodelofthetime；wearyofeverything，andputtingnomorefaithinanythingthanLucifer。
　　'Ibelieve，sir，'quothMrs。Sparsit，'youwishedtoseeme。'
　　'Ibegyourpardon，'hesaid，turningandremovinghishat；'prayexcuseme。'
　　'Humph！'thoughtMrs。Sparsit，asshemadeastatelybend。'Fiveandthirty，good-looking，goodfigure，goodteeth，goodvoice，goodbreeding，well-dressed，darkhair，boldeyes。'AllwhichMrs。
　　Sparsitobservedinherwomanlyway-liketheSultanwhoputhisheadinthepailofwater-merelyindippingdownandcomingupagain。
　　'Pleasetobeseated，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'Thankyou。Allowme。'Heplacedachairforher，butremainedhimselfcarelesslyloungingagainstthetable。'Ileftmyservantattherailwaylookingaftertheluggage-veryheavytrainandvastquantityofitinthevan-andstrolledon，lookingaboutme。
　　Exceedinglyoddplace。Willyouallowmetoaskyouifit'salwaysasblackasthis？'
　　'Ingeneralmuchblacker，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，inheruncompromisingway。
　　'Isitpossible！Excuseme:youarenotanative，Ithink？'
　　'No，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit。'Itwasoncemygoodorillfortune，asitmaybe-beforeIbecameawidow-tomoveinaverydifferentsphere。MyhusbandwasaPowler。'
　　'Begyourpardon，really！'saidthestranger。'Was-？'
　　Mrs。Sparsitrepeated，'APowler。'
　　'PowlerFamily，'saidthestranger，afterreflectingafewmoments。
　　Mrs。Sparsitsignifiedassent。Thestrangerseemedalittlemorefatiguedthanbefore。
　　'Youmustbeverymuchboredhere？'wastheinferencehedrewfromthecommunication。
　　'Iamtheservantofcircumstances，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'andI
　　havelongadaptedmyselftothegoverningpowerofmylife。'
　　'Veryphilosophical，'returnedthestranger，'andveryexemplaryandlaudable，and-'Itseemedtobescarcelyworthhiswhiletofinishthesentence，soheplayedwithhiswatch-chainwearily。
　　'MayIbepermittedtoask，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'towhatIamindebtedforthefavourof-'
　　'Assuredly，'saidthestranger。'Muchobligedtoyouforremindingme。IamthebearerofaletterofintroductiontoMr。Bounderby，thebanker。Walkingthroughthisextraordinarilyblacktown，whiletheyweregettingdinnerreadyatthehotel，IaskedafellowwhomImet；oneoftheworkingpeople；whoappearedtohavebeentakingashower-bathofsomethingfluffy，whichIassumetobetherawmaterial-'
　　Mrs。Sparsitinclinedherhead。
　　'-Rawmaterial-whereMr。Bounderby，thebanker，mightreside。
　　Uponwhich，mislednodoubtbythewordBanker，hedirectedmetotheBank。Factbeing，Ipresume，thatMr。BounderbytheBankerdoesnotresideintheedificeinwhichIhavethehonourofofferingthisexplanation？'
　　'No，sir，'returnedMrs。Sparsit，'hedoesnot。'
　　'Thankyou。Ihadnointentionofdeliveringmyletteratthepresentmoment，norhaveI。ButstrollingontotheBanktokilltime，andhavingthegoodfortunetoobserveatthewindow，'
　　towardswhichhelanguidlywavedhishand，thenslightlybowed，'aladyofaverysuperiorandagreeableappearance，IconsideredthatIcouldnotdobetterthantakethelibertyofaskingthatladywhereMr。BounderbytheBankerdoeslive。WhichIaccordinglyventure，withallsuitableapologies，todo。'
　　Theinattentionandindolenceofhismannerweresufficientlyrelieved，toMrs。Sparsit'sthinking，byacertaingallantryatease，whichofferedherhomagetoo。Herehewas，forinstance，atthismoment，allbutsittingonthetable，andyetlazilybendingoverher，asifheacknowledgedanattractioninherthatmadehercharming-inherway。
　　'Banks，Iknow，arealwayssuspicious，andofficiallymustbe，'
　　saidthestranger，whoselightnessandsmoothnessofspeechwerepleasantlikewise；suggestingmatterfarmoresensibleandhumorousthanitevercontained-whichwasperhapsashrewddeviceofthefounderofthisnumeroussect，whosoevermayhavebeenthatgreatman:'thereforeImayobservethatmyletter-hereitis-isfromthememberforthisplace-Gradgrind-whomIhavehadthepleasureofknowinginLondon。'
　　Mrs。Sparsitrecognizedthehand，intimatedthatsuchconfirmationwasquiteunnecessary，andgaveMr。Bounderby'saddress，withallneedfulcluesanddirectionsinaid。
　　'Thousandthanks，'saidthestranger。'OfcourseyouknowtheBankerwell？'
　　'Yes，sir，'rejoinedMrs。Sparsit。'Inmydependentrelationtowardshim，Ihaveknownhimtenyears。'
　　'Quiteaneternity！IthinkhemarriedGradgrind'sdaughter？'
　　'Yes，'saidMrs。Sparsit，suddenlycompressinghermouth，'hehadthat-honour。'
　　'Theladyisquiteaphilosopher，Iamtold？'
　　'Indeed，sir，'saidMrs。Sparsit。'Isshe？'
　　'Excusemyimpertinentcuriosity，'pursuedthestranger，flutteringoverMrs。Sparsit'seyebrows，withapropitiatoryair，'butyouknowthefamily，andknowtheworld。Iamabouttoknowthefamily，andmayhavemuchtodowiththem。Istheladysoveryalarming？Herfathergiveshersuchaportentouslyhard-headedreputation，thatIhaveaburningdesiretoknow。Issheabsolutelyunapproachable？Repellentlyandstunninglyclever？I
　　see，byyourmeaningsmile，youthinknot。Youhavepouredbalmintomyanxioussoul。Astoage，now。Forty？Fiveandthirty？'
　　Mrs。Sparsitlaughedoutright。'Achit，'saidshe。'Nottwentywhenshewasmarried。'
　　'Igiveyoumyhonour，Mrs。Powler，'returnedthestranger，detachinghimselffromthetable，'thatIneverwassoastonishedinmylife！'
　　Itreallydidseemtoimpresshim，totheutmostextentofhiscapacityofbeingimpressed。Helookedathisinformantforfullaquarterofaminute，andappearedtohavethesurpriseinhismindallthetime。'Iassureyou，Mrs。Powler，'hethensaid，muchexhausted，'thatthefather'smannerpreparedmeforagrimandstonymaturity。Iamobligedtoyou，ofallthings，forcorrectingsoabsurdamistake。Prayexcusemyintrusion。Manythanks。Goodday！'
　　Hebowedhimselfout；andMrs。Sparsit，hidinginthewindowcurtain，sawhimlanguishingdownthestreetontheshadysideoftheway，observedofallthetown。
　　'Whatdoyouthinkofthegentleman，Bitzer？'sheaskedthelightporter，whenhecametotakeaway。
　　'Spendsadealofmoneyonhisdress，ma'am。'
　　'Itmustbeadmitted，'saidMrs。Sparsit，'thatit'sverytasteful。'
　　'Yes，ma'am，'returnedBitzer，'ifthat'sworththemoney。'
　　'Besideswhich，ma'am，'resumedBitzer，whilehewaspolishingthetable，'helookstomeasifhegamed。'
　　'It'simmoraltogame，'saidMrs。Sparsit。
　　'It'sridiculous，ma'am，'saidBitzer，'becausethechancesareagainsttheplayers。'
　　WhetheritwasthattheheatpreventedMrs。Sparsitfromworking，orwhetheritwasthatherhandwasout，shedidnoworkthatnight。Shesatatthewindow，whenthesunbegantosinkbehindthesmoke；shesatthere，whenthesmokewasburningred，whenthecolourfadedfromit，whendarknessseemedtoriseslowlyoutoftheground，andcreepupward，upward，uptothehouse-tops，upthechurchsteeple，uptothesummitsofthefactorychimneys，uptothesky。Withoutacandleintheroom，Mrs。Sparsitsatatthewindow，withherhandsbeforeher，notthinkingmuchofthesoundsofevening；thewhoopingofboys，thebarkingofdogs，therumblingofwheels，thestepsandvoicesofpassengers，theshrillstreetcries，theclogsuponthepavementwhenitwastheirhourforgoingby，theshutting-upofshop-shutters。Notuntilthelightporterannouncedthathernocturnalsweetbreadwasready，didMrs。Sparsitarouseherselffromherreverie，andconveyherdenseblackeyebrows-bythattimecreasedwithmeditation，asiftheyneededironingout-up-stairs。
　　'O，youFool！'saidMrs。Sparsit，whenshewasaloneathersupper。
　　Whomshemeant，shedidnotsay；butshecouldscarcelyhavemeantthesweetbread。